The Bum's Major League Baseball ALCS & NLCS Chamionship Division Series Picks/Trends/News !!

[StarDust Bum]

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Mets
Sat, Oct 17 - 8:07PM EDT

GAME 2
Cubs at Mets
Sun, Oct 18 - 8:07PM EDT

GAME 3
Mets at Cubs
Tue, Oct 20 - 8:07PM EDT

GAME 4
Mets at Cubs
Wed, Oct 21 - 8:07PM EDT

GAME 5
Mets at Cubs
Thu, Oct 22 - 8:07PM EDT

GAME 6
Cubs at Mets
Sat, Oct 24 - 4:07PM EDT

GAME 7
Cubs at Mets
Sun, Oct 25 - 8:07PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Superstitions hard to shed for Cubs
October 16, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) Billy Siegel doesn't want to hear any talk about a billy goat curse or a Steve Bartman hex afflicting his beloved Chicago Cubs. He dismisses as rubbish any suggestion that a little black cat had anything to do with the team's heartbreaking collapse down the stretch in 1969, too.

But when Kyle Schwarber hit a home run the other night at Wrigley Field that helped vanquish the hated St. Louis Cardinals, Siegel found it impossible not to see divine providence at work. After all, the ball landed on a videoboard advertising a beer synonymous with St. Louis - and it didn't come down.

''Look at that ball that hit the Budweiser sign,'' said the 67-year-old Siegel, a season ticket holder since 1970. ''Oh my god, that was a sign.''

Cubs fans can insist all they want that they are done with talk of curses and just plain bad luck, from goats to cats to Bartman. But this is not an easy habit to break for the devoted faithful of a team that has not won a World Series since 1908. Heartbreak and superstition are as much a part of Cubs lore as Wrigley Field itself.

As the Cubs take on the New York Mets in the hopes of getting to the World Series for the first time since 1945, fans swear that this team is different from all the teams that have tried and failed before. This team will win - and they will, fans will tell you - because of the way they play and not because a curse was lifted or just ran out of steam.

''I am so sick of billy goats, sick of Bartman, it's all a bunch of baloney,'' said Jim Kelly, a 62-year-old substitute teacher.

For some, it's just different rooting for a team that is so young the players have no connection to past failures. These fans seem willing to thumb their noses at those who worry about, say, jinxing the team by celebrating before a victory is secure.

''I was in Pittsburgh (for the wild card victory against the Pirates) and I got criticized because I was on Twitter saying there are 6 outs to go, 5 outs to go,'' said Al Yellon, who runs a Cubs fan site, bleedcubbieblue.com. ''But I was saying, no, we're not going to be slaves to history.''

Still, to be safe ...

''I have a Jake Arrieta game-worn jersey that seems to be lucky,'' Yellon said. ''I wear that jersey every time he pitches.''

Years of watching a team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory have made it impossible for some other fans to shake the idea that if something bad can happen to the Cubs it will.

''There's no real curse,'' said Steve Rhodes, a longtime fan who runs beachwoodreporter.com. ''At the same time, (stuff) happens to this team that doesn't happen to anyone else.''

While Rhodes wonders if Schwarber's next home run might be blown back into play by ''a gust of wind,'' these Cubs have already exorcised the demons that are the Cardinals, at least for one year. Fans wonder if they can now exact revenge on the Mets, the team that overtook the Cubs in 1969 not long after a black cat strolled by Cubs third baseman Ron Santo at Shea Stadium.

''I think it would be fitting to go through the Mets after what happened in `69,'' said Jeff Santo, a son of the late Cubs great.

For their part, the Cubs are staying far away from all this talk. They have not, for example, invited Bartman back to Wrigley as a guest of honor - a gesture some fans have suggested would be appropriate for someone vilified after he deflected a foul ball just before the Cubs collapsed in the 2003 playoffs.

It is pretty much the same story with the goat.

Seventy years after the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern put a curse on the Cubs when they wouldn't let his pet goat attend the World Series, the tavern owners have asked the Cubs to let a goat back into Wrigley for a postseason game. On its blog, the Billy Goat reminds the team that the last time it refused to sell a ticket to a goat was in 2003 and everyone knows what happened then.

''We don't allow animals in the ballpark and we don't believe in curses,'' the team said in a statement.

Still, the Cubs have chosen to ensconce Schwarber's home run ball in a plastic box atop the videoboard for all to see. It presumably will be there next Tuesday for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Mets.

Kelly said he suspects that Santo and the late Ernie Banks are ''up there making sure nothing crazy happens'' to their team. And he also suspects if the Cubs win the World Series the celebration will extend to the great beyond.

''The cemeteries will be overloaded with Cubs fans telling their loved ones they did it,'' he said. ''I will be the first one out there, taking a (World Series) sweat shirt to my dad's grave.'

