The Bum's Major League Baseball Playoffs Rated Games - Trends - News - Etc !!

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's Playoff Action
October 6, 2015


CHICAGO CUBS (97-65) at PITTSBURGH PIRATES (98-64)

First pitch: Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Chicago -137, Pittsburgh +127, Total: 5.5

The Pirates and Cubs will be fighting for a spot in the next round when the teams meet in Pittsburgh for the NL wildcard game on Wednesday.

The Cubs enter the postseason as hot as could be, winning each of their past eight regular season games. Their pitching has been phenomenal in that stretch, allowing a total of nine runs over the course of the winning streak. If the Cubs continue to get that type of production from their starting pitchers then they will be a tough out in these playoffs.

The Pirates, meanwhile, have been playing well themselves. Pittsburgh comes into this game after having won seven of its past 11 and the team defeated the Cubs in the most recent series the two clubs have played. Chicago, however, was 11-8 against the Pirates overall and 6-4 in Pittsburgh when the teams played this season.

Both teams will be sending out their aces on Tuesday, as RHP Jake Arrieta (22-6, 1.77 ERA, 236 K) of the Cubs will be going up against RHP Gerrit Cole (19-8, 2.60 ERA, 202 K) of the Pirates. Chicago will be extremely confident with Arrieta on the mound, as the team went 17-1 against the money line in the second half of this season when he started. The Pirates, however, are an impressive 42-14 against the money line after three or more consecutive home games on the year. The Cubs are entering this game at close to full strength and the Pirates will only be without SS Jung Ho Kang (Knee), but he will be missed greatly.

The Cubs are one of the hottest teams in baseball and pitching for them on Wednesday will be the hottest starter in baseball. Jake Arrieta has been the most dominant pitcher in the game lately, allowing just two earned runs over his past eight starts. In fact, he has allowed just four earned runs in his past 88.1 innings on the mound.

Arrieta has faced this Pirates team twice since the start of September and in those games, he has pitched a total of 15.0 innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out 14 batters. Chicago will be hoping that he can put forth another performance like those ones on Wednesday.

If Chicago is going to win this game, the team will need its stars to find some success against Cole. 1B Anthony Rizzo (.278, 31 HR, 101 RBI), OF Kyle Schwarber (.246, 16 HR, 43 RBI) and 3B Kris Bryant (.275, 26 HR, 99 RBI) are a combined 10-for-31 with no homers and just one RBI against the starter. They will really need to break through and be productive in this one.

One player to watch out for is SS Starlin Castro (.265, 11 HR, 69 RBI). Castro is 6-for-17 with four RBI against Cole and could really spark this team by adding some offense on Wednesday.

Gerrit Cole will be taking the ball in this elimination game for the Pirates and not only will he be looking to help his team advance, but he also will be out to prove that he can outduel Arrieta on Wednesday. The last time Cole faced the Cubs, he pitched seven innings of one-run baseball and struck out eight batters. The Pirates would certainly sign up for another performance like that on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh will really need a big game from OF Andrew McCutchen (.292, 23 HR, 96 RBI) if the team is going to advance. McCutchen is the only Pirates player who has had much success against Arrieta, going 8-for-23 with two double and an RBI against the pitcher. OF Pedro Alvarez (.243, 27 HR, 77 RBI), meanwhile, is the only player to have homered against the Cubs ace, but he is just 2-for-17 against him overall.

OF Starling Marte (.287, 19 HR, 81 RBI) is another guy that must show up in this one. He is 4-for-17 against Arrieta in his career, but the Pirates will need him to make a bigger impact.

[StarDust Bum]

Playoff Betting Outlook
October 6, 2015


AMERICAN LEAGUE

After a bit of a bumpy September in which they lost 16 of 25 at one point, the Kansas City Royals (2/1) stabilized in the final week of the regular season to wrest home-field edge in the playoffs. There were some concerns early in the month when the bullpen briefly faltered and manager Ned Yost demoted closer Greg Holland, who would eventually be diagnosed with a torn ligament in his elbow. Set-up man deluxe Wade Davis might be an upgrade as the closer, though K.C.'s bullpen bridge to the ninth inning, an integral component in last October's charge to the World Series, has been altered, with Luke Hochevar and/or Ryan Madson now preceding Kelvin Herrera before Davis gets the ball.

While the relief corps appears to remain solid, there are some questions in the rotation, especially trade-deadline addition Johnny Cueto, who was a major disappointment (KC has lost 7 of his last 9 starts). But last year's playoff experience should prove invaluable to sorts such as Lorenzo Cain, Eric Gordon, and Mike Moustakas, while the offense might have a sharper edge than a year ago with DH upgrade Kendrys Morales and deadline addition Ben Zobrist. With home-field edge and the AL's best bullpen, KC has some definite advantages in October.

Many are nonetheless suggesting the Toronto Blue Jays (3/2) as the team to beat, and certainly the Jays have been the AL's best since the All-Star break, having tapped a rich vein of form that was augmented by several aggressive trade-deadline acquisitions that added a staff ace (David Price) and an MVP-caliber SS (Troy Tulowitzki), plus veteran reliever Latroy Hawkins, whose presence seemed to settle what was an unreliable bullpen that eventually uncovered a new closer in young Roberto Osuna.

Make no mistake, however, Toronto is going to try to slug its way to the World Series for the first time since 1993 with MLB's top-scoring offense that also roughed up the KC staff when taking 3 of 4 from the Royals at Rogers Centre in late July. If facing the Royals, the Toronto bats might be able to compensate for KC's bullpen edge, though the Jays might rue blowing home edge in the final week, as they have been very tough to beat at Rogers Centre.

Of the rest in the AL, we would be most wary of the precocious yet streaky Houston Astros (15/2), whose penchant for blowing hot-and-cold almost cost them a wild card berth. The 'stros did manage to overcome a final week on the road after recording one of the AL's worst visitor marks the previous four months. Possible Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel was almost unbeatable at Minute Maid Park this season, and fellow starters Lance McCullers and Collin McHugh form the nucleus of the AL's most promising young rotation.

But can such a free-swinging lineup cope with playoff-caliber pitching? The New York Yankees (15/2) also have to go the wild card route and did not exactly finish with a flourish after surrendering the East to the Blue Jays. We wonder about pitching depth, especially with CC Sabathia now in alcohol rehab after a mostly-ineffective season, and much faith being placed in rookie fireballer Luis Severino (2.77 ERA in ten starts), who appears to be the staff ace entering the postseason. The absence of injured 1B Mark Teixeira (shin) has taken the biggest bat out of Joe Girardi''s lineup. The Texas Rangers (6/1) appear the least-likely AL World Series threat, unless trade-deadline addition Cole Hamels can pull a Madison Bumgarner-like act from a year ago. We don't think the Rangers have enough pitching, and the bullpen remains a potential issue.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

By now, the Pittsburgh Pirates (5/1) might be tiring of the wild card game, participating in the one-game knockout three years running. This fall's route to the NLCS will also have to go through the NL Central (Cubs and Cards), which might be bad news for the Bucs, who were under .500 within the division, with losing records even vs. the lowly Brewers and Reds (huh?). Still, Pittsburgh is now playoff-seasoned, has difference-makers such as recent MVP Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte in the field and at the plate, and the rotation was bolstered by key deadline addition JA Happ, added as insurance in case AJ Burnett was slow to return from the DL.

Gerrit Cole starts the wild card game at PNC Park vs. the pesky Chicago Cubs (6/1), who arrived much earlier as a contender than even their most-loyal diehards were expecting, thanks largely to new manager Joe Maddon, who pushed the right buttons all season. Though we are not sure about the rotation beyond likely NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta (who starts the wild card game vs. Cole), the Cubs have had quite a flair for the dramatic this season. If foes cannot pitch around 1B Anthony Rizzo and star rookie 3B Kris Bryant, each of whom delivered many big hits this season, they could be courting trouble.

Why are we talking about the wild card Pirates and Cubs and not the NL West winner Los Angeles Dodgers (3/1)? Perhaps because the Blue have faltered in recent postseasons, especially ace Clayton Kershaw, surprisingly ineffective in past playoff action. Critics have suggested that Kershaw has "stopped pitching" and merely tried to blow away opposing batters in recent postseason failures; let's see if Kershaw has taken heed. Staff co-ace Zack Greinke might have the better shot at the NL Cy Young with an ERA that spent much of the season in circa 1968 Bob Gibson territory, but the Vin Scullys spent the entire season looking for upgrades at the back of the rotation and are hoping ex-Brave and deadline addition Alex Wood can help after another addition, Mat Latos, recently flopped.

Still, the Dodgers have home-field edge in the NLDS vs. the New York Mets (17/5), the league's surprise entry that capitalized upon the collapse of the East and the dysfunctions of the division-favorite Nats. Deadline additions Jose Uribe and especially Yoenis Cespedes added a very sharp edge to the Mets' attack, though it will be up to a young rotation (Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob de Grom, and perhaps rookie Steven Matz) to carry the Mets deep into the postseason.

We have used space talking about the other contenders because we cannot add to the many praises of the St. Louis Cardinals (2/1), who steamed to the best record in the bigs. Other than their postseason-nemesis Giants, who aren't in the playoffs this October, no team has fared as well in the playoffs lately as the Cardinals, who can still manufacture runs effectively and own proven October forces in Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, and Matt Carpenter. Importantly, St. Louis has had the Dodgers' number the past two years in the playoffs, as the Cardinals' pitching depth and ability to hit in the clutch have proven the difference.

