The Bum's 2014 Major League Baseball playoff schedule - Trends News -Best Bets !

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MLB
Dunkel

Kansas City at San Francisco
The Royals look to bounce back from yesterday's 11-4 loss and come into today's Game 5 with a 13-1 record in James Shields' last 14 road starts versus a team with a winning record. Kansas City is the pick (+150) according to Dunkel, which has the Royals favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+150). Here are all of today's MLB picks.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26

Game 909-910: Kansas City at San Francisco (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Shields) 13.882; San Francisco (Bumgarner) 12.924
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 5
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-170); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+150); Under

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MLB
Long Sheet

Sunday, October 26

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KANSAS CITY (99 - 75) at SAN FRANCISCO (98 - 78) - 8:05 PM
JAMES SHIELDS (R) vs. MADISON BUMGARNER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 98-78 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 210-102 (+46.5 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-11 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in October games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 98-78 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 1020-852 (+116.6 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 66-48 (+14.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 21-9 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 56-41 (+15.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 44-41 (+6.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BUMGARNER is 18-6 (+11.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 99-75 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-21 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
KANSAS CITY is 52-35 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 9-2 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in October games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 17-7 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game this season.
KANSAS CITY is 95-72 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 72-50 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 10-2 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in playoff games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 21-12 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
KANSAS CITY is 53-37 (+15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 26-17 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
SHIELDS is 45-27 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 15-5 (+10.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 16-4 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 8-1 (+8.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 7 or less this season. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 16-4 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 14-4 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 10-2 (+8.3 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 8-1 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 8-0 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
BUMGARNER is 13-16 (-12.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 5-2 (+3.1 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
SHIELDS is 1-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.083.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

MADISON BUMGARNER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
BUMGARNER is 1-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.40 and a WHIP of 0.733.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.1 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

10/25/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/24/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1155 Detai

10/22/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1050 Detai

10/21/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1005 Detai

10/16/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/15/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail

10/14/14 0-*4-*0 0.00% -*2135 Detail

10/12/14 0-*2-*0 0.00%-*1050 Detail

10/11/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*70 Detail

10/10/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail

10/07/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% +*240 Detail

10/06/14 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*1080 Detail

10/05/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2290 Detail

10/04/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% +310 Detail

10/03/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*2395 Detail

10/02/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*450 Detail

10/01/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

09/30/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail


Totals 35-*21-*0 62.50 % 7255


Rated Plays Only Record:


6 - 2 ........ + 4.25..........*****

12 - 9...........+ 12.32 ......Double Play

12 - 7 ..........+ 12.49.......Triple Play

5 - 4 ........... + 3.52 ......Grand Slam


Sunday, October 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Kansas City - 8:00 PM ET San Francisco -159 500 GRAND SLAM

San Francisco - Under 6.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

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Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

10/26/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

10/25/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/24/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1155 Detai

10/22/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1050 Detai

10/21/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1005 Detai

10/16/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/15/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail

10/14/14 0-*4-*0 0.00% -*2135 Detail

10/12/14 0-*2-*0 0.00%-*1050 Detail

10/11/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*70 Detail

10/10/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail

10/07/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% +*240 Detail

10/06/14 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*1080 Detail

10/05/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2290 Detail

10/04/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% +310 Detail

10/03/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*2395 Detail

10/02/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*450 Detail

10/01/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

09/30/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail


Totals 37-*21-*0 63.79 % 8255


Rated Plays Only Record:


6 - 2 ........ + 4.25..........*****

13 - 9...........+ 14.32 ......Double Play

12 - 7 ..........+ 12.49.......Triple Play

6 - 4 ........... + 7.52 ......Grand Slam

[StarDust Bum]

Bumgarner's gem has Giants on cusp

October 27, 2014


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Hall of Famer Juan Marichal mingled in the San Francisco clubhouse and waited patiently for his chance to share a kind, congratulatory word with Madison Bumgarner.

Marichal understood it would be tough to find a moment with the man of the night. MadBum, the man of the postseason, more like it.

One of the greatest pitchers ever thinks the world of one of baseball's brightest young arms, so standing in line to speak to the lefty was no big deal.

What Bumgarner did to pitch the Giants within one victory of another World Series championship certainly was.

The Southern southpaw tossed a four-hit gem in his latest brilliant postseason start, and the Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Sunday night to reach the cusp of a third championship in five years.

''It's what you set your sights for before you go out there, you want to finish the game,'' Bumgarner said.

The best-of-seven series shifts back to Kansas City and Kauffman Stadium for Game 6 on Tuesday night, and the Royals will try to stave off elimination with the blue-clad crowd behind them.

If the Royals can push it to a Game 7, they might just see Bumgarner come out of the bullpen.

''He's so smooth. I say that he's cold-blooded,'' Marichal said. ''When he's on the mound, he dominates everybody - everybody.''

Once Bumgarner's initial postgame duties on the field were complete, he removed his black cap and tipped it in several directions to the sellout crowd, then offered a wave to the frenzied faithful in orange chanting their would-be World Series MVP.

