MLB Picks July 30: Phillies host Yankees in featured battle

With just two months remaining in the MLB regular season, teams are looking to continue their push toward the postseason while looking to boost their team by the trade deadline. There is a full slate of games for July 30 with a northeast battle between the Phillies and Yankees headlining the action.

New York Yankees versus Philadelphia Phillies

Although both teams are heavily in the playoff race, neither is playing well. The Yankees are 1-5 over the last six and “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Phillies are 2-4 over the last six and “ice cold down” status. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the “over/under” line and the score prediction is 6-5 in favor of the Phillies with 45 percent confidence.  Philadelphia is much more consistent regarding their favorite/underdog status, coming in at +26 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Phillies are 37-17 at home and the Yankees are  33-22 on the road. The teams have the top two run differentials the league. I like the Phillies at home in a one or two-run game but pass on the over/under bet.

Minnesota Twins versus New York Mets

The Mets are the hottest team in the league, having won their last five. Both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Mets have a +25 to +22 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams are trending in games “over” the line with a score prediction of 6-5 in favor of the Mets but with only 29 percent confidence. Minnesota is the more stable team, coming in at +21 to +4 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Minnesota has a better road record than New York’s home record and has a +51 to +27 scoring differential edge. I like the Twins in a game “over” the line.

Texas Rangers versus St. Louis Cardinals

Texas is 3rd in the AL West and the Cardinals are 2nd in the NL Central. The Rangers are 5-1 over the last six and “burning hot” while St. Louis is “average down” after losing three of the last four. The teams are trending in games “under” the line over the last 12 and scored only 18 runs combined in the three meetings last season.  Texas is eight games under .500 on the road and St. Louis is two games north of .500 at home. Despite having a worse overall record, Texas has a +8 to -38 scoring differential edge. I like the Rangers to continue their hot play, but pass on the over/under bet.

Atlanta Braves versus Milwaukee Brewers

The Braves have plummeted to third in the NL East after losing their last six. Milwaukee is first in the NL Central, six games ahead of the Cardinals, and 5-5 over the previous ten. Milwaukee has a +18 to 0 advantage on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in seven of the last 12. Milwaukee is 29-18 at home and Atlanta is 24-27 on the road. In addition, Milwaukee has a +80 to +45 run differential edge. I like the Brewers to continue the Braves’ skid in a game “over” the line.

Los Angeles Dodgers versus San Diego Padres

In this NL West clash, the Dodgers come in six and a half games ahead of the Padres for the division lead. San Diego is “burning hot” versus “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +29 to +13 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams are trending in games nearly evenly over and under and the score prediction is San Diego by a 4-3 margin. The Dodgers have a +91 t0 +31 scoring differential edge. San Diego is two games under .500 at home and Los Angeles is five games over .500 on the road. The Padres have won four of six games between the teams this season. I like that trend to continue in a game “under” the line.