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

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

Six of the more interesting NFL games this weekend.....

-- Seahawks (-6) @ 49ers-- Seattle RBs were racing cars after practice Tuesday.

-- Jets @ Patriots (-9.5)-- Battle for first place in AFC East.

-- Saints @ Colts (-4.5)-- Hopefully no fake punts in Indy this week.

-- Cowboys @ Giants (-4)-- First rematch of season; Dallas won first meeting.

-- Eagles @ Panthers (-3)-- Unbeaten Carolina finally on national TV

-- Ravens @ Cardinals (-7)-- Arizona was -3 in turnovers in both losses.

**********

Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Bottom 5, top 8 in the NFL........

32) Jaguars-- Outscored 93-47 in second half this season.

31) Titans-- Have one first half TD in their last four games.

30) Buccaneers-- Teams struggle when they play a rookie QB.

29) Chiefs-- Lost last five games, Charles is out for year; just 20-72 on 3rd down.

28) Ravens-- No takeaways in last three games, all five losses by 6 or less points.

8) Jets-- Ran ball for 207-221 yards last two games; play for first place Sunday. .

7) Falcons-- 5-1, but trailed in 4th quarter in five of the six games.

6) Cardinals-- Palmer can be rattled by pash rush; they were -3 in turnovers on both losses this season.

5) Broncos-- Offense has nine TDs, defense three; one win by more than 7 points.

4) Panthers-- Scored 10+ points in nine of ten halves this season.

3) Packers-- First two games after bye are at unbeatens; Denver/Carolina.

2) Bengals-- 27 for last 56 on 3rd down; scored 24+ points in every game.

1) Patriots-- Scored 21 TDs on 53 drives; a juggernaut to this point.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, October 21

American League
Royals vs Blue Jays
Volquez is 1-1, 2.04 in his last three starts (under 3-1 last four).

Estrada is 2-1, 2.45 in his last six starts (under 4-1-1).

Royals won 11 of their last 14 games (over 6-2 last eight).

Blue Jays lost four of last six games with KC; home side won ten of last 13 series games. Toronto is 4-5 in playoffs (over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games).

National League
Mets vs Cubs
Matz is 0-1, 5.06 in his last two starts (under 4-1 last five).

Hammel is 3-2, 5.50 in his last eight starts (over 6-1 last seven).

New York won seven of last nine games (under 9-2-1 in last twelve).

Chicago is 0-3 in this series after winning previous nine games with the Mets (under 8-2-2); over is 3-2-1 in their last six games.




MLB

Wednesday, October 21

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Trend Report
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4:07 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Kansas City

8:07 PM
NY METS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
NY Mets are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing NY Mets
Chi Cubs are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

LCS


Kansas City @ Toronto

Game 967-968
October 21, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Volquez) 18.531
Toronto
(Estrada) 15.654
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-145
9
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(+125); Over

NY Mets @ Chicago Cubs

Game 965-966
October 21, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Matz) 16.966
Chicago Cubs
(Hammel) 15.401
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
N/A




MLB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, October 21

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

NY METS (96 - 74) at CHICAGO CUBS (101 - 69) - 8:05 PM
STEVEN MATZ (L) vs. JASON HAMMEL (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 7-3 (+3.7 Units) against NY METS this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.7 Units)

STEVEN MATZ vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

JASON HAMMEL vs. NY METS since 1997
HAMMEL is 0-3 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.296.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

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

KANSAS CITY (101 - 70) at TORONTO (97 - 74) - 4:05 PM
EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R) vs. MARCO ESTRADA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 21-6 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 52-36 (+9.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ESTRADA is 22-13 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 101-70 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 46-39 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 10-3 (+7.8 Units) against the money line in October games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 33-17 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 68-42 (+21.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 17-7 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 59-43 (+10.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 92-68 (+19.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 47-31 (+15.4 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.
VOLQUEZ is 23-12 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 6-5 (+2.1 Units) against TORONTO this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.7 Units)

EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. TORONTO since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 1-4 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.582.
His team's record is 2-5 (-3.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.4 units)

MARCO ESTRADA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
ESTRADA is 1-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.075.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Wednesday, October 21

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League Championship doubleheader betting preview: Royals at Blue Jays, Mets at Cubs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both the Royals and the Mets will try to advance to the Fall Classic Wednesday.

Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays (-140, 9.0)

Royals lead series 3-1

The Kansas City Royals attempt to win their second consecutive American League pennant when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Wednesday afternoon. Kansas City holds a 3-1 series lead after pounding the Blue Jays 14-2 on Tuesday.

The Royals racked up four runs in the first inning and nine over the final three frames while delivering such a beating that Toronto used infielder Chad Pennington to finish the contest - the first primarily position player to pitch in the postseason. Alcides Escobar (2-for-3, four RBIs) and Lorenzo Cain (2-for-3, two RBIs) continued their strong production in the series, while Ben Zobrist and Alex Rios each homered. "We're a good offensive team," Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "Our style of play is a little different. We like to use our legs and be athletic, but when we come to some of these parks where the fences aren't as deep, we've got some guys that can put the ball in the seats." The Blue Jays have scored 16 runs in the series, with 11 - and all three of their homers - coming in their lone victory.

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

LINE HISTORY: The Blue Jays opened at -128 and have been bet up to -145. The total has remained at its opening number of 9.0.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (1-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (1-1, 3.09)

Volquez was superb in his Game 1 victory, allowing only two hits over six scoreless innings. That performance was in Kansas City and he now tries to duplicate it in Toronto, a better ballpark for hitters. "It's kind of a small ballpark and the balls just fly," Volquez said in his press conference. "It's not like you play in Kansas City, we've got a big ballpark, and the ball doesn't carry much. Here, the ball is flying everywhere."

Estrada lost against Volquez in the series opener as he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Royals' penchant for being contact hitters makes it a tough assignment for Estrada, who typically doesn't strike out more than five batters in a game. "If he pitches his game and he's on, we feel pretty good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said in a press conference. "But they're different over there, meaning it's never an easy outing for a pitcher because they battle you."

TRENDS:

* Royals are 7-1 in Volquez's last eight starts versus the American League East.
* Blue Jays are 5-2 in Estrada's last seven home starts.
* Over is 5-1 in the Royals last six games overall.
* Under is 5-0 in Estrada's last five starts versus the American League Central.



New York Mets at Chicago Cubs (-115, 9.0)

Mets lead series 3-0

The New York Mets are in position to finish off a sweep on Wednesday, when they visit the Chicago Cubs for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. New York has limited Chicago to five runs while winning the first three games and Daniel Murphy has homered in each contest to run his postseason streak to five, tying Carlos Beltran (2004 with Houston) for the major-league record.

New York is one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time since 2000 and will send rookie Steven Matz to the mound. None of the Mets players want to hear any chatter about this series being over, particularly captain David Wright. "Because we understand just like we've won the first three games, these guys can win the next three games very easily," Wright said after going 3-for-4 and scoring twice in Game 3. "This is an excellent team, and you give them room to win a game or streak along a couple good innings, and they're going to get all the confidence in the world and expect to beat us three in a row. So it's as simple as that." Chicago won all seven regular-season meetings with the Mets, but the duo of Kris Bryant (2-for-11) and Anthony Rizzo (2-for-10) has been quiet in the NLCS.

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

LINE HISTORY: The Cubs have opened as -115 home favorites with the total opening at 9.0.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jason Hammel (0-0, 6.00)

Matz lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series as he gave up three runs and six hits in five innings. That contest marked the 24-year-old's first defeat in seven major-league outings, and manager Terry Collins feels he's just beginning to reach his potential. "This guy's got plus stuff, he's got a plus fastball," Collins said at a press conference. "He's going to be 94 to 97 (miles per hour). He's got a plus curveball, he's got a good changeup. Now it's a matter of going out there every five days through the course of the season."

