New York Mets at San Diego Padres

The Mets come into this weekend series on a 7-2 run but let’s not forget that they were just 11-17 on the road this season before winning the last two games of their series at San Francisco. Also, the Padres have won six of their last 10 games and their overall poor record overshadows the fact that they have been decent at home. We could find some value with them at a few spots in this series.

The over might be a place to look as the Padres have a reputation as a low-scoring team. However, they’ve been scoring more than usual over the past 10 games, while the Mets also have used their lumber to improve their recent results during a 7-2 run.

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers

The Cubs have put up some impressive numbers so far this season and, of course, that’s why their record ranks them as one of the top teams in baseball. However, heading into this series, they are hitting 51 points lower on the road in comparison with at home. Also, their road record is a respectable, but certainly not impressive, 12-14 so far this season.

Even still, those of you wanting to back the Dodgers be forewarned: this team cannot score runs! Amazingly, they have been either shut out or held to just one run in 10 of their last 13 games. Looks like the under should get some attention in this series.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates

With the Diamondbacks still mired in a horrific long-term slump, the Pirates could offer us some good value spots in this series. Keep in mind that Pittsburgh is a respectable 16-12 at home and the D-backs have a very soft 11-16 road record. The Diamondbacks just got swept in a three-game series at Milwaukee and the Brewers won the last two games by a combined score of 17-2. Ouch! Certainly it would be hard to fade Brandon Webb on Friday but the remainder of this series should certainly offer some opportunities to play on Pittsburgh.

Cincinnati Reds at Florida Marlins

The Reds are struggling again. After some strong offensive performances recently, Cincinnati ended up struggling badly at Philly in a four-game set. They won only one game, thanks to a strong effort from Edinson Volquez. Cincinnati only scored eight runs in the entire four-game series and this was at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park in Philly.

That doesn’t bode well for the Reds in Florida. Heading into Thursday’s action, the Marlins had scored 59 runs in their last 11 games. This is a tough matchup to call though as some pretty good pitching matchups are on deck in this series. When those come up, a look at the under may be worth it because the Reds' bats are likely to continue their swoon.

San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals

The Nationals just can’t score runs right now and it’s killing them. Heading into Thursday’s double-header, the Nats had been held to two runs or less in 12 of their last 18 games. That is simply amazing offensive futility. Of course injuries haven’t helped but it is what it is. In Game 1 of the double-header Thursday, it took them until the eighth inning before they finally got on the board. This offense is a mess and should be no match for a resurgent Giants lineup. This is a prime example of where full-season numbers can be deceiving because the Giants have indeed averaged 5.5 runs in their last 12 games heading into this series but their full-season numbers indicate a much weaker offense. Make no mistake, the Giants have enough sticks to win a few of these games in Washington against the punchless Nationals and we should get some line value since they are on the road.

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees

The Royals have lost 14 of 16 entering Thursday’s action. As a result you better believe the prices will be high with a Yankees club that, even in a down year, is not easy pickings at home. We may look for value with overs with a couple of the right pitching match-ups. As long as we have a good match-up for the Royals to give us some runs we do expect the Yankees hitters to crush the Royals pitching this weekend.

Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox

Minnesota has been enjoying some surprising success of late and they’ve been hitting the ball better. Also, the White Sox offense appeared to be cooling off but they got the benefit of facing Royals pitching. With both lineups coming in fairly hot and confident for this series, we will definitely be seeking some value spots on over plays. The Twins had averaged nearly six runs per game in their last 16 games heading into Thursday’s action.

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers

Speaking of hot offenses, heading into Thursday’s series finale with the Rangers, the Indians have certainly enjoyed their time down in Texas. The Tribe was 2-1 through the first three games and had scored - get this - 35 runs in the series. No matter what happens on Thursday night, the Indians have proven they can score in the right setting.

Detroit has allowed 32 runs in their last six games even though they faced the weak AL West offenses of the Mariners and the Athletics. Now they must face a surging Indians offense and we’ll be looking for overs in this series. The Tigers bats been quieted some on the road but don’t forget they scored 54 runs in their last six home games. They should resume the slugging here but the Indians should certainly answer them run for run.