MLB: Top MLB Weekend Power Trends
After the conclusion of this weekend’s baseball action, there will be just three full weeks left in the regular season.
2008-09-05
After the conclusion of this weekend’s baseball action, there will be just three full weeks left in the regular season. At this point though, only the Angels are in a position comfortable enough to start thinking about the playoffs. The rest of the contenders have to focus on the task at hand, and that starts with this weekend’s matchups. The slate is loaded with key series’, highlighted by the showdowns between divisional frontrunners in both the N.L.’s East & West Divisions. The junior circuit also has some big games this weekend. Here’s a closer look at the action, along with a Top StatFox Power Trend that might affect the results of each series.
In the N.L. East Division, Philadelphia and the Mets are separated by three games, with the latter holding the top spot. New York has home field advantage this weekend as well. The full margin of separation has come in the last eight games, as Philly has dropped five of its last eight, while the Mets have gone 6-2 in that stretch. This will be the last head-to-head matchup between the teams this season, with New York holding a 10-5 edge so far in ’08.
Out West, the Dodgers and DBacks will also get together for the last time in the 2008 season. Los Angeles has managed to rebound from its 8-game losing skid last week to win its last five, coming to within 1-1/2 games of the lead in the divisional standings. Arizona meanwhile, has gone just 3-7 in its L10 games. If recent head-to-head play is any indication, the edge goes to Joe Torre’s Dodgers, as they’ve won four of the last five games. The over has converted in the last four games.
In the American League, Tampa Bay starts a big road trip that includes stops in Toronto, Boston, and New York. The Rays are in a decent position to qualify for the postseason but surely they’d love to hold off the Red Sox for the East Division crown. Historically though, they have struggled to an 11-43 record on the road against teams yielding 4.2 or less runs per game so this weekend’s series in Toronto will be tough. Elsewhere, Minnesota returns home from its 14-game road trip to host Detroit. The Twins, despite going just 5-9 on the trip, managed to stay within 1-1/2 games of the White Sox in the Central Division. With Chicago hosting the Angels this weekend, the Twins could be in a position to pick up some ground over the next few days.
There’s certainly a lot of key baseball to be found this weekend. Be sure to stay on top of the latest info on the Game Matchups pages. Don’t forget about these Top StatFox Power Trends to consider as well…
PHILADELPHIA at NY METS
PHILADELPHIA is 15-21 (-12.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season.
The average score was PHILADELPHIA 4.5, OPPONENT 4.2 - (Rating = 1*)
CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI
CINCINNATI is 24-10 UNDER (+12.6 Units) vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season.
The average score was CINCINNATI 3.8, OPPONENT 4.2 - (Rating = 2*)
WASHINGTON at ATLANTA
ATLANTA is 18-27 (-16.2 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams allowing 4.8 or more runs/game on the season this season.
The average score was ATLANTA 4.5, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 2*)
SAN DIEGO at MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE is 24-4 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .315 or worse over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was MILWAUKEE 5.9, OPPONENT 2.6 - (Rating = 2*)
FLORIDA at ST LOUIS
FLORIDA is 17-40 (-18.7 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .275 or better over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was FLORIDA 3.9, OPPONENT 6.0 - (Rating = 1*)
HOUSTON at COLORADO
COLORADO is 52-32 (+27.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was COLORADO 5.7, OPPONENT 4.7 - (Rating = 2*)
PITTSBURGH at SAN FRANCISCO
PITTSBURGH is 11-4 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in road games vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was PITTSBURGH 6.7, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)
ARIZONA at LA DODGERS
ARIZONA is 32-15 OVER (+16.5 Units) vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better this season.
The average score was ARIZONA 5.0, OPPONENT 4.9 - (Rating = 3*)
OAKLAND at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 28-11 OVER (+16.7 Units) vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season this season.
The average score was BALTIMORE 5.4, OPPONENT 6.8 - (Rating = 3*)
TAMPA BAY at TORONTO
TAMPA BAY is 11-43 (-26.3 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 TAMPA BAY 3.6, OPPONENT 5.9 - (Rating = 2*)
BOSTON at TEXAS
BOSTON is 53-19 (+26.0 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was BOSTON 6.2, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 2*)
DETROIT at MINNESOTA
DETROIT is 11-26 (-18.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season.
The average score was DETROIT 3.6, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 3*)
CLEVELAND at KANSAS CITY
KANSAS CITY is 6-18 (-12.0 Units) against the money line vs. a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse this season.
The average score was KANSAS CITY 4.0, OPPONENT 6.0 - (Rating = 1*)
LA ANGELS at CHI WHITE SOX
LA ANGELS are 31-11 (+21.4 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season.
The average score was LA ANGELS 4.9, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 4*)
NY YANKEES at SEATTLE
NY YANKEES are 13-21 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs/game on the season this season.
The average score was NY YANKEES 3.7, OPPONENT 4.9 - (Rating = 1*)
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