MLB Picks August 20: Yankees host Guardians in headlined matchup

The MLB season is nearing the final six weeks of the regular season with much to be determined for playoff positioning. There is a full schedule for Tuesday, August 20. We will examine five of the games with the Yankees hosting the Guardians in a possible playoff preview.

Cleveland Guardians versus New York Yankees

The top two teams in the American League clash in this contest. Cleveland is 5-1 over the last six and “burning hot down” on the Team Strength Oscillator versus 4-2 and “burning hot” for the Yankees over the same stretch. New York is +26 to +25 on the Power Ranks Indicator and +121 to +81 edge in scoring differential. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in eight of the last 12 with a score prediction of 5-2 in favor of the Yankees but with only 45 percent confidence.  Cleveland has been performing much more consistently regarding their favorite/underdog status. The Yankees are 32-27 at home and the Guardians are 34-30 on the road. Cleveland lost two of three against the Yankees at home earlier in the season. I like the trend to change and will go with the Guardians in a game “over” the line.

Philadelphia Phillies versus Atlanta Braves

The Braves look to cut the wide gap in the NL East, sitting eight behind the Phillies.  Atlanta comes in 3-3 over the last six and “average down” while the Phillies have won the last three over a recent poor stretch and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in seven of the last 12 with a score prediction of 7-2 in favor of the Phillies with 55 percent confidence. Philadelphia has a clear edge in scoring differential of +100 to +40. The Braves has a slightly better home record than the Phillies road record but the Phillies are much more stable at +25 to +10 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Atlanta took two of three from the Phillies in the only games played between the teams this season. I like the Phillies to come on top this time around in a game “over” the line.

Baltimore Orioles versus New York Mets

The Orioles are right on the heels of the Yankees in the AL East and the Mets are just a game behind the Braves for second in the NL East. Baltimore is 3-3 over the last six and “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator while the Mets are 2-4 and “ice cold up” over the same period.  The teams are trending in games on opposite sides over the “over/under” line with a score prediction of 9-2 for the Orioles with 57 percent confidence.  Baltimore has a decided edge of +92 to +26 in scoring differential and has a better road record than the Mets’ home record. I like the Orioles but I pass on the “over/under” bet.

Boston Red Sox versus Houston Astros

Houston is holding on to the lead in the AL West and Boston is third in the AL East. The Astros are “burning hot down” versus “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +21 to +17 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the “over/under” line but with 74 percent confidence the score prediction has Houston by a 6-1 margin.  The Astros have a 40-run scoring differential edge but the Red Sox are better on the road than the Astros are at home. Houston swept Boston in the previous three games between the teams this season. I like the Astros to continue their hot play over the Red Sox in a game “under” the line.

Seattle Mariners versus Los Angeles Dodgers

The two teams are heading in opposite directions. Seattle is 2-4 over the last six and “ice cold down” while Los Angeles is 4-2 and “average up” over the same stretch. The Dodgers are first in the NL West and the Mariners are second in the AL West, three games behind the Astros. The score prediction has the Dodgers by a 6-3 margin with 64 percent confidence. Los Angeles has a +103 to +22 scoring differential edge and 16 games over .500 at home versus eight games under .500 on the road for Seattle. All signs point toward a Dodgers’ victory but I will pass on the “over/under” bet.