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

[StarDust Bum]

Royals' hopes hinge on Cueto in Game 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals did not lose a game to an American League club in the playoffs last year, going 8-0 against the Athletics, Angels and Orioles.

This year, they lost their first playoff game, 5-2, at Kauffman Stadium to the Astros.

"It's not a death sentence to lose Game 1," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

It might be the electric chair, however, if they lose the second game to the Astros and then would have to face left-hander Dallas Keuchel on Sunday in Houston.

"You look at Keuchel's numbers (15-0) at home, they're really impressive," Yost said. "Tomorrow will be a big game for us, yeah."

This is why the Royals acquired right-hander Johnny Cueto, who starts Friday, in a July trade with the Reds.

"That's exactly why we got Johnny Cueto," Yost said. "If you lose Game 1, then you got Johnny to help you bounce back. And best-case scenario, you win Game 1 and then you've got Johnny to take it to two-game lead.

"So that's why we got Johnny, for games like that."

[StarDust Bum]

Midseason acquisitions to square off in Astros-Royals series

Two pitchers who were largely disappointments after midseason trades will square off Friday when the Houston Astros meet the Royals in Kansas City in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

Houston left-hander Scott Kazmir will oppose Cincinnati right-hander Johnny Cueto.

The Astros won the series opener 5-2 Thursday night in Kansas City.

With Astros ace left-hander Dallas Keuchel unavailable until Game 3 on Sunday in Houston after pitching six shutout innings Tuesday in the AL wild-card game against the New York Yankees, manager A.J. Hinch decided to go with Kazmir for the second game in Kauffman Stadium.

"He's pitched very well against the Royals this year," Hinch, referring to Kazmir's 1-1 record and 2.11 ERA in three starts vs. Kansas City this year. "This is a good ballpark for him to pitch in. This is a big stage. He's been there before. Left-handed pitching against their balanced lineup was something that I looked heavily on."

Kazmir, acquired by Houston in late July in exchange for two minor league pitchers, went 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA in 13 starts for the Astros. He was particularly poor down the stretch as Houston fought to clinch a playoff berth, going 0-2 with a 6.52 ERA in six September starts.

Before getting dealt, he was 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts for Oakland.

"It hasn't been his best September, but as we get into October, trust your players come up big in the big moments," Hinch said.

Cueto, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in late July for left-hander Brandon Finnegan and two minor league pitchers, went 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts for Kansas City.

"I have never gone through something like this before," Cueto said through an interpreter. "That season is over. This is a new season. And you'll get to see what Johnny Cueto is all about."

In 19 starts for Cincinnati earlier this year, Cueto went 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA. He did not face the Astros this season.

Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez, expected back in the lineup after sitting out the start in Game 1 due to an intercostal strain, has four hits, including two homers, in 12 career at-bats against Cueto. Houston outfielder Colby Ramsus is 9-for-27 (.333) with one homer and five RBIs vs. Cueto.

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer owns a .391 average (9-for-23) against Kazmir. Both left fielder Alex Gordon (6-for-34, .176) and center fielder Lorenzo Cain (4-for-24, .167) struggle against the lefty.

[StarDust Bum]

Ace pitchers face off in Dodgers-Mets opener

As Dallas Keuchel and Jake Arrieta proved earlier this week, pitching usually carries the day in the baseball postseason.

That figures to be the case again in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, when the reigning NL Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, squares off with the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom.

"I mean, he's one of the best pitchers in the game if not the best," deGrom said of Kershaw. "The way he takes the mound, he goes out there and attacks hitters. I think I try to do the same thing, not get intimidated by anybody who steps in the box and go out there and make your pitches when you need to."

Kershaw was similarly complimentary of his Friday opponent.

"I got to talk to him a little bit in Cincinnati (at the All-Star Game) this year, and obviously watching him pitch over the last couple seasons. It's just an explosive fastball," Kershaw said. "I think that's where you start with his fastball. Just the carry and the ride that it has on it, the ball that looks like it's at your shins or ankles seems like he gets a lot of called strikes there. The (batters) think the ball is down. Same thing with the ball up, you think you can catch up to it and guys swing through it a lot for strikeouts.

"So those two things combined with the commands, able to hit the outside, inside corner, this whole season pretty well. Then his off-speed pitches too, have gotten ... better from last year. So we definitely have a challenge. This whole series, the three, four guys they're throwing at us are pretty solid."