Hammel had a rough outing in the Division Series against St. Louis as he gave up two runs, three hits and three walks before being pulled after three innings. He denied that he felt extra pressure competing on the postseason stage during his press conference on Tuesday and was asked if this start is the biggest of his life "Of my life? Obviously, the deeper you get into the playoffs, yeah, I guess you could say that they're the most difficult in my life," Hammel said. "But honestly, I'm not really worried about that. I'm not thinking of it that way. It's the New York Mets versus the Cubs."

TRENDS:

* Mets are 7-0 in their last seven games versus the National League Central.
* Cubs are 0-6 in their last six League Championship games.
* Under is 4-0-1 in the Mets last five games overall.
* Overs is 6-1 in Hammels' last seven starts overall.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Wednesday, October 21


Not surprisingly Royals, Mets big faves to win World Series

Both the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets are just one win away from the World Series, and it's no surprise they are the co-favorites to win it all.

According to the Westgate LV Superbook, the Royals and the Mets are both 11/10 to win the Fall Classic.

The Royals lead the Blue Jays 3-1, with Game 5 tonight in Toronto. While the Mets lead the Cubs 3-0, with Game 4 also tonight.


Cubs' Hammel takes relaxed approach for Game 4

CHICAGO -- Another big series, another Game 4 for Jason Hammel.

The Cubs right-hander takes the mound Wednesday for his second postseason start after helping Chicago dispatch the St. Louis Cardinals in last week's National League Division Series.

It is an even bigger challenge this time, as Hammel gets the call with the Cubs trailing 3-0 to the New York Mets in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. The Mets beat the Cubs 5-2 in Game 3 on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.

Hammel, who went 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA during 31 regular-season starts, shrugs off the pressure.

"Pressure is what you make of it," he said Tuesday. "I honestly believe if I'm pressuring myself, I'm worried about the wrong thing."

Hammel is appearing in the postseason with his fourth different team. He also reached the playoffs with the Colorado Rockies (2009), Baltimore Orioles (2012) and Oakland A's (2014).

In the Cubs' clincher in Game 4 against the Cardinals on Oct. 13, Hammel threw three innings of two-run ball. He was not involved in the decision in a game Chicago won 6-4.

Hammel is 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in postseason appearances, including four starts. Last year with Oakland, he faced one batter in the 2014 American League wild-card game and allowed a hit.

Hammel pitched against the Mets once this year, getting a no-decision while pitching eight innings in a 2-1 Chicago walk-off victory on May 13.

"I'll be prepared with my game plan, go back and watch what I did when I faced the Mets earlier this year, and we'll kind of go from there," he said. "They are a little bit different of a team than they were earlier this year when we faced them, but nothing that I can't prepare for."

The 33-year-old veteran is 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA against the Mets in five career starts, working 29 1/3 innings while striking out 19 and walking five.


Mets trust Matz to deliver NLCS clincher

CHICAGO -- In the eighth start of his major league career, Steven Matz will attempt to pitch the New York Mets into the World Series on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old left-hander takes the mound with seven days of rest as the Mets aim to complete a four-game National League Championship Series sweep of the Chicago Cubs.

"We've got to come out tomorrow and Steve Matz has got to give us a game," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Our bullpen is pretty rested, and if Steven can get us five or six (innings), we've got a lot of answers in the bullpen for any matchups we need."

Matz took a 3-1 loss last week in Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing three runs in five innings.

A Long Island native who went 4-0 in six regular-season starts this year, Matz spent seven weeks on the disabled list due to a torn left lat muscle before being activated by the Mets on Sept. 2. However, he struggled with back soreness in late September and was scratched from his final two scheduled regular-season starts.

The occasionally erratic schedule since returning hasn't bothered him.

"No, I still feel set to go," Matz said Tuesday. "We've been doing this before. We've been on a six-man (rotation), been on a five-man, we've had days off. ... (I) feel ready to go."

Matz has never faced the Cubs, but he expects to be a quick learner.

