Wednesday's Early Look at the MLB Betting Markets

A full slate of Major League Baseball games are scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, as divisional races heat up. 

Bettors will have plenty of early opportunities to build a daily bank roll with five-day games on the docket.  Some premiere pitchers are toeing the rubber, including Philadelphia's Roy Halladay and Tampa Bay ace James Shields.

Let's take a closer look at some of the matchups from a betting perspective.

St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Randy Wolf is a slight home favorite (-125) over the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals.  He was roughed up for six runs and seven hits in a 6-0 road loss in the series on May 6.  The "under" is 3-0-1 in his last four efforts versus the Red Birds.

St. Louis counters with newly-acquired right-hander Edwin Jackson, who came over from the American League during last month's trade deadline.  He will be looking to reverse the club's 3-13 trend as an underdog. 

The former Chicago White Sox starter is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two career starts versus the Brewers but has never pitched at Miller Park.

Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher James Shields has been favored at home in 10 of his previous 11 starts and Wednesday is no different.  Lines makers have sent him out at a solid -150 number and for good reason.  He is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA in nine career starts against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.

Carlos Villanueva will make his 26th appearance (13th start) of the season and brings in a 4-1 mark and 2.53 ERA in 13 road outings (seven starts).  Toronto has captured four of his last five efforts against American League East competition, including a 8-5 home win over Baltimore as a -167 home favorite.

Philadelphia Phillies at Colorado Rockies

Philadelphia's line continues to climb when ace Roy Halladay (-200) takes the mound, as the betting public has taken notice of the club cashing tickets in 12 of his last 13 outings.  It's hard to imagine anything changing with a perfect 2-0 record and 0.77 ERA in three career starts versus the Rockies.  The Phillies are also a dominating 10-2 in his last 12 efforts as a road favorite.

Right-hander Jason Hammel is coming off a 3-2 road victory over the San Diego Padres but has not registered back-to-back victories since April.  Facing one of baseball's best is not likely to change that fact, especially due to tossing his fewest innings and allowing his most runs of any month over the course of July.

New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

New York (-120) has opened up as a road favorite, and it's definitely not based on the team dropping 11-of-15 road games with starting pitcher A.J. Burnett on the hill.  The right-hander has also tallied a dismal 1-3 mark and 8.14 ERA in four career starts at U.S. Cellular Field.

Gavin Floyd makes the White Sox dangerous in leading them to victory in eight of his last nine starts as a home underdog.  He's also an extremely hot commodity in posting a perfect 3-0 mark and 0.81 ERA in his last three outings.