With just over a month remaining in the MLB regular season, the wild card races have really heated up. There are 11 teams with realistic chances of claiming the five spots. Let’s take a look at some key match-ups for August 28 with the Giants facing the Reds in the featured game.
Cincinnati Reds versus San Francisco Giants
Both teams are third in their division and battling for a wild card spot. The Reds are “average down” and 3-3 over their last six, while the Giants are 2-4 and “ice cold up” during the same stretch. The teams have split the four previous games between the teams with the Reds holding a two-run edge. Picking the “over/under” will be difficult in this one with the teams trending nearly evenly on both sides of the line. Andrew Abbott will get the ball for the Reds. He’s been an excellent bet at +$905 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator and has a record of 8-3 with a 3.16 ERA. This bodes poorly for the Giants, who have not been known for ripping the cover off the ball this season. I like the Reds in a game “under” the line.
Los Angeles Angels versus Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies look to increase their lead in the NL wild-card race, while the Angeles have dropped to six games under .500 and have little hope of a playoff spot. Philadelphia is “average down” versus “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +20 to +8 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The Angels will be without Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani is dealing with a UCL tear. The Score Predictor has all Philadelphia by an 8-1 margin with 56 percent confidence. That Phillies bats are getting hot at the right time and the teams have been trending in games “over” the line. I like the Phillies at home and pick the “over” in this one.
Hoston Astros versus Boston Red Sox
The defending World Series champions are in a three-way battle in the AL West and the Red Sox are 4th in the AL East with dwindled playoff hopes. Boston is “burning hot” after a 4-2 stretch and the Astros are skidding, going 2-4 during the same period. Expect a slugfest as both teams have been involved in games “over” the line in their last six contests. The teams just split a four-game series in Houston with the Red Sox dominating 17-1 in the finale. Payback is in store. Look for the Astros to thump the Red Sox in this one in a game “over” the line.
San Diego Padres versus St. Louis Cardinals
The teams are a combined 22 games under .500 and have been a major disappointment to their fans this season. There is little to play for except pride. The Cardinals are 2-4 over their last six and “ice cold up” versus 3-3 and “average” for the Padres during the same stretch. With 72 percent confidence, the Score Predictor has the Padres in a 9-1 blowout. Picking the “over/under” is like a coin toss in this one with the teams trending on opposite sides of the line. I would stay clear of that bet, but I like the Padres over a St. Louis team that is a dreadful 28-37 at home.
Cleveland Guardians versus Minnesota Twins
The top two teams in the AL Central battle. Minnesota comes in as the only team in the weakest division in baseball with a winning record. They are “average” versus “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +14 to +13 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Cleveland has won four of the seven games between the teams this season, all but one decided by three runs or less. Both teams are moderately consistent with regard to their favorite/underdog status. Minnesota has been trending in games “over” the line and the Score Predictor has all Minnesota in this one. Cleveland is only 27-35 on the road and the Twins are 37-26 at home. I like the Twins to take care of business in a high-scoring affair.
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