Up to MLB Betting Trends

posted April 25, 2008 at 12:55 in MLB Betting Trends

BetUS MLB betting odds: N.Y. Mets -150, Atlanta +130, Total 9.5 (Under -125, Over +105)

The New York Mets (11-10), mired in a mini-slump, will try to get some momentum going when they play host to the Atlanta Braves (11-11) in a game between two teams who are expected to be in the thick of the National League East race all year long. The first pitch for the Friday night contest is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadow (natural turf).

Jair Jurrjens (2-2, 3.20 ERA) will get the start for Atlanta, while Mike Pelfrey (2-0, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound for the Mets, in this encounter of right-handers.

At BetUS Sportsbook, New York is listed as a -150 favorite (Atlanta is +130), with a total of 9.5 runs (the Under is -125, while the Over is +105).

Here are some of the MLB betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

(NOTE: These trends may also revert back to the 2007 season)

* ATL has won six of its last eight games

* ATL has played six of its last eight games UNDER the total

* ATL has lost nine of its last 12 road games

* ATL has played 10 of its last 13 road games UNDER the total

* NY has lost four of its last five games

* NY has played seven of its last ten games UNDER the total

* NY has won six of its last eight home games

* NY has played five of its last seven home games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* ATL has won three of the last four meetings

* NY has won five of the last eight meetings

* Six of the last eight meetings have gone UNDER the total

Jair Jurrjens has pitched extremely well in his last two starts, giving up only seven hits and three runs in 13 innings, though in one of those games, his team suffered a shutout loss to the Marlins. He's had to carry more of the load on this staff because of the recent injuries to Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton.

Last September 1, Pelfrey had a sensational outing against the Braves, allowing just one hit over seven innings. He looks to recapture that form in this one. Two of his three starts could be considered successful, especially an April 15 start against Washington, when he completely shut the Nats down, pitching shutout ball over seven innings and yielding just five hits.

The Mets managed to score 12 runs over the last two games in the nation's capital, but prior to that, had gone a period of six contests where they scored just 19 runs. Overall, they're around the middle of the pack in batting average (.259 - 14th) and homers (12 - 18th). Carlos Delgado and carlos Beltran are wallowing around with averages of .198 and .230, respectively.

Pelfrey has been a bright spot on the pitching staff, which is holding opponents to a .239 average. The Braves are doing an even better job, holding foes to a .234 average (2nd in the majors), which is a pleasant surprise because it has come without Glavine or Hampton. And Jurrjens has been an "average" Braves starter, as opposing batters are hitting .235 against him. Pelfrey has allowed more than one run in only one inning out of 17.

This all good in pointing us toward where we want to go, which is UNDER the 9.5 runs, as is posted in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: UNDER 9.5 (-125)

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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com touches all the bases as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)