[StarDust Bum]

Questions surround future of Mattingly
October 16, 2015

LOS ANGELES (AP) Another early playoff exit by the Los Angeles Dodgers assures their absence from the World Series for 28 years.

The franchise that boasts six world championships - two each in the 1950s, 1960s and 1980s - and that had baseball's highest payroll of $289.6 million managed just two playoff victories before losing 3-2 to the New York Mets in a decisive Game 5 of their NL Division Series on Thursday night.

Who's to blame? The players are adamant it's not manager Don Mattingly.

''He had nothing to do with this,'' left fielder Kike Hernandez said. ''It's not even a question. Donnie is our manager.''

Veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said, ''He's our guy and I believe in him.''

Mattingly is under contract for one more season, but the Dodgers could decide to put their massive payroll in the hands of someone new.

He was in no mood to consider his status after the season abruptly ended, testily dismissing a question about it and urging the moderator at a postgame news conference to move on.

Mattingly is 446-363 in five years at the helm, having led the club to a winning record in each of his five seasons, including three consecutive NL West titles. The 54-year-old former Yankees star ranks sixth all-time among winningest Dodgers managers.

The Dodgers have reached the playoffs three times during Mattingly's tenure, but they have won just one postseason series, beating Atlanta in the division series two years ago, while losing three. They haven't reached the World Series since 1988, when they won their last championship.

Mattingly is a holdover from the previous front office regime, having been manager Joe Torre's hand-picked successor in 2010 after he coached under the Hall of Famer for seven seasons.

He worked this season under the new tandem of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi, who had greater hands-on management of the team than what Mattingly was used to under former GM Ned Colletti.

Between Zaidi's expertise in advanced analytics and Friedman's reputation for building a roster by crunching numbers, Mattingly had a plethora of data at his disposal this season.

But the end result was still the same.

''You come to spring training, you work all winter, you scratch, you fight, all year long to get into this situation and you have a chance. It comes to a crash,'' Mattingly said. ''I don't think there's any way to soften that blow.''

Los Angeles doesn't have any titles to show for more than $780 million in payroll over the last three seasons. In addition to this year's payroll, the Dodgers will owe about $40 million more in luxury tax.

Zack Greinke, who gave up a go-ahead home run to Daniel Murphy on Thursday, may have thrown his last pitch for the Dodgers. The right-hander, who turns 32 next week, has the option of voiding the last three years of his contract - worth $71 million - and becoming a free agent.

''It would be nice to be back,'' he said after the game. ''There wasn't any drama compared to the last couple years. Everyone got along pretty well. We played well together. This was a really deep team. We got a great situation here.''

Clayton Kershaw and Greinke managed two wins in their four playoff starts, hardly reflective of their success during the regular season. Kershaw was the major league strikeout leader with 301 and Greinke's 1.66 ERA led the majors, making both leading contenders for the NL Cy Young Award.

There were other bright spots, too.

The Dodgers' 187 home runs led the National League for the first time since 1983, with rookies contributing 51 of those. Joc Pederson hit 26 homers, second-most by a rookie in franchise history.

Rookie Corey Seager hit .337, with eight homers and 17 RBIs, in 27 games after being called up from the minors early last month.

Veteran Justin Turner won the starting spot at third base during the season, and he came up big in the playoffs. His 10 hits were the most by a Dodgers player in a division series, and his six doubles set a franchise record.

Beyond Kershaw and Greinke, the starting rotation struggled with the absence of No. 3 starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, whose ailing left shoulder cost him the season. The bullpen rode a roller coaster of success and failure, and mercurial outfielder Yasiel Puig was limited to 72 games because of hamstring issues in both legs.

Still, Gonzalez believes the current roster and manager have what it takes to eventually win it all.

''We just need to keep working at it,'' he said. ''If the guys here this year are all back next year, we'll have the guys.''

[StarDust Bum]

Blue Jays' Price OK with playoff role
October 16, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The latest on the American League Championship Series between the Blue Jays and Royals, which began Friday night in Kansas City (all times local):

5:20 p.m.

There was some thought that David Price would start Game 1 of the ALCS for Toronto, but manager John Gibbons went with Marco Estrada on regular rest instead.

That's led to another round of questions about how Price has been used.

The former Cy Young winner has a shaky playoff record, and wasn't particularly good in his start against the Rangers. So rather than rest him to start a potential ALCS opener, Gibbons used him in a 50-pitch relief stint that made him unavailable for Friday night.

Price is scheduled to pitch Game 2 against Kansas City on Saturday.

Gibbons said it was simply a matter of circumstances, and while he acknowledged Price pitched longer than most people thought he would, ''that was a little bit of strategy, too.''

Asked about the way he'd been used, Price replied: ''It doesn't matter. Whatever the team wants me to do to help them win. I'm all about it.''

---

4 p.m.

