MLB weekend cheat sheet
By Marc Lawrence
In this week’s edition of the MLB Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate a few key best bets, we focus on the two top series in both leagues this weekend. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are ‘team starts’ unless noted otherwise.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins
Most Recent Series Result: Marlins 7-4 last 11 games vs. Phillies
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Marlins 11-6 last 17 home games vs. Phillies
Key Day/Month Stat: Marlins 6-0 last six Fridays
Best Arm in the Series: Phillies’ Moyer 11-1 2.95 ERA lifetime vs. Marlins, including 6-0 away with 1.59 ERA
Worst Arm in the Series: Phillies’ Myers 1-10 6.04 ERA away lifetime vs. Marlins; Marlins’ Sanchez 0-5, 8.75 ERA lifetime vs. Phillies
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
Most Recent Series Result: Cubs 4-1 last five games vs. Cardinals
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Cubs 12-6 last 18 away games vs. Cardinals
Key Day/Month Stat: Cardinals 30-10 home on weekends
Best Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Lilly 6-1, 3.18 ERA last seven games vs. Cardinals
Worst Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Dempster 0-4, 4.17 ERA last four away vs. Cardinals
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Most Recent Series Result: Yankees 7-4 last 11 games vs. Red Sox
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Yankees 4-2 last six away games vs. Red Sox
Key Day/Month Stat: Yankees 9-1 away Saturdays
Best Arm in the Series: Yankees’ Burnett 3-0, 0.40 ERA away lifetime vs. Red Sox; Red Sox’ Penny 3-0, 3.12 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees
Worst Arm in the Series: Yankees’ Sabathia 2-7, 5.06 ERA lifetime vs. Red Sox
Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels
Most Recent Series Result: Angels 15-5 last 20 games vs. Mariners
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Angels 15-5 last 20 home games vs. Mariners
Key Day/Month Stat: Angels 11-1 last 12 home Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Angels’ Weaver 4-0, 3.57 ERA home lifetime vs. Mariners
Worst Arm in the Series: Mariners’ Bedard 1-5, 6.68 ERA lifetime vs. Angels