Posted on 5/2/2008 5:02:23 PM

MLB Online Baseball Betting - Detroit at Minnesota

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Detroit -140, Minnesota +120; Total 9.5 (Over -120, Under - Even)

Two teams that are trying to get back to the .500-mark will do battle Friday night at the Metrodome when the Detroit Tigers (14-15) take on the Minnesota Twins (13-14) in American League action set to get underway at 8:10 PM ET.

Armando Galarraga (2-0, 1.50 ERA) will get the start for the Tigers; he is opposed by veteran Livan Hernandez (3-1, 5.05 ERA) of the Twins.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Detroit is listed as a -140 favorite (Minnesota is +120), with a total of 9.5 runs (the Over is -120, the Under is even money).

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)

* DET has won four of its last five games

* DET has won four of its last five road games

* DET has played four of its last six road games UNDER the total

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

* MINN has won four of its last five home games

* MINN has played its last five home games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* DET has won 11 of the last 12 meetings

* Four of the last six meetings have gone OVER the total

* Eight of the last 12 meetings have gone UNDER the total

* DET has won the last six meetings as the road team

* Five of the last six meetings in Minneapolis have gone UNDER the total

Armando Galarraga was a virtual castoff, being dealt by Texas to Detroit in the off-season in exchange for a minor leaguer. But if the Tigers are going to make the big move in the American League's Central Division, the Venezuelan is one of the arms they are going to be counting on. Thus far he has allowed just seven hits in 18 innings. That is sizzling, to say the least.

And the Tigers' bats have awakened, as Detroit has scored an average of 6.7 runs a game over the last nine. Detroit has won eight of its last ten games, and is unquestionably headed in the right direction.

Livan Hernandez got off to a nice start, but he's had an 8.59 ERA over his last three starts. Five days ago he was lit up like a firecracker by the Rangers, giving up seven runs in 2-2/3 innings. His team is averaging less than four runs a game, a position Detroit found itself in before catching fire.

Detroit has a great recent history against this foe, winning 11 of the last 12 times the two have played. Six of those wins have come in the Metrodome, a venue that would seem suited to the Detroit power generated from the likes of Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, Miguel Cabrera & Co. However, with the unders these teams have played in that park (five of the last six) we are hesitant to move in that direction.

But let's show some respect for the Tigers and manager Jim Leyland by laying the reasonable price of -140 in the BetUS Major League baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: DETROIT (-140)

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)