BASEBALL
BEGINNING THURSDAY, JULY 31
Atlanta at Cincinnati (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd*(Bristol TN)
The floundering Braves are close to falling into the NL East cellar after dropping 9 of their last 11, with a 6.21 ERA among starters in those contests. They are the biggest money-burners in MLB (-$4275), averaging a mere 3.5 runs per game against left-handers. The 57-52 Reds are poised to compete for a wild-card slot down the stretch. They are 43-33 vs. right-handers (+$915) and they’ll be sending ace southpaw Andrew Abbott (+$770, 2.09 ERA in 18 starts) to face journeyman Carlos Carrasco (5.43 ERA with New York) in Thursday’s opener. BEST BET: Abbott vs. Carrasco.
Texas at Seattle (4) 31st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
These clubs enter the weekend with identical 57-52 records. However, the Rangers have the lowest team ERA in the majors (3.22) and that has propelled the club’s climb in the AL West standings. They have prevailed in 8 of their last 11 (+$615) and they come into T-Mobile Park with a 48-34 record vs. right-handers (+$995). The Mariners have racked up hefty losses when facing right-handers (-$1490) so there should be numerous opportunities to back the surging visitor. BEST BET: Rangers when righty meets righty.
BEGINNING FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Milwaukee at Washington (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Brewers manhandled this team in a three game sweep at Milwaukee (+$300) and they’ll try to duplicate that feat this weekend at Washington. They’ve been one of baseball’s top money-makers in 2025 (+$1925) and they check in with the 3rd best team ERA in the National League (3.63). The last place Nationals have a 5.13 team ERA (2nd worst in the NL) and they are only 14-31 in day games so far (-$1445). They’ll be especially vulnerable in the two scheduled afternoon contests. BEST BET: Brewers in day games.
San Francisco at N.Y. Mets (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Mets swept this team at Oracle Park last weekend (+$345) and the Giants are fading fast (2-9, -$940 in their last 11), falling below the .500 level. New York comes in with a 37-16 record here at CitiField (+$1250) and the 2nd best pitching staff in the NL (3.58 team ERA). The Giants are only 10-19 vs. left-handers in 2025 (-$1420) and they’ll be facing David Peterson (+$395, 2.98 ERA in 20 starts) in Friday night’s opener. BEST BET: Peterson.
Pittsburgh at Colorado (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Pirates are sizzling hot (8-2, +$790 last 10 days) as they get set to face the Rockies, the worst team in baseball by far (5.65 ERA, .677 OPS). They come into Coors Field with the 5th best team ERA in the NL (3.68) and they have their two ace right-handers set to take the mound. Paul Skenes (1.73 ERA in 22 starts ) and Mitch Keller (3.69 in 22 starts) should dominate the Rockies, who are only 14-38 in this ballpark (-$1160). BEST BET: Skenes/M. Keller.
St. Louis at San Diego (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The 55-55 Cardinals unloaded some players at the trade deadline, suggesting they’ll not put up much of a fight over the next two months. They are only 12-25 vs. righties on the road (-$1480), and they are likely to see three of them at Petco Park over the weekend. San Diego is tops in pitching in the NL (3.55 ERA) and they are on a five game winning streak, moving to within three games of 1st place in the NL West. BEST BET: Right-handers vs. the Cardinals.
Kansas City at Toronto (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Royals are creeping back to the .500 level (7-3, +$445 last 10) and their quality pitching (3.53 team ERA, 2nd best in the AL) gives them a fighting chance here at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays have cooled a bit since surging to the top of the AL East, but their record at home is excellent (37-17, +$ 1745) and they have some quality arms that can throttle what has been an anemic KC attack (.682 OPS, 3.6 runs per game). Pass for now. BEST BET: None.
Minnesota at Cleveland (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Twins have been a disappointment in 2025, dropping 6 of their last 9 (-$460) and falling six games below .500. They’ve been dreadful vs. the Guardians in head to head play over the past two seasons (5-14, -$1135) and they’ve racked up hefty losses outside of Target Field (-$1395). Cleveland has been profitable vs. righties (+$730) and they’ll face three of them this weekend. Be careful with Joe Ryan, who’s had a strong season for the visitor (2.71 ERA). BEST BET: Guardians unless opposed by J. Ryan
Houston at Boston (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Red Sox have raised their record to 59-51, now just five games back in the AL East. They’ve been at their best here at Fenway Park (+$595) and they come into this series averaging 5.9 runs per game against left-handers. Houston is treading water at the moment (5-5, -$335 last 10 days, 3.7 runs per game on offense) and they are expected to send a pair of southpaws to the mound at Fenway Park. BEST BET: Red Sox vs. left-handers.
Chicago W. Sox at L.A. Angels (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The White Sox are far better than the 121 loss team from 2024, though they’ll still end up losing over 100 games. They are only 11-30 vs. right-handers on the road (-$1040) and they’ll be taking on an LA club that has a 34-26 record vs. righties in night games (+$1975). Kyle Hendricks has been a money-maker for the Angels in 2025 (+$440) and should fare well vs. Aaron Civale and the Chisox on Saturday evening. BEST BET: Hendricks vs. Civale.
Baltimore at Chicago Cubs (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Cubs have been knocked out of 1st place in the NL Central after dropping 6 of their last 10 (-$-$435). They’ll be heavily favored vs. the last place Orioles but they could be vulnerable, so caution is advised. Chicago has lost money vs. left-handers, including a 2-6 mark in day games here at Wrigley Field (-$635, 3.3 runs per game). They’ll have to contend with sizzling hot Trevor Rogers (+$410, 1.49 ERA) in Friday’s opener. BEST BET: T. Rogers.
Detroit at Philadelphia (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Tigers have run off four straight wins following a two week slump, remaining safely atop the AL Central. Tarik Skubal is having another Cy Young caliber year (+$385, 2.09 ERA) and he should handle a Philly club that is only 12-18 vs. southpaws (-$1265). On the other hand, the Phillies have a 49-29 record vs. right-handers (+$1025). They’ll be facing money-burner Jack Flaherty (-$1065) and newly acquired Charlie Morton (5.72 with the O’s) in the other two games. BEST BET: Skubal/Phillies vs. right-handers.
N.Y. Yankees at Miami (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Expect the Marlins to make life difficult for the Yankees. They’ve won 6 of their last 9 with a 1.69 ERA among starters, and they are now just three games under .500 while posting one of the highest profits in MLB (+$1885 overall). New York’s pitching rotation is in disarray and they have lost money in all venues (-$1525). Miami will be underdogs throughout, but they have an excellent chance of taking at least 2 out of 3. BEST BET: Marlins in all games.
L.A. Dodgers at Tampa Bay (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The Rays are now 10 games back in the competitive AL East after dropping 8 off their last 10 (-$835). They have been a losing proposition in this ballpark (-$675) but we won’t jump in on the Dodgers, who despite a 63-46 record have cost their backers a fortune already (-$1200). Tampa has three strong pitchers set to appear, including newly acquired Adrian Houser (2.10 ERA with the ChiSox (+$830). We’ll hold off for now. BEST BET: None.
Arizona at Oakland (3) 1st, 2nd, 3rd
The D’backs have fallen on hard times (1-8, -$825 in their last nine, averaging 1.4 runs per game at the plate), effectively knocking themselves out of the playoff picture. They come into the weekend with an 11-19 record vs. left-handers (-$915) and they will be facing a profitable one in Jacob Lopez (+$550 in 12 outings), who is slated to take the hill in the series opener. BEST BET: J. Lopez.