"I don't really have a history with them," he said before Game 3. "They look like a tough lineup. They're a bunch of young, fiery guys. Matt (Harvey) and Noah (Syndergaard) have done a great job the first two games, so I'm just going to watch Jacob (deGrom on Tuesday), see how he attacks them and try to just build off those guys."

Matz at least got a chance for an up-close look at Wrigley Field.

Upon arrival in Chicago on Monday, he and his teammates walked around the park and even climbed atop the manually operated center field scoreboard.

"We got up to the scoreboard, checked out all the scenery and stuff," he said. "It was pretty cool."


Jays' Estrada seeks improved command in Game 5

TORONTO -- Marco Estrada said his Game 5 start on Wednesday comes down to location.

The Toronto Blue Jays hope he is the right guy in the right place as they try to avoid elimination in the American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals.

"I think the key for me (Wednesday) is being able to locate my fastball more so than my off-speed pitches," the right-hander said Tuesday.

The Blue Jays lost 14-2 Tuesday in Game 4 as the Royals took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The matchup Wednesday is a repeat of Game 1, when Estrada allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings when facing right-hander Edinson Volquez in a 5-0 Kansas City victory.

"The first time around, I didn't really have four-seam location," Estrada said. "I didn't have the down-and-away (pitch) as much as I wanted to. And those were the pitches that really got hit. So for me, the most important thing is to be able to establish the fastball location and then work off that."

If he puts the fastball in the right spots, it make his changeup a devastating pitch.

The Royals recorded 15 hits in each of the first two games played at Rogers Centre, with each team winning once.

"I faced them twice during the regular season," Estrada said. "They're just like any other team where some guys take and some guys don't.

"But pitching against them in the playoffs, it's been a lot different. At least my game was. They're really aggressive, and I've noticed that they've kept that up."

Estrada said he did not need a video session to determine the problem.

"I have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing," he said. "Those things just happen, and it was one of those days for me. I did go to the bullpen and threw a lot of fastballs, just working on the down and away. ... I feel pretty good and confident about that pitch."

Looking at the big picture of the series, Toronto manager John Gibbons said, "The key is to get a good outing out of Marco and we'll see where it takes us. Not a more important game this season, really. I know these guys will be ready."


Volquez aims to carry Royals into World Series

TORONTO -- Ned Yost stands by the adage that momentum in baseball depends on the next starting pitcher.

Based on the identity of his starter for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday, the Kansas City manager can feel good about the chances of the Royals clinching a second consecutive berth in the World Series.

Right-hander Edinson Volquez, who held the Toronto Blue Jays to two hits and four walks in a 5-0 win in Game 1, is set to start the potential clincher Wednesday.

Kansas City took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 14-2 pounding of Toronto on Tuesday in Game 4.

When he was asked Tuesday if he felt that Volquez has a chance to repeat that performance Wednesday, Yost said, "You hope that he can. That's why the game is so wonderful, it's not a cookie-cutter game. You don't know what you're going to get until you get out there, find out what's working and how your command is, and if you're duplicating your mechanics and being able to repeat. We'll find out tomorrow."

Volquez was 13-9 with a 3.55 ERA during the regular season, and he is 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in the postseason.

He feels that facing the Blue Jays for a second consecutive start will present a challenge.

"It's not easy," he said Tuesday. "That's a good question. I think facing this guy last week, and I've got to face him again tomorrow, it is very important for me to execute my pitches and keep the ball down, stick with the plan and just pitch in and out. Be consistent and stay aggressive with my pitches. We'll see what happens."

Volquez said Game 1 was one of those days where everything was working.

"That's one of the best feelings in the world," he said. "That day was like -- I had a great feeling. I knew I'd pitch a really good game. I didn't know it would end the way it did, but I had a good feeling that day that I would pitch a really good game, and I did."

