posted May 30, 2008 at 14:49 in MLB Free Picks
MLB Baseball Betting Odds - Boston at Baltimore
BetUS MLB betting odds: Boston -145, Baltimore +125; Total 8.5
The Boston Red Sox (32-24) are trying to rebound during a down period, and they will take a step toward that on Friday night when they face off against the Baltimore Orioles (26-26) in American League sports wagering action that is set to begin at 7:05 PM ET at Camden Yards (natural turf) in Baltimore.
Josh Beckett (5-4, 4.43 ERA) gets the start for the BoSox, while the O's go with fellow right-hander Daniel Cabrera (5-1, 3.78 ERA).
At BetUS online sportsbook, Boston is listed as a -145 favorite (Baltimore is +125), with a total of 8.5 runs (the Under is -115, while the Over is -105).
Here are some of the MLB Baseball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* BOS has lost five of its last six games
* BOS has played four of its last five games UNDER the total
* BOS has lost nine of its last ten home games
* BOS has played four of its last five road games UNDER the total
* BALT has lost six of its last eight games
* BALT has won six of its last eight home games
* BALT has played four of its last six home games UNDER the total
In the HEAD-TO-HEAD sports betting trends:
* These teams have split their last ten meetings
* BOS has won 16 of the last 23 meetings as the road team
The Red Sox aren't hitting the way they envisioned at the season's start. Boston has scored 14 runs in its last six games, and the Sox are now behind the surprising, AL East division-leading Tampa Bay Rays by a full game. They are two games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the loss column.
Boston has not been strong on the road, winning just 11 of 30 games. Meanwhile, the Orioles have one of the best home records in the big leagues, winning at a 66.7% clip (16-8). And while the Sox have the league's best batting average, the Orioles have managed to hang in there despite an average that is third from the bottom in the American League.
Josh Beckett last pitched against the O's on May 13, and was removed in the sixth inning, having given up eleven hits and five runs. He followed that by giving up six runs in seven innings against Milwaukee. But he rebounded well in his last start, holding the A's to two runs in seven innings but falling victim to a lack of offensive support in a 3-0 loss.
Daniel Cabrera gave up ten runs in ten innings over his first two starts, then went on a run of seven consecutive starts where he gave up three runs or less. Five days ago he pitched 5-2/3 innings against the Rays and gave up nine hits and four runs.
Maybe the Red Sox are favored on the basis of reputation. But their road record does not inspire confidence. And it does not give us a basis for laying this price, especially as we are not overwhelmed by John Beckett's form. We will take the price with the Orioles, the +125 underdog in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: BALTIMORE (+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)
