Announcement

**Udog** · 10-31-2015, 07:25 AM

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

-- Mets 9, Royals 3-- Home team is 3-0 so far in World Series.

-- Thunder 139, Magic 136 2OT-- This was a great game; there were three made 3's in last 0:14 of regulation.

-- Purdue's ace basketball recruit, Caleb Swanigan, is now eligible; he was adopted five years ago by a guy who is an agent, which caused a delay.

-- Texas Longhorns are signing a 15-year, $250M deal with Nike.

-- Dolphins lost DL Cameron Wake (achilles) for the year; big loss.

-- RIP Mel Daniels, one of the great players in ABA history. Indiana Pacers were a power in the ABA; Daniels was a great power forward.

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Armadillo: Saturday's Den: DDLohaus picks the Breeders' Cup......

Friday didn't start out very good; our selections in the first Breeders Cup race finished in the bottom three....but we bounced back with a nice exacta. Scratched out of our final bet.

Overall 1-2-1 for a small loss of $38.00 for the day. Pletcher had a big first day and he may be finally able to silent the critics about not being able to win at Breeders' Cup;

Today should be a lot of fun with some great racing. Going to enjoy watching these horses do what they were born to do.... let's get some cash. Have fun!

Juvenile Fillies
Selections:
Rachel's Valentina: Looked real sharp in wins; classy gal keeps it going
Tap to It: Might move forward in this; dangerous
Songbird: fast, Beyer's say she the best; might be the best; low odds

The Bet:
$10WP Rachel's Valentina
$10W Tap to It

Turf Sprint
Selections:
Jimmy Bouncer: Looks like peaking now; distance suits; great value.
Ready for Rye: getting good now; won at the Spa
Pure Sensation: unbeaten and may be this good.

The Bets:
$5WPS Jimmy Bouncer
$2Exacta Box Jimmy Bouncer/Ready for Rye/Pure Sensation

Filly & Mare Sprint
Selections:
Stonetastic: fresh and like the trainer; big chance
Taris: Loves Keeneland but can she leave something in the tank for the stretch. Cavorting: Bad post but undefeated at the distance

The Bets:
$3ExactaBox Stonetastic/Taris/Cavorting

Filly & Mare Turf
Selections:
Miss France: invader makes sense here; tough to bet against
Dacita: liked her at Saratoga; getting better?
Hard Not to Like: Wins at Saratoga; name says it all

The Bets:
$10WP Miss France

Sprint
Selections:
Run Happy: sharp, underrated jockey; needs good break; nice value
Masochistic: tough if back to previous form; a live one
Wild Dude: Needs fast pace and if he gets it look out!

The Bets
$10WP Run Happy
$2Exacta Box Run Happy/Masochistic/Wild Dude

Mile
Selections:
Impassable: looks ready to add fourth in a row; the one to beat
Make Believe: sharp overseas; make sense
Tourist: crafty trainer; mike get there in time

The Bets:
$10WP Impassable

Juvenile
Selections:
Conquest Big E: win over the track; live longshot
Ralis: throw out last and fits with these; a shot
Rated R Superstar: Versitile sort who may adapt and surprise

The Bets:
$5WPS Conquest Big E
$2Exacta Box Conquest Big E/Ralis/Rated R Superstar

Turf
Selections:
Golden Horn: hard to go past this guy; will need things to fall apart to lose
The Pizza Man: Hard knocker with a great name; gotta take a shot
Big Blue Kitten: If the race sets up can beat the top choice

The Bets:
$5WPS The Pizza Man
$10Exacta Golden Horn/The Pizza Man, Big Blue Kitten

The Classic
Selections:
American Pharoah: If gets an easy lead and stays clear, goes out on top; if tested early could be vulnerable
Keen Ice: If its fast enough up front can win again; if too slow is going to be really up against it
Gleneagles: relative unknown might be good enough if top two don't fire > >