While we think the Pirates and the Cubs are dangerous X-factors, and both capable of beating the Dodgers or Mets in the NLCS, we doubt any of those can top the Cards. An eventual rematch of the epic 1985 "I-70" World Series vs. the Royals might be in the Redbirds' future. If so, thirty years on, perhaps St. Louis can finally erase the memories of Don Denkinger, Jorge Orta, and Dane Iorg and gain long-awaited revenge.

Stay tuned.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB MONEYLINE

MLB > (909) TEXAS@ (910) TORONTO | 2015-10-09 12:45:00 - 2015-10-09 12:45:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 23 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (+18.77 units)

MLB > (901) TEXAS@ (902) TORONTO | 2015-10-08 16:05:00 - 2015-10-08 16:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 23 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (+18.77 units)

MLB > (907) NY METS@ (908) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-09 21:45:00 - 2015-10-09 21:45:00
Play AGAINST LA DODGERS using money line after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 20 Wins and 27 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.35 units)

MLB > (911) HOUSTON@ (912) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-09 15:45:00 - 2015-10-09 15:45:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using money line against right-handed starters
The record is 64 Wins and 40 Losses for the this season (+18.95 units)

MLB > (903) HOUSTON@ (904) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-08 20:05:00 - 2015-10-08 20:05:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using money line against right-handed starters
The record is 64 Wins and 40 Losses for the this season (+18.95 units)

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MLB RUNLINE

MLB > (933) CHICAGO CUBS@ (934) PITTSBURGH | 2015-10-07 20:05:00 - 2015-10-07 20:05:00
Play ON CHICAGO CUBS on the road when the total is 7 or less
The record is 23 Wins and 7 Losses for the this season (+16.8 units)

MLB > (901) TEXAS@ (902) TORONTO | 2015-10-08 16:05:00 - 2015-10-08 16:05:00
Play ON TORONTO vs. right-handed starters
The record is 37 Wins and 25 Losses for the this season (+16.9 units)

MLB > (909) TEXAS@ (910) TORONTO | 2015-10-09 12:45:00 - 2015-10-09 12:45:00
Play ON TORONTO in home games
The record is 46 Wins and 35 Losses for the this season (+19 units)

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MLB TOTALS

MLB > (903) HOUSTON@ (904) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-08 20:05:00 - 2015-10-08 20:05:00
Play UNDER KANSAS CITY on the total when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 15 Overs and 38 Unders for the this season (+20.65 units)

MLB > (911) HOUSTON@ (912) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-09 15:45:00 - 2015-10-09 15:45:00
Play UNDER KANSAS CITY on the total when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 15 Overs and 38 Unders for the this season (+20.65 units)

MLB > (907) NY METS@ (908) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-09 21:45:00 - 2015-10-09 21:45:00
Play OVER LA DODGERS on the total against right-handed starters
The record is 75 Overs and 44 Unders for the last two seasons (+30.35 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB TOP POWERLINES

MLB > (933) CHICAGO CUBS @ (934) PITTSBURGH | 2015-10-07 20:05:00 - 2015-10-07 20:05:00
Line: CHICAGO CUBS BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO CUBS137
Edge On: CHICAGO CUBS (7)

MLB > (901) TEXAS @ (902) TORONTO | 2015-10-08 16:05:00 - 2015-10-08 16:05:00
Line: TEXAS BTB PowerLine: TEXAS-170
Edge On: TEXAS (35)

MLB > (903) HOUSTON @ (904) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-08 20:05:00 - 2015-10-08 20:05:00
Line: HOUSTON BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON113
Edge On: HOUSTON (40)

MLB > (907) NY METS @ (908) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-09 21:45:00 - 2015-10-09 21:45:00
Line: NY METS BTB PowerLine: NY METS-123
Edge On: NY METS (52)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

8:00 PM Chi. Cubs -127 1094 58.72% Pittsburgh +117 769 41.28% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

8:00 PM Chi. Cubs 5.5 867 58.62% Pittsburgh 5.5 612 41.38% View View

[StarDust Bum]

THIS PICK IS BASED ON THE PIRATES GETTING BOOTED OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS THE LAST TWO YEARS......I THINK ITS TIME THEY GET IN.......
CHICAGO HAD A GREAT YEAR AND GREAT TEAM THIS SEASON......NEXT YEAR CUBBIES........

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chi. Cubs - 8:00 PM ET Pittsburgh +117 500 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM

Pittsburgh - Over 5.5 500 *****

[StarDust Bum]

2015 NL Wild Card game pitching preview: Arrieta vs. Cole

Now that the AL wild card game is in the books, our focus can turn to what looks like a magnificent pitchers' duel in the National League wild-card game, which is set for Wednesday at 8:07 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs.

This is the strongest Wild Card game we've had in the short history of the game, thanks to the Cubs having gone 97-65 while the Pirates went 98-64 in the regular season.