Royals manager Ned Yost wishes he had listened a bit more to John Gibbons when his Toronto counterpart was on his staff a few years ago.

Maybe he'd have learned something to help the Royals in the ALCS.

After Gibbons was fired by the Blue Jays in 2008 in his first go-around as their manager, he was hired that October by then-Royals manager Trey Hillman as a bench coach. Gibbons stuck around when Hillman was fired in May 2010, working for Yost through the 2011 season.

Asked about those years together, Yost acknowledged before Game 1 on Friday: ''I didn't take full advantage of Gibby when he was here. At the time I was still a little on the hard-headed side and managed the game all by myself.''

Gibbons said he harbors no ill will over their time together.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Price-Ventura in KC, Cubs-Mets start NLCS
October 16, 2015

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

ON TAP

Both Championship Series are in action, with the AL's Blue Jays and Royals playing Game 2 in Kansas City at 4:07 p.m. EDT and the NL's Cubs and Mets beginning their series in New York at 8:07 p.m. EDT.

ROYAL HEAT

Hard-throwing Yordano Ventura pitches for Kansas City, meaning some Toronto hitters might be reaching for lighter bats. Ventura led all qualified major league pitchers with an average fastball velocity of 96.3 mph, according to Fangraphs. That heat didn't help much in the ALDS, though, when Ventura gave up a pair of home runs and had a 7.71 ERA over seven innings vs. Houston. Ventura had closed out the regular season with four consecutive homerless starts, a span of 25 innings.

PRICE CHECK

David Price gets the nod in Game 2 for the Blue Jays after making a pair of appearances in the ALDS, including a relief outing in the team's Game 4 win over Texas. Price has a 7.20 ERA over 10 innings this postseason, a stark downturn from his 2.30 ERA over the season's final two months following his trade from Detroit to Toronto.

DANIEL IN DEMAND

Mets fans are calling for New York to bring back pending-free agent Daniel Murphy following his outstanding performance in the NL Division Series. Murphy hit three homers as the Mets knocked out the Dodgers, including a go-ahead shot off Zack Greinke in a 3-2 Game 5 win. The 30-year-old will be a free agent after the postseason following a season in which he hit .281 with 14 homers. According to Fangraphs, his 2.5 Wins Above Replacement tied for 10th among major league second basemen.

DARK KNIGHT'S NIGHT

The Batman masks will be out in force at Citi Field when Matt Harvey makes his second postseason start. Nicknamed ''The Dark Knight,'' Harvey has fallen into a love-hate relationship with New York that Bruce Wayne would appreciate. Harvey was one of the NL's better pitchers this season in his first year back following Tommy John surgery, and still he drew the ire of the fan base over a late-season kerfuffle regarding his innings limit and for showing up late to the team's first postseason workout. Love him or not, Mets fans have taken to sporting Batman masks when Harvey pitches at Citi Field.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

Jon Lester will be making his 14th start and 16th appearance in the postseason, where he owns a 2.66 ERA. He lost his only start so far in these playoffs to old friend John Lackey in Game 1 of the NL Division Series, allowing three runs over 7 1-3 innings. The left-hander signed a six-year, $155 million deal with the Cubs in the offseason, a move that signaled Chicago's attempted pivot toward contention.

SEASON SERIES

Chicago has won a team-record nine straight games against New York, including seven wins this season by a combined score of 27-11. The teams haven't played since July 2, though, and the Mets have overhauled their offense since with the additions of Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe, as well as the returns of Travis d'Arnaud and David Wright from injury.

PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES

The Cubs and Mets rebuilt their rosters over the past half-decade in contrasting styles, with Chicago stockpiling offensive prospects and New York loading up on arms. In the second half of this season, though, it was the Mets who led the NL in home runs (102) and runs (373), with Chicago ranked second in each category. Meanwhile, the Cubs ranked second in second-half ERA (3.42), while the Mets ranked seventh (3.72).

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

LCS


Toronto @ Kansas City

Game 955-956
October 17, 2015 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Price) 17.504
Kansas City
(Ventura) 16.138
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-150
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-150); Over

Chicago Cubs @ NY Mets

Game 953-954
October 17, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 16.512
NY Mets
(Harvey) 15.033
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-120
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(+100); Under




MLB
Short Sheet

Saturday, October 17

Chicago Cubs at NY Mets, 8:05 PM EDT
Chicago: 18-7 SU in road games after a win by 2 runs or less
New York: 6-17 SU revenging 4 or more straight losses vs opponent

Toronto at Kansas City, 4:05 PM EDT
Toronto: tba
Kansas City: tba




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, October 17

American League
Blue Jays vs Royals
Price is 2-6, 5.04 in 12 playoff games, but both wins came in relief; he is 0-6 as a playoff starter, 5-1, 3.32 in his last six starts (over 4-1 last five) overall.

Ventura is 1-1, 4.18 in six playoff starts, he is 1-1, 3.00 in his last four overall (under 4-1 last five overall).

