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

[StarDust Bum]

Recapping monday's action:

mlb: 3 - - 0

wnba: 0 - 0 - 0

cfl: 0 - 0 - 0

cfb: 0 - 0 - 0

nfl: 0 - 2 - 0 ( not a good day )

nhl: 1 - 3 - 0 ( with canunks game pending with ducks )


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

*****...................................35 - 28 - 2
double play............................73- 56 - 1
triple play..............................39 - 32 - 0
slam dunk..............................42 - 38 - 2

mlb record for playoffs:

*****.....................................2 - 3
double plays.............................6 - 3
triple plays...............................3 - 5
grand slam...............................1 - 0
double grand slam....................3 - 1
total.........................................4 - 4


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

Single play.................................35 - 29
double play................................18 - 23
triple play..................................21 - 101- 1
blow out.....................................5 - 3

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LEADING OFF: Kershaw on 3 days' rest, Cubs a win from NLCS
October 12, 2015

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

NATIONAL STAGE

While both AL Division Series get the day off to prepare for Wednesday's Game 5s both NLDS are back at it for pivotal Game 4s. At 4:37 p.m. EDT, the Cubs host the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, and then the Dodgers and Mets play in New York at 8:07 p.m. EDT.

LEFT ON LEFT

Clayton Kershaw will try to end a five-game postseason losing streak, starting on three days' rest as the Dodgers face the Mets in Game 4. The ace left-hander took the loss in Game 1 but pitched well, striking out 11 and allowing three runs over 6 2-3 innings. The Mets are holding ace Jacob deGrom for a possible Game 5, instead throwing rookie southpaw Steven Matz for his postseason debut. Matz missed time down the stretch because of a back injury and hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 24, but was 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA in six starts this season.

RIGHT TRACK

The Cubs will try to become the second straight NL wild-card winner to advance to the Championship Series as they take a 2-1 lead into Game 4 of their NLDS against the Cardinals. Last year, the Giants won at Pittsburgh in the wild-card game and then rolled past Washington and St. Louis before beating the Royals in the World Series. The Cubs are looking to stay on a similar path behind Jason Hammel, who had a 5.65 ERA over his final nine regular-season starts. For the Cardinals, John Lackey, who dominated in Game 1, will face a Chicago team that hit a postseason-record six homers in Game 3.

BACK AT IT

Adrian Beltre and his ailing back get a needed off day before the Rangers face the Blue Jays in a decisive Game 5 on Wednesday in Toronto. Beltre exited Game 1 with lower back stiffness and didn't return until he was a late addition for Game 4, where he hit two singles and a deep fly out despite clearly still having issues. ''When I got up this morning, I wasn't sure if I was going to play or not,'' said Beltre, who was then asked if he was still day to day. ''I'll let you know when I wake up tomorrow.''

SOCIAL FAUX PAS

Houston has already been congratulated for an ALCS berth by Texas governor Greg Abbott, but it will have to wait until Wednesday to try to punch its ticket. Abbott's office-run Twitter account patted the Astros on the back Monday while Houston was up four runs and six outs away from finishing Kansas City, but then the Royals staged a comeback and forced Game 5. Abbott, who is an avid Twitter user, responded to the gaffe by telling Astros fans to unfollow his office and stick to his personal Twitter account. He tweeted: ''No predictions. Just support.'' Collin McHugh will pitch for the Astros against Johnny Cueto in the series finale.

[StarDust Bum]

Record-setting day of postseason homers
October 13, 2015

From Carlos Correa to Howie Kendrick, baseball's sluggers are having quite a day.

There have been 21 home runs Monday, a record for one day in postseason play. The latest was a three-run shot by Kendrick in the ninth inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their NL Division Series game against the New York Mets.

Correa hit two of Houston's four homers against Kansas City, and the Chicago Cubs hit a postseason-record six home runs in their victory over St. Louis. Three of Toronto's first eight batters homered in an ALDS win at Texas.

