The Major League Baseball season is winding down and many teams are looking to either cement their first place finishes, or fight for one of the last playoff spots. This week there are some important games, and some that do not mean a whole lot in terms of a playoff picture. Here are a couple of this week’s games that should not only be worth betting on, but also provide a lot of entertainment as well.
San Diego Padres vs. Arizona D-backs
With both teams fighting for a last playoff spot, this game will surely be one not to miss. This Tuesday they begin a three-game series, which could change the standings dramatically. There is only one and a half games separating the two teams in the standings, and both have a shot for the playoffs. The D-backs are coming into the series after winning their last game and are hoping to carry that momentum into the next game.
Arizona will be starting Ian Kennedy who has been both successful and not the past few games. Against San Diego he is 1-1 with a 5.4 ERA. His last start against San Diego was not fantastic as he allowed six runs on only four hits. San Diego will be starting Eric Stults, who has turned into one of San Diego’s best and most consistent starters, with an over ERA of 2.54. In terms of pitching, the advantage looks to go to the Padres as Arizona will have o make the most of their offensive chances.
If you are looking at online betting sites, many will note that the Padres are coming into the series with a 10-5 record against the D-backs. That is a pretty significant win percentage that should put them over the top in terms if odds. The D-backs are 31-28 against division opponents, which means that they do win more often than lose. However, those numbers are a little too close for comfort.
Oakland A’s vs. Detroit Tigers
This series is probably the most important for both the Tigers and the A’s. The Tigers are coming off a tough 5-4 loss against the Chicago White Sox, and are looking forward to coming home after a 13 day road trip. However, they are coming home to a determined Oakland A team who have been on a winning streak.
The A’s are currently first in the AL Wild Card and are at about the .500 mark in the standings. Needless to say, Detroit is worried about this A’s squad, and has reportedly been using scouts to look at their opponents. The A’s have excellent pitching and have been hitting the ball well, so Detroit should be worried. The A’s will be starting red-hot 24 year old rookie A.J. Griffin who is now 6-0.
However, Detroit does have some pitching weapons of their own. They will be starting Max Scherzer who is 16-6, and has been 8-1 since the All-Star break. He is currently leading the league in strikeouts with 220.
Both teams are eager for a win and have the tools to do it. The Tigers will need to take advantage of their home field, and hope that the A’s are rusty after having a day off to cool from their hot-streak. If anyone is looking to bet on sports, then these two games should offer lots of excitement.
