Saturday, August 28, 2021 Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians (MLB) - 4:05 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -136 Boston Red Sox Rating: 8* Mike's Saturday Afternoon Delight (WIN) No this pick has nothing to do with the "Starland Vocal Band". But it has much to do with how the (63-63) Tribe has been playing versus the AL East. While they've been the best in their division in intra-divisional games (32-22), it's been quite the opposite versus the AL East where they chime in @ a struggling 9-17. When we look @ the OTHER side of the coin, the Red Sox (3rd-ranked offense in the major leagues) have shined the best versus the AL Central coming in @ 16-9. They now take on an Indians squad that's been losing water since the All-Star break @ 18-21, just 1 game better than the Twins' 17-22 (worst in the division). The BoSox will throw RHP Nathan Eovaldi whose looked very much in command over his last 3 with a 1.42 ERA. He'll face RHP Cal Quantrill (never faced Boston) whose team's gone a lackluster 6-10 in his starts. The Tea Men Manager Joey Cora is looking pretty good right now since calling up Jonathan Arauz yesterday from Triple-A Worcester. Arauz paid instant dividends by belting a 3-run homer in the 4-3 win last night. My bottom line points directly @ Cleveland. Crunching the numbers reveal they've not only have gone south versus winning teams @ 9-23 but also have gone a ticket-ripping 8-23 in the role of home underdog. Let's go to Progressive Field to play the BOSTON RED SOX (ML after 5 innings) with sprinkling a little for the game as my 8* Saturday Afternoon Delight! Thursday, August 26, 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres (MLB) - 9:10 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -134 Los Angeles Dodgers Rating: 8* NL West Contender Play (WIN) Yes, it was a brutal 16-inning affair last night which the Dodgers finally won for us 5-3. Tonight, look for L.A. RHP Max Scherzer to have the upper hand early over Padres' RHP starter Yu Darvish. Darvish hasn't pitched that well of late (SD dropped 4 out of his 5 starts) & has been sidelined with a back injury since August 12th. However, Scherzer has looked in-command winning 8 out of his last 10 appearances. My bottom line says san Diego has struggled in Game 3's going 15-21. The analytics point to the visitor whose a take-me-to-the-window 37-15 on Thursdays & 43-19 in Game 3's. It's an uphill climb for the Padres since they can't be trusted as a home underdog going 8-23! We'll come right back to Petco Park with the LOS ANGELES DODGERS as my 8* NL West Contender Play! Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres (MLB) - 10:10 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -143 Los Angeles Dodgers Rating: 9* Mike's NL Game Of The Night (WIN) Yes, flukes happen! But when the tide turns, we'll have the hammer & a longer run again. I'm looking for that hammer to be laid out tonight when the Dodgers are @ San Diego. These are clearly going in opposite directions! Since the break, Los Angeles is 23-12 (just a 1/2 game under SF) while the Padres are 15-19 which is good for last place in the 5-team NL West. How far have they fallen? They've fallen enough to currently land them @ 6th place & OUT of the NL Playoffs (trailing the Cincinnati Reds by 1 full game). My bottom line's point of emphasis is directed toward Dodgers' starting pitcher Walker Buehler who hasn't looked too shabby @ 13-2 on the season. He's looked in command over his last 3 games with a 1.74 ERA (LA went 3-0). The analytics further show he's stellar @ night going 9-2 with a 2-36 ERA & has won his last 5 on the road. I love motivation off a loss & that's where we're @ with Buehler who lost a 3-2 decision @ Dodger Stadium to SD back on April 22nd AS WELL AS the L.A. bats who look to avenge a 3-2 loss to Snell back on June 22nd. The Dodgers' bats have produced versus LHP'ing (Blake Snell) going 23-13 this season. Snell has lost his last 2 starts as a prohibitive favorite versus Philadelphia & Arizona. Big blue has also gone a productive 29-11 in Game 2's of a series (18-5 if off a win) while the Padres turn in an iffy 7-9 in Game 2's when coming off a loss. No matter how you slice it or dice it, the starting pitching staffs are not equal. L.A.'s rotation has a 2.88 ERA while San Diego's have a ballooning 4.22. I'm ready to go to Petco Park to play the LOS ANGELES DODGERS as my 9* NL Game Of The Night! I'm gauging all 130 CFB as we approach Week 1 this weekend & 32 NFL squads (Week 1 openers in 2 weeks) & should have limited plays to start. Let's continue the MLB streak down the stretch as we take advantage of full analytics that presents itself. Thanks again to all my loyal fans & subscribers! Mike Handzelek's 2021 MLB Overall Record: 48-31-2 61% 43-21-2 L66 for 67%
 

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