MLB Picks July 17: Red Sox and Yankees Clash in AL East

The teams around MLB are looking to go into the All-Star break on a high note to prepare for a playoff push in the second half. There is a full slate of games to be played with the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry headlining the action.

Boston Red Sox versus New York Yankees

Both teams heading into play not playing their best baseball. The Red Sox are “ice cold down” and +9 on the Power Ranking Indicator, while the Yankees are also “ice cold down” and +22. Chris Sale is scheduled to pitch for Boston versus Gerrit Cole for New York. Sale has been a rather poor bet at -100 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, but Cole is very solid at +112. The teams have combined in games “over” the line in nine of the last 12 games. Note that the Yankees are considerably more stable at +27 versus +9 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Score Predictor likes the Yankees by a 3-1 score with 43 percent confidence. I like the Yankees in a game “under” the line.

Atlanta Braves versus Washington Nationals

In this NL East battle, the Braves head to play the Nationals. Atlanta is “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +14 on the Power Ranking Indicator.  Washington is going nowhere and is “dead” and +1, respectively. The Score Predictor likes Atlanta by a score of 8-0 with 84 percent confidence. Spencer Strider is scheduled to pitch for the Braves. He is 4-2 with a 2.56 ERA but is -136 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator.  The teams have been trending on opposite sides of the “over/under” line. Take the Braves but pass on the “over/under” bet.

Oakland Athletics versus Houston Astros

Oakland heads into Houston needing to turn things around. They are “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +8 on the Power Ranking Indicator. Houston is “average up” and +12, respectively. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in seven of their last 12 combined. The Score Predictor likes the Astros by a score of 8-4 with 76 percent confidence. Both teams have been consistent with regard to their favorite/underdog stats, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Look for the Astros to win in a game “over” the line.

New York Mets versus Chicago Cubs

The two teams enter play heading in opposite directions.  The Mets are “burning hot” and +18 on the Power Ranking Indicator versus “dead” and 0 for the Cubs. David Peterson is set to pitch for the Mets versus Adrain Sampson for the Cubs. Peterson is 5-2 with a 3.48 ERA and Sampson is 0-1 with a 3.33 ERA. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in six of the last 12 games. the score predictor sees a blowout win for the Mets, 9-0, with 85 percent confidence. I like the Mets in a game “over” the line.

Milwaukee Brewers versus San Francisco Giants

Both teams enter play “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Giants have a +20 to +3 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Jason Alexander is set to pitch for the Brewers versus Logan Webb for the Giants. Alexanders is 2-1 with a 4.73 ERA and Webb is 2-3 with a 2.82 ERA. Both pitchers have been a good bet, according to the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Score Predictor likes the Giants by a score of 6-4 with minimal confidence at this point. The Giants have been more stable at +21 to +6 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Go with the Giants to win in a game “under” the line.

Arizona Diamondbacks versus San Diego Padres

In this NL West showdown, both teams enter play on the downward trend. Arizona is “ice cold down” and +5 on the Power Ranking Indicator, while San Diego is “dead” and +7. Both teams have been involved in games “over” the line in four of their last six games. The Score Predictor likes the Diamondbacks by a score of 7-1 with 50 percent confidence. Merrill Kelly is set to pitch for Arizona versus Mike Clevinger for San Diego. Kelly is 8-5 with a 3.36 ERA, while Clevinger is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA. I like Arizona but avoid the “over/under” bet.

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