MLB Baseball Betting – A Pair of Superstar Pitchers Highlight Thursday’s Slate

It’s April, which can only mean one thing: MLB Baseball Betting is back!

And with a week’s worth of games now in the books, we’re starting to feel out which teams are true pretenders and contenders. Here are a pair of games that highlight Thursday’s schedule.

New York Mets (3-2 SU, 3-2 O/U, 4-1 O/U) at Philadelphia Phillies (4-1 SU, 3-2 R/L, 4-0-1 O/U)
Thursday, April 6: 3:05 p.m., Live from Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Betting Odds:
New York: +1 ½, -125, +75
(Jon Niese-L)
Philadelphia: -1 ½, +105, -210
(Roy Halladay-R)

Total Runs:
Over 7 ½:  -115
Under 7 ½: -105

For a time, Mets-Phillies was widely viewed as one the best rivalries in all of baseball. But with Philadelphia’s dominance in recent years, can it really even be called a rivalry anymore?

We’re not sure, but one thing we do know is that New York is going to struggle to get a win Thursday. That’s because when it comes to this MLB Baseball Betting matchup, the best pitcher in baseball will be on the mound, Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay. “Doc,” was last year’s Cy Young Award winner and began this season with a bang as well. In his opening start he pitched six innings, allowing just five hits and a run.

However, what’s been most surprising is Philadelphia’s offensive onslaught early on this season. The Phillies have hardly missed Chase Utley (injured) or Jayson Werth (left in the offseason) in this lineup, which is averaging 6.4 runs per game (fifth in the league) and a .337 team batting average, second only to the Cincinnati Reds.

The combination of Halladay on the mound, and a surprisingly potent offense will be more than enough to carry Philadelphia to an easy MLB Baseball Betting run line victory Thursday afternoon.

MLB Baseball Betting Pick: Philadelphia Run Line (-1 ½, +105)

Washington Nationals (1-4 SU, 2-3 R/L, 3-2 O/U) at Florida Marlins (3-2 SU, 2-3 R/L, 4-1 O/U)
Thursday, April 6: 7:10 p.m. Live from Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL

Washington: +1 ½, -140, +160
(John Lannan-L)
Florida: -1 ½, +120, -190
(Josh Johnson-R)

Total Runs:
Over 7 ½: +105
Under 7 ½: -125

Next up, let’s stay in the NL East, where another stud pitcher will take the mound in Florida. Like Halladay, the Marlins Josh Johnson was an All-Star last year. And like Halladay, he’s looking to go 2-0 on the year.

And like Halladay, he should have no problem going against a weak Nationals lineup. Washington enters this game struggling with the sticks, as their 2.8 runs per game ranks them an abysmal 28th in the league. Looking across this lineup, it’s been a sea of disappointment, as Ryan Zimmerman (.286) and Jayson Werth (.278) are the only regulars hitting above .250. Even more disappointing is Werth’s power production. After averaging over 31 home runs the last two years, he’s got zero in 18 at bats this year.

Which is all the more reason to back Johnson and the Marlins in the MLB Baseball Betting. The 27-year-old righty is simply a horse, and after pitching at least 180 innings each of the last two years, started off 2011 with a bang on Opening Day. Johnson pitched 6.2 innings, and picked up a victory in defeating the Mets.

With Johnson on the bump, and the Nationals anemic offense at the plate, is there any reason not to make the Marlins your MLB Baseball Betting pick?

MLB Baseball Betting Pick: Florida Run Line (-1 ½, +120)