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posted March 31, 2008 at 12:18 in MLB Articles

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Philadelphia -240, Washington +200, Total 10 (Under -120, Over - Even)

The Washington Nationals (1-0, 73-89 in 2007) christened their brand-new ballpark on Sunday night with a one-off game against the Atlanta Braves, and on Monday they will take the short trip north to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (89-73 in 2007), making their season debut as Major League Baseball gets into full swing on the natural turf of Citizens Bank Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 PM ET.

Left-hander Matt Chico gets the start for Washington, while righty Brett Myers is set to take the hill for the Phillies.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Philadelphia is listed as a -240 favorite (Washington is +200), with a total of 10 runs (Under -120, Over - Even money)

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

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

* WASH has won six of its last eight games

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

* WASH has won four of its last six road games

* PHIL has lost four of its last five games

* PHIL has played five of its last six games UNDER the total

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

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD betting trends:

* PHIL has won six of the last eight meetings

* The last five meetings have gone UNDER the total

* PHIL has won eight of the last 11 meetings as the home team

* Five of the last seven meetings in Philadelphia have gone UNDER the total

The Nationals opened up Nationals Park with a bang, getting a walk-off home run from Ryan Zimmerman to win by a 3-2 score. Now is it "back-to-earth" time for the Nats?

Well, Washington has gone out of its way to build a more offensive-minded team for its new stadium, which was constructed as more of a hitters' park. Zimmerman (24 homers last year), Paul Lo Duca, Austin Kearns and Willy Mo Pena have some pop. And Nick Johnson has returned from a broken leg that sidelined him last year.

The problem with Washington is that Manny Acta's team brings a pitching staff into the season that does not have a starter who had more than seven wins under his belt last year. And after Odalis Perez made the opening night start, they have to dip further down, to Matt Chico, who is their third-best starter, at least as it looks on paper. But Chico pitched better than his 7-9 record; the Nats were a very respectable 16-15 in the 31 games he started.

Brett Myers was last year's closer for the Phillies, and reassumes this role after making only three starts in 2007, and with tough results, giving up 16 earned runs in fifteen and a third innings. Myers' lifetime ERA as a starter is 4.42, not awful by today's standards but certainly not awe-inspiring. The Phils have a very realistic chance of once again winning the NL East, and with three stars like Jimmie Rollins (2007 MVP), Ryan Howard (2006 MVP) and Chase Utley (possible future MVP) in the lineup, this is a team that probably won't be out of many games.

But their advantage in this one with Myers on the mound (Phils lost all three games he started in '07) doesn't match up with the price. And this team was nothing monstrous against left-handed starters either (just 26-28 for a division winner is an under-achievement). Perhaps some value with Washington in this one, at +200 in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: WASHINGTON

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)