The Pirates were 53-28 at home this season while the Cubs were 48-33 on the road. The Cubs won the season series 11 games to eight. The Cubs took three of four in PNC Park in September, but the Pirates then took two of three in Wrigley.

We're also set to watch two aces coming off Cy Young-caliber seasons: Jake Arrieta of the Cubs and Gerrit Cole of the Pirates.

RHP Jake Arrieta, Cubs: 22-6, 1.77 ERA (219 ERA+), 0.87 WHIP, 236 K, 229 IP

This couldn't have lined up much better for the Cubs. Arrieta is coming off a record 0.75 second-half ERA and has gone 16-1 with a 0.86 ERA in his last 20 starts. Opponents have only hit .150/.200/.210 against him in that stretch. He's also on normal rest, as he last started on Friday.

Arrieta and the Pirates are familiar with one another, too, as he's taken the ball against them five times. He's been pretty dominant, too. In five starts, he's 3-1 with a 0.75 ERA in 36 innings. Collectively this season, the Pirates hit just .151/.192/.176 with 33 strikeouts and five walks against him. Last time out, he was perfect through six innings and it was on Sept. 28.

That was in Wrigley Field and this game will be on the road. Arrieta's actually been better on the road (13-1, 1.60) than at home (9-5, 1.97) this season, though.

Here's how the Pirates players have fared against Arrieta in their careers:

Name PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS

Andrew McCutchen 27 23 8 2 0 0 1 3 7 .348 .444 .435 .879

Neil Walker 26 25 4 1 0 0 1 1 6 .160 .192 .200 .392

Aramis Ramirez 21 19 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .105 .190 .105 .296

Pedro Alvarez 19 17 2 0 0 1 1 2 4 .118 .211 .294 .505

Starling Marte 18 17 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .235 .278 .235 .513

Gregory Polanco 16 16 3 0 0 0 1 0 5 .188 .188 .188 .375

Francisco Cervelli 13 13 2 0 0 0 1 0 5 .154 .154 .154 .308

Josh Harrison 10 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 .100 .100 .200 .300

Mike Morse 9 9 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 .222 .222 .333 .556

Travis Snider 5 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .200 .200 .200 .400

Jordy Mercer 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000

Jaff Decker 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000

Travis Ishikawa 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000

Total 181 171 29 5 0 1 6 7 45 .170 .215 .216 .432

So McCutchen has great overall history, but no one else does. This shouldn't be too surprising given that McCutchen is awesome at baseball and Arrieta has overall owned the Pirates this year. Of note: In the last two games against Arrieta, McCutchen is 0 for 5 with four strikeouts.

RHP Gerrit Cole, Pirates: 19-8, 2.60 ERA (148 ERA+), 1.09 WHIP, 202 K, 208 IP

Arrieta is going to get all the headlines leading up to the game, but don't let this fool you into thinking it's a one-sided affair. Cole emerged as a bona fide ace this season. He also comes in well-rested, as his last start was on Sept. 30.

Again, there's a familiarity here. Cole has seen the Cubs four times this season, going 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA in 25 1/3 innings. Much like with Arrieta against the Pirates, the Cubs haven't gotten much in the way of extra-base hits off Cole. The Cubs have hit .225/.268/.236 against Cole this season as a group.

They've seen each other recently, too, as Cole allowed only one run on four hits in seven innings on Sept. 25, a 3-2 Pirates win. He struck out eight. That was in Wrigley. Coincidentally, Cole -- like Arrieta -- was also better on the road (10-5, 2.39) than at home (9-3, 2.83) this season, though he was hardly bad in PNC Park.

Here's how the Cubs have fared against Cole in terms of career numbers:

Name PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS

Anthony Rizzo 20 17 6 1 0 0 1 2 3 .353 .450 .412 .862

Starlin Castro 19 17 6 0 0 0 4 1 4 .353 .368 .353 .721

Chris Coghlan 17 13 2 0 0 0 1 2 5 .154 .294 .154 .448

Dexter Fowler 15 14 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .214 .267 .214 .481

Kris Bryant 11 9 3 0 0 0 0 2 6 .333 .455 .333 .788

Chris Denorfia 7 6 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 .500 .571 .667 1.238

Addison Russell 7 7 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .286 .286 .286 .571

Jorge Soler 7 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .286 .286 .286 .571

Javier Baez 6 6 1 0 0 1 1 0 3 .167 .167 .667 .833

Tommy La Stella 6 6 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 .167 .167 .333 .500

Kyle Schwarber 6 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .200 .333 .200 .533

Miguel Montero 5 5 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .600 .600 .600 1.200

David Ross 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 .000 .000 .000

Matt Szczur 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1.000 1.000 1.000 2.000

Total 147 132 34 3 0 1 12 10 44 .258 .320 .303 .623

Rizzo's success has been fairly equally distributed, but on Castro, he was only 1 for 8 this season against Cole. The rest of that is the previous two seasons, before Cole was really an ace.