Kershaw went 16-7 with a 2.13 ERA this year, leading the majors with 301 strikeouts. In his last 24 starts, he was 14-4 with a 1.39 ERA.

DeGrom finished 14-8 with a 2.54 ERA in the regular season. He allowed more than two runs only three times in his final 14 starts.

Both teams enter the series relatively healthy, with Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig expected to be on the team's roster despite missing nearly all of the past month with a strained right hamstring. He returned to play the last two regular-season games, and he announced earlier this week that he would be ready for the NLDS.

Mets infielder Juan Uribe will miss the series due to a chest contusion. However, considering his mediocre production since joining New York in a midseason trade with the Atlanta Braves (.219 average, .301 on-base percentage, .430 slugging percentage with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 44 games), his bat won't be missed much.

[StarDust Bum]

Jays open -175, total opens 8 in Game 2 versus Rangers

Following the Toronto Blue Jays' loss in Game 1 versus the Texas Rangers, books have opened the Jays -175 with Marcus Stroman on the bump in Game 2.

The Rangers will counter with lefty Cole Hamels, who has led the Rangers to 10 wins in his last 10 starts heading into the postseason.

Texas triumphed 5-3 in Game 1 in a packed Rogers Centre, spearheaded by home runs from Robinson Chirinos and Rougned Odor off ace David Price.

The total opens at 8 after it closed at that number in the series opener.

[StarDust Bum]

NLDS doubleheader betting preview: Cubs-Cardinals, Mets-Dodgers

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (-106, 6.5)

The Chicago Cubs just picked up their first postseason win since 2003 and have all the momentum going in their favor as they head into the National League Division Series. The St. Louis Cardinals are well-prepared for the pressures of the postseason and will host the rival Cubs in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday.

The Cardinals are one of only two teams that finished with more wins than Chicago’s 97 in the regular season and are familiar with the Cubs’ reluctance to back down from a challenge, something that cropped up again after starter Jake Arrieta was hit by a pitch in the 4-0 wild card win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. “We're going to stand up for our guys,” Chicago left-hander Jon Lester told ESPN.com. “And we're going to make sure that the other teams know we're going to stand up for our guys.” St. Louis and the Cubs engaged in a testy series from Sep. 18-20 that included several hit batters and some harsh words from Chicago manager Joe Maddon. Lester will take the mound in Game 1 against St. Louis righty John Lackey, who was Lester’s teammate on the 2013 World Series-winning Boston Red Sox.

TV: 6:45 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Cards -106 and the total at 6.5.

INJURY REPORT: Cubs - N/A. Cardinals - C Yadier Molina (Probable, thumb).

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Cardinals won 11 of the 19 games including going 7-3 at home. John Lackey is 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA in three starts against Chicago in 2015. He has a 1.93 ERA in 17 home starts. Lackey has had his way with Kris Bryant (2-9), Starlin Castro (3-12) and Anthony Rizzo (1-12). Jon Lester gets the call for the Cubs. He is 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA in five starts this season against the Cardinals. Matt Carpenter (4-14), Jason Heyward (10-24) and Matt Holliday (5-9) have had success against the former Red Sox pitcher. The Cards are hitting just .211 in their last seven games." Covers Expert Steve Merril.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Lackey (13-10, 2.77)

Lester limited opponents to two or fewer earned runs in five of his final six starts, with the lone outlier coming when he surrendered four runs in six innings to lose to the Cardinals on Sep. 20. The two-time World Series champion was better 11 days earlier in St. Louis, when he yielded one run and two hits over seven frames. Lester is 6-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 14 career postseason games – 12 starts.

Lackey is a two-time World Series winner as well – with the 2002 Angels and 2013 Red Sox – and allowed a total of seven runs in his final five regular-season starts. The Texas native was at his best at home in 2015 with a 9-4 record and a 1.93 ERA, including a pair of home starts against Chicago in which he yielded a total of three runs in 14 2/3 innings. Lackey is 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA in 21 career postseason games – 18 starts.

TRENDS:

* Over is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings.
* Cubs are 10-1 in their last 11 road games.
* Cubs are 1-9 in their last 10 playoff games.
* Cardinals are 5-1 in their last six Divisional Playoff home games.


New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers (-199, 5.5)

The Los Angeles Dodgers own the largest payroll in the major leagues, but their path to a World Series title is largely in the hands of just two players. One of those aces, Clayton Kershaw, will try to exercise some postseason demons when the Dodgers host the New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday.

