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

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MLB
Short Sheet

Tuesday, October 18

Chicago Cubs at LA Dodgers, 8:05 PM ET
Arrieta: CHICAGO CUBS are 19-7 SU on the road with a money line of -100 to -150
Hill: LA DODGERS are 14-26 SU after a win by 2 runs or less

Cleveland at Toronto, 4:05 PM ET
Clevinger: Cleveland Indians are 19-6 SU after allowing 4 runs or less 5 straight games
Sanchez: Toronto Blue Jays are 2-7 SU after 2 straight losses by 2 runs or less

*TSR = Team Start Record

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MLB

Tuesday, October 18

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Tuesday's MLB Betting Preview: Indians at Blue Jays, Cubs at Dodgers
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Arrieta, who won 18 games during the regular season, gave up two runs in six innings in a no-decision against San Francisco in the NL Division Series.

Cleveland Indians at Toronto Blue Jays (-125, 7.5)

Indians lead series 3-0

The Cleveland Indians' ability to keep one of the most potent offenses in the American League in check have them one win away from the sixth World Series appearance in franchise history. Cleveland turns to its ace Tuesday as it attempts to remain perfect in the postseason and complete a sweep of the AL Championship Series against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

After dispatching Boston in three games in the ALDS, the Indians limited the Blue Jays to three runs over the first three contests after the wild-card club collected 22 in its three-game sweep of Texas in the ALDS. The chances of Toronto breaking out of its scoring slump appear more difficult as it faces Corey Kluber, who tossed seven scoreless innings in a victory over Boston in the ALDS before keeping the Blue Jays off the scoreboard over 6 1/3 frames in a Game 1 triumph. Cleveland pushed Toronto to the brink of elimination with a 4-2 victory Monday as Mike Napoli delivered an RBI double and a solo homer, Jason Kipnis also went deep and six relievers combined to allow two runs over 8 1/3 innings after starter Trevor Bauer exited early with an injured right pinky finger. The Indians are seeking their first World Series appearance since 1997 and first championship since 1948.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, TBS, Sportsnet (Toronto)

WEATHER REPORT: There is a 20 percent chance of rain in Toronto on Tuesday...the roof will be closed at Rogers Centre.

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The Blue Jays now trail 0-3 in this series. Only 1 team (out of 34 occasions) has ever won the next four games in a row when trailing 0-3 and that was the 2004 Boston Red Sox (vs. Yankees). However, more interesting is the fact that teams down 0-3 normally get swept. In fact, 29 of the other 33 times, the series ended 4-0."

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (2-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (0-0, 9.53)

Kluber starts on three days' rest for the first time in his career because of Bauer's early departure, pushing rookie Ryan Merritt back a day if Game 5 is necessary. The 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner and also a candidate to capture the prize this year gave up only nine hits over his first two turns this postseason, walking five while registering 13 strikeouts. Kluber was superb against the Blue Jays in the series opener but was tagged for five runs on seven hits and four walks over 3 1/3 innings of a loss at Toronto on July 3.

Sanchez's first career postseason start was one to forget as he surrendered six runs on three hits - two homers - and four walks over 5 2/3 innings against Texas in the AL Division Series but managed to walk away with a no-decision. That outing also took place at home, where the 24-year-old Californian went 6-1 with a 3.74 ERA in 13 turns during the regular season. Sanchez is 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Indians, including a no-decision on Aug. 20 in which he yielded five runs (four earned ) and four hits in four innings at Cleveland.

TRENDS:

* Indians are 6-0 in their last 6 playoff games.
* Indians are 10-1 in Kluber's last 11 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
* Blue Jays are 2-10 in their last 12 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
* Under is 5-0 in Indians last 5 playoff games.
* Under is 9-0 in Blue Jays last 9 games following a loss.

CONSENSUS: 51 percent of the public is on the road underdog Cleveland Indians and Over is picking up 70 percent of the totals wagers.





Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers (+100, 6.5)

Series tied 1-1

Adrian Gonzalez and the Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to continue Chicago's longstanding postseason woes, and have a chance to take a 2-1 lead when they host the Cubs on Tuesday in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers have the luxury of playing three straight games at home after splitting two in Chicago, with the 1-0 win in Game 2 coming courtesy of strong pitching and a home run from Gonzalez.