Overall, the samples on a per-player basis are pretty small, but knowing what we know this has the makings of a pitchers' duel that looks like a complete toss up. Perhaps we'll get some late-inning drama? We could sure use it after the AL game.

[StarDust Bum]

Bert, at 85 years old, always wanted a pair of soft spike golf shoes like Freddie Couples, so seeing some on sale after his round, he bought them and he was so delighted with his purchase decided to wear them home to show the "missus."


Walking proudly into the house, he sauntered into the kitchen and said to his wife, "Notice anything different about me?"

Margaret at age 83, looked him over and replied, "Nope."

Frustrated as all get out, Bert stormed off into the bathroom, undressed and walked back into the kitchen completely naked except for the new golf shoes.

Again he asked Margaret, a little louder this time, "Notice anything different NOW???"

Margaret looked up and said in her best deadpan response, "Bert, what's different? It's hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, and it'll be hanging down again tomorrow ."

Furious, Bert yells out,"AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT'S HANGING DOWN, MARGARET?"

"Nope. Not a clue", she replied.

"IT'S HANGING DOWN, BECAUSE IT'S LOOKING AT MY NEW GOLF SHOES!!!”;

Without missing a beat old Margaret replies, "Shoulda bought a new golf hat.”;

[StarDust Bum]

mlb / wnba / cfl rated plays:

Recapping wednesday's action:

mlb: 0 - 2 - 0

wnba: 0 - 0 - 0

cfl: 0 - 0 - 0

cfb: 0 - 0 - 0

nfl: 0 - 0 - 0

nhl: 3 - 2 - 0


wnba record for june/july/august/september/october :

*****...................................35 - 28 - 2
double play............................71- 56 - 1
triple play..............................39 - 32 - 0
slam dunk..............................41 - 37 - 2

mlb record for playoffs:

*****.....................................0 - 1
double plays.............................1 - 1
triple plays...............................0 - 0
grand slam...............................0 - 0
double grand slam....................0 - 1
total.........................................0 - 2


cfl june/july/ august/september/october record:

Single play.................................35 - 28
double play................................16 - 20
triple play..................................21 - 101- 1
blow out.....................................5 - 3

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's Playoff Action
October 7, 2015


TEXAS RANGERS (88-74) at TORONTO BLUE JAYS (93-69)

First pitch: Thursday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Texas +197, Toronto -235, Total: 8.0

The Rangers will be looking to steal Game 1 on the road when they head to Toronto and take on the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Texas avoided the AL wildcard game by winning four of its final six regular season games to win the division. This team was a long shot to make the playoffs at the midseason mark, but it found a way and will now be looking to take down Toronto.

This Blue Jays team, meanwhile, was one of the most dominant clubs in baseball after the trade deadline. The team does, however, come into this series after having lost four of its past five games and will be hoping that those struggles do not carry over into this series.

The starters in this game are going to be RHP Yovani Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA, 121 K) for the Rangers and LHP David Price (18-5, 2.53 ERA, 225 K) for the Blue Jays. Toronto has dominated this head-to-head series over the years, going 4-2 against Texas this season and 14-5 over the past three seasons. Also worth noting is the fact that 14 of those 19 games over the past three years have gone Under the total.

The Rangers are an impressive 23-11 against the money line against AL East opponents this season. They are, however, up against a Blue Jays team that is 10-0 against the money line in home games after two or more consecutive losses this season with Price on the mound. Both teams also happen to be entering this series at close to full health.

Yovani Gallardo is going to be the Rangers’ starter on Thursday and he has had a bit of trouble recently. Although Gallardo has allowed two earned runs in each of his past two starts, he has allowed 17 hits over those two games and has allowed at least eight hits in five of his past nine appearances. He’ll need to do a better job of keeping the ball out of play on Thursday.

Gallardo has, however, been extremely effective against Toronto recently. He has shut the team out in his most recent two starts against the Blue Jays, totaling 13.2 innings in those games and allowing just six hits in total. If he can find a way to pitch anywhere near that well on Thursday then his team will be ecstatic.

Another thing this Rangers team has going for it is that some of its hitters have done very well against Price in the past. 3B Adrian Beltre (.287, 18 HR, 83 RBI) is the guy who has dominated Price in his career. He is 10-for-33 with two homers, four doubles and six RBI against the ace. He’ll need to produce at the plate on Thursday as well.

Another guy who has given Price trouble is SS Elvis Andrus (.258, 7 HR, 62 RBI). Andrus is 10-for-25 with seven walks and five RBI against Price and will need to get on base often in this game. It’d be a huge plus for this team if DH Prince Fielder (.305, 23 HR, 98 RBI) can figure Price out. He is just 2-for-11 with one RBI against the ace in his career, but he is the Rangers’ best hitter and the team will need him to come through in this series.

