MLB: Top MLB Weekend Power Trends 8/7-8/9

The stretch run continues in Major League Baseball with another full set of action this weekend. As the contenders continue to be separated from the pretenders, there are a number of series’ that loom large for some teams’ postseason prospects. In fact, t

2009-08-07

The stretch run continues in Major League Baseball with another full set of action this weekend. As the contenders continue to be separated from the pretenders, there are a number of series’ that loom large for some teams’ postseason prospects. In fact, this might be one of the most impactful weekends we’ve seen in awhile in baseball. Read on as we take a look at all of the key matchups, then reveal our weekly list of Top StatFox Power Trends to consider in your wagering over the next few days.

In the N.L. East Division, Philadelphia is comfortably ahead of both the Marlins and Braves. Unfortunately for those chasing teams, they will be on the road taking on the league’s best two clubs. Florida visits the Phillies, and while on the surface it would seem to be an ideal situation for the Marlins to make up ground in a hurry, don’t forget that the defending champs swept a series in Miami just a few weeks back. In two of those games, the Fish were shut out. Philly’s 25-15 divisional record is a big reason they sport a 7-game lead in the standings. The Braves meanwhile will be in Los Angeles taking on the Dodgers, who continue to boast the N.L.’s best record. Both teams seem to be spinning their wheels at this point in the season though, with identical 5-7 marks in their last 12 games.

In the N.L. Central, the division leading Cubs & Cardinals are both on the road, while chasers Milwaukee and Houston will be going head-to-head. Chicago faces the toughest test, playing in Colorado. However, the Cubbies own an 11-4 edge in the head-to-head series over the last three seasons. The Cardinals meanwhile, are in Pittsburgh for a 3-game set. The Pirates have lost five in a row and 10 of their last 12, but did take two-of-three from St. Louis at home back in May. The Brewers/Astros series will be an interesting one in that both teams remain within 5-games of the top spot in the division. Houston has cooled since its mid-season surge, going just 3-9 in its L12 games. Milwaukee meanwhile, comes off a series win in Los Angeles to get back to .500. This begins a critical stretch of 22 straight games against teams with losing records for the Brew Crew. If they hope to repeat their postseason appearance of 2008, they need to make hay now.

In the American League, most eyes will be fixed on New York, where the Yankees and Boston will be continuing a key 4-game set. Entering play on Thursday, New York held a slim 1-1/2 game lead in the East Divison, but boosted that by a game by whipping the Red Sox, 13-6. The win was important for the Yankees not only in the divisional picture, but also because of the fact that it snapped an 8-game losing streak to the Sox this season. New York boasts a 36-17 record at home in 2009, while Boston slipped to 27-28 on the road with Thursday’s loss.

The other two divisions in the Junior Circuit boast big series’ as well. In Detroit, it could be last gasp time for the Twins, as they head into the Motor City chasing 4-1/2 games in the standings. Minnesota has played some of its best ball in divisional games this year though, going 21-14 overall and 6-2 against the Central-leading Tigers. In the West, the Rangers face the same exact scenario as the Twins in terms of standings and home/road dichotomy. They are also chasing 4-1/2 games and headed to the home of the club they are chasing, the Angels. Like Minnesota, Texas also owns a huge edge in divisional record, as the Rangers are 22-12 vs. West foes, while the Angels are just 14-17. They’ll need that pattern to continue if they hope to pick up valuable ground. In the head-to-head series, Texas owns a 7-2 mark this season.

It should be an exciting weekend in Major League Baseball, one filled with fabulous wagering opportunities. Be sure to visit the Game Matchups page daily for the latest key game info, and also don’t neglect the following Top StatFox Power Trends as you build your daily wagering cards.

FLORIDA at PHILADELPHIA
FLORIDA is 11-6 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 4.9, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)

ST LOUIS at PITTSBURGH
PITTSBURGH is 9-34 (-20.9 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 3.7, OPPONENT 5.8 - (Rating = 1*)

ARIZONA at WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 24-54 (-28.0 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 4.1, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 1*)

MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON
MILWAUKEE is 21-31 (-14.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. The average score was MILWAUKEE 4.6, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)

CHICAGO CUBS at COLORADO
COLORADO is 81-52 (+23.5 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was COLORADO 5.3, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)

NY METS at SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO is 11-28 (-17.5 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out 6 or less times/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SAN DIEGO 3.8, OPPONENT 5.6 - (Rating = 1*)

ATLANTA at LA DODGERS
ATLANTA is 21-36 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in road games vs. an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ATLANTA 4.4, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 1*)

CINCINNATI at SAN FRANCISCO
CINCINNATI is 3-15 (-11.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season. The average score was CINCINNATI 3.4, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 1*)

BOSTON at NY YANKEES
BOSTON is 18-30 (-18.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 4.4, OPPONENT 4.9 - (Rating = 2*)

BALTIMORE at TORONTO
BALTIMORE is 34-72 (-32.6 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BALTIMORE 4.3, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 1*)

MINNESOTA at DETROIT
MINNESOTA is 62-40 (+16.5 Units) against the money line vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.0, OPPONENT 4.2 - (Rating = 1*)

CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX
CHI WHITE SOX are 76-50 (+22.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHI WHITE SOX 5.3, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 1*)

OAKLAND at KANSAS CITY
KANSAS CITY is 15-4 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was KANSAS CITY 5.3, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 0*)

TEXAS at LA ANGELS
LA ANGELS are 27-13 (+13.9 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better this season. The average score was LA ANGELS 5.7, OPPONENT 4.9 - (Rating = 2*)

TAMPA BAY at SEATTLE
TAMPA BAY is 18-6 UNDER (+11.0 Units) in road games vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .330 or worse in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TAMPA BAY 3.8, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 1*)

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