MLB: Top MLB Weekend Power Trends 5/8-5/10

Baseball’s second full weekend in May features several intriguing series’ between divisional mates, as well as a matchup between a surprising early front runner and an expected contender that is still finding its feet in ‘09. With the usual 15 matchups sl


2009-05-08

Baseball’s second full weekend in May features several intriguing series’ between divisional mates, as well as a matchup between a surprising early front runner and an expected contender that is still finding its feet in ‘09. With the usual 15 matchups slated, it figures to be an exciting weekend on the diamond. Read on for a preview of both the American and National League action on tap, as well as a look at this weekend’s Top StatFox Power Trends for your usage.

In the American League, the biggest series is another rematch of last year’s championship series, as this time around, Boston hosts Tampa Bay. In a 4-game set last weekend, the host Rays took three from the Red Sox, pounding out 46 hits and scoring 30 runs in the process. Boston’s pitching has been far more effective at home in the early going though, and Brad Penny, Jon Lester, and Josh Beckett will look to quiet the Rays’ bats over the next three days. The hosts currently occupy the top wild cart spot in the A.L. standings, just one game behind Toronto in the East. Tampa remains 2-games under .500 thus far. The other big series in the junior circuit pits surprising Kansas City vs. the re-surging Angels. The Royals come into the series atop the Central Division by a full 3-games, thanks much in part to a recent stretch of 9-2 baseball. The Halos’ seem to be finally putting it together this season, having gone 7-3 in their last 10 games. As you analyze this series, consider that Kansas City has fared remarkably well at Los Angeles the last two seasons, 4-1. Note that red-hot Zack Greinke is scheduled to start Saturday’s game for K.C.

In the senior circuit, two established rivalries will dominate the action. In Tinseltown, the Manny-less Dodgers will play host to San Francisco. Los Angeles had its 13-game home winning streak to start the season snapped by Washington on Thursday, ironically the same day they found out star slugger Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games. The Dodgers will look to start a new streak against a Giants’ team that has rebounded from a 2-7 start to climb back above .500. L.A. has already built a 19-6 record vs. division foes, including 4-2 against its biggest rival. In Milwaukee, the Brewers will welcome the Cubs to town for three games in a series pitting the top two early wildcard front runners together. Both ’08 playoff participants are staring up at St. Louis in the standings in the Central Division, but each is playing well of late. Chicago comes in winners in six of its L7 games, while Milwaukee is on a more extended stretch of 12-4 in its L16 games. At home in ’09, Brewers pitchers are allowing opponents to hit just .216 so far.

Now, as promised, here are some of this week’s top StatFox Power Trends for your consideration.

ATLANTA at PHILADELPHIA
ATLANTA is 11-22 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in road games vs. NL teams allowing 4.8 or more runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ATLANTA 4.1, OPPONENT 4.1 - (Rating = 1*)

PITTSBURGH at NY METS
PITTSBURGH is 44-26 OVER (+16.7 Units) as an underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PITTSBURGH 4.4, OPPONENT 5.8 - (Rating = 1*)

ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI
BAKER is 19-27 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents as the manager of CINCINNATI. The average score was CINCINNATI 4.3, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 1*)

CHICAGO CUBS at MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE is 91-70 OVER (+17.5 Units) against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 5.3, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)

SAN DIEGO at HOUSTON
HOUSTON is 27-12 (+15.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was HOUSTON 5.6, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 1*)

FLORIDA at COLORADO
FLORIDA is 56-31 OVER (+24.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 5.3, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 2*)

WASHINGTON at ARIZONA
WASHINGTON is 5-22 (-16.1 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 3.2, OPPONENT 4.9 - (Rating = 2*)

SAN FRANCISCO at LA DODGERS
LA DODGERS are 18-3 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .315 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA DODGERS 6.2, OPPONENT 2.8 - (Rating = 1*)

NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 31-9 (+21.7 Units) against the money line in home games vs. AL teams allowing 6.2 or more runs/game on the season since 1997. The average score was BALTIMORE 5.5, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 1*)

TAMPA BAY at BOSTON
BOSTON is 19-1 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in home games vs. poor fielding teams - (turning 0.8 or less DP's/game) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 6.8, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 4*)

DETROIT at CLEVELAND
DETROIT is 22-10 OVER (+11.8 Units) vs. a very bad bullpen whose ERA is 5.00 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DETROIT 6.4, OPPONENT 6.0 - (Rating = 1*)

SEATTLE at MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA is 27-13 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.3, OPPONENT 4.1 - (Rating = 1*)

TEXAS at CHI WHITE SOX
TEXAS is 24-12 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TEXAS 5.8, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 2*)

KANSAS CITY at LA ANGELS
LA ANGELS are 38-21 (+17.6 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA ANGELS 4.9, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 1*)

TORONTO at OAKLAND
TORONTO is 43-27 (+13.2 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 4.6, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)

MLB: Top MLB Weekend Power Trends 5/8-5/10 News

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