MLB Picks July 31: Mariners and Astros Battle in AL West

With just over two months remaining in the MLB season, the divisional, wild card, and league races are heating up. There is a full slate of action for July 31 with the AL West showdown of Seattle versus Houston headlining the play.

Seattle Mariners versus Houston Astros

In this AL West battle, the 2nd-place Mariners take on the 1st-place Astros. Seattle is “average down” and +25 on the Power Ranking Indicator versus “average” and +8 for the Astros. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in just five out of the last 11 games combined. The Score Predictor likes the Astors by  5-1 score with 56 percent confidence. Both teams have been consistently performing with regard to their favorite/underdog status, at +19 and +26 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like the Astros in a game “under” the line.

Milwaukee Brewers versus Boston Red Sox

This game features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Brewers are “burning hot” and +20 on the Power Ranking Indicator versus +1 and “ice cold up” for the Red Sox. Aaron Ashby is scheduled to pitch for the Brewers versus Josh Winckowski for the Red Sox. Ashby is 2-8 with a 4.38 ERA and a poor bet at -306 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator, while Winckowski is 3-5 with a 5.18 ERA and -50. The Brewers have been involved in games “over” the line in five of their last six and the Score Predictor likes Milwaukee by a 7-4 score with 58 percent confidence. Go with the Brewers in a game “over” the line.

Kansas City Royals versus New York Yankees

Both teams are entering the contest playing mediocre baseball. The Royals are “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +10 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Yankees are “average” and +4, respectively. The teams have been involved in games “under” the line in eight of the last 12 games combined. The Score Predictor has the Yankees by an 11-3 score with 62 percent confidence. Note that both teams are stable, coming in at +21 and +31 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like the Yankees at home but avoid the “over/under” bet.

Baltimore Orioles versus Cincinnati Reds

The Orioles are heading in the right direction at +15 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Reds are “average down” and +22, respectively. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in seven of the last 12 games combined. The Score Predictor likes Baltimore by a score of 7-3 with 57 percent confidence. Note that both teams are showing moderate to good stability, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Let’s go with a road upset, Orioles over the Reds but avoid the “over/under” bet.

Los Angeles Dodgers versus Colorado Rockies

The Dodgers head to Colorado “burning hot” and +23 on the Power Ranking Indicator versus “ice cold down” and +12 for the Rockies. Tony Gonsolin is scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers versus German Marquez for the Rockies. Gonsolin is 11-1 with a 2.26 ERA and an excellent bet at +432 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Marquez is 6-8 with a 5.25 ERA and a solid bet at +163. The Score Predictor has the Dodgers in a 10-2 blowout with 62 percent confidence. The teams have also been trending in games “over” the line and the Dodgers have been extremely stable at +32 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like the Dodgers in a game “over” the line.

Chicago Cubs versus San Francisco Giants

The Giants come in struggling at “dead up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and 0 on the Power Ranking Indicator.  On the flip side, the Cubs are +28 and “burning hot down.”  Adrian Sampson is set to pitch for the Cubs versus Carlos Rodon for the Giants. Sampson is 0-1 with a 3.70 ERA and a good bet at +358, while Rodon is 8-6 with a 3.18 ERA but a poor bet at -503. The Score Predictor likes the Cubs by a score of 8-4 with 64 percent confidence. Despite the better numbers for Rodon, the Giants are scuffling. Go with the Cubs in a game “over” the line.

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