Posted on 5/8/2008 3:01:51 PM

MLB Online Baseball Betting Action - Tampa Bay at Toronto

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Toronto -130, Tampa Bay +110; Total 9 (Under -120, Over - Even)

The Tampa Bay Rays (17-16), trying hard to establish themselves as a legitimate contender, will try to bounce back from a defeat against the suddenly surging Toronto Blue Jays (17-18) in an American League East matchup that will begin at 7:07 PM ET at the Rogers Centre (artificial turf) in Toronto.

Edwin Jackson (2-3, 4.98 ERA), who started red-hot but has cooled off, is the starting pitcher for the Rays, while Jesse Litsch (4-1, 4.32 ERA), coming off a couple of very strong outings, gets the mound assignment for Toronto.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Toronto is listed as a -130 favorite (Tampa Bay is +110), with a total of nine runs (the Under is -120, with the Over at even money).

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

* TB has won nine of its last 14 games

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

* TB has lost eight of its last 12 road games

* TB has played seven of its last ten road games OVER the total

* TOR has won six of its last seven games

* TOR has won seven of its last nine home games

* TOR has played ten of its last 11 games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* TB has won five of the last six meetings

* Thirteen of the last 16 meetings have gone UNDER the total

* TOR has won nine of the last 14 meetings as the home team

* Ten of the last 13 meetings in Toronto have gone UNDER the total

Tampa Bay's bullpen, which was a team strength, failed the team on Wednesday, allowing five runs in the eighth inning as the Blue Jays enjoyed a 6-2 win. They got a big home run from Scott Rolen, and the Jays are hoping to get an offensive boost from the five-time All-Star.

Pitching doesn't seem to be a huge concern for Toronto, at least not lately. The Blue Jays staff has allowed just 19 runs in its last 11 games. And everyone seems to be putting forth a solid effort. Jason Litsch is no exception. The 23-year-old, who posted a 3.81 ERA for the Jays last year, is coming off 14 innings of work in his last two starts in which he has yielded only ten hits, no walks and three runs. He will be looking for a little revenge here, as his last start against Tampa Bay, on April 22, was somewhat disastrous, as he was knocked out in the fourth inning after giving up eight hits and five runs.

Edwin Jackson began the season with two excellent outings - allowing just one run and five hits in six innings against the Yankees and pitching shutout ball on just two hits against Seattle. He's blown up a few times since then, however, and was especially ineffective last time out against the Red Sox, who roughed him up for nine hits and six runs in just four frames. That illustrates the rap on Jackson - he can look sensational one day, but can crumble the next. His major league future - at least as it concerns Tampa Bay - could be in peril.

We don't trust Jackson, and therefore this is a reasonable price with Jason Litsch and the Blue Jays, the -130 favorite in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: TORONTO (-130)

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)