The Bum's MLB Best Bets - Trends - News Thru the World Series !

[StarDust Bum]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

10/16/2016 0-2-0 0.00% -1050

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks.............8 - 8....................50.00 %............ + 2.35

O/U Picks............3 - 8 - 1................37.50 %............ - 5.00

TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 3 - 6

M/L-.......... 1 - 6 - 0
O/U-..........3 - 3 - 1

[StarDust Bum]

Game 3 - Indians at Jays
October 17, 2016


American League Championship Series - Game 3
Cleveland Indians (94-67) at Toronto Blue Jays (89-73)
First pitch: Monday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Cleveland +170, Toronto -200, Total: 9.0

Down 2-0 in the American League Championship Series, the Blue Jays desperately need a win against the Indians as the series shifts to Toronto.

The Blue Jays’ (89-73) bats were on fire during their three-game sweep of the Rangers, but the Indians (94-67) kept them in check in the first two games of the ALCS in Cleveland.

Terry Francona’s club took Game 1, 2-0, on Friday and then took Game 2, 2-1, on Saturday.

RHP Trevor Bauer (12-8, 4.26 ERA during the regular season) will start Game 3 for the Tribe. Bauer—who is recovering from a finger injury, and will throw with stitches on the back of his right pinkie finger—hasn’t pitched since Game 1 of the ALDS, back on Oct. 6. He wasn’t particularly strong in that game, allowing three earned runs on six hits—two of them homers—in just 4 2/3 innings pitched.

In what’s essentially a must-win game for Toronto, RHP Marcus Stroman (9-10, 4.37 ERA during the regular season) will get the ball for manager John Gibbons. Stroman hasn’t started since the AL Wild Card Game against the Orioles, back on Oct. 4.He allowed two earned runs in six innings in the Blue Jays’ win. The Blue Jays are 2-0 at Rogers Centre this postseason. The Indians have gone 1-0 on the road.

The Indians can really pitch—they’ve allowed just eight runs through five postseason games—but they can hit, too. RF Lonnie Chisenhall (7-for-16, HR, 4 RBI) and SS Francisco Lindor (7-for-20, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI) have had huge postseasons, and 3B Jose Ramirez (5-for-16, 2B) has had some big hits.

Cleveland hasn’t seen a ton of Stroman. DH Carlos Santana (4-for-17, HR) is 3-for-8 against him with a double, Chisenhall is 3-for-7 and LF Rajai Davis (0-for-10, RBI) is 3-for-8. Bauer faced the Jays once this season, back on Aug. 19, and took a no-decision despite allowing just two earned runs in eight innings.

For his career, he’s 0-1 against Toronto with an 8.57 ERA. The Indians’ bullpen is nearly automatic. If Cleveland has a lead late, setup man Andrew Miller (0 ER, 17 SO, 2 BB in 7 2/3 IP) and closer Cody Allen (0 ER, 8 SO, 2 BB, 4 SV in 5 IP) almost always protect it.

The Blue Jays have one of the best offenses in the sport, but they’ve only scored one run through the first two games of this series.

They’ll need to start putting some runs on the board, and that means 3B Josh Donaldson (12-for-26, 6 2B, 4 RBI), 1B Edwin Encarnacion (8-for-23, 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI) and SS Troy Tulowitzki (7-for-25, 3B, HR, 5 RBI) will have to hit like they did in the ALDS. Gibbons also needs RF Jose Bautista (3-for-21, 2 HR, 5 RBI), who’s been all or nothing at the plate, to get hot.

Donaldson has gone 2-for-5 against Bauer with a double and three RBIs, DH Michael Saunders (4-for-13, 2B) has gone 5-for-9 against him and C Russell Martin (2-for-23, HR) has taken him deep. Stroman faced the Indians twice in 2016 and was excellent, allowing just two earned runs in 14 innings. In four career postseason starts, Stroman is 1-0 with a 3.91 ERA in 25 1/3 innings pitched.