Blue Jays won three of last five games with KC; home side won eight of last ten series games. Toronto won three of last four games (over is 4-2-1 in their last seven games).

Royals won nine of their last eleven games (over 3-2 last five).

National League
Cubs vs Mets
Lester is 6-5, 2.66 in 13 playoff starts, 1-3, 3.18 in his last four starts overall (under 4-1 in his last five).

Harvey is 2-1, 2.38 in his last four starts (over 8-2 in last ten).

Chicago won its last nine games against the Mets (under 6-2-1); Cubs won nine of last ten games overall (over 3-0 last three).

New York won four of last six games (under 7-2 in last nine); they played on Thursday, the Cubs clinched Wednesday, if that matters.




MLB

Saturday, October 17

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Trend Report
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4:07 PM
TORONTO vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games on the road
Kansas City is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kansas City's last 9 games

8:07 PM
CHI CUBS vs. NY METS
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing NY Mets
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, October 17

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CHICAGO CUBS (101 - 66) at NY METS (93 - 74) - 7:05 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. MATT HARVEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 93-74 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 92-70 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 56-36 (+13.0 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 101-66 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 39-25 (+10.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 50-34 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 23-10 (+14.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 7 or less this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 101-66 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 61-36 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 80-52 (+14.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 61-38 (+14.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 26-11 (+13.8 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 47-31 (+15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 22-12 (+10.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY METS are 14-26 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 182-227 (-59.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 7-0 (+7.1 Units) against NY METS this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

JON LESTER vs. NY METS since 1997
LESTER is 2-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.50 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.4 units)

MATT HARVEY vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
HARVEY is 1-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 1.26 and a WHIP of 0.698.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.2 units)

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TORONTO (96 - 72) at KANSAS CITY (99 - 69) - 4:05 PM
DAVID PRICE (L) vs. YORDANO VENTURA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PRICE is 0-6 (-8.9 Units) against the money line in playoff games since 1997. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 99-69 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 54-31 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 18-6 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in October games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 31-17 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 96-65 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 15-6 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 58-42 (+10.6 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 43-25 (+17.0 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 90-67 (+18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 45-30 (+13.6 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.
TORONTO is 96-72 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 51-34 (+11.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 27-11 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
PRICE is 13-3 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 20-5 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 41-20 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 100-146 (-50.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 4-4 (+0.3 Units) against TORONTO this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

DAVID PRICE vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PRICE is 2-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 1.98 and a WHIP of 0.908.
His team's record is 3-2 (-2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

YORDANO VENTURA vs. TORONTO since 1997
VENTURA is 1-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Saturday, October 17

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Saturday LCS doubleheader betting preview: Blue Jays at Royals, Cubs at Mets
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David Price is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against Kansas City.

Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals (+134, 7.5)

Royals lead series 1-0

David Price has lost all six of his career postseason starts but looks to end that pattern when the Toronto Blue Jays visit the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. Toronto hopes the left-hander can flash his regular-season form as it attempts to even the best-of-seven series after falling 5-0 in Friday's opener.

Price is well aware of his postseason struggles and claims he isn't putting extra pressure on himself. "No, I know it's going to come," Price said in a press conference. "I have 100 percent confidence in myself. I know my teammates do, as well, and our coaching staff. This is part of it. You've got to be able to live in the moment." Four Kansas City pitchers combined for a three-hitter in Game 1, silencing Toronto's powerful bats. Salvador Perez hit a solo homer and Alcides Escobar went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI for the Royals, who won their eighth consecutive ALCS contest - two off the major-league record set by the Baltimore Orioles from 1969-73.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS1, RSN (Toronto)

WEATHER: Temperatures in the high 50s under clear skies.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH David Price (1-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. Royals RH Yordano Ventura (0-1, 7.71)

Price picked up a victory in relief in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against Texas despite surrendering three runs and six hits over three innings. He served up two homers in his one start versus the Rangers after allowing just four in 11 regular-season turns with the Blue Jays. Price is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against Kansas City, including a 1-0 mark and 2.93 ERA in two 2015 starts.

The 24-year-old Ventura is making his third start this postseason and the seventh of his career as manager Ned Yost feels he has found his comfort zone. "I don't think he's gotten any better in terms of his talent, but as a professional and as a competitor, he's gotten a lot better," Yost said. "He's matured a lot, which is a good thing. Young guys go through some tough times up here. And the more you endure it, the more you learn from it, the better off you're going to be." Ventura is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts against Toronto, with the win coming this season despite allowing five runs and six hits in seven innings.

TRENDS:

* Royals are 6-0 in their last six games with umpire Diaz behind home plate.
* Blue Jays are 2-6 in the last eight meetings in Kansas City.
* Blue Jays are 5-0 in Price's last five road starts.
* Under is 5-1-2 in Venturas last eight home starts.