[StarDust Bum]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

8:05 PM EDT

965 NEW YORK METS (L) Matz, S 9u20 9u20 / 9u15 / 9u25 9u20 +1.5(-210)
966 CHICAGO CUBS (R) Hammel, J -120 -115 / -113 / -114 -111 -1.5(+180)

TV: TBS, DTV: 247 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE LIGHT SHOWERS EARLY. WIND OUT TO RIGHT CENTER 7-12. GAME TEMP 72, RH 53% HEAT INDEX 73

4:05 PM EDT

967 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Volquez, E 8.5o10 9 / 9o15 / 9u14 9u20 +1.5(-165)
968 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (R) Estrada, M -131 -134 / -131 / -133 -130 -1.5(+145)

TV: FS-1, DTV: 219 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE LIGHT SHOWERS EARLY. WIND RIGHT TO LEFT 9-14. GAME TEMP 56, RH 80% (ROGERS CENTRE ROOF CLOSES IN WET WEATHER)

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

MLB Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

4:00 PM Kansas City +125 358 38.29% Toronto -135 577 61.71% View View

8:00 PM NY Mets +106 219 39.96% Chi. Cubs -115 329 60.04% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

8:00 PM NY Mets 9 173 44.59% Chi. Cubs 9 215 55.41% View View

4:00 PM Kansas City 9 328 57.04% Toronto 9 247 42.96% View View


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


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Kansas City - 4:00 PM ET Toronto -135 500 *****

Toronto - Over 9 500 TRIPLE PLAY


NY Mets - 8:00 PM ET NY Mets +106 500 GRAND SLAM

Chi. Cubs - Under 9 500 DOUBLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

MLB MONEYLINE

MLB > (967) KANSAS CITY@ (968) TORONTO | 2015-10-21 16:05:00 - 2015-10-21 16:05:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using money line in October games
The record is 20 Wins and 7 Losses for the last two seasons (+14.85 units)

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

MLB RUNLINE

MLB > (967) KANSAS CITY@ (968) TORONTO | 2015-10-21 16:05:00 - 2015-10-21 16:05:00
Play ON TORONTO when playing on Wednesday
The record is 20 Wins and 7 Losses for the last two seasons (+16.95 units)

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

MLB TOP POWERLINES


MLB > (967) KANSAS CITY @ (968) TORONTO | 2015-10-21 16:05:00 - 2015-10-21 16:05:00
Line: TORONTO-133 BTB PowerLine: TORONTO-141
Edge On: TORONTO (8)

MLB > (965) NY METS @ (966) CHICAGO CUBS | 2015-10-21 20:05:00 - 2015-10-21 20:05:00
Line: NY METS BTB PowerLine: NY METS112
Edge On: NY METS (16)

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- Las Vegas native Bryce Harper was a judge for UNLV's dunk contest at their outdoor practice in downtown Vegas last night.

-- Seahawks 20, 49ers 3-- Monday night doubleheaders would be better than these Thursday night games. Football wasn't meant to be played on three days' rest.

-- Temple 24, East Carolina 14-- Owls are 7-0, play Notre Dame next week.

-- UCLA 40, Cal 24-- Bruins' kicker made 60-yard FG. Pac-12 teams are proving to be wildly erratic from week-to-week.

-- Appalachian State 31, Georgia Southern 13-- ASU is bowl eligible for first time.

-- Pelicans' G Tyreke Evans (knee) is out 6-8 weeks

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: For amusement only........

13) July 23, 2015-- the Mets rolled out a lineup with John Mayberry Jr batting 4th and Eric Campbell 5th. Not good. Mets were 52-50 on July 30, after blowing a 7-1 lead in a rainy home loss to San Diego. Things have gotten better since.

12) October 22, 1972-- Oakland A's won their first of three straight World Series, nipping the Reds 3-2. Pete Rose flied out to left to end the series, where six of seven games were decided by one run.

Same day, the Rams beat Cincinnati 15-14-- David Ray, who wasn't that great a kicker, won it with a 54-yard FG. Back then, straight-on kickers weren't that good- a 54-yard FG was a big deal, especially to win the game. Pretty good day for a 12-year old me.