David Price has been nothing short of spectacular since being acquired by the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. Toronto has won in nine of his 11 starts and he has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of those games. That game was, however, his most recent one. Price allowed four earned runs on six hits in just five innings of work against the Rays on Sep. 26. He’ll need to shake that one off and pitch the way he has all season in order to get his team a 1-0 lead in this series. In his only start against Texas this season, Price pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs while striking out eight batters. He may need to be even better on Thursday.

If the Blue Jays are going to advance, the superstars in this lineup will need to get it going offensively. DH Edwin Encarnacion (.277, 39 HR, 111 RBI) may be able to set the tone for this team on Thursday. He is 5-for-16 against Gallardo in his career, but three of those five hits have left the park. He would give his team a huge momentum boost if he can provide that type of power in Game 1. It will also likely allow Price to pitch with a lead and that is not something that the Rangers want.

OF Jose Bautista (.250, 40 HR, 114 RBI) and 3B Josh Donaldson (.297, 41 HR, 123 RBI) will also need to get their bats going on Thursday, though. They are a combined 4-for-21 with no homers and two RBI against Gallardo and that likely will need to change if this team does not want to go down 1-0 in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

Carpenter boosts Cardinals offense
October 7, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) Matt Carpenter really muscled up this season. The St. Louis Cardinals leadoff man hit 28 homers, more than his first three major league seasons combined.

Carpenter struck out a lot more, too, but it seemed to be a worthy trade-off.

''He's having an incredible season, an incredible season,'' manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday, two days ahead of the NL Division Series opener. ''I don't know where we'd be if he didn't have the kind of season he's had.''

The Central champions led the majors with 100 victories because of air-tight pitching, not a bruising lineup. They led the majors with a 2.94 ERA, but scored the fewest runs among the playoff teams.

The 29-year-old Carpenter also led the National League with 44 doubles.

''I've been telling Carp all year he's had a great season,'' teammate Jason Heyward said. ''It's really impressive to see somebody say they want to add that to their game and go out and do it.''

St. Louis had a power void with Matt Holliday and Matt Adams sidelined for extended periods. Holliday missed about half the season and hit just four after topping 20 the previous five seasons, and Adams had five in just 60 games after averaging 16 the previous two years.

''I think I lost my power and it's good to see Carp found his,'' Adams joked. ''For him to be able to add that to his game and go out there each night and be able to blast one out of the park, it's been fun to watch.''

Two years ago, Carpenter led the league with 199 hits - only 11 of them homers - and with 98 strikeouts. This year he led the team in homers and with 84 RBIs, and no one quibbles about the 151 strikeouts, which is 40 more than his previous career high.

The homer total is the most by a St. Louis left-handed hitter since Jim Edmonds had 29 in 2005.

Randal Grichuk and Jhonny Peralta hit 17 homers apiece and Heyward and Mark Reynolds contributed 13 each.

''It happens to guys when they get a little older,'' Reynolds said. ''Maybe he realized we needed somebody to do it.''

Matheny said he never asked Carpenter to step up the power, instead crediting batting coaches John Mabry and Bill Mueller with helping tweak the mechanics of the swing.

''You've got to be careful doing that, and then watch what those long swings turn into,'' Matheny said. ''Matt's made a great adjustment.''

Carpenter also has been versatile in the field, switching to second base two years ago.

Carpenter had some fatigue issues early on, and missed a trip to Pittsburgh in May due to an accelerated heart rate from the grind of the season.

That was the only time off he needed. The biggest break of all came when Matheny put him back at leadoff July 30.

''It's not easy doing what he did, and doing it at this park especially,'' Wong said. ''This guy, he's been locked in the whole season.''

Carpenter batted .322 with a franchise-record 22 homers along with 50 RBIs batting leadoff, and just .225 with six homers and 33 RBIs hitting second.

He's hot heading into the NL division series after homering eight times the final month. That could be bad news for St. Louis' opponent, recalling that last fall he became the first player in franchise history to homer in three consecutive games of a postseason series against the Dodgers in the divisional round.

''Did any one of us think he'd be sitting where he right now?'' Matheny said. ''I knew he could most likely hit 20, but he's done it in a fashion that's been very impressive and timely, too.''

[StarDust Bum]

Puig says he's on Dodgers' playoff roster
October 7, 2015

LOS ANGELES (AP) Yasiel Puig said Wednesday he's on the playoff roster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who haven't revealed their 25-man squad for the upcoming NL Division Series.

Manager Don Mattingly said players were informed of their status for the best-of-five series against the New York Mets beginning Friday at Dodger Stadium. However, the team will wait until the roster is due that morning to announce it.

Puig missed the final month of the regular season while sidelined with a hamstring injury. He returned last week and played in the last two games, starting and getting a hit in the first one.

The Cuban said he feels good and wants to give himself a chance to be productive off the bench.