The previous postseason record was 15 home runs on Oct. 3, 1995, according to STATS. Like Monday, there were four postseason games on that day 20 years ago.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

8:05 PM EDT

929 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (L) Kershaw, C -155 -155 / -158 -156 -1.5(+110)
930 NEW YORK METS (L) Matz, S 6.5u15 6.5u15 +1.5(-130)

TV: TBS, DTV: 247 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 20% CHANCE LIGHT SHOWERS. WIND OUT TO RIGHT 6-11. GAME TEMP 67, RH 65%

4:35 PM EDT

931 ST LOUIS CARDINALS (R) Lackey, J 7.5o15 8o20 / 8o25 / 8o20 8o25 +1.5(-200)
932 CHICAGO CUBS (R) Hammel, J -120 -121 / -123 / -122 -120 -1.5(+170)

TV: TBS, DTV: 247 | PARTLY SUNNY, WIND LEFT TO RIGHT 10-15, GUSTY. GAME TEMP 61, RH 53%

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MLB Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

8:00 PM LA Dodgers -151 343 52.13% NY Mets +139 315 47.87% View View

4:30 PM St. Louis +111 405 55.79% Chi. Cubs -120 321 44.21% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

8:00 PM LA Dodgers 6.5 277 53.68% NY Mets 6.5 239 46.32% View View

4:30 PM St. Louis 8 320 57.25% Chi. Cubs 8 239 42.75% View View

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13

Game Score Status Pick Amount

St. Louis - 4:30 PM ET Chi. Cubs -120 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Chi. Cubs - Over 8 500 DOUBLE PLAY


SORRY DOG..................I THINK THIS MIGHT BE THE CUBBIES YEAR.........

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EVENING GAME:


LA Dodgers - 8:00 PM ET NY Mets +132 500 TRIPLE PLAY

NY Mets - Over 6.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

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Recapping tuesday's action:

mlb: 2 - 2

wnba: 0 - 0 - 0

cfl: 0 - 0 - 0

cfb: 1 - 1 - 0

nfl: 0 - 0 - 0

nhl: 2 - 2- 0


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

*****...................................35 - 28 - 2
double play............................73- 56 - 1
triple play..............................39 - 32 - 0
slam dunk..............................42 - 38 - 2

mlb record for playoffs:

*****.....................................2 - 3
double plays.............................7 - 4
triple plays...............................4 - 6
grand slam...............................1 - 0
double grand slam....................3 - 1
total.........................................5 - 5


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

Single play.................................35 - 29
double play................................18 - 23
triple play..................................21 - 101- 1
blow out.....................................5 - 3

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (86-76) at Royals (95-67)
Game: 5
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: October 14, 2015 8:07 PM EDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Royals traded away three top prospects to acquire Johnny Cueto for the playoffs, even though his winning pedigree has been established almost entirely in the regular season.

He'll have an opportunity to change that Wednesday night.

The right-hander with the creative cadre of deliveries will take the mound for Kansas City in Game 5 of the AL Division Series against the Astros. The Royals forced the decider at Kauffman Stadium by rallying from a four-run deficit in the eighth inning Monday at Houston.

The Astros will counter with Collin McHugh, who threw a gem in winning the series opener.

'Obviously this is the deciding game,' Cueto said through a translator after the Royals worked out Tuesday afternoon. 'We either win and stay or you go home.'

Cueto has long been considered one of the game's dynamic pitchers, his herky-jerky style often giving hitters fits. He was an All-Star a year ago with Cincinnati, and finished second in Cy Young voting in the National League, a big reason the Royals were so keen to get him.

But when it comes to the playoffs, things have been a struggle. Cueto is 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in four postseason starts, including a pedestrian outing in Game 2 against Houston.

While he retired 12 of the final 14 hitters he faced, Cueto also gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks in just six innings. It took the Kansas City hitters and some solid innings from his bullpen to get no decision in a 5-4 victory that evened the series.

Cueto acknowledged his looming free agency has been on his mind, but he also said there are no excuses if he fails to live up to expectations on Wednesday night.

'The fact of the matter is, I have to focus on pitching here and performing for this club and this organization,' he said. 'Thank God, the most important thing is I feel good. I feel healthy. And that gives me an opportunity to have success.'

The Royals have won nine of their past 10 elimination games, and now have momentum on their side. Their rousing comeback to force the series back to Kansas City drew comparisons to their comeback against Oakland in last year's wild-card game, when they dug out of a similar four-run hole in the eighth inning against Jon Lester and the A's.

The young, almost naive bunch of guys in the Kansas City clubhouse kept riding that momentum all the way to Game 7 of the World Series, where they finally lost to San Francisco.

'One thing this team does very well, every game we play, we just go out and play our game,' Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. 'We stick to our game, no matter the situation.'

The situation right now? Solving a pitcher who shut them down less than a week ago.

McHugh allowed two runs - both on homers by Kendrys Morales - and six hits over six innings against the Royals in Game 1, shrugging off a 49-minute rain delay in the process. With a vicious slider and unflappable confidence, he calmly took care of a potent Kansas City lineup.

