posted May 21, 2008 at 17:42 EST in MLB Free Picks

BetUS MLB baseball betting odds: Minnesota -150, Texas +130; Total 9.5

The Minnesota Twins (23-22) will try to deal the Texas Rangers (22-25) their fourth straight online betting loss as the two American League teams tangle in a sports betting contest that is set to begin at 8:10 PM ET on Wednesday night at the Metrodome (artificial turf) in Minneapolis.

The contest will pit right-handers against each other, as Sidney Ponson (2-0, 3.52 ERA) of the Rangers opposes Nick Blackburn (4-2, 3.77 ERA) of the Twins.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Minnesota is listed as a -150 favorite (Texas is +130), with a total of 9.5 runs (the Over is -120, the Under is even money).

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

* TEX has lost four of its last six games

* TEX has won nine of its last 14 games

* TEX has lost 11 of its last 16 road games

* MINN has lost five of its last eight games

* MINN has won 12 of its last 16 home games

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD baseball betting trends:

* MINN has won seven of the last nine meetings

* MINN has won the last six meetings as the home team

* The last five meetings have gone OVER the total

Last night Minnesota unloaded on the Texas pitching staff, knocking starter Doug Mathis out of the box early and rolling to an 11-4 win. The Rangers have now given up six runs or more in five of the last nine games. Meanwhile, Minnesota got itself to a game over .500 and is a game and a half behind Chicago in the American League Central.

Tonight, the Twins go with Nick Blackburn, who put forth a nice outing against Colorado five days ago, striking out five, walking no one, and allowing just two runs in seven innings. Blackburn has kept his team in it most of the time but has often fallen victim to bad bullpen support.

Ponson has pitched well recently against Minnesota, primarily while a member of the Baltimore Orioles. In his last four starts against the Twins he has surrendered only seven earned runs, good for a 2.31 ERA. His team gives up five runs a game on the road, which is only 13th best in the AL. Meanwhile, Minnesota improved its home record to 16-10 with Tuesday night's win.

We're a little apprehensive about taking a chance on Ponson here, because we know that he hasn't gone a lot of innings lately. But when he was able to get beyond the fifth, he gave the Rangers good service. So let's take the +130 price with Texas in the BetUS Major league Baseball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: TEXAS (+130)

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)