Posted on 4/10/2008 4:50:42 PM

MLB Baseball Betting Florida at Washington

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB baseball sports betting odds: Washington -135, Florida +115

The Florida Marlins (5-3) look to extend their winning streak to three games on Thursday night when they take on the suddenly struggling Washington Nationals (3-6) in an NL game that will start at 7:10 PM ET at nationals Park (natural turf) in Washington, DC.

The teams' respective #1 starters get the assignment tonight, as Mark Hendrickson (1-1, 6.10 ERA) faces off against Odalis Perez (0-1, 6.00 ERA) in a southpaw duel.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Washington is listed as a -135 favorite (Florida is +115).

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)

* FLA has won 10 of its last 14 games

* FLA has played five of its last six games OVER the total

* FLA has lost 16 of its last 24 road games

* FLA has played nine of its last 12 road games OVER the total

* WASH has lost its last six games

* WASH has played five of its last six games OVER the total

* WASH has lost six of its last eight home games

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD MLB betting trends:

* FLA has won the last four meetings

* Fifteen of the last 22 meetings have gone OVER the total

* The home team has won seven of the last ten meetings

* WASH has won seven of the last nine meetings as the home team

* Seventeen of the last 22 meetings in Washington have gone OVER the total

It would be hard to imagine Mark Hendrickson fulfilling the #1 starter spot for the Marlins over the course of a full season. But then again, we could be wrong. As a Dodger starter he had a 6.52 ERA last year, then was tagged for six earned runs in five innings by the Mets on Opening Day. Hendrickson came back with a credible performance against the Pirates five days ago, allowing only one earned run in 5-1/3 innings.

Opposing batters have hit .336 against Hendrickson when they have put the ball in play over the last two seasons, and since the big lefty doesn't blow the ball by hitters, that's a problem.

Are the Marlins playing a little above their head? Perhaps. They've had the hitting shoes on, scoring 10 runs in back-to-back games. Jeremy Hermida is back; the outfielder hit .296 last year with a .369 on-base average. He had two RBI's last night, to go with Mike Jacobs' two home runs.

Odalis Perez has had a solid history against Florida, giving up seven earned runs in his last 30 innings, but that goes back to four years ago, so it doesn't cut much here. The way Washington has been playing, we don't want to lay a price with them right now, especially as other teams seem to have more pop - important in the hitter-friendly Nationals Park.

So for us, it's the Marlins, the +115 underdog in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: FLORIDA

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)