posted April 30, 2008 at 12:54 in MLB Betting Trends
MLB Baseball Wagering Action – Houston Astros at Arizona Diamondbacks
by Eric Williams
The Houston Astros, (13-15, 10-18 O/U) snapped their three-game losing streak on Tuesday, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks, (19-8, 15-10-1 O/U) 6-4 to pick up their seventh win in their last ten online betting contests while handing the D-Backs just their fourth loss in their last ten games in the BetUS Sportsbook.
Tonight, the Astros will try to make it two straight over the league-leading Diamondbacks by sending right-handed starter Shawn Chacon (0-0, 2.45), to the mound still looking to pick up his first win of the season despite being solid in each of his five starts this season as evidenced by his spectacular ERA.
Chacon limited the St. Louis Cardinals to two runs, (one earned) on five hits in seven innings on Friday, but failed to get the win in the Astros 3-2 victory.
Chacon will go up against Diamondbacks veteran left-hander Randy Johnson, (1-1, 2.70 ERA) who is coming off his first win of the regular season in his last outing, a 5-1 win for the Diamondbacks in which Johnson allowed just one run on three hits in six innings while striking out seven batters.
The 44-year-old Hall of Fame-bound hurler, who was limited to 10 starts because of back problems last year, has been solid in three starts this season, striking out 20 batters in just 16 2/3 innings and holding opponents to a miniscule .194 batting average.
"I'm getting to where I want to be," Johnson told the Diamondbacks' official Web site. "This is the reason I'm playing, because I feel I can do these kind of games when I'm healthy. That's why I'm still playing because I still enjoy being competitive, I still enjoy going out and doing that. I'm 44 years old. I still enjoy going and grabbing a bat and trying to put the ball in play. I still enjoy the competition of trying to get a hitter out."
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks.
The Astros are 5-0 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
The Astros are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a win.
The Diamondbacks are 4-1 in Johnson’s last five starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
The Diamondbacks are 36-15 in Johnson’s last 51 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Under is 4-1 in Chacon’s last five starts overall.
The Under is 4-1 in Chacon’s last five starts on grass.
The Under is 4-1 in Johnson’s last five starts as a favorite of -151 to -200.
The Under is 4-1 in Johnson’s last five starts as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
The Diamondbacks are 5-0 in Johnson’s last five starts vs. Astros.
The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Analysis: It’s too bad that Shawn Chacon hasn’t picked up a victory despite pitching so well in the early going for the Astros, but he’s going to have to wait at least another five days for a chance at his first victory after the Diamondbacks and Johnson go on to win this contest. Take the ‘Big Unit’ to lead the red-hot D-Backs to another victory.
MLB Free Picks: Diamondbacks 3 Astros 2
03:40 PM EST MLB Odds
Shawn Chacon - R +1½ -140
Randy Johnson - L -1½ +120
Over 9 -125
Under 9 +105
National League
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