Online MLB Sports Betting – Braves Look To Move Closer To Phillies At Top Of NL East This Week

The projected National League sports betting contenders for 2011 are back at or near the top of their respective divisions this season, and there is little doubt why. Consistent pitching, timely hitting, and a little luck has the Philadelphia Phillies leading the way in the NL, a run they will look to continue Wednesday when they send another one of their superstar pitchers to the mound.

Milwaukee Brewers @ Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are back at the top of the NL East standings, and there is no reason to pretend that it isn’t obvious why. Armed with arguably the deepest pitching rotation in the majors Philadelphia ranks at the top of the NL in terms of runs allowed, a trend that is likely to continue on Wednesday when they send one of their potential Cy Young candidates to the mound. Cliff Lee bounced back from a tough loss to the Atlanta Braves to strike out 12 batters and allow just three hits in a complete game win over the Washington Nationals in his last start, and will look to put together another strong performance. Chris Narveson is no slouch for Milwaukee, but Lee gets the edge and the Phillies have done a better job so far this year in MLB betting terms of run support.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia Phillies.

San Diego Padres @ Chicago Cubs

Wednesday, 2:20 PM ET

While the Phillies have one of the deepest staff’s in the majors, Chicago has really struggled to get consistent play from its starting rotation. The Cubs will look to Matt Garza on Wednesday, hoping that he can provide just enough to get them past a struggling San Diego team at home. Garza is 0-2 on the year, and has given up five earned runs in consecutive starts, and unless he has an incredible outing Chicago will have little shot against Aaron Harang and the Padres. Harang is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA, and his lights out pitching has been one of the few bright spots for the Padres this year.

MLB Betting Pick: San Diego Padres

Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals

Wednesday, 8:15 PM ET

Jaime Garcia has been solid for the Cardinals early on, allowing no more than two runs in any of his three starts this season. Garcia shut out the Padres in his first start of 2011, and will have another quality opportunity to put up similar numbers against a Nationals’ team that is due to cool down. Garcia gets the edge in the pitching duel with Washington starter Jordan Zimmerman, and the Cardinals get the sports betting bonus job done at home.

MLB Betting Pick: St. Louis Cardinals

Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Wednesday, 10:10 PM ET

The Braves knew it wouldn’t be easy to compete with the Phillies in the NL East after their division rivals re-acquired Lee in the offseason. They’ll continue to chase Philadelphia on Wednesday when they send Derek Lowe to the mound to pitch against his former team. Lowe has been solid early on this season for Atlanta, but his 2-2 record is every indication that he has not gotten the run support that he needs. That should change as the Braves’ bats tee off against Los Angeles’ starter Jon Garland, who allowed five earned runs in four innings of work against the Cardinals in his only start so far.

MLB Betting Pick: Atlanta Braves