posted July 3, 2008 at 14:44 in MLB Articles

BetUS MLB betting odds: Baltimore -150, Kansas City +130; Total 9.5

After a hot stretch, the Kansas City Royals (38-47) have shown signs that they are reverting back to their previous form. On Thursday night they will complete their four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (43-40) in American League sports betting action that is set to get underway at 7:05 PM ET at Oriole Park.

Right-hander Kyle Davies (3-1, 3.34 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals, and he is opposed by southpaw Garrett Olson (6-3, 4.76 ERA) of the Orioles.

At BetUS online sportsbook, Baltimore is listed as a -150 favorite (Kansas City is +130), with a total of 9.5 runs (the Under is -115, while the Over is -105).

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

* KC has won 12 of its last 17 games

* KC has lost four of its last five games

* KC has won six of its last eight road games

* KC has lost 16 of its last 24 road games

* BALT has won five of its last six home games

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD sportsbook MLB betting trends:

* BALT has won 14 of the last 16 meetings

* BALT has won nine of the last ten meetings as the home team

* Four of the last six meetings have gone OVER the total

From June 14 to June 27, Kansas City was absolutely torrid, winning eleven of 12 games. Not that they looked like they were making a move in the division, but they were doing their best to stave off total embarrassment. Now the Royals have lost four of five, and come into this final game of their series with Baltimore in fourth place in the AL Central, 11.5 games in back of the White Sox but a game ahead of the Cleveland Indians.

The Orioles, who have posted a 24-13 record at home, are a game behind the third-place Yankees and 8.5 games in back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. They beat Kansas City last night, 5-2, behind a strong performance by Daniel Cabrera.

Kyle Davies had a 1.46 ERA through his first four starts of the season, but got blown out on June 22 against San Francisco, allowing five runs in just an inning and a third. He came back with a credible outing against the St. Louis Cardinals last Saturday, holding the Cards to three runs in 6-1/3 frames.

Garrett Olson has gotten decent run support from his Oriole teammates. They have won seven of his 12 starts, and the latest was on Saturday, as he gave up a single run in five innings against the offensively-challenged Washington Nationals, as the O's chalked up a 9-1 win. Olson's last three starts have gone over the total.

Even though Olson is not the most reliable starter we can go with, we take notice of Baltimore's 16-6 record as a favorite here, as well as its recent mastery of the Royals, as they have won 14 of the last 16 meetings. If we are right about the pendulum swinging the other way for the Royals, we see more losing on the horizon. So, admittedly with some trepidation, we will lay the -150 with Baltimore, the favorite in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: BALTIMORE (-150)

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)