MLB Underdog Play – Texas Rangers at New York Yankees

BetOnline MLB betting odds: Yankees -200, Rangers +170, Total 10.5

Right-handers go at it tonight, as Vicente Padilla (3-2, 4.71 ERA) of the Rangers takes on A.J. Burnett (3-2, 4.78 ERA) of the Yankees.

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

* TEX has won seven of its last ten games
* TEX has played 11 of its last 15 games UNDER the total
* TEX has played eight of its last nine road games UNDER the total
* NY has won four of its last five games
* NY has played seven of its last ten games UNDER the total
* NY has won eight of its last ten home games

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD sports betting trends:

* NY has won four of the last five meetings
* NY has won ten of the last 15 meetings as the home team

Both of these teams just took three games out of a four-game series. The Rangers swept the first three games from Oakland, then lost 5-4 on Sunday. The Yankees beat Cleveland 5-2 on Monday, as Joba Chamberlain gave up just two runs over eight innings. These teams have the two best records in the league right now; the Bronx Bombers lead the Red Sox by a game in the East, while the Rangers hold a 4.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the West.

A.J. Burnett had a very solid outing against the Rangers six days ago, shutting them out on three hits over six innings. This was a big improvement on what he had done over his previous three starts (5.31 ERA). That last start was his best of the year, as the Yankees continue to search for justification as to why they gave a monster contract to someone who has won more than 12 games only once in his career.

Texas may be short-handed in this game, as Josh Hamilton had to see a doctor for an MRI on Monday. The slugger, who was a prime MVP candidate last season, has a groin problem which has bothered him all year, limiting him to a .240 average. Even without big numbers from its biggest star, Texas compiled a 20-9 record in May, which was best in the junior circuit. This series is so critical for them, as they have to go from here to face Toronto, which started out fast and is still near the top of the AL East, and the L.A. Dodgers, who have the best record in the majors right now.

The Rangers will be going with the guy who was supposed to be their ace at the start of the season. Vicente Padilla started to show that with two sizzling starts in May; he shut out the Mariners over eight innings on one hit on May 5, then went seven innings, giving up one hit AGAIN, versus the White Sox. He followed those two games with eight innings of three-run ball against the Angels. He then strained his right shoulder and went on the DL.

Yes, the Yankees have won eight of their last ten at Yankee Stadium, but at this price, the Rangers are worth a look considering the offense they have. If Padilla can recapture even some of that form he showed before going on the shelf taking Texas at +170 in the BetOnline American League baseball betting odds is a smart play.

JAY’S PLAY: TEXAS (+170) **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)