Posted on 5/6/2008 3:48:18 PM

MLB Online Baseball Betting - Milwaukee at Florida

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB betting odds: Florida -120, Milwaukee - Even; Total 9.5 (Over -115, Under -105)

The pesky Florida Marlins (17-14) just won't go away. And on Tuesday night the surprising young team will have an opportunity to get closer to the National League East lead when they try to deal the Milwaukee Brewers (16-15) their fourth straight loss in a game scheduled to begin at 7:10 PM ET at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

Right-hander Jeff Suppan (1-1, 5.19 ERA) is the starter for Milwaukee, while the Marlins will hope for a better outing this time around from southpaw Scott Olsen (3-1, 2.70 ERA).

At BetUS Sportsbook, Florida is listed as a -120 favorite (Milwaukee is even money), with a total of 9.5 runs (the Over is -115, and the Under is -105).

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)

* MIL has lost four of its last five games

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

* MIL has lost four of its last five road games

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

* FLA has lost four of its last six games

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

* FLA has lost four of its last six home games

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

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* FLA has won 12 of the last 18 meetings

* MIL has won six of the last nine meetings

* Nine of the last ten meetings have gone UNDER the total

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

* The last five meetings in Miami have gone UNDER the total

The Brewers and Marlins have averaged exactly the same amount of runs this season - 4.58 per game. The Brewers have achieved more men on base by virtue of the fact that they have been more patient at the plate, drawing 3.5 walks per contest. the big uns like Prince Fielder haven't really begun to take off yet, but when they do, it might spark a change in Milwaukee's fortunes. As of now, though, they're getting inconsistent pitching, and the staff has surrendered 43 runs in the last five games, including 19 in a loss at Wrigley Field six days ago.

The starter in that game is also the starter tonight.

Last season, from this date onward, Jeff Suppan had a 5.22 ERA. This season his ERA is bloated, but only really on the basis of two horrible starts - one of them that April 30 blowout against the Cubs, where he allowed eight earned runs (11 overall) in just 3-2/3 innings. Suppan doesn't strike many people out (only 12 in his six starts), which can become a problem if his location isn't steady.

Scott Olsen has gone through his major embarrassments as well. Olsen's last start, which took place last Wednesday against the Dodgers, resulted in four runs in five innings before he was relieved. But he was hit very hard by L.A. hitters in the 13-1 Dodger romp. Other than that, however, he has been very difficult to hit; going into that least outing, he was in the top ten in the majors in both ERA and hits allowed per nine innings. One of his stellar starts came on April 25 against these Brewers, when he shut out Milwaukee on four hits over 7-1/3 innings. Olsen also pitched a tremendous game against the Brewers as a rookie two seasons ago, blanking them on one hits over seven frames.

Olsen seems a bit more "together" this season, and has the emotional and mental capacity to bounce back from a tough loss. We couldn't take this Milwaukee team, sporadic at the plate, and losers of three in a row, at even money. We'll lean toward the Marlins, at -120 in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: FLORIDA (-120)

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)