MLB Series Betting Odds – Atlanta vs San Francisco

Who’s ready to wager on some baseball series odds? The time is now, with the BetOnline.com Sports Book releasing spreads on every single series in this year’s postseason.

In this particular preview, let’s take a look at maybe the most intriguing series on the playoff docket, where the Giants and Braves will do battle.

Atlanta Braves (91-71 SU, 81-81 R/L, 74-79-9 O/U): +130
San Francisco Giants (92-70 SU, 80-82 R/L, 74-81-7 O/U): -160

Game 1: Thursday, October 7, 9:37 p.m. TBS, Live from AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA

What makes the Braves-Giants series so interesting, is that neither team has much playoff experience.

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The odds makers have announced San Francisco as favorites, and for good reason, they’ve literally got the best pitching staff in baseball. The Giants ranked first in baseball in team ERA (3.36) and strikeouts (1,331) and have maybe the top two starters in this series. In Game 1, two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum will get the ball, and put his 16 win regular season on the line. However, for all the talk about Lincecum, Game 2 starter Matt Cain was just as good in 2010, posting 13 wins and an impressive 3.14 ERA. Game 3 starter Jonathan Sanchez had a 3.07 ERA on the season, meaning runs will be at a premium for the Atlanta Braves. Things don’t get any easier when you get into San Francisco’s bullpen, as they had the top closer in the National League this year, Brian Wilson, who saved 48 games.

And it doesn’t help Atlanta that their lineup is depleted by injuries coming into this series. Veteran starMartin Prado will miss this series and infielder Troy Glaus will be limited, which only puts added pressure on several other players. Those who are expected to make major contributions include catcher Brian McCann who led this team with 21 home runs and 77 RBI, rookie outfielder Jason Heyward, who finished the year with 18 home runs, and utility infielder Omar Infante, who went from a bench player in the middle of the season to one of the National League’s leading hitters with a .318 average.

As always though, the Braves enter this series with solid pitching. Veteran Derek Lowe wasn’t great over the course of the regular season, but was phenomenal when it counted most, winning his last five starts. He’ll get the ball in Game 1. In Game 2, flamethrower Tommy Hanson will pitch, and he’s been phenomenal of late, and hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in each of his last three outings.

Still, when it comes to the baseball series odds, the play here is San Francisco. Because in a series where runs will be at a premium, their offense is just a bit better right now.

The Giants don’t have a ton of big names, but do have a lineup that’s deeper than people give it credit for. Catcher Buster Posey and first baseman Aubrey Huff combined to hit 44 home runs this year, and as a team the Giants hit 162 home runs this year, which ranked them 10th in baseball.

In the end, the combination of pitching, hitting and the home field advantage will be just enough for the Giants to get past the Atlanta Braves in this series. Make them your baseball series betting pick today!

Baseball Series Betting Pick: San Francisco -160