That placid demeanor was still there Tuesday, 24 hours from the biggest start of his career.

'I don't know how I come off to other people,' McHugh said. 'It's always interesting. I have to ask my wife a lot how I look to other people. She usually gives me honest feedback.'

While he may not be as recognizable as Cueto, the right-hander who bounced through the Mets and Rockies systems before landing in Houston has been every bit as tough. He won 19 games during the regular season, and has won his last six decisions overall.

In fact, when Houston manager A.J. Hinch was asked whether he could use star pitcher Dallas Keuchel on three days' rest in relief, he replied: 'Not if McHugh pitches the whole game.'

Clearly, the Astros aren't lacking any confidence after their Game 4 meltdown.

While they would have preferred not having to board a plane back to Kansas City, they seemed to be taking it in stride, laughing and joking their way through a light workout.

'I know pouting and being negative and dwelling on the past is not going not help us,' Hinch said. 'We're in Game 5 of the division series with a chance to control our own destiny. It can't get any better than that.'


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Royals
Thu, Oct 8 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Royals
Fri, Oct 9 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Royals at Astros
Sun, Oct 11 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Royals at Astros
Mon, Oct 12 Final 9 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 5
Astros at Royals
Wed, Oct 14 - 8:07PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet
October 14, 2015


ALDS Game 5 (Series Tied 2-2)
Texas Rangers (88-74) at Toronto Blue Jays (93-79) | 4:00 p.m. ET (FS1)
Pitching Matchup: Cole Hamels vs Marcus Stroman
ML: Rangers +160, Blue Jays -175
Over/Under: 8

To kick off today’s slate of elimination games, the Rangers and Blue Jays will square off to decide who moves on to the American League Championship Series. Of course, this matchup looked all but over when Texas claimed the first two games on the road at Rogers Centre, but failed to complete the job at home in Arlington, where resilient Toronto battled back in taking the next two contests. Thus, we have the deciding Game 5 shifting back to Canada for what will surely be an electric environment.

It will also be a tough one to win in if you’re the visitors, seeing as how the Blue Jays are making the bold move of going with red-hot Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67 ERA) on the hill, rather than former AL Cy Young award winner, and one of the club’s big trade deadline acquisitions that helped get them to this point, David Price. The ironic thing about this, remember, is that Stroman was originally supposed to miss the entire 2015 season due to a torn ACL, but made a miraculous comeback in September, when he made four impressive starts.

In fact, Stroman went seven innings or more in the last three, while yielding a combined two runs over that span. In his two starts at Rogers Centre -- where Stroman has gone on record of saying that he feels very comfortable pitching in -- the 24-year-old right-hander allowed just one run over 14 total innings. In his Game 2 start opposite the Rangers, Stroman went seven innings and surrendered four runs (three earned), two of which coming in the first inning because of sluggish defense. He’s been so dialed in since his return, hence why he draws this huge assignment over Price in what could ultimately be a decision debated for months.

In any event, Blue Jay backers will be pleased to know that Stroman seemingly loves these types of high-pressure situations. "I'm just so excited for this opportunity," he said Tuesday as the Blue Jays held an optional workout. "Obviously, it's a perfect situation that kind of played out in my head, and it's happening. I get the chills just thinking about being in the position that I am now.”

While Toronto is opting to go with a second-year starter in such a big-game atmosphere, the Rangers have their trade deadline prize and reliable veteran to hand the ball to, that being Cole Hamels (13-8, 3.65 ERA). In other words, Texas has to feel comfortable with their chances, as this type of situation is exactly why they traded for Hamels at the end of July. The former NLCS and World Series MVP opposed Stroman in that aforementioned Game 2 contest and was similarly effective compared to his counterpart, going seven innings and yielding four runs (two earned), while striking out six and walking none.

Overall, he was fabulous for the Rangers once they got him, finishing 7-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 starts with his new club, while recording 78 strikeouts in 83.2 total innings. He performed like the ace that Texas hoped they were getting, going six innings or more in all of his assignments, and he was especially stingy down the stretch, logging eight quality starts in his final 10 attempts during the regular season. Just like Stroman, he, too, wants the ball in these types of big games.

"He's definitely a guy who went out there in big moments, he wants to be out there,” said Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux of Hamels. “I think that's what separates him from a lot of people is that he's been there, done that, and he knows what it takes to be successful. He knows what the finish line smells like, what it tastes like."

