posted May 30, 2008 at 17:08 EST in MLB Betting Trends

BetUS MLB betting odds: Arizona -210, Washington +175; Total 9

The Arizona Diamondbacks (30-24) have suddenly gone a little cold. On Friday night they will seek to start turning that around when they play host to the Washington Nationals (23-32) in National League sports betting action that starts at 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field (natural turf) in Phoenix.

Right-handers oppose each other, as Tim Redding of the Nationals (6-3, 3.59 ERA) squares off against Micah Owings (6-2, 3.88 ERA) of the D-Backs.

At BetUS online sportsbook, Arizona is listed as a -210 favorite (Washington is +175), with a total of nine runs (the Under is -115, while the Over is -105).

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

* WASH has lost four of its last six games

* WASH has played 11 of its last 15 games UNDER the total

* WASH has lost 17 of its last 25 road games

* WASH has played six of its last eight road games UNDER the total

* ARIZ has lost five of its last six games

* ARIZ has played four of its last five games OVER the total

* ARIZ has lost four of its last five home games

* ARIZ has played four of its last six home games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD sports betting trends:

* ARIZ has won seven of the last eight meetings

* Eleven of the last 16 meetings have gone UNDER the total

* Nine of the last 12 meetings in Phoenix have gone UNDER the total

The Diamondbacks have been missing out on a golden opportunity to really bust things open in the National League West, as while the Dodgers have stopped hitting, the D-Backs have lost four games in a row. As a result they are just 3.5 games ahead in the division. Still, that is the biggest lead any first-place team has. Meanwhile, the Nationals, after last night's loss against San Diego, are in last place in the NL East, 4.5 games in back of the fourth-place Mets and 8.5 games in back of the Florida Marlins.

These teams have been almost at the opposite ends of the scale when it comes to offense. Arizona has averaged 5.1 runs pr game, which is third in the NL, while Washington is second from the bottom with 3.8 runs per contest.

Tim Redding has cooled off from his initial start of the season, when he pitched one-hit ball at the Phillies over seven innings, but he has still been one of the Nats' best hurlers. He was touched up a bit against Milwaukee five days ago, giving up five runs in 5-2/3 innings, but in his previous two outings, he gave up just one run.

Micah Owings, known primarily for being the best hitting pitcher in the major leagues, got off strong as well, with Arizona winning his first four starts, during which time he gave up just eight runs. Then he was hit hard in back-to-back starts against the Padres and Mets. But since the, he's been solid, allowing just eight runs in four starts covering 26 innings (2.77 ERA). Owings had two good outings against the Nationals last year, yielding just one run and five hits in 11-1/3 innings.

In the last four games, Washington has scored 13 runs and the D-Backs have scored just 12. Two capable pitchers take the mound here, and considering Owings' impressive showings against a Nationals team that was about as non-offensive last year as this one, we will go UNDER nine runs, laying -115 as it is posted in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: UNDER 9 (-115)

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)