Ballpark Figures – Week 17

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Still Not Detroit!
The Detroit Tigers head across Lake Erie to battle the Cleveland Indians, who were only able to salvage one of three games against the Minnesota Twins in a key American League Central Division battle over the weekend. LHP Daniel Norris takes the ball for manager Ron Gardenhire and the Tigers, while RHP Adam Plutko returns from a stint in the bullpen to start for manager Terry Francona.

The Tigers have managed to win just three of their past 16 games inside the American League Central, while cashing in just 13 of the past 53 games following a victory. They're also a dismal 12-40 over the past 52 games, while going 0-6 in their past six series openers. Norris might not be the guy to snap the skid, either, as the Tigers are just 3-9 over the past 12 starts by Norris, while going 6-22 in the past 28 games overall with Norris on the hill. They're also 1-6 in his past seven against winning teams.

 Cleveland has still won seven of the past nine games overall, and they're 12-3 in the past 15 games inside the AL Central. In addition, they're 9-2 in the past 11 games against a left-handed starting pitcher, while going 8-3 in the past 11 series openers. They're also 4-0 in Plutko's past four starts, 4-1 in his past five starts at Progressive Field and 4-0 in the past four against teams with a losing overall record, too. In this series, it's been all Cleveland all the time lately. They're 51-18 in the past 69 meetings overall, and 24-7 in the past 31 home games for the Indians against the Tigers.

Looking Ahead

Monday, July 15
It's a southpaw battle in the Bronx as LHP Blake Snell of the Rays tangles with LHP James Paxton of the Yankees. Tampa Bay has no case of the Mondays, as they're 23-5 in the past 28 appearances on the day. More importantly, they're 5-1 in the past six overall, 5-1 in the past six inside the AL East and 4-1 in the past five on the road, too. They're also 15-6 in the past 21 on the road against a left-handed starting pitcher while going 5-2 in the past seven overall vs. LHP. Tampa Bay has won 19 of Snell's past 28 starts, while going 12-4 in his past 16 against winning sides.

The Yankees have won seven of their past nine games vs. LHP, while going 23-7 in their past 30 games against a winning team. They're also 38-14 in the past 52 series openers, while winning 49 of the past 68 divisional battles, or a winning percentage of 72.1 percent. With the Canadian southpaw Paxton on the bump, New York has won six of the past seven at home, and they're 4-1 in his past five series openers while going 8-2 in his past 10 starts on a grass surface. In this series, the Rays are 2-8 in Snell's past 10 road outings against the Yankees, 2-6 in the past eight meetings overall and 17-35 across the past 52 meetings in the Bronx.

Weather Report
There is only one trouble spot in terms of precipitation, as the Pirates and Cardinals see a 60 percent chance of rain from the remnants of Tropcial Storm Barry affect the St. Louis area. The rain is expected to pull out by 10 p.m. CT, however, so perhaps they get the game in. If and when they do get underway, they'll face 11-14 mph winds blowing in from right field.

Wind will be the issue for the Reds-Cubs battle at Wrigley field, gusting 11-14 mph to straightaway center field, so watch the over.

Tuesday, July 16
The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles kick off their interleague rivalry at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and the O's turn to RHP Asher Wojchiechowski, recently acquired from the Cleveland Indians. The Nats have enjoyed their rest, going 4-0 in the past four after a day off. They're also 10-1 in the past 11 road outings against a right-handed starting pitcher. They're also 7-2 in the past nine road outings, while going 21-6 in the past 27 vs. RHP. The O's are the complete oppo, going 1-5 in the past six against NL East foes, 15-43 in the past 58 games overall and 14-39 in the past 53 at home. Washington has won seven of the past eight outings, while the under is 6-1 in the past seven overall in the series and 14-4 in the past 18 battles in Charm City.

The Mariners travel down to the Bay Area to kick off a new series against the Athletics. LHP Marco Gonzales takes the ball from manager Scott Servais, while the A's counter with RHP Daniel Mengden. The Mariners have managed to pick up victories in just nine of their past 37 road contests, while going 1-5 in the past six against RHP. They're also just 5-16 in the past 21 following a day off. The M's have won five of the past six starts by Gonzales, while going 6-0 in his past six series openers, however.

For the A's, they're 4-0 in the past four home games, 6-1 in the past seven series openers and 5-1 in the past six inside the division. Rest also does them well, as they're 9-2 in the past 11 following a scheduled day off. The A's have also won 20 of the past 27 games overall, while going 41-18 in the past 59 vs. LHP. The A's have won 21 of the past 29 starts by Mengden, including eight of the past 11 at home while going 6-1 in his past seven series openers.

Weather Report
The Nats and O's face a 30 percent chance of rain at first pitch, tapering off to 20 percent by 10 p.m. ET. So we may or may not see the tarpaulin, but chances are good the game is played as scheduled. The Mets and Twins will also see similar conditions, with 30 percent or greater chances of rain with plenty of humidity, making Minneapolis feel more like Atlanta.

In Texas, they could use a little rain to cool things off, as the temperature is forecast to be 103 degrees at first pitch. There will be a hot wind blowing in from 11-14 mph from right-center field to home plate. The Mariners and Athletics will also deal with a 10-13 mph wind blowing to straightaway center field, but with temperatures around 60 degrees, it will feel more like April or October in the Bay Area.