Game 3 Propositions - per Sportsbook.ag

Total Runs+Hits+Errors
Over 27.5 (-115)
Under 27.5 (-115)

Team to Score First
Indians -115
Blue Jays -115

Adjusted Runline A
Indians -1.5 (+250)
Blue Jays +1.5 (-330)

Adjusted Runline B
Indians +2.5 (-210)
Blue Jays 2.5 (+170)

Indians Total Runs
Over 3.5 (-125)
Under 3.5 (-105)

Blue Jays Total Runs
Over 5 (-115)
Under 5 (-115)

Will there be a score in the 1st Inning?
Yes +110
NO -140

Total Runs Odd/Even More
Odd -155
Even +125

Will the game go to Extra Innings?
Yes +650
No -1100

1st Inning 3 Way Line
Indians +330
Blue Jays +230
Tie -180

1st 5 Innings 3 Way Line
Indians +200
Blue Jays -130
Tie +400

Margin of Victory
Cleveland to win by 1 +550
Cleveland to win by 2 +900
Cleveland to win by 3 +1200
Cleveland to win by 4 +1700

Toronto to win by 1 +425
Toronto to win by 2 +600
Toronto to win by 3 +725
Toronto to win by 4 +900
Toronto to win by 5 or more +300

Double Result (1st 5 Innings / Game Winner)
Cleveland / Cleveland +230
Cleveland / Toronto +800
Toronto / Cleveland +1200
Toronto / Toronto -110
Tie / Cleveland +1300

First Run Will be Scored In
2nd Inning +220
3rd Inning +350
4th Inning +600
5th Inning +1000
6th Inning +1500
7th Inning +2500
8th Inning +3000
9th Inning +5000
Extra Innings +7500

Odds Subject to Change

[StarDust Bum]

Bauer says stitches should be no issue
October 16, 2016

TORONTO (AP) Cleveland right-hander Trevor Bauer has pronounced himself ready to pitch Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, saying the stitches he needed after cutting his finger repairing a drone shouldn't be an issue Monday night against Toronto.

Bauer brought a drone with him to a lighthearted news conference Sunday, and he briefly demonstrated how he cut his right pinkie on a propeller Thursday night. Bauer was initially supposed to pitch Saturday, but Josh Tomlin started instead and the Indians won to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Bauer is set to face Marcus Stroman on Monday. The Blue Jays have managed only one run through the first two games of the series, failing to take advantage of the Indians' injury-riddled rotation.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

10/16/2016 0-2-0 0.00% -1050

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks.............8 - 8....................50.00 %............ + 2.35

O/U Picks............3 - 8 - 1................37.50 %............ - 5.00

TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 3 - 6

M/L-.......... 1 - 6 - 0
O/U-..........3 - 3 - 1


MONDAY, OCTOBER 17

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CLE at TOR 08:00 PM

CLE +150 *****

U 8.5 *****

[StarDust Bum]

Blue Jays still waiting for bats to break out in ALCS
October 18, 2016

TORONTO (AP) The Blue Jays are running out of time to solve their startling power outage in the AL Championship Series.

Things were supposed to be different when Toronto returned home to hitter-friendly Rogers Centre for Game 3 on Monday night. Instead, it was more of the same for the run-starved Blue Jays, who scratched seven hits against seven Cleveland Indians pitchers in a 4-2 loss that put Toronto in a 3-0 series hole.

The Blue Jays have yet to lead in the series. Game 4 is Tuesday afternoon, and the test only gets tougher with Cy Young Award candidate Corey Kluber scheduled to start for Cleveland.

''We've got our work cut out for us,'' Toronto manager John Gibbons said. ''That's an understatement.''

The Blue Jays scored 759 runs in the regular season, fifth most in the AL. After beating Baltimore in the wild-card game, Toronto pounded out 22 runs and hit eight homers in a three-game sweep of Texas in the Division Series.

Those booming bats have gone ice cold since. Michael Saunders ended the team's 28-inning homerless streak with a leadoff shot in the second inning, but Toronto has produced just three runs in three ALCS losses to Cleveland. The Blue Jays have 17 hits in the series, 13 of them singles.

