Posted on
4/4/2008 5:04:35 PM
MLB Baseball Betting NL East Matchup Mets at Braves
By Eric Williams
The Atlanta Braves, (1-3), wasted a solid performance by stating pitcher Tim Hudson in their season-opening 3-2 loss at Washington despite the fact that the right-hander, allowed just two runs on three hits in seven solid innings.
Hudson didn’t get a decision as Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman won the game for his club by smacking a solo home run in the ninth inning off Braves reliever Peter Moylan.
"(Hudson) couldn't pitch any better (Sunday)," Braves manager Bobby Cox told the team's official Web site. "He didn't have any luck in the first inning."
Atlanta’s offense has looked inconsistent at best this season and managed to score just three runs in losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Thursday, stranding 11 runners as reliever Chris Resop allowed the game-winning hit, an RBI-single to Xavier Nady in the 10th inning.
"Losing is never fun," said Resop, who took the loss after the team found out that scheduled starter Mike Hampton couldn’t go because of an injury he suffered while warming up.
The New York Mets, (2-1) come into tonight’s matchup off a thorough 13-0 drubbing of the Florida Marlins in the BetUS Sportsbook on Wednesday as every starting position player had at least a hit and scored at least one run.
Tonight’s starting pitcher for New York Is John Maine who posted a respectable 15-10 record last season in 32 starts, striking out 180 batters and walking 75 walks while compiling a 3.91 ERA.
"I'm still learning how to pitch," Maine told the team's official Web site. "Hopefully each start this year will get better."
Maine started last season by going 5-0 with a 1.37 ERA in his first six starts, but faltered from that point as he went just 3-5 with a 6.14 ERA in his last 11 starts over the season’s final two months.
Hudson went 16-10 last season in 34 starts covering 224.3 innings, striking out 132 and walking just 53, with a 3.33 ERA.
Here’s a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Free Picks:
Key Mets Trends
The Mets are 5-1 in their last six road games.
The Mets are 5-2 in their last seven Friday games.
The Mets are 39-16 in their last 55 games following an off day.
Key Braves Trends
The Braves are 7-2 in their last nine home games.
The Braves are 10-4 in their last 14 during game one of a series.
The Braves are 1-4 in their last five games on grass.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 5-1 in Mets last six during game one of a series.
The Over is 5-1 in Mets last six games following an off day.
The Under is 7-2-1 in Mets last ten games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
The Under is 6-1-1 in Braves last eight Friday games.
The Under is 8-2 in Braves last ten games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Under is 4-1 in Braves last five home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 7-0 in the last seven meetings in Atlanta.
The Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
The Mets are 5-1 in the last six meetings.
Analysis: While I expect the Braves to get another solid performance from Hudson tonight, their inconsistent offense will need to produce against Maine and the Mets in order to win. I say the Braves pull out a close victory backed by another solid outing from Hudson.
MLB Free Picks: Braves 4 Mets 3
07:35 PM EST NBA Odds
New York Mets
John Maine - R +1½ -190
Atlanta Braves
Tim Hudson - R -1½ +160
Over 8½ -110
Under 8½ -110
National League
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