posted June 11, 2008 at 16:30 EST in MLB Articles

The NL Central leading Chicago Cubs increased its home winning streak to nine games in last nights MLB online betting affair against Atlanta after they outslugged the Braves to earn the 10-5 victory in the first of their three game sports betting set. Atlanta got on the board early giving MLB bettors backing them a glimmer of hope, but Ted Lilly calmed down after his shaky start and the Cubs offense pounded Tom Glavine sending him to the showers early after allowing six hits and four earned runs in just three innings of work. The loss dropped the Braves to a pathetic 7-22 on the road and 11-14 vs. left-handers on the year. Now sitting one game under .500 at 32-33, the Braves find themselves 6.5-games in back of the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies. The victory allowed Chicago to hold onto the best record in baseball at 41-24, but they still only sit 2.5-games in front of the St. Louis Cardinals who kept pace with last night’s 7-2 win at Cincinnati. It’s been an automatic thus far for MLB Handicappers to back the Cubs whenever they’ve welcomed their opponents into the friendly confines. They stand an impressive 27-8 overall and have brought their betting backers in a total of $1451.00 in the process.

Looking to even up the series will be Braves right-hander Jair Jurjjens who enters tonight’s start with a 6-3 record and 3.77 ERA. This will be his first career start against the Chicago Cubs franchise. He’s off a winning effort against the Florida Marlins, but his offense had more to do with the victory than his right arm. The kid allowed 11 hits and five earned runs through six innings of work, and it was the second straight start in which he allowed five plus runs. He’s had no luck on the road at all sporting a 1-3 mark with a 4.84 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, and it doesn’t help his cause that he’s been tagged for 28 hits and 14 earned runs in his L/3 starts.

Ryan Dempster continues to be one of the bright spots in the Cubs starting rotation after he helped them pick up a road victory against the LA Dodgers his last time out. The Cubs have won 10 of his 13 starts this season, and he’s been flat out nasty at Wrigley Field compiling a perfect 7-0 mark with a 3.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He’s only allowed 36 hits and 17 earned runs in 49+ innings of work within the friendly confines. That said, he’s only lasted 10 1/3rd innings in his last two combined starts, and Lou Piniella needs him to go further to give his overworked bullpen some much needed rest. Dempster really needs to bring his “A” game to notch his 8th victory of the year tonight after taking a gander at his career marks vs. the Braves. He’s 1-8 with a bloated 5.81 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 13 starts, but he hasn’t faced them since 2003 as a starter.

Oddsmakers opened the Cubs midrange –150 home favorites in tonight’s baseball betting affair with the ‘total’ set at 10 under -120. BetUS.com offers all MLB betting odds be it side, total, or run-line, so be sure to login to your account and get your wagers down before tonight’s first pitch.

Chicago’s secured victories in 15 of their L/20 against right-handers this season, and they’ve won each of Dempster’s L/9 starts at Wrigley Field. However, the Braves are 9-1 SU their L/10 against a pitcher with a WHIP less than 1.15, and they’ve managed to win in Juurjens L/5 starts against +.500 teams. The Cubs are smoking hot right now, but Dempster’s been shaky of late and has terrible marks against the Braves. Chipper will also be back in the line-up so don’t be shocked if Atlanta picks up a rare road win in this spot.

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