Ballpark Figures – Week 19

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National Security
The second-place Washington Nationals host the first-place Atlanta Braves in D.C., and the Nats enter play 5 1/2 games back in the National League East. The Braves roll out LHP Dallas Keuchel for his eight start with the team since joining the club in mid-June, while the Nats counter with LHP Patrick Corbin. The last time these teams met in Atlanta, the teams split a four-game set, while the Nats outscored the Braves 22-18. In the most recent series in the nation's capital, it was the Braves coming away with two of three, with Atlanta outscoring them 20-16. Washington holds a slim 5-4 series lead over Atlanta this season.

Keuchel has managed a 3-3 record, 3.50 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across his seven outings with the Braves. He made his team debut on June 21 agtainst the Nationals, and it was his shortest outing of the season. He coughed up four runs - three earned - and eights hits across five innings in a loss to Washington. He has lasted at least 5 2/3 innings in each of his six outings since. As far as Corbin is concerned, he has posted eight wins in the past 13 decisions while whiffing 151 batters over 130 1/3 innings in his 21 outings. Corbin is especially tough in his home park, posting a 5-1 record, 1.68 ERA and 0.88 WHIP at home.

 The Braves are 5-1 across the past six on the road against a left-handed starting pitcher, and 24-11 in the past 35 games away from home. They're also 24-11 in the past 35 against National League East teams as well. Atlanta is 9-3 in the past 12 overall against lefties, too.

The Nationals have picked up 14 wins over the past 20 home outings, and they have a 19-7 record in the past 26 against NL East foes. The Nats have won five of the past seven against lefties, while posting a 9-2 record in the past 11 outings in Game 1 of a new series. Washington has also registered six straight victories with Corbin on the hill, and they're 4-1 in his past five against winning teams and 6-1 in his past seven outings overall.

Looking Ahead

Monday, July 29
The Pirates use RHP Jordan Lyles against Reds RHP Sonny Gray at Great American Ball Park. The Bucs are skidding hard, winning just five of the past 21 games overall. They're also 0-5 in the past five divisional games, 0-7 in the past seven following a loss and 0-5 vs. RHP. Lyles hasn't offered a lot of resistance lately, either, as the Pirates are 0-8 over his past eight starts, while going 0-7 in his past seven inside the division and 0-4 in the past four road outings. Pittsburgh is also 1-6 in the past seven on the road vs. RHP.

The Reds have been trending upward lately with Gray on the bump. The Reds are 4-0 in Gray's past four when working on six or more days of rest, 7-1 in his past eight starts against NL Central opponents, while going 5-1 in his past six at home and 9-3 in his past 12 starts overall. The under is 7-3-1 in the past 11 for Pittsburgh vs. RHP, while the under is 4-1 in Cincinnati's past five at GABP, 31-14-1 in the past 46 overall and 25-12-1 in their past 38 vs. RHP.  The under is also 4-1 in Gray's past five starts, and 3-1-1 in his past five at home.

The Dodgers and Rockies renew acquaintances at Coors Field in Denver on Monday night when RHP Kenta Maeda and RHP Jon Gray lock horns. These teams split a four-game set in Denver from June 27-30, with the Dodgers outscoring the Rockies 34-31 in three games which hit the 'over'. Overall this season, the Rockies have dropped eight of the first 10 meetings with the Dodgers. The Dodgers have won just three of Maeda's past 10 road outings, and they're 0-4 in the past four road stats against a losing team. For the Rockies, they have won five of Gray's past six home outings, and they're 4-1 in his past five against winnings teams and 5-2 in the past seven against NL West foes.

The under has cashed in each of Gray's past seven home outings against the Dodgers, and 9-2 in his past 11 overall vs. L.A. The Rockies are 6-2 in Gray's past eight home starts agaisnt the Dodgers, while the Dodgers are 5-2 in his past seven road starts aginst the Rockies. Los Angeles has won 21 of the past 29 against Colorado, and the Dodgers are 6-2 in their past eight visits to Coors Field. The under is 7-3-1 in the past 11 starts by Maeda against the Rox.

Weather Report
There are seven games on the MLB slate, and all venues have light and variable winds with next to zero percent chance of precipitation, so enjoy the weather-free day.

Tuesday, July 30
RHP Charlie Morton takes the ball from manager Kevin Cash as the Rays open a set at Fenway Park against LHP David Price and the Red Sox. The Rays are 4-10 in the past 14 road outings against a team with a winning record, while going 1-4 in their past five vs. LHP and 1-5 in the past six overall against losing clubs. Morton has been a stopper for Tampa, as they're 4-1 in his past five overall, and 4-1 in the past five inside the division. The Red Sox have rattled off five victories in the past six home games, and they're 5-2 in the past seven against AL East teams. They're also 32-15 in Price's past 47 starts, while going 19-9 in his past 28 against teams with a winning overall mark.

The over has dominated for both sides lately, going 5-1-1 in Tampa's past seven vs. LHP, and 3-0-1 in their past four on the road against lefies. The over is also 4-1-2 in the past seven Game 1s of a new series. The over is 4-0 in Boston's past four at home, 5-1 in the past six at home vs. RHP and 6-0 in their past six at home against winning teams. The over is also 10-1 in Boston's past 11 following a loss. While that's well and good, the under is 7-3 in the past 10 meetings in this series, 7-1 in the past eight at Fenway Park and a perfect 6-0 in Price's past six tries against his former organization, including 5-1 in his past six at home against the Rays.

The Astros and Indians hook up in a key American League battle with All-Stars RHP Justin Verlander and RHP Shane Bieber squaring off. The 'Stros have won nine of the past 11 against teams with a winning overall record, while going 8-2 in the past 10 vs. RHP. They're also 19-7 in the past 26 following a scheduled day off, while going 23-5 in Verlander's past 28 road outings, 6-1 in his past seven against AL Central foes and 4-0 in the past four against winning teams. The Indians have rattled off seven wins in the past eight at home, they're 36-16 in the past 52 overall and 8-2 in the past 10 following a scheduled day off. With Bieber, they're 7-2 in his past nine home outings, 21-8 in his past 29 overall and 7-3 in the past 11 against teams with a winning record.

The Brewers and Athletics kick off an interleague battle in the Bay Area. Milwaukee is yet to name a starter for this one as of Monday morning, while the A's use RHP Chris Bassitt. Milwaukee has struggled in interleague play, going 3-7 in the past 10 vs. AL, and 2-8 in the past 10 against AL West foes. They're also 1-5 in the past six following a day off, while going 2-6 in the past eight road games vs. RHP. For the A's, they're 5-2 in Bassitt's past seven starts, while going 24-11 in the past 35 games overall. They're also 8-2 in their past 10 home games, and 9-3 in the past 12 interleague games at home.

Weather Report
In Philadelphia, the Giants and Phillies will be experiencing a 10-13 mph wind blowing out to the left-center field power alley. The Diamondbacks and Yankees will experience 10-13 mph winds blowing out to left field for their interleague series opener, too. In Boston, the Rays and Red Sox will see 10-13 mph winds blowing from home plate to the Green Monster in left. At Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, the Mets and White Sox will see a crosswind of 11-14 mph blowing from third base to first.

Out west for the late games, the Dodgers and Rockies will see a 10-13 mph wind blowing out to the right-center field power alley, while the Brewers and A's see a 9-12 mph wind blowing out to the left-center field power alley. Again, though, there is no precipitation in the forecast.