Kershaw and Zack Greinke will undoubtedly both finish in the top three of the NL Cy Young voting this season and are set up to pitch twice each if the series goes seven games, with Greinke following Kershaw in Game 2. The Mets are loaded in the starting rotation as well but are much shorter on experience, with Jacob deGrom set to make his postseason debut opposite Kershaw before Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey take their first turns in the playoffs. Kershaw will be going up against a New York offense that transformed itself in the second half and led the NL with 373 runs scored and a .770 OPS after the All-Star break. The Los Angeles offense went in the opposite direction and dipped to 13th in the NL in runs scored after the All-Star break as rookie center fielder Joc Pederson struggled and Yasiel Puig missed most of the final month with a hamstring injury.

TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: The Dodgers opened -195 before moving to -199. The total opened at 5.5.

INJURY REPORT: Mets - P Steven Matz (Probable, back), SS Wilmer Flores (Questionable, illness), 3B Juan Uribe (Out indefinitely, chest). Dodgers - LF Scott Van Slyke (Out indefinitely, wrist), 2B Jose Peraza (Out indefinitely, hamstring), P Bronson Arroyo (Out for season, elbow), P Josh Ravin (60-day DL, hernia), P Hyun-Jin Ryu (Out for season, shoulder), P Brandon McCarthy (Out for season, elbow).

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Dodgers' starter Clayton Kershaw is 11-3 with a 1.67 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in his 17 home starts. Michael Cuddyer (4-16), Lucas Duda (1-10), Kelly Johnson (3-15), Curtis Granderson (1-10), Juan Lagares (0-7), David Wright (3-14) have struggled vs. Kershaw. Los Angeles has been a much stronger team at home this season (55-26 SU) compared to on the road (37-44 SU)." Covers Expert Steve Merril.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.13 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54)

Kershaw led the majors with 301 strikeouts during the regular season and allowed more than three earned runs in a start only once after May 21. The former MVP has not always been that sharp in the postseason, however, and is 0-4 with a 7.15 ERA in his last four playoff starts – all against the St. Louis Cardinals. Kershaw never had those problems against New York and enters 6-0 with 1.34 ERA in nine career starts against the Mets, including a three-hit, 11-strikeout, no-walk shutout on July 23.

DeGrom struggled a bit from the end of August to the middle of September but allowed one run in 10 innings over his final two starts in the regular season, including four no-hit innings against Washington on Sunday. The All-Star struck out 205 and walked just 38 in 191 innings this season but enters the series 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers. Meanwhile, deGrom nearly picked up his first win against Los Angeles on July 26 but was held out of the decision despite scattering two hits across 7 2/3 scoreless innings.

TRENDS:

* Dodgers are 8-1 in Kershaw's last nine starts vs. Mets.
* Over is 16-5-2 in the last 23 meetings.
* Mets are 6-0 in deGrom's last six starts vs. National League West.
* Dodgers are 25-3 in Kershaw's last 28 starts vs. National League East.

[StarDust Bum]

Former teammates square off in NLDS opener

The close friendship between Jon Lester and John Lackey will be temporarily suspended on Friday.

The two former Boston Red Sox teammates square off in Game 1 of the National League Division Series when Lester's Chicago Cubs visit Lackey's St. Louis Cardinals. The importance of the situation changes the dynamic between the two players who were teammates for four-plus seasons and won a World Series title together in 2013.

"Our friendship will go beyond this game, it will go beyond our careers, and it's something that means a lot to me," Lester said in a press conference. "But you know, come tomorrow, we're not buddies anymore. We gotta go to battle and try to beat one another."

Lackey spun a similar tune and touched on how the left-handed Lester was the "best on the planet" during the 2013 postseason. But the right-hander won't be in a reminiscing mode once he takes the mound to throw the game's first pitch.

"I mean I have nothing but respect for him. I mean me and him are going to be friends long after this thing's over, and he's my boy," Lackey said. "Wish him nothing but the best, but I'm going to try to get after him tomorrow and I expect nothing but the same from him."

The two pitchers matched up once this season with Lackey throwing seven shutout innings in a 6-0 victory on July 6. Lester was a hard-luck loser by allowing two runs -- both unearned -- and two hits in seven innings.

Both Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) and Lackey (13-10, career-best 2.77) will be trying to get their team off to a fast start in the a series featuring two of baseball's winningest teams.

