MLB Thursday Preview – Baltimore vs Texas
Before baseball gambling fans turn their attention to other sports betting events this weekend, we have the Tuesday MLB game of the day pick for you. It’s time for our weekly baseball picks for online MLB betting action.
Season Record:
Baltimore: 25-59 SU
Texas: 50-34 SU
Hunter Looks To Stay Perfect In 2010
MLB Betting – Baltimore Orioles @ Texas Rangers
Jeremy Guthrie (3-10) vs. Tommy Hunter (5-0)
Guthrie vs. Rangers Hitting
Like most other pitchers in the Baltimore Orioles organization, Jeremy Guthrie has been border-line awful this season. But despite his poor numbers (3-10, 4.64 ERA), Guthrie is ranked in the top-3 of all major pitching categories for starters on his team. Guthrie’s latest start was his worst of the season; six runs allowed in just four innings pitched in a loss against Boston. The right-hander hasn’t seen the win column since May 25th, going 0-6 in seven starts since.
It won’t get any easier for Guthrie against the powerful Rangers offense. The two biggest bats for Texas, Vlad Guerrero and Josh Hamilton, have combined for 40 home runs and 134 RBI’s already this season. Add in Ian Kinsler and Michael Young, and it’s a good sports bet that Guthrie will be adding to his already high numbers.
Hunter vs. Orioles Hitting
Tommy Hunter has emerged as the biggest surprises in the Rangers organization this season. The 24-year old, who had modest success as a rookie last season, has been on fire since being called up in the beginning of June. In six starts the right-hander is 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He has yet to allow more than two runs in any of his starts, and has pitched through the six innings in all five of his decisions (an injury forced him to leave after two innings in his June 16th start). Hunter is one of the many young talented arms Texas boasts in its organization, and will be an important part of the team’s possible postseason inclusion.
Hunter has never faced anyone in the Orioles lineup in his career; those who bet on MLB know there isn’t much to be afraid of. Ty Wigginton has been a nice surprise for the Orioles (14 HR, 44 RBI), but that’s about it. Adam Jones has been a bit of a disappointment most of the season, but has put up some decent numbers as of late. Same goes with Nick Markakis. But there’s a reason the Orioles are in last place; they lack any kind of offensive consistency and can be easily beaten on any given night.
Bullpen Comparison
There are a couple of solid arms in the Oriole bullpen, as Jason Berken and Will Ohman each have ERA’s fewer than 3.00. But that’s about all the praise this group of relievers are going to get. On the whole, the Baltimore bullpen is just another factor in the Orioles losing season. It’s mainly a group of unreliable arms that have blown as many games as they’ve saved.
Texas boasts a three-headed monster in the bullpen with an overpowering closer and a pair of outstanding set-up men. Neftali Feliz took over the closer’s job earlier in the season and isn’t letting it go, with 22 saves and 40 K’s in 36 IP. Darren Oliver (1.42 ERA) and Darren O’Day (1.60 ERA) have been fantastic in their role to give Feliz has chances. The rest of the ‘pen is solid, but nothing special.
Outlook
Tommy Hunter picked a pretty good team to try and extend his winning streak again. The Orioles, compared to other teams, are very beatable. Even if Hunter struggles, the Ranger offense should have a field day with Guthrie and the bullpen. If you’re betting, go with the sure thing on this one.
Gambling Trends:
Baltimore is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas’s last 6 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Texas is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
Texas is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Baltimore’s last 15 games when playing on the road against Texas
Pick: Texas Rangers
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Poolside Rants hails from beautiful Bozeman Montana by way of Toronto, Canada. (Blame his wife for the move). He’s a Dallas Cowboys football honk. But please….don’t hold that against him. The man knows his sports and has uncanny knowledge when it comes to picking games.
