Ballpark Figures – Week 21


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Streaky Teams (entering Monday)
Wins and Losses Streak Over/Under Streak
Baltimore 4-12 past 16 games overall Chicago White Sox Over 5-1-1 past seven games
Cleveland 14-4 past 18 games overall Colorado Under 7-2 past nine games
Colorado 8-1 past nine games overall Oakland Under 10-3-1 past 14 games
St. Louis 14-4 past 18 games overall Pittsburgh Under 7-1 past eight games
Toronto 4-10 past 14 games overall San Francisco Under 6-1-1 past eight games

Going Klubbin'
The Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox will meet for the first time this season when the teams take the field at Fenway Park at 7:10 p.m. ET. It's a possible playoff preview, too, as these teams are on a collision course for the postseason. It's a primetime pitching matchup, too, as two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber takes the ball from manager Terry Francona against Rick Porcello, the 2016 Cy winner. These two pitchers have won the award in three of the past four seasons.

The Indians have won five straight road contests, and seven of their past eight games overall. They're also 20-7 in the past 27 games overall against a right-handed starter, and 12-2 in the past 14 on the road vs. RHP. In addition, the Indians are an impressive 22-8 over the past 30 road outings, and 11-4 in his past 15 assignments against American League East foes. While that's a great record, the Indians are 0-4 across his past four tries against teams with a winning overall record. The Red Sox enter this battle red hot, too, going 39-12 in the past 51 games overall. They're also an impressive 44-16 in the past 60 games at Fewnay Park. Boston has pushed aside nine of their past 11 opponents from the AL Central, and they're 6-1 in the past seven at home against teams with an overall winning record. The BoSox have won eight of Porcello's past 10 starts, and they're 8-3 in his past 11 at home. Boston is also 4-0 in his past four tries against teams with a winning overall record.

As mentioned, this is the first meeting this season between the contenders. Totals bettors will see the over is 3-1-2 in the past six meetings between these sides. However, the under is 4-1-2 in the past seven matchups at Fenway Park, and 4-1 in the past five starts by Kluber against the BoSox. The under is also 16-5 in Porcello's past 21 starts at the Fens against teams with a winning record, and 22-8-2 in their past 32 games overall at home. The under is also 4-0 in Cleveland's past four overall, and 4-0 in their past four vs. RHP. However, the over is an alarming 16-4-1 in Kluber's past 21 starts, and 4-0-1 in his past five inside the AL East. The over is a perfect 6-0 in his past six road outings, too.

Looking Ahead

Monday, Aug. 20
The Orioles and Blue Jays are going nowhere and just playing out the string for the final six weeks. However, there is still plenty of money to be made, regardless of teams' records. Baltimore has won just 20 of their past 73 overall, and they're 15-37 in the past 52 inside the American League East. They're also just 11-46 in the past 57 on the road vs. RHP, and 12-39 in their past 51 overall against righties. They'll roll out Andrew Cashner in Toronto, but they're just 1-5 in his past six against teams with a losing overall record, and 2-5 in his past seven on the road. Baltimore is also 0-5 in Cashner's past five road starts against a team with a losing overall mark. The Jays aren't much better, going 2-7 in their past nine at home, and 0-4 in the past four overall. However, they're 21-8 in the past 29 against teams with a winning percentage under .400. Marco Estrada might be the difference, too, as the Jays are a perfect 5-0 in his past five against teams with a losing record, and 5-1 in his past six at home against losing teams. Moreover, the O's are 0-7 in the past seven in this series, with Toronto a perfect 7-0 in the past seven starts at home by Estrada against Baltimore. They're also 5-1 in his past six overall against the O's. The under is 28-8-1 in the past 37 in this series, too, including 17-5 in the past 22 in Toronto. With Estrada face the O's, the under is an impressive 9-3 over the past 12, too.

