posted June 2, 2008 at 15:06 EST in MLB Articles

BetUS MLB betting odds: Atlanta -135, Florida +115; Total 10

The Florida Marlins (31-24), looking to regain some momentum, step into Turner Field on Monday night to take on the Atlanta Braves (29-28) in National League sports betting action that is scheduled to begin at 7:10 PM ET.

Scott Olsen (4-2, 3.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Marlins, while Jo-Jo Reyes (2-3, 4.83 ERA) gets the start for the Braves in a battle of southpaws.

At BetUS online betting sportsbook, Atlanta is listed as a -135 baseball betting favorite (Florida is +115), with a total of ten runs (the Under is -120, while the Over is even money).

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

* FLA has lost four of its last five games

* FLA has played five of its last six games OVER the total

* FLA has lost four of its last five road games

* FLA has played six of its last seven road games OVER the total

* ATL has lost five of its last six games

* ATL has played five of its last six games UNDER the total

* ATL has won 15 of its last 18 home games

* ATL has played four of its last six home games OVER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD sports betting trends:

* ATL has won six of the last nine meetings

* Five of the last seven meetings have gone UNDER the total

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

Florida is still hitting a lot of homers, but the Phillies were more offensive, scoring 22 runs in three games to take to of three in the weekend series. That put the Marlins a half-game behind Philadelphia, even though they are a game ahead in the loss column. Atlanta is a game over .500, but only four games off the pace, as things are going to heat up over the summer in the National League East.

It would be hard to find a team that is on more of a Jekyll-and-Hyde trip as the Braves. They have compiled the third best home record in the major leagues (behind only Boston and the Cubs) and have the worst road record, at 7-21. Interestingly enough, Atlanta is outscoring its opponents by an average of 0.87 runs per game, while the Marlins have only a +.09 run differential.

Jo-Jo Reyes is one of the pitchers Atlanta is going to have to rely on, with John Smoltz and Mike Hampton on the DL, and Tim Hudson now on a day-to-day basis with a sore hamstring. he gave up a run in five innings in one start against Florida last season, and was also pretty strong in his last outing, allowing only two hits and a run to Milwaukee five days ago. However, in his last two starts, the Braves have scored only one run for him.

Scott Olsen, the left-hander with big potential for Florida, has had a rough time of it lately, giving up nine runs over 8-1/3 innings in his last two starts. He was brilliant against Atlanta back on April 15, shutting the Braves out on five hits over seven innings.

The Marlins rank #1 in the National League at 5.5 runs per game on the road, but their pitching staff also gives up almost five runs a game away from home. At this kind of a price, I don't know that it makes any sense not to respect Atlanta's outstanding home record. While we're not looking for a big slide from the fish, we're going to lay the -135 with Atlanta in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: ATLANTA (-135)

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)