Posted on 4/10/2008 5:57:24 PM

MLB Baseball Betting - Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB betting odds: N.Y. Mets -175, Philadelphia +155, Total 9.5 (Under -120, Over - Even)

Two teams trying to get to the .500 mark will meet up on Thursday night at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadow on Thursday night, when the New York Mets (3-4) tackle the Philadelphia Phillies (4-5) in a National League matchup that is set to begin at 7:10 PM ET.

Right-handers take to the mound, as Adam Eaton (0-0, 3.52 ERA) assumes the position for the Phillies, while John Maine (0-1, 9.00 ERA) gets the call for the Mets.

At BetUS Sportsbook, the Mets are listed as a -175 favorite (Philadelphia is +155), with a total of 9.5 runs (the Under is -120, the Over is even money).

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

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

* PHIL has played three of its last four games UNDER the total

* PHIL has won 11 of its last 16 road games

* NY has lost four of its last six games

* NY has lost 10 of its last 14 games

* NY has played 15 of its last 21 games OVER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* PHIL has won nine of the last ten meetings

* PHIL has won four of the last five meetings as the visitor

* Five of the last eight meetings have gone UNDER the total

* Three of the last five meetings in New York have gone UNDER the total

It was a pretty tough outing for John Maine first time out, as he gave up four earned runs and 11 runners in just four innings against the Braves. That may open up some questions, because he faded in the second half of last season after getting off to a 10-4, 2.71 ERA start. The Mets are hoping that he can pitch better by being fresh.

Adam Eaton had a nice initial outing against the Reds, but he's largely been a disappointment in Philadelphia. Over the last two seasons, he's gone 17-14 but with a bloated 5.95 ERA. And last season he gave up 30 home run balls.

Jimmy Rollins, last year's MVP who sat out yesterday with an ankle problem, will probably play for the Phillies, while New York second baseman Luis Castillo, who is bothered by a knee injury, likely will not. We are not crazy about Eaton by any stretch, and even though the Phils have won nine of the last ten meetings, we like Maine's individual history against this opponent, which has seen him allow just nine earned runs in 32 innings over the last couple of seasons.

We'll lay the -175 with the Mets in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: N.Y. METS

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)