''Clayton who? MadBum!'' one man yelled as he exited AT&T Park in reference to Clayton Kershaw of the rival Dodgers.

It's true. Bumgarner is the one who has proven himself on the October stage, now drawing comparisons to some of the best pitchers ever this time of year - October aces Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Curt Schilling.

''Very humbling,'' said Bumgarner, who improved to a remarkable 4-0 in four World Series starts with an 0.29 ERA.

The fans are sure letting it be known MadBum is the ''M-V-P! M-V-P!'' and Bumgarner seems the logical choice if the Giants can win one more in Missouri. He outdid his own dazzling performance from Game 1 last week with a sensational start Sunday at AT&T Park, where he hasn't always been his best while pitching better on the road.

''It's Oct. 26 and he's as strong as he was in May,'' catcher Buster Posey said.

And this October: 12 hits over 31 innings with 27 strikeouts.

''That was pretty cool, actually,'' Bumgarner said. ''It was really neat to hear.''

One thing he doesn't want to hear are questions about fatigue or a tired arm, or even his high innings count at this stage. The durable, 6-foot-5, 235-pound pitcher from Hickory, North Carolina, swears he can handle it all physically.

San Francisco's relievers were thrilled they got to watch it and not warm up the way Bumgarner was dealing.

''I've never seen a better overall starter's performance in the playoffs than that,'' fellow lefty Jeremy Affeldt said. ''He continues to amaze us a little bit. That was a performance I actually became a fan in the ninth. I was really, really happy to say I got to watch that game.''

Who could blame Affeldt?

Bumgarner struck out eight and didn't walk a single batter. No Royals baserunners reached third base. Bumgarner pitched the first World Series since Josh Beckett did so for the Marlins in the 2003 Game 6 finale at Yankee Stadium.

It was the lefty's second this month. Bumgarner got the wild-card Giants' special run going with a 109-pitch, 10-strikeout four-hitter in an 8-0 win at Pittsburgh in the one-game playoff Oct. 1.

Bumgarner, with that cross-body delivery everybody describes as making it so difficult to track the ball, effectively changed speeds to keep Kansas City's hitters guessing and off balance all night.

''He was firing strikes,'' Eric Hosmer said. ''Even when he's behind in the count he can still come back with that cutter and it bails him out of hitters' counts. ... He was on tonight.''

So were the players behind Bumgarner. Shortstop Brandon Crawford drove in three runs and took part in a great display of defense by the infield, while third baseman Pablo Sandoval said he wanted to do everything with his glove to keep Bumgarner's big night going.

The Giants are suddenly clicking at the plate.

After falling behind 4-1 on Saturday night in Game 4, they have scored 15 straight runs. Bumgarner hardly needed all those San Francisco's hitters gave him.

In April 2012, the Giants rewarded Bumgarner with a $35.56 million, six-year contract through the 2017 season - locking up the lefty through arbitration and his first year of free agency.

What a move. He won a career-best 18 games this season and has kept it up through a deep October run.

The 77-year-old Marichal, for one, can't wait to see more from MadBum. He's only 25, after all.

''I saw him at age 21 at Texas. At that time, I said to myself, `We're going to see a pitcher for a long time, a good, good pitcher,'' Marichal said. ''That day he threw eight shutout innings at Texas. I've liked him since. Every time he's on the mound I know that something positive's going to happen.''

But this performance was beyond what Marichal could have guessed.

Even manager Bruce Bochy was still soaking in what he had just witnessed.

''He's special, isn't he?'' Bochy said during a quiet moment in his office eating dinner. ''What a stud.''

[StarDust Bum]

Giants, Royals ready for wild finish

October 27, 2014


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Buster Posey was annoyed. Playfully so. The Giants catcher wanted Madison Bumgarner to do more than barely break a smile after a brilliant pitching performance put San Francisco one win from another World Series title.

No way, Buster.

Because in this postseason full of stars and surprises, who knows? Heck, Bumgarner might still have more work to do.

Baseball took its final break Monday before the Giants and Royals settle things. Holding a 3-2 edge, San Francisco will try to claim its third championship in five years Tuesday night when the wild-card matchup resumes at Kauffman Stadium.

The day off gave fans a chance to savor what they'd already seen in the past month, and there was plenty - the success of Bumgarner, Lorenzo Cain and Yusmeiro Petit, the struggles of Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout and Detroit's aces, a rack of tight games and one that went 18 innings.

''Clayton who? MadBum!'' one man yelled as he exited AT&T Park after the Giants won 5-0 Sunday night.

Could be a lot more cooking in this October oven, too.

Maybe Ned Yost even had it right.

''Oh, man, somewhere inside of me, secretly I had hoped that it would go seven games for the excitement and the thrill of it,'' the Kansas City manager said after a loss in Game 4. ''Sure looks that way.''

Perhaps it's only fitting this Fall Classic ends at Kauffman Stadium, a place hosting playoff baseball for the first time in 29 years. The Royals started this pulsating postseason at home with a 9-8 comeback win in 12 innings over Oakland in the AL wild-card game, a thriller that began on the last day of September and nearly stretched into October.

