Weekend Watch

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Saturday, July 20
The red-hot Athletics square off against the skidding Twins at Target Field. It's a strong pitching matchup, too, as LHP Brett Anderson takes the ball for the A's against RHP Jose Berrios for the home side. The A's continue their series looking to improve on their impressive road record. They're 20-7 across the past 27 road games, and they're 7-2 in the past nine road outings against a right-handed starting pitcher. They're also a perfect 6-0 in the past six in Game 3 of a series, while going 5-0 in Anderson's past five roado utings. They're also 6-1 in Anderson's past seven starts overall, and 4-0 in his past four on the road against winning sides.

For the Twins, they have won just once in the past five outings, and they're 1-4 in the past five at home, too. While they're 25-8 in the past 33 starts by Berrios, the Twins have managed a 3-9 record over his past 12 starts against American League West clubs, and they're 1-5 in his past six outings overall. Minnesota has bounced back nicely after losses, however, going 28-10 in the past 38 following a setback. They're also 16-5 in the past 21 games on a Saturday, for whatever that's worth.

 If you're interested in the total, the under is 7-1 in Minnesota's past eight outings, while going 4-1 in the past five games at Target Field. The under is also 6-0 in the past six for Minnesota against teams with a winning overall mark. However, the over is 5-1-1 in the past seven for the Twins when Berrios is on the bump at home. The over is also 22-10-3 in the past 35 games against a left-handed starter, and 13-6-1 in the past 20 at home vs. LHP. For the A's, the under is 7-2 in the past nine overall, and 4-0 in his past four road outings.

The Brewers wheel out LHP Gio Gonzalez to face RHP Zack Greinke as they continue their road series with the Diamondbacks. Milwaukee has won just three times in the past 12 road outings, and they're 1-4 in the past five road games against a team with a losing home record. They're also 1-6 in the past seven road games vs. RHP, while going 2-8 in the past 10 against righties. Gonzalez has been the stopper, however, as Milwaukee has won four of his past five starts, and five of his past six against winning teams.

The Snakes are an impressive 7-3 in their past 10 overall, while going 5-1 in the past six at home and 5-1 in the past six against winning teams. They're also 6-1 in Greinke's past seven home outings against teams with a winning overall record, 6-2 in his past eight starts overall and a perfect 8-0 when he takes the ball on a Saturday. Arizona is also an impressive 37-17 in the past 54 home outings by Greinke, too. In this series, Milwaukee has won five of the past six, and the over is 7-3 in the past 10 meetings at Chase Field in the Valley of the Sun.

Weather Report

Saturday's battle at Wrigley Field will feature hot and humid conditions and a 10-13 mph wind blowing out to straightaway center field for the Padres and Cubs. The wind will also be blowing out at Oracle Park in San Francisco between the Mets and Giants, gusting from 10-13 mph to the left-center field power alley.

In Detroit, the Jays and Tigers will see a wind from 11-14 mph blowing from first base to third base with hot and humid conditions like in Chicago. The same holds true in Cleveland, as the Royals and Indians see a 10-13 mph wind blowing out to right field. The good news is that precipitation is not in the forecast at any of the MLB venues.

Sunday, July 21

Rockies RHP German Marquez pitches in the interleague series finale against Yankees LHP James Paxton. The Rockies are 8-2 in Marquez's past 10 interleague tarts, while going 6-1 in his past seven outings in Game 3 of a series. However, they're just 2-5 in his past seven road starts, and 1-4 in his past five overall while also going 1-4 in his past five road outings against teams with a winning record. The Yankees are 6-2 across Paxton's past eight home outings, while going 8-3 in his past 11 on a grass surface. However, they're also 1-4 in his past five starts when working on five days of rest.

RHP Cal Quantrill works for the Padres against RHP Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs in Sunday's series finale against the Friendly Confines. The Padres are just 3-7 in their past 10 attempts vs. RHP, while going just 2-6 in the past eight starts by Quantrill and 0-4 in his past four by Quantrill in Game 3 of a series. The Cubs are 5-1 in their past six games overall, and 6-1 in the past seven at home, while going 5-1 in the past six vs. RHP. However, while they're 10-4 in the past 14 home outings by Hendricks, they've dropped four in a row with the righty on the bump. They're also 0-4 in his past four against losing sides.

LHP Andrew Heaney of the Angels and rookie LHP Yusei Kikuchi of the Mariners meet at T-Mobile Park in SoDo. The Halos have won five of the past six by Heaney against losing sides, while going 5-1 in his past six road starts against teams with a losing overall mark. They're also 7-2 in Heaney's past nine when working on four days of rest. For the M's, they have dropped eight of the past nine starts by Kikuchi, while going 0-6 in his past six starts inside the division. They're also 0-5 in Kikuchi's past five outings against teams with a winning overall mark.

On Sunday night, the Nationals and Braves face each other under the lights. The Nats are still working to determine their starting pitcher for the finale. Washington has won six of its past eight games on a Sunday, and they're 13=3 in the past 16 road games against a right-handed starting pitcher. They're also 6-1 in the past seven games against a starting pitching with a WHIP over 1.30. The Braves have won 36 of their past 51 games on a Sunday, while going 9-3 in the past 12 home outings by RHP Kevin Gausman, and 4-1 in the past five at home against teams with a winning overall record. The over is also 4-0 in Gausman's past four starts, and 5-1-2 in the past eight against teams with a winning overall mark.

Weather Report

On Sunday, the Rockies and Yankees will face a 9-12 mph wind blowing out to straightaway center field for the series finale. The Red Sox and O's will also be battling hot and humind conditions with a 9-12 mph wind blowing out to the warehouses in right-center field. 

At Wrigley Field, the Padres and Cubs will see an 11-14 mph wind blowing in from left-center field to home play with a 20 percent chance of showers. Like Saturday, however, those are the only trouble spots, and precipitation is not in the cards. Enjoy the tarpaulin-free baseball weekend!