Posted on 5/7/2008 4:21:58 PM

MLB Baseball Betting - Tampa Bay at Toronto

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Toronto -170, Tampa Bay +150; Total 8.5 (Over -120, Under - Even)

The Tampa Bay Rays (17-15) are serving notice that they are not fading away in the American League East. On Wednesday night they will play the second of a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays (16-18) in AL action that is set to get underway at 7:07 PM ET at the Rogers Centre (artificial turf) in Toronto.

Right-handers take to the mound against each other, as Matt Garza (1-0, 6.16 ERA) of the Rays will oppose Shaun Marcum (3-2, 2.70 ERA) of the Blue Jays.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Toronto is listed as a -170 favorite (Tampa Bay is +150), with a total of 8.5 runs (the Over is -120, while the Under is even money).

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

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

* TB has won nine of its last 13 games

* TB has played four of its last five games OVER the total

* TB has lost seven of its last 11 road games

* TB has played seven of its last nine road games OVER the total
* TOR has won five its last six games

* TOR has won six of its last eight home games

* TOR has played nine its last ten games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* TB has won the last five meetings

* Twelve of the last 15 meetings have gone UNDER the total

* TOR has won eight of the last 13 meetings as the home team

* Nine of the last 12 meetings in Toronto have gone UNDER the total

Tampa Bay is continuing to win and continuing to show its mastery over Toronto, at least in the early going of this season. The Rays have now taken all four meetings with Toronto this season, including a 5-4 win on Tuesday night.

Now they go with Matt Garza, a key figure in an off-season trade with the Twins in which they sent top prospect Delmon Young over to Minnesota. Tampa Bay envisions Garza as a potential #2 starter behind Scott Kazmir, but injuries put him on the disabled list after a slow start. Since coming back, Garza has been serviceable, allowing three runs in five innings against the Red Sox, then two runs in six innings to the Orioles.

Shaun Marcum has been pretty consistent for Toronto, allowing more than three runs in only one start. Five of the 24 hits he's given up have been home runs, but teams have hit just .167 against him. In his last outing he threw up a couple of times between innings and still struck out nine White Sox en route to pitching 6-2/3 innings of scoreless ball.

Last year he made one start against Tampa Bay, and made it extra special, going six innings against the then-Devil Rays without allowing a hit. The Blue Jays, however, have scored just 135 runs, which is 22nd in the majors, and despite the fact that Tuesday's game went over the total, the fact remains that the Jays have scored only 41 runs in the last 15 games.

We're going to stick with the trends - and out instincts - by going UNDER the 8.5 runs as it is posted in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: UNDER 8.5 (Even money)

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)