Divisional and mainly wild-card playoff races are heating up with less than two months remaining in the regular season. The Yankees at Braves headline a list of several games to watch on August 14. Let’s run down five of these games.
New York Yankees versus Atlanta Braves
The Braves come in as the best team in the league, while the Yankees are last in a tough AL East and five out of a wild card spot. Both teams are 2-4 over their last six, yet the Braves are “burning hot” versus “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Atlanta puts up runs like no other team in the NL and has a +163 scoring differential. Not surprisingly, the Score Predictor has this one all Braves, 11-3 with confidence lower than I expected at 54 percent. Atlanta is one of the league’s most consistent teams regarding their favorite/underdog status. All this lines up with an Atlanta win in a slugfest. If you enjoy offense, this is for you.
Houston Astros versus Miami Marlins
The defending World Series champions are 7-3 over their last ten and in a good position to make a run at the Rangers in the AL West. Miami is struggling, just 3-7 over their last ten and are clinging to the final wild-card spot in the NL. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the over/under line with Houston putting up a ton of runs. That doesn’t bode well for a Miami team trying to score against the daunting Houston pitching staff. Houston is +28 to +11 on the Power Ranks Indicator, but interestingly enough the Marlins have been the more stable team. The Score Predictor has Houston more than doubling up Miami. I’m leaning in the same direction, despite the Marlins 34-24 home record. Houston will triumph in a game “over” the line.
Los Angeles Angels versus Texas Rangers
Despite being 6.5 games out of a wild-card spot, the Angels have something to play for in this AL West rivalry series. The Rangers sit on top with the best record in the league. The Angels are coming off two straight wins but just 3-7 over their last ten, while the Rangers are “burning hot down” after an 8-2 stretch over the same span. The Angels have the upper hand in the season series winning four of seven, but don’t let that fool you. Texas is a dominating team and the Score Predictor with 77 percent confidence has the Rangers in a 12-1 blowout. If you like a tight, competitive game, pass on this one. This is a great one for Rangers fans, winning in a game “over” the line.
Baltimore Orioles versus San Diego Padres
Baltimore has continued to surprise. After being the laughingstock of the league for a few seasons, they won 83 last year and look to win the AL East this season. They face a San Diego team that is “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator after losing their last four. Does the team that made it to the NL Championship last season have enough pride to keep battling despite fading playoff hopes? We’ll see, but the Score Predictor likes Baltimore by an 8-2 margin with 77 percent confidence. Note that the teams have been involved in games “over” the line in nine of the last 12. That trend will continue in an Orioles’ win.
Tampa Bay Rays versus San Francisco Giants
The Rays look to keep pressure on the Orioles in the AL East and the Giants are second in the NL West, but a distant six behind the Dodgers. Neither team is playing their best ball lately, going a combined 5-7 over the last 12. The Rays boast the third-best scoring differential in the league at +147. The Score Predictor is seeing a tight one, with the Rays coming out on top, 4-3. The teams are nearly dead even on the Power Ranks Indicator. This is the first meeting between the teams since the 2019 season. One thing worth noting is that the Rays are +32 on the Team Volatility Oscillator, meaning they are among the most stable teams in the league. I like stability, particularly with the favorite. Let’s take the Rays but will pass on the “over/under” bet.
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