MLB weekend cheat sheet
By Marc Lawrence
The MLB All-Star Game is in the history books after the American League extended its domination over the National League.
Interestingly, history tells us the first set of games following the All-Star break generally do not play to form. Perhaps it’s a case of the players re-acclimating themselves to the daily grind, or it’s momentum – good or bad – that came to a halt.
Whatever the case, it’s best to be cautious this first weekend back.
That being the case, it might serve you well to look fade the best and worst trendsetters from the first half of the campaign from this point forward.
According the Covers.com website, the top two money earners the first half of the season were the Los Angeles Dodgers ($1937) and the (Los Angeles Angels ($1224). The biggest money burners have been the Washington Nationals (-$2969) and the Cleveland Indians (-$2329).
The best home teams were the San Francisco Giants ($1363) and the Detroit Tigers ($1085). The worst home efforts were turned in by the Arizona Diamondbacks (-$1615) and the Cleveland Indians (-$1277).
On the pitching front, Los Angeles Angels’ Matt Palmer ($1064) and Boston Red Sox’ Tim Wakefield ($922) have been the best at making deposits while Colorado Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (-$733) and Kansas City Royals’ Gil Meche (-$708) have set the pace on the opposite end.
Our best guess is that the teams and pitchers named above will likely come back to the norm. Keep an eye on them and judge for yourself.
With that we’ll play cautious and take a look the top two series on tap in both circuits this weekend. Remember, all results are within the series and all pitcher records are team starts (the team’s record in games in which the pitcher starts) versus this opponent.
National League
Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins
Most recent series result: Phillies 6-2 in last eight games (4-2 this season).
Most Recent series result at location: Phillies 5-0 in last five games (3-0 this season) away.
Key day/month stat: Phillies 17-4 Sundays.
Best arm in the series: Phillies’ Blanton 3-0, 3.16 ERA career.
Worst arm in the series: Phillies’ Hamels 0-4, 3.81 ERA away career.
American League
Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees
Most recent series result: Yankees 4-1 in last five games.
Most recent series result at the site: Tigers 3-0 in last three games away.
Best arm in the series: Tigers’ Verlander 5-1, 4.98 ERA career starts; Yankees’ Pettite 5-1, 2.62 ERA last five home at home.
Worst arm in the series: Tigers’ Jackson 0-4, 7.05 ERA last four starts.