The Bets:
$10Exacta Box American Pharoah/Keen Ice
$5WPS Gleneagles

Total Bets: $244.00
Good Luck and See You in May

**Udog** · 10-31-2015, 07:33 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, October 31

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KANSAS CITY (104 - 72) at NY METS (98 - 76) - 8:05 PM
CHRIS YOUNG (R) vs. STEVEN MATZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 98-76 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 18-1 (+16.8 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
NY METS are 97-72 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 75-59 (+6.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 60-37 (+16.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 104-72 (+24.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-24 (+13.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 46-41 (+6.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 13-5 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in October games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 9-2 (+7.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Saturday this season.
KANSAS CITY is 33-17 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 100-66 (+25.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 71-54 (+7.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 20-9 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 42-27 (+12.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
KANSAS CITY is 41-31 (+7.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 23-14 (+8.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
YOUNG is 13-6 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 8-2 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 29-17 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 17-9 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 18-9 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 15-26 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 2-1 (+1.1 Units) against NY METS this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

CHRIS YOUNG vs. NY METS since 1997
YOUNG is 0-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 6.05 and a WHIP of 1.655.
His team's record is 0-4 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-0. (+4.0 units)

STEVEN MATZ vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
No recent starts.

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MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, October 31

Royals vs Mets
Young is 1-0, 1.69 in his last three starts; he threw three hitless innings in relief in Game 1 Tuesday's extra inning game.

Mets are 6-2 when Matz starts (0-1, 4.11 in last three-- under 4-2 in last six).

Royals won six of last nine games with New York, all three games in this series went over, with home side winning all three. KC last won World Series in 1985; Mets last won World Series the next year.

Royals won eight of their last eleven games (over 8-3).

Mets won six of their last eight games (over 4-0 last four).

Game 1 winner won 17 of last 20 World Series.

MLB

Saturday, October 31

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Trend Report
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8:07 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. NY METS
Kansas City is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games

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**Udog** · 10-31-2015, 07:36 AM

MLB

Saturday, October 31

Volquez to rejoin Royals, slated to start Game 5

Kansas City Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez is scheduled to rejoin the Royals on Saturday for Game 4 of the World Series, and he is in line to pitch the next day, Royals manager Ned Yost said Friday.

"He's still slated to pitch Game 5," Yost said. "We should see Eddie tomorrow (Saturday). He'll be ready to go."

Volquez returned home to the Dominican Republic following the death of his father, Daniel, who passed away at the age of 63 on Tuesday.

Volquez was the starting pitcher for the Royals in Game 1 that day, and there were conflicting reports about whether Volquez was aware of his father's death when he took the mound on Tuesday. Volquez gave up three runs in six innings against the New York Mets.

Volquez has stayed in contact with Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland while he was in the Dominican Republic.

Chris Young will start Game 4 for the Royals Saturday, and Volquez would start Sunday's game if Game 5 is needed.

**Udog** · 10-31-2015, 08:48 AM

MLB

Saturday, October 31

Mets showing confidence in rookie starter Matz

NEW YORK -- All New York Mets rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard did during Game 3 of the World Series Friday night was take the mound to the theme from the movie "Halloween," scare the bejeezus out of the Kansas City Royals by throwing his first pitch over the head of shortstop Alcides Escobar and then survive a rough first couple innings to throw six sturdy innings and earn the win in a 9-3 victory that put the Mets back into the Series.

So what can Steven Matz do for an encore as he makes his World Series debut pitching for the team he grew up rooting for and performing an hour from home in front of what he described as "a huge amount of family members?"

The left-handed Matz, the Mets' other rookie starter, will take the mound Saturday as the Mets try to even the Series at two games apiece. He'll do so having slept in his own bed in East Setauket, which is located about 55 miles east of Citi Field.

"We're on off hours, so there's not much traffic," Matz said Friday afternoon. "It's not too terrible. It's been pretty awesome to be able to do that."

So, too, is pitching for the Mets in the playoffs. The start Saturday will be the third of the postseason for Matz, who made just six regular-season starts due to lat and back injuries.

