MLB Picks July 23: Yankees host Mets in battle of New York

The MLB season resumes play following the All-Star break. It’s time for teams to make a serious push towards the playoffs. There is a full schedule for Tuesday, July 23. The Yankees square off against the Mets in the battle of New York in the featured game.

New York Mets versus New York Yankees

The Mets are 3rd in the NL East and the Yankees are 2nd in the AL East. Both teams are 4-2 over the last six and the Yankees are “average up” versus “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The teams are trending in games “over” the line with a score prediction of 9-2 in favor of the Yankees but with only 44 percent confidence. The Mets won the previous two games between the teams this season as the home team. Jose Quintana is scheduled to pitch for the Mets versus Luis Gil for the Yankees. Quintana is 4-6 with a 4.13 ERA and -$13 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. Gil is 10-5 with a 3.17 ERA and an excellent bet at +$270.  I like the Yankees by at least three runs in a game “over” the line.

Philadelphia Phillies versus Minnesota Twins

Both teams enter the game “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and 3-3 over the last six games. The Phillies are 1st in the NL East by 7.5 games over the Braves and the Twins are 2nd in the AL Central, five back of the Guardians. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the “over/under” line with a score prediction of 8-2 in favor of the Twins with 64 percent confidence. Minnesota has a +11 to +5 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator while both teams are very consistent regarding their favorite/underdog status.  Philadelphia is 25-19 on the road and Minnesota is 27-18 at home. I like the Phillies in a road upset but pass on the “over/under” bet.

Milwaukee Brewers versus Chicago Cubs

In this NL Central battle, the Cubs are last in the division, nine games behind the Brewers. Chicago is +14 to +13 on the Power Ranks Indicator and “average down” versus “ice cold up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The teams are trending in games “over” the line but the score prediction is a five-run total in favor of the Brewers. Milwaukee has won six of the ten games between the teams this season and has a +79 to -8 overall run differential. The Brewers perform more consistently regarding their favorite/underdog status. I like the Brewers to increase their lead over the Cubs but pass on the “over/under” bet.

Arizona Diamondbacks versus Kansas City Royals

The defending NL champions are second in the NL West and hit the road to face the third-place Royals in the AL Central. The teams have combined to go 9-3 over the last 12 with the Diamondbacks “burning hot” versus “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The score prediction of 7-6 in favor of Kansas City matches the teams trending in games “over” the line. Kansas City has one of the best home records in the league at 32-18. Both teams are performing according to their favor/underdog status. I like the Royals in a game “over” the line.

San Francisco Giants versus Los Angeles Dodgers

Two NL West rivals battle in Los Angeles. The Dodgers hold a seven-game lead in the division and ten over the Giants. Both teams are 2-4 over the last six and the Dodgers have a +7 to +4 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been trending in games on opposite sides of the line but put up a combined 35 runs in their last two head-to-head meetings. The Dodgers have won six of nine games against the Giants this season. In addition, the Dodgers are 29-19 at home versus a poor 19-29 road record for the Giants. I like the Dodgers to continue their hot play, further burying the Giants in the division.