All things considered, this looks like one of the toughest pitching matchups to handicap thus far in the 2015 MLB postseason.

ALDS Game 5 (Series Tied 2-2)
Houston Astros (86-76) at Kansas City Royals (95-67) | 8:00 p.m. ET (FS1)
Pitching Matchup: Collin McHugh vs Johnny Cueto
ML: Astros +125, Royals -135
Over/Under: 7.5/8

In the nightcap of today’s pair of ALDS elimination bouts, the Astros and Royals will wrap up what has been a very tight and evenly-matched series. It almost wasn’t to be, as Houston thought they were about to move on when they brought a four-run lead into the eighth inning in Game 4 on Monday, before Kansas City reminded their foes just why they’re the reigning AL champs.

The Royals will be leaning on someone who wasn’t part of their monumental surge a year ago, that being ace Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44 ERA), who was their most notable trade deadline acquisition a couple of months ago. Surprisingly, the former Cincinnati Reds hurler had an up-and-down stint with KC during the regular season, as in 13 starts for his new club, he finished an unpleasant 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, a far cry from the 2.62 ERA and 0.93 WHIP he registered in 19 starts with the Reds.

Fortunately for Kansas City, he’ll be working in a more comfortable setting this evening, as Cueto has always been better at home than on the road. In fact, in 14 home starts this year -- including his time with Cincinnati -- Cueto went 6-4 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, as opposing lineups hit just .220 off the wiry right-hander.

Cueto started Game 2 of this series, and while his overall numbers (6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K) on the night don’t exactly look desirable, he did settle in nicely, retiring 12 of the final 14 hitters he faced. Still, Cueto’s overall playoff resume has to be a little concerning to those thinking about betting the Royals. In four career postseason starts, the 29-year-old is now 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA and 1.71 WHIP.

Houston would do anything to move on here, or risk a very, very long offseason after their monumental collapse in the unforgettable eighth inning of Game 4, which also came in front of the home fans. Collin McHugh (19-7, 3.89 ERA) will be tasked with trying to capture this series, and his chances for a successful outing certainly look pretty good after how the 28-year-old right-hander fared in his first career postseason start. In Game 1, McHugh toed the rubber for the Astros and was terrific, twirling six solid innings of two-run ball, yielding just four hits and a walk, though he also only struck out one.

McHugh also faced a similar Royals lineup at Kauffman Stadium last year, when he tossed seven shutout innings and surrendered five hits with no walks, while striking out nine. Astros backers certainly have to be pleased with his track record opposing Kansas City, as well as the mindset he’s entering this Game 5 assignment with.

“This is another game for us,” said McHugh. “I feel like the last month of the season every game has been progressively the biggest start of my career. I think that for all of us starters it's been the same thing. We have had a lot of must-wins coming down the stretch.”

Including last Thursday’s Game 1, McHugh has won seven straight decisions. As for Cueto, the Royals are 3-7 in his last 10 starts, with the over being 8-2 over that stretch.

[StarDust Bum]

Royals turn to Cueto, Astros to McHugh
October 13, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Royals traded away three top prospects to acquire Johnny Cueto for the playoffs, even though his winning pedigree has been established almost entirely in the regular season.

He'll have an opportunity to change that Wednesday night.

The right-hander with the creative cadre of deliveries will take the mound for Kansas City in Game 5 of the AL Division Series against the Astros, who forced the decider at Kauffman Stadium by rallying from a four-run deficit in the eighth inning on Monday in Houston.

The Astros will counter with Collin McHugh, who threw a gem in winning the series opener.

''Obviously this is the deciding game,'' Cueto said through a translator after the Royals worked out Tuesday afternoon. ''We either win and stay or you go home.''

Cueto has long been considered one of the game's dynamic pitchers, his herky-jerky style often giving hitters fits. He was an All-Star a year ago with Cincinnati, and finished second in Cy Young voting in the National League, a big reason the Royals were so keen to get him.

But when it comes to the playoffs, things have been a struggle. Cueto is 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in four postseason starts, including a pedestrian outing in Game 2 against Houston.

While he retired 12 of the final 14 hitters he faced, Cueto also gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks in just six innings. It took the Kansas City hitters and some solid innings from his bullpen to get no decision in a 5-4 victory that evened the series.

Cueto acknowledged his looming free agency has been on his mind, but he also said there are no excuses if he fails to live up to expectations on Wednesday night.

''The fact of the matter is, I have to focus on pitching here and performing for this club and this organization,'' he said. ''Thank God, the most important thing is I feel good. I feel healthy. And that gives me an opportunity to have success.''

