Ballpark Figures – Week 23

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Snakes Alive
The Arizona Diamondbacks are on a killer 'under' 9-0 run, and each of their past three games against the Dodgers ended up in a 3-2 loss. Arizona is too good of an offense to have a power outage like they've been having lately. They have scored three or fewer runs in nine of their past 10 outings, averaging just 2.3 runs per game during the span. Luckily they have yielded just 2.9 yards per outing during the 10-game span.  The Snakes will be back in action on Monday at home facing the struggling Padres, a team 30 games under .500 and one which ranks 28th in the league in runs scored (529) through 139 games.

The 'under' is 6-1 in San Diego's past seven games against a right-handed starter, and the under s 4-0 in their past four against a starter with a WHIP over 1.30, which is rather odd. That's where the under trends stop, however. The 'over' is 5-2 in their past seven on the road vs. RHP, 7-3 in their past 10 road games overall and 4-0 in Bryan Mitchell's past four outings. In addition, the over is 4-1 in Mitchell's past five outings inside the division, while going 7-3 in their past 10 on the road against teams with a winning overall record, too.

For Arizona, it's all under all the time. The under is 8-0 in their past eight inside the division, while going 7-2 in their past nine games at home. The under has connected in four straight against a right-handed pitcher, too, while going 7-0-1 in their past eight games following a loss. The under is 18-7-1 in their past 26 games overall, and 5-1-1 in Zack Godley's past seven at home against a team with a losing record. However, the over is 5-2-1 in his past eight showings against teams with a losing overall record for some reason. Luckily, the way Arizona's offense has been going, that might not be a problem.

Looking Ahead

Monday, Sept. 3
There are plenty of afternoon games on Labor Day. None might be as important as the Cubs and Brewers battling at 2:10 p.m. ET at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Cole Hamels was horrific on the road as a member of the Texas Rangers this season, but a change of scenery appears to be just what the doctor ordered. He is pitching for a contender again, and it's like he took a time machine back to his days with the Philadelphia Phillies when he was one of the most feared left-handed starting pitchers in baseball. The Cubs are 6-0 in his past six starts. Chicago has won 10 of 12 overall, and they're 5-1 in their past six against teams with a winning record. The Brewers aren't going away quietly, however, as they're 4-1 in the past five and 4-1 in their past five at home against teams with a winning road mark. Zach Davies might not be the guy to keep it going in a positive direction, however, as the Brewers are 1-4 in his past five starts at home, 1-4 in his past five inside the division and 0-5 in his past five against teams with a winning mark.

The Mets and Dodgers will do battle at Chavez Ravine, and it's a great pitching matchup with RHP Jacob deGrom against LHP Alex Wood. New York has had some issues against winning sides lately, however, going just 21-46 in their past 67 on the road against teams with a winning overall mark. They're also just 2-5 in the past seven vs. LHP and 2-6 in deGrom's past eight outings away from home against a team with a winning overall record. The Dodgers are streaking again, winners of eight of the past nine. They are also a perfect 4-0 in their past four vs. RHP and 4-0 in Wood's past four against teams with a losing record. While they're 0-4 in Wood's past four at home, the Dodgers are 9-4 in his past 13 against NL East foes and 10-3 in his past 13 at home against teams with a losing overall mark.

Weather Report
The Tigers and White Sox might be dodging the raindrops on the south side of Chicago, although the forecast isn't terribly ominous with a 40 percent chance of showers.

Precip isn't expected to be a problem in Arlington, but the Angels and Rangers will have to contend with a stiff 11-14 mph wind blowing into the face of the batters.

Tuesday, Sept. 4
Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas will take the ball for Tuesday's outing at Nationals Park. He has a 3.72 ERA on the road this season as opposed to a 2.31 ERA at home. However, he has a 6-4 record at Busch Stadium II in 14 starts, while posting a perfect 7-0 record in 13 outings away from home. That unblemished record will be put to the test, as the Nationals tuned him up for four earned runs, including two homers, in a no-decision over seven innings on Aug. 13 in St. Louis.

Indians RHP Mike Clevinger will face the Royals at Progressive Field. He has been hot since the All-Star break, going 3-2 with a 2.42 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 48 1/3 innings while the opposition is hitting just .218 against him. He is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three outings against Kansas City so far this season. He was probably unhappy to flip the calendar from August to September, as he was a perfect 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA in six August outings with an opponent batting average of just .219.

Astros RHP Justin Verlander has some crazy splits this season. Overall he has a 2.78 ERA in 29 starts with a .209 opponent batting average, and his 13-9 record can be chalked up to a lack of run support for a good chunk of the season. But what's up with his home record? He is 2-7 with a respectable 3.24 ERA and .209 opponent batting average with 140 strikeouts over just 97 1/3 innings at Minute Maid. He is 11-2 with a 2.26 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings in 13 road contests with a .209 opponent batting average. The only explanation is...that's just baseball.

Mariners LHP Wade LeBlanc takes the ball against the Orioles and RHP Alex Cobb, who brings a 4-15 record and 5.11 ERA to the mound with him. LeBlanc has posted a 6-2 record, 3.95 ERA and .232 opponent batting average over 66 innings in 11 starts and two relief appearances at Safeco Field this season. It's a good thing this is a night game, too, as LeBlanc is terrible under the sun. He has a 7.84 ERA in 20 2/3 innings during the day this season, and a 2.97 ERA in 115 innings under the lights.

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