Ballpark Figures – Week 20

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

Another Double Dip
The Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves will hook up for a day-night doubleheader to kick off the new week on Monday. The Braves just took part in a double dip on Aug. 7 in Washington, splitting the pair in D.C. Atlanta also host N.Y. Mets back on May 28, splitting that twin bill, too. This will be Miami's first doubleheader of the 2018 season. They swept their only doubleheader of the 2017 season in Philadelphia on Aug. 22. They're also 4-0 in their past four Game 2s of a double dip dating back to the 2013 season, and they haven't been swept in their past seven doubleheaders since losing a pair in Arizona on Aug. 22, 2012.

This season there have been a total of 25 doubleheaders to date, with a sweep in just five of those twin bills (20 percent). The home team has swept just two of the double dips.

Total bettors will be interested in the 'over' in this Nationa League East battle. The 'over' is 5-2 in the past seven meetings in Atlanta, and 41-19-3 in the past 63 meetings overall. In addition, Miami has won just once in the past six tries against Atlanta, and they're 0-4 in their past four trips to SunTrust Park in the northern suburbs. The over is also 13-6-1 in Miami's past 20 games on the road, while going 4-1 in the past five opening games of a doubleheader for Atlanta. The over is also 5-2 in their past seven opening games of a new series, 3-1-1 in the past five against the NL East and 6-1 in their past seven at home against a team with a road winning percentage of .400 or less.

Looking Ahead

Monday, Aug. 13
The Tigers will host the White Sox at Comerica Park on Monday. Detroit hasn't had a lot of luck against anyone lately, going 12-32 across the past 44 games overall, and just 18-41 in their past 59 openers of a new series. They're also a dismal 41-86 in their past 127 tries against right-handed starting pitching, so they do not appear to be a good play on Monday. However, the White Sox are 11-23 in their past 34 against AL Central foes, 3-7 in their past 10 on the road against teams with a losing record and 19-45 in their past 64 on the road against teams with a winning home mark. They're also 2-7 in Reynaldo Lopez's past nine road assignments, and 1-5 over his past six starts overall. In addition, the White Sox have dropped four in a row against the Tigers, and they're 21-51 in their past 72 forays into Comerica.

Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke will battle venerable Rangers RHP Bartolo Colon in interleague action at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Snakes have rattled off 19 wins over their past 28 games on the road, including a 10-3 mark in the past 13 on the road against teams with a losing overall record. Arizona is also 7-3 in the past 10 starts by Greinke, while going 6-0 in their past six road outings by the right-hander. The D-Backs are also 21-6 in the past 27 starts against teams with a losing overall mark. Arizona has had great success with Greinke on the hill in interleague games, too, going 9-4 in his past 13 assignments vs. AL. Texas has been a tough out lately, winning five of their past seven home games, and they're 5-2 in their past seven vs. RHP, too. They're also 5-2 in their past seven interleague games, and 21-8 in their past 29 interleague home battles against teams with a winning overall mark.

In Los Angeles, Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner and Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw square off in the opening game for these rivals. This pitching matchup would normally be one of the premier matchups of the season, but both pitchers haven't resembled themselves this season due to a myriad of injuries. After a slow start, though, Kershaw is rounding into form with wins in four of his past five decisions while posting seven straight quality starts. Like Kershaw, MadBum enters this game with a .500 record overall, but he has pitched better of late. He lost his previous start at Dodger Stadium back on June 16, but he posted a quality start in the outing.

The Giants have won nine of MadBum's past 29 starts, while going 1-4 in the past five road outings with the lefty on the hill. The Giants are 5-11 in Bumgarner's past 16 starts against teams with a winning road record, too. The Dodgers have won 47 of Kershaw's past 58 inside the NL West while going 38-14 in his past 52 against teams with a winning overall mark. L.A. is 4-0 in the past four when Kershaw squares off against Bumgarner, while the Dodgers are 4-1 in Kershaw's past five overall against San Francisco. The Giants are 1-6 in MadBum's past seven road outings in L.A., while going 2-8 in his past 10 overall against the Dodgers.

Weather Report
The precipitation should hold off across most of baseball, although the Athletics and Royals could be dodging the raindrops at Kauffman Stadium. There is a 35 percent or better chance of thunderstorms beginning in the middle innings and into the wee hours of the night. Other than that, no trouble spots on Monday.

Tuesday, Aug. 14
The Indians head down Interstate 71 to battle the Reds in Ohio's interleague tussle. OK, they're probably flying a charter. It will be Corey Kluber's first start against Cincinnati this season. He is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in two starts against the Reds since the start of the 2015 season. He doesn't face them often, but he has been good when asked to go against the 'Nati.

Mariners LHP James Paxton will take the ball in Oakland for a key AL West series against RHP Mike Fiers and the A's. The southpaw from British Columbia was dominant in his only start againts the Athletics earlier this season, scattering five hits with one walk and a season-best 16 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings back on May 2. He is 1-0 with a 3.64 ERA in five outings against the A's since the start of the 2015 season, striking out 41 batters over just 29 2/3 innings.

Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (hamstring) will come off the 15-day disabled list to face the Giants on Tuesday night. He'll likely have some kind of a pitch count or innings ceiling upon his return. He is 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA over 19 2/3 innings across three starts this season against San Francisco, and the Giants are hitting a paltry .155 against him. He is 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA over nine appearances (seven starts) against the Giants since the start of the 2015 season. 

Weather Report
The start of the Rays-Yankees game might be delayed slightly by rain, as there is a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. The rain will taper off early in the evening, so a postponement is unlikely.

The two Show-Me State MLB venues will be dealing with weather, and a postponement in the Jays-Royals game is likely. In St. Louis, the contest should get underway, but that weather affecting Kansas City will blow east and arrive by the middle innings, with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms from 8pm CT on into the night.

Precip won't be a problem in Oakland, but the Mariners and A's will be battling a 10-13 mph jetstream blowing out to the right-center field power alley.

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff