Atlanta’s recent amazing hot streak has given them the best record in baseball. Pittsburgh has the second-best record in baseball, but it seems everyone is still waiting for them to fall off as they have done the past couple years. Their recent sweep at the hands of the Rockies in Colorado is giving their doubters a little bit of ammunition.

Detroit has taken over in the AL Central with their recent tremendous run. Cleveland and Kansas City are still battling, but it looks like they’ll have to just fight it out for a wild card spot. Can anyone beat the Los Angeles Dodgers? Their shocking turnaround story just keeps getting better and better. It’s been a long time since baseball has seen a team go from laughing stock to World Series favorites so quickly.

Baseball is a numbers-driven game, and keeping track of the data can put you one step ahead of most bettors. Here is a look at some important numbers to keep an eye on when betting on baseball in the week ahead.

0- The Philadelphia Phillies are 0-8 in their last eight games against the NL East. The Phillies just haven’t been any good against anyone of late. Philadelphia is 7-19 in their last 26 games overall. They’ll have to go to Atlanta to face the NL East leading Atlanta Braves this week. Atlanta is 50-18 in their last 68 home games.

2- The Los Angeles Angels are 2-10 in their last 12 games against a team with a winning record. The Dodgers had a remarkable turnaround this year, but the Angels continue to be a massive disappointment. The Angels will be in New York to face the Yankees this week.  

16- The Houston Astros are 2-16 in their last 18 games against the Oakland Athletics. Jordan Lyles will start for the Astros Tuesday night against Bartolo Colon and the Athletics. The Astros are 4-23 in Houston’s last 27 road games when Lyles is on the mound. They are also 3-24 in Lyles’ last 27 games against a team with a winning record.

17- The “under” is 17-3 in John Lackey’s 20 starts so far this year. Lackey has come back stronger than ever this year, and it seems the oddsmakers just can’t set the line low enough when Lackey is on the mound. The under is also 17-4 in Hiroki Kuroda’s 21 starts so far this year. Kuroda has easily been the Yankees best starting pitcher all season. Interestingly, these two will square off against each other on Saturday Aug.17 at Fenway Park. What is about the number 17 anyways? Take a close look at the under in this matchup.

21- The Cleveland Indians are just 9-21 in their last 30 games on the road against a team with a losing home record. They’ll have to start winning these games if they are going to stay in the playoff chase. Cleveland will be in Minnesota for a three-game series this week.

37- The Dodgers are 37-8 in their last 45 games overall. Not surprisingly, that is good for the best record in baseball during that time. Who was the last National League team to have this good of a record in a 45 game stretch? It was the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, who posted the best winning percentage in the history of the team. The 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series.

43- The Cincinnati Reds are 43-16 in their last 59 games against the Chicago Cubs. They’ll be at Wrigley Field this week for a three-game series. The Reds have been right at home at Wrigley over the last few years. Cincinnati is 22-8 in their last 30 games in Chicago. Homer Bailey starts the series opener on Tuesday, and the Reds are 8-0 in his last eight starts against the Cubs.

52- Tampa Bay is 52-20 in their last 72 home games against a team with a losing record. The Rays will host both Seattle and Toronto in the week ahead, so they’ll have a chance to get back on track after a difficult series in Los Angeles this past weekend. Boston has regained a three-game lead on the Rays in the AL East, and the Orioles are only a game and a half behind Tampa Bay.

2919- Bettors who wagered $100 on the Chicago White Sox moneyline in every game so far this year would be down $2,919 on the year. The White Sox were 85-77 last year, but this season has been an absolute disaster. How bad have the White Sox been of late? They are 20-48 in their last 68 games overall. Things won’t get any easier anytime soon for the White Sox. They host the Detroit Tigers in a three-game series starting Monday night.

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