The MLB season is inching towards the All-Star break, and plenty of teams will soon need to decide if they will buy or sell at the trade deadline. Much depends on the play over the next couple of weeks. There are nine games scheduled for June 23, with an NL East clash between the Mets and Braves headlining the action.
Atlanta Braves versus New York Mets
In this NL East battle, two teams are heading in opposite directions. The Braves are “burning hot” after a 5-1 stretch while the Mets are “dead” after dropping their last six, and Atlanta is +25 to +1 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in 10 of the last 12 games, with a score prediction of 5-1 in favor of Atlanta with 72 percent confidence. The Braves are an abysmal 12-24 on the road, and the Mets are 27-10 at home. Both teams have a positive scoring differential. The Braves swept the Mets in Atlanta earlier this season. With the Mets scuffling, this is a good chance for the Braves to win one on the road. Go with the Braves but pass on the “over/under” bet.
Pittsburgh Pirates versus Milwaukee Brewers
NL Central foes clash in this contest. The Pirates are last in the division, and the Brewers are 2nd. Milwaukee is “average up” versus “ice cold up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +17 to +7 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams are trending in games on opposite sides of the line, and Milwaukee has a huge scoring differential edge of +20 to -61. Pittsburgh has one of the worst road records in the league at 11-27, while Milwaukee is a solid 23-15 at home. The teams split a four-game series in Pittsburgh at the end of May with three games decided by one run. I believe this will have similar results and like the Brewers at home in a game “over” the line.
Texas Rangers versus Baltimore Orioles
Two teams that were expected to contend have struggled. Texas is 4th in the AL West, and Baltimore is last in the AL East. The Orioles are “average up” versus “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +27 to +9 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams are trending in games “under” the line, with a current score prediction of 6-2 in favor of Baltimore, at 69 percent confidence. Texas has a huge scoring differential edge of +16 to -76, but is only 13-23 on the road, while Baltimore is 16-19 at home. Texas is more consistently performing in terms of its favorite/underdog status. I expect Batlimore to be a home favorite and lean towards them in a game “under” the line.
Boston Red Sox versus Los Angeles Angels
Both teams are hovering around the .500 mark and still within striking distance to contend in their respective divisions. Boston is
“burning hot” after going 5-1 over the last six games, while Los Angeles “average down” after a recent 3-3 stretch. The teams are trending in games “under” the line, and have a combined scoring differential of +34. The Red Sox have been very inconsistent in regards to their favorite/underdog status, coming in at -2 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Angels won two of three earlier this season in Boston, with both teams scoring 20 runs in the series. The Angels are 15-16 at home and Boston is 17-20 on the road. I like another game decided by one or two runs and go with the hot hand in Boston in a game “over” the line.
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