MLB: Top MLB Weekend Power Trends 8/28-8/30

Major League Baseball closes out the month of August this weekend, meaning just September stands between us and the postseason. This past month has been quite influential in separating the have’s from the have-not’s. Teams like the Cardinals, Rockies, Ang

2009-08-31

Major League Baseball closes out the month of August this weekend, meaning just September stands between us and the postseason. This past month has been quite influential in separating the have’s from the have-not’s. Teams like the Cardinals, Rockies, Angels, and Yankees have stepped up, while others have fallen back to where they are either out of the hunt or in danger of being so shortly. There are a handful of series’ on tap over the next three days that will have an impact on the playoff chases in each league. Read on for more about those matchups, plus our weekly look at the Top StatFox Power Trends for you to consider in your wagering action.

With the Dodgers having fought off the hard charge by the Rockies by taking two of three from them this week, only one race has any significant drama in the National League, that being for the wildcard spot. The top two teams in that chase, Colorado and San Francisco will go head-to-head for the second straight weekend, this time with the Giants acting as hosts. The Rockies took three out of four in Denver the last time out and lead the overall series 7-5 in 2009. Only three games separate the teams coming in, with the Giants hoping to close the gap. They are 41-21 at home this season, good for +16.4 units of profit.

In the American League, only one of the races is closer than 4-games as well. That is also for the wildcard spot. Boston, Texas, and Tampa Bay are all within 3-1/2 games of one another with the Red Sox leading the way and facing what figures to be the easiest weekend set of the three. They are playing host to Toronto, who is free-falling to the tune of 16-games under .500 since June 25th. Boston remains one of the league’s best home teams at 42-21 and owns an 8-4 record vs. the jays in ’09, including 3-0 at Fenway.

Texas and Tampa Bay both faces rather difficult series’ and Minnesota and Detroit, respectively. The Twins remain in the hunt in the A.L. Central Division, 4-1/2 games back of the Tigers. Minnesota may be starting to catch fire once again, having won seven of its last nine games. The Rangers were able to take two of three in New York this week, a successful set, but will need to overcome a 4-9 record at the Metrodome over the last three seasons. The Rays are actually 2-games better than the Tigers in won-lost record, but find themselves in a bigger hole where the playoffs are concerned. The defending A.L. champs are 3-1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the wildcard race and face a schedule of 16-straight games starting Friday against teams that are current playoff position holders. Needless to say, Tampa will make or break its season in the next two weeks. Detroit meanwhile, is doing little special but continues to maintain a somewhat comfortable cushion in the Central.

Elsewhere, the Yankees will play host to the White Sox, the Braves will visit Philadelphia, and the Dodgers will look to build on their big series win over Colorado with a trip to Cincinnati. The Reds own MLB’s longest winning streak currently, four games.

Now, here are those Top StatFox Power Trends for you to utilize this weekend in your baseball wagering.

NY METS at CHICAGO CUBS
CHICAGO CUBS are 9-15 (-9.8 Units) against the money line in August games this season. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 4.3, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 1*)

ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA is 56-30 (+26.3 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams allowing 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 5.5, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 2*)

LA DODGERS at CINCINNATI
LA DODGERS are 16-5 (+10.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) this season. The average score was LA DODGERS 5.6, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 1*)

SAN DIEGO at FLORIDA
FLORIDA is 22-11 (+12.7 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with a batting average of .255 or worse in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 4.7, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)

PITTSBURGH at MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE is 9-24 (-21.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) this season. The average score was MILWAUKEE 4.7, OPPONENT 6.2 - (Rating = 4*)

WASHINGTON at ST LOUIS
ST LOUIS is 22-5 (+14.0 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscored by opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was ST LOUIS 5.7, OPPONENT 3.0 - (Rating = 2*)

HOUSTON at ARIZONA
HOUSTON is 47-21 (+25.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was HOUSTON 5.2, OPPONENT 4.1 - (Rating = 2*)

COLORADO at SAN FRANCISCO
COLORADO is 14-5 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in road games vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better this season. The average score was COLORADO 5.0, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 2*)

CLEVELAND at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 6-18 (-13.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) this season. The average score was BALTIMORE 4.0, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 2*)

TAMPA BAY at DETROIT
TAMPA BAY is 10-21 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 4.2, OPPONENT 5.0 - (Rating = 2*)

CHI WHITE SOX at NY YANKEES
CHI WHITE SOX are 7-23 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHI WHITE SOX 3.8, OPPONENT 5.8 - (Rating = 1*)

TORONTO at BOSTON
TORONTO is 17-34 (-20.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season. The average score was TORONTO 3.9, OPPONENT 5.0 - (Rating = 2*)

TEXAS at MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA is 20-5 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games 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 MINNESOTA 6.0, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 2*)

OAKLAND at LA ANGELS
LA ANGELS are 30-13 (+16.2 Units) against the money line vs. an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game this season. The average score was LA ANGELS 6.1, OPPONENT 4.7 - (Rating = 2*)

KANSAS CITY at SEATTLE
SEATTLE is 29-52 (-21.9 Units) against the money line vs teams who strand 6.9 or less runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SEATTLE 3.9, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 1*)

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