posted May 7, 2008 at 17:13 in MLB Articles
MLB Online Baseball Betting - Rangers vs. Mariners
BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Seattle -160, Texas +140; Total 8.5 (Under -120, Over - Even)
Two American League West teams with the same record will get together on Wednesday night in an effort to stay out of the division basement, as the Seattle Mariners (14-20) play host to the Texas Rangers (14-20) in a matchup that takes place at Safeco Field (natural turf) in Seattle. Game time is scheduled for 10:10 PM ET.
Right-hander Vicente Padilla (4-2, 3.50 ERA) is the Texas starter, while Erik Bedard (2-1, 1.82 ERA) takes the mound for Seattle.
At BetUS Sportsbook, Seattle is listed as a -160 favorite (Texas is +140), with a total of 8.5 runs (the Under is -120, the Over is even money).
Here are some of the MLB Baseball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
(NOTE: These trends may also revert back to the 2007 season)
* TEX has won five of its last seven games
* TEX has played 11 of its last 16 games OVER the total
* TEX has lost nine of its last 12 road games
* SEA has lost six of its last seven games
* SEA has lost five of its last seven home games
In the HEAD-TO-HEAD MLB betting trends:
* SEA has won six of the last eight meetings
* SEA has won eight of the last ten meetings as the home team
* Three of the last four meetings have gone OVER the total
Texas started out horribly, winning just seven of its first 26 games, but has come on a bit lately, winning seven of its last 11 contests. Still, pitching has been a problem, as the Rangers, who didn't do a lot in the off-season to improve its staff, are 14th in the American League, allowing 5.7 runs per game. As a result, they have played 19 of their 34 games over the total.
Vicente Padilla has been, on balance, probably the most reliable starter Texas has. In four of his seven starts he has allowed one run or less, including a complete game shutout against Minnesota on April 27. he's pitched well against Seattle of late, giving up just two total runs in his last two starts against the M's.
Erik Bedard, who came to Seattle from Baltimore in the off-season, has spent some time on the disabled lost but has been outstanding while he has been in the box. Bedard, who is one of the more highly-regarded left-handers in the game, has allowed just one run and six hits in 13-2/3 innings since his return. Walks have been a problem for him, however; Bedard has issued 13 bases on balls in 24-2/3 frames.
Bedard has a great recent history against Texas, yielding only three runs and 16 hits in his last four meetings with them (encompassing 28 innings), while fanning 37 hitters. That, and his recent form, is good enough for us here. We'll lay the -160 price in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds and go with the crafty lefty and the Seattle Mariners.
JAY'S PLAY: SEATTLE (-160)
Go to the BetUS sportsbook today and take a swing at Major League Baseball online betting. We have the most current baseball odds and lines, as well as player, game and series props throughout the MLB baseball season. To help you bet on sports, check out the Free Picks section of the Locker Room for sports betting free picks and predictions. Join BetUS to experience the best in online sports betting action!
(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com touches all the bases as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)
