With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is coming more into focus. However, teams can still jockey for position, so every series is important. Here’s what’s on tap for the weekend of September 14-16. Note that all information is for games played through September 11.
Washington Nationals versus Atlanta Braves
In this NL East match up, the first place Braves look to move closer to wrapping up the division. They hold a +24 to +11 advantage over the Nationals on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” versus “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Considering favorite/underdog status for either team is not wise, as both are at the as the most unstable teams in the league, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. The best bet in this series is Max Scherzer over Kevin Gausman on Friday. Scherzer is +2578 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, while Gausman is -2151. Julio Teheran has an edge over Washington’s Erick Fedde on Saturday. The Braves are undecided for Sunday versus Tanner Roark. Atlanta should take two of three in this series.
Los Angeles Dodgers versus St. Louis Cardinals
The Dodgers look to catch the Rockies in the NL West, while the Cardinals are in excellent playoff position and a shot at the division in the NL Central. St. Louis has a +19 to +15 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator, while both teams are “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. They are also tied for the seventh most unstable team in the league, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. On the mound, the Dodgers’ Rich Hill is the worst best this weekend, coming in at -2201 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. On the other hand, the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright is at +1591 and is a great bet for Saturday’s game. Overall the Cardinals have the better team and are at home, so I predict a two games to win series win for St. Louis.
Seattle Mariners versus Los Angeles Angels
In this AL West match up, both teams are likely out of the playoff picture and playing for pride. They are both +14 on the Power Ranking Indicator. However, the Angels are trending more in the right direction, at “burning hot” versus “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Los Angeles is one of the most stable teams in the league, making them a good bet this weekend as the home favorites. Of the scheduled starters, only Jaime Barria at +65 is a solid bet according to the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Mariners’ Mike Leake, scheduled to start Friday, is the worst bet at -967. Neither team will come away with a sweep and it’s a toss-up as to which will win the series, two games to one.
Colorado Rockies versus San Francisco Giants
The Rockies look to hold on to a slim lead in the NL West, while the Giants can only play spoiler at this point in the season. Colorado has a +20 to +7 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Giants have lost their last ten, contributing to their “dead” status on the Team Strength Oscillator. On the flip side, Colorado is 6-4 over the same period and “average” status. The Giants best chance to end their losing streak is on Friday as Chris Stratton at +899 is a much better bet on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator than Tyler Anderson at -1093. Of the six scheduled starters, only Madison Bumgarner at -8 is in the red in terms of pitcher profit. The Rockies could sweep, but the Giants have to win again sometime. So I see a two games to one series win for the Rockies.
Arizona Diamondbacks versus Houston Astros
The Astros look to widen their lead in the AL West and move closer to a division title. Arizona tries to keep their divisional hopes alive in the NL West. However the Diamondbacks are just 3-7 over their last ten, as their +11 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “ice cold down” status indicates their recent troubles. During the same stretch, the Astros are 9-1 and are +27 and “burning hot down”. Arizona has the best and the worst this weekend in terms of the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Robbie Ray is a terrible bet on Friday at -1921, however Zack Greinke is excellent on Sunday at +2533. Despite having a great season, the Astros’ Justin Verlander, scheduled for Sunday, is just -1576 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. In what should be an exciting series, look for the Astros to come on top in some tight ballgames.
Oakland A’s versus Tampa Bay Rays
Oakland is in excellent shape for a playoff spot, while the Rays, despite over .500 for the season, likely is on the outside looking in. The A’s have a +28 to +23 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Both teams are 8-2 over their last ten and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Arizona is the fourth most unstable team in the league, so don’t pay too much attention to their favorite/underdog status this weekend. Avoid betting on the A’s and Edwin Jackson on Friday, since he is at -2083 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Rays are undecided on the mound this weekend. At 20-games over .500 at home, the Rays have a good shot this weekend. In what could be somewhat of an upset pick, I see the Rays winning two of three in this series.
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