That captivating night in Kansas City set the stage for a month to remember: dramatic finishes, favorites falling and underdogs overachieving, stars slipping and new ones shining.

What happens next is anybody's guess. After all, the last time Game 6 of the World Series came to Kansas City, one of the most surreal scenes in baseball history unfolded: first base umpire Don Denkinger's botched call serving as the signature moment of the 1985 World Series won by the Royals over St. Louis.

''We know we can do it,'' Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. ''We're a confident group. But we can't do anything without winning Game 6. We're excited to get back home where we feed off the fans and that energy.''

Veteran Jake Peavy starts for the Giants against rookie Yordano Ventura - not exactly the matchup many would've predicted in April.

But the majors' most notable names during the regular season - Dodgers ace Kershaw and Angels slugger Trout - flamed out fast in the Division Series. A trio of Cy Young winners didn't do enough for Detroit. Injuries slowed down former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers and Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright.

Even playoff-proven starter Jon Lester looked lost under October's bright lights for the one-and-done Athletics. Plus up-and-coming starter Stephen Strasburg showed he still has to polish his postseason poise for the Nationals.

Instead, these playoffs bred a new batch of baseball darlings: Cain and the running Royals, starter-turned-reliever Petit and a pair of blazing bullpens no longer overlooked in the World Series.

Of course, no star has burned brighter than a 25-year-old lefty from North Carolina, the one who peeved Posey with his tempered postgame reaction.

Bumgarner's dominant performances in Game 1 and Game 5 - not to mention in every previous round of the playoffs - has put San Francisco one win away from another parade down Market Street, something Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and generations of Giants fans had dreamed of for so long.

Now it's becoming an every-other-year tradition. And if the Giants don't win Game 6, there's always a chance Bumgarner could emerge from the bullpen to help out in Game 7.

''It's not going to be easy at all,'' Giants first baseman Brandon Belt said. ''It matters that we know that, and I think everybody on this team knows that.''

Royals rookie Brandon Finnegan might understand the topsy-turvy nature of these playoffs better than anyone.

Only four months after he pitched in the College World Series, the 21-year-old reliever got two key outs in the seventh inning as Kansas City won Game 3. A night later, Finnegan failed to bridge the gap to the back end of the bullpen, allowing five runs in an 11-4 loss to San Francisco.

''Baseball can pick you up quickly,'' Finnegan said, ''and hit you in the gut quickly.''

[StarDust Bum]

Royals turn to Ventura in WS Game 6

October 27, 2014


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Royals turn to a 23-year-old rookie to save their season, but not just any 23-year-old rookie: the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in the major leagues.

Yordano Ventura gets the ball Tuesday night with the Royals trailing 3-2 in the World Series, the same position they were in when they sent Charlie Leibrandt to the mound against St. Louis 29 years ago. Kansas City won 2-1 that night on pinch-hitter Dane Iorg's two-run single in the ninth after a blown call by first base umpire Don Denkinger, and the Royals went on to blow out the Cardinals 11-0 a day later for their only title.

''We have a lot of confidence in Ventura. We have confidence that we will win every time he takes the mound,'' Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. ''We know we can do it. We're a confident group. But we can't do anything without winning Game 6. We're excited to get back home, where we feed off the fans and that energy.''

In a matchup of Game 2 starters, the Giants go with 33-year-old Jake Peavy. Ventura, whose fastball averaged 98 mph this season, didn't get a decision in the second game, allowing two runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings before Royals manager Ned Yost went to his hard-throwing HDH relief trio. Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland combined to allow one hit - Brandon Crawford's two-out single in the ninth - and the Royals won 7-2.

Peavy took the loss, giving up four runs and six hits in five innings-plus. He is seeking his first World Series win - he got a decision for Boston in Game 3 last year.

''He's one of the tough guys out there on the mound,'' Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval said. ''He wants to finish it Tuesday.''

The second all-wild card World Series has followed the pattern of the first in 2002. The Giants won the opener on the road, lost the next two games and won two in a row to take a 3-2 lead. San Francisco opened a 5-0 lead in Game 6 at Anaheim but lost 6-5, and the Angels won Game 7 the following night.

Yost hopes history repeats and Ventura is energized by the Kauffman Stadium crowd.

''The place is going to be absolutely crazy,'' he said. ''We've got to walk the tightrope now without a net, but our guys aren't afraid of walking the tightrope without a net. We fall off and we're dead. But we win Tuesday, nobody's got a net: It's going to be winner take all. So we think it's going to be fun.''

San Francisco's Tim Hudson and Kansas City's Jeremy Guthrie would be the likely Game 7 starters if the Series is extended to Wednesday. And lurking is Madison Bumgarner, who pitched a four-hit shutout to win Game 5 on Sunday. Bumgarner, 4-0 in Series play with a record-low 0.29 ERA, could come out of the bullpen on two days' rest for what would be his first relief appearance since throwing two scoreless innings in Game 6 of the 2010 NL Championship Series.

He wouldn't estimate how long he could go.

