As we enter the dog days of summer, the MLB races are heating up. Here’s some of the match ups to keep an eye on this weekend. Note all information is for games played through July 24.
Los Angeles Dodgers versus Atlanta Braves
The Dodgers continue to battle the Diamondbacks in the NL West, while the Braves look to keep pace with the Phillies in the NL East. Not a surprise, the two teams are nearly identical on the oscillators. Los Angeles holds a slim +21 to +20 edge on the Power Ranking indicator and “average up” versus “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Both are among the most unstable teams in the league, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. On the mound, only one of the six scheduled starters this weekend is in the green on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Braves have the edge on Friday and Sunday, while Ross Stripling is not as bad of a bet at Sean Newcomb is in Saturday’s game. Look for the Braves to hold on to home field advantage and sneak out a series win, two games to one.
Minnesota Twins versus Boston Red Sox
Although under .500, the Twins are holding down second in the AL Central, while the Red Sox have the best record in the league at 71-32. Boston has a huge +28 to +6 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average up” status versus “ice cold up” for Minnesota. Betting on favorite/underdog status for the Twins is not wise since they are the seventh most unstable team in the league, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Of the six scheduled starters for this series, only the Red Sox Rick Porcello has been a good bet at +1168 profit. Chris Sale has the advantage over Jake Odorizzi in Friday’s match up, while the Twins best chance at a win should be Sunday as Jose Berrios goes against Drew Pomeranz. Boston is 21 games over .500 at home and the Twins are 17 under on the road. Minnesota could win a game, but don’t be surprised to see a sweep for Boston.
Oakland A’s versus Colorado Rockies
Both teams enter playing well, as the A’s have won eight of their last ten and the Rockies seven of their last ten. This is indicated on the oscillators with the Rockies holding the narrowest +28 to +27 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator, while both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Colorado is the most unstable team in the league, so betting strictly on their favorite/underdog status is not a wise decision this weekend. All three Rockies’ starters this weekend (German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland) have been solid bets, in the green on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. While one may think this gives the Rockies the edge, Colorado is a game under .500 at home and the A’s are 12 over .500 on the road. Oakland will leave Colorado this weekend winning two of three.
Seattle Mariners versus Los Angeles Angels
The Mariners have struggled to 3-7 over their last ten and sit second in the AL West. The Angels have floundered all season and sit 16.5 games back in the division. The poor recent play by both clubs is indicated by “dead” status for Seattle and “ice cold up” for the Angels on the Team Strength Oscillator. Seattle still holds a +18 to +13 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Wade LeBlanc is scheduled to start for the Mariners on Friday and he has a profit advantage over Andrew Heaney. The Angels are undecided for Saturday and Marco Gonzales of the Mariners has a +740 to +57 margin on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator over Felix Pena. Seattle should have no problems winning two of three this series.
Arizona Diamondbacks versus San Diego Padres
Arizona tries to keep pace with the surging Dodgers in the NL West, while the Padres can only look to improve, firmly entrenched in the basement in the division. Arizona has a +18 to +3 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average” versus “ice cold up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Padres are the seventh most stable team in the league and the Diamondbacks are fifth most unstable team in the league. This could cause some confusion when betting, since the Padres lose consistently when underdogs, which they will be. However, the Diamondbacks results don’t necessarily follow their favorite/underdog status. However, Arizona has clear advantages on the mound no Friday and Saturday with Zack Greinke and Patrick Corbin on the mound. Two wins this weekend is almost certain for the Diamondbacks.
Milwaukee Brewers versus San Francisco Giants
Although the Giants are in fourth in the NL West, they remain in contention, just 4.5 games off the pace. Milwaukee has struggled to 3-7 over their last ten and are 1.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. The Giants have a +17 to +16 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Milwaukee is “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator but their fortunes could turn around this weekend. Milwaukee’s scheduled starters of Chase Anderson, Jhoulys Chacin and Junior Guerra are all in the green on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Only Johnny Cueto has been a good bet among the three Padres’ scheduled starters. Look for the Brewers to break out of their slide with a series win in San Francisco.
P.S. Upgrade to Zcode VIP Club and Unlock All Winning Picks. Instant Access.