''I'm very happy I've been given the opportunity to prepare with the team,'' Puig said through a translator.

His season was marred by two stints on the disabled list, which limited him to 79 games. He is hitting .255, with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs.

Puig is making his third consecutive playoff appearance since becoming a sensation upon being called up by the Dodgers in June 2013. Last season, he hit .250 with four runs scored, a triple and an RBI in the NLDS, where the Dodgers lost in four games to St. Louis.

The Dodgers likely had an easier time deciding to go with Puig because outfielder Scott Van Slyke is hurt. He didn't join in a workout Wednesday because of his right wrist, which hasn't responded quickly enough.

Van Slyke got hurt on Sept. 15 and came back five days later only to reinjure his wrist last week while taking a throw at first base. He was hitting .239 with 6 homers and 30 RBIs.

With Andre Ethier expected to start in right field, Puig and Justin Ruggiano will back him up. Ruggiano hit a combined .248 with six homers and 15 RBIs with Seattle and then the Dodgers this season.

''This is a time of no egos,'' Mattingly said. ''It's all about one thing and that's walking out of here with a `W' on Friday. It's not about who is the star.''

Mattingly said reliever Jim Johnson was sent home. The right-hander was 0-3 with a 10.13 ERA and didn't figure in the team's postseason plans.

The Dodgers boast baseball's highest payroll at $289.6 million - $66 million more than the second-place Yankees, who were eliminated in the AL wild-card game Tuesday.

Although expectations have risen along with the team's payroll, Mattingly said there's no connection between payroll and playoff success.

''What guys make doesn't have anything to do with how you perform,'' he said.

[StarDust Bum]

High-octane Blue Jays set to swing away
October 7, 2015

TORONTO (AP) For some pitchers trying to stop Josh Donaldson and the rest of the powerful Toronto Blue Jays, it's enough to take their breath away.

''You can't let up,'' Texas Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson said a day ahead of Thursday's AL Division Series opener. ''There's no getting past one guy and taking an exhale. Definitely, that poses its challenges. It's not an easy lineup to just pitch around one guy and get to the next.''

Still, in their final series of the regular season, a four-game showdown against the Los Angeles Angels, the Rangers' pitching staff got something of a warm-up for facing the bashing Blue Jays.

''We've tried to do a good job this season about keeping the mindset of never letting up,'' Tolleson said. ''We had those same talks when playing Anaheim the other day, pitching to (Mike) Trout and (Albert) Pujols and then you face (C.J.) Cron, who had really hurt us a lot all season long.''

''We talked about how you get Trout and Pujols out and you kind of take an exhale and then, before you know it, Cron hits a double off the wall or a home run. I think that kind of preparation is going to prepare us for this,'' he said.

Good practice, for sure, but Toronto's deep lineup will present even tougher challenges, with AL MVP candidate Donaldson followed by sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Catch your breath while you can, because shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Russell Martin aren't far behind.

''Our lineup is legit,'' Donaldson said. ''One through nine, I feel like we have probably the best lineup in baseball.''

Tolleson wasn't about to argue.

''It's probably going to be more challenging than it would be going up against another team,'' he said.

Toronto was the only big league team to top 800 runs and outscored the Yankees, baseball's second-most prolific offense, by 127 runs. That's the biggest gap in the major leagues between the No. 1 and 2 offenses since 1953, according to STATS.

Texas finished third in the majors with 751 runs.

Toronto scored double-digit runs 26 times this season, the most since St. Louis and Atlanta in 2003 - the tail end of the Steroids Era.

''The consistency, that's what blows you away,'' Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey said. ''Every team probably has five or six games a year where they score 10 runs, but we have an offense that has generated a lot of runs in a lot of games. It's a pretty consistent baseline that you're seeing.''

Besides their big run output, Toronto's also led the major leagues with 232 homers, 852 RBIs and 570 walks.

''That's a great group of hitters,'' Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. ''You've got to give them credit, you look at their numbers and what they've done, they speak for themselves.''

Texas opens with right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who beat Toronto twice this season and didn't allow a run in 13 2-3 innings.

''I think we've come up with a good game plan, just being aggressive,'' Gallardo said. ''Obviously they have a good lineup, a powerful lineup. With the catchers, we did a good job of making adjustments throughout the game whenever we had to.''

Donaldson said Gallardo has become a different pitcher by improving his fastball command and adding a cutter to his arsenal.

''He's done a pretty good job of evolving himself into more of a complete pitcher,'' Donaldson said. ''You have to take advantage of those mistakes that he's going to make, because he's not going to make a whole lot throughout the course of a game.''

Toronto starts left-hander David Price, who went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts after he was acquired from Detroit on July 30t.

''He throws 98 with a couple of off speed pitches. He hits his spots,'' Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder said. ''He doesn't mess around too much. He comes after hitters and he's not afraid of contact. He's a great pitcher, and it's going to be tough.''

