Announcement

**Udog** · 10-09-2015, 08:32 AM

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- Colts 27, Texans 20-- Gutty effort by 40-year old QB Hasselbeck, who was sick for much of the week before this game.

-- NFL teams coming off a bye are 386-376 vs spread; under is 403-372, so no real trends have emerged as far as post-bye teams go.

-- Washington 17, USC 12-- Natives in Trojan Nation are officially restless.

-- Minnesota 5, Colorado 4-- Avalanche led 4-1, then gave up four goals in 5:07 as the Wild won its opener. Colorado coach Patrick Roy was not happy. Not at all.

-- Not only are road teams 4-0 in baseball playoffs, home team hasn't led in any of the games yet.

-- Restaurant recommendation: Fellini's in the Stratosphere-- this is a very good place to eat. I had chicken parm; their bread is as good as I've ever had.

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Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Things I'm looking for this weekend.......

13) NLDS series start today; road teams are 4-0 so far in playoffs, under is 3-0-1. Shadows shouldn't be a problem in LA; at 5:10 Thursday, shadows were already in the outfield, so the hitters should be able to see just fine.

12) There are only three 4:00 games Sunday; NFL was banking on NE-Dallas game to entertain America for three hours, but with Romo out, can Cowboys compete?

11) Georgia got squashed at home last week by Alabama; Tennessee lost last two games, both at home. Loser of this game is going to take some serious heat.

10) Seattle hasn't allowed a TD since Kam Chancellor came back; Cincinnati's offense is underrated because national media doesn't care about the Bengals. Interesting matchup; this would've been a good 4:25 Sunday game

9) Northwestern has been tormented by Michigan in last three meetings; a 10-9 loss and two OT losses. Wildcats are 5-0; can they score on Michigan's stout defense?

8) Buffalo is 2-2, but losses were to Brady/Eli Manning, both multiple Super Bowl winners; this is a game Bills have to have if they are payoff contenders.

7) Clemson had an emotional win last week; now skidding Georgia Tech comes to town and this is a dangerous game for the Tigers.

6) If Texas loses to Oklahoma Saturday and the Eagles get upset by New Orleans Sunday, the Chip Kelly-to-Texas rumors are going to gain momentum. Philly is at its best when Bradford throws long; maybe they should do it more often.

5) Rams seem to play with more spunk against divisional rivals; Todd Gurley gave the offense a huge boost last week in Arizona; can he do it again this week at Lambeau Field, where Aaron Rodgers is usually close to being perfect?

4) Navy is 10-1 vs spread in its last 11 visits to Notre Dame; Irish are licking their wounds after the Clemson loss. Navy is 24-9 as an underdog since 2005.

3) 4-0 Falcons are turning into a juggernaut; OC Kyle Shanahan once got fired by the Redskins, along with his dad. Think this game is personal to him?

2) Who thought Cal-Utah would be a huge Pac-12 game? Well, it is.

1) Why is Tampa Bay favored over anyone? Only reason I'm not taking Jaguars this week is that it is their third week in row on road, usually a very bad spot for visiting NFL teams.

**Udog** · 10-09-2015, 08:39 AM

MLB
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

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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)

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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)

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

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)

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

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

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**Udog** · 10-09-2015, 08:44 AM

MLB

Friday, October 9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLDS doubleheader betting preview: Cubs-Cardinals, Mets-Dodgers
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The Over has gone 7-1-1 in the previous nine meetings between the Cubs and Cardinals heading into Game 1 of the NLDS.

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."

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)."

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.

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**Udog** · 10-09-2015, 08:46 AM

MLB

Friday, October 9

Rangers feasting on opponents in Hamels' starts

The Toronto Blue Jays started their hired gun David Price in Game 1 Thursday, now the Texas Rangers will turn to Cole Hamels to give them a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 Friday. And with the way that the Rangers have been winning games in the southpaw's starts, the Jays could be looking at a monumental challenge.

The Rangers have gone 10-0 in Hamels' last 10 starts after the club lost his first two outings in a Rangers uniform since coming over via a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Texas won Game 1 in Toronto by a score of 5-3.

Cardinals put C Molina on NLDS roster

Injured St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was included on the roster for the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs that begins Friday night in St. Louis.

The All-Star will wear a splint to protect his left thumb during the best-of-five series between the longtime rivals. He suffered strained ligaments while making a tag during a Sept. 20 game against the Cubs.

Joining Molina on the Cardinals' roster announced Thursday were four rookies -- outfielder Randal Grichuk, outfielder-first baseman Stephen Piscotty, outfielder Tommy Pham and infielder Greg Garcia.

The Cardinals left first baseman Matt Adams, infielder Pete Kozmaby and relievers Randy Choate and Steve Cishek off their NLDS roster. Adams struggled after returning late in the season from a torn quadriceps.

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.

**Udog** · 10-09-2015, 01:47 PM

MLB
Short Sheet

Friday, October 9

Update

Chicago Cubs at St Louis, 6:45 PM EDT
Chicago: 63-76 SU after having won 8 or more of their last 10
St Louis: 10-1 SU after 3 straight games with no home runs

**Udog** · 10-09-2015, 01:51 PM

MLB

Friday, October 9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALDS doubleheader betting preview: Rangers at Blue Jays, Astros at Royals
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Johnny Cueto has allowed three runs or less in four straight games after a horrible stretch of 30 runs allowed over five starts.

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.

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."

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.

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