Chicago Cubs at New York Mets (-117, 6.5)

The Chicago Cubs are four wins away from their first trip to the World Series since 1945 – all that stands in the way are the New York Mets. The Cubs visit the Mets for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday.

Chicago survived the wild-card game against 98-win Pittsburgh and took down the 100-win St. Louis Cardinals in the Division Series to move one step closer to its first pennant in 70 years and first World Series title since 1908. The Cubs rode an impressive group of young sluggers led by Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler through the NLDS and will send two-time World Series winner Jon Lester to the mound in Game 1. The Mets hit their fair share of home runs in their division series against the Los Angeles Dodgers as well, capped by Daniel Murphy’s decisive solo shot in Game 5, and are riding their own wave of momentum in the NLCS. New York, which went 0-7 against Chicago in the regular season, will send ace Matt Harvey to the mound with no restrictions in Game 1.

TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, TBS

WEATHER: Temperatures in the high-40s with wind blowing in from left field at around 12 miles per hour.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (0-1, 3.68 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (1-0, 3.60)

Chicago decided to go with Lester over Jake Arrieta in Game 1 because he was next up in the rotation, and both are set to go twice in the series if necessary. Lester allowed three runs and five hits while striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the NLDS but took the loss to drop to 6-5 with a 2.66 ERA in his postseason career. The 31-year-old tossed seven scoreless innings at New York on July 1 and has never lost to the Mets in three career starts.

Harvey has worked a total of 22 1/3 innings since Sept. 8 as the team tried to limit his workload in anticipation of the playoffs. The Connecticut native went five innings and allowed three runs – two earned on seven hits and a pair of walks in a win in the NLDS and has surrendered two or fewer earned runs in each of his last four outings. Harvey struck out nine over seven scoreless innings at Chicago on May 13.

TRENDS:

* Cubs are 5-0 in the last five meetings in New York.
* Under is 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings.
* Under is 7-1-1 in Lester's last nine road starts.
* Mets are 4-0 in their last four vs. National League Central.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

NFL trends to ponder, with Week 6 here.......

-- Arizona is 21-5-1 vs spread in its last 27 non-divisional games.

-- Packers are 9-1-1 in last eleven games as a home favorite.

-- Cincinnati is 29-11-4 in its last 43 non-divisional games.

-- Indianapolis is 10-4 in its last fourteen games as a home dog.

-- Baltimore is 5-14 as a non-divisional road favorite.

-- Philadelphia is 6-15 as a non-divisional home favorite

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

13) Fact of the matter is this: many athletes struggle with their life after they stop playing ball for a living, it can often lead to depression. During their playing days, athletes are often coddled, catered to and idolized. Once they retire, a lot of that stops and especially if the athlete didn't put a lot of money away, it can be depressing, and that is too bad, but it happens.

12) Someone who probably won't run out of money is Zack Greinke, who is opting out of the last three years ($71M) of his contract to test free agency, where he will undoubtedly make even more money. It is good to be his agent.

11) BYU's "true freshman" QB is actually 22 years old, not really a true freshman.

10) It is a pleasure to listen to Mike Breen call an NBA game, even an exhibition game; he is smart, upbeat and can be very funny. Good to hear his voice again.

9) Don Mattingly has a 446-363 regular season record as manager of the Dodgers, but he is only 8-11 in playoffs, not exactly what you expect from a team with a $300M payroll. His contract runs thru 2016, but will the Dodgers keep him?

8) Jacob deGrom threw 105 pitches against Mattingly's Dodgers Thursday night; 57 of them came with a runner in scoring position, as he scuffled thru his six innings but did his job, as the Mets advance to the NLCS, which starts tonight.

7) Graduates from West Point next spring will have metal in their class rings that came from the World Trade Center, as a reminder of what their education is about.

6) Last 2+ weeks, NFL road teams are 21-9-1 against the spread.

5) Underrated injury; Patriots lost LT Nate Solder for the season; the left tackle protects the QB's blind side (if he throws righty) so that is a big deal.

4) If you care about such things, over last four weeks, Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles is #5 amongst NFL QBs in fantasy points. Wouldn't have guessed that.

3) Odd fact of the day: Johnny Cueto has started 231 games in his fine career, but Game 5 against Houston was the first time he started with veteran ump Gerry Davis behind the plate, whch you wouldn't think would be possible, but it is true.

2) Sasha Vujacic is back in NBA with the Knicks; wonder if there is any significance to his wearing number 18, which Phil Jackson wore with the Knicks?

1) Why is the NBA package on DirecTV $60 more expensive than the NHL's?

