2017 MLB Series Expert Predictions and Winning Favorites

I don’t know about you guys, but the weekend is when I do most of my MLB Series wagering. I like being able to sit down and watch the games that I am betting on, and that is not always easy to do during the week, when work and family commitments keep me away from the TV. I have already started looking forward to this weekend’s action, and there are a couple of series that have caught my attention. The AL East has turned into a real dogfight this season, and there are two series that could have an impact on the standings as we head into the final week of the first half. You have the resurgent Tampa Bay Rays going on the road to face the floundering Baltimore Orioles, and then you have the Boston Red Sox heading north to play the Toronto Blue Jays in a series that may be tougher than it appears on paper. Let’s take a closer look at both of these MLB series, and make some predictions as we go.

2017 MLB Series Expert Predictions and Winning Favorites

   

Tampa Bay Rays (41-39) at Baltimore Orioles (38-39)

When: Friday June 29 to Sunday July 2 Where: Camden Yards, Baltimore TV: MLBN Analysis: While much of the attention in this division has been on the battle between the Yankees and the Red Sox, the Rays have quietly pulled themselves right into the race, and are now just 2.5 games out of the lead. If they are to really close the gap heading into the All-Star Break, then they are going to need to find a way to beat the Orioles. These two teams have met 6 times this season, and it is Baltimore who have a 4-3 series edge. The Rays are playing much more consistent ball in the month of June, and have gone 12-7 in their last 19 games since getting the month off to a slow start. Their pitching still needs a little bit of work, but they are starting to move up the ranks offensively, and now boast a +19 run differential. The Baltimore Orioles started the season well, but they always looked like a team that was winning using smoke and mirrors. That eventually caught up to them, and they went on 7 and 6-game losing skids in May and June, which has pushed them down the standings in the East. The good news for the Orioles is that the division leaders have been struggling to stay consistent, too, leaving Baltimore just 4.5 games off the pace. A win in this MLB series could help get them closer to the top before the first half ends. Pick: Friday looks like a bit of a pitching mismatch, and I like the Rays to open the series with a win. I think the Orioles bounce back on Saturday with a win, but lose on Sunday.

Rays win the MLB Series 2-1.

Boston Red Sox (43-35) at Toronto Blue Jays (37-40)

When: Friday June 29 to Sunday July 2 Where: Rodgers Centre, Toronto TV: MLBN Analysis: The Red Sox must be more than a little disappointed at their inability to take advantage of the recent struggles of the New York Yankees. Boston spent the early part of the season chasing the pace being set by the Orioles and Yankees, but have been unable to really crank things up a notch when both of those teams went on the slide. The Red Sox have been playing .500 ball of late, and it has been their inability to consistently win on the road, where they are 2 games below .500, that has been a big part of the problem. This will be their second trip to Toronto this season, and they won 2 of the 3 games played there the last time out. The Blue Jays may not be the team that they were over the past few seasons, but they are by no means out of the race in this division. They are currently occupying the AL East cellar, but find themselves just 5.5 games back of first place. Whether they can actually make a run in the second half remains to be seem, as the top brass appear to have already made it clear that they are not going to spend a whole lot of money building the squad this season. Perhaps if they can win this series and close out strong in the final week of the first half, the management may have a change of heart. Pick: Friday night will be a close one, which I think the Blue Jays will edge. I don’t see Chris Sale and the Red Sox losing on Saturday, and I also like Boston to win on Sunday.

Red Sox win the MLB Series 2-1.