The Royals have won nine of their past 10 elimination games, and now have momentum on their side. Their rousing comeback to force the series back to Kansas City drew comparisons to their comeback against Oakland in last year's wild-card game, when they dug out of a similar four-run hole in the eighth inning against Jon Lester and the A's.

The young, almost naive bunch of guys in the Kansas City clubhouse kept riding that momentum all the way to Game 7 of the World Series, where they finally lost to San Francisco.

''One thing this team does very well, every game we play, we just go out and play our game,'' Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. ''We stick to our game, no matter the situation.''

The situation right now? Solving a pitcher who shut them down less than a week ago.

McHugh allowed two runs - both on homers by Kendrys Morales - and six hits over six innings against the Royals in Game 1, shrugging off a 49-minute rain delay in the process. With a vicious slider and unflappable confidence, he calmly took care of a potent Kansas City lineup.

That placid demeanor was still there Tuesday, 24 hours from the biggest start of his career.

''I don't know how I come off to other people,'' McHugh said. ''It's always interesting. I have to ask my wife a lot how I look to other people. She usually gives me honest feedback.''

While he may not be as recognizable as Cueto, the right-hander who bounced through the Mets and Rockies systems before landing in Houston has been every bit as tough. He won 19 games during the regular season, and has won his last six decisions overall.

In fact, when Houston manager A.J. Hinch was asked whether he could use star pitcher Dallas Keuchel on three days' rest in relief, he replied: ''Not if McHugh pitches the whole game.''

Clearly, the Astros aren't lacking any confidence after their Game 4 meltdown.

While they would have preferred not having to board a plane back to Kansas City, they seemed to be taking it in stride, laughing and joking their way through a light workout.

''I know pouting and being negative and dwelling on the past is not going not help us,'' Hinch said. ''We're in Game 5 of the division series with a chance to control our own destiny. It can't get any better than that.''

[StarDust Bum]

Jays turn to Stroman in ALDS Gm. 5
October 13, 2015

TORONTO (AP) The Toronto Blue Jays stacked a pair of former Cy Young Award winners to prolong their stay in the AL Division Series.

For the deciding Game 5, they'll turn to a starter who was once expected to miss the entire season.

Marcus Stroman, who tore a ligament in his left knee during a spring training fielding drill in March, will get the ball when the Blue Jays host the Texas Rangers in a winner-take-all affair on Wednesday afternoon.

''He's defied all the odds, that's for sure,'' manager John Gibbons said. ''If anybody can rise to the occasion, it would be him.''

Stroman went 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA after rejoining the rotation in mid-September. He'll face Texas lefty Cole Hamels.

After losing the first two games at home, then bouncing back in Game 3 on Sunday night, the Blue Jays routed the Rangers in Texas. Toronto started knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, the 2012 NL Cy Young winner, and replaced him during the fifth inning with hard-throwing left-hander David Price, who won the AL award in 2012.

Now Stroman, who spent most of the summer rehabbing his knee at Duke University while also finishing up his degree, will try to pitch the Blue Jays into their first AL Championship Series since 1993, when Toronto won the second of back-to-back World Series titles.

''I'm just so excited for this opportunity,'' the 24-year-old righty said Tuesday as the Blue Jays held an optional workout. ''Those dog days at Duke when it's kind of tough to get through a workout with the knee pain, that's what you kind of have in the back of your mind to keep you going.''

''Obviously, it's a perfect situation that kind of played out in my head, and it's happening. I get the chills just thinking about being in the position that I am now,'' he said.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos sat in the back row of the press conference room Tuesday and listened as Gibbons and Stroman addressed the media. Speaking in the hallway afterward, Anthopoulos acknowledged it was quite a setback when Stroman first suffered his injury.

''I might yell a little bit, but I don't throw stuff and bang walls,'' Anthopoulos said. ''I just got in the car and drove for a little bit.''

By July, as he continued to receive positive updates on Stroman's recovery, the Blue Jays GM started to believe a comeback was likely.

''We factored it in when we were looking to acquire starters,'' Anthopoulos said, ''but you had no assurances and no guarantees. Even when he got injured we knew there was a chance, you just don't want to count on it.''

After a series of simulated games at Toronto's spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, Stroman started at Class A Lansing on Sept. 2, striking out seven in 4 2-3 hitless innings. He struggled in a Triple-A game against Pawtucket on Sept. 7, but bounced back to beat the New York Yankees in his season debut five days later.

