The first week of MLB action closes with some great divisional match ups. The featured game is the AL East battle between two of the top teams in baseball last season, the Yankees and Rays. We’ll take a look at that game and several others for April 11.
New York Yankees versus Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees and Rays are off to slow starts, sitting 4th and 5th in the AL East. Jordan Montgomery is scheduled to pitch for the Yankees and the starter for the Rays has yet to be determined. New York has a +28 to +16 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average down” versus “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The two teams have been on opposite sides of the over/under line, so it’s best to avoid that bet. Montgomery is +241 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator and struck out seven over six innings without allowing a run in his first start this season. The Yankees will get a road win in this game.
Chicago Cubs versus Pittsburgh Pirates
In this NL Central battle, the Cubs and Pirates are bringing up the rear in the division. Chicago is +13 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Pirates are +4 and “dead”. The Cubs have won two of the three meetings between the teams this season. Trevor Williams will get the ball for the Cubs and JT Brubaker is set to pitch for the Pirates. Williams is +568 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator and allowed two runs in six innings in his first start this season. Brubaker is a poor bet at –214 and had control problems in his first start, walking four in four innings. Avoid the over/under with teams playing on opposite sides of the line. Look for the Cubs to come away with a road win.
San Diego Padres versus Texas Rangers
The Padres come in with the 2nd best record in the NL West and the Rangers are 3rd in the AL West. The Rangers have a +19 to +12 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” versus “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Both teams have been involved in lower scoring games, so betting “under” is a wise play. Adrian Morejan is set to pitch for the Padres versus Mike Foltynewicz for the Rangers. Both pitchers are in the red on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Morejan allowed two runs and five hits in four innings in his first start. Foltynewicz struck out seven in four innings, but allowed four runs and two home runs, whle walking three. The Padres will have enough to come away with the victory.
Philadelphia Phillies versus Atlanta Braves
The Phillies are one of the early surprises in the league, sitting first in the NL East. The Braves are third in the division. Philadelphia is +21 and “burning hot” status, while the Braves are +2 and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Matt Moore is set to pitch for the Phillies versus Drew Smyly for the Braves. Moore struggled a bit with control in his first start. Smyly struck out eight in six innings, allowing two earned runs against the Nationals. Moore is +27 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, but Smyly is a poor –244. Avoid the over/under in this game with the teams trending on opposite sides of the line. Keep rolling with the Phillies until they cool off.
Milwaukee Brewers versus St. Louis Cardinals
Battling in the NL Central, the Cardinals are 2nd in the division and the Brewers are 3rd. Both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Cardinals have a +25 to +15 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The pitching matchup is scheduled to be Brett Anderson versus Daniel Ponce de Leon. Anderson has been a poor bet at –370 and Ponce de Leon is at +64. Anderson allowed three home runs in five innings in his first start. Ponce de Loen was solid, allowing only an earned run and three hits in five innings. Best to avoid the over/under in this game according to the Totals Predictor. The Cardinals will take advantage of home field and earn a win in this one.
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