Pitcher’s Duel expected in tonight’s Cubs/Braves baseball betting

National League baseball betting picks back up Wednesday night from Turner Field where the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves will partake in the second of their three-game series to kick off the 2010 festivities.

What looked to be a good old fashioned pitcher’s duel on paper between a pair of veteran hurlers quickly turned into a slugfest in the first inning when both clubs combined to plate nine runs; those backing the over cashed what might be their easiest ticket of the season.

The Cubs got the scoring started when newly acquired CF Marlon Byrd blasted a three-run home run, but the Braves responded quickly with a six-pack of their own in the bottom of the inning. The scoring barrage was highlighted by a three-run jack from rookie RF Jason Heyward in his first career MLB at bat.

The Cubs middle relief was forced into action early after starter Carlos Zambrano lasted just 1.1 innings allowing six hits (2 HR) and eight ER’s with a K/BB ratio of 1/2.

Braves starter Derek Lowe surrendered five hits and five ER’s through six innings, but the bullpen trio of Peter Moylan, Takashi Saito, and Billy Wagner retired all nine batters faced to put the finishing touches on Atlanta’s commanding 16-5 baseball betting victory.

Chicago Cubs (0-1, -$100) vs. Atlanta Braves (1-0, +$100)

Game Date/Time: Wednesday, April 7th, 7:10 ET

Game Location: Turner Field, Atlanta, GA
TV Broadcast: Comcast (Chicago+), Peachtree TV, XM Radio

MLB Baseball Odds:

Chicago Cubs +1’ -155 +130
(Ryan Dempster – R)

Atlanta Braves -1’ +135 -150
(Jair Jurrjens – R)

Total:
8’ O -100
8’ U -120

Looking to pull his team off the mat will be RHP Matt Dempster who’s expecting to bounce back from a mediocre 2009 effort. The righty finished the year 11-9 with a 3.61 ERA allowing 196 hits and 81 ER’s through 200 total innings of work.

He’s had his troubles with Atlanta throughout his career going a poor 2-9 SU with a 5.05 ERA & 1.52 WHIP in 15 starts. However, most of those outings came in his younger days.

As a Cub, Dempster stands 1-1 allowing a total of 12 hits and four earned runs with a K/BB ratio of 17/4 through 15+ total innings the L/2 seasons.

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Jair Jurrjens looks to be on the fast track towards becoming another one of those stellar Braves arms after compiling the third best ERA (2.60) in the entire National League last season.

He logged 215 total innings of work and allowed only 186 hits while striking out 152 batters. Of his 34 outings, he allowed two runs or fewer in 26 of them.

He made his lone career start against the Cubs last season at Wrigley Field where he got outdueled by Randy Wells falling 4-2 after allowing seven hits and four ER’s through six IP.

MLB Baseball Insider Tip: Chicago was simply embarrassed on Monday afternoon, and it’s up to Ryan Dempster to help Cubs fans and their baseball betting backers turn the page on the nightmare.

I don’t foresee Atlanta being as potent an offense as Monday’s outburst suggests, and I expect them to be put in their place tonight with Dempster on the bump.

Also look for Jurrjens to put forth a solid baseball betting 2010 debut against a Cubs offense still trying to find its way from a very poor 2009 effort.

Mondays high scorer snapped a string of five straight under cashes in the series; look for a return to normalcy this evening.

With these clubs playing to the low side of the total in each of their L/5 meetings, look for runs to be at a premium as both pitching staffs rule the day.

My MLB Prediction: Chicago/Atlanta under (Dempster/Jurrjens)