Like horses powering through the Kentucky Derby odds, MLB betting rages onwards with few teams backing down early in the season. The NL Central is suddenly looking like one of the top divisions in baseball betting, and some of its combatants are showcased at the sportsbook today.
Reds vs Cubs odds: Aaron Harang (1-2, 2.70) vs Carlos Zambrano (1-0, 5.21), today at 2:20 p.m. ET MLB lines: Reds +145, Cubs -165
The Reds vs Cubs line presents a nice sportsbook value opportunity today. On paper, the matchup seems to favor the Cubs, as Harang has been lit up at Wrigley Field many a time while Carlos Zambrano typically dominates the Reds. Looking closer, though, online betting fans should realize that this isn’t a typical matchup between these hulking aces. After a nightmarish 2008, Harang looks reborn in 2009 thanks to losing a bunch of weight in the offseason. He’s walked just four batters in 20 innings and has a complete-game shutout on his resume already. Zambrano, meanwhile, has walked nine guys in 19 innings and, while that’s not a surprise given his poor control, his usually unhittable stuff is getting knocked around. Big Z hasn’t found his groove yet, so baseball betting players should take advantage and make the Reds their sportsbook pick today.
Online betting pick: Reds +145
Dodgers vs Astros odds: Chad Billingsley (3-0, 2.84) vsWandy Rodriguez (1-1, 1.89), today at 8:05 p.m. ET MLB lines: Dodgers -131, Astros +111
Chad and Wandy should miss a boatload of bats in this MLB betting matchup. It looks frightening at first for the Astros, as the Dodgers’ offense has been rolling. While it wouldn’t be surprising to see Manny Ramirez launch another ball over the train set in left field, don’t expect much else for the Dodgers odds tonight. Rodriguez is sensational at Minute Maid; he had a sub-3.00 ERA and struck out over a batter per inning there last year and looks just as dominant at home so far this season.
Chad Billingsley is a true MLB betting ace and has pitched very well at Minute Maid in his career, but his control has been a bit spotty to start the year. He’s not in midseason form yet, whereas Rodriguez seems to be, so the Astros, who have won the first two games of this series, are a solid upset sportsbook pick.
The Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at AngelStadium.
RighthanderEdwinJackson will take the mound for the Tigers to start this game. Jackson is 1-0 this season with a 2.14 ERA.
It’ll be MattPalmer toeing the rubber for the Angels in this contest. RighthanderPalmer is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Tigers scored five runs in a seventh-inning rally to defeat the Angels 12-10 on Wednesday. The Tigers won the game as a -110 pick’em, and the combined 22 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
CurtisGranderson was 3-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run and MagglioOrdonez also drove in two runs for the Tigers. JuanRincon tossed an inning of relief to record the victory.
Kendry Morales blasted a three-run homer and drove in five runs for the Angels. Scot Shields allowed four runs off two hits to suffer the loss in relief .
Team records: Detroit: 8-6 SU Los Angeles: 5-9 SU
Detroit most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Kansas City are 4-6 After playing LA Angels are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Seattle are 7-3 After playing Detroit are 3-7 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit’s last 9 games when playing LA Angels Detroit is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games Detroit is 4-10 SU in their last 14 games when playing LA Angels The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels’s last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit LA Angels are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Angels’s last 9 games when playing Detroit LA Angels are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Detroit
Next up: Detroit at Kansas City, Friday, April 24 LA Angels home to Seattle, Friday, April 24
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at MinuteMaidPark.
The Dodgers will trot ace Chad Billingsley out to the mound in this one. RighthanderBillingsley has a 3-0 record and a 2.84 ERA this season.
The Astros will counter Billingsley with Wandy Rodriguez. LefthanderRodriguez has a 1.89 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Astros scored twice in the eighth inning and came away with a 6-5 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, as -120 favorites. The 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Hunter Pence went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a two-run homer for the Astros. ChrisSampson got his first win of the season, and LaTroyHawkins closed out the game for his second save.
AndreEthier had three hits in four trips to the plate, including a solo home run for the Dodgers, who were listed at EVEN odds for that game. RonaldBelisario allowed two runs off three hits in relief and suffered the loss.
Current streak: Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games. Houston has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Los Angeles: 10-5 SU Houston: 6-9 SU
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Colorado are 7-3 After playing Houston are 6-4 After a loss are 5-5
Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Milwaukee are 4-6 After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5 After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games LA Dodgers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games on the road LA Dodgers are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing Houston The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Houston’s last 18 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston’s last 10 games Houston is 10-5 SU in their last 15 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers Houston is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Dodgers
Next up: LA Dodgers at Colorado, Friday, April 24 Houston home to Milwaukee, Friday, April 24
The Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Rogers Centre.
