Thursday’s MLB Betting Slate – Back the O’s Under, Astros & Red Sox!

The Yankees prohibited us from pulling off the sweep last night as they got to Cecil early and Colon was very good in his first start in pinstripes; the Orioles and Cubs ‘over’ reeled in some MLB betting profit. I’ve got three more investments offered up right here for you to do some damage with Thursday night at BetOnline Sportsbook.

Minnesota Twins @ Baltimore Orioles

Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 21st, 7:05 ET
Game Location: Camden Yards, Baltimore, MA
TV/Radio Broadcast: FOX-North, MASN, XM

MLB Odds

Minnesota Twins +1.5 -165 +120

(Scott Baker – R)

Baltimore Orioles -1.5 +145 -140

(Jeremy Guthrie – R)

Total 8.5 O +100 8.5 U -120

The Twins and O’s conclude their four-game series at Camden Yards in what looks to be a good old fashioned pitcher’s duel. Though Scott Baker has failed to tally a ‘W’ to date, he’s allowed only 16 hits and nine ERs with a K/BB ratio of 15/7 through his 18 total IP. His opponent, Jeremy Guthrie is 1-2 with a 3.32 ERA and has allowed just 17 hits and seven ERs through his 19 total MLB betting IP. The Twins rank dead last in the league scoring an average of just 3.00 RPG and they’ve played to the ‘under’ in 10 of their L/12 vs. right-handers. Baltimore has played to the ‘under’ in 11 of Guthrie’s L/15 home starts vs. sub .500 opposition, and the O’s have tallied three runs or less six of the seven times they’ve opposed Baker dating back to the 2006 season.

SLAM THE UNDER!

Houston Astros @ New York Mets

Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 21st, 7:10 ET
Game Location: Citi Field, Flushing, NY
TV/Radio Broadcast: FOX-Houston, SNY, XM

MLB Odds

Houston Astros +1.5 -190 +120

(J.A. Happ – L)

New York Mets -1.5 +160 -140

(Chris Capuano – L)

Total 7.5 O -120 7.5 U +100

Houston enters the finale of this three-game stop in Flushing looking to secure the team’s first sweep of the 2010-11 MLB betting season. With lefty Happ leading their charge, I believe they pull off the feat against a sorry bunch of Metropolitans. After struggling in his first start of the season in the GAB vs. the Reds, Happ has allowed a total of just 11 hits and five ERs over the course of his L/14.2 innings of work. Capuano has tossed nothing short of batting practice in his pair of starts serving up 15 hits and 11 ERs through just 11.2 combined innings. Houston’s batting a healthy .313 vs. southpaws this season while NY checks in at a pathetic .197. Houston owns both the offensive and starting pitching advantages in this series finale, and the Mets have proven to be woeful in their own park to date (1-8, -$920). Bet the Astros to pull off the sweep!

SLAM THE ASTROS!

Boston Red Sox @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 21st, 10:05 ET
Game Location: Angels Stadium, Anaheim, CA
TV/Radio Broadcast: NESN, FOX-West, XM

MLB Odds

Boston Red Sox -1.5 -105 -160

(Josh Beckett – R)

Los Angeles Angels +1.5 -115 +140

(Tyler Chatwood – R)

Total 8 O -120 8 U +100

So many red flags go up and alarms sound when taking a look at this match-up! However, one of the lone bright spots to date for the Red Sox has been the stellar pitching of what looks to be a reinvigorated Josh Beckett. And I gotta say, after watching him struggle the last couple season, it’s been a breath of fresh air to see good ‘ol #19 mowing /’e, down again! Bottom line; the Halos just went into Texas and took the series, while the Red Sox are looking for anything to get themselves going. Beckett has simply been untouchable his L/2 outings, while Chatwood’s yet to face an offense capable of really hurting him. Boston’s dominated the recent series with LA winning nine of the L/10 overall, and I firmly expect them to get off on the right foot in Game 1 of this MLB betting behind their staff ace.

SLAM THE RED SOX!