Ballpark Figures – Week 14

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

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Sox Appeal
The Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox battle at Fenway Park on Monday in a series opener featuring a tremendous pitching matchup. RHP Lucas Giolito (10-2, 2.74 ERA) takes the ball for the ChiSox against LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (8-4, 4.71 ERA).

The White Sox have picked up just two wins in the past seven games overall, while going 4-9 in the past 13 games on the road. However, they're 5-2 in the past seven against a left-handed starting pitcher. In addition, the White Sox have picked up victories in nine of the past 10 starts by Giolito, and they're 6-1 in the past seven on the road with Giolito on the bump, too. Chicago is also 4-1 in the past five road outings by Giolito against a team with a winning overall mark, too, while winning each of his past five starts against American League East foes. 

 For the Red Sox, they're 8-3 in the past 11 games overall, while going 5-1 in the past six against American League Central foes. They're also 13-5 in the past 18 games on a Monday, for whatever that's worth. More importantly, the Red Sox are 7-3 in the past 10 games against a right-handed starting pitcher, but just 4-9 in the past 13 at Fenway Park. With Rodriguez on the hill, the Red Sox have won 22 of the past 26 against losing teams, and 22 of the past 27 at home against teams with an overall losing mark. They're also 20-6 in Rodriguez's past 26 at home, while going 10-1 in his past 11 in Game 1 of a new series.

In head-to-head matchups, Boston is 12-5 in the past 17 meetings overall, while going 6-2 in the past eight meetings at Fenway Park. As far as the total is concerned, the under is 10-4 in the past 14 in this series, while cashing in each of the past six battles in Beantown.

Looking Ahead

Monday, June 24
The Braves and Cubs kick off a four-game series at Wrigley Field with RHP Julio Teheran facing LHP Jon Lester. Atlanta has been red-hot lately, going 5-1 in the past six on the road, 5-0 in the past five road games against winning teams and 4-0 in the past four against NL Central foes. In addition, they're an impressive 6-0 in the past six vs. LHP and 8-2 in the past 10 overall against winning teams, while winning 16 of the past 21 contests overall. With Teheran on the bump, the Braves are 4-1 in the past five starts, and 4-1 in the past five on the road. They're also 6-1 in his past seven against NL Central foes.

For the Cubbies, they're an impressive 42-15 in Lester's past 57 home outings, including 21-10 in his past 31 at Wrigley against teams with a winning record. They're also 15-2 in his past 17 starts on a Monday. Overall the Cubs are 9-4 in the past 13 in the Friendly Confines, while going 17-5 in the past 22 at home against winning teams and 4-0 in the past four at home against teams with a winning road mark. Atlanta has won four straight at Wrigley with Teheran on the hill, and 8-1 in his past nine against the Cubs overall. However, the Cubs are 5-1 in Lester's past six against the Braves. The over is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings in this series, and 11-5-1 in the past 17 battles at Wrigley.

Weather Report
The Royals and Indians face a 40 percent or greater chance of precipitation for their game in Cleveland. Since they face each other so frequently, it wouldn't be surprising to see a reschedule if the forecast doesn't improve.

In Atlanta, the Braves and Cubs won't be dealing with precipitation, but they'll be facing a jetstream at 13-16 mph out to the right-center field power alley, perhaps affecting the total. Those are the only two weather trouble spots.

Tuesday, June 25
The Royals and Indians continue their series at Progressive Field with RHP Glenn Sparkman going for Kansas City against RHP Shane Bieber of Cleveland. The Royals have won just once in the past five starts by Sparkman, and they're 1-4 in his past five on a grass surface, too. For the Indians, Bieber has been a rock in a rocky season. They're 5-2 over his past seven starts, and 5-1 in the past six starts by Bieber at Progressive Field, too. They have also won five of his past six starts inside the division, while going 6-1 in the past seven at home against teams with a losing overall mark.

Astros RHP Gerrit Cole faces his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, at Minute Maid Park in the series opener. The Bucs roll in with victories in four straight, and they're 7-1 in the past eight interleague games against teams with a winning overall mark. While they're 4-1 in the past five vs. RHP, and 25-8 in the past 33 interleague games, Pittsburgh has lost eight of 10 on the road, and they're 2-8 in the past 10 on the road vs. RHP. However, they're a perfect 8-0 in the past eight interleague games with RHP Trevor Williams on the bump, and 7-3 in his past 10 overall.

The Astros will be happy to be home, as they're just 1-7 in their past eight games. However, they're 40-17 in the past 57 at home, and 15-6 in the past 21 interleague battles at 'The Juice Box'. They have also posted an impressive 11-1 mark in the past 12 home outings by Cole against teams with a losing overall mark, and they're 17-4 in his past 21 starts overall at home.

The Reds and Angels kick off an interleague series at the Big A on Tuesday night. RHP Tyler Mahle takes the ball for the Reds, while LHP Andrew Heaney works for the Halos. Cincinnati enters with wins in six of the past eight outings, and they're 5-2 in the past seven vs. LHP. They have also won four straight interleague battles, while going 4-0 in the past four against the AL West. However, they're just 4-15 in Mahle's past 19 starts overall, including a dismal 0-11 in the past 11 starts on te road by the right-hander. For the Angels, they're 8-3 in Heaney's past 11 starts at home, and 8-2 in his past 10 against losing teams, too. The Halos are also 5-0 in the past five interleague home games vs. RHP.

Weather Report
The winds will be gusting from 10-13 mph from first base to third base at Comerica Park for the Rangers-Tigers matchup. In Boston, the White Sox and Red Sox will be dealing with a 30 percent or greater chance of precipitation, but the rain is forecast to be light, or even drizzle, so the game should get in without much interruption.

Rain won't be a problem in Chicago or Minneapolis, but winds will be blowing out to center field from 10-13 mph in both venues. The Rockies and Giants will also see a wind blowing from 11-14 mph to straightaway center field at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

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