''I'm not a big pitch-count guy,'' he said. ''So as long as you keep getting outs and you feel good, you should stay out there.''

[StarDust Bum]

WS Game 6 - Giants at Royals

October 27, 2014


SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (99-78) at KANSAS CITY ROYALS (99-76)

2014 World Series
Game 6 - San Francisco leads series 3-2
First pitch: uesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line and Total: Kansas City -140, San Francisco +130, Total: 7

The Giants look to capture their third World Series title in five years when they visit the Royals in Game 6 on Tuesday night.

This is no new spot for San Francisco, as it has been the best team in the league over the past half decade, and comes into Game 6 after winning 2-of-3 games at home in which it outscored Kansas City by an 18-7 margin.

Sunday's 5-0 victory was impressive, as starter Madison Bumgarner (9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 8 K's) threw the first shutout in a World Series game since 2003 while being backed by a solid offensive performance from SS Brandon Crawford (2-for-4, 3 RBI).

Meanwhile, 3B Pablo Sandoval had another two hits in the game to give him multiple knocks in four of his past six outings with 4 RBI and four runs. Kansas City had not lost in the postseason until the World Series and now faces elimination after failing to muster much offense in the past two games (4 runs) and could not figure out Bumgarner on Sunday.

The Royals had minimal opportunities to score, going a mere 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position as they tallied just one extra-base hit. Their bullpen also struggled again, allowing three runs (2 ER) in their two innings of work.

While they have been unable to do much offensively, 1B Eric Hosmer continues to be K.C.'s biggest bat with a hit in eight of the past 10 games while recording two homers and 10 RBI in the playoffs.

Looking to clinch this important Game 6 will be RHP Jake Peavy (1-1, 3.68 ERA) as he goes against RHP Yordano Ventura (0-0, 4.42 ERA) who attempts to keep his team’s season alive.

On the year, the Giants are 48-40 (.545) when playing on the road while the Royals are 47-40 (.540) when playing within the confines of Kauffman Stadium.

Overall this season, Kansas City holds a 5-3 record against San Francisco and has done well when playing at home in that time, going 4-1.

Trends show that the Giants are a solid 35-25 (.583) on the road when the Total is 7 to 8.5 runs this year, while the Royals are 16-5 (.762) when playing with a day off in 2014.

The injury situation remains the same for this contest as San Francisco’s OF Angel Pagan (back) and 2B Marco Scutaro (back) are out for the season ,while Kansas City has no significant omissions from its lineup.

Jake Peavy was acquired midseason mainly for his experience and gave the Giants a solid second half in which he went 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA over 12 starts during the team’s playoff push. He also showed amazing control in that time with 1.9 walks per nine innings while giving up a mere three long balls over 78.2 frames (0.34 HR/9).

Overall in his postseason career (8 starts), Peavy has gone 1-4 with a miserable 7.05 ERA and 1.70 WHIP, while pitching two games in the World Series, both of which his team has won, despite him allowing six runs in a total of nine innings. Against the Royals in his career, he is 5-8 (6-9 team record) with a 5.09 ERA and 1.39 WHIP while giving up 10 runs on 16 hits over his past two starts (10 IP).

Plenty of Kansas City hitters have had success against the veteran, with DH Billy Butler (.424 BA, 3 HR, 8 RBI in 33 AB), SS Alcides Escobar (.409 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI in 22 AB) and OF Alex Gordon (.357 BA, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI in 28 AB) all knocking him around. On the other hand, 1B Eric Hosmer, 3B Mike Moustakas, C Salvador Perez and OF Lorenzo Cain have combined to go a meager 11-for-57 (.193) with 1 HR, 4 RBI and 10 strikeouts in the matchup.

The Giants’ bullpen is a sparkling 38-15 (.717) this season with a tremendous 2.90 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while successfully saving 51-of-70 (73%) games. Closer Santiago Casilla (0.00 ERA, 4 saves) has allowed just two hits in his nine appearances (7.1 IP) this postseason while going a perfect 4-for-4 in save chances.

Yordano Ventura uses his explosive fastball, which averaged 96 MPH in the regular season, to baffle hitters to the tune of 7.8 K/9 in 2014. His control (3.4 BB/9) lacked somewhat though, but he did not allow too many homers (0.69 HR/9) in his time on the mound.

So far over his first three postseason outings, Ventura has given up seven runs (2 HR) in 18 innings while recording 10 strikeouts. When he faced the Giants in Game 2 of this series, he allowed only two runs on eight hits to San Francisco, while he struck out two batters en route to a no-decision in which his team captured a 7-2 victory. OF Gregor Blanco got to Ventura early with a leadoff home run while both 1B Brandon Belt and 3B Pablo Sandoval hit doubles off the young righty. Meanwhile, C Buster Posey was 1-for-3 with a strikeout against him.

The bullpen for Kansas City is much of the reason why it has made it this far, and overall on the year the relievers are a collective 35-19 (.648) with a 3.28 ERA and 1.24 WHIP while being an amazing 60-for-72 (83%) in save opportunities. Closer Greg Holland (0.90 ERA, 7 saves) has allowed just four hits with 13 strikeouts in his 10 postseason appearances (10 IP).

