This weekend saw another ridiculous performance from the New York Yankees, as they went to Fenway Park and dropped three of four to the Red Sox; the Pinstripes are now just 3-10 against Boston this season. In Sunday’s loss, the Yankees had a no-hitter going through seven innings, only to permit five runs in the eighth en route to a 5-4 loss, just the latest gut punch this season.
As you consider your sports betting on MLB futures, let’s look at some teams that are coming on strong now as we continue the second half of the season.
MLB News: Teams on the Rise to Win the World Series
San Francisco Giants
The Giants technically aren’t on the rise, since they’ve been in the lead in the NL West for months now, but they show no signs of fading. Going into the trade deadline, they need depth in their starting rotation and an elite reliever. We saw this vividly when Tyler Rogers gave up two walks and then the walkoff three-run home run to Will Smith of the Dodgers on Tuesday. The Giants have now blown 18 saves in 2021, five back of MLB’s worst. Expect them to be in the hunt for Chicago’s Craig Kimbrel.
Boston Red Sox
Chris Sale is set to return to the Sox starting rotation, and his arrival comes none too soon as the starters are struggling to maintain the same level of output they had before the All-Star break. With the exception of Nathan Eovaldi, the other starters had been pitching out of their minds, so some regression was to be expected. Jarren Duran has come on in the outfield to help the platoon decisions around Marwin Gonzalez and Enrique Hernandez.
San Diego Padres
No bullpen has thrown more innings than the Padres’ unit this year, as spot starters like Chris Paddack are having a difficult time getting to the sixth inning. The Padres have three front-line starters on the shelf right now, so a starting pitcher would be a terrific acquisition. They could also use a bat that could play at first base and a corner outfield spot — and Texas’ Joey Gallo is on the block. Will recent struggles at the plate (as the Rangers are putting up historically awful numbers on offense) diminish Gallo’s value, though?
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers swept the Cincinnati Reds last weekend and show no signs of slowing down. Their injured players have returned to the lineup, and Willy Adames is showing more and more of what he can do with his bat and glove at shortstop. Timely hitting in the late innings and clutch pitching are essential to a championship run, and the Brewers are getting both right now as they pull away in the NL Central.
Toronto Blue Jays
Injured outfielder George Springer returns for the Blue Jays after missing a lot of the first half of the season. The Blue Jays are right there with Seattle, Oakland, Tampa Bay, Cleveland and the Yankees in the wild card race, and if Robbie Ray, one of the top starting pitchers in baseball, can continue his strong performance, the Blue Jays definitely could get into the postseason and do some damage. Springer has shown the ability to be clutch in the playoffs with Houston and could post more heroics north of the border.
New York Mets
The Mets have sent out 15 pitchers to start games this season and have Jacob deGrom on the injured list and delays in Carlos Carrasco’s return, as his rehab start last week at Triple-A saw him get lit up for three home runs and issue three walks in 1 ⅔ innings. Edwin Diaz converted 19 of his first 20 save opportunities but has blown three straight — not ideal numbers for a playoff closer.
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