''I still believe our offense is due to erupt,'' Gibbons said. ''It hasn't happened yet. But I've seen it too many times. Hopefully tomorrow is that day, we'll see.''

A desperate Gibbons shuffled his lineup for Game 3, moving slugger Jose Bautista into the leadoff spot and dropping Ezequiel Carrera to eighth. Bautista went 1 for 3 with a walk and a single, and Carrera had two hits.

Saunders homer came off Dan Otero, Toronto's first of the ALCS. Carrera tripled and scored in the fifth, giving the Blue Jays multiple extra-base hits in a game for the first time this series.

Still, it wasn't enough to keep the Blue Jays from another offensive dud.

Toronto struck out 25 times over the first two games of the series and punched out nine times in Game 3. The Blue Jays again faltered against the back end of Cleveland's bullpen, going 2 for 11 against Cody Allen and Andrew Miller on Monday. Toronto is 3 for 29 from the seventh inning on in the series so far.

The Blue Jays did put runners at first and second with two outs in the seventh against Allen on Monday, but reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson ended the inning by lining out hard to left field on the first pitch, with Coco Crisp making a sliding catch.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

10/17/2016 2-0-0 100.00% +1250

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks.............9 - 8....................52.94%............ + 6.85

O/U Picks............4 - 8 - 1................37.50 %............ - 2.00

TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 5 - 6

M/L-.......... 2 - 6 - 0
O/U-..........4 - 3 - 1

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Cubs and Dodgers tied going into NLCS Game 3
October 17, 2016

A look at what's happening all around the majors Tuesday:

ALL EVEN

With the Cubs and Dodgers tied at one game apiece, the best-of-seven NL Championship Series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3. Jake Arrieta, the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner, starts for Chicago against lefty Rich Hill. Arrieta threw his first no-hitter at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 30 last year in a game that began shortly after 5 p.m. local time, the same starting time as Tuesday. Shadows can creep between the mound and home plate at that hour, which Arrieta believes favors the pitchers. ''I really think it can be difficult to pick up spin,'' he said.

SHORT REST

Corey Kluber could be back on the mound a day earlier than planned when the Indians face Toronto in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he would move up Kluber to start on three days' rest Tuesday if Trevor Bauer's injured finger acted up in Game 3. Bauer was removed in the first inning Monday night after blood began dripping from his right pinkie. Kluber pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a Game 1 win at home last Friday. The 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner hasn't allowed a run in two starts and 13 1/3 innings during his first postseason this year. Aaron Sanchez starts for the Blue Jays. He was 15-2 with an AL-low 3.00 ERA this season.

LOOKING AHEAD

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed 20-year-old rookie Julio Urias is scheduled to start Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday night. The team limited Urias' workload down the stretch - he has thrown only 10 2/3 innings since Sept. 3. But the young lefty from Mexico tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to win Game 5 of the Division Series at Washington last Thursday after finishing 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 18 games (15 starts) and 77 innings during the regular season. He is 5-0 with a 1.90 ERA since the All-Star break. Postseason pro John Lackey, who turns 38 on Sunday, pitches for the Cubs.

[StarDust Bum]

Dodgers to start rookie Julio Urias in NLCS Game 4
October 17, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) Julio Urias is scheduled to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs.

Manager Dave Roberts said Monday the 20-year-old rookie from Mexico will open Wednesday, followed by Kenta Maeda in Game 5 on Thursday ''as it stands now.''

Urias pitched two scoreless innings of relief in the Dodgers' win over Washington in Game 5 of the NL Division Series, raising his total innings since Sept. 1 to 16. He has never thrown more than 100 pitches in a major league game, and the team has been careful to manage his workload this season.

''We expect him to just go out there and compete, use his pitch mix and go after these guys,'' Roberts said. ''Give us a chance to win a baseball game. It's what Julio's done all year long.''

Urias hasn't thrown over 78 pitches in a game since Sept. 2, although Roberts isn't concerned about pitch count.

''A lot of it is the stressful innings too,'' he said. ''It's going to be a big game, so if he's throwing the baseball the way we expect, then I'm not afraid to push him to help us win.''

