Sports Betting Week: AL Series Top Slate

Two series on the baseball schedule to start the week could be major factors in deciding the standings in the American League East and West divisions.

The Toronto Blue Jays, fresh off taking two of three from the Baltimore Orioles, head to Houston this week to face the Astros. The Astros continue to chase the Texas Rangers in the AL West, but have made up a lot of ground in the last few weeks.

This is the first meeting this season between Toronto and Houston, but last season the Astros won the season series 4-3. Toronto has won their last three games versus the Astros but all three wins came at home. In fact, the last 10 matchups between the Blue Jays and Astros have all been won by the home team.

At home versus Toronto the Astros have won seven straight and 14 of their last 16.

Coincidentally the Orioles and Rangers also meet up this week in Baltimore. Before beating Toronto on Sunday the Orioles had dropped six in a row. Earlier this season Texas took three of four from Baltimore and they’re 9-2 in their last 11 games against them. However, at home the Orioles have had the Rangers’ number with a 7-3 mark in their last 10.

In interleague play this week the battle of New York is reignited when the Mets take on the Yankees for the first time this season. Last season the Mets were 4-2 against the Yankees and they’re 6-2 in their last eight meetings. At home the Mets boast a 4-1 record in their last five against the Yankees, and for totals bettors in their last seven the UNDER is 6-1.

After handing out the final major of the season last week the PGA Tour heads to TPC River Highlands this week for the Travelers Championship.

Bubba Watson, a two-time winner of the Travelers, is the defending champion, and at online sportsbook Bovada he’s the favorite at +1200. Following him are Branden Grace and Brooks Koepka both at +1600 after they finished tied for fourth at last week’s PGA Championship.

Other former winners in the field again this year include Ken Streelman (+6600), Ken Duke (17,500), Marc Leishman (+4500) and Hunter Mahan (+30,000).