Posted on
5/12/2008 1:15:08 PM
MLB Online Betting Action – Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates
By Eric Williams
A rain delay caused Sunday’s scheduled sports betting game between the Atlanta Braves, (18-17, 10-24-1 O/U) and Pittsburgh Pirates, (17-19, 23-13 O/U) to be pushed back to earlier today as the teams will meet in a doubleheader with Pittsburgh hurler, Zach Duke, (1-2, 4.60 ERA) squaring off against Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, (4-2, 2.84 ERA).
The Pirates enter today’s online betting matchups riding a solid five-game winning streak in the BetUS Sportsbook and have also won six consecutive games at home. Pittsburgh has posted a convincing 4-1 record against the Braves so far this season and are guaranteed to have their first winning season against the Braves since 1997.
The Braves have lost two consecutive games to the Pirates after winning six straight at home and have also lost six straight road games, earning the ballclub the worst road mark in the majors at 4-13.
"The longer this continues, the more pressure builds," center fielder Mark Kotsay told the Braves' official Web site. "I think everybody is putting a little too much pressure on themselves at this point."
In this second contest of the night, the Braves are hoping veteran right-hander Tim Hudson (5-2, 2.90) can lead the team to victory after absorbing two consecutive losses in his last two road outings, lasting a pitiful three innings in each start.
Hudson was sharp in his last start however, limiting the lowly San Diego Padres to two runs on six hits in seven innings.
The Pirates will counter with right-hander John Van Benschoten (0-1, 4.91), who gets his first start of the season after appearing in three games as a reliever after getting the call up from Triple-A Indianapolis on April 27.
Van Benschoten went a pathetic 0-7 with a 10.15 ERA in 11 games, including nine starts, last season and hasn’t won a big league game since Sept. 10, 2004 after missing the last two seasons with shoulder injuries.
Here is a look at tonight’s key tends, followed by my analysis and MLB Betting Picks.
The Braves are 4-0 in Hudson’s last 4 starts during game 3 of a series.
The Pirates are 2-12 in Van Benschoten’s last 14 starts.
The Under is 6-1 in Hudson’s last 7 road starts.
The Under is 4-1 in Hudson’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Under is 4-0 in Van Benschoten’s last 4 starts during game 3 of a series.
The Under is 4-0 in Van Benschoten’s last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Under is 11-2 in the last 13 meetings in Pittsburgh.
The Under is 21-10 in the last 31 meetings.
Analysis: I know the Pirates are on a roll right now with their five-game winning streak, but they are going down in this game big time with occasionally spectacular veteran starter Hudson facing a pitcher who hasn’t won a game in the bigs in nearly four seasons in Van Benschoten. Take the Braves to pick up a rare road win in this matchup.
MLB Free Picks: Braves 6 Pirates 2
03:35 PM EST MLB Odds
Atlanta Braves Game # 2
Tim Hudson - R -1½ -115
Pittsburgh Pirates Game#2
John Van Benschoten - R +1½ -105
Over 9 -110
Under 9 -110
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