Posted on 4/2/2008 8:38:58 PM

MLB Sportsbook Baseball Betting - Arizona at Cincinnati

By Charles Jay

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Cincinnati -110, Arizona -110, Total 8.5 (Over -115, Under -105)

The Arizona Diamondbacks (1-0) will try to run their winning streak to two games against the Cincinnati Reds (0-1) on Wednesday night, in a National League game that will begin at 7:10 PM ET at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Arizona's big off-season acquisition, Dan Haren, will start the game for the D-Backs, while Bronson Arroyo takes the mound for the Reds, in a match between right-handers.

At BetUS Sportsbook, the game is a pick'em (-110 each way), with a total of 8.5 runs (Over -115, Under -105).

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

(NOTE: These trends also revert back to the 2007 season)

* ARIZ has lost four of its last five games

* ARIZ has lost four of its last six road games

* CIN has lost eight of its last nine games

* CIN has lost six of its last seven home games

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* CIN has won four of the last five meetings

* CIN has won four of the last five meetings as the home team

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

Everyone is expecting a big year from Dan Haren, who came over from Oakland and is touted as one of the best right-handed starters in the business. Haren is fully expected to combine with Brandon Webb to give the D-Backs one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball. Last year Haren was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.2 WHIP ratio. At 6'5" and 220 pounds, he can strike out a lot of people (192 last year) but also doesn't get out of control. He did get a start against these Reds last June and earned a win by giving up six hits and three runs in seven innings.

Arroyo slumped last season, letting his WHIP drop to 1.4 after a much more solid 1.19 in 2006. And he gave up about a run more per nine innings last season than he had the year before, and it was reflected in his 9-15 record. There was some encouragement, however, as his ERA was 3.55 after the All-Star break. Last April, he pitched a very nice game against Arizona, allowing just six base runners in seven innings, though he did not get the decision.

We appreciate what Arroyo was able to do in the latter part of last season, but that still doesn't mean he's trustworthy. We feel Haren is a lot more reliable, and will do even better in the National League. Cincinnati doesn't necessarily demonstrate much of a home field edge as it is, so we okay with grabbing Haren and the D-Backs at -110 in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: ARIZONA

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)