Since the All-Star break, Urias is 5-0 with a 1.90 ERA.

Maeda has struggled lately, allowing seven runs in seven innings over two playoff appearances. Roberts appeared to leave the door open for Clayton Kershaw to possibly pitch in Game 5.

''As this series moves on, you always have to be open to adjusting,'' he said without mentioning Kershaw's name.

[StarDust Bum]

Less dominant Arrieta vs Hill as NLCS shifts to Los Angeles
October 17, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) Back in spring training, Joe Maddon cornered Jake Arrieta for a frank conversation about his workload during the upcoming season.

Maddon knew Arrieta would be upset any time he got lifted early, especially after tossing 229 innings for the Chicago Cubs on his way to winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2015.

''But understand it's going to pay off in the latter part of the season,'' Maddon counseled his ace. ''Our intention is to play deeply into October and possibly November this year.''

Maddon knew Arrieta might just feel invincible after shouldering the burden of huge innings while compiling a 1.77 ERA. He didn't want the right-hander thinking he could pitch that much every year.

Arrieta bought into Maddon's plan, and it's gotten him to the NL Championship Series with 197 1/3 innings and a 3.10 ERA.

''I'm in a much better place,'' Arrieta said Monday before the Cubs worked out. ''Going through that last year has prepared myself as well as the rest of the guys mentally for a longer run this year, and we've been able to handle the moments mentally a lot better as well as physically.''

With the series tied 1-1, Arrieta starts for the Cubs against Los Angeles' Rich Hill on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Arrieta threw his first career no-hitter in the venerable ballpark on Aug. 30 last year in a game that began shortly after 5 p.m., the same starting time as Game 3. Shadows can creep between the mound and home plate at that hour, which Arrieta believes favors the pitchers.

''I really think it can be difficult to pick up spin,'' he said. ''From a pitching perspective, you want to be aggressive early because of the fact that it is a little more difficult to pick up some rotations and spin on pitches when the shadow's kind of in between and then it starts to creep out to the mound.''

In his no-hitter last year, a 2-0 victory, Arrieta struck out 12 and allowed two baserunners - one on an error and the other via walk.

''It's going to be a little different feel, but at the same time, for the most part, it's just about the same lineup,'' he said. ''You try to tackle them accordingly. Use some knowledge that I have from the past to kind of help me tomorrow. But it's just another game on a big stage.''

The mound is a place Arrieta feels comfortable. He complemented the Dodgers ground crew for creating a consistent surface that gives him confidence in his positioning and footing.

''When you've been in these situations before, it makes it a lot easier just to kind of take that deep breath, focus on your execution and go from there,'' he said.

Hill follows Clayton Kershaw as the second straight left-hander to start for the Dodgers in the NLCS, and he draws inspiration from the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

''He's got the stuff, right? You can't argue that,'' Hill said. ''But then there's another level of that competitiveness that comes out where if you're on the other side and you're down on one knee, he's going to put you away. That's something that when I see that, you just never quit, you never give up, you continue to attack.''

Hill had a 2.12 ERA during the regular season allowed a combined five runs in seven innings starting Game 2 of the NL Division Series against Washington and returning on short rest in the decisive Game 5.

Now, Hill returns on regular rest and manager Dave Roberts said the finger blisters that have bothered the left-hander this season are not an issue.

''With Richie, it's an inning-by-inning thing, so we'll just keep our fingers crossed,'' Roberts said. ''Because all things being equal, the blister holds, I really, really like our chances.''

Hill hasn't thrown more than 93 pitches since being acquired from Oakland in August. The blisters have affected how often he starts and how long he pitches.

The Dodgers will have to find a way to beat the Cubs without Kershaw, who has worked overtime in these playoffs and isn't expected to be available for the next three games in Los Angeles.

Roberts confirmed rookie Julio Urias is set to start Game 4 on Wednesday, followed by Japanese rookie Kenta Maeda, who has allowed seven runs over seven innings in two postseason appearances.

[StarDust Bum]

Cleveland planning to start rookie Merritt in Game 4 or 5
October 17, 2016

TORONTO (AP) Ryan Merritt is preparing to take his turn in the postseason spotlight.

