MLB Picks October 1: Seattle Hosts Texas in Key AL West Battle

The MLB regular season has reached the final day and most of the playoff positions have been settled. There is still a fight in the AL wild-card race with the Mariners hosting the Rangers in the featured game.

Texas Rangers versus Seattle Mariners

These two AL West rivals have been battling all season and their playoff fates come down to the final game of the season. Texas is 5-1 over the last six, while Seattle is just 1-5 over the same period. The teams have been trending in games on opposite sides of the “over/under” line and the score prediction is 5-3 in favor of Texas with 71 percent confidence. Texas has a +24 to +17 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. Texas has owned Seattle this season, winning eight of the nine head-to-head games. The Rangers have been more consistent with regard to their favorite/underdog status. Although Seattle is at home, I like the Rangers’ dominance over the Mariners to continue but pass on the “over/under” bet.

Boston Red Sox versus Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore is heading to the playoffs after their best regular season in over 40 years. They head into play “burning hot” after winning four straight. Boston is playing out the string and is “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Tanner Houck is set to pitch for the Red Sox. He’s coming in at 5-10 with a 5.31 ERA and -$509 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The teams have split the eight games this season and have been trending in games “under” the line. The score prediction has Baltimore doubling Boston with 67 percent confidence. This one is hard to pick since Blatimore likely has nothing to play for and Boston is ready to go home. Go with Baltimore as talent usually prevails.

Tampa Bay Rays versus Toronto Blue Jays

Tampa Bay has positioned itself for the playoffs and Toronto has a shot yet at a playoff berth. The Rays are “burning hot” after going 4-2 over the last six, while Toronto is “ice cold down” after going 2-4 during the same span. Expect a high-scoring affair with both teams trending in games “over” the line. The teams have split the ten games between them this season, so this looks nearly dead even on paper. Toronto has been worse at home than on the road and the Rays have been an excellent road team. I will take the Rays in a one-run game “over” the line.

Philadelphia Phillies versus New York Mets

The Phillies have clinched number one wild card seed in the NL, while the Mets are playing out a miserable 2023 campaign. The Phillies are “burning hot” and the Mets are “dead” status. The score predictor has the Phillies by a 9-4 score with a very high level of confidence of nearly 92 percent. Philadelphia has won the last five between the teams and 6-4 this season. Philadelphia will likely rest most of their starters with the playoffs on the horizon, but the Mets have totally checked out. Go with the Phillies in a game “over” the line.

Houston Astros versus Arizona Diamondbacks

In a relatively odd interleague matchup to end the season, two playoff teams collide. This will likely be a game with both teams resting the majority of their starters. Houston come in “ice cold up” versus “burning hot” and Arizona has a +22 to +15 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. With nine of the last 12 games “over” the line, expect much of the same in this one. Houston is 18 games over .500 on the road compared to under .500 at home. Arizona is eight games above .500 at home and has been the much more stable team at +18 to 0 on the Team Volatility Oscillator.  The Astros have the better overall roster and play excellent on the road. Go with them in a game “over” the line.

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