Top MLB Weekend Power Trends 6/18-6/20
By: Steve Makinen
Another weekend of interleague baseball is upon us and there are several key series’ you’ll want to keep close tabs on, including the Subway Series in New York between the Mets and Yankees from the Bronx. The Mets have been MLB’s best team in interleague play this season at 8-1, but unfortunately, their colleagues have once again fallen into the clutches of the superior A.L. teams. Heading into Friday’s games, the Junior Circuit holds a 66-60 lead in head-to-head play. Perhaps that can change this weekend, as the N.L. clubs host nine of the 14 interleague sets. Let’s take a look at the key action and reveal the list of Top StatFox Power Trends that you’ll want to consider in your weekend wagering.
The first series you’ll want to take a closer look at puts Minnesota in Philadelphia to take on the Phillies. The hosts come off back-to-back wins at Yankee Stadium and are within 3-1/2 games of the lead in the N.L. East. They are a disappointing 16-13 at home though and have gone just 3-12 for -13.3 net units against A.L. teams at home over the last two seasons. The A.L. Central-leading Twins have historically been one of the best interleague clubs but are a pedestrian 5-4 in 2010.
The Subway series will be the highlight matchup of the weekend for no other reason than the fact that both teams are playing well and at or right near the top of their respective divisions. The Mets come in on a seven game winning streak and as winners of 11 of their last 12 games. Their bats have come alive of late, having pounded out 58 hits over the last four games. The Yankees come in off back-to-back losses but still remain deadlocked with Tampa Bay in the A.L. East standings. These teams hooked up nearly a month ago at Citi Field with the Mets taking two of three. They are 4-2 in their last six games on the road in this rivalry.
The Dodgers and Red Sox square off for three games in what figures to be another great series. After starting the season in shaky fashion, both teams have rebounded quickly and find themselves right back in the hunt in their respective divisions. Boston is just 2-games back in the A.L. East, thanks much in part to an impressive 7-2 interleague record. They have won five of six games on their current homestand vs. N.L. foes, extending their record to 86-39 in interleague play under Terry Francona. The Dodgers, who are tied atop the N.L. West with San Diego, are just 2-4 vs. the A.L. in 2010, including a sweep at the hands of the Angels last weekend.
There are other regional rivalries that should produce good baseball in other parts of the country as well. In Florida, the Marlins welcome Tampa Bay to conclude a home-and-home series and in Houston, the Astros play host to the A.L. West leading Rangers. Elsewhere, Stephen Strasburg throws the first game of the Nationals home series with the White Sox and Pittsburgh looks for a first interleague victory of the year when it hosts Cleveland.
MILWAUKEE at COLORADO
# MILWAUKEE is 22-11 OVER (+10.6 Units) in road games vs. NL teams allowing 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 4.9, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 1*)
LA ANGELS at CHICAGO CUBS
# LA ANGELS are 19-9 (+11.1 Units) against the money line vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 this season. The average score was LA ANGELS 5.2, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)
MINNESOTA at PHILADELPHIA
# MINNESOTA is 18-6 (+15.1 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.0, OPPONENT 2.8 - (Rating = 2*)
NY METS at NY YANKEES
# NY YANKEES are 23-3 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in home games vs. a mediocre bullpen whose WHIP is 1.450 to 1.550 over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NY YANKEES 5.6, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 1*)
CHI WHITE SOX at WASHINGTON
# WASHINGTON is 22-4 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse since 1997. The average score was WASHINGTON 5.1, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 2*)
CLEVELAND at PITTSBURGH
# CLEVELAND is 6-17 (-14.8 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CLEVELAND 3.9, OPPONENT 5.1 - (Rating = 2*)
ARIZONA at DETROIT
# ARIZONA is 20-11 OVER (+8.5 Units) vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game this season. The average score was ARIZONA 4.9, OPPONENT 6.8 - (Rating = 1*)
SAN FRANCISCO at TORONTO
# TORONTO is 17-5 OVER (+11.8 Units) vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season. The average score was TORONTO 5.0, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 3*)
LA DODGERS at BOSTON
# BOSTON is 66-28 (+29.4 Units) against the money line vs. an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game over the last 3 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 6.3, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 1*)
TAMPA BAY at FLORIDA
# TAMPA BAY is 16-3 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 6.3, OPPONENT 2.5 - (Rating = 3*)
KANSAS CITY at ATLANTA
# KANSAS CITY is 60-35 OVER (+22.1 Units) vs. NL teams scoring 4.8 or more runs/game on the season since 1997. The average score was KANSAS CITY 5.5, OPPONENT 5.9 - (Rating = 1*)
TEXAS at HOUSTON
# HOUSTON is 73-47 UNDER (+19.6 Units) vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better over the last 3 seasons. The average score was HOUSTON 3.7, OPPONENT 4.6 - (Rating = 1*)
OAKLAND at ST LOUIS
# ST LOUIS is 27-11 UNDER (+14.4 Units) in home games vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST LOUIS 4.0, OPPONENT 3.0 - (Rating = 2*)
BALTIMORE at SAN DIEGO
# BALTIMORE is 2-16 (-13.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season. The average score was BALTIMORE 2.8, OPPONENT 6.9 - (Rating = 1*)
CINCINNATI at SEATTLE
# CINCINNATI is 66-41 (+24.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CINCINNATI 4.9, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 2*)