This is the last day of games before the MLB All-Star break. Teams are looking to finish the first half of the season strong. There is a full schedule of games for July 12. I will make picks on four of the games, with the Atlanta Braves at the St. Louis Cardinals in the featured game.
Milwaukee Brewers versus Pittsburgh Pirates
In this NL Central battle, the Brewers enter in first place with the Pirates in 4th, 11.5 games back. Both teams are 4-2 over the last six and “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Milwaukee is +25 to +21 on the Power Ranks Indicator, while Pittsburgh won two of the three games played between the teams this season. The teams have been trending “over” the line over the last three, with Milwaukee having a huge scoring differential edge of +133 to +38. The Brewers have been far more consistent in terms of their favorite/underdog status, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Pittsburgh is 24-23 at home, and Milwaukee is one of the best road teams, at 29-16. I like Milwaukee to end the first half strong, winning in a game “under” the line.
Chicago Cubs versus Cincinnati Reds
In another NL Central clash, the 2nd place Cubs take on the last place Reds. Chicago is “burning hot” versus “average”on the Team Strength Oscillator and +29 to +8 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Matthew Boyd is scheduled to pitch for the Cubs versus Andrew Abbott for the Reds. Both pitchers have been excellent bets, at +$349 and +$362 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Cubs have a scoring differential edge of +51 to -57 and swept the Reds in a four-game series in Chicago earlier this season. With two solid pitchers on the mound, I expect a low-scoring game. Go with the Cubs in a game “under” the line.
Athletics versus Chicago White Sox
Chicago is one of the surprise teams in the league this season, sitting first in the AL Central, while the Athletics are 5.5 games out in the AL West. The White Sox are 2-4 over the last six and “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Athletics are “dead” status and 1-5 over the same stretch. Both teams have been involved in games “over” the line in two of the last three, and scored a combined 35 runs in a three-game series earlier this season. Neither team has been particularly stable, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Chicago is 28-16 at home, and the Athletics are a respectable 22-23 on the road. The White Sox have a scoring differential edge of +14 to -81 and like them in this game, but pass on the “over/under” bet.
Atlanta Braves versus St. Louis Cardinals
Although the Braves still sit on top of the NL East, they have been just mediocre lately, going 3-3 over the last six, while the Cardinals are “ice cold up” and 2-4 over the same stretch. Both teams have been trending in games “over” the line, and scored a total of 30 runs in a recent three-game series. Atlanta is +24 to +23 on the Power Ranks Indicator, and a scoring differential edge of +90 to +7. The Braves are the more stable team at +9 on the Team Volatility Oscillator, although that is down from a high of +13 earlier in the season. The Cardinals are even at 24-24 at home, while the Braves are very good on the road with a record of 26-20. I like the Braves to finish the first half strong with a win, in a game “over” the line.
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