[StarDust Bum]

Giants and others affected by concussions

October 27, 2014


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The message from Joe Torre shown on the video board at AT&T Park was clear and direct: ''When in doubt, sit it out.''

From the World Series to the NFL, from hockey to youth sports, concussions are a major topic at all levels of athletics. They shaped part of the postseason for the San Francisco Giants - first baseman Brandon Belt returned from one, backup catcher Hector Sanchez didn't.

Torre, the former catcher and Hall of Fame manager who's now a Major League Baseball executive, taped public-service announcements that appeared at ballparks in October, reiterating that head injuries need to be checked.

The wild-card Oakland Athletics lost catcher John Jaso and outfielder Craig Gentry before the playoffs because of concussion effects. All-Star catcher Alex Avila got hit in the mask by a foul tip in the AL Division Series and his season was over.

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez takes his share of shots to the mask and helmet, too.

''I like to get hit,'' Perez said the day before the World Series started.

That's not the advice Torre advocated during his short spot played on the board in San Francisco during the early innings of Game 5 Sunday night.

''One of the greatest lessons I've learned in baseball is you've got to take care of your brain,'' Torre says. ''Wearing a helmet that's in good condition and fits properly will reduce the risk of brain injury. This is important because no helmet is concussion-proof.''

In a year when MLB added a rule about home-plate collisions in an effort to improve safety, concussions remained prevalent.

For Belt, his injury was a serious case of bad luck.

During batting practice in July before a game at Miami, two Giants accidentally threw balls to Belt at the same time. One of the throws hit him in the face.

Belt experienced nausea, headaches and dizziness in the aftermath, and feared his season might be done. San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy had his doubts, too, especially when Belt's symptoms returned for a second time.

After an encouraging examination from renowned concussion specialist Dr. Micky Collins at the University of Pittsburgh, the 26-year-old Belt regained some hope he might be able to contribute down the stretch.

Belt is 5 for 18 with two RBIs in the World Series, helping San Francisco take a 3-2 lead over Kansas City. He contributed a surprise bunt single and an alert play in the field during a 5-0 win in Game 5.

''That was one of the reasons why I was so determined. I just wanted to get back and play with this team again,'' Belt said. ''It's so fun running out there and playing with these guys every day. That was a huge inspiration for me.''

Belt played five games in August after coming back, then missed six more weeks when the symptoms recurred.

He was OK to play in the last two weeks of the regular season, and Bochy kept him in the lineup, seeing whether Belt could regain his timing.

''Well, at first it was painful watching him, watching his at_bats,'' Bochy said. ''We all had hope and belief that with more at_bats he would come around.''

''Major league pitching is tough to hit, and when you've had a long time off like Belt did, I expected him to be rusty. But we needed him. I really felt for us to have success in the postseason, he had to be on this club somewhere and playing first base and having that bat in the lineup,'' he said.

Belt got two hits in the NL wild-card win over Pittsburgh, and had the go-ahead home run in an 18-inning win at Washington in Game 2 of the Division Series.

Belt wanted to do all he could - with medical clearance, of course - to take part in his second postseason.

Sanchez isn't getting that chance. A week after Belt was injured, Sanchez got hit in the mask by a foul tip and wound up out for the season.

Belt realizes how fortunate he is to be playing this month. His trip to see Collins made all the difference.

''He said, `Hey, if you really tackle this the way we want you to, I think there's a chance you could get back on the field this year and play baseball,''' Belt said.

''When he told me that, it took a lot of stress off of me. There wasn't as much anxiety at that point,'' he said. ''I was determined at that point, determined to do what they told me to do and get back out there and play baseball.''

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, October 28

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO (99 - 78) at KANSAS CITY (99 - 76) - 8:05 PM
JAKE PEAVY (R) vs. YORDANO VENTURA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PEAVY is 14-21 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
PEAVY is 19-34 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PEAVY is 3-13 (-13.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PEAVY is 13-19 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
PEAVY is 27-37 (-16.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PEAVY is 6-14 (-10.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 99-76 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-22 (+10.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
KANSAS CITY is 16-5 (+10.8 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
KANSAS CITY is 95-73 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 72-51 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 72-53 (+9.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 10-3 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in playoff games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 53-38 (+14.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 26-18 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
VENTURA is 6-0 (+6.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 99-78 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 48-40 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 11-4 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in October games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 99-78 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 30-25 (+7.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 67-48 (+15.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 11-4 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in playoff games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 57-41 (+16.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 45-41 (+7.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 5-3 (+2.1 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

JAKE PEAVY vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PEAVY is 5-8 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 5.09 and a WHIP of 1.393.
His team's record is 6-9 (-5.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-10. (-6.5 units)

YORDANO VENTURA vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
VENTURA is 0-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.501.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




MLB
Short Sheet

Tuesday, October 28

San Francisco Giants at Kansas City Royals, 8:05 ET
Peavy: 19-34 TSR against the money line in road games
Ventura: KANSAS CITY is 34-22 when the total is 7 or less




MLB

Tuesday, October 28

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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8:07 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
San Francisco is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games at home
Kansas City is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home


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MLB

Tuesday, October 28


Giants struggling to collect W's in K.C.

