posted April 23, 2008 at 15:54 EST in MLB Betting Trends

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Toronto -160, Tampa Bay +140, Total 8.5 (Over -120, Under - Even)

The Toronto Blue Jays (10-11) will try to redeem themselves after a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays (9-11) when the American League East teams meet in the second of a three-game set that will begin at 7:10 PM ET on Wednesday night at Disney's World of Sports complex in Orlando, FL.

Roy Halladay (2-2, 3.27 ERA) gets the start for the Blue Jays, while the Rays will counter with fellow right-hander Jason Hammel (1-1, 4.26 ERA).

At BetUS Sportsbook, Toronto is listed as a -160 favorite (Tampa Bay is +140), with a total of 8.5 runs (the Over is -120, while the Under is even money).

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

(NOTE: These trends may also revert back to the 2007 season)

* TOR has lost five of its last seven games

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

* TOR has won four of its last six road games

* TOR has played six of its last nine road games UNDER the total

* TB has lost five of its last eight games

* TB has lost four of its last six home games

* TB has played five of its last eight home games UNDER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* Ten of the last 12 meetings have gone UNDER the total

* TB has won five of the last seven meetings as the home team

* Five of the last six meetings in St. Pete have gone UNDER the total

This game is part of the effort on the part of the Rays to develop a regional following by playing games in Orlando, which is not far up I-4 from Tampa and St. Petersburg. On Tuesday night they drew less than 9000 fans to the win over Toronto, although it should be noted that the Magic was playing a home game against Toronto's other major league team, the Raptors, at the same time.

Nonetheless, the Rays have won all four games they have played in Orlando.

Roy Halladay has been strong in two starts on the road, allowing only 16 base runners in 16 innings with a 2.25 ERA. He still has great command, walking just five batters in 33 innings, and is not far off the same form that won him 44 out of 60 decisions in the previous three seasons.

Hammel has gotten an 0-2 count on 19% of the hitters he's faced, exceeding the figure Halladay had in his two best seasons in the majors. So he's got possibilities, and in fact his batting average, on-base average and slugging percentage against are rather similar to his Toronto counterpart. In only two innings thus far has he given up more than one run.

If he can avoid the blow-up inning, we see no reason he couldn't come away with a win here - creating a value at the price. We'll take +140 in the BetUS Major League Baseball betting odds with the "semi-home" team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

JAY'S PLAY: TAMPA BAY (+140)

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)