''After that we all felt, `We need this guy, let's see what he can do,''' Gibbons said. ''He took off with it.''

First baseman Chris Colabello, who previously played against Stroman in Double-A, said the outgoing pitcher with the dyed-blonde hairdo has become ''like a little brother to me,'' one he has every faith in for Game 5.

''Stro just exudes greatness, confidence, belief,'' Colabello said. ''Whatever word you want to use to describe him, he's all of that. Watching him pitch brings energy to the fans, brings energy to us. Nothing surprises me when it comes to Stro.''

Stroman allowed four runs, three earned, over seven innings but didn't get a decision in Game 2, which Texas won 6-4 in 14 innings.

''Look, he's a tough opponent,'' Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Tuesday as his team worked out in Texas before flying to Toronto. ''This kid's got electric stuff.''

Catcher Chris Gimenez said it will be important for the Rangers to try and slow down Stroman's pace.

''He loves to work quick,'' Gimenez said. ''He's very exuberant on the mound with his emotions, and that's a good thing, don't get me wrong. But for us to be successful, we've really got to stick to our game plan, which is bringing him up in the zone, slowing him down and getting him in the middle of the plate.''

Just as he was in Game 2, Stroman will be opposed by Hamels.

''Who else would you rather have on the mound when you have to win a game than your ace?'' Gimenez asked.

The Rangers also hope to have four-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner Adrian Beltre in the lineup again Wednesday. The slugger left Game 1 with a strained back but returned with two hits in Game 4. Banister said Tuesday that he hadn't heard anything new from his training staff about Beltre's condition.

''I take that as we're all good,'' Banister said.

The Rangers, who brought up infielders Joey Gallo and Ed Lucas from their Fall League team as insurance after Game 1, returned those two players to Phoenix on Tuesday.

Gibbons wouldn't say whether Price, who threw 50 pitches in a three-inning relief stint Monday, would be available out of the bullpen again Wednesday.

''I wouldn't necessarily count on it,'' Gibbons said. ''David was very instrumental in getting us here but he's not here to be abused, either.''

Still, with left-hander Brett Cecil out for the playoffs after tearing his left calf in Game 2, and fellow lefty Aaron Loup away from the team for personal reasons, Price is the only left-hander on Toronto's active roster. Asked about Loup's status Tuesday, Gibbons said he didn't know when the sidearming southpaw would rejoin the Blue Jays.

[StarDust Bum]

Rangers leaning on Hamels at Toronto
October 13, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Texas Rangers have won their last 11 games started by Cole Hamels.

They needed each of those victories to get this far, and their season will be over without another one Wednesday against Toronto in the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series.

''It's why you go out and get top performers, elite competitors ... situations exactly like this,'' manager Jeff Banister said Tuesday. ''That's a comforting feeling that we've got a guy on the mound that's going to go for us that has been here, has done it, and is quite capable of continuing to do it.''

Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, will be pitching in a winner-take-all game for the first time when he goes against Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman in a rematch of Game 2 of the ALDS. The Rangers won 6-4 in 14 innings Friday when both starters pitched seven innings and departed with the score 4-4.

''Who else would you rather have on the mound when you have to win a game than your ace,'' catcher Chris Gimenez said. ''The fact that he has been there before is really, I think, the biggest confidence boost.''

Hamels, who is 7-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 14 postseason starts, threw a three-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels in the regular season finale to clinch the AL West title. That was his only complete game since he was acquired from Philadelphia on July 31, when he was coming off a no-hitter for the Phillies.

Before the team departed for Canada on Tuesday, Hamels played catch with pitching coach Mike Maddux in the outfield at the Rangers' ballpark. The pitcher wasn't made available to speak with reporters.

The Rangers were eight games out of first place after Hamels made his Texas debut Aug. 1, an extra-inning loss. They also lost his second start, but have won his last 11 turns in the rotation - Hamels is 7-0 with a 3.16 ERA in that span.

After opening this ALDS by winning the first two games at Toronto, the Rangers lost twice at home in a 24-hour span.

For the Rangers, it is the same situation they faced in the 2010 ALDS when they won two games in Tampa Bay, lost two at home and then went back on the road to win Game 5.

That clincher came with Cliff Lee on the mound, and the Rangers went on to their first World Series that season. They were AL champions again in 2011.

''I remember going back into Tampa in 2010, we felt pretty good because we had the right guy with the ball,'' Maddux said. ''I think we've got the same thing working right now. As Yogi would say, deja vu all over again. I hope so.''