The Indians plan to start the rookie left-hander in the AL Championship Series, although it's not completely certain when. Manager Terry Francona said Merritt would pitch either Game 4 or 5 against Toronto, depending on how Trevor Bauer's injured finger held up in Game 3 on Monday night.

''It's awesome that they trust me,'' the 24-year-old Merritt said. ''I'm just going to go out there and have fun, enjoy it, and try to give my team the best chance to win.''

Francona said Monday if there was no problem with Bauer, Merritt was in line to start Game 4 and everyone else would stay on normal rest, leaving Bauer in a position to start a potential Game 7.

Francona said if there was a ''malfunction'' with Bauer's finger in Game 3, then Corey Kluber could come back on short rest for Game 4 on Tuesday and also be available for a potential Game 7. In that scenario, Merritt would pitch Game 5 - if there is one. Cleveland leads the series 2-0.

Merritt's major league resume consists of 11 innings in the regular season this year. He made one start, holding Kansas City to a run and three hits in five innings Sept. 30.

The Indians have had to juggle their rotation because of injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, and Bauer had to be pushed back from Game 2 to Game 3 after cutting his finger on a drone. Those problems have left Francona in some tough spots, even as his team keeps winning.

''I think we're just trying to be organized,'' Francona said. ''And it helps when every single player we've talked to just says, `OK.'''

Salazar, who is not on the ALCS roster because of forearm issues, threw to hitters on the field at the end of Cleveland's workout Sunday.

''We're not ready to activate him but he is doing much, much better,'' Francona said. ''Like we said before, the first goal was to get him completely healthy, and then when that happens we'll see where and if it leads to him helping us in a game.''

[StarDust Bum]

MLB BETTING TRENDS

Our free MLB betting trends is a tool that uses a comprehensive statistical database to analyze MLB trends and make recommendations based on historical team data for the moneyline, teaser, and run lines bets as well.

Money Line

8:05 pm 10/18/2016
(953) CHICAGO CUBS @(954) LA DODGERS
Play AGAINST LA DODGERS using the money line in All games when playing with a day off.
The record is 15 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-21.05 units)
BET NOW

4:05 pm 10/18/2016
(955) CLEVELAND @(956) TORONTO
Play ON CLEVELAND using the money line in All games in October games.
The record is 11 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+11.15 units)
BET NOW

4:05 pm 10/18/2016
(955) CLEVELAND @(956) TORONTO
Play ON CLEVELAND using the money line in All games in October games.
The record is 8 Wins and 0 Losses this season (+9.15 units)
BET NOW

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


MLB BETTING TRENDS

Our free MLB betting trends is a tool that uses a comprehensive statistical database to analyze MLB trends and make recommendations based on historical team data for the moneyline, teaser, and run lines bets as well.

Run Line

4:05 pm 10/18/2016
(955) CLEVELAND @(956) TORONTO
Play ON CLEVELAND using the run line in All games after 3 or more consecutive wins.
The record is 27 Wins and 12 Losses this season (+17.9 units)
BET NOW

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

MLB BETTING TRENDS

Our free MLB betting trends is a tool that uses a comprehensive statistical database to analyze MLB trends and make recommendations based on historical team data for the moneyline, teaser, and run lines bets as well.

Under

4:05 pm 10/18/2016
(955) CLEVELAND @(956) TORONTO
Play UNDER TORONTO on the total in All games when playing against a team with a winning record.
The record is 34 Overs and 62 Unders this season (+23.2 units)
BET NOW

4:05 pm 10/18/2016
(955) CLEVELAND @(956) TORONTO
Play UNDER TORONTO on the total in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season.
The record is 15 Overs and 39 Unders this season (+21.7 units)
BET NOW

[StarDust Bum]

MLB POWER LINES

Power Line ratings are calculated using both teams' ratings and home field advantage. The Top Power Lines tool offers a way to view and compare current Power Lines in one simple report, as well as the Power Line Edge, where the Power Line differs significantly from the current line.

