Announcement

**Udog** · 10-14-2015, 07:30 AM

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

-- Steve Spurrier will be TV gold, if he goes in that direction.

-- Tyrod Taylor (sprained MCL) won't play this week for the Bills.

-- Cowboys will start Matt Cassel at QB in Week 7 against the Giants.

-- TV people have to be happier than hell that the Cubs advanced.

-- Angels fired their pitching coach and hitting coach, like it was their fault.

-- Dodgers 3, Mets 1-- Game 5 in Chavez Ravine Thursday night.

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Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Top8 and bottom 5 in the NFL.....

32) Lions-- They were 11-5 LY, are 0-5 now; the last-second loss in Seattle was the straw that broke these Lions' backs. They've won one playoff game since 1957; they need to go out and hire a proven winner as coach (Gruden? Payton? Pagano?)

31) Saints-- Drew Brees is nearing the end of a great career; good time to re-boot the franchise and let team, coach go in different directions. Miami is said to be interested if Sean Payton becomes a free agent; every team with an opening should be.

30) Dolphins-- Now that the players don't have Joe Philbin to blame for everything, lets see how they do. Still think they should change QBs; interim coach Campbell talked a lot after his hiring, we'll see how he does.

29) Texans-- Mallett seems like the more talented player, Hoyer the better leader; neither seems like a QB you can build a winning team around, but hey, they know the offense and they used to play for the Patriots so whatever.....

28) Chiefs-- Now that Jamaal Charles is out for the year, Alex Smith's inability to stretch the field will become a more glaring weakness.

8) Jets-- Solid defense, Ivory is running ball well, Fitzpatrick isn't screwing anything up; intereting game this weekend with the Redskins.

7) Broncos-- Excellent defense, but if the QB's name wasn't Manning, he'd be called a declining game manager- they've already won twice without scoring a TD on offense.

6) Panthers-- Red flag is their +8 turnover ratio; if the takeways dry up, will they be able to score? Trip to Seattle this weekend should be enlightening.

5) Falcons-- Trailed four of five games in 4th quarter, so could just as easily be 1-4 as 5-0. Its a big reason why the NFL is so popular; small margin for error.

4) Cardinals-- Bruce Arians got fired as OC of the Steelers before he went to Indy; he wouldn't be human if this week's game at Heinz Field didn't mean just a little bit more to him than the average game does.

3) Packers-- Was no fun rooting against Aaron Rodgers last week; he is so good; he is making a WR like James Jones a star. Jones got cut by the Raiders/Giants before the season started- they couldn't use him? Well, they don't have Rodgers.

2) Bengals-- Underrated because national media is slow to recognize how potent an offense they have; coming back from 17 down to beat Seattle was impressive.

1) Patriots-- Had a cab driver in Las Vegas Thursday who was an obnoxious jerk and a Patriot fan to boot; rattled on for the whole ride about he doesn't care if the Patriots cheat, as long as they win. Then he laughed a loud, hideous laugh; I didn't tell him who I rooted for and even gave him a (small) tip. More than the jerk deserved.

**Udog** · 10-14-2015, 07:35 AM

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

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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)

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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)

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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

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Trend Report
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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

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**Udog** · 10-14-2015, 08:27 AM

MLB

Wednesday, October 14

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ALDS Doubleheader Betting Preview: Rangers at Blue Jays, Astros at Royals
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There are two winner-take-all Game 5's in MLB postseason action Wednesday, starting with Marcus Stroman and the Blue Jays against the Rangers.

Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays (-181, 8.0)

The Toronto Blue Jays did not fare well in their first two home playoff games in 22 years, but their success on the road is giving them another chance. The Blue Jays will have homefield advantage when they host the Texas Rangers in a decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday.

The Rangers went into Toronto and shocked the Blue Jays with wins in the first two games of the series but could not take care of business at home and now need to come up with a third win on the road. “Look, we're still playing, we're still playing. We've got another game to play,” Texas manager Jeff Banister told reporters. “… There's no quit in this ballclub. No quit in any one of those players in that locker room.” The Blue Jays’ surge over the last two games coincided directly with a return of the power that highlighted the offense during the regular season, beginning with Troy Tulowitzki’s key homer in Game 3 and continuing with three more blasts in Monday’s 8-4 triumph in Game 4. “You know, we've been good at home all year,” Toronto manager John Gibbons told reporters. “We didn't get those two games there, we didn't play particularly well necessarily, but that's where we're best.”

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (0-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (0-0, 3.86)

Hamels was acquired at the trade deadline with the hope that he would pitch in some big moments for the team, and the former World Series MVP will get a second chance to earn his first postseason win for Texas. Hamels allowed four runs (two earned) over seven innings in Game 2 without factoring in the decision and has not lost since Aug. 7. The California native surrendered two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five starts going back to the regular season.

Game 1 starter David Price was forced into relief duty in Game 4 and threw 50 pitches, leaving Game 5 for Stroman to start. The 24-year-old went up against Hamels in Game 2 and was charged with four runs (three earned) and five hits in seven frames but was also held out of the decision in a game that lasted 14 innings. Stroman has yet to lose in 2015 and allowed six or fewer hits in each of his five starts since coming back from a knee injury.

Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals (-131, 7.5)

The Houston Astros had the American League Division Series wrapped up before melting down late in Game 4 and now have to head back out on the road. The Kansas City Royals will try to carry over the momentum that saw them score seven runs in the final two innings on Monday when they host Wednesday’s decisive Game 5.