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

3:00 PM Akron +10.5 401 28.32% Bowling Green -10.5 1015 71.68% View View

7:00 PM Hawaii +5 419 31.34% New Mexico -5 918 68.66% View View

3:00 PM Georgia State +13 414 31.53% Ball State -13 899 68.47% View View

4:00 PM Vanderbilt +1.5 488 31.98% South Carolina -1.5 1038 68.02% View View

7:00 PM Texas-San Antonio +8 392 32.10% Southern Mississippi -8 829 67.90% View View

3:30 PM Idaho +10 276 32.62% Troy -10 570 67.38% View View

3:30 PM Charlotte +4.5 407 33.66% Old Dominion -4.5 802 66.34% View View

7:30 PM Southern California +4.5 602 35.06% Notre Dame -4.5 1115 64.94% View View

12:00 PM Florida International +10.5 494 35.34% Middle Tennessee -10.5 904 64.66% View View

10:00 PM Arizona State +5.5 577 35.68% Utah -5.5 1040 64.32% View View

3:30 PM Virginia Tech +3 566 36.40% Miami -3 989 63.60% View View

12:00 PM Louisiana Tech +12 564 36.65% Mississippi State -12 975 63.35% View View

12:00 PM South Florida +3 579 36.81% Connecticut -3 994 63.19% View View

12:00 PM Bucknell +26 203 36.91% Army -26 347 63.09% View View

1:00 PM Buffalo +6.5 511 37.11% Central Michigan -6.5 866 62.89% View View

3:30 PM Kent State +7 488 37.42% Massachusetts -7 816 62.58% View View

12:00 PM Western Michigan +4 577 37.47% Ohio -4 963 62.53% View View

12:00 PM West Virginia +20.5 649 37.54% Baylor -20.5 1080 62.46% View View

3:30 PM Rutgers +5.5 372 37.61% Indiana -5.5 617 62.39% View View

10:30 PM San Diego State +3 478 38.33% San Jose State -3 769 61.67% View View

7:30 PM Central Florida +21 505 38.55% Temple -21 805 61.45% View View

12:30 PM Pittsburgh +3 655 38.94% Georgia Tech -3 1027 61.06% View View

12:00 PM Eastern Michigan +28 576 39.48% Toledo -28 883 60.52% View View

4:00 PM Oregon State +7.5 554 39.71% Washington State -7.5 841 60.29% View View

7:00 PM Boston College +17 596 39.81% Clemson -17 901 60.19% View View

12:00 PM Louisville +6.5 759 42.12% Florida State -6.5 1043 57.88% View View

12:00 PM Iowa -1.5 779 43.35% Northwestern +1.5 1018 56.65% View View

7:00 PM Wake Forest +17 593 44.86% North Carolina -17 729 55.14% View View

12:00 PM Tulsa +14 670 44.88% East Carolina -14 823 55.12% View View

6:00 PM New Mexico State +30.5 538 45.59% Georgia Southern -30.5 642 54.41% View View

3:30 PM Oklahoma -4 765 46.08% Kansas State +4 895 53.92% View View

7:00 PM Florida +6.5 781 46.49% Louisiana State -6.5 899 53.51% View View

3:30 PM Nebraska +2.5 764 49.58% Minnesota -2.5 777 50.42% View View

12:00 PM Purdue +23 781 50.71% Wisconsin -23 759 49.29% View View

3:30 PM Syracuse +7 723 51.61% Virginia -7 678 48.39% View View

10:30 PM Oregon +3 802 51.71% Washington -3 749 48.29% View View

12:00 PM Mississippi -10.5 914 53.36% Memphis +10.5 799 46.64% View View

3:30 PM Air Force -3 753 54.45% Colorado State +3 630 45.55% View View

7:30 PM Missouri +14.5 825 55.82% Georgia -14.5 653 44.18% View View

3:30 PM [Alabama -3.5 1015 56.67% Texas A&M +3.5 776 43.33% View View

8:00 PM Penn State +19 937 57.63% Ohio State -19 689 42.37% View View

12:00 PM Texas Tech -32.5 996 62.56% Kansas +32.5 596 37.44% View View

7:00 PM Appalachian State -13.5 810 64.59% UL Monroe +13.5 444 35.41% View View

3:30 PM Michigan State +6.5 1250 65.17% Michigan -6.5 668 34.83% View View

9:00 PM Arizona -7 926 65.49% Colorado +7 488 34.51% View View

7:00 PM Texas Christian -19.5 982 67.63% Iowa State +19.5 470 32.37% View View

4:00 PM Nevada -6 918 67.90% Wyoming +6 434 32.10% View View
2:30 PM Northern Illinois -16 926 68.85% Miami (Ohio) +16 419 31.15% View View
]
12:00 PM Marshall -3 1182 73.01% Florida Atlantic +3 437 26.99% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

