posted June 12, 2008 at 15:35 in MLB Betting Trends

The San Diego Padres, (29-38, 32-35 RL) have generally looked like the worst team in all of baseball this season, but are in the process of turning their season around with some spectacular play lately and enter tonight’s sports betting contest with NL West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, (31-34, 27-38 RL) having won six of their last seven games, including Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dodgers that I predicted in the BetUS Locker Room for the BetUS online MLB baseball wagering community.

Now, the Padres will turn to one of the best pitchers in all of baseball in staff ace Jake Peavy, (4-3, 2.91 ERA) who will make his first start since going on the disabled list on May 20 with a strained right elbow.

Peavy will make his first start against a team he has thoroughly dominated in his career after tossing four innings of a simulated game on Saturday and feeling no discomfort.

"We didn't feel there was any need to either take more time or move him up," Black said. "We thought the time was right to slot him in Thursday."

Peavy has recorded a microscopic 1.86 ERA in beating the Dodgers four consecutive times and is 11-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 20 career starts against the Dodgers.

Los Angeles will turn to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda (3-5, 3.49 ERA) to pick up their second win in three days against the Padres. Kuroda looked impressive in his last start as he shut out the Chicago Cubs, allowing just four hits while striking out a career-high 11 batters in Friday's 3-0 win.

Here is a look at tonight’s key baseball betting trends followed by my MLB Wagering Free Picks:

The Dodgers are 2-7 in their last nine road games.

The Dodgers are 1-5 in Kuroda’s last six road starts.

The Padres are 4-0 in Peavy’s last four starts with 28 or more days of rest.

The Padres are 20-7 in Peavy’s last 27 starts following a team loss in their previous game.

The Under is 5-0 in Kuroda’s last five starts on grass.

The Under is 5-0 in Peavys’ last five home starts vs. a team with a losing record.

The Padres are 12-1 in Peavy’s last 13 starts vs. Dodgers.

The Dodgers are 4-1 in the last five meetings in San Diego.

Analysis: While I am a bit concerned how Peavy will perform in his first start following such a long layoff, not to mention the fact that the Dodgers’ Kuroda is throwing very effectively, I think the MLB online sports wagering community should go with the streaking Padres and the normally dominating Peavy to win this one in a squeaker.

MLB Free Picks: Padres 4 Dodgers 3

03:35 PM EST MLB Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers

Hiroki Kuroda - R +1½ -170

San Diego Padres

Jake Peavy - R -1½ +150

Over 7 +105

Under 7 -125

National League

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