Posted on
4/23/2008 5:55:16 PM
MLB Online Baseball Betting - Florida at Atlanta
By Charles Jay
BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Atlanta -155, Florida +135, Total 10 (Over -115, Under -105)
The NL East-leading Florida Marlins (12-8) come up against a major test on Wednesday night when they meet up with the surging Atlanta Braves (10-10) in National League action that is set to get underway at 7:10 PM ET at Turner Field in Atlanta.
Left-hander Andrew Miller (0-2, 9.68 ERA) gets the start for the Marlins, while Jeff Bennett (0-0, 2.08 ERA), a right-hander, takes the mound for the Braves.
At BetUS Sportsbook, Atlanta is listed as a -155 favorite (Florida is +135), with a total of ten runs (Over is -115, Under is -105).
Here are some of the MLB betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
(NOTE: These trends may also revert back to the 2007 season)
* FLA has won five of its last eight games
* FLA has won six of its last nine road games
* ATL has won five of its last six games
* ATL has played seven of its last nine games UNDER the total
* ATL has won six of its last seven home games
* ATL has played five of its last six home games UNDER the total
In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:
* ATL has won five of the last seven meetings
* Four of the last five meetings have gone UNDER the total
* ATL has won the last three metings as the home team
* Four of the last six meetings in Atlanta have gone UNDER the total
Atlanta had its five-game win streak snapped by Washington on Tuesday night, spoiling a night where John Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in history to reach the 3000-strikeout mark. Smoltz gave up just one run in seven innings, but the Braves let the floodgates open in the ninth inning, allowing five runs.
Young lefty Andrew Miller has seemingly be pitching out of a hole in each of his four outings this season for the Marlins. He has given up a whopping 1.7 hits per inning, which explains why he has compiled such a high ERA (9.68) and why Florida has lost three of his four starts. The Marlins are sticking with him, partially because he genuinely shows good velocity (18 strikeouts in 17-2/3 innings). Last season, while with the Tigers (he came over in the Dontrelle Willis-Miguel Cabrera trade) he faced Atlanta on June 24 and threw six scoreless innings.
Jeff Bennett, won the final roster spot in the spring, was inserted into the rotation with the injuries to Braves starters Mike Hampton and Tom Glavine. He has compiled a 2.08 ERA as a starter, making eight appearances overall. He's been held back in those starts, going just 8-2/3 total innings. But he's been more than adequate, surrendering just six hits and two runs.
The bullpen will most likely play a big role for Atlanta, and opposing batters have hit just .222 against the Braves relievers, so they've done a pretty good job thus far, despite the five-run ninth against the Nats (aided by an error, we might add).
Until Miller can show he can do more than jujst blow the ball by an occasional hitter, we're hesitant to back him, and so we will move with the Braves, the -155 favorite in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: ATLANTA (-155)
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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com touches all the bases as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)