posted June 13, 2008 at 13:31 EST in MLB Betting Trends

Not many baseball analysts or sports betting fans predicted much success of either the Pittsburgh Pirates, (33-34, 36-31 RL) or Baltimore Orioles, (32-33, 36-29 RL) coming into the 2008 MLB regular season, but each club has overachieved all season long while playing solid baseball nearly every night in posting nearly identical records that are each just one game below .500.

The Pirates have won two straight games and four of their last five overall for the BetUS online MLB sports wagering community, including a convincing 7-5 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday and will turn to left-hander Phil Dumatrait (3-3, 3.44 ERA) to help them win their third consecutive game and improve on their major league-worst interleague record of 57-94.

Dumatrait has gone 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA in his last four starts and tossed a fine outing in his last start, limiting the Arizona Diamondbacks to two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings of Pittsburgh’s 6-4 win on Sunday.

The Orioles, losers of two straight and three of four, including a dismal 9-2 loss to the Boston Red ox on Thursday, will counter by handing the ball to their own southpaw, Brian Burres (4-5, 4.96), who has been rocked recently, not lasting five innings in any of his last three starts while recording an 0-1 record with a 13.50 ERA and six homers. Burres allowed three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings in last Thursday’s 6-5 win at Toronto.

Baltimore is looking to avoid a third consecutive loss for the MLB online sports wagering community after falling 9-2 at Boston on Thursday to conclude its nine-game road trip at 5-4.

"We played in three tough places to win at - you know, Minnesota, Toronto, Fenway," Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar told the team's official Web site. "We beat some good pitchers. We've got to keep our heads high and come back tomorrow."

Here is a look at tonight’s key online sports wagering trends followed by my analysis and MLB online betting Free Picks.

The Pirates are 4-1 in Dumatrait’s last 5 starts as an underdog.

The Pirates are 6-2 in Dumatrait’s last 8 starts.

The Orioles are 4-1 in Burres' last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.

The Orioles are 6-2 in Burres' last 8 home starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5.

The Under is 4-0 in Pirates last 4 games as an underdog.

The Under is 4-0 in Burres' last 4 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.

Analysis: Pittsburgh’s Phil Dumatrait has been pitching lights out baseball for BetUS online MLB bettors and should lead the Pirates to their third straight win while his teammates pound struggling Orioles starter Brian Burres. Take the Pirates to win this game handily despite being on the road.

MLB Free Picks: Pirates 6 Orioles 3

07:05 PM EST MLB Odds

Pittsburgh Pirates

Phil Dumatrait - L +1½ -200

Baltimore Orioles

Brian Burres - L -1½ +170

Over 9½ -110

Under 9½ -110

Interleague

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