"I always thought about (pitching for the Mets)," Matz said. "I didn't know it was actually going to come to truth or whatever. It's actually amazing. It's (a) pretty big blessing being here, especially my first year being a part of this team."

While it may be unfair to expect a Syndergaard-like performance out of Matz, the Mets are confident in his ability to provide a strong outing. The Mets started Matz in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Oct. 13 even though he had not pitched in the majors since Sept. 24 due to his back injury. He also pitched Game 4 of the NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs and has a 3.72 ERA in his two outings.

"(Syndergaard) came through exactly how we expected him to," Mets manager Terry Collins said Friday night. "And we really believe Steven Matz will go out (tonight) and do the same job."

Royals look to remain perfect in Game 4s

NEW YORK -- The Kansas City Royals finished the 2015 postseason 0-for-3 in Game 3s. But manager Ned Yost is confident the Royals will remain perfect in Game 4s on Saturday.

The Royals' hopes of sweeping the World Series vanished Friday night, when the New York Mets cruised to a 9-3 win in Game 3 at Citi Field. Kansas City ended up being outscored 24-13 in losing Game 3s to the Houston Astros (American League Division Series), Toronto Blue Jays (AL Championship Series) and the Mets.

But the Royals came back in their first two Game 4s to beat the Astros and Blue Jays by a combined margin of 23-8. On Saturday, Kansas City will send to the mound right-hander Chris Young, who earned the win in Game 1 on Tuesday by tossing three hitless innings in the 5-4, 14-inning victory.

"We've got a lot of confidence in our group," Yost said. "We've got Chris Young going tomorrow and we feel good about that. He's the ultimate competitor. Nothing is going to mess with him -- the weather, nothing is going to faze him.

"He's going to go out and execute pitches and keep us in the ballgame until we get to our pen."

A short start Friday by right-hander Yordano Ventura (3 1/3 innings) meant the Royals bullpen got plenty of usage. But Yost only used two of his late-inning relievers: Right-handers Kelvin Herrera and Ryan Madson combined to allow two hits in 1 2/3 innings.

In addition, right-hander Kris Medlen, the long man, threw one inning Friday and would be available if Young, who only lasted 4 2/3 innings in Game 4 of the ALCS, makes an early exit.

"Our pen is in great shape," Yost said. "We're swinging the bats good. So we're all really confident."

5 things we know entering World Series Game 4

Here are five things we know about the World Series heading into Game 4 on Saturday in New York:

--The captain's bat might have returned for the Mets. Third baseman David Wright's second foray into postseason play had not gone well until Friday when he hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs. He had three RBIs in the postseason before Friday and seven hits in 41 at-bats. Wright seemed aggressive in his at-bats, driving a 0-1 fastball from right-hander Yordano Ventura into the left-center field seats with nobody out in the first. In the sixth, with the Mets already up 6-3, Wright stroked a first-pitch fastball from right-hander Kelvin Herrera. Wright's performance were the most RBIs by a Met in a World Series game since Rusty Staub in Game Four in 1973 against Oakland.

-- The Mets may have the advantage on the bench. With the series shifting to New York and the pitcher having to bat, the benches figured to be more prominent. The Mets had Juan Uribe on their bench in a key spot and he continued his knack for big World Series hits by getting an RBI single during New York's four-run sixth inning. Uribe batted .219 during the regular season after being acquired from Atlanta on July 24, but his reputation got him a standing ovation from the fans before lining a 2-2 pitch into right field. The Royals could have used regular DH Kendrys Morales to bat in the pitcher's spot when it came up in the fifth, but manager Ned Yost opted to keep him on the bench when it was a two-run game. He likely did it because that spot was leading off and he wanted to have Morales up with runners on. Instead, Yost went to infielder Raul Mondesi Jr, who struck out swinging.

