The midpoint of the MLB season is upon us, and teams are looking to gain momentum heading into the All-Star break. There are 13 games scheduled for Monday, June 29. Take a look at some or all, as you wish, but I am making picks for four games. The headlined matchup is a NL West battle between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants.
Detroit Tigers versus New York Yankees
Despite going 2-4 over the last six, the Yankees hold a one-game lead in the AL East, while the Tigers are fourth in the AL Central, eight games behind the White Sox. Detroit is “average” versus “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator, and the Yankees are +21 to +6 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams are trending in games “under” the line with a total predicted of 14 runs, but with only 48 percent confidence. New York has a huge scoring differential edge of +105 to +1, although they only outscored the Tigers by a run in the recent three-game series. The Tigers are a mere 12-28 on the road, and the Yankees are 22-15 at home. I like the Yankees to get back on track this series, winning in a game “over” the line.
San Francisco Giants versus Arizona Diamondbacks
In this NL West clash, both teams are 2-4 and “ice cold down” over the last six. Arizona is 3rd in the division, while San Francisco is 4th. Arizona is +13 to +1 on the Power Ranks Indicator, and swept the Giants in San Francisco last month. Despite both teams trending in games “under” the line, the total predicted score is 14 runs with 71 percent confidence. Both teams are far in the red in scoring differential, coming in at a combined -81. The big edge is for Arizona in this one, with a record of 24-17 at home compared to the Giants’ road record of 17-26. Go with the Diamondbacks by at least two runs, but pass on the “over/under” bet.
Washington Nationals versus Boston Red Sox
Here’s a case of teams going in opposite directions. The National are “dead” after going 1-5 over the last six, while the Red Sox are “burning hot”, having won three of their last four. The teams have been involved in games mainly “under” the line over the last 12, while both teams are barely positive in scoring differential. Boston is +7 to +5 on the Power Ranks Indicator, and neither team has been stable, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Boston has been uncharacteristically bad at home, winning only 14 of 39, while the Nationals are a shade under .500 on the road. I like Boston in what is really a toss-up, in a game “under” the line.
Pittsburgh Pirates versus Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies come in as one of the hottest teams in the league, winners of 5 of their last 6. They are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +28 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The Pirates are “average down” after a recent 3-3 stretch, and +15 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in seven of the last 12, and surprisingly, the Pirates have a scoring differential edge of +25 to +5. The Phillies swept the Pirates in Pittsburgh last month, outscoring them 23-9. Philadelphia is 23-19 at home, while the Pirates are 19-20 on the road. I like the Phillies to keep their hot streak going, winning in a game “over” the line.
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