Ballpark Figures - Week 7
Joe Williams
Central Battle
The Cleveland Indians (18-14) square off against the Chicago White Sox (14-18), and it's RHP Ivan Nova against RHP Trevor Bauer in what should be a pretty solid pitching matchup. The White Sox enter play with a 4-0 record in their past four series openers, although they're just 12-25 across the past 37 games against right-handed starting pitchers and they're 7-15 across the past 22 road games. The Indians are 8-3 in the past 11 games at home, while going 5-1 in their past six against right-handed starting pitchers. In addition, they're 38-16 in the past 54 home games vs. RHP.
They've struggled with Nova on the hill, as the White Sox are 1-5 over his past six outings, while going 0-4 in his past four on the road. They're also 1-5 in his past six games on a grass surface. For the Indians, they have won 11 of the past 15 starts by Bauer, and they're 10-4 in his past 14 assignments at Progressive Field. Cleveland has also won eight of their past 11 games at home, and they're 5-1 in the past six series openers, too. The Tribe have cashed in seven of the past nine starts by Bauer against AL Central foes.
In this series, the Indians are 4-0 in the past four home outings by Bauer against the White Sox, and they're 5-2 in the past seven starts overall against Chicago. The White Sox are a dismal 17-36 across the past 53 battles at Progressive Field, while going 18-38 in the past 56 meetings overall. The over is 3-0-1 in the past four meetings, although the under is 3-0-1 in the past four starts by Bauer against the White Sox. The under is 15-7-1 in the past 23 starts overall by Bauer, and 20-5-1 in his past 26 starts against AL Central foes.
Looking Ahead
Monday, May 6
The Mariners and Yankees lock horns at New York, and this would have been a great pitching matchup a few years ago. Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez has tailed off a bit in the velocity department in the past couple of years, and he has to try and deceive batters with offspeed stuff and location. The M's are just 3-8 over his past 11 starts on the road, and 4-12 in the past 16 overall. They're also 7-20 in his past 27 tries against teams with a winning overall mark. New York has won four of the past five at home, and 10 of the past 14 overall. They're also 5-2 in the past seven starts by Sabathia, while the Yankees are 26-9 in the past 35 starts at home by CC. The under is 6-0 in New York's past six starts by Sabathia against the M's, with the under 4-1 in his past five outings by Hernandez against the Yanks. The Yankees are also 13-4 in CC's past 17 vs. Seattle, with the M's 1-5 in Hernandez's past six against the Bronx Bombers. The M's have also dropped five straight games at Yankee Stadium.
The Braves and Dodgers square off in Chavez Ravine, and the Braves are 5-2 across their past seven on the road and 5-2 in the past seven overall. And, for what it's worth, they're 11-3 in the past 14 games on a Monday. However, Atlanta is also a dismal 3-7 in their past 10 against NL West foes, and 2-5 in the past seven series openers. For L.A., they have rattled off seven victories in the past nine outings, while cashing in 23 of their past 31 overall. Los Angeles has also cashed in four straight against winning teams. One area of concern for bettors, watch the status of 1B-OF Cody Bellinger, as he has missed the past two games due to a sore shoulder.
The Mets and Padres square off at Petco Park to kick off a new series, and we'll get a great pitching matchup between RHP Jacob deGrom and RHP Chris Paddack. The Mets have dropped seven of their past 10 heading into play, and they're 0-4 in the past four games on the road, too. In addition, they're 0-4 in the past four against teams with a winning overall record. Perhaps even more surprising, they're 0-4 in the past four starts by deGrom. For the Padres, they're 2-5 in the past seven overall, and 3-7 in the past 10 at home. However, they're 7-2 in the past nine games against right-handed starting pitching, and they're 5-1 in Paddack's past six starts. In this series, the over is 8-2 in the past 10 meetings, and 19-7-2 in the past 28 battles at Petco.
Weather Report
The Marlins and Cubs will tangle at Wrigley Field, and the teams will be facing a 9-12 mph wind blowing in from left-center field to home plate. Thankfully, that will be the only MLB venue which will be affected by wind factors, and the forecast calls for a 20 percent or less chance of precipitation across all parks.
Tuesday, May 7
Marlins LHP Caleb Smith has been a bright spot in an otherwise dreary start for the Marlins. He is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over 36 innings across six starts, recording 45 strikeouts while issuing just nine walks. The Cubs have managed a 4-3 record against the Marlins so far this season. The Marlins will be facing LHP Jon Lester, and they're just 1-6 this season in seven tries against southpaws.
The Twins roll out RHP Jose Berrios against Blue Jays RHP Aaron Sanchez. The Twins have posted seven straight road wins against teams with a losing overall mark, and they're 6-1 in the past seven vs. RHP. They're also 17-5 across the past 22 games against teams with a losing overall record. For the Jays, they have won six straight home outings by Sanchez, while cashing in 11 of his past 16 starts overall. They're also 4-1 in the past five starts against AL Central foes. Minnesota has won four straight at Rogers Centre in Toronto, but they're 26-56 in the past 82 meetings overall. The over is also 8-3 in the past 11 meetings in Canada.
It's a battle of southpaws in L.A. when LHP Max Fried and the Braves face LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Dodgers in Game 2 of their series. Fried puts his 4-1 record, 2.11 ERA and .257 opponent on-base percentage on the line. He has recorded quality starts in five of his past six outings, including just one earned run allowed, four hits and seven strikeouts with no walks over seven innings in a victory against the Padres. The Braves are 2-2 in Fried's four outings against NL West teams this season. The Dodgers are just 1-3 across Ryu's past four outings, although he has quality starts in each of his past two outings, allowing just three earned runs across the past 15 innings. He lost a hard-luck start in San Francisco on May 1, allowing one earned run over eight innings in a loss.
Weather Report
In the White Sox-Indians battle at Progressive Field, the teams will be facing a stiff 10-13 mph wind blowing in from right field. The Marlins and Cubs will be facing a strong 11-14 mph wind gusting in from the left-center field to home plate, keeping run totals down.
As far as rain is concerned, the Mariners and Yankees will be facing 30-40 percent chance of rain from 7 p.m.-9 p.m., so the starting pitchers might be able to go, but it wouldn't be surprising to see a lengthy delay, and the bullpens finishing things up. It's best to avoid the situation.
Wednesday, May 8
Rangers RHP Shelby Miller is listed as the starter, and that's good news for the Pirates in their matinee affair. Miller is 1-2 with a 7.99 ERA and .417 opposing on-base percentage, and he has walked 20 batters while striking out just 13 over 23 2/3 innings. He has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his past five outings while failing to last longer than 5 1/3 innings in any one outing. As such, look for the 'over' to occur. The over is 3-0-1 over his past four outings, and 4-1-1 in his six starts this season.
The Red Sox and Orioles hook up in Charm City. LHP Chris Sale finally got his first win of the season in his old stomping grounds against the Chicago White Sox, and he has back-to-back outings with at least six innings while posting quality starts in each other. He has also struck out 26 over the past 18 innings, as it looks like he has his mojo back after a rough start. The O's roll with RHP Andrew Cashner, who is 4-1 despite a 4.71 ERA and .335 OBP across 36 1/3 innings. He was smacked around for five runs - four earned - and six hits with eight strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision against the Pale Hose on May 1. He actually beat the Red Sox in Fenway Park on April 13, cashing as a +225 underdog. The 'over ' is also 5-0 in the past five starts for Cashner.
