Posted on 4/22/2008 6:17:03 PM

MLB Betting Action – Phillies Looking To Rock Again In Colorado

By Eric Williams

What’s the point in beating around the online baseball betting bush? I’ll come right out and say that the Philadelphia Phillies, (10-10, 9-11 O/U) could genuinely be looking at having the franchise finish the 2008 MLB season with their third consecutive – and different - MVP award winner – after the torrid start that two-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley is off to.

Even after shelving 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins by placing him on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained ankle, the Phillies’ potent offense hasn’t skipped much of a beat because of Utley who has tied a franchise-high, by going deep in five consecutive games to help Philadelphia win its two games without their All-Star shortstop.

The last Phillies player to homer in five straight games was Bobby Abreu from May 8-12, 2005.

"Chase is seeing the ball good and he's hitting the ball very hard," Manuel said. "He's always ready to hit, and he expects to hit every day. That's what I like about him."

The Phillies enter tonight’s matchup coming off an emphatic 9-5 win in the BetUS Sportsbook in which Utley’s home run was matched by Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth who went ‘yard’ without leaving the park on a thrilling inside-the-park homer to help the Phillies increase their major league-leading total to 33.

The Phillies will send inconsistent starter Brett Myers(2-1, 3.96 ERA to the mound hoping he can repeat his last performance when he limited the Houston Astros to one run on five hits in seven innings while striking out a season-high eight in a 10-2 victory on Thursday.

Myers often struggles with his consistency but is a perfect is 6-0 with a 2.21 ERA in five starts and three career relief appearance against the Colorado Rockies, (9-10, 10-9 O/U).

Colorado will counter with staff ace Jeff Francis (0-2, 5.89) who is also coming off a solid start as he tossed seven scoreless innings in Colorado’s 22-inning, 2-1 win over the Padres on Thursday.

Francis however, has a high 7.08 ERA in four career starts against the Phillies.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and MLB Betting Picks.

The Phillies are 19-3 in Myers' last 22 starts vs. National League West.

The Phillies are 4-1 in Myers' last 5 Tuesday starts.

The Rockies are 13-3 in Francis' last 16 starts vs. National League East.

The Rockies are 16-5 in Francis' last 21 starts with 4 days of rest.

The Under is 4-0 in Myers' last 4 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.

The Over is 9-1 in Francis' last 10 starts vs. National League East.

The Phillies are 4-0 in Myers' last 4 road starts vs. Rockies.

The Phillies are 5-0 in Myers' last 5 starts vs. Rockies.

The Phillies are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.

Analysis: After correctly calling this game in the BetUS Sportsbook on Monday, I offer up another winning wager in this matchup, by going with the Rockies behind the mastery of Jeff Francis, to win this game emphatically and return the favor from last night’s spanking.

MLB Free Picks: Rockies 5 Phillies 3

08:35 PM EST MLB Odds

Philadelphia Phillies

Brett Myers - R +1½ -200

Colorado Rockies

Jeff Francis - L -1½ +170

Over 9½ +105

Under 9½ -125

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