4:05 pm 10/18/2016
(955) CLEVELAND @(956) TORONTO
Play Line: TORONTO -114
BTB PowerLine: TORONTO -121
Edge On: TORONTO 7

8:05 pm 10/18/2016
(953) CHICAGO CUBS @(954) LA DODGERS
Play Line: LA DODGERS 103
BTB PowerLine: LA DODGERS -113
Edge On: LA DODGERS 16

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Six interesting football games this coming weekend………

— Oregon @ Cal– Ducks lost their last four games.

— TCU @ West Virginia– Frogs won their last two visits here, by one point each.

— Ole Miss @ LSU– Leonard Fournette is back for the Tigers.

— Bills @ Dolphins– Buffalo goes for its fifth win in a row.

— Saints @ Chiefs– Andy Reid is 5-10 vs spread in the second game off a bye.

— Patriots @ Steelers– Starting at QB for the Steelers, Landry Jones.

**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……..

13) I think the world of Cam Newton as a football player; he is fun to watch, wins a lot of games, but there is one thing he is missing out on— how not to take the media personally. They love the winners and grill the losers, thats why quarterbacks make the big bucks.

Here is a quote from the great football movie, Any Given Sunday. Delivered by Al Pacino’s character (the coach) to Jamie Foxx (the QB):

“You’re a goddamn quarterback! You know what that means? It’s the top spot, kid. It’s the guy who takes the fall. It’s the guy everybody’s looking at first – the leader of a team – who will support you when they understand you. Who will break their ribs and their noses and their necks for you, because they believe. ‘Cause you make them believe. That’s a quarterback.”

Kill the media with cliches, Cam. Listen to Belichick just drone on and on— you think HE likes to lose? No one likes to freakin’ lose, but dealing with the media after a loss is part of being a professional QB who makes millions of dollars. It is part of the job.

12) Ben Roethlisberger had his left knee operated on Monday, they’re not saying how long he is expected to be out. Steelers have a bye week soon. Landry Jones is the starting QB until Big Ben returns.

11) There was a rare victory for common sense Monday; a young man named Isaiah Brock spent four years in the Army, but then got out and wanted to play college basketball at Oakland in the Horizon League. Problem is, the NCAA red-flagged him because of some course he took in 9th or 10th grade— he was ruled ineligible.

Isaiah Brock’s job in the Army? Taking dead soldiers from the battlefield and preparing them to have honorable burials. If anyone deserved a break, it is this guy.

Some national media got ahold of the story, publicized it, people realized how stupid the whole thing was, Oakland appealed……and now Mr Brock is on scholarship and eligible to play for the Grizzlies this season. It is a happy resolution where common sense scores a win.

10) Toronto pitcher JA Happ had a 62-61 career record coming into this season; then at age 33, he went 20-4 this year. Curious to see how he does next year.

9) San Diego Chargers have had Dan Fouts-John Unitas-Drew Brees-John Hadl and Philip Rivers all play for them, but their only Super Bowl appearance was when Stan Humphries was their quarterback.

8) Some football coaches are gypsies; Marty Mornhinweg is Ravens’ 5th offensive coordinator in the last five years. Dan Mullen has had six defensive coordinators in his eight years at Mississippi State.

7) I’m not fond of the NBA rule where if you get the ball in the backcourt and call timeout, you can inbound the ball in the frontcourt— creates artificial chances for late game drama. It has existed for years— I just think it cheapens the game.

6) Why is Trevor Bauer flying a drone? I had to ask someone what a drone even was, as far as a normal person having one. Indians’ pitcher cut his hand on a drone last week and had to have his ALCS start pushed back to Monday, then he had to leave in the first inning.

5) Last summer, i had a cab driver in Las Vegas who said he didn’t know where the Strip was. I’m not kidding, he is driving me from Cashman Center downtown to the Westgate Hotel— his GPS tells him to get on the Strip, and he says he doesn’t know where that is.

He said he was from iraq; I was diplomatic about it- “it is the long street with all the tall buildings with really, really bright lights”.

We got on the freeway instead and drove past Trump Hotel; i asked him about Donald, he didn’t answer me. How the bleep can you drive a cab in Las Vegas and not know where the Strip is?

