posted July 8, 2008 at 18:55 in MLB Articles

BetUS MLB betting odds: L.A. Dodgers -140, Atlanta +120; Total 7.5

The Los Angeles Dodgers (44-45), who now find themselves in a tie for first place in the National League West, have a chance to take sole possession of the lead on Tuesday night when they play host to the Atlanta Braves (42-48) in National League sports wagering action that is set to take place at 10:10 PM ET at Dodgers Stadium (natural turf) in Chavez Ravine.

Right-handers will take the hill, as Jair Jurrjens (8-4, 3.09 ERA) of the Braves tackles Chad Billingsley (8-7, 3.10 ERA) of the Dodgers.

At BetUS online sportsbook, Los Angeles is listed as a -140 MLB gambling favorite (Atlanta is +120), with a total of 7.5 runs (the Under is -125, while the Over is +105).

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

* ATL has lost seven of its last nine games
* ATL has played four of its last five games UNDER the total
* ATL has lost four of its last five road games
* ATL has played five of its last six road games UNDER the total
* LA has won six of its last seven games
* LA has played 12 of its last 15 games UNDER the total
* LA has won four of its last six home games
* LA has played its last five home games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD sports gambling trends:

* ATL has won five of the last six meetings
* Fourteen of the last 20 meetings have gone OVER the total
* Five of the last six meetings have gone UNDER the total
* Six of the last eight meetings in Los Angeles have gone OVER the total

Joe Torre and the Dodgers are fortunate that the Arizona Diamondbacks have imploded, because it has put them in a position where they are in a tie with the D-Backs for first place in the NL West, something that seemed almost completely unthinkable a couple of months ago. Although admittedly most of this has been a result of Arizona's ineptitude, it needs to be pointed out that the Dodgers give up less runs at home (3.3 per game) than anybody in the National League.

On Tuesday night they have perhaps their best starting pitcher on the mound in Chad Billingsley, who probably should have rated some consideration for National League All-Star selection, Billingsley has struck out 107 batters in 104 innings, and will be looking to make up for a tough outing earlier in the season against Atlanta, when the Braves touched him for four runs in five innings, though Billingsley was throwing heat (fanning nine batters in those five innings). The last two starts Billingsley has made have been almost spotless; on June 28 he blanked the Angels on three hits over seven innings, and then last Thursday he turned around and held Houston without an earned run over eight frames (two runs were unearned) as the Dodgers won 5-2. Los Angeles has won his last four starts, despite the fact that they have scored only 13 runs over that period.

While Billingsley has gone through two straight starts without allowing an earned run, Jair Jurrjens, another guy who perhaps should have been named to the All-Star squad, recently went through a stretch where he pitched 21-2/3 innings without allowing an earned run. That streak was stopped in his last outing, as he gave up four runs in seven innings to the Phillies. The Braves have won seven of Jurrjens' last nine starts.

Twelve of Jurrjens' 17 starts have gone under the total. And rather than move with one side or the other here, we are going to show some faith in the two kids on the hill, who may feel something to prove after being snubbed for the mid-summer classic. Let's go UNDER the 7.5 runs, as it is posted in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: UNDER 7.5 (-125)

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)