By the way, Game 7 of the World Series back then was a 1:00 start. Not anymore.

11) Temple and Memphis are having magical football seasons, both unbeaten, but the sad reality of modern coaching is that there is a pretty good chance neither team will have its coach by the time their bowl games roll around, since the big $$$ teams generally like their new coaches in place as early as possible, to fight the upcoming recruiting battles. Signing Day for reruits is in very early February.

Hard to imagine coaches Fuente, Ruhle not moving up the coaching ladder.

10) Yoenis Cespedes plays golf almost every day? Wow. Long time ago, playing golf was taboo for baseball players. Even now, playing during the playoffs is a little odd.

9) Was thinking about it today; wouldn't basketball be a better game without any kind of timeouts, except TV timeouts? Let the players play. TV timeouts have to be, to pay for everything, but other ones could be done away with.

8) Dodgers finally put Don Mattingly and his 8-11 playoff record out of their misery Thursday, firing the skipper, who is rumored headed to Miami, where nitwit owner Jeffrey Loria can drive him nuts. You can't win with a $300M payroll, why would he be able to win managing one of baseball's most dysfunctional franchises?

7) Three basketball teams from the CAA have lost their leading returning scorer to higher-level Division I programs, as poaching continues to be a problem for mid-major basketball teams. Lousville poached Drexel's leading scorer; its a free country, but that just doesn't seem fair.

6) If I'm Johnny Cueto, a decent-but not-great free agent pitcher, I'm running back to the NL, where they don't have a DH and to a bigger ballpark than Cincinnati.

5) NFL teams who get the highest %age of their first downs on third down:
Browns 36.8%......Bears/Redskins, both 32.2%........Saints 32.1%

Teams that get the lowest %age of first downs on third down:
Cowboys 16.4%........Chiefs 16.9%........Cardinals 17.6%.

4) Florida Gators have a kicking problem; their starter has a hamstring pull, their backup is out for the year, so they held an open tryout Wednesday, for any student enrolled with 12+ credit hours this semester. Two women were among 216 students who were interested and signed up.

3) Cal Ripken is interested in the Nationals' managing opening, but apparently the team isn't interested in him, after just having had Matt Williams as manager, a former player with no managing experience. Curious to see who they hire.

2) Clippers 115, Portland 109-- NBA exhibition games don't mean much, but LA was down 35 points in this game before rallying to win. That doesn't happen a lot.

1) Doubtful that I'm getting my lazy butt out of bed at 9:30 Sunday morning to watch the Bills-Jaguars game from London on my laptop. Game is streaming on Yahoo!; I'm paying DirecTV to be able to see every game, but guess this one doesn't count.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

LCS


Toronto @ Kansas City

Game 971-972
October 23, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Price) 14.959
Kansas City
(Ventura) 16.525
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-135
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(+115); Over




MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, October 23

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

TORONTO (98 - 74) at KANSAS CITY (101 - 71) - 8:05 PM
DAVID PRICE (L) vs. YORDANO VENTURA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PRICE is 29-32 (-20.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less since 1997. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 0-7 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in playoff games since 1997. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 101-71 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 25-14 (+12.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
KANSAS CITY is 55-31 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 32-16 (+12.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 20-8 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in October games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 30-14 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 97-65 (+23.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 68-53 (+5.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 17-8 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 41-27 (+10.7 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
KANSAS CITY is 92-69 (+18.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 47-32 (+14.4 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.
VENTURA is 13-4 (+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)
TORONTO is 98-74 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 53-36 (+10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 29-13 (+11.3 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 70-39 (+23.9 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 20-6 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 41-21 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 6-6 (+1.1 Units) against TORONTO this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

DAVID PRICE vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PRICE is 2-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.72 and a WHIP of 0.907.
His team's record is 3-3 (-3.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

YORDANO VENTURA vs. TORONTO since 1997
VENTURA is 1-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.269.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.1 units)

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MLB
Short Sheet

Friday, October 23


Toronto at Kansas City, 8:05 PM EDT
Toronto: PRICE is 0-7 TSR in playoff games
Kansas City: 14-5 SU in home games against AL East opponents




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, October 23

American League
Blue Jays vs Royals
Price is 1-2, 7.23 in his last three starts (over 3-1-1 last five) he is winless in seven playoff starts, but does have two playoff wins in relief. He retired 18 in a row in his last start before a rough 7th inning doomed him. .

