Entering the last week of July and MLB teams are making pushes for postseason positioning. Several key matchups are in store this weekend with the Yankees and Red Sox topping the list.
New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox
In this classic AL East showdown, the Red Sox host the Yankees. Boston is 5-5 over their last ten games. They are “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +14 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Yankees are 6-4 over their last ten but have lost their last two. They are “average down” status and +27. If considering the over/under in this series, best to avoid since the teams are trending in opposite sides of the line according to the Totals Predictor. New York is among the most stable teams in the league at +30 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Therefore, it’s important to consider their favorite/underdog status. Of the scheduled starting pitchers, Domingo German is the best bet for the Yankees, coming in at +363 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Eduardo Rodriguez is the best bet for the Red Sox at +1269, while Chris Sale is the worst at -1027. In a tight series, give a slight edge to the Red Sox at home to win two of three.
Chicago Cubs versus Milwaukee Brewers
The Cubs hold a two-game advantage over the third-place Brewers in the NL Central. Chicago is “burning hot” and +20 on the Power Ranking Indicator, while the Brewers are “ice cold down” and +24. Be leery of considering the favorite/underdog status for the Brewers because they are relatively unstable at 0 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the line on the Totals Predictor, so avoid betting the over/under. Of the scheduled starting pitchers, all three for the Cubs are in the red on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Brandan Woodruff is the most solid bet for the Brewers, coming in at +885. Milwaukee should have an advantage at home and look to edge even closer to the Cubs in the division. Pick the Brewers, two games to one.
Los Angeles Dodgers versus Washington Nationals
The Dodgers take their top record in the NL West to Washington to face the NL East second-place Nationals. The Dodgers have a +27 to +21 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average up” versus “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Both teams are showing great stability on the Team Volatility Oscillator so examine the favorite/underdog status carefully in this series. As in the other match-ups featured, best to avoid the over/under in this one. Of the scheduled starting pitchers, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers is the best bet at +1216 and the Nationals’ Anibal Sanchez is the worst at -2203. Washington has been one of the best teams in the league over the last month and gives them an edge at home. Call it a two to one series win for Washington.
Atlanta Braves versus Philadelphia Phillies
The first and third-place teams in the NL East battle in Philadelphia. The Braves have a +20 to +18 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” versus “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Both teams are among the more stable in the league, performing consistently as their favorite/underdog status indicates. Both teams have been playing in lower scoring games, so the best bet is for the “under” in this series. Of the scheduled starting pitchers, Jake Arrieta is the best for the Phillies on Friday at +1027. Kevin Gausman of the Braves is the worst overall at -2089 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator and Dallas Keuchel is the best at +996. Give the edge to the Braves in this series, likely to win it, two game to one. But if you want a bit of a risky underdog pick, go with the Phillies.
Houston Astros versus St. Louis Cardinals
The Astros enter with the top record in the AL West and take on the Cardinals, second in the NL Central. Both teams enter play “burning hot” and the Astros have a +29 to +18 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Astros are among the most stable teams in the league at +31 on the Team Volatility Oscillator, while the Cardinals are among the least stable at -2. Best to bet the “under” according to the results on the Totals Predictor. Of the scheduled starting pitchers, the best bets are Gerit Cole for the Astros on Sunday and Dakota Hudson is the best bet for the Astros on Sunday. This series could go either way, but pick the Astros to win, two games to one.
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