posted April 21, 2008 at 14:42 EST in MLB Betting Trends

Not much was expected in the way of online baseball betting out of the young Florida Marlins, (11-7 10-7-1 O/U) coming into the 2008 season after trading away veteran stars in left-handed starter Dontrelle Willis and third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

To everyone’s surprise but their own, the Marlins have gotten off to a solid start by combining just enough competent pitching with some timely hitting as they displayed in Sunday’s 6-1 win over the Washington Nationals.

Superstar-in-the-making, shortstop Hanley Ramirez blasted two home runs to give the Marlins their second straight win and eighth in their last 12 contests.

"Getting off to a good start is something the past two years we haven't done," pitcher Scott Olsen told the team's official Web site. "Last year and 2006, it caught up to us in September. These games are important right now. They go down in the standings, too."

The Marlins will be facing a Pittsburgh Pirates, (7-11, 13-5 O/U) team that has lost five consecutive games in the BetUS Sportsbook including a dismal 13-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

"It's extremely frustrating," Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit told the team's official Web site. "It's not that we're losing, it's the way we're losing."

The Pirates will send veteran starter Matt Morris to the mound hoping for a better performance than the one Morris delivered in his last outing as he was knocked around for six runs on just seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of Tuesday’s 11-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Morris is 1-2 in three starts covering 16.2 innings with six strikeouts and five walks. Morris has allowed three home runs and has a high 7.02 ERA.

Florida counters with left-hander Mark Hendrickson (3-1, 3.97), who looks to win four straight starts for the first time in his career. Hendrickson is 3-1 in four starts covering 22.2 innings with nine strike outs and nine walks. Hendrickson has given up two home runs and has a 3.97 ERA this season but has posted a spectacular 2.04 ERA in winning his last three starts.

Hendrickson allowed three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-5 win over Atlanta last Wednesday.

Pirates’ outfielder Nate McLouth has hit safely in all 18 games this season to tie the longest hitting streak to start the season by a Pirates player since Al Oliver in 1972.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks.

The Marlins are 4-1 in their last five during game one of a series.

The Marlins are 5-2 in their last seven games as a road underdog.

The Pirates are 7-1 in their last eight games as a favorite of -110 to -150.

The Pirates are 5-1 in their last six home games following a road trip of seven or more days.

The Over is 7-1 in Marlins last eight road games vs. a right-handed starter.

The Over is 7-1 in Pirates last eight home games vs. a left-handed starter.

The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.

The Marlins are 5-12 in the last 17 meetings in Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Hendrickson is throwing ‘lights out’ while Morris seems to be throwing softball-sized pitches at hitters everywhere. Take the Marlins to continue their winning ways with a win tonight.

MLB Free Picks: Marlins 7 Pirates 4

07:05 PM EST MLB Odds

Florida Marlins

Mark Hendrickson - L +1½ -210

Pittsburgh Pirates

Matt Morris - R -1½ +175

Over 9½ -120

Under 9½ EV

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