The Los Angeles first baseman has driven in three of his squad's five runs in the series and manager Dave Roberts said the veteran's production is sometimes taken for granted. "He's one of the leaders on this club, and gets overlooked a lot because of his consistency, but certainly not in our clubhouse," Roberts said at Monday's press conference. "The value of a guy who posts every night regardless of the handedness of a pitcher or the spot, so, yeah, Adrian's been a huge lift to us. The consistent at-bats, and the big hits when we need them." Chicago attempts to regain the series lead behind right-hander Jake Arrieta, who pitched seven innings of two-hit scoreless ball in a no-decision against the Dodgers on May 31. Cubs second baseman Javier Baez is 3-for-7 in the NLCS and has hit in all six games of the postseason, going 9-for-23 with one homer.

TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

WEATHER REPORT: It's Los Angeles. Clear, zero percent chance of rain, low humidity (30 percent), temperatures in the low 70's, and a very light breeze (2-3 mph).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (0-1, 6.43)

Arrieta, who won 18 games during the regular season, gave up two runs in six innings in a no-decision against San Francisco in the NL Division Series. The 30-year-old told reporters he is much more comfortable with the postseason expectations this time around after allowing four runs in two of his three 2015 outings. "I think going through that last year has prepared myself as well as the rest of the guys mentally for a longer run this year, and I think we've been able to handle the moments mentally a lot better as well as physically," Arrieta said at Monday's press conference. "So personally moving forward, I think I'm in a much better place, and I think a lot of our guys are as well.

Hill won 12 games in the regular season but hasn't fared well this postseason. He lasted just seven total innings over two starts against Washington in the NLDS but defended his performance at Monday's press conference. "For me, I go out there and give everything that I have, that's it. That's the bottom line," Hill told reporters. "Your effort is everything. Your ability to go out there and stay in the moment and execute pitch to pitch and do the best that you can, that's it. Let everything else fall where it may."

TRENDS:

* Cubs are 1-8 in their last 9 League Championship games.
* Dodgers are 1-4 in Hill's last 5 starts.
* Over is 5-0 in Cubs' last 5 road games.
* Over is 12-1-3 in Arrieta's last 16 road starts.
* Over is 5-0 in Dodgers' last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
* Under is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings.

CONSENSUS: 68 percent of the public is on the Cubs and Over is picking up 62 percent of the totals picks.

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MLB

Tuesday, October 18


Rich Hill has never started vs Cubs.
Arrieta's last 2 starts vs Dodgers:
16 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 20 Ks
CHC -120 LAD +100

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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


TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CLE at TOR 04:00 PM

CLE +106 *****

U 7.5

CHC at LAD 08:00 PM

LAD +103 *****

O 6.5 *****

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MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

10/18/2016 2-2-0 50.00% -35

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks.............10 - 9.....................52.63%............ + 6.94

O/U Picks.............5 - 9 - 1.................35.71 %............ + 1.00

TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 6 - 8

M/L-.......... 3 - 7 - 0
O/U-..........5 - 3 - 1

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Wednesday’s six-pack
— Buffalo Bills have won four games in a row for the first time since 2008; they haven’t made the playoffs since 1999.

— Colorado Buffaloes are 7-0 vs spread this year, only college team with a perfect spread record. Oregon Ducks are 0-5, only team with a perfectly bad record against the number.

— Arizona State had an outdoor basketball practice last week, something designed to pump up support in the community. UNLV did same thing last year; they had a practice downtown on a portable court.

— Carolina Panthers have played in two Super Bowls; they started the next season 1-5 both times.

— After a lot of public/private jostling, the Big X will stay at ten teams for the time being, so no football championship game for them, for now.

— I bought Halloween candy yesterday; what are the odds the bags stay closed until October 31st?

Wednesday’s List of 13: Our readers have their say……

The other day, I posed this question: “If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?” Here are the answer some of my readers provided…….

13) Unretired Buckeye: “Fix the mess we’ve caused with the environment/climate.”

12) The Professor agrees: “Gotta do something seriously about climate change, and fast.”

11) Then there is this from Baseball Guy: “I’d get rid of the designated hitter. I hate the DH more than I hate climate change.”

10) Football dad: “I wouldn’t have bit on a fake in my last HS football game and I would’ve intercepted the pass that turned into the game-winning TD for our arch-rivals.”

9) Rebel Girl: “As cheesy as it sounds, world peace would be wonderful.”

8) Santa Monica’s finest: “People would have a fundamental understanding/appreciation for liberty— what it is, why it is important and why it must be upheld.”

7) Sean F: “The next President of the United States.”

6) Wolf Pack mom: “Too many people are shady, mean and cruel. We need harder laws and tougher punishments.”