Lee, who once was a teammate and mentor to Hamels, is another ace lefty who was a midseason acquisition for Texas. While Lee left in free agency after the 2010 season, Hamels has a contract that goes through 2018 and includes a club option for 2019.

Maddux didn't personally know Hamels before the pitcher got to Texas, but quickly found out how grounded and motivated the lefty is.

''I think Game 162 is indicative of that,'' Maddux said. ''I think Game 2 that he pitched in Toronto was indicative of that. When it got a little hairy out there, boy, he turned it up a notch and he got better as that game went along. ... He's going to keep coming at you, not going to back down.''

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Jays-Rangers, Astros-Royals in ALDS Game 5s
October 13, 2015

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


WIN OR GO HOME

The AL Championship Series participants will be decided in a pair of deciding Game 5s. In Toronto, the Blue Jays host the Rangers at 4:07 p.m. EDT to complete a series in which the visiting team has won every game. Then at 8:07 p.m. EDT, the top-seeded Royals will try to carry over momentum from a late-inning comeback in Game 4 in their series finale against the Astros.

BACK FOR A BIG ONE

The Blue Jays got a late-season boost when Marcus Stroman returned with impressive swiftness from a torn knee ligament, and now it's on the 24-year-old right-hander to prolong Toronto's season. Stroman tore the ACL in his left knee in spring training, but returned late in the regular season and made his playoff debut while taking a no-decision in Game 2 of this series. ''He's defied all the odds, that's for sure,'' manager John Gibbons said. ''If anybody can rise to the occasion, it would be him.''

GOOD DEAL

The Rangers are looking for their 12th straight win in starts made by Cole Hamels, who was acquired from Philadelphia in a deal before the non-waiver trade deadline. Texas parted with a deep package of prospects to land Hamels, who is under contract through at least 2018 and will be making his 15th career postseason start. ''It's why you go out and get top performers, elite competitors ... situations exactly like this,'' Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. ''That's a comforting feeling that we've got a guy on the mound that's going to go for us that has been here, has done it, and is quite capable of continuing to do it.''

BACK IN?

Adrian Beltre is hoping to get back in the lineup for Game 5 after missing time this series with lower back stiffness. The Rangers' four-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner was pulled from Game 1 and didn't return until Game 4, when he singled twice despite clearly still being bothered by the injury. Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Tuesday that he hadn't heard news either way from the training staff regarding Beltre's condition after the third baseman played Monday. ''I take that as we're all good,'' Banister said.

CUETO'S CALLING?

The Royals will ask Johnny Cueto to fulfill the role they envisioned when they traded away three top prospects for him before this year's non-waiver trade deadline - be the shutdown ace in a deciding postseason game. The former Reds pitcher is 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in four career playoff starts, though, and didn't exactly carry Kansas City into the postseason after the deal with Cincinnati was made. Cueto can become a free agent after this season, so this could be his final outing as a Royal.

BIG BOY SPORT

The Astros will try to rebound from a late collapse in Game 4 fueled by a pivotal error from bourgeoning shortstop Carlos Correa. The rookie homered twice, doubled, singled and drove in two runs in the game, but also mishandled a deflected grounder that could have led to a double play in the eighth. Instead of getting two outs, Houston gave up five runs to blow a four-run lead. ''It's big boy sport,'' Astros manager A.J. Hinch said after the 9-6 loss. ''We'll adjust, and we will be ready to play.''

WRIGLEYVILLE SHINDIG

The Cubs get to recover after a raucous night that included the franchise's first postseason series clinch at historic Wrigley Field. The Cubs hit 10 homers in the final three games of their series against the Cardinals after being shut out in Game 1 of the best-of-five set. They get a few off days to recover from the festivities, which included partying with Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, and will prep to open the NL Championship Series on the road Saturday.

TAKE IT BACK OUT WEST

The right to host Saturday's NL Championship Series opener will be decided Thursday when the Mets and Dodgers play Game 5 of their NL Division Series. For LA, starter Zack Greinke led all qualifying starters with a 1.66 ERA this season, while Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom was sixth with a 2.54 mark. In Game 1, deGrom outpitched Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, striking out 13 batters in his postseason debut. Greinke then got the win in Game 2, allowing two solo home runs and not much else over seven strong innings.