The Astros took a 6-2 lead into the eighth inning on Monday before an error by rookie shortstop Carlos Correa and a string of hits contributed to a five-run frame as the Royals took the lead. “The thing about this club is that they don't quit,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost told reporters. “They don't. And after giving up three runs there in the bottom of the seventh, they came in on fire. Again, like they do. ‘Come on, let's go, good at-bats, let's start it moving.’” Houston plans on having just about every pitcher available for Game 5 except for Game 4 starter Lance McCullers, and feels confident about its ability to bounce back. “We have just as good a chance to win Game 5 as the Royals,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. “And we're going to hop on a plane, go work out (Tuesday), and we're going to show up ready to play in Game 5.”

TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Collin McHugh (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Royals RH Johnny Cueto (0-0, 6.00)

McHugh grabbed the win in Game 1 while allowing two runs and four hits in six innings. The 28-year-old yielded a pair of solo home runs to Kendrys Morales in the contest but had little trouble with the rest of the Kansas City lineup despite having to sit through a rain delay in the second inning that lasted nearly an hour. McHugh is 7-0 in his last eight starts and allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of those outings.

Cueto has not been everything for which the Royals hoped since being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds prior to the trade deadline and was reached for four runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings without factoring in the decision in Game 2. The Dominican Republic native and impending free agent allowed opponents a .307 batting average in 13 regular-season starts with Kansas City and put his team in an early hole in Game 2 by allowing all four runs in the first three innings. Cueto is 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in four career postseason starts.

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**Udog** · 10-14-2015, 08:37 AM

MLB

Wednesday, October 14

Astros call on McHugh on Game 5

Collin McHugh gets the start for the Houston Astros with their postseason fate on the line Wednesday in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals.

McHugh went 19-7 during the regular season. He has not absorbed a loss since Aug. 20, and he was the winning pitcher against the Royals in Game 2.

"McHugh is going to start Game 5, so he'll be ready to go," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "I'll have everyone available in Game 5 that you would expect. Including (Scott) Kazmir."

The Royals will counter with their key midseason acquisition, right-hander Johnny Cueto, who is 2-6 since Aug. 15, not including his loss in Game 2.

Dodgers pin their hopes on Greinke

NEW YORK -- The Los Angeles Dodgers got the ball back to Zack.

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw produced the type of dominant postseason performance that was lacking from his otherwise stellar resume Tuesday, when he earned the win as the Dodgers staved off elimination with a 3-1 victory over the New York Mets in Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Citi Field.

The series is tied at two games apiece. The decisive Game 5 will be played Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, where Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke will oppose Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom.

Greinke won Game 2 on Saturday night, when he allowed two runs over seven innings in Los Angeles' 5-2 victory.

Not needed in Game 4, deGrom draws Game 5 start

NEW YORK -- The "use only in an emergency" option was not utilized by the New York Mets on Tuesday. Now, right-hander Jacob deGrom goes in the most urgent situation of all -- Game 5.

Instead of spraying champagne Tuesday night, the Mets boarded a flight for Los Angeles following a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Citi Field.

The Dodgers' win evened the series at two games apiece and ensured deGrom -- the Mets' ace in reality, if not perception -- will start Thursday night against Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke as the two teams battle to decide who advances to face the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series.

**Udog** · 10-14-2015, 08:55 AM

Don't dare let these three spot bet opportunities pass you by

Washington State is coming off a massive upset over Oregon and giving eight points to visiting Oregon State Saturday.

Letdown spot

The Mike Leach experiment at Washington State produced its finest results last weekend when the Cougars upset Oregon 45-38 in double overtime as 15.5-point road underdogs in Eugene. Washington State has long been the Pac-12’s favorite punching bag, but struck back with a monster win over the Ducks, using two crazy touchdowns including a bizarre fumble recovery on the goal line to get the 'W'. The Cougars' social media jockeys trolled the Ducks following the win with a clever "Oregon Trail" meme.

That sets Wazzu up for perhaps the biggest letdown spot of the college football season. Washington State is an 8-point home favorite against Oregon State Saturday afternoon. The Beavers are just 2-3 on the year but have covered in seven straight trips to Pullman and are 11-4 ATS in their previous 15 meetings overall.

Lookahead spot

The New York Jets are coming off a bye week following their victory against Miami in the NFL’s UK game in London. It’s very likely the Jets spent as much time preparing for next week’s opponent – the New England Patriots – as they did for this week’s foe, the Washington Redskins.

New York, at 3-1 SU and ATS, has exceed expectations through four games and has a chance to upend the Pats, who are coming off a tough Sunday night matchup with Indianapolis. That will be the Jets’ first game against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady without Rex Ryan on the sideline in some time. New York, however, is giving six points in Week 6 to a rising Washington squad that has covered in three of its last four outings.

Schedule spot

The San Jose Sharks have a busy travel schedule this week, kicking off Tuesday in the nation’s capitals. San Jose, which opened the season 2-0, takes on Washington then plays a challenging three games in four nights away from home to wrap the week.

Following a showdown with the Capitals, the Sharks hit the ice in New Jersey Friday, travel to Brooklyn to play the Islanders Saturday, rest Sunday, and finish this frantic East Coast trip against the Rangers on Monday. Heading into Tuesday’s game, San Jose was just 2-5 in its last seven versus Metropolitan foes.

Announcement

Wednesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/14

Wednesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/14

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