-- Two games to one is significantly better than three games to none: This is the 54th time a team has won the first two games in the World Series. In the previous 53 instances, the team winning the first two games has won the series 42 times. Twenty-four of those teams have won Game 3, and unlike the ALCS, no team has ever blown a 3-0 lead. Should the Mets manage to get it to 2-2 and win the fifth game, their chances may increase for winning the series. In 44 instances, the series has been tied after four games and 26 times the home team has won the fifth game in that situation.

-- Youth will either help or hinder the Mets' chances of evening the series. The Mets have had uneven performances from their youthful rotation in the series and will turn to another youngster in left-hander Steven Matz on Saturday. Matz made six regular-season starts and the Long Island native started the NLCS clincher in Chicago when he allowed a run and four hits in 4 2/3 innings. Like Noah Syndergaard in Game 3, Matz will have to pitch without getting phased by adversity. Syndergaard gave the Mets six innings and ended his outing by getting a groundout with the bases loaded when it was a two-run game. He also will have to make adjustments if the Royals are able to hit fastballs like they did in the early innings Friday.

-- How much will Chris Young have? It is a valid question for the Royals after Young threw 53 pitches in three innings in Game 1. Young hit 90 mph on a few of his pitches but will be starting on three days' rest, which might put the Royals at a pitching disadvantage. A short outing could also hinder the Royals because right-hander Yordano Ventura lasted 3 1/3 innings on Friday and manager Ned Yost used six relievers.

**Udog** · 10-31-2015, 10:51 AM

MLB

Saturday, October 31

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World Series Game 4 betting preview: Royals at Mets
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David Wright (right) picked up a pair of hits and drove in four runs in the Mets' 9-3 win Friday.

Kansas City Royals at New York Mets (-137, 7.5)

Royals lead series 2-1.

David Wright broke out of an offensive funk Friday to lead the New York Mets to a crucial victory and give them the opportunity to even the World Series at two wins apiece when they host the Kansas City Royals in Game 4 on Saturday. Wright slammed his first homer of the postseason and finished with four RBIs - one shy of Rusty Staub's franchise World Series mark set in 1973 - as New York rolled to a 9-3 victory.

New York's captain was batting just .171 in the postseason entering Game 3 and also made a key error in the 14th inning of the Mets' Game 1 loss before turning around his fortunes. "I don't think I've swung the bat as well as I can this postseason," Wright said after Game 3. "But it's been nice to be able to contribute. I've had a couple RBIs. The name of the game is just forget about yesterday and worry about today." Kansas City may be doing some fretting after its shaky effort on Friday. The Royals held a similar 2-1 lead after three games of last year's World Series before Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants won three of the next four games to capture the crown.

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

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Mets -125 and are currently around -137. The total opened at 7.5.

WEATHER REPORT: Temperatures in the low-50s with wind blowing out to left field at around 5 mph.

UMPIRE REPORT: Jim Wolf will be behind the plate in Game 4. The Over has gone 7-1 in his eight games calling balls and strikes.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Chris Young (1-0, 2.31 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (0-1, 3.72)

Young won the opener when he worked three frames of hitless relief in a 14-inning victory. He went 5-9 with a 3.76 ERA in 24 starts with the Mets over two injury-riddled seasons (2011-12) before reviving his career in 2014 and appreciates competing against his former organization on the biggest stage in baseball. "No matter who you play in the World Series, it's special," Young said at a press conference. "It's what every player should play for, and it's certainly what I've aspired to participate in my entire career."

New York opted against bringing back Game 1 starter Matt Harvey on short rest, so Matz is making his third start of the postseason after taking six regular-season turns. The 24-year-old is starting a World Series game much sooner than he ever imagined. "I didn't know it was actually going to come to truth or whatever," Matz said at a press conference. "It's actually amazing. It's a pretty big blessing being here, especially my first year being a part of this team."

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Royals are 5-0 in their last five games following a loss.
* Royals are 4-0 in Young's last four starts.
* Mets are 4-1 in Matz's last five starts.

SERIES PRICE: At CarbonSports.ag, the Mets are presently +160 and the Royals are -185.

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Announcement

Saturday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/31

Saturday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/31

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