MLB Picks August 26: Kansas City faces Cleveland in AL Central showdown

With less than a quarter of the MLB regular season, each game becomes more vital for those in the playoff hunt. There are 12 games scheduled for August 26. We’ll examine five of those with the Guardians and the Royals squaring off in the headlined matchup.

Kansas City Royals versus Cleveland Guardians

The top two teams in the AL Central battle. Cleveland has come back to the back after a 1-5 stretch while Kansas City is 5-1 and “burning hot down” on the Team Strength Oscillator during the same stretch. The Royals are +23 to +2 on the Power Ranks Indicator and +110 to +69 scoring differential edge. The teams have been trending in games “over” the line with a score prediction of 9-6 in favor of Cleveland but with only 28 percent confidence.  Kansas City has won four of the six previous games between the teams this season. The Royals are a game over .500 on the road and the Guardians have one of the top home records in the league at 38-20. I like Cleveland to get back on track at home in a game “over” the line.

Houston Astros versus Philadelphia Phillies

In a rematch of the 2022 World Series, the teams have the top records in their respective divisions. Houston is 4-2 over the last six and “average up” and Philadelphia is 3-3 and “average” during the same period. The teams are trending in games “under” the line with a score prediction of 7-4 in favor of Houston with 51 percent confidence. Philadelphia is 42-23 at home versus 34-29 on the road for Houston. The Astros are +14 to +9 on the Power Ranks Indicator but Philadelphia has a +100 to +73 scoring differential edge. Both teams are playing consistently with regard to their favorite/underdog status.  This is the first meeting between the teams this season. I like the Phillies at home in a game “under” the line.

Atlanta Braves versus Minnesota Twins

Both teams are battling for playoff positioning, sitting second in their respective divisions. The Braves are 4-2 and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Twins are 3-3 and “average” during the same period.  The teams are trending in games on opposite sides of the “over/under” line, therefore I will pass on the over/under bet. The Twins have a +73 to +52 scoring differential edge but Atlanta is +15 to +9 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The Twins are +26 to +11 on the Team Volatility Oscillator, indicating more stability, more consistently performing in tune with their favorite/underdog status.  Minnesota is 36-24 at home and I like them in this game over the Braves.

San Diego Padres versus St. Louis Cardinals

The Padres are in the middle of the playoff race, sitting four games out in the NL West and second in the wild card race. Both teams are 3-3 over the last six games but the Cardinals are “burning hot” versus “average down” due to winning the last two games.  The teams are trending in games on opposite sides of the “over/under” line with a score prediction of 8-4 in favor of the Cardinals with 62 percent confidence. The Cardinals won two of three against the Padres the first week of April but the Padres now have a scoring differential edge of over 100 runs and have a better road record than the Cardinals’ home record. I like San Diego but pass on the over/under bet.

Tampa Bay Rays versus Seattle Mariners

Here’s a matchup with teams heading in opposite directions. Tampa Bay is “average” and 4-2 over the last six while Seattle is 1-5 and “dead” during the same period. Seattle is second in the AL West with a 64-64 record and Tampa Bay is fourth in the AL East with a record of 65-64. The teams are trending in games on opposite sides of the “over/under” line and Seattle has a +14 to -51 scoring differential edge.  The Mariners are +12 to +4 on the Team Volatility Oscillator, indicating more stability. Despite the recent struggles, the Mariners are very good at home with a 37-26 record. Tampa Bay won two of the previous three games this season at home. I like Seattle to get back on track at home, passing on the over/under bet.