5) JJ Arias: “#people”

4) Bartending Engineer: “Human equality. People should be all be treated the same, regardless of age, sex, religion. The fact that they’re not is ridiculous.”

3) Bayou Babe: “I’d change myself, make myself bolder, fiercer, more charismatic, fearless.”

2) Basketball dad: “I’d let kids go straight from high school to the NBA, just like Lebron did. Kids playing one year of college ball is a farce and hurts both college ball and the NBA.”

1) Me: “I wish we would treat each other with more respect and a tolerance of our differences.”

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Wednesday’s games

Cubs @ Dodgers

Lackey is 2-0, 3.91 in his last four starts; Cubs are 3-4 in his last seven road starts. Lackey didn’t pitch against the Dodgers this year. He is 8-5, 3.22 in 21 postseason starts.

Urias is 1-0, 0.84 in his last four outings, but hasn’t gone 4+ innings since September 2; he threw two scoreless innings at Washington in his first playoff game. He is 1-1, 4.91 in two starts against the Cubs.

Cubs are 4-3 in playoffs this year, 2-2 on the road, 5–5 against Los Angeles this season.

Dodgers won four of their last five games; Roberts is a rookie manager who is 5-3 in the playoffs. Maddon got Tampa Bay to ’08 World Series; he is 21-25 as a manager in the postseason, 8-8 with Chicago.

Indians @ Blue Jays

Merritt is a rookie lefty who allowed one run in five IP at Kansas City in his first and only MLB start- he appeared in three other games, in relief. He was a 13th round draft pick five years ago.

Estrada is 2-1, 1.27 in his last five starts, 3-2, 2.59 in nine postseason games (5 starts). Toronto is 2-5 in his last seven home starts. Estrada is 0-1, 3.46 in two starts against the Indians this year.

Toronto had won six in row before this series; they’re 4-7 against the Indians this year. Gibbons is 10-9 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 nine of its last ten 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 33-19 as a postseason manager.

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Hill, Dodgers top Cubs 6-0, lead NLCS 2-1
October 18, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) Rich Hill never strayed from his mindset of pitching in the moment, even when he was far from the major leagues playing independent ball with the Long Island Ducks.

Convinced there would be another opportunity to get back to the big leagues, he focused on executing pitches without worrying about his current circumstances.

Fourteen months later, Hill allowed two hits over six innings to beat Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs 6-0 Wednesday, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-1 NL Championship Series lead.

''It's the biggest game of my career,'' Hill said. ''It's just putting in the work, putting in the time, having a routine, persevere, all those things that you can say to sum up some kind of endurance or resiliency. For me, that's all I've ever known is just work.''

Rookie Corey Seager had three hits, including a go-ahead single in the third, and Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer in the fourth.

After winning a big league-high 103 games during the regular season and sparking belief they could win the World Series for the first time since 1908, the Cubs have been shut out in consecutive games for the first time since May 2014, managing just six hits - five of them singles. Their 18 straight scoreless innings mark the longest postseason drought in franchise history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

''More than anything, I think we need to get a couple runs and hits and runs early to try to get that kind of feeling back,'' Cubs manager Joe Maddon said, ''because, obviously, when you're not scoring any runs, it makes it even more difficult in the dugout.''

Hill, who made two starts in the independent Atlantic League in August 2015 before signing a minor league deal with Boston, struck out six and walked two. Joe Blanton, Grant Dayton and Kenley Jansen finished. Playing their 200th postseason game, the Dodgers posted consecutive shutouts for the first time.

Julio Urias starts Game 4 for the Dodgers on Wednesday and at 20 years, 68 days will become the youngest starting pitcher in postseason history. John Lackey starts for the Cubs.

''He's not scared of the moment,'' Seager said of Urias. ''He's not scared of anything.''

Hill was acquired from Oakland along with Josh Reddick at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. The 36-year-old left-hander struggled with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand that landed him on the disabled list from mid-July to late August. The blister still bothered him in the final weeks of the regular season, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled him after seven perfect innings against Miami on Sept. 10, saying the team had to keep its focus on bigger goals in October.

Hill was strong from the start against one of his former teams, retiring the side to open the game and later eight in a row. He's given up one run in 23 innings over four home starts for the Dodgers, lowering his ERA to 0.39.

''When he's got that attitude out there, you can tell,'' Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. ''That's when you know he's rolling, that his pitches are working, and he's doing what he wants to do out there.''