Ventura is 0-1, 6.57 in his last three starts (under 4-2). .

Blue Jays lost four of last seven games with KC; home side won 11 of last 14 series games. Toronto is 5-5 in playoffs (over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games).

Royals won 11 of their last 15 games (over 6-3 last nine); they get to World Series for second year in row with win here or in Game 7.




MLB

Friday, October 23

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Trend Report
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8:07 PM
TORONTO vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Kansas City is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 7 games

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, October 23

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ALCS Game 6 betting preview: Blue Jays at Royals
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Price has allowed 10 runs in 13 2/3 innings in his two starts this postseason, dropping him to 0-7 in his seven career turns as a playoff starter.

Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals (+124, 7.5)

Royals lead series 3-2.

David Price’s struggles in the postseason during his career and this October in particular will all be forgotten with one dominant outing on Friday. Price will take the mound looking for his first career postseason win as a starter when the Toronto Blue Jays visit the Kansas City Royals in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Friday.

Price gets another chance because the Blue Jays offense showed up on Wednesday and battered Edinson Volquez and the Kansas City staff in the 7-1 triumph. The big hit came from Troy Tulowitzki, who is 4-for-8 with six RBIs in Toronto’s two wins in the series and 3-for-11 with one RBI in the three losses. The Royals are heading home for the final two games in the series and are showing no panic while sitting on a 3-2 lead. “That's why homefield was so important to us,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost told reporters after the Game 5 loss. “We really wanted to play four games in our park. And we're taking a 3-games-to-2-lead back to where we are comfortable and back to our home fans that support us and are fantastic.”

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

LINE HISTORY: Books have moved to Kansas City +124 after opening around +120. The total opened at 7.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Blue Jays - P Aaron Loup (Probable, personal).

WEATHER: Temperatures in the high-60s with a 58 percent chance of thunderstorms. Wind will blow out to centerfield at around nine miles per hour.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH David Price (1-2, 7.02 ERA) vs. Royals RH Yordano Ventura (0-1, 6.57)

Price has allowed 10 runs in 13 2/3 innings in his two starts this postseason, dropping him to 0-7 in his seven career turns as a playoff starter. It looked like the free agent to-be was on his way to a win in Game 2 with six scoreless innings before a misplay in short right field opened the floodgates to a five-run inning and an eventual 6-3 setback. Price has allowed a total of 13 earned runs in the postseason – matching the total from his final seven regular season outings.

Ventura is still looking for his first win of the 2015 postseason and allowed three runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings while going up against Price in Game 2. The 24-year-old does have 16 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings over three appearances this postseason to go along with six walks. Ventura surrendered a total of one run and six hits over 14 innings in his final two regular season starts.

TRENDS:

* Road team is 4-0 in umpire Jeff Nelson's last four games behind home plate.
* Blue Jays are 1-4 in the last five meetings in Kansas City.
* Blue Jays are 5-1 in Price's last six road starts.
* Royals are 7-1 in their last eight games vs. a left-handed starter.

[StarDust Bum]

B]MLB[/B]

Friday, October 23


Weather could be factor in ALCS Game 6

The Toronto Blue Jays will try to beat the Royals and the weather Friday night in Kansas City to force Game 7 in the American League Championship Series.

The Blue Jays stayed alive in the best-of-seven series with a 7-1 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday in Toronto. A chance of rain is in the forecast for Friday, though the storm could move out of the area before game time.

Both teams fell behind in the first round of the postseason and rallied to advance.

