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**Udog** · 10-10-2015, 08:19 AM

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

NFL trends to ponder with Week 5 here.........

-- Buccaneers are 4-14-1 as non-divisional home favorites.

-- Arizona covered 12 of its last 17 road games.

-- Washington is 9-18 in last 27 games as an underdog.

-- Denver covered 13 of last 15 divisional games.

-- Eagles are 6-1 vs spread as non-divisional home favorites.

-- San Diego is 18-11-1 as a non-divisional home favorite.

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Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind........

13) A great things about sportsbooks is you can sit down next to a stranger, start up a conversation about one of the games and because sports fans have a common frame of reference, you can wind up making a new friend. Its part of the fun of coming here.

12) Rangers 6, Blue Jays 4 (14)-- Hanser Alberto got the game-winning hit; the only reason he was playing is because Adrian Beltre has a bad back. Go figure.

11) Royals 5, Astros 4-- Guy I met in the sportsbook tonight tried to bet over 9.5 in this game using in-game wagering, but the teller was slow-- by the time the guy got to the front of the line, an inning had passed and total was down to 8.5. He bet over 8.5, the game ended 5-4 and he won his bet because the teller was slow.

10) Cardinals 4, Cubs 0-- Umpires are calling more strikes this week than they did during the regular season. Under is 5-2-1 in first eight games this week.

9) Mets 3, Dodgers 1-- My dad's favorite player in recent Mets history was Daniel Murphy; he would've been very proud of him last night. Was weird watching the Mets play in a room filled with people rooting for the other team. If I owned the Dodgers and had a freakin' $300M payroll, I'd have a better manager than Don Mattingly.

8) Can't wait to see which umpires get assigned to first Pirate-Cubs series next year, because there will be fireworks when those teams meet again.

7) Early returns on the NHL's new 3-on-3 OT format are hugely positive. Overtime in the Philly-Tampa game Thursday made you breathless just watching.

6) You know you're in a great place when this announcement comes over the PA as you sink your teeth into an excellent, large hamburger:

"Halftime wagering on the Saskatchewan-Hamilton game is now open"

I mean, where else would you rather be?

5) Maryland is looking for the most graceful (and cheapest) way to get rid of football coach Randy Edsall, whose program got undermined by the move to the Big 14. It is awkward to get of a college coach mid-season, but it might help this winter's recruiting to have Edsall out of the way as soon as possible.

4) Was comforting to hear LA Clipper TV announcers admit on-air that the team's trip to China will set it back behind other teams in their preseason preparation.

3) Miami Dolphins' kicker is Andrew Franks, who played D-III football at RPI in Troy, NY, which is just over the river from Armadillo World HQ. Franks must be a smart human; RPI is an engineering school-- you have to be really smart to go there (unless you play hockey)-- they won the 1985 national hockey title.

2) The average NFL team is worth $1.97B; their average profit LY was $74M.

1) Terry Collins managed 1,688 major league games before his first playoff game, which was last night. The man paid his dues.

**Udog** · 10-10-2015, 08:21 AM

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.

**Udog** · 10-10-2015, 08:23 AM

MLB

Saturday, October 10

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Trend Report
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5:37 PM
CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Chi Cubs's last 21 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Chi Cubs are 3-10 SU in their last 13 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 7 of St. Louis's last 10 games when playing Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home

9:07 PM
NY METS vs. LA DODGERS
NY Mets are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
NY Mets are 8-16 SU in their last 24 games when playing LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 16-8 SU in their last 24 games when playing NY Mets
LA Dodgers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Mets

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**Udog** · 10-10-2015, 08:25 AM

MLB

Saturday, October 10

Blue Jays LHP Cecil injures calf

The Toronto Blue Jays might have lost relief pitcher Brett Cecil for the remainder of the postseason after he suffered a torn left calf muscle on Friday in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

Cecil, the Blue Jays' top left-hander in the bullpen, was injured during a rundown in the eighth inning of the Blue Jays' 6-4 loss to the Texas Rangers in Toronto. He had to be escorted off the field with assistance after tagging out Mike Napoli.

"He's got a pretty significant tear, so that's not very good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.

The 29-year-old Cecil had a 2.49 ERA in 54 1/3 innings during the regular season. He allowed only two unearned runs in 37 games between June 24 and the end of the regular season.

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series with the Blue Jays that shifts to Texas for Game 3 on Sunday.

**Udog** · 10-10-2015, 09:33 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Saturday, October 10

NY Mets @ LA Dodgers

Game 915-916
October 10, 2015 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Syndrgrd) 16.511
LA Dodgers
(Greinke) 15.570
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-200
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(+170); Over

Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis

Game 913-914
October 10, 2015 @ 5:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Hendrcks) 15.861
St. Louis
(Garcia) 17.488
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-135
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-135); Under

**Udog** · 10-10-2015, 10:46 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, October 10

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CHICAGO CUBS (98 - 66) at ST LOUIS (102 - 61) - 5:35 PM
KYLE HENDRICKS (R) vs. JAIME GARCIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 781-817 (-150.7 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 102-61 (+26.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 56-26 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ST LOUIS is 72-36 (+21.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 48-29 (+12.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
ST LOUIS is 102-61 (+26.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 76-43 (+21.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 63-39 (+13.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ST LOUIS is 45-28 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 47-22 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 98-66 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 38-25 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 49-34 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 22-10 (+13.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 7 or less this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 47-31 (+10.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 98-66 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 33-26 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 80-73 (+8.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 44-31 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HENDRICKS is 30-15 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HENDRICKS is 30-14 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HENDRICKS is 15-7 (+9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HENDRICKS is 10-3 (+8.2 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
ST LOUIS is 12-8 (+3.1 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
11 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.8 Units)

KYLE HENDRICKS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
HENDRICKS is 0-1 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.97 and a WHIP of 1.192.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

JAIME GARCIA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
GARCIA is 2-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 2.06 and a WHIP of 1.171.
His team's record is 2-3 (-2.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

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NY METS (91 - 72) at LA DODGERS (92 - 71) - 9:05 PM
NOAH SYNDERGAARD (R) vs. ZACK GREINKE (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 5-3 (+4.6 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

NOAH SYNDERGAARD vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
SYNDERGAARD is 0-0 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

ZACK GREINKE vs. NY METS since 1997
GREINKE is 3-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.48 and a WHIP of 0.975.
His team's record is 3-3 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-4. (-2.8 units)

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**Udog** · 10-10-2015, 10:49 AM

MLB

Saturday, October 10

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Saturday's NLDS doubleheader betting preview
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The Cardinals blanked the Cubs 4-0 in Game 1 and look to Jaime Garcia to give them a 2-0 series lead.

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (-134, 6.5)

The St. Louis Cardinals look to take a commanding 2-0 lead when they host the Chicago Cubs for Game 2 of their National League Division Series on Saturday. St. Louis posted a 4-0 victory in the opener of the best-of-five set, breaking Chicago's nine-game winning streak that included Wednesday's wild-card victory at Pittsburgh.

The Cubs will look to get their bats moving in Game 2 after recording just three singles in the opener. "We could not get anything generated," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said during his postgame press conference. "They've pitched really well all season - that's a big reason they won 100 games." Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was in the Game 1 lineup despite a sprained left thumb and was hitless in three at-bats. "Anytime you get Yadier back there, it's huge," St. Louis' Randal Grichuk said after the opener. "The things he does and brings to the team, you can't even say them all."

TV: 5:37 p.m. ET, TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43)

Hendricks is a surprise Game 2 starter but was dominant in his final two regular-season outings, giving up three hits and striking out 17 in 12 scoreless innings. "I've been preparing myself for any possibilities, so I wasn't caught off-guard," Hendricks told reporters. "But I was definitely excited. I'm glad they gave me this opportunity." Hendricks is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in four career starts against St. Louis and gave up four runs and six hits in five frames of a no-decision on May 5.

Garcia is 0-2 with a 4.23 ERA in six career postseason starts but is taking the ball in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. A series of arm injuries has plagued his career and caused a transformation from a power pitcher to a hurler that relies heavily on his sinker and changeup. "Those two pitches are big for me," Garcia told reporters. "It's always about being willing to make changes for good and reinventing yourself. The sinker and changeup are my strength right now."

TRENDS:

* Under is 3-1-1 in Garcia's last five starts vs. Cubs.
* Cubs are 10-1 in their last 11 road games.
* Cubs are 0-7 in their last seven Divisional Playoff games.
* Cardinals are 10-2 in Garcia's last 12 starts.

New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers (Off, Off)

The New York Mets defeated Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw in the opener and look to take a 2-0 lead when they visit the Dodgers for Game 2 of their National League Division Series on Saturday. Jacob deGrom was scintillating with 13 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings as New York recorded a 3-1 victory in Game 1.

Los Angeles standout Zack Greinke will look to even the best-of-five series and keep his club from heading to New York on the brink of elimination. The Game 1 defeat reminds the Dodgers of their postseason struggles as they have lost their last eight series in which they've dropped the opening game. Daniel Murphy's solo homer and David Wright's two-run single provided the Mets with the offense they needed on a night in which they recorded just five hits. New York manager Terry Collins, 66, won his postseason debut and sends rookie Noah Syndergaard to the mound against Greinke.

TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (19-3, 1.66)

Syndergaard gave the rotation a big boost with his emergence as he held opposing hitters to a .225 average. The 23-year-old was just 2-5 with a 4.23 ERA in 12 road starts, but he went 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA in his last three outings away from home. "To me, it's just all about getting comfortable out there on the mound on the road," Syndergaard said in his press conference. "I feel like in the last couple starts I had on the road, I had a lot of success, lot of comfort."

Greinke posted the lowest ERA by a starting pitcher since Atlanta's Greg Maddux (1.63) in 1995 and it was under 2.00 the entire season. He allowed two or fewer runs in 26 of his 32 starts and is one of three candidates for the NL Cy Young Award - Kershaw and Chicago's Jake Arrieta being the others. "I've probably stopped trying to trick guys as much as I used to," Greinke said, "and try to make my pitches as good as possible."

TRENDS:

* Mets are 7-0 in their last seven Divisional Playoff games.
* Mets are 4-1 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
* Over is 5-0-1 in Syndergaard's last six road starts.
* Under is 4-1 in Greinke's last five home starts.

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Announcement

Saturday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/10

Saturday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/10

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