12:00 PM South Florida 45 332 33.17% Connecticut 45 669 66.83% View View

3:30 PM Syracuse 53.5 317 37.92% Virginia 53.5 519 62.08% View View

12:00 PM Iowa 41.5 398 38.83% Northwestern 41.5 627 61.17% View View

4:00 PM Vanderbilt 45 347 41.16% South Carolina 45 496 58.84% View View

7:00 PM Florida 46 352 42.11% Louisiana State 46 484 57.89% View View

3:30 PM Virginia Tech 51.5 363 43.32% Miami 51.5 475 56.68% View View

7:30 PM Southern California 61.5 394 44.42% Notre Dame 61.5 493 55.58% View View

3:30 PM Rutgers 65 297 45.62% Indiana 65 354 54.38% View View

3:30 PM Kent State 54.5 370 47.38% Massachusetts 54.5 411 52.62% View View

3:30 PM Charlotte 48.5 375 47.47% Old Dominion 48.5 415 52.53% View View

3:30 PM Nebraska 47 427 48.47% Minnesota 47 454 51.53% View View

12:00 PM Tulsa 79 474 48.82% East Carolina 79 497 51.18% View View

10:30 PM San Diego State 48.5 395 49.31% San Jose State 48.5 406 50.69% View View

7:00 PM Wake Forest 54 400 49.32% North Carolina 54 411 50.68% View View

3:30 PM Idaho 61.5 295 50.51% Troy 61.5 289 49.49% View View

12:00 PM Western Michigan 52.5 470 50.81% Ohio 52.5 455 49.19% View View

12:00 PM Louisville 46 505 51.43% Florida State 46 477 48.57% View View

4:00 PM Nevada 53 405 51.92% Wyoming 53 375 48.08% View View

7:00 PM Texas-San Antonio 58 383 51.97% Southern Mississippi 58 354 48.03% View View

3:30 PM Air Force 52.5 417 52.26% Colorado State 52.5 381 47.74% View View

1:00 PM Buffalo 56 445 52.29% Central Michigan 56 406 47.71% View View

3:00 PM Georgia State 65.5 426 52.99% Ball State 65.5 378 47.01% View View

7:00 PM Hawaii 50 403 53.03% New Mexico 50 357 46.97% View View

12:30 PM Pittsburgh 47 505 53.84% Georgia Tech 47 433 46.16% View View

12:00 PM Louisiana Tech 60 496 53.97% Mississippi State 60 423 46.03% View View

12:00 PM Mississippi 71 586 55.34% Memphis 71 473 44.66% View View

7:30 PM Central Florida 46 444 55.99% Temple 46 349 44.01% View View

3:00 PM Akron 66 480 56.47% Bowling Green 66 370 43.53% View View

9:00 PM Arizona 67.5 473 56.71% Colorado 67.5 361 43.29% View View

10:00 PM Arizona State 53.5 482 56.71% Utah 53.5 368 43.29% View View

2:30 PM Northern Illinois 57 486 57.58% Miami (Ohio) 57 358 42.42% View View

12:00 PM Florida International 57.5 502 58.03% Middle Tennessee 57.5 363 41.97% View View

12:00 PM Texas Tech 77 595 58.39% Kansas 77 424 41.61% View View

12:00 PM Purdue 51.5 545 58.67% Wisconsin 51.5 384 41.33% View View

3:30 PM Michigan State 42.5 607 59.92% Michigan 42.5 406 40.08% View View

4:00 PM Oregon State 61 514 60.68% Washington State 61 333 39.32% View View

6:00 PM New Mexico State 63.5 482 60.78% Georgia Southern 63.5 311 39.22% View View

7:30 PM Missouri 47 508 61.50% Georgia 47 318 38.50% View View

12:00 PM Bucknell 45 247 62.22% Army 45 150 37.78% View View

12:00 PM Marshall 46.5 562 62.44% Florida Atlantic 46.5 338 37.56% View View

7:00 PM Boston College 37.5 550 62.50% Clemson 37.5 330 37.50% View View

7:00 PM Appalachian State 49.5 493 64.78% UL Monroe 49.5 268 35.22% View View

10:30 PM Oregon 59 583 65.29% Washington 59 310 34.71% View View

8:00 PM Penn State 47 586 65.99% Ohio State 47 302 34.01% View View

12:00 PM Eastern Michigan 62 668 68.09% Toledo 62 313 31.91% View View

3:30 PM Alabama 54.5 655 68.51% Texas A&M 54.5 301 31.49% View View

7:00 PM Texas Christian 71.5 630 69.00% Iowa State 71.5 283 31.00% View View

3:30 PM Oklahoma 53 642 69.86% Kansas State 53 277 30.14% View View

12:00 PM West Virginia 76 889 75.15% Baylor 76 294 24.85% View View

[StarDust Bum]

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Western Michigan - 12:00 PM ET Western Michigan +3.5 500 *****
Ohio -