Speaking of teams going nowhere, the White Sox and Twins hook up at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Twins just recalled LHP Stephen Gonsalves to start against RHP Lucas Giolito. The Pale Hose have been a little better lately, going 4-1 in the past five games overall, while posting victories in five of the past six starts with Giolito on the hill. They're also 5-1 in Giolito's past six outings on the road, and 4-0 in his past four against teams with a losing overall record. Chicago has also won five straight on the road with Giolito toeing the slab. The Twins haven't quite thrown in the towel on their season, winning five of the past six. They're also 22-8 over the past 30 at Target, while going 20-8 in their past 28 at home vs. RHP. Chicago has won just two of the past eight trips to Minnesota, however. Total bettors might pound the 'under', which is 5-0-1 in the past six meetings in the Twin Cities. The under is also 4-0 in Giolito's past four starts while going 6-1-1 in the past eight meetings overall in this series.

Weather Report
The weather looks great for Monday, as there is little to no precipitation in the forecast with variable winds at most venues, too. In addition, four of the 10 games will be played in games with domes or retractable roofs, too.

Tuesday, Aug. 21
The Phillies took it on the chin Sunday night in Williamsport, Penn. against the Mets at the Little League Classic, but that was a rare hiccup. They are streaking toward a potential postseason spot, but they cannot afford any costly losses. They'll face the fading Nationals, who still have a glimmer of hope for the playoffs, but time is running out. RHP Vince Velasquez takes the ball for Philly, but that hasn't been a good thing lately. Philadelphia is 0-5 in the right-hander's past five road starts, including a shocking 0-4 in his past four outings away from home against teams with a losing record. They're also just 3-8 in the past 11 overall on the road, and 1-5 in the past six road outings against teams with a losing record. They can ill-afford to lose games to teams they should be beating if they wish to make playoff plans. The Nats have won just twice in the past eight outings, and they're 1-4 in their past five against teams with a winning record. However, Washington is still 7-3 in the past 10 home games vs. RHP. Philly has owned this series, going 5-2 in the past seven meetings overall, but they're just 7-16 in the past 23 meetings in D.C

The Angels and Diamondbacks battle in interleague play in the desert. The Halos have handled left-handed pitchers well lately, going 6-0 over their past six vs. LHP. They're also 4-1 in their past five agianst NL West foes and 4-1 in their past five road games vs. southpaws, too. However, they are 8-19 in their past 27 after an off day and 1-4 in the past five against teams with a winning overall record. Arizona has been hot with LHP Patrick Corbin on the bump, winning each of his past five starts while going 5-0 in his past five against AL opponents, too. They're 4-1 in their past five against RHP, too. The under might be the play, as it has gone 6-2-1 in the past nine meetings between these Western opponents. The under is also 7-1 in RHP Felix Pena's past eight outings for the Angels, and 4-1-1 in his past six against winning teams. The under is 4-0 in Arizona's past four at home and 7-3-1 in Corbin's past 11 overall.

The Padres will open a series with the red-hot Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Tuesday night. San Diego has been awful, winning just 15 of their past 55 games overall. They can't seem to get out of their own way inside the division, either, going just 19-40 in the past 59 vs. NL West foes. LHP Robbie Erlin isn't offering much resistance lately, as San Diego is just 3-9 across his past 12 outings, and 2-5 over his past seven road starts. They're a dismal 1-6 in his past seven against division opponents, too. The Rockies are 5-0 in their past five at home vs. LHP, and 12-2 in their past 14 overall against southpaws. They have also won 20 of their past 27 at home while going 7-2 in the past nine vs. NL West clubs. San Diego hasn't had much luck at Coors, winning just six of their past 20 in Denver. The under is 4-1 in the past five at Coors, and five of the past seven meetings overall. The under is also 8-0 in Colorado's past eight at home vs. LHP, and 12-4 in the past 16 overall against southpaws.

Weather Report
The Phillies and Nationals are likely to be dodging raindrops, with thunderstorms forecast for a majority of the game in D.C. T-Storms will also be a problem in the Steel City, as the Braves and Pirates face a 50 percent or greater chance of storms throughout their contest.

In the Motor City, winds will be the factor you'll want to watch. There will be a jetstream blowing to left-center field at 11-14 mph for the Cubs-Tigers battle. No precip is in the forecast for Queens, either, but the Giants and Mets will be battling an 11-14 mph crosswind from right to left. 

For the Twins and White Sox, they'll face a 30 percent or greater chance or precipitation on the south side, while the Padres and Rockies have a 45 percent or better chance of seeing thunderstorms for the duration of their game in the Mile Hile City.