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posted March 31, 2008 at 12:48 in MLB Free Picks

BetUS MLB betting odds: Cleveland -175, Chicago +155, Total 8.5 (Under -120, Over - Even)

The Chicago White Sox (72-90 in 2007), looking to overcome a major disappointment from last year, take to the field to kick off the '08 season on Monday, as they visit the natural turf of Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) in Cleveland to take on the Indians (96-66 in 2007), last year's AL Central winner, in a game that will begin at 3:05 PM ET.

Lefty aces take the mound for their respective clubs, as Mark Buehrle of the White Sox squares off against C.C. Sabathia of the Indians.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Cleveland is listed as a -175 favorite (Chicago is +155), with a total of 8.5 runs (Under -120, Over - Even money).

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

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

* CHI has won four of their last five games

* CHI has lost 16 of its last 22 road games

* CHI has played nine of its last 12 road games UNDER the total

* CLE has won six of its last seven home games

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD betting trends:

* CLE has won five of the last seven meetings

* CLE has won 10 of the last 15 meetings as the home team

It was no accident that the White Sox lost 90 games last year, just a couple of seasons after winning the World Series. This team was relatively punchless, with a .318 on-base percentage that was last in the AL. The Sox were also last in runs, and were outscored by more than a run a game by the Yankees. Will adding Orlando Cabrera and Nick Swisher to the lineup provide the answers? Perhaps not, since other members of this lineup, like A.J. Pierzynski, Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko took a big slide last year.

Mark Buehrle brings some consistency to the table; his 1.26 WHIP (walks+hits per innings pitched) was strong, and that figure was 1.16 on the road. In fact, that's better than C.C. Sabathia's 1.2 mark at home. Sabathia won the Cy Young, though he disappointed in the post-season. The Indians were outstanding with him on the hill, winning 24 of his 37 starts in '07. And he's backed by a bullpen that is much more solid than the Pale Hose have on their side.

It's difficult to back the White Sox until they can show more offense, especially when you look at their record against left-handed starters - just 16-28 (.364 winning percentage) and a .238 average. here they go up against one of the better left-handers in the business, who is playing out his contract in hopes of a huge free agent bonanza.

We'll stick the favorite in this one. That's the Indians, laying -175 in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: CLEVELAND

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