Seager's go-ahead single ended an 0-for-15 slide with runners in scoring position in postseason play.

Grandal was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts against Arrieta in his career before he launched a 3-2 pitch into the right-field pavilion in the fourth for a 3-0 lead. Grandal drove in Reddick, who singled and stole second and third.

''He's been so good for the last couple years just because he doesn't give in,'' Grandal said of Arrieta. ''He still made a really good pitch down in the zone. I was just lucky to put a swing on it and hit it out.''

Justin Turner homered on the first pitch leading off the sixth to chase Arrieta, who gave up four runs and six hits in five innings. He dominated the Dodgers in his previous two starts against them, including a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 30, 2015. Los Angeles had gone 2 for 51 against him in two games.

''It's hard to go out there and pitch when your team is not scoring, so you try to be perfect. You can't make any mistakes. If you give up one run, that can be it,'' Cubs catcher Miguel Montero said. ''He had one of his best stuff all year, to be honest.''

Joc Pederson doubled in a run in the eighth and Grandal hit a run-scoring groundout.

Maddon moved struggling Anthony Rizzo from third to the cleanup spot, and his broken-bat infield hit in the ninth made him 2 for 26 in the postseason. Addison Russell, dropped from fifth to seventh, is 1 for 24. Jason Heyward struck out as a pinch hitter and is 2 for 20.

Chicago's 3-4-5 hitters went 1 for 11 in the game and are 2 for 32 in the series without an RBI.

Dexter Fowler's two-out double in the eighth provided the Cubs' first extra-base hit since their 8-4 win in the opener.

''There's no doubt here,'' third baseman Kris Bryant said. ''We certainly have all the belief in the world. It's a powerful thing when you believe.''

With a win Wednesday, the Dodgers could try to finish the series at home.

''These guys won 100-some games. They've got the talent, so you can't think ahead,'' Grandal said. ''If you think ahead, that's when bad things happen.''

SHUTOUT BLUES

Four of Chicago's eight shutouts this year have been against the Dodgers.

KERSHAW

Roberts hasn't ruled out turning to Clayton Kershaw to pitch on three days' rest in Game 5 on Thursday.

Los Angeles has announced rookie Kenta Maeda as its starter. He's given up seven earned runs in a combined seven innings of his two postseason starts.

In last week's five-game Division Series against Washington, Kershaw pitched in all three wins. He started Game 1 and Game 4, on three days' rest and got his first big league save in Game 5.

''The series circumstances will kind of dictate what decision we make,'' Roberts said Tuesday. ''Clayton feels good after Game 2. He's prepared for anything that we have for him. He's shown the ability to adjust his routine or regimen for whatever is best for our club.''

UP NEXT

Lackey is 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 postseason appearances. Urias will be the third consecutive left-hander to start for the Dodgers. He earned the victory over Washington in Game 5 of the NLDS with two scoreless innings.

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LEADING OFF: Indians aim to win ALCS; Game 4 of Cubs-Dodgers
October 18, 2016

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

ON MERIT

The Indians try to earn their first World Series trip since 1997 when rookie Ryan Merritt starts Game 5 of the AL Championship Series vs. Marco Estrada in Toronto. The 24-year-old Merritt made his big league debut in May and has pitched a total of 11 innings in the majors - his only start came on the final weekend of the regular season. Down 3-1 in the ALCS, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons wasn't looking too far ahead after a win Tuesday averted a sweep. Asked what he's learned about Merritt, Gibbons said: ''What I know about him? He's left-handed. That's all I know right now.''

GENERATION GAP

Four days before his 38th birthday, John Lackey starts at Dodger Stadium with his Chicago Cubs trailing 2-1 in the NL Championship Series. Lackey has pitched plenty of big games throughout his 14-year career, going 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 postseason outings (21 starts). He'll face 20-year-old Los Angeles rookie Julio Urias, set to become the youngest starting pitcher in postseason history. Urias has thrown all of 79 big league innings, including two out of the bullpen this postseason.

NOT DONE SLUMPING

The Blue Jays are on the board in the ALCS, but some of their biggest bats have yet to make an impact. Jose Bautista, Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin are a combined 4 for 42 in four games vs. Cleveland, leaving 20 runners on base while failing to get an extra-base hit or an RBI. Toronto is 3 for 20 with runners in scoring position in the series, and that trio has left six runners stranded at second or third with two outs thus far.

A CLOSE SHAVE

Josh Donaldson homered and made a terrific play at third base in Game 4, helping Toronto stave off elimination in the ALