Four American League teams would have an advantage in games this week. The Orioles, White Sox, Royals and Angels are scheduled to play seven games this year, while the other 10 would play six games. The week could be especially good for Kansas City, which would play all seven times at home (Twins three games, White Sox four).
The White Sox would be on the road for all seven games, but that might not have a negative impact on their hitters. In addition to four games in one of the majors' most hitter-friendly parks in Kansas City, Chicago also would play three times in a positive hitters' environment at Cleveland.
The Indians (White Sox and Athletics three games each), Yankees (Mariners and Blue Jays) and Rangers (Angels and Rays) all will be hosting all six of rheir games. New Yankee Stadium and Rangers Ballpark are exceptionally good parks for batters.
In the National League, eight teams are scheduled for seven games and the other eight for six games. It should be a better week for pitchers in the NL than in the AL. The Padres, playing in an extreme pitchers' park, are the only NL team scheduled for seven games at home (Astros four, Dodgers three). Scheduled to play six times at home are the Marlins, in a park that slightly favors pitchers (against the Nationals and Pirates), and the Reds, in a very good hitters' park against the Diamondbacks and Cardinals.
The other National League teams whose batters and the relief pitchers would have a seventh game are the Cubs, Astros, Brewers, Mets, Pirates, Cardinals and Giants.
Just nine pitchers are scheduled to start twice at home this week: RHPs Carl Pavano, Luke Hochevar, Joba Chamberlain, Vicente Padilla, Bronson Arroyo, Ricky Nolasco, Jsoh Geer and Josh Banks. At first, I thought, "Nolasco would be a good live longshot," but after looking at this list, I'll have to make Nolasco my highest recommendation. Because he's pitching in one of the majors' least offensive parks, I'll designate Geer as this week's live longshot.
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