The Royals were on the brink of losing their best-of-five American League Division Series when they were down 6-2 to the Houston Astros in Game 4. However, Kansas City came back to win that game 9-6, then posted a 7-2 win in Game 5.

The Blue Jays trailed the Texas Rangers 2-0 in their ALDS before erasing the deficit and moving on. More recently, after losing the first two games to Kansas City, Toronto battled back to pull within 3-2 in the ALCS.

Getting pushed to the brink seems to bring out the best in the Blue Jays.

"You look at all the elimination games, our offense has really come to life," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "We've said all along that's the key to our team, scoring runs. You hate to make a habit of it, but maybe we can pull it off again."

Facing elimination for the second time in the ALCS, the Blue Jays will send left-hander David Price to the mound in Game 6 to face Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura.

Price took the loss in Game 1 when he gave up five runs in the seventh inning after shutting out the Royals until then. He is now 0-7 as a starter during his career in the playoffs.

"I know what I'm capable of doing, and I think everybody in this room knows what I'm capable of doing," Price said. "I think I just kind of want to do it too bad. And it's long overdue for me to get a win as a starter in the playoffs, and I'll be ready to change that story (Friday)."

Ventura and the Royals will be looking to secure a World Series berth with a win in their home park. Ventura left the opening game of the ALCS after giving up three runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"Very fortunate and happy that this game has landed on my turn here in Kansas City and with the opportunity for me to take this club to the World Series," Ventura said. "And I'll be ready for (Friday's) game."

Royals manager Ned Yost feels good about sending Ventura to the mound. The 24-year-old has started seven playoff games the past two seasons for Kansas City.

"He keeps us in the game," Yost said. "He's got a lot of confidence in his abilities, he's got a lot of confidence in his stuff, and you know the moment is not going to overwhelm him.

"He's gotten past all that. He's learned some great lessons this year about how to handle adversity and how to be a No. 1 guy. We saw it last year during the playoffs, just kind of found a way to take his game to just a little bit of a different level. We expect him to do that (Friday night)."

Gibbons thinks his team is in a good frame of mind after the Game 5 win.

"Well, it got us back here," he said. "That's huge for the morale. Well, really, we had to have it. We just felt great getting it.

"Our goal, of course, was to bring it back to Kansas City. We did that. And we're riding high right now. But we always ride high, if you want to know the truth. We don't always win, but we feel good."


Royals LF Gordon struck by own foul ball

Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon suffered a bloody nose during off-day batting practice when he was struck by a ball off his own bat on Thursday.

Gordon hit a ball that struck the top of the batting cage and it ricocheted directly back at him and hit him in the nose. He was momentarily stunned and bleeding before leaving the field for treatment.

The situation won't prevent Gordon from being in the lineup for Friday's Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Kansas City has a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

8:05 PM EDT

971 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (L) Price, D -140 -133 / -132 / -130 -132 -1.5(+115)
972 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Ventura, Y 7o20 7.5o25 / 7.5u25 / 7.5u20 7o25 +1.5(-135)

TV: FS-1, DTV: 219 | MOSTLY FAIR, WIND OUT TO LEFT 6-11. GAME TEMP 70, RH 70% HEAT INDEX 71

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MLB Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

8:00 PM Toronto -131 596 52.33% Kansas City +121 543 47.67% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds


8:00 PM Toronto 7.5 578 66.74% Kansas City 7.5 288 33.26% View View

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Toronto - 8:00 PM ET Toronto -131 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Kansas City - Over 7.5 500 GRAND SLAM

[Udog]

Good luck tonight, Bum! I really wanted to play the Jays tonight but Price's inconsistency worries me. I'll join you on the over.

[StarDust Bum]

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY / FRIDAY ACTION:

MLB: 2 - 4

CFL: 2 - 2

CFB: 1 - 3 - 0

NFL: 0 - 0 - 0

NHL: 3 - 2 - 0


MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

*****.......................................5 - 8
double plays..............................10 - 9
triple plays................................4 - 7
grand slam................................5 - 3
double grand slam......................4 - 2
total.........................................8 - 10