The Rangers will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander KevinMillwood in this game. Millwood has a 1-1 record and a 1.17 ERA this season.
Millwood’s opponent in this one will be ScottRichmond. The Blue Jays righthander has a 3.48 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Blue Jays scored in the 11th inning to defeat the Rangers 8-7 and evened the three-game series on Wednesday, as -150 favorites. That game’s 15 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10.5).
Rod Barajas cracked two home runs and finished with four RBIs for the Blue Jays. JasonFrasor tossed two innings to earn the win.
MichaelYoung went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two RBIs for the Rangers, who were +130 underdogs. C.J.Wilson gave up the winning run in relief.
Team records: Texas: 6-8 SU Toronto: 11-5 SU
Texas most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Baltimore are 2-8 After playing Toronto are 3-7 After a loss are 3-7
Toronto most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Chi White Sox are 7-3 After playing Texas are 5-5 After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 8 of Texas’s last 9 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games on the road Texas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto The total has gone OVER in 9 of Toronto’s last 12 games Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games when playing at home against Texas Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
Next up: Texas at Baltimore, Friday, April 24 Toronto at Chi White Sox, Friday, April 24
The Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Camden Yards.
Bartolo Colon will be the starting pitcher for the White Sox on this day. Righthander Colon is 1-0 this season with a 3.86 ERA.
Starting this game for the Orioles will be AdamEaton. The righthander has a 11.25 ERA to go along with a 0-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the White Sox listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
JoshFields smacked a two-run homer and drove in three runs to help the White Sox cruise past the Orioles 8-2 on Wednesday, as a -105 pick’em. That game’s 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
ChrisGetz went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs, and three runs scored for the White Sox. JohnDanks completed seven innings on the mound for the win, allowing one run off four hits.
LukeScott homered for the Orioles, while JeremyGuthrie gave up five runs off eight hits over six innings in the loss.
Team records: Chicago: 8-6 SU Baltimore: 7-8 SU
Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Toronto are 3-7 After playing Baltimore are 5-5 After a win are 4-6
Baltimore most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Texas are 5-5 After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 14 of Chi White Sox’s last 20 games when playing on the road against Baltimore Chi White Sox are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games The total has gone OVER in 9 of Baltimore’s last 10 games The total has gone OVER in 7 of Baltimore’s last 9 games at home The total has gone OVER in 14 of Baltimore’s last 20 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Next up: Chi White Sox home to Toronto, Friday, April 24 Baltimore home to Texas, Friday, April 24
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Seattle Mariners will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Safeco Field.
The Rays will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander James Shields in this game. Shields has a 2-1 record and a 4.58 ERA this season.
It’ll be FelixHernandez toeing the rubber for the Mariners in this contest. RighthanderHernandez is 2-0 with a 4.26 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mariners listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Rays, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rays got out to a seven-run lead and went on to defeat the Mariners 9-3 on Wednesday, as a -110 pick’em. That game’s 12 combined runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
EvanLongoria had three hits and drove in three runs to lift the Rays, while CarlosPena had two RBIs. JeffNiemann tossed 5 1-3 innings for the victory, allowing three runs off three hits.
JoseLopez belted a three-run homer for the Mariners, and ChrisJakubauskas gave up six runs off 10 hits in just over three innings of work.
Team records: TampaBay: 6-9 SU Seattle: 9-6 SU
Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Thursday are 9-1 Before playing Oakland are 6-4 After playing Seattle are 7-3 After a win are 4-6
Seattle most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing LA Angels are 4-6 After playing Tampa Bay are 3-7 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games on the road Seattle is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up: Tampa Bay at Oakland, Friday, April 24 Seattle at LA Angels, Friday, April 24
Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Thursday when the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs meet at Wrigley Field.
The Reds will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace righthander AaronHarang in this game. Harang has a 1-2 record and a 2.70 ERA this season.
Starting this game for the Cubs will be ace CarlosZambrano. The righthander has a 5.21 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 162-moneyline favorites versus the Reds, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
JohnnyCuteo combined on a six-hit shutout on Wednesday, as the Reds got past the Cubs 3-0. The Reds won the game as +155 underdogs, and the three runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
JayBruce went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a solo home run for the Reds. FranciscoCordero notched the final three outs for his sixth save.
