MLB Picks August 7: Dodgers and Padres Duel in NL West Showdown

The MLB trade deadline has come and gone and some teams are positioning themselves for a playoff run, while others were sellers and look for rebuild moving forward. A full slate of games is scheduled for August 7 with the Dodgers are Padres headlining the action.

Los Angeles Dodgers versus San Diego Padres

The Padres are a far cry from the team that advanced to the NL Championship last season. However, they can try to help knock the Dodgers out of first in this NL West clash and come into play winners of five of their last six. Both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Dodgers are +27 to +13 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Tony Gonsolin is set to pitch for the Dodgers versus Seth Lugo for the Padres. Neither pitcher has been a good bet, according to the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Expect a higher-scoring game with the edge going to the Dodgers. Go with Los Angeles on the road by at least three runs in a game “over” the line.

Atlanta Braves versus Pittsburgh Pirates

The Braves are cruising to the best record in the league and must make sure they don’t fall asleep against the Pirates, who are 12-games sub-.500 at 48-60. The teams are heading in opposite directions coming in “burning hot” versus “average down” and the Braves have a substantial edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. The 8-1 score prediction with confidence of 66 percent is right in line with what I am thinking. The Braves have been one of the most consistent teams in the league with regard to their favorite/underdog status. There is little to believe that the Pirates will pull off an upset. Let’s take the Braves with supreme confidence but pass on the over/under bet.

Toronto Blue Jays versus Cleveland Guardians

The AL East is stacked with all five teams above .500 with the Blue Jays right in the mix for a playoff spot. Cleveland is sub-.500 but only 2.5 games back in the putrid AL Central. The teams have combined to win just three of their last 12 games with most games going “under” the line. Interestingly enough, the Score Predictor has the Blue Jays by a 9-3 score but with only 49 percent confidence. Toronto is +22 to +6 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have not yet met this season, but the Indians won five of the seven meetings between the teams last year. Let’s flip the switch and go with Toronto on the road as the teams break out of the offensive funk, in a game “over” the line.

New York Yankees versus Chicago White Sox

This game is a mismatch on paper with the Yankees trending upward and the White Sox trending towards the basement. The teams have been involved in games on equal sides of the over/under line and the Score Predictor sees a 13-run outburst with the Yankees winning by three. In a surprise, the White Sox won two of three in New York earlier in the season with a total of only 19 runs scores combined in the three games. I see a larger outburst this time around. The Yankees are too good at the moment to get tripped up in this one. Go with the Yankees and “over” the line.

San Francisco Giants versus Los Angeles Angels

The Giants are making a run at the Dodgers in the NL West while the Angels are hovering around the .500 mark in the AL West. San Francisco has won the last three and the Angels have lost the last three. The Giants have a +24 to +11 advantage on the Power Ranks Indicator. Both teams have been involved in pitching duels of late with the Giants getting the better end of the stick. The two teams have not met since the 2021 season. Be aware of the fact that both teams have been only moderately stable, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like the Giants to continue to roll. Going for the “under” is a must looking at the trend of the two teams in terms of run production.