Posted on 4/9/2008 2:37:43 PM

Bet On MLB Baseball - Wednesday Double Play

By Robby Maddux

The low down in Mo' Town is not good. Prior to yesterday's series opener, sportsbook bettors saw the Boston Red Sox receive their championship rings and then hand the Detroit Tigers their seventh consecutive loss, 5-0.

It's just the fifth time in Detroit history its club opened the season at 0-7, and it's the team’s worst start since 2003 en route to an AL-record 119 losses. The sports betting community certainly did not expect this from the stacked and free agent consumer crazy Tigers.

The Tigers are batting just .234 and have scored 15 runs this year, ahead of only Colorado (16) entering play Wednesday night. Detroit pitchers are also struggling. They own the second-worst ERA in the AL at 5.40. And, Tigers' hurlers have surrendered 27 walks, which is the most in the AL.

At the start of the campaign, BetUS MLB odds displayed Detroit among the favorites to win the AL pennant and to make noise in the World Series. If you invested in these futures, you're pending wager may already be in trouble. No team in MLB history has started 0-7 and reached the postseason. That's not good news to the MLB betting fan showing the Tigers love.

However, it is still very early in the season. As the Yankees proved last season you can be several games under .500 several months into the campaign and still have time to make the postseason.

Based on $100 wagers, after just one week of baseball the Detroit has lost $1115. Ouch! That's by far the most cheese dropped in MLB. And, things don't get easier as the Tigers continue a three-game series Wednesday against the defending champion Red Sox in bean town.

The Tigers will try to get its first win of the season this evening by handing the ball to right-hander Jeremy Bonderman (0-1, 5.68), who gave up four runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings in his season debut on Thursday, a 4-1 loss to Kansas City.

MLB betting can earn you a profit by wagering on losing (and winning) streaks, and that may be the case with Bonderman taking the mound.

- Tigers are 1-5 in Bondermans last 6 starts.

- Tigers are 1-5 in Bondermans last 6 starts on grass.

- Tigers are 1-4 in Bondermans last 5 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.

- Tigers are 2-8 in Bondermans last 10 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.

- Tigers are 1-8 in Bondermans last 9 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.

Bonderman is 3-4 with a 4.58 ERA in nine career starts against the Red Sox.

Boston will counter with left-hander Jon Lester (1-1, 3.38 ERA), who lost to A's in Japan on March 26. This will be his third start after throwing 6 2-3 scoreless innings in last Wednesday’s 5-0 win in Oakland. Lester, who had made just 27 appearances coming into this season, has never faced the Tigers.

Reasons to ride Detroit's losing streak with Lester climbing the hill:

- Red Sox are 20-8 in Lesters last 28 starts.

- Red Sox are 5-0 in Lesters last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.

- Red Sox are 5-0 in Lesters last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.

- Red Sox are 6-1 in Lesters last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.

- Red Sox are 6-1 in Lesters last 7 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.

- Red Sox are 14-3 in Lesters last 17 starts vs. a team with a losing record.

- Red Sox are 8-0 in Lesters last 8 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.

- Red Sox are 4-0 in Lesters last 4 home starts.

Boston went 51-30 during the regular season at Fenway last year and 7-1 in the postseason en route to its second World Series championship in four years.

Analysis: Tigers are 13-28 in the last 41 games with the Red Sox and they are 8-20 in the last 28 meetings played in Boston. Hop aboard Detroit's losing streak and enjoy the ride!

MLB Free Picks: Boston Red Sox (-125) and Over 10 -115

Robby's 2008 MLB Record - 1-0 (+$100.00 units) All plays based on $100 money-line wagers.

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