St. Louis led the majors with 100 victories and Chicago was third with 97. The Cubs enter the series with nine consecutive victories, including a 4-0 win over the 98-win Pittsburgh Pirates in Wednesday's wild-card game.

St. Louis won the regular-season series with Chicago 11-8. The Cardinals also received good news on Thursday when catcher Yadier Molina (left thumb) was ruled to be healthy enough to be placed on the 25-man roster.

"He took some live swings today off a pitcher throwing a simple battery game," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "Everything looked right. You saw him receiving the ball. Everything looked right."

Chicago's attack is led by first baseman Anthony Rizzo (31 homers, 101 RBIs) and rookie third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant (26 homers, 99 RBIs). The club has played with a renewed confidence under first-year manager Joe Maddon.

"We've been playing really well for over a week now," Maddon said. "We've been playing well all season, but for over a week we've been playing really good. I don't anticipate anything different."

[StarDust Bum]

Scully sidelined for playoffs

Vin Scully, the Hall of Fame broadcaster and longtime voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will miss the playoffs after undergoing a medical procedure on Thursday.

The Dodgers said Scully was resting on the advice of his doctors, but the team didn't indicate the nature of the problem.

The 87-year-old Scully missed the Dodgers' final regular-season series because of a cold and was absent during a road trip to San Francisco earlier last week.

Scully, who has spent a record 66 yards broadcasting Dodgers games, said earlier this year that he anticipates 2016 will be his last season in the booth.

The National League West champion Dodgers open a NL Division Series against the NL East champion New York Mets on Friday night in Los Angeles.

[StarDust Bum]

ALDS doubleheader betting preview: Rangers at Blue Jays, Astros at Royals

Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays (-175, 7.5)

Both teams might be missing their third basemen when the Toronto Blue Jays attempt to even the American League Division Series against the visiting Texas Rangers on Friday. Texas standout Adrian Beltre is unlikely to play due to a back injury and might be replaced on the roster, while MVP candidate Josh Donaldson of Toronto is questionable with a possible concussion.

Donaldson took a knee to the head while sliding into second base and felt lightheaded before leaving the Blue Jays' 5-3 loss and later passed the concussion tests, so his availability will be based on how he feels Friday. "I'm not Josh Donaldson's head," Toronto catcher Russell Martin said when asked if he was concerned about Donaldson's status. "I don't know how he's feeling. I hope it's not too bad. He's as tough as they get. If he can play, he will play." Beltre departed in the third inning, when he barely managed to get to first base on a run-scoring single and was diagnosed with a lower back strain after undergoing an MRI exam at a nearby hospital. "Obviously, we want Adrian in there," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said of a player who has five career postseason homers. "He's the heart and soul of this ball club."

TV: 12:45 p.m. ET, MLBN, RSN (Toronto)

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Jays in the -175 vicinity with the total coming down to 7.5 after opening at 8.

INJURY REPORT: Rangers - 3B Adrian Beltre (Questionable, back). Blue Jays - 3B Josh Donaldson (Questionable, head), RF Jose Bautista (Questionable, hamstring).

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Cole Hamels has some ugly numbers against Toronto going 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA and a WHIP of 1.935 in four career starts against them. The last one came in 2014 in Philadelphia when Hamels allowed five runs and 10 hits in six innings of work. Jose Bautista (3-9), Edwin Encarnacion (5-14), Russell Martin (5-18) and Troy Tulowitzki (5-15) all have good numbers against the southpaw who has not lost a start since Aug. 7. Marcus Stroman has won all four starts for the Blue Jays giving up five runs and 20 hits in 27 innings. Stroman beat the Rangers last year at home. Covers Expert Steve Merril.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (13-8, 3.65 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67)

Hamels, who was acquired from Philadelphia with the playoff stage in mind, is 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 career postseason starts. He went 7-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 outings for Texas, which won each of his final 10 regular-season turns. Hamels has struggled against the Blue Jays, posting an 0-2 record and 6.97 ERA in four career starts.

Stroman suffered an ACL tear in his left knee in March but returned in September and won all four of his outings. The 24-year-old stands just 5-8, and people doubting him due to his size helped fuel the intensity with which he pitches. “I pitch with a lot of hate and anger and emotion in my heart – it’s just something that I’ve always kind of built myself on," Stroman said at a press conference. "I’m just excited. I can’t wait to get out there. I wish I could put it in words.”