Eastern Michigan - 12:00 PM ET Toledo -28 500 BLOW OUT
Toledo -

South Florida - 12:00 PM ET South Florida +3 500
Connecticut -

Tulsa - 12:00 PM ET East Carolina -14 500 DOUBLE PLAY
East Carolina -

Marshall - 12:00 PM ET Marshall -3 500
Florida Atlantic -

Florida International - 12:00 PM ET Florida International +10.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Middle Tennessee - Over 57.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

West Virginia - 12:00 PM ET Baylor -20.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Baylor -

Texas Tech - 12:00 PM ET Texas Tech -32.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Kansas -

Louisville - 12:00 PM ET Louisville +6.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Florida State -

Mississippi - 12:00 PM ET Memphis +10.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Memphis -

Louisiana Tech - 12:00 PM ET Louisiana Tech +12 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Mississippi State -

Bucknell - 12:00 PM ET Army -26 500
Army -

Iowa - 12:00 PM ET Iowa -1.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Northwestern -

Purdue - 12:00 PM ET Purdue +23 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Wisconsin -

Pittsburgh - 12:30 PM ET Pittsburgh +3 500
Georgia Tech -

Buffalo - 1:00 PM ET Buffalo +6.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Central Michigan -

Northern Illinois - 2:30 PM ET Miami (Ohio) +14.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

MID-DAY GAMES:


Georgia State - 3:00 PM ET Ball State -13 500
Ball State -

Akron - 3:00 PM ET Akron +10.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Bowling Green -

Idaho - 3:30 PM ET Troy -10 500
Troy -

Kent State - 3:30 PM ET Massachusetts -7 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Massachusetts -

Charlotte - 3:30 PM ET Charlotte +4.5 500
Old Dominion -

Michigan State - 3:30 PM ET Michigan -7.5 500 GAME OF THE DAY
Michigan -

Nebraska - 3:30 PM ET Minnesota -2.5 500
Minnesota -

Oklahoma - 3:30 PM ET Kansas State +4 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Kansas State -

Virginia Tech - 3:30 PM ET Miami -3 500
Miami -

Syracuse - 3:30 PM ET Syracuse +7 500
Virginia -

Alabama - 3:30 PM ET Texas A&M +4 500 GAME OF THE MONTH
Texas A&M -

Air Force - 3:30 PM ET Air Force -3 500
Colorado State -

Rutgers - 3:30 PM ET Indiana -5.5 500
Indiana -

Nevada - 4:00 PM ET Nevada -5 500
Wyoming -

Oregon State - 4:00 PM ET Washington State -7.5 500 GAME OF THE WEEK
Washington State -

Vanderbilt - 4:00 PM ET Vanderbilt +1.5 500
South Carolina -

New Mexico State - 6:00 PM ET Georgia Southern -30.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Georgia Southern -

[StarDust Bum]

my game of the year goes later this evening.......stay tune..

[StarDust Bum]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

8:05 PM EDT

953 CHICAGO CUBS (L) Lester, J 6.5u20 6 / 6o15 / 6 6u15 +1.5(-230)
954 NEW YORK METS (R) Harvey, M -125 -118 / -121 / -119 -120 -1.5(+190)

TV: TBS, DTV: 247 | PARTLY CLOUDY, WIND LEFT TO RIGHT 10-20. GAME TEMP 48, RH 42%

4:05 PM EDT

955 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (L) Price, D -159 -156 / -160 / -159 -157 -1.5(-101)
956 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Ventura, Y 7.5u23 7o25 / 7.5u25 / 7.5u20 7.5u30 +1.5(-119)

TOR-1B-Edwin Encarnacion-Probable | TV: FS-1, DTV: 219 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND IN FROM RIGHT 4-9. GAME TEMP 59, RH 30%

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


MLB Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

7:30 PM Chi. Cubs +108 709 56.63% NY Mets -117 543 43.37% View View

3:30 PM Toronto -152 585 61.26% Kansas City +140 370 38.74% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

7:30 PM Chi. Cubs 6 578 58.38% NY Mets 6 412 41.62% View View

3:30 PM Toronto 7.5 321 59.33% Kansas City 7.5 220 40.67% View View

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


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Toronto - 3:30 PM ET Toronto -152 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Kansas City - Over 7.5 500 *****


Chi. Cubs - 7:30 PM ET Chi. Cubs +108 500 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM

NY Mets - Over 6 500 GRAND SLAM

[StarDust Bum]

RECAPPING SATURDAY'S ACTION:

MLB: 2 - 2

CFL: 2 - 2 - 0

CFB: 13 - 18 - 0

NFL: 0 - 0 - 0

NHL: 6 - 2 - 1


MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

*****.....................................3 - 6
double plays.............................8 - 7
triple plays...............................4 - 6
grand slam...............................3 - 0
double grand slam....................4 - 2
total.........................................6 - 5


CFL SEASON RECORD:

Single play.................................35 - 29
double play................................19 - 26
triple play..................................23 - 10- 1
blow out.....................................5 - 3