Sports Betting Weekend: Key AL East Series

Division rivals will square off with first place in the American League East up for grabs this weekend as the Toronto Blue Jays play host to the Baltimore Orioles.

Baltimore will head into the three-game series either 1.5 or 2.5 games ahead of Toronto in the division standings, depending on how they fare against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. In 10 previous matchups this season between Baltimore and Toronto they’ve split right down the middle with five wins each.

In Toronto the Orioles have had the Blue Jays' number lately with a 3-1 record at Rogers Centre this season and an 8-4 mark in their last 12 games there.

In the National League division leaders clash this weekend in a potential playoff preview when the Washington Nationals take on the San Francisco Giants.

San Francisco’s recent struggles continue as they have only two wins in their last 11 games, which has cut their lead in the NL West to only 2.5 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This is the first meeting of the season between San Francisco and Washington but last year the Giants had the edge at 4-3 in seven games, with the home team winning every game. At home against the Nationals the Giants have won five straight and six of their last seven.

NASCAR heads to Pocono Raceway this weekend for the Pennsylvania 400. Earlier this season at Pocono Kurt Busch claimed the checkered flag in the Axalta 400 and he’s at +1200 to win again at online sportsbook Bovada. Kyle Busch is the favorite at +475, while Denny Hamlin, a four-time winner at Pocono, comes in at +900.

Formula 1 returns to Germany this weekend for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. Last season the German Grand Prix was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. The last time the race was held in 2014 Nico Rosberg was the winner. The favorite this weekend is expected to be Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton has won the last three races of the season and five of the last six, and he has two career wins in the German Grand Prix.

Finally, UFC 201 invades the Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday night. The main event is a Welterweight title bout between champion Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley. Lawler, who has already successfully defended his title twice, is a -185 favorite at Bovada. Woodley is a +150 underdog.