TRENDS:

* Rangers are 1-7 in their last eight games with umpire Victor Carapazza behind home plate.
* Rangers are 6-0 in their last six Divisional Playoff road games.
* Blue Jays are 5-0 in Stromans last five starts.
* Over is 6-0-1 in Hamels' last seven starts overall.


Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals (OFF, OFF)

Johnny Cueto hasn't lived up to expectations since being acquired by Kansas City, but the veteran has a chance to pay dividends when the Royals host the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Friday. Cueto, who was just 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts after being obtained from Cincinnati, will be aiming to help the Royals even the series at one win apiece.

Cueto will become a free agent after the season, so this may be his only chance at being a postseason hero for Kansas City. "I had never gone through something like that before," Cueto said of his struggles at a press conference through translator Pedro Grifol, the Royals catching coach. "That season is over. This is a new season, and you'll get to see what Johnny Cueto is all about." Houston posted a 5-2 victory in Game 1 as Colby Ramsus and George Springer homered while Jose Altuve went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Rasmus also went deep in Tuesday's wild-card victory over the New York Yankees and has hit eight blasts in his last 14 games.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS1

LINE HISTORY: N/A

INJURY REPORT: N/A

WEATHER: Temperatures in the mid-60s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at around nine mph.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Scott Kazmir gets the call in Game 2 of this series for Houston. The southpaw is 2-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 14 starts since the all-star break. Kazmir enters this one in terrible form sporting a 6.52 ERA in September. Johnny Cueto has righted the ship for the Royals allowing three runs or less in four straight games after a horrible stretch of 30 runs allowed over five starts." Covers Expert Steve Merril.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Scott Kazmir (7-11, 3.10 ERA) vs. Royals RH Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44)

Kazmir was winless in his last seven starts and is just 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA in 13 outings since being acquired from Oakland. "Just feels like a little rough patch that happened at a bad time," Kazmir said during a press conference. "It was something where I feel like one or two pitches throughout any one of those games could have been a different outcome." Kazmir is 5-8 with a 4.54 ERA in 20 career starts against Kansas City and has struggled against Eric Hosmer (9-for-23).

Cueto experienced a disastrous late-season stretch during which he had a 9.57 ERA while losing a career-worst five straight starts before going 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA over his final four outings. "There was a little concern that we couldn't figure it out, but it didn't worry us because we all knew we'd get it figured out by the time the playoffs started," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "And we did." Cueto is 3-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 13 career starts versus the Astros and has served up two homers to Carlos Gomez.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Astros are 1-5 in Kazmirs last six road starts.
* Under is 4-0 in Astros last four road games.
* Over is 5-0 in Cuetos last five home starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

6:45 PM EDT

905 CHICAGO CUBS (L) Lester, J 6.5 6.5u20 / 6.5u16 / 6.5u15 6.5u20 +1.5(-230)
906 ST LOUIS CARDINALS (R) Lackey, J -112 -111 / -109 / -107 -110 -1.5(+190)

TV: TBS, DTV: 247

9:45 PM EDT

907 NEW YORK METS (R) Degrom, J 5.5u20 5.5u25 / 5.5u30 / 5.5u20 5.5o15 +1.5(-140)
908 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (L) Kershaw, C -190 -195 / -199 / -200 -198 -1.5(+120)

TV: TBS, DTV: 247

12:45 PM EDT

909 TEXAS RANGERS (L) Hamels, C 8u20 7.5o13 / 7.5 / 7.5o12 7.5o15 +1.5(-135)
910 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (R) Stroman, M -180 -181 / -180 / -190 -184 -1.5(+115)

TOR-3B-Josh Donaldson-Probable | TOR-RF-Jose Bautista-Probable | TV: MLB, DTV: 213

3:45 PM EDT

911 HOUSTON ASTROS (L) Kazmir, S 7.5u20 7.5u20 7.5u15 +1.5(-180)
912 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Cueto, J -142 -142 / -140 -134 -1.5(+160)

TV: FS-1, DTV: 219

[StarDust Bum]

LB
Dunkel

Division Series


Texas @ Toronto

Game 909-910
October 9, 2015 @ 12:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Hamels) 14.877
Toronto
(Stroman) 17.556
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 2 1/2
8 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-180
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-180); Over

Houston @ Kansas City

Game 911-912
October 9, 2015 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Kazmir) 15.751
Kansas City
(Cueto) 14.806
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
N/A

Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis

Game 905-906
October 9, 2015 @ 6:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 16.654
St. Louis
(Lackey) 15.085
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-110
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-110); Under

NY Mets @ LA Dodgers

Game 907-908
October 9, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(deGrom) 15.511
LA Dodgers
(Kershaw) 17.170
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-205
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-205); Over




MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, October 9

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

CHICAGO CUBS (98 - 65) at ST LOUIS (101 - 61) - 6:45
JON LESTER (L) vs. JOHN LACKEY (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 11-8 (+2.1 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
11 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.8 Units)

JON LESTER vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
LESTER is 3-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.00 and a WHIP of 1.019.
His team's record is 4-4 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.3 units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
LACKEY is 3-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 1.94 and a WHIP of 1.224.
His team's record is 5-1 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-5. (-4.3 units)

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

NY METS (90 - 72) at LA DODGERS (92 - 70) - 9:45 PM
JACOB DEGROM (R) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 90-72 (+6.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 121-122 (+22.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 89-68 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 34-26 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 55-34 (+13.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
DEGROM is 11-3 (+8.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 92-70 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 45-36 (-10.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
LA DODGERS are 92-70 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 67-54 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 67-51 (-6.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 53-40 (-8.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA DODGERS are 20-27 (-19.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 33-31 (-6.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 4-3 (+2.8 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

JACOB DEGROM vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
DEGROM is 0-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 0.915.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. NY METS since 1997
KERSHAW is 6-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 1.34 and a WHIP of 1.044.
His team's record is 8-1 (+5.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-6. (-3.0 units)

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TEXAS (88 - 74) at TORONTO (93 - 69) - 12:45 PM
COLE HAMELS (L) vs. MARCUS STROMAN (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-2 (+1.3 Units) against TEXAS this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

COLE HAMELS vs. TORONTO since 1997
HAMELS is 0-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 6.97 and a WHIP of 1.935.
His team's record is 0-4 (-5.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.4 units)

MARCUS STROMAN vs. TEXAS since 1997
STROMAN is 1-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.571.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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HOUSTON (87 - 76) at KANSAS CITY (95 - 67) - 3:45 PM
MICHAEL FIERS (R) vs. JOHNNY CUETO (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 4-2 (+1.9 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.9 Units)

MICHAEL FIERS vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
FIERS is 0-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 10.80 and a WHIP of 2.200.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

JOHNNY CUETO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
CUETO is 3-6 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.64 and a WHIP of 1.409.
His team's record is 4-9 (-8.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-4. (+3.6 units)

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MLB
Short Sheet

Friday, October 9

NY Mets at LA Dodgers, 9:45 PM EDT
New York: 12-1 SU off a one run win over a division rival
Los Angeles: 20-27 SU after 3 or more consecutive wins

Texas at Toronto, 12:45 PM EDT
Texas: 23-11 SU against AL East opponents
Toronto: 4-9 SU after 9 consecutive games versus division rivals

Houston at Kansas City, 3:45 PM EDT
Houston: 12-17 SU at home when the money line is +125 to -125
Kansas City: 28-14 SU at home when the money line is +125 to -125




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, October 9


American League
Rangers vs Blue Jays
Texas won last ten Hamels starts (4-0, 3.21 last four); over is 5-0-1 in his last six.

Stroman is 4-0, 1.67 in four starts this season (over 2-2).

Rangers lost six of last nine games with Toronto (under 6-4-1 last 11); Texas is in the playoffs for first time since losing first AL Wild Card game in 2012- they've won five of last seven games overall (over 5-4-1 in last ten).

Blue Jays are in playoffs for first time since winning '93 World Series; they lost five of last six games-- over is 5-0-2 in their last seven games.

Astros vs Royals
Kazmir is 0-3, 7.00 in his last seven starts (over 2-0-1 last three).

Cueto is 2-1, 3.24 in his last four starts (over 8-2 in last ten).

Houston won eight of its last ten games to get here; this is Astros' first postseason since 2005. Astros are 8-2 in last ten games with Royals (under is 5-1 in last six in series).

Kansas City lost Game 7 of World Series LY, its first playoff appearance since 1985; Royals won five of last six games overall (under 7-2 in last nine).

National League
Cubs vs Cardinals
Lester is 2-2, 2.19 in his last five starts (under 3-1-1).

Lackey is 2-1, 1.80 in his last four starts (over 6-4 last ten).

