With just over a month left in the MLB season, numerous teams remain in contention for a playoff berth. Check out some of the top match ups for the weekend of August 31 – September 2. Note that all information is for games played through Monday, August 27.
Milwaukee Brewers versus Washington Nationals
Both teams enter in third place in their respective divisions. Milwaukee holds a +20 to +13 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator, which both teams are 5-5 over their last ten games. Favorite/underdog status should be considered marginally as both teams are among the most unstable in the league according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. All three scheduled starters for the Brewers (Jhoulys Chacin, Chase Anderson, Junior Guerra) are in the green on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, while only Jefry Rodriguez (+238) has been a solid bet for the Nationals. Washington is only two games above .500 at home, while the Brewers are .500 on the road. Milwaukee has a good chance to win this series, two games to one.
Chicago Cubs versus Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have slumped to 3-7 over their last ten and have dropped 3 1/2 games behind in the NL East. Chicago is 7-3 over their last ten and hold first in the NL Central. The Cubs hold a +27 to +14 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” versus “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Chicago is scheduled to send Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks and John Lester to the mound. The Phillies plan to counter with Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin. Only Hendricks and Pivetta have been good bets according to the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Phillies are excellent at home, 41-23 for the season. That is their saving grace to avoid a sweep. The Cubs should win this series, two games to one.
Seattle Mariners versus Oakland A’s
Seattle needs a sweet in this AL West battle to get back into contention. Despite behind in the standings, the Mariners hold a +24 to +22 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Both teams are “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Wade LeBlanc is scheduled for the Mariners on Friday and Felix Hernandez on Sunday, while Saturday’s starter has yet to be determined. Mike Fiers, who is at +1331 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, goes for the A’s on Friday, followed by Brett Anderson and Edwin Jackson. One should avoid betting on the A’s on Sunday, as Jackson is very far in the red (-2434) on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Seattle is very solid on the road at 36-29 and has a shot to win this series. Neither team will sweep, and it’s a toss of the coin as to which team will take this series.
Arizona Diamondbacks versus Los Angeles Dodgers
The three-team battle in the NL West continues with this match up. Both teams are among the most unstable in the league according to the Team Volatility Oscillator, so don’t take favorite/underdog status seriously. Arizona holds a +18 to +15 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and both teams are 6-4 over their last ten. Arizona has a better road record than the Dodgers do at home, wiping out any potential home field advantage. Friday’s pitching match up of Zack Greinke versus Clayton Kershaw is classic. On Friday, both Patrick Corbin and Hyu-Jin Ryu are in the green on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. On the flip side, neither starter on Sunday, Clay Buchholz nor Walker Buehler, have been solid bets. I give Arizona a slight edge to win the series.
Minnesota Twins versus Texas Rangers
The Rangers continue to bring up the rear in the AL West, while the Twins are second, 13 games out in the AL Central. Texas is 5-5 over their last ten and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. On the other hand, Minnesota is 4-6 over their last ten and “average” status. Drew Hutchison for the Rangers has the edge in terms of pitcher profit in Friday’s match up over Stephen Gonsalves. Neither Saturday starter, Jose Berrios nor Martin Perez, are good bets on Saturday. The finale features two starters who have been very good bets in terms of pitcher profit, with Yovani Gallardo having a slight edge over Kyle Gibson. The Rangers should win this series, in large part due to Minnesota’s 22-40 record on the road this season.
Los Angeles Angels versus Houston Astros
In the AL West, the Angels look to get back to .500 and the Astros try to maintain their lead. Houston is 7-3 over their last ten and the Angels are 2-8 during the same stretch. This leads to a +29 to +6 and “burning hot” versus “dead” advantages for the Astros in the Power Ranking Indicator and Team Strength Oscillator. Of the scheduled starters, only Gerrit Cole for the Astros on Saturday has been a good bet according to the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. As good as the Astros have been, it’s mostly due to a 47-21 road record. Still solid at 34-29 at home, they are beatable there. Houston will still win the series, but don’t expect a sweep, despite what appears to be a huge advantage on paper.
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