When your bullpen does not have an ERA worse than 3.00, it is understood that you are having an outstanding season. Such is the case for the Padres, who has combined excellent starting pitching with sensational relief work to manufacture one of the League's best records. Even with great pitching, however, it can be difficult to win ball games if you do not have the hitting to back it up. While the Padres have not put in the best work at the plate, players like Adrian Gonzalez have provided enough of an offensive spark to get the Padres into first place. Gonzalez has 19 home runs and 58 RBIs, which is good enough to lead this team in both of those categories. The terrific pitching and average hitting do not usually produce a lot of runs for the Padres and won't do so in their game against Atlanta either. Look to put your free wager on the UNDER to get yourself some cash on Thursday afternoon.

Tim Hudson is one of the best pitchers in the National League not named Ubaldo Jimenez. With an ERA under 3.00 and a 9-4 record, Hudson has been the leader of a terrific pitching staff that has allowed the Braves to have a chance in every game that they play. Kris Medlen has been a pleasant surprise as a starter by going 6-1 and making the game look easy while he is on the mound. All-Star starter Martin Prado has played the best baseball of his career this season. He has exceptional glove work, and his bat is one of his best attributes. Against San Diego, though, hits and runs will most assuredly be at a premium during this game. For that reason, the UNDER should be your free bet choice in the Padres-Braves game.

This will be one of the most anticipated series of the entire season, which probably wasn't the case when people looked at the schedule at the beginning of the year. Terrific pitching from both sides will ultimately separate the pretenders from the contenders, and this should lead to the betsfreebets.com selection of the game going well UNDER the posted total.