MLB: Top Weekend Power Trends 7/17-7/19

After another typical all-star break, that meaning the American League won the showcase again, baseball gets back in swing with a full set of games this weekend. Most often, this is a critical time of the season for contenders, as with the trade deadline

2009-07-21

After another typical all-star break, that meaning the American League won the showcase again, baseball gets back in swing with a full set of games this weekend. Most often, this is a critical time of the season for contenders, as with the trade deadline looming, how teams play over the next two weeks can determine whether or not they make a serious run at the postseason. Several key series’ this weekend could direct the fates of fringe teams such as Florida and Houston, who take on N.L. division leaders. Elsewhere, the junior circuit features two different series’ between playoff hopefuls. Read on as we preview all of that plus reveal some of the Top StatFox Power Trends for you to utilize in your weekend wagering.

The schedule was unkind to Florida, as it tries to make a run at division leading Philadelphia in the N.L. East. After Thursday’s 4-0 win in the series opener, the Phillies have now won 10 of 11 games to open up the division lead to 5-games. The Marlins meanwhile have cooled off after a surge in late June, and have been shutout in three of their last seven games. Philadelphia has won all four of its games in Miami this season, and boasts a league-best 27-15 record on the road in 2009 as well, good for +14.8 betting units. The Marlins need to make a stand this weekend, or face a rest of the season playing catchu-up.

Houston has made its usual mid-season charge to get back to within 3-games of St. Louis in the N.L. Central. Including the 3-0 win to start the current series in Los Angeles, the Astros are on a 27-16 surge since May 29th. Amazingly, the ‘stros’ pitching staff has held eight of their last 17 opponents to one run or less. They are also not scared of the Dodgers, having won six of the last eight meetings between the teams at Chavez Ravine. However, L.A. remains the best team in baseball, 23-games over .500, including 28-14 at home. Following this set, the Astros welcome the Cardinals into town for 3-games, so this next week of play could go a long ways towards determining whether or not to expect Houston in playoff contender conversations the rest of the way.

In the American League, a couple of teams seemingly stuck in neutral will go head-to-head in Arlington when the Rangers host Minnesota. Both clubs are still within striking distance in their respective divisions, but neither team is playing its best right now. In fact, Texas manager Ron Washington was recently quoted as saying “"Every part of our game needs improvement”. This will be the first time the teams meet this season, and Minnesota has taken 12 of the last 19 head-to-head meetings overall. Make note that the Twins are just 17-24 on the road in 2009, having gone under the total in 28 of 39 graded games.

Finally, in New York, the Yankees host Detroit in a matchup of present playoff position holders. The Yankees lead the wild card race but are 3-games back of Boston in the A.L. East. They lost their last three games before the break in Anaheim, but start a 9-game homestand here. The Tigers meanwhile, won four of five before the mid-season vacation and boast a cushy 3-1/2 game lead in the Central. Keep an eye on the totals in this series, as it figures to be a battle of will’s. Detroit has been a huge under team on the road, while it’s no secret that scoring has been a plenty at the new Yankee Stadium.

Another solid weekend of baseball wagering awaits. Be sure to put these Top StatFox Power Trends to the test as you battle the oddsmakers.

CHICAGO CUBS at WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 5-21 (-16.2 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game this season. The average score was WASHINGTON 4.3, OPPONENT 6.0 - (Rating = 2*)

SAN FRANCISCO at PITTSBURGH
PITTSBURGH is 7-30 (-19.1 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams allowing 4.3 or less runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PITTSBURGH 3.9, OPPONENT 6.4 - (Rating = 1*)

MILWAUKEE at CINCINNATI
MILWAUKEE is 19-7 (+9.9 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season. The average score was MILWAUKEE 5.4, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

PHILADELPHIA at FLORIDA
PHILADELPHIA is 19-9 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 5.6, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 2*)

NY METS at ATLANTA
NY METS are 36-21 OVER (+14.3 Units) vs. NL teams allowing 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NY METS 5.1, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)

ARIZONA at ST LOUIS
ST LOUIS is 14-2 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an NL team with a batting average of .250 or worse in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was ST LOUIS 6.0, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 2*)

COLORADO at SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO is 21-11 OVER (+9.7 Units) vs. NL teams scoring 4.8 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was SAN DIEGO 4.2, OPPONENT 5.6 - (Rating = 1*)

HOUSTON at LA DODGERS
HOUSTON is 16-9 (+11.0 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage of .340 or better in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was HOUSTON 3.8, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

SEATTLE at CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND is 8-16 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season. The average score was CLEVELAND 4.4, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 1*)

BOSTON at TORONTO
TORONTO is 32-17 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 4.8, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 0*)

DETROIT at NY YANKEES
NY YANKEES are 37-16 UNDER (+18.5 Units) vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .260 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NY YANKEES 4.5, OPPONENT 4.1 - (Rating = 2*)

MINNESOTA at TEXAS
MINNESOTA is 11-32 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 4.1, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 1*)

TAMPA BAY at KANSAS CITY
TAMPA BAY is 8-16 (-14.4 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .260 or worse this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 4.0, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 2*)

BALTIMORE at CHI WHITE SOX
BALTIMORE is 22-49 (-22.5 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BALTIMORE 4.7, OPPONENT 6.1 - (Rating = 1*)

LA ANGELS at OAKLAND
OAKLAND is 14-32 (-16.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. The average score was OAKLAND 3.9, OPPONENT 5.0 - (Rating = 2*)

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