MLB Picks May 6: Phillies host Giants in featured game

A month into the MLB season, teams are ramping up the intensity to prove they have what it takes to contend. There are ten games scheduled for May 6. We will look at five of the matchups with the Phillies hosting the Giants in the featured game.

San Francisco Giants versus Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies come into play “burning hot” and the first team in the league to reach 20 wins this season, while the Giants are 15-7 and “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Philadelphia has a +23 to +13 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been trending in games on opposite sides of the over/under line with a score prediction of 5-1 in favor of the Phillies with 84 percent confidence. Philadelphia is 10-6 at home and the San Francisco is 6-10 on the road. The Phillies are one of the most consistent teams in the league at +10 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like the Phillies in a game “under” the line.

Los Angeles Angels versus Pittsburgh Pirates

Both teams enter the contest in last place in their respective divisions.  Pittsburgh is 14-18 and “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator after going 1-5 over the last six games. Los Angeles is also “dead” and 1-5 over the last six and 11-20 overall.  The teams have been trending in games on opposite sides of the over/under line with a score prediction of 5-4 in favor of the Angels with a high level of confidence of 89 percent. Neither team has been consistent with regard to their favorite/underdog status. The Angels are better on the road at 7-9 than they are at home, while the Pirates struggle at home. I like the Angels in a road win in a game “over” the line.

San Diego Padres versus Chicago Cubs

The teams are entering play second place in their respective divisions. San Diego is on a two-game winning streak and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator while the Cubs are 19-13 on the season and “ice cold down” after a 2-4 stretch. The Padres have been involved in games mainly “over” the line and the score prediction of 8-6 in their favor would continue that trend.  The Padres have a +15 to +5 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. The Padres won two of three at home against the Cubs earlier in the season.  I like the Padres to continue their winning ways over the Cubs in a game “over” the line.

New York Mets versus St. Louis Cardinals

Both teams are 3-3 over the last six. The Mets are 16-15 on the season and “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Cardinals are 14-17 and “average down” status. The teams have been involved in games “under” the line in eight of the last 12 games, and the score prediction is 7-2 in favor of the Mets with 59 percent confidence. Sean Manaea is scheduled to pitch for the Mets. He has a record of 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA and +263 on the Pitcher Profit Oscillator. The Cardinals won two of the first three games between the teams on the road. I like the Cardinals to continue the trend and take down the Mets in a game “under” the line.

Chicago White Sox versus Tampa Bay Rays

Both teams are in the midst of a losing streak. Chicago is “average down” and 3-3 over the last six and Tampa Bay is “dead” and 1-5 over the last six. At 6-25, the White Sox have the worst record in baseball and are currently on pace to have the worst record in MLB history since the schedule expanded to 162 games. The teams are trending in games “over” the line with a score prediction of 4-3 in favor of Chicago, but only 47 percent confidence. Chicago won all three games between the teams earlier this season. They seem to have the Rays’ number and I will go with the trend and a Chicago road win, but pass on the over/under bet.