MLB Picks August 21: Astros versus Braves Headline Play

The MLB season is down to the final quarter of the season and the playoff picture is coming more into focus. There is full action scheduled for August 21 with the featured game being the Braves hosting the Astros.

Houston Astros versus Atlanta Braves

In this interleague matchup, the Astros come into the game “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +14 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Braves enter the contest at “burning hot down” and +29, respectively. Jose Urquidy is scheduled to pitch for the Astros. His record is 11-4 with a 3.69 ERA and very good bet at +491 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Score Predictor has the Braves by a score of 6-1 with 60 percent confidence. Note that both teams have been consistently performing with regard to their favorite/underdog status. I like the Braves at home in a game “under” the line.

New York Mets versus Philadelphia Phillies

In this NL East battle, the first-place Mets head to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies. New York is “average” versus “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the PHillies have  +24 to +17 edge on the  Power Ranking Indicator. The teams have been involved in games “under” the line in nine of the last 12 games combined. The Score Predictor likes the Mets by a score of 7-5 with 61 percent confidence. The Team Volatility Oscillator shows that the Mets are far more stable, at +29 to +8. I like the Mets in a close game, but avoid the “over/under” bet.

Milwaukee Brewers versus Chicago Cubs

In this NL Central matchup, the teams are heading in opposite directions. The Brewers are “ice cold down” and the Cubs are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Milwaukee has a +16 to +11 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Brandon Woodruff is scheduled to pitch for the Brewers. He enters with a record of 9-3 with a 3.53 ERA and +201 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The teams have been trending on opposite sides of the “over/under” line and the Score Predictor likes the Cubs by a low score of 4-1 with 68 percent confidence. Go with the Cubs in a game “under” the line.

Boston Red Sox versus Baltimore Orioles

In this AL East game, the two teams at the bottom of the division face off. The Red Sox are “burning hot” and +22 on the Power Ranking Indicator, while the Orioles are “average down” and +20 respectively. The teams have been involved in games “under” the line in seven of the last 12 games combined. The Score Predictor likes the Red Sox by a score of 8-4 but with only 40 percent confidence. Nick Pivetta is scheduled to pitch for Boston and enters with a 9-9 record, a 4.28 ERA, and a relatively poor bet. Note that both teams have been moderately stable. I like the Red Sox in a game “over” the line.

Seattle Mariners versus Oakland Athletics

In this AL West battle, the Athletics host the Mariners. Oakland is “average up” and +5 on the Power Ranking Indicator, while the Mariners are “burning hot” and +26, respectively. The Score Predictor likes the Mariners by a 9-1 score with 56 percent confidence, and the teams have been involved in games “over” the line in 10 of the last 12 games. Both teams have been extremely stable, combing in at +21 for Seattle and +27 for Oakland on the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like Seattle to stay hot and win in a game going “over” the line.

Los Angeles Angels versus Detroit Tigers

Both teams are coming into play struggling, at “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Tigers have a +19 to +10 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Shohei Ohtani is set to pitch for the Angels and Eduardo Rodriguez will get the ball for the Tigers. Ohtani is 10-7 with a 2.69 ERA and -222 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, while Rodriguez is 1-3 with a 4.38 ERA and -534. Both teams have been very stable, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Score Predictor likes the Angels by a 3-1 score with 69 percent confidence. I like the Angels and “under” the line.