Posted on 4/16/2008 3:16:51 PM

MLB Baseball Betting - Washington at N.Y. Mets

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB betting odds: N.Y. Mets -230, Washington +190, Total 9 (Under -115, Over -105)

The sputtering Washington Nationals (4-10) really need a boost, and they hope they can get one from one of their young pitchers on Wednesday night as they take on the New York Mets (6-6) in a National League game that begins at 7:10 PM ET at Shea Stadium in Flushing, NY.

Left-hander Matt Chico (0-2, 3.72 ERA) gets the ball for the Nationals, while righty John Maine (0-1, 4.50 ERA) takes the mound for the Mets.

At BetUS Sportsbook, New York is listed as a -230 favorite (Washington is +190), with a total of nine runs (Under is -115, with the Over at -105).

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

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

* WASH has lost 10 of its last 11 games

* WASH has lost its last five road games

* WASH has played four of its last five games UNDER the total

* NY has won four of its last six games

* NY has won four of its last six home games

* NY has played five of its last eight games UNDER the total

* NY is 4-1 against left-handed starters

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* WASH has won five of the last seven meetings

* WASH has won four of the last six meetings as the road team

* Eight of the last nine meetings have gone OVER the total

* Three of the last four meetings in New York have gone OVER the total

Matt Chico has been better than many people expected thus far for the Nats. His 1.19 WHIP ratio is more than respectable, he's giving his team some innings (19-1/3 in three starts). But like a lot of guys who take the hill in Washington, he's become a victim of non-support, which has been extremely disappointing for this team that got off to a 3-0 start and figured to be more offensive with a few player acquisitions and the move to the state-of-the-art, more hitter-friendly Nationals Park.

John Maine is seeking his first win of the season. The Mets are obviously counting on him to fill the void left by Pedro Martinez as a fixture in the rotation, by continuing the success he had last year when he compiled a 15-10 record and 4.50 ERA. He is struggling mightily with his control, walking eight batters in ten innings, which has contributed to an awful 2.1 WHIP, which is considerably higher than he's had in either of the last two years.

Maine was slapped around by the Nats the last time he faced them (September 18), allowing eight runs and 11 hits in just 4-1/3 innings. However, prior to that he had gone 18 innings yielding just two earned runs and SEVEN hits over three starts against Washington.

This may be a good shot for a turnaround by Maine. But we don't want to pay this high a price. Neither can we back a team that has won just once in the last 11. However, considering Washington has scored ten runs in the last five games, this may be an opportunity to play the total, and at a more attractive price. We'll go UNDER the nine runs as is posted in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: UNDER 9 (-115)

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)