posted September 2, 2008 at 14:45 EST in MLB Betting Trends
Florida Marlins Turn To Sanchez to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
by BetUS Staff
While the Atlanta Braves (59-79, 67-71 RL, 58-76-4 O/U) have been one of the most disappointing teams in the National League this season, the one thing no one can accuse the Florida Marlins (70-68, 78-60 RL, 71-58-9 O/U) of, is laying down on the job.
Heading into the 2008 regular season, the Marlins were widely expected to be an afterthought in the in NL East as they continued their vast rebuilding project.
However, Florida has overachieved all season long and looks like one of the best young teams in all of baseball.
Now seven games behind the NL East-leading New York Mets the Marlins will look to keep their slim postseason hopes alive by recording consecutive wins for the first time in nearly a month when they continue their three-game set against the lowly Braves after beating them 4-3 in Monday’s series opener.
Florida will hand the ball to right-hander Anibal Sanchez (2-3, 4.46) as he faces Braves rookie right-hander Charlie Morton (4-8, 6.10 ERA) and Florida's for the second time in a week.
Morton out-dueled Sanchez on Thursday, limiting the Marlins to two runs on four hits in six innings while Sanchez allowed four runs on five hits and five walks in five innings in Atlanta’s 4-2 win.
The Marlins went 11-17 in August after starting the month just 1 ½ games out of first place.
"Let's have a little better September than we had August," Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez said.Here is a look at tonight’s key online sports wagering trends followed by my analysis and MLB online betting Free Picks:
The Braves are 2-6 in Morton’s last eight starts on grass.
The Braves are 2-7 in Morton’s last nine starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Marlins are 6-0 in Sanchez’s last six home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Marlins are 9-1 in Sanchez’s last ten home starts.
The Over is 4-0 in Morton’s last four starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Sanchez’s last five starts on grass.
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Florida.
The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
Atlanta Braves +1½ -155
Charlie Morton –R +145
Florida Marlins -1½ +135
Anibal Sanchez –R -165
Over 9½ -110
Under 9½ -110
Analysis: I’ll keep this MLB pick short and to the point by advising all BetUS MLB Bettors to take the Florida Marlins and Anibal Sanchez to win this contest and get their revenge for last week’s loss to the Braves and Charlie Morton.
Florida knows they need every win they can muster from here on while the Braves have pretty much quit on manager Bobby Cox, dropping their last four games coming into tonight’s matchup.
MLB Free Picks: Marlins 5 Braves 4
