MLB Picks and Winning Favorites – August 15

Each passing week sees us get one step closer to the end of the regular season, which means many of the games on the calendar take on a higher level of importance for the current MLB picks given the playoff races that are happening right now. The Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks are both in good shape, but neither will want to lose any momentum coming down the stretch. The Yankees are in a battle for the division and Wild Card, and will host their cross city rivals this week. The Angels are hot right now and are in the playoff mix, but they will have a tough trip to Washington to start the week. The betting odds for the MLB games that will take place on Tuesday aren’t out yet, but these in depth previews can give you that extra that you need.

Analyzing the MLB Picks and Winning Favorites – August 15

Houston Astros (72-45) Vs Arizona Diamondbacks (65-52)

When: Tuesday, August 15 at 3:40 PM EST Where: Chase Field, Phoenix TV: MLBN (out-of-market only) / ATT SportsNet-SW(Houston) / FS-A (Arizona) Radio: KBME 790 (Houston) / ESPN Phoenix 620 (Arizona) Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Betting Odds: TBA Probable Pitchers: Brad Peacock (10-1, 3.07 ERA) (HOU) vs Anthony Banda (1-2, 4.60 ERA) (ARI) Weather Forecast

• Clear: 38°C/100°F
• Humidity: 15%
• Precipitation: 0%
• Cloud Cover: 18%
• Wind: 10 mph SW
• Stadium Type: Retractable

Analysis: The Houston Astros were one of the best teams in baseball in the first half of the season, but they have cooled off dramatically, only managing 4 wins in their last 13 games. Their early dominance still has them in a good spot, though, as they still have a 12-game lead in the West. The Astros have been good on the road this season, going 39-20, and they are also an impressive 9-1 in interleague games. Brad Peacock (10-1, 3.07 ERA) will start for Houston. The Diamondbacks are coming off a rough week where they went 2-4, albeit against very good opposition in the Dodgers and the Cubs. They still have a 4.5-game lead in the race for the final Wild Card spot, but things are getting a little tighter there. The D-Backs have also done well in interleague play this season, posting the same 9-1 record as the Astros. They will send Anthony Banda (1-2, 4.60 ERA) to the mound.

Houston Astros Team Statistics

Average Score For 5.75 Offensive Hits 10.08 Offensive Walks 3.23 Average Score Against 4.44 Defensive Hits 8.21 Defensive strikeouts 9.95

Arizona Diamondbacks Team Statistics

Average Score For 4.95 Offensive Hits 8.74 Offensive Walks 3.52 Average Score Against 4.03 Defensive Hits 8.10 Defensive strikeouts 9.22 MLB Picks: Houston Astros 2 Arizona Diamondbacks 4

MLB Betting Predictions for Last Two Months of the Regular Season

New York Mets (53-62) at New York Yankees (61-55)

When: Tuesday, August 15 at 7:05 PM EST Where: Yankee Stadium, NYC TV: SNY (Mets) / WPIX (Yankees) Radio: 710 WOR (Mets) / WFAN 660 (Yankees) Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Betting Odds: TBA Pitching Matchup: Jacob deGrom (13-5, 3.21 ERA) (NYM) vs Sonny Gray (6-7, 3.39 ERA) (NYY) Weather Forecast

• Partly Cloudy: 26°C/78°F
• Humidity: 65%
• Precipitation: 4%
• Cloud Cover: 59%
• Wind: 8 mph S
• Stadium Type: Open

Analysis: The Mets are essentially playing out the season at this point, but they would love nothing more than getting a chance to hurt the Yankees playoff hopes. It was certainly a better showing from the Mets last week, as they went 4-2, including taking 3 of 4 from the Phillies in a weekend series. 7 of their last 10 games have gone under, and we might expect to see more of that with Jacob DeGrom (13-5, 3.21 ERA) set to start this one. The Yankees are starting to lose ground in both the division and Wild Card race, as much of the magic from the first half of the season appears to have been used up. They are just 4-6 in their last 10, but still have a solid 33-22 record in their own ball park. Interleague play has been kind to the Yankees, as they have posted an 11-5 record versus teams from the NL. It will be Sonny Gray (6-7, 3.39 ERA) who gets the ball for this one.

New York Mets Team Statistics

Average Score For 4.71 Offensive Hits 8.53 Offensive Walks 3.16 Average Score Against 5.18 Defensive Hits 9.52 Defensive strikeouts 8.79

New York Yankees Team Statistics

Average Score For 5.18 Offensive Hits 9.05 Offensive Walks 3.79 Average Score Against 4.22 Defensive Hits 7.95 Defensive strikeouts 9.43 MLB Picks: NY Mets 3 NY Yankees 2

LA Angels (61-58) Vs Washington Nationals (70-46)

When: Tuesday, August 15 at 7:05 PM EST Where: Nationals Stadium, Washington TV: FS-W (LA) / MASN (Washington) Radio: KTMZ 1220 (LA) / 106.7 The Fan (Washington) Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Betting Odds: TBA Pitching Matchup: Tyler Skaggs (1-2, 3.63 ERA) (LA) vs Gio Gonzalez (10-5, 2.59 ERA) (WAS) Weather Forecast

• Mostly Cloudy: 28°C/82°F
• Humidity: 72%
• Precipitation: 3%
• Cloud Cover: 60%
• Wind: 4 mph ESE
• Stadium Type: Open

Analysis: Don’t look now, but the Angels are suddenly making a run at the postseason. They start the week on a 6-game winning streak, and have now won 10 of their last 13 games. They are still 12 games back of the Astros in the West, but they now occupy the final Wild Card spot in the AL, albeit just by a half game. The Angels have a winning 10-8 record in interleague play, and will try to keep things rolling when they send Yusmeiro Petit (3-0, 2.36 ERA) to the mound. The Nationals will be without the services of Bryce Harper for an unspecified period of time, as he will be at home nursing a hyperextended knee. The good news is that the Nationals look to have an unassailable lead in the East, so they can allow him time to rest and recover. Washington have been so-so in interleague play, posting a 7-8 record. They will send Gio Gonzalez (10-5, 2.59 ERA) to the mound for this one.

Los Angeles Angels Team Statistics

Average Score For 4.29 Offensive Hits 8.23 Offensive Walks 3.10 Average Score Against 4.33 Defensive Hits 8.45 Defensive strikeouts 8.03

Washington Nationals Team Statistics

Average Score For 5.41 Offensive Hits 9.51 Offensive Walks 3.38 Average Score Against 4.37 Defensive Hits 8.18 Defensive strikeouts 9.06 MLB Picks:  LA Angels 4 Washington Nationals 3