4) JR Smith gets $57M for four years from Cleveland; it is good to have Lebron as a teammate.

3) Was surprised to see some quotes/stories leaking out of South Bend suggesting that Notre Dame players have tired of playing for coach Brian Kelly, citing “a culture of criticism…..” in the irish program.

If you know me, you know I NEVER root for Notre Dame football, but Kelly is a quality coach who won national titles at lower levels of college ball. Has our society gotten so soft that a coach can’t criticize his players anymore? it is bad for everyone involved if the team quit on him; you wonder if Kelly would surface in the NFL.

I’m assuming NFL coaches are still allowed to criticize players.

2) Odd scheduling quirk: Baltimore Ravens are playing in Swamp Stadium in New Jersey two weeks in a row; they lost 27-23 to Giants Sunday, visit the Jets this Sunday.

1) Miguel Montero hit a grand slam Saturday after an intentional walk, the first time that happened in the postseason since 2011, when Paul Goldschmidt hit a grand slam after an intentional walk…..to Miguel Montero.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, October 18

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

CHICAGO CUBS (107 - 60) at LA DODGERS (95 - 74) - 8:05 PM
JAKE ARRIETA (R) vs. RICH HILL (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-5 (+0.4 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.8 Units)

JAKE ARRIETA vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
ARRIETA is 1-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.24 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.5 units)

RICH HILL vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

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

CLEVELAND (99 - 67) at TORONTO (93 - 75) - 4:05 PM
MIKE CLEVINGER (R) vs. AARON SANCHEZ (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-3 (+3.2 Units) against TORONTO this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.8 Units)

MIKE CLEVINGER vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.

AARON SANCHEZ vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
SANCHEZ is 1-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.58 and a WHIP of 1.551.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

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




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, October 18

Cubs @ Dodgers
Arrieta is 2-3, 4.84 in his last six starts, 2-1, 3.51 in four postseason starts. Cubs won three of his last four road starts. He blanked the Dodgers for seven innings on May 31, his only start against LA this season.

Hill is 0-3, 4.84 in his last five starts, 0-2, 7.20 in three postseason starts. He didn’t face the Cubs this season. Dodgers won two of his three home starts.

Cubs are 4-2 in playoffs this year, 2-1 on the road, 5–4 against Los Angeles this season.

Dodgers won three of their last four games; Roberts is a rookie manager who is 4-3 in the playoffs. Maddon got Tampa Bay to ’08 World Series; he is 21-24 as a manager in the postseason, 8-7 with Chicago.

Indians @ Blue Jays
Kluber is 5-0, 2.15 in his last six starts, 2-0, 0.00 (13.1 IP) in two postseason starts. Indians won his last four road starts. Kluber is 1-1, 3.86 in three starts against Toronto this year.

Sanchez is 2-0, 3.28 in his last four starts; he allowed six runs in 5.2 IP in his first postseason start. He’s made nine other relief appearances in playoff games. Toronto is 8-3 in his last 11 home starts. Sanchez allowed five runs in four IP in his only start vs Cleveland this year.

Toronto is down 3-0 in this series; they’re 3-7 against the Indians this year. Gibbons is 9-9 as a postseason manager, making it this year and last, his 8th/9th years as a manager. Jays lost in this round LY, their first playoff spot since their last world title, in 1993.

Cleveland won its last nine games; they’re in playoffs for 3rd time in last 15 years. Tribe was last in World Series in ’97; their last world title was in 1948. Francona won couple of World Series in Boston; he is 33-18 as a postseason manager.




MLB

Tuesday, October 18

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4:08 PM
CLEVELAND vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing at home against Cleveland

8:08 PM
CHI CUBS vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, October 18

Chicago Cubs @ LA Dodgers

Game 953-954
October 18, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Arrieta) 16.442
LA Dodgers
(Hill) 18.046
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-125
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(+105); Under

Cleveland @ Toronto

Game 955-956
October 18, 2016 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Kluber) 17.353
Toronto
(Sanchez) 14.991
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-135
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-135); Under