Price hasn't pitched since allowing five runs in five innings in a Sept. 26 start against Tampa Bay, an 11-day break between outings.

''If you can get these days off at this point in the season, that's good,'' said Price, who threw 220 1-3 innings during the regular season. ''If you can come into the postseason with your body feeling the way I feel right now, that's a plus.''

[StarDust Bum]

Matheny mum on Cardinals rotation
October 7, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) John Lackey gets the start in Game 1 of the NL Division Series for the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

At the beginning of a two-hour workout for the NL Central champions on Tuesday, manager Mike Matheny said he was not ready to announce the rest of his playoff rotation or his roster, or even whether he would carry 11 or 12 pitchers. Matheny said he likely will reveal the roster after a workout Thursday.

''I know it's a hot topic,'' Matheny said. ''I think everybody who follows this team closely realizes there's a lot of decisions that need to be made.''

The biggest involves All-Star catcher Yadier Molina, who has worn a brace protecting the strained ligament in his left thumb during practice in recent days. The Cardinals are optimistic Molina, injured on a tag play at the plate on Sept. 20, can play.

Matheny said Molina caught, blocked balls in the dirt and threw Tuesday, mostly in an indoor batting cage. Molina worked out with the rest of the team Wednesday.

''All those things are pointing in the direction that it's possible,'' Matheny said, adding the biggest worry is handling foul tips.

Overall, there are far more difficult decisions to be made than usual. Spots for veterans Matt Adams and Jon Jay, both coming off injuries, could be in jeopardy given the emergence of rookies Stephen Piscotty and Tommy Pham.

In the bullpen, ace Adam Wainwright is expected to claim a spot after making a rapid recovery from a torn Achilles in late April.

''I know people say that's a great problem to have,'' Matheny said.

General manager John Mozeliak said experience is factor, but added everyone has to make a debut sometime.

''I think we can triangulate the roster if we ask enough questions,'' Mozeliak said. ''I think we have a lot of good options.''

Randal Grichuk can throw nearly 200 feet following an elbow injury and could start in right field. Mark Reynolds, who has started at first base and third base, said he was on the roster, and seldom-used outfielder Peter Bourjos said he was not.

The 36-year-old Lackey went 9-4 with a 1.93 ERA in 17 starts at home. Overall, he was 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA - the first sub 3.00 ERA of his big career.

The Cardinals needed a veteran leader when Wainwright tore his left Achilles in late April, and Lackey was that guy. Plus, he has plenty of postseason experience, including a World Series victory over St. Louis in 2013 when he was with Boston.

''I think he's been as consistent as anybody in the league,'' Matheny said. ''There's so many different things he has brought to this club that makes it to us a pretty obvious choice.''

Matheny has Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43), Lance Lynn (12-11, 3.03) and Michael Wacha (17-7, 3.38) for Games 2, 3 and 4, in some order. Wacha could be pushed back after going 2-3 with a 7.88 ERA in five September starts.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Postseason returns to Toronto, KC hosts Astros
October 7, 2015

A look at what's happening around the major leagues Thursday:

WHAT'S THE PRICE?

Blue Jays ace David Price tries to reverse his playoff history - the lefty is 0-5 with a 4.98 ERA in five career postseason starts. The former Cy Young Award winner, acquired in late July, will throw the first pitch when Toronto hosts Texas in Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series.

QUITE A TURNAROUND

After making a splash in the World Series last year with his 100 mph fastball, Yordano Ventura got off to a rocky start this season with the Royals. He beefed with Angels star Mike Trout, set off a bench-clearing brawl with the White Sox and later got sent to the minors. The 24-year-old Ventura bounced back to go 9-1 down the stretch, earning the start in Game 1 when Kansas City hosts Houston in the ALDS.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny might reveal the rest of his rotation for the NLDS following a workout at Busch Stadium. Matheny says John Lackey will start the opener Friday in St. Louis. Lackey went 9-4 with a 1.93 ERA in 17 starts at home.

PUIG PRESENT

Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig says he's been told that he'll on the roster for the National League Division Series against the Mets. LA will wait until Friday's opener to announce it. Puig missed nearly the entire final month because of a hamstring injury. He is hitting .255 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs.

WELCOME BACK

It's been a while since there was a postseason game in Toronto. A very long while. The last time was 1993, when Joe Carter's bottom-of-the-ninth homer drove in future Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson and Paul Molitor to win the World Series. A sellout crowd at Rogers Centre - formerly SkyDome - is ready to rock when the Blue Jays end baseball's longest current playoff drought.

GO, YO!

Yovani Gallardo went 2-0 vs. Toronto this season, shutting out the highest-scoring team in the majors for 13 2-3 innings. He'll start the opener for Texas in their ALDS matchup. Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion is 5 for 16 with three home runs against the Rangers righty.