Weekend Watch

Bringing Their 'A' Game

The Oakland Athletics posted five runs in the first inning on Friday, but frittered the lead away against the Seattle Mariners. It was tied 5-5 after five innings, but the A's rallied and posted a run in the fifth and a run in the sixth to take the game 7-5. As such, the A's continue to nip at the heels of the first-place Astros, sitting just 1 1/2 games back of the defending champs in the American League West. In addition, the A's are keeping the Mariners are arm's length, as Seattle finds themselves seven games back of the Astros despite being 15 games over .500. If the M's are going to play into the postseason, it likely will have to be either winning the division, or at least leapfrogging the A's.

Seattle sends LHP James Paxton to the hill against Oakland RHP Daniel Mengden on Saturday. The Mariners are sinking lately, pun totally intended, as they have dropped four of their past five road games and two of their past seven against a right-handed starter. The good news is that the M's are 13-6 over Paxton's past 19 against a team with a winning record. The A's are 6-2 over Mengden's past eight outings at home, 4-1 in his past five against teams with a winning record and 6-2 in his past eight at home against a winning side. However, the A's are a dismal 3-14 over his past 17 starts inside the AL West. Despite Friday's loss, Seattle is still 21-9 in their past 30 trips to Oakland, and 16-7 over the past 23 meetings overall. The under has hit in eight of the past 10 meetings, including six of the past eight in Oakland.

Hot or Not

Team Streak Team Over/Under Chicago White Sox 12-5 past 17 games overall Boston Over 7-3-1 past 11 games Cincinnati 1-8 past nine games overall L.A. Angels Under 4-1 past five games St. Louis 18-4 past 22 games overall Milwaukee Over 5-2 past seven games Tampa Bay 9-2 past 11 games overall St. Louis Under 10-4-1 past 15 games Texas 0-5 past five games overall Tampa Bay Over 5-2-1 past eight games

Looking Ahead

Saturday, Sept. 1

The red-hot Rays and AL Central-leading Indians will square off at Progressive Field on Saturday evening. LHP Blake Snell takes the ball for the Rays, while RHP Shane Bieber goes for the Tribe. Tampa Bay has been on fire lately against right-handed starters, going 9-2 over thei past 11 meetings. They're also 18-7 in the past 25 against teams with a winning overall record, and they're 4-1 in the past five against the AL Central. Tampa Bay sounds like a great side to support, as they're also 4-0 in Snell's past four outings, and 5-0 in his past five against winning teams. However, the Rays are just 10-21 in their past 31 road games against right-handed starters, and a dismal 6-15 in their past 21 road outings against a winning team.

For Cleveland, they're 4-1 in their past five overall, while going 75-35 across the past 110 games at Progressive Field. While they have won four of their past five starts with Bieber on the hill, the Indians are 0-4 in their past four tries against a southpaw. Total bettors might be pounding the 'under', which is a perfect 8-0 across Snell's past eight road outings, and 5-0 in his past five on the road against winning teams. The under is 6-0-1 in Cleveland's past seven at home, and 5-1 in their past six tries vs. LHP. The under is also 4-1-1 in Bieber's past six outings.

It's a battle of southpaws with Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin and Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw butting heads at Chavez Ravine. The Snakes are 6-1 in Corbin's past seven outings, and 7-2 in his past nine on the road. The Dodgers have won six of the past seven overall, and they're 36-16 in their past 52 at home vs. LHP. The Dodgers are also 40-13 in their past 53 with Kershaw facing a team with a winning overall record. The 'under' is listed at seven, and the result might be way lower. The under is a perfect 7-0 in the past seven for Arizona, and 6-0 in their past six on the road. The under is also 6-0 in their past six against NL West foes, and 13-3 in their past 16 on the road against teams with a winning home mark. The under is 6-1-1 in the past eight road outings by Corbin. The over is actually 3-1-1 in Kershaw's past five outings, but 8-3-1 in L.A.'s past 12 at home, and 40-18-2 in Kershaw's past 60 when facing a winning side.

Weather Report

The wind will be kicking up at AT&T Park, something we've seen frequently this season. There will be a 13-17 mph jetstream from home plate to straightaway center field to affect the Mets and Giants. Also in the bay area, the M's and A's will be negotiating winds blowing from 12-15 mph out to straightaway center field as well.

On the south side of Chicago, the Red Sox and White Sox won't have to deal with wind, but they'll be dodging the raindrops. There is a 40 percent or greater chance of strosm from 7pm-10pm CDT, tailing off later in the evening.

Wind will also be a factor for the Orioles and Royals, blowing 11-14 mph out to left field. Wind will affect the Twins and Rangers, but it will be a hot wind blowing into the face of the batters from left field at a 10-13 mph clip.

Sunday, Sept. 2

After lefty-on-lefty crime Saturday, it will be a pair of righties on the bump for the Diamondbacks and Dodgers on Saturday. RHP Clay Buchholz faces RHP Walker Buehler. The Snakes are 6-2 over Buchholz's past eight outings, and they're 7-2 in the past nine vs. RHP. In addition, Arizona is 4-1 in their past five against righties. For L.A., they're 11-5 in their past 16 at Dodger Stadium against right-handed starting pitchers. The under is 4-0 in Buchholz's past four, and 5-1 in his past six outings on the road. The under is also 7-3 in the past 10 at home for Los Angeles, and 4-0 in their past four at home with Buehler on the hill. The under is also 4-1 in Buehler's past five inside the division.

On Sunday night, Angels 'rookie' RHP Shohei Ohtani will toe the slab against Astros RHP Gerrit Cole in an intriguing pitching matchup. The Halos aren't going very well, but they're 5-1 in Ohtani's past six starts and 4-0 in his past four inside the division. Houston has had trouble at home, and inside the division lately. They're a stunning 3-12 in the past 15 at Minute Maid Park heding into Saturday's contest, and 1-4 in Cole's past five against AL West foes. They are an impressive 8-2 in his past 10 outings at home, however, and 5-0 in his past five at home against teams with a losing overall record.

Weather Report

The Cubs and Phillies might have a hard time getting start, as there is a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms from 2-4pm ET. They might be able to get underway, but a lengthy delay could occur. The weather is expected to roll in for the O's and Royals, too, but they should be able to get an official game in.

The Mets and Giants will again be dealing with a strong wind to the left-center field power alley, gusting up to 17 mph at times. In Oakland, the M's and A's will again face winds from 11-14 mph, but blowing to the right-center field power alley this time around.