Ballpark Figures – Week 23

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

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Big City Slams

The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets kick off a three-game set at Citi Field on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. ET, and it could be a potential playoff series preview. The Cubs will roll out RHP Yu Darvish, while the Mets counter with RHP Marcus Stroman, their key acquisitions at the Major League Baseball trade deadline.

Darvish enters with a 4-6 record, 4.43 ERA and .297 opponent batting average. However, he has 176 strikeouts across 144 1/3 innings, so he still has nasty stuff despite his rather pedestrian numbers in other areas. The veteran righty has actually been better on the road, going 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 74 1/3 innings on the road, while posting a 2-3 mark, 5.14 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 70 innings in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.

 The Mets lost Stroman early to a tight left hamstring in his most recent start, but he is expected to be fine to start Tuesday. New York is a perfect 4-0 in his four outings since he joined the team at the trade deadline in late July, although he has just one win and three no-decisions. He certainly has enjoyed the run support, as the Mets are averaging 7.0 runs per game in his four outings in blue and orange so far.

The Cubs enter 1-6 across their past seven games against teams with a winning overall record, and they're 0-6 in the past six against National League clubs. They're also just 1-4 in Darvish's past five on the road against winning sides, while going 0-5 in his past five road outings overall. They're also just 1-6 in his past seven when working on five days of rest. The Mets are 11-2 in the past 13 at home vs. RHP, while hitting in 24 of the past 29 against a right-handed starting pitcher. They're also 13-4 in the past 17 at home, and 21-8 across the past 29 games overall.

In this series, Chicago has won four in a row in Queens, while winning 11 of the previous 14 matchups. In addition, the over is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings in this series.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, Aug. 27

The Indians travel across Lake Erie to meet the Tigers at Comerica Park, and this series hasn't really been close in recent years. Cleveland has won five of the past six on the road, although a visit to Motown might be the elixir to cure their ills. The Indians are 52-17 in the past 69 battles between these American League Central Division foes, while going 25-10 in the past 35 trips to the Motor City. The Tigers are 0-4 in RHP Spencer Turnbull's past four starts against the Indians, too.

The Rays use RHP Charlie Morton against Astros RHP Justin Verlander in a possible pitcher's duel. Tampa streaks in with 11 wins in the past 14 on the road, and they're 4-0 in the past four against teams with a winning overall mark. In addition, they're 10-4 in Morton's past 14 assignments on the road, while going 7-3 in his past 10 starts overall. For the Astros, they're 41-13 in the past 53 at home, and 44-16 in the past 60 at the 'Juice Box', while connecting in 20 of the past 28 against right-handed starting pitchers.

The Astros are also 12-5 in Verlander's past 17 home outings, while connecting in 16 of his past 21 starts while working on five days of rest. They're also 7-2 in the past nine during Game 1 of a new series, too, with Verlander on the bump. Tampa Bay has dominated this series recently, winning six of the past seven. The under is 4-1 in the past five meetings in Houston, while going 36-17-3 in the past 56 meetings overall in this series.

Weather Report

The Twins and White Sox will be battling an 11-14 mph wind blowing out to the left-center field power alley at Guaranteed Rate Field on the south side of Chicago. It will be the opposite in the Mile High City, as the Red Sox and Rockies deal with a stiff 10-13 mph wind blowing from right field to home plate. The good news is that precipitation won't be a problem at any of the outdoor MLB venues.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

LHP James Paxton works for the Yankees against his former team, the Seattle Mariners. They counter with former Yankees prospect LHP Justus Sheffield. The Yankees are 5-0 in the past five road outings against a left-handed starting pitcher, while going 19-7 in their past 26 overall vs. LHP. The Yankees have cashed in five in a row with Paxton on the mound, and they're 9-2 in his past 11 when working on four days of rest. The Yanks enter Tuesday's game with 22 wins in the past 28 games at T-Mobile Park, and they're 40-19 in the past 59 overall in the series.

Twins RHP Jake Odorizzi and White Sox LHP Ross Detwiler will do battle at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chitown on Hump Day. The Twins are 8-2 in the past 10 road outings by Odorizzi, while going 20-8 over his past 28 starts overall. They're also 16-5 in Odorizzi's past 21 starts against teams with a losing overall record and 6-2 in his past eight inside the division. For the White Sox, while they're 9-21 in the past 30 at home against teams with a road winning percentage over .600, they have won four of the past five home outings with Detwiler on the bump. The Twins have won 12 of the past 17 outings in this series, with the under going 4-0 in Odorizzi's past four starts against the Pale Hose.

Rangers RHP Ariel Jurado will do battle with LHP Patrick Sandoval of the Angels in Anaheim. The Rangers have had trouble in Jurado's starts lately, going 1-4 in his past five on the road, 0-5 in his past five starts overall and 1-5 in his past six inside the division. Texas is also just 16-35 in the past 51 road outings against a left-handed starting pitcher. For the Angels, they are looking to maintain their dominance at home against the Rangers, as they entered the series with a 10-2 mark in the past 12 in Anaheim against Texas.

Weather Report

For Wednesday's game, the Indians and Tigers will be battling a 12-15 mph wind blowing out to straightaway center field. The Twins and White Sox will also see a 12-15 mph wind blowing out to the left-center field power alley for the second consecutive evening. Also like Tuesday, just two MLB venues will be affected by winds, and none will see precipitation chances over 20 percent.

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