With the MLB season down to it’s final few weeks, there are still many questions concerning the playoff picture. Here’s some of the top match ups for this weekend. Note all information is for games played through September 3.
Houston Astros versus Boston Red Sox
In what could be a playoff preview, the AL West leading Astros look to take down the best team in the Major Leagues. The Red Sox hold a narrow +28 to +27 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Having won just five of their last ten, the Red Sox are “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Astros are “average”. Both teams are among the most stable teams in the league according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. All six of the scheduled starters in this series are in the green on the Pitcher Profit Oscillators. The best bet for the Red Sox is Eduardo Rodriguez versus Josh James on Friday, while the Astros best bet is Dallas Keuchel versus David Price on Sunday. Either team could win this series, while neither will sweep. Give the edge to Boston because they are at home.
Cleveland Indians versus Toronto Blue Jays
The Indians have a huge lead in the AL Central, while the Blue Jays sit 32 games out in the AL East. Cleveland holds a commanding +25 to +2 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Going nowhere fast, the Blue Jays are “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator versus “average” for the Indians. Surprisingly none of the scheduled starters for the Indians are solid bets according to the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Only Marco Estrada (+659) is in the green in terms of profit for the Blue Jays. Cleveland is only three over .500 on the road, but are too strong for Toronto and will win the series, two games to one.
Los Angeles Dodgers versus Colorado Rockies
In a battle for first in the NL West, the Dodgers enter “burning hot”, winners of eight of their last ten games. The Rockies are just 5-5 during that stretch and area “ice cold up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Colorado is also the most unstable team in the league, so avoid using their favorite/underdog status when betting this series. Clayton Kershaw is the best bet for the Dodgers this weekend, while Alex Wood at -2001 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator is the worst. Kyle Freeland at +1623 is a very strong bet for the Rockies on Saturday. On the flip side, Tyler Anderson is deep in the red for the Rockies in terms of profit for Sunday’s game. The Dodgers will walk out of Colorado with a two-to-one series win.
Atlanta Braves versus Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona continues their battle in the NL West with the Dodgers and Rockies. Atlanta has built a four-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East. Neither team has been great lately, Atlanta 4-6 over their last ten and Colorado 3-7 over the same period. Both teams are among the most unstable in the lead, so favorite/underdog status shouldn’t be considered highly. Atlanta’s scheduled starter on Friday, Kevin Gausman, is -2051 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, while Clay Buchholz is -1033 for the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Avoid betting on them. The best bet this weekend is Zack Godley (+1349) for the Diamondbacks on Sunday. Atlanta is 10-over .500 on the road and Arizona is only three over at home. The Braves should take this series to maintain their lead in the NL East.
New York Yankees versus Seattle Mariners
The second best team in baseball, the New York Yankees nearly have a playoff spot locked up. They take on a Seattle team that has fallen to eight games out in the AL West, but with wild card berth in reach. New York is +29 on the Power Ranking Indicator compared to +18 for Seattle. Both teams are 5-5 over their last ten games. As likely road favorites, the Yankees are a good bet, being the fourth most stable team in the league. The Yankees Masahiro Tanaka and the Mariners Erasmo Ramirez are the best bets this weekend. Only Lance Lynn and Felix Hernandez are in the red on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator this weekend. New York has an edge and should win the series two games to one, but don’t be shocked if the Mariners can sneak out the series as well.
Chicago Cubs versus Washington Nationals
The top team in the National League, the Chicago Cubs could all but wipe out any slim playoff hope the Nationals have. Chicago holds a +26 to +16 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Nationals are the third most unstable team in the league and are “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Washington is undecided on the mound for Friday and Sunday, with Cy Young award favorite Max Scherzer going on Saturday. He’s an extremely strong bet at +2338 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Cole Hamels has been hot since joining the Cubs and is an excellent bet on Saturday at +1533, however he’s going against Scherzer. Look for the Cubs to win on Friday and Sunday and fall in a pitcher’s duel on Saturday.
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