SECURITY CONCERNS

Police are planning to have a strong presence at Game 5 at Dodger Stadium after a fan was critically injured in a fight outside the ballpark following Game 1. The two people suspected of injuring the man are a mother and son, who are being sought by the police, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck. Security at Dodger Stadium came under national scrutiny after a 2011 attack in the parking lot on opening day left Giants fan Bryan Stow with brain damage. Beck said that stadium security has been significantly enhanced since that beating, which led to a jury awarding Stow nearly $18 million from the team in a six-week trial in 2014.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Division Series


Houston @ Kansas City

Game 933-934
October 14, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(McHugh) 15.590
Kansas City
(Cueto) 17.144
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-135
8
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(-135); Under

Texas @ Toronto

Game 935-936
October 14, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Hamels) 16.723
Toronto
(Stroman) 15.616
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-175
8
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+155); Over




MLB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, October 14

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

HOUSTON (89 - 78) at KANSAS CITY (97 - 69) - 8:05 PM
COLLIN MCHUGH (R) vs. JOHNNY CUETO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 35-49 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 97-69 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 52-31 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 16-6 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in October games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 28-13 (+14.1 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 94-65 (+19.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 66-52 (+4.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 65-41 (+18.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 56-42 (+8.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 88-67 (+15.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 43-30 (+11.6 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.
CUETO is 20-8 (+12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 89-72 (+4.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 66-66 (+11.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MCHUGH is 22-11 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
MCHUGH is 22-9 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
MCHUGH is 16-8 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-4 (+1.8 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.3 Units)

COLLIN MCHUGH vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MCHUGH is 2-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 1.38 and a WHIP of 0.769.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

JOHNNY CUETO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
CUETO is 3-6 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.81 and a WHIP of 1.427.
His team's record is 5-9 (-7.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-5. (+2.2 units)

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

TEXAS (90 - 76) at TORONTO (95 - 71) - 4:05 PM
COLE HAMELS (L) vs. MARCUS STROMAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 95-71 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 49-31 (+13.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TORONTO is 50-33 (+11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 26-10 (+12.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
TEXAS is 90-76 (+31.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 37-23 (+21.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TEXAS is 47-36 (+28.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TEXAS is 22-12 (+17.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TEXAS is 50-44 (+17.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 54-45 (+17.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TEXAS is 41-34 (+13.7 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
TEXAS is 47-29 (+32.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TEXAS is 24-17 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
HAMELS is 21-12 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
HAMELS is 11-4 (+8.8 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)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 4-6 (+0.3 Units) against TORONTO this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.5 Units)

COLE HAMELS vs. TORONTO since 1997
HAMELS is 0-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.85 and a WHIP of 1.662.
His team's record is 1-4 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.4 units)

MARCUS STROMAN vs. TEXAS since 1997
STROMAN is 1-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 1.93 and a WHIP of 0.786.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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




MLB
Short Sheet

Wednesday, October 14

Houston at Kansas City, 8:05 PM EDT
Houston: 30-40 SU on the road when the total is 7 to 8.5
Kansas City: 27-11 SU at home when the total is 7.5 or less

Texas at Toronto, 4:05 PM EDT
Texas: 22-12 SU on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5
Toronto: 15-3 UNDER in home games after scoring 8 runs or more




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, October 14

American League
Rangers vs Blue Jays
Texas won last 11 Hamels starts (2-0, 4.91 last three)- over is 7-0-1 in his last eight.

Stroman is 4-0, 2.38 in five starts this year (over 3-2).

Rangers won three of last five games with Toronto (over 4-2-1 last seven); Texas is in the playoffs for first time since losing first AL Wild Card game in 2012- they've won six of last ten games overall (over 7-5-1 in last thirteen).

Blue Jays are in playoffs for first time since winning '93 World Series; they lost six of last nine games, but won last two-- over is 7-1-2 in their last ten games.

Astros vs Royals
McHugh is 4-0, 2.62 in his last four starts (under 3-1).

Cueto is 2-1, 4.13 in his last four starts (over 8-2 in last ten).

Houston won eight of its last 12 games; this is Astros' first postseason since 2005. Astros are 8-4 in last 12 games with Royals (under is 5-3 in last eight)- they blew 6-2 lead in 8th inning of Game 4.

Kansas City lost Game 7 of World Series LY, its first playoff appearance since 1985; Royals won seven of last nine games overall (under 8-4 in last 12).




MLB

Wednesday, October 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4:07 PM
TEXAS vs. TORONTO
Texas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Texas is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Toronto's last 23 games when playing Texas
Toronto is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games when playing Texas

8:07 PM
HOUSTON vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing Kansas City
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
Kansas City is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 7 games when playing Houston