With the All-Star break in the rear view mirror and numerous moves likely to be made before the trade deadline, the races will heat up. Here’s what’s in store for the weekend of July 20-22 in Major League Baseball.
St. Louis Cardinals versus Chicago Cubs
In this NL Central match up, the third place Cardinals look to chip away at the first place Cubs. Chicago has won seven of their last ten and are +26 on the Power Ranking Indicator. St. Louis is “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +10 on the Power Ranking Indicator. Neither team has decided on their scheduled starters for the series. The Cubs have the best run differential in the NL at +112 and have been excellent at home. While the Cardinals hold their own on the road at 24-22, it’s not enough to win this series. Chicago will win two games to one and increase their lead over the Cardinals.
Atlanta Braves versus Washington Nationals
The Braves are a half game behind the Phillies in the NL East, while the Nationals are within striking distance at five and a half back. Atlanta holds a +16 to +6 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator, while both teams are “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Betting based on favorite/underdog status is likely not wise in this series. Atlanta is the most unstable team in the league, while the Nationals are fourth most unstable on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Washington hasn’t named their starters for the series, while the Braves are going with Anibal Sanchez, Sean Newcomb and Mike Foltynewicz. Only Foltynewicz has been a solid bet according to the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Going with the Nationals to take two of three and move close to the Braves in the division.
Los Angeles Dodgers versus Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee enters having lost six straight and are two and a half back in the NL Central. Los Angeles is at the top in the NL West having won six of their last ten. The Dodgers have a +19 to +15 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average” versus “dead” status on the Team Strength Oscillator. Neither team has named their starters for the weekend. Milwaukee is 30-18 at home, while the Dodgers are the best road team in the National League at 25-19. I see the Brewers continuing to slide, while the Dodgers cruise to two wins in this series.
Boston Red Sox versus Detroit Tigers
There is little to indicate the Tigers can hang with the Red Sox this weekend. Boston is 38 games over .500, +29 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Furthermore they are second in team stability. Detroit is in third in the AL Central, but are 16 games below .500. They sit at +3 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “dead” status. As one of the most unstable teams in the league, betting on Detroit based on favorite/underdog status is a mistake. David Price and Brian Johnson are in the green for the Red Sox on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, while Mike Fiers is the only Detroit pitcher this weekend that’s a solid bet at +805. Boston will win the series and Detroit will be fortunate to avoid a sweep.
Houston Astros versus Los Angeles Angels
The Astros hold a five game lead in the AL West, while the Angels are in fourth, a game over .500. Houston is the most stable team in the league according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. They also hold a +28 to +17 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and are “burning hot” versus “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Angels haven’t decided on their starters for the series, while the Astros plan to send out Dallas Keuchel, Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. Being at home wont be an advantage for the Angels since Houston has the best road record in the Major Leagues at 32-14. Houston will win the series and perhaps sweet the Angles, pushing Los Angeles further back in the division.
Cleveland Indians versus Texas Rangers
Texas starts the second half 22 games behind the Astros and eight games behind the Angels for fourth in the AL West. Cleveland has a comfortable lead in the AL Central but are just 4-6 over their last ten. Both teams are “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator, but the Indians have a significant +13 to +5 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Texas will send out Martin Perez, Bartolo Colon and Cole Hamels, while the Indians have yet to name their starters for the series. Cleveland is below .500 on the road, but the Rangers are a dreadful 19-28 at home. Texas will have a difficult time in this series, but should take one game to avoid a sweep.
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