Cubs won last nine games, allowing nine runs (under 8-2-1 last 11) they're 6-3 in last nine games with St Louis (over 7-1-1). Chicago is in playoffs for first time since '08. Joe Maddon was in playoffs with Rays four times in six years from '08-'13.

St Louis is in playoffs for fifth year in row, 12th time in 16 years; they lost six of last nine games and got shut out in last three, at Atlanta (under 3-0 last three).

Mets vs Dodgers
de Grom is 2-1, 3.68 in his last four starts (over 6-2 last eight).

Kershaw is 2-0, 1.53 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1).

Mets are 5-3 in last eight games with LA (over 7-3 last ten). NY lost five of last six games, scoring two runs in last four games. Mets are in playoffs for first time since 2006, second time since '00.

Dodgers are in playoffs for third year in row; they've won four games in row overall.




MLB

Friday, October 9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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12:45 PM
TEXAS vs. TORONTO
Texas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Texas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing Texas

3:45 PM
HOUSTON vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
Kansas City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Houston

6:45 PM
CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 14 of St. Louis's last 20 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

9:45 PM
NY METS vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Mets's last 11 games when playing LA Dodgers
NY Mets are 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
LA Dodgers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games when playing at home against NY Mets

[StarDust Bum]

MLB Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

12:30 PM Texas +165 314 33.40% Toronto -180 626 66.60% View
View

9:30 PM NY Mets +189 615 38.29% LA Dodgers -206 991 61.71% View View

3:30 PM Houston +129 131 39.94% Kansas City -140 197 60.06% View View

6:30 PM Chi. Cubs +100 555 47.76% St. Louis -108 607 52.24% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

9:30 PM NY Mets 5.5 732 56.35% LA Dodgers 5.5 567 43.65% View View

6:30 PM Chi. Cubs 6.5 519 56.60% St. Louis 6.5 398 43.40% View View

3:30 PM Houston 7.5 155 57.62% Kansas City 7.5 114 42.38% View View

12:30 PM Texas 7.5 423 60.60% Toronto 7.5 275 39.40% View View

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Texas - 12:30 PM ET Toronto -180 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Toronto - Over 7.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Houston - 3:30 PM ET Houston +129 500 *****

Kansas City - Over 7.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

EVENING GAMES:

Chi. Cubs - 6:30 PM ET Chi. Cubs +102 500 TRIPLE PLAY

St. Louis - Over 6.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY


NY Mets - 9:30 PM ET NY Mets +180 500 DOUBLE PLAY

LA Dodgers - Under 5.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

mlb / wnba / cfl /cfb/nfl /nhl rated plays:

Recapping friday's action:

mlb: 4 - 4 - 0

wnba: 2 - 0 - 0

cfl: 0 - 2 - 0

cfb: 2 - 2 - 0

nfl: 0 - 0 - 0

nhl: 1 - 5 - 0 ( not a good night )


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

*****...................................35 - 28 - 2
double play............................73- 56 - 1
triple play..............................39 - 32 - 0
slam dunk..............................41 - 37 - 2

mlb record for playoffs:

*****.....................................0 - 2
double plays.............................5 - 1
triple plays...............................2 - 3
grand slam...............................0 - 0
double grand slam....................0 - 1
total.........................................1 - 2


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

Single play.................................35 - 29
double play................................16 - 21
triple play..................................21 - 101- 1
blow out.....................................5 - 3

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, October 10


National League
Cubs vs Cardinals
Hendricks is 2-0, 0.00 (12 IP) in his last two starts (under 3-0 last three).

Garcia is 1-1, 1.89 in his last three starts (under 3-0 last three).

Cubs won nine of last ten games, allowing 13 runs (under 9-2-1 last 12) they're 6-4 in last ten games with St Louis (over 7-2-1). Chicago is in playoffs for first time since '08. Joe Maddon was in playoffs with Rays four times in six years from '08-'13.

St Louis is in playoffs for fifth year in row, 12th time in 16 years; they lost six of last ten games and got shut out in three of last four (under 4-0 last four).

Mets vs Dodgers
Syndergaard is 1-1, 2.93 in his last four starts (over 8-2 last ten).

Greinke is 6-0, 1.61 in his last seven starts (under 5-2).

Mets are 6-3 in last eight games with LA (over 7-4 last 11). NY lost five of last seven games overall, scoring five runs in last five games. Mets are in playoffs for first time since 2006, second time since '00.

Dodgers are in playoffs for third year in row; they've won four of last five games.