Ted Lilly allowed just five hits and one run in suffering the loss for the Cubs, who were favored at -175 in that game.
Team records: Cincinnati: 8-6 SU Chicago: 8-5 SU
Cincinnati most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Atlanta are 5-5 After playing Chi Cubs are 7-3 After a win are 4-6
Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing St. Louis are 4-6 After playing Cincinnati are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Cincinnati is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati Chi Cubs are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
Next up: Cincinnati home to Atlanta, Friday, April 24 Chi Cubs at St. Louis, Friday, April 24
The St. Louis Cardinals will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the New York Mets at Busch Stadium.
LivanHernandez will be the starting pitcher for the Mets on this day. RighthanderHernandez is 1-0 this season with a 4.63 ERA.
The Cardinals will counter Hernandez with KyleLohse. RighthanderLohse has a 2.57 ERA to go along with a 2-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Mets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cardinals defeated the Mets for a second straight game with a 5-2 win on Wednesday, as +105 underdogs. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the night’s posted over/under (9.5).
AlbertPujols went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs for the Cardinals. JoelPineiro improved to 3-0 with the win, and RyanFranklin notched his fourth save.
CarlosBeltran had three hits and drove in one run for the Mets, who were favored at -115. JohnMaine gave up five runs off seven over 5 2-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak: New York has lost 3 straight games. St. Louis has won 2 straight games.
Team records: New York: 6-8 SU St.Louis: 10-5 SU
New York most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Washington are 5-5 After playing St. Louis are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4
St. Louis most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Chi Cubs are 7-3 After playing NY Mets are 6-4 After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Mets’s last 8 games when playing St. Louis NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games NY Mets are 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against St. Louis St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis’s last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets St. Louis is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games
Next up: NY Mets home to Washington, Friday, April 24 St. Louis home to Chi Cubs, Friday, April 24
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Philadelphia Phillies will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at CitizensBankPark.
The Brewers will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander DavidBush in this game. Bush has a 0-0 record and a 4.38 ERA this season.
The Phillies will counter Bush with ace ColeHamels. LefthanderHamels has a 11.17 ERA to go along with a 0-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Brewers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
J.J.Hardy homered as the Brewers got past the Phillies 3-1 on Wednesday, as +115 underdogs. The four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (10).
MikeCameron hit a two-run double for the Brewers. Braden Looper tossed six shutout innings for the win, and ToddCoffey threw the ninth in getting the save.
JaysonWerth went 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run for the Phillies, who were favored at -135 in that contest. JoeBlanton allowed three runs off eight hits over six innings in the loss.
Team records: Milwaukee: 5-9 SU Philadelphia: 6-7 SU
Milwaukee most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 6-4 After playing Philadelphia are 2-8 After a win are 3-7
Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Florida are 5-5 After playing Milwaukee are 8-2 After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee’s last 7 games when playing Philadelphia The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia Milwaukee is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games Milwaukee is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games on the road Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Milwaukee The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games when playing Milwaukee Philadelphia is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Milwaukee The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Next up: Milwaukee at Houston, Friday, April 24 Philadelphia at Florida, Friday, April 24
Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Thursday when the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians meet at Progressive Field.
The Royals will give the ball to ace starter GilMeche in this one. RighthanderMeche is 1-0 this season with a 2.25 ERA.
Starting this game for the Indians will be AnthonyReyes. The righthander has a 5.73 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
BrianBannister threw six-complete shutout innings as the Royals defeated the Indians 2-0 on Wednesday, as +170 underdogs. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
DavidDeJesus and WillieBloomquist drove in the runs for the Royals. JoakimSoria tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his fifth save.
CliffLee gave up nine hits and two runs over eight innings of work for the Indians, who were favored at -190 in that game.
Team records: Kansas City: 8-6 SU Cleveland: 5-10 SU
Kansas City most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Detroit are 3-7 After playing Cleveland are 7-3 After a win are 6-4
Cleveland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Minnesota are 5-5 After playing Kansas City are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 8 of Kansas City’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Cleveland Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland Kansas City is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games on the road Kansas City is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cleveland’s last 9 games when playing at home against Kansas City The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games at home Cleveland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home The total has gone OVER in 10 of Cleveland’s last 14 games
Next up: Kansas City home to Detroit, Friday, April 24 Cleveland home to Minnesota, Friday, April 24
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