MLB Picks July 1: Toronto hosts Houston in featured game

The MLB season is near the All-Star break as the calendar turns to July. Teams look to enter with momentum for a second-half push toward the playoffs. There is a light three-game schedule for July 1 with the Blue Jays hosting the Astros in the headlined matchup.

Houston Astros versus Toronto Blue Jays

Houston enters play second in the AL West behind the Seattle Mariners and Toronto is last in the AL East, 15.5 behind the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees. The Astros are “burning hot down” on the Team Strength Oscillator after a recent 5-1 stretch while the Blue Jays are “ice cold down” and 2-4 over the same period. Houston has a +22 to +6 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator and +25 to -50 in scoring differential. The teams have been trending in games “over” the line and the score prediction is 6-0 in favor of Houston with 61 percent confidence. Houston won two of the three previous games this season at home. Toronto is 19-20 at home and Houston is 16-22 on the road. I like Houston to continue to make a push towards the top of their division, winning this game but I pass on the “over/under” bet.

New York Mets versus Washington Nationals

In this NL East showdown, the Mets come in “burning hot” after winning four straight and 8-2 over the last ten games. Washington is “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator after dropping four straight and 15.5 games behind the Phillies in the division. The Mets have a +27 to +1 advantage on the Power Ranks Indicator and +16 to -17 in scoring differential. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in 10 of the last 12 games with a score prediction of 8-2 in favor of the Mets with 83 percent confidence. Washington has been more consistent regarding their favorite/underdog status. The Mets swept a three-game series over the Nationals in Washington at the beginning of June. I see similar results this time in a game “over” the line.

Milwaukee Brewers versus Colorado Rockies

This game features teams heading in opposite directions. The Brewers are on a five-game winning streak and 6.5 games up in the National League Central while the Rockies are 2-8 over the last ten and have the worst record in the National League. Milwaukee is “burning hot” versus “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +29 to +5 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been trending in games on opposite sides of the over/under line and the score prediction is 10-3 in favor of Milwaukee with 57 percent confidence. Milwaukee is +71 in scoring differential versus a National League worst -135 for the Rockies. Milwaukee has a better road record than Colorado has at home. This is the first meeting between the teams this season and it should be all Milwaukee. I go with the Brewers in a game “over” the line.