Posted on
4/15/2008 6:39:12 PM
Bet On MLB Baseball - Houston vs. Philadelphia
By Robby Maddux
The Philadelphia Phillies (6-7) and Houston Astros (5-8) split their six games in 2007, with Philadelphia winning two of three at home for their MLB betting faithful, and on Tuesday the two open a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park in the city of brotherly love.
Shawn Chacon (0-0, 3.75), who has gone six innings in each of his first two starts, will take the bump for Houston in the series opener. The right-hander allowed three runs in the Astros’ 5-3 loss to St. Louis last Tuesday but did not receive a decision.
Chacon is 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA in ten career appearances (three starts) against the Phillies. He made three relief appearances against them in 2007 while with Pittsburgh and gave up four runs in 2 2-3 innings without earning a decision.
Chacon will be backed by a Houston offense that's scored 20 runs over their last four games, outscoring its opponent 10-1 over the last two which they've won. Collectively, the Astros are hitting .238 with 53 runs scored. The Astros are at the bottom of the NL Central.
All-star shortstop Miguel Tejada is leading the scoring parade and is hitting a robust .400 (10-for-25) with two homers and six RBIs over a seven-game hitting streak.
Tejada is 2-for-8 (.250) with a dinger against Phillies Game 1 starter Adam Eaton (0-0, 3.95 ERA).
Eaton allowed three runs in six innings of work against the Mets Thursday in a 4-3 defeat but the loss was handed to Tom Gordon. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 4.42 ERA in six career starts against the Astros.
The Phillies might have their All-Star and reigning NL MVP shortstop Jimmy Rollins back in Tuesday's lineup, which would be a huge lift for MLB wagering fans in Philadelphia.
Rollins has not played in the last five games because of a sprained left ankle, and the Phillies have gone 2-3 without him.
He's 11-for-36 (.306) with two long balls and six RBIs in nine games this season after hitting .296 with 20 home runs and 94 RBIs in last year's campaign.
Rollins is 4-for-11 (.306) against Chacon with one RBI and two walks.
BetUS MLB odds gave Philadelphia a lot of respect to finish near the top in the NL East due-in-part to a strong offense. As a team, the Phillies are hitting .256 with 59 runs knocked in.
Analysis: Houston is just 2-5 in their seven road games this season and they own the same weak mark in their last seven versus right-handed starters. Adam should have the Astros ''Eaton'' out of his hand in this one.
MLB Free Picks: Philadelphia Phillies (-145)
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