posted July 11, 2008 at 19:14 in MLB Betting Trends

The Chicago White Sox take on the Texas Rangers on Sunday afternoon with the Minnesota Twins hot on their heels. The Twins are only two games out of first place in the A.L. Central Division. The ChiSox need to win all of their games, especially against inferior competition like the Texas Rangers, in order to maintain their slim lead over the Twins. The White Sox send pitcher Jose Contreras to the mound. Contreras has been his usual unspectacular yet solid self going 7 and 6 with an ERA of 4.21 this season. For baseball betting fans, Contreras can bring home a few bucks once in a while.

The Rangers counter Contreras with pitcher Matt Harrison. Harrison has started one game this season. In that game he pitched for seven innings and allowed only two runs. His ERA is 2.57. Because he pitched so well in that game, Harrison does have a record of 1 and 0.

Here are my personal online betting odds for this game.

Chicago White Sox

Jose Contreras – R - 1 ½ + 125 - 110 O 8 - 120

Texas Rangers

Matt Harrison – L + 1 ½ - 135 - 110 U 8 Ev

Here are a few online wagering trends not counting Friday’s and Saturday’s games that might help us find a good online bet.

The Chicago White Sox are 4 and 1 in their last 5 games overall.

The Chicago White Sox are 6 and 1 in their last 7 games as a favorite on the road.

The Texas Rangers are 22 and 7 in their last 29 games following a loss.

The Over is 4 and 0 in the Chicago White Sox last four games as a favorite on the road.

Harrison has pitched only one game this season. There is no doubt in my mind that Jose Contreras, when the BetUS online sportsbook odds are released for this game on Sunday morning, will be the favorite.

Contreras should be the one having to give up the run and a half. Will he be worth an online wager? It depends.

Part of me believes that if Jose Contreras is giving up the run and a half at odds above the + 125 I’ve listed, then he’s a good online bet.

Another part of me believes that Contreras might lay an egg in this game.

But I have to take a stand somewhere. So I will take it on Contreras, hope that he is the favorite, and that I can get him at – 1 ½ runs and at least above + 125.

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