Only 14 teams have a winning record a third of the way through the MLB season. The standings for the wild-card race is tight, so each series takes on increased importance. I will look at four of the nine games scheduled for June 1, with the NL West battle between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks headlining the action.
Los Angeles Dodgers versus Arizona Diamondbacks
In this NL West clash, the Dodgers are in first place, 4.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks. Both teams are 5-1 over the last six and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Los Angeles has a +29 to +26 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. Both teams are trending in games “over” the line lately, while the Dodgers have a huge edge in scoring differential, +120 to +14. Despite trending in games “over”, the score prediction is for a 6-run total with confidence of 75 percent. The Dodgers’ road record of 18-10 matches the Diamondbacks home record. Los Angeles swept Arizona in the opening series of the season. I expect the Dodgers to win again in a game decided by one or two runs in a game “under” the line.
Kansas City Royals versus Cincinnati Reds
Both teams are sitting 4th in their respective divisions. The Reds have been playing better ball, at 4-2 over the last six, and “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Royals are 2-4 and “ice cold down” over the same stretch. The teams have been trending on opposite sides of the line, and the score predicted total is ten with 54 percent confidence. The Reds are +18 to +4 on the Power Ranks Indicator, with both teams steady over the last few days. Kansas City is a mere 7-17 on the road, while the Reds are holding their own at home at 14-12. Kansas City has played more consistently regarding their favorite/underdog status, but neither team has had a linear trend on the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like the Reds in this game, but pass on the “over/under” bet.
Texas Rangers versus St. Louis Cardinals
Both teams are looking to get back on track after going 1-5 and “dead” status over the last six games. The Cardinals are 3rd in the NL Central, while the Rangers are 4th in the AL West. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the “over/under” line, and both are in the red in scoring differential. St. Louis is an even 13-13 at home, and Texas is 13-18 on the road. Texas has been extremely unstable, at -6 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Cardinals are the better team playing at home. I won’t bet against that. Let’s go with St. Louis in a game “over” the line.
Chicago White Sox versus Minnesota Twins
In this AL West battle, the White Sox come in 2nd, while the Twins are sitting in 3rd. The teams have been heading in opposite directions lately. Chicago is 4-2 over the last six and “burning hot”, while Minnesota is 1-3 over the last four and “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The teams have gone “over” in nine of the last 12 combined, although the score predicted total of eight with 84 percent confidence would break that trend. The Twins are a game over .500 at home, and the White Sox are 12-16 on the road. Both teams are in the middle of the pack in scoring differential. Chicago won three of four at home in the opening series between the teams this season. I like the Twins at home to rebound, but pass on the “over/under” bet.
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