Game 6 of the World Series gets underway Tuesday in Missouri, and despite the San Francisco Giants claiming a 3-2 lead in the series, they've struggled mightily at Kauffman Stadium.

The Giants are just 1-6 in their last seven games in Kansas City. Jake Peavy gets the nod for San Fran, while Yordano Ventura takes the bump for K.C.

The Royals are presently -137 moneyline faves with an O/U of seven.




MLB

Tuesday, October 28

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Series Betting Preview: Giants at Royals
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

San Francisco Giants at Kansas City Royals (-137, 7)

The Kansas City Royals hope returning home will revitalize their title chances, while the San Francisco Giants aim to clinch their third crown in five seasons when the teams clash in Game 6 on Tuesday. San Francisco has scored the last 15 runs while winning two straight games to take a 3-2 lead and is looking to become the second National League team in history to win three titles in a five-year span. The St. Louis Cardinals – 1942, ’44, ’46 – are the lone team to do so.

The Royals and Giants split two games in Kansas City to begin the series, but the Royals believe they have an edge when playing at home. “We like our stadium and the way the dimensions of our field works,” first baseman Eric Hosmer told reporters. “We definitely enjoy going back home, and we’re just going to take it a game at a time and worry about Game 6.” San Francisco's Hunter Pence has gone 9-for-19 with a homer, six runs scored and five RBIs to put his name in the MVP conversation along with Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner.

TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, FOX

LINE HISTORY: Pinnacle Sports opened the Royals as -139 faves, went to -135 before moving to -137. The total has held at 7.

WEATHER REPORT: Temperatures in the mid-50s under clear skies. Winds of 9 mph are expected at gametime.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Jake Peavy (1-1, 3.68 ERA) vs. Royals RH Yordano Ventura (0-0, 4.42)

Peavy was charged with four runs in five-plus innings while losing Game 2 to drop to 1-4 with a 7.05 ERA in eight career postseason starts. Manager Bruce Bochy continues to profess his confidence in Peavy, who maintains he’s not feeling apprehension due to his postseason struggles. “I’m really excited about the opportunity, I really am,” Peavy said in a press conference. “I never thought it would happen any other way. That’s not who I am.”

Ventura received a no-decision in Game 2 when he gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old rookie has been Kansas City’s best starter in the postseason with a fastball that often tops 100 miles per hour. “He’s not your typical rookie,” Hosmer told reporters. “He’s absolutely fearless out there. He has confidence in himself and his pitches, and when he’s firing strikes – just like he was the other day – he’s pretty tough to hit.”

TRENDS:

*Giants are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in Kansas City.
*Over is 5-1 in Royals last 6 games as a favorite.
*Over is 5-1 in Venturas last 6 starts overall.
*Royals are 6-1 in Venturas last 7 home starts.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 71 percent of wagers are backing the Royals.

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

10/26/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

10/25/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/24/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1155 Detai

10/22/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1050 Detai

10/21/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1005 Detai

10/16/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/15/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail

10/14/14 0-*4-*0 0.00% -*2135 Detail

10/12/14 0-*2-*0 0.00%-*1050 Detail

10/11/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*70 Detail

10/10/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail

10/07/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% +*240 Detail

10/06/14 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*1080 Detail

10/05/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2290 Detail

10/04/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% +310 Detail

10/03/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*2395 Detail

10/02/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*450 Detail

10/01/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

09/30/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail


Totals 37-*21-*0 63.79 % 8255


Rated Plays Only Record:


6 - 2 ........ + 4.25..........*****

13 - 9...........+ 14.32 ......Double Play

12 - 7 ..........+ 12.49.......Triple Play

6 - 4 ........... + 7.52 ......Grand Slam


Tuesday, October 28

Game Score Status Pick Amount

San Francisco - 8:00 PM ET Kansas City -140 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Kansas City - Over 7 500 TRIPLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

10/28/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

10/26/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

10/25/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/24/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1155 Detai

10/22/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1050 Detai

10/21/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1005 Detai

10/16/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detai

10/15/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail

10/14/14 0-*4-*0 0.00% -*2135 Detail

10/12/14 0-*2-*0 0.00%-*1050 Detail

10/11/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*70 Detail

10/10/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail

10/07/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% +*240 Detail

10/06/14 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*1080 Detail

10/05/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2290 Detail

10/04/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% +310 Detail

10/03/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*2395 Detail

10/02/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*450 Detail

10/01/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail

09/30/14 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail


Totals 39-*21-*0 65.00 % 9255


Rated Plays Only Record:


6 - 2 ........ + 4.25..........*****

14 - 9...........+ 16.32 ......Double Play

13 - 7 ..........+ 15.49.......Triple Play

6 - 4 ........... + 7.52 ......Grand Slam

[StarDust Bum]

World Series not gripping to TV viewers ( BLAME THIS ON JOE BUCK AND HIS 2 STOOGES )

October 28, 2014


NEW YORK (AP) - There's a World Series going on, television fans. Not that many people seem to care.

The Fall Classic between Kansas City and San Francisco, headed to its sixth game on Tuesday night, has only served to amplify baseball's loosening grip on armchair fans, particularly in comparison to professional football.

Through five games, the Series has averaged 12.07 million viewers on Fox, the Nielsen Co. said. Currently, the least-watched Series ever was the Giants' four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers two years ago. None of the first five games has even topped 13 million people, Nielsen said.

By contrast, three regular-season NFL games that aired in prime time last week, on CBS, NBC and ESPN, all had more than 13 million, with CBS' Thursday night game getting more than 20 million viewers.

Most likely, only a winner-take-all seventh game would help this Giants-Royals matchup avoid the dubious distinction of least popular World Series since it became a regular TV fixture.

World Series seventh games - baseball's ultimate event - have happened only five times since 1988. The least-watched seventh game, with the St. Louis Cardinals beating the Texas Rangers in 2011, had 25.4 million viewers. The 1991 game between Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves drew a staggering 50 million viewers.

Five World Series games in prime time couldn't help Fox win last week in the ratings, although the network led among viewers ages 18 to 49.

The ABC comedy ''Manhattan Love Story,'' won a contest no TV show ever wants to: first new fall series to be canceled. Its last episode last week had 2.6 million viewers, fewer than any other first-run shows last week on the four biggest networks.

CBS won the week with an average of 11.5 million viewers in prime time. Fox had 10.1 million viewers, NBC had 7.8 million, ABC had 6.6 million, Univision had 2.8 million, the CW had 1.7 million, ION Television had 1.2 million and Telemundo had 1.1 million.

ESPN was the week's most popular cable network, averaging 2.95 million viewers in prime time. AMC had 1.73 million, the Disney Channel had 1.71 million, Fox News Channel had 1.64 million and USA had 1.62 million.

NBC's ''Nightly News'' topped the evening newscasts with an average of 8.4 million viewers. ABC's ''World News Tonight'' was second with 7.9 million and the ''CBS Evening News'' had 6.5 million viewers.

For the week of Oct. 20-26, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: NFL Football: San Diego at Denver, CBS, 20.22 million; NFL Football: Green Bay at New Orleans, NBC, 18.8 million; ''NCIS,'' CBS, 17.13 million; ''NCIS: New Orleans,'' CBS, 16.13 million; ''The Big Bang Theory,'' CBS, 16.02 million; ''The Walking Dead,'' AMC, 13.8 million; ''Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick,'' NBC, 13.55 million; NFL Football: Houston at Pittsburgh, ESPN, 13.28 million; Minutes,'' CBS, 13.23 million; World Series Game 2: San Francisco at Kansas City, Fox, 12.92 million.

---

ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co. CBS is owned by CBS Corp. CW is a joint venture of Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corp. Fox is owned by 21st Century Fox. NBC and Telemundo are owned by Comcast Corp. ION Television is owned by ION Media Networks.

[StarDust Bum]

Royals rout Giants to force Game 7

October 28, 2014


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Lorenzo Cain looped a two-run single and Eric Hosmer chopped a two-run double over shortstop in a seven-run second inning as the Kansas City Royals battered the San Francisco Giants 10-0 Tuesday night to force a decisive Game 7 in the World Series.

Pitching with the initials of late St. Louis outfielder Oscar Taveras on his cap, 23-year-old rookie Yordano Ventura allowed three hits over seven innings for his first Series win.

Jeremy Guthrie starts Wednesday night for Kansas City and Tim Hudson for San Francisco in a rematch of Game 3, won by Kansas City 3-2. The 39-year-old Hudson will become the oldest Game 7 starter in Series history.

Lurking is Madison Bumgarner, ready to pitch in relief after stifling the Royals on a total of one run in winning Games 1 and 5.

Home teams have won the last nine Game 7s in the World Series, and the Giants are 0-4 when the Series is pushed to a decisive game. Most recently, Barry Bonds and San Francisco lost Game 7 to the Angels in 2002.

In a Fall Classic full of one-sided games, the Royals chased Jake Peavy in the second. When Omar Infante doubled in the third, every Kansas City batter already had a hit.

Ventura made the one big pitch he needed to keep it a rout. After walking the bases loaded with one out in the third, he got Buster Posey to ground into a first-pitch double play. The young fireballer gave up two hits through the sixth.

There was a pregame moment of silence for Taveras, killed in a car accident Sunday in the Dominican Republic. Ventura wrote a tribute to his friend and countryman on his hat - RIP O.T (hash)18 - and bent down behind the mound to write something on the dirt before his first pitch.

Shut out by Bumgarner in Game 5 at AT&T Park, and facing a 3-2 deficit, Kansas City hoped for a break to bust loose at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals certainly got one the only other time they hosted a Game 6 in the Series, when umpire Don Denkinger's missed call in 1985 helped them rally past St. Louis for their lone crown.

This time, everything seemed to go Kansas City's way. Hosmer & Co. had 14 hits after the sixth, and six different players had doubled.

How much did things tilt in the Royals' favor? Hosmer came up with two runners on base in the second, and hit what appeared to be a hard RBI single off Yusmeiro Petit.

But time had been called just before Petit released the ball, and the hit didn't count. Plate umpire Jeff Kellogg patted Hosmer on the chest as if to say, better luck next time.

And Hosmer did have better luck. He reached out, chopped a ball in front of the plate and it hopped over shortstop Brandon Crawford's head, with Hosmer hustling and diving headfirst for a double that made it 6-0.

Before the game, in fact, the Giants and Royals both talked about how the infield in Kansas City was much harder than the dirt in San Francisco.

Mike Moustakas was able to ground an RBI double between first baseman Brandon Belt and the bag for a 1-0 lead in the second. But the dirt didn't have any effect moments later when, with runners at second and third, Alcides Escobar hit a bouncer to Belt.

Belt ranged far off the base, looked to see if he had a play at home - the runner held - and then missed his tag on a diving Escobar. The misplay seemed to open the door for the Royals, and they charged through.

Cain walked in the first, hit a two-run single in the second and added an RBI double in the third. The speedy center fielder also made a fine running catch.

Well before the game, dozens of Giants fans dressed in team colors crowded behind the San Francisco dugout as their favorites warmed up. Among the signs they held was one by a young boy: ''Hunter Pence Goes to the Dentist Every 6 Months.''

The loudest person of all in black and orange was 2012 Series MVP Pablo Sandoval - he whooped it up as his teammates got loose, a perfectly relaxed Kung Fu Panda.

Billy Butler laughed with former Kansas City great George Brett behind the cage during batting practice. The burly designated hitter had good reason to smile, being back in the lineup with the DH in play at the AL ballpark. Plus, Butler had enjoyed a lot of success in his career against Peavy - he came in 15 for 35 with three home runs vs. the veteran righty.

Also sharing a pregame smile was Royals manager Ned Yost. He slipped into the stands for a moment to pose for a picture with 12 family members, including his wife, three sons and daughter.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

Some NFL trends with Week 9 coming up this weekend.......

-- Saints covered only three of their last 15 road games.

-- New England covered 13 of last 17 when getting points.

-- Redskins are 2-7 vs spread in last nine non-divisional games.

-- Oakland is 2-5 in last seven games as a double digit underdog.

-- Baltimore covered one of last six divisional road games.

-- Colts covered eight of last nine as a road favorite.

**********


Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but......

13) College Football Playoff selection committee announced its first-ever top 25 rankings on Tuesday with Miss State, Florida State, Auburn and Ole Miss the four teams. This will play itself out, but the initial reaction is that strength of schedule is going to be stressed and thats going to make future Septembers more fun to watch, as teams will be forced to upgrade their non-league schedules.

12) Baylor is 13th in the rankings; upgrade your schedule. Bears were favored by 34+ points in their first three games this season.

11) Redskin-Cowboy game was highest-rated Monday night game in four years.

10) That said, did ESPN even show Redskin owner Daniel Snyder once? Jerry Jones had an in-game interview, had to be on camera 25 times, but no sign of Snyder that I can remember-- they were more interested in showing Colt McCoy's dad.

9) ESPN did show Tony Wyllie, the Redskins' PR guy, pulling McCoy away from an ESPN Desportes reporter, grabbing him by the jersey. Apparently the TV business is also a contact sport-- there is a protocol to when/where players do interviews and Tony Wyllie takes that protocol seriously. Don't mess with him.

8) Jackass update: Bears' DE Lamarr Houston tore his ACL while celebrating a sack of the Patriots' backup QB when New England was winning by 25 points. He is the second NFL player to do that this season. It is not smart.

7) Dodgers, Padres, Rockies, Diamondbacks all have new general managers, which means the Giants are only NL West team that hasn't changed GMs this year.

6) San Diego hired scouting director Logan White away from the Dodgers-- he has a very good reputation as a talent evaluator. San Diego seems to be doing smart things as far as beefing up their scouting department-- its the best way for smaller market teams to become competitive, and then stay that way.

5) Hawai'i fired basketball coach Gib Arnold Tuesday, not the best thing to do on October 28, but an indication the NCAA may come calling soon. An assistant coach also got the boot. Have a nice season, fellas.

4) We all have worked for bosses we don't like much; imagine how hard it must be for an NFL QB, if he doesn't get along with his head coach or offensive coordinator?

3) San Antonio 101, Dallas 100-- Tremendous game. Seriously. Someday, when the NBA cuts back to 64 or 68-game schedule, you'll see a lot more games like this, when both sides have fresh legs more often.

2) Marv Albert is 73 years old and still going strong calling NBA games. When FOX resorts to showing Erin Andrews interviewing a couple who just had a baby during a World Series game, they're telling me to put the Spurs game on. In the 4th inning.

1) Grant Hill is now teamed with Albert and Greg Anthony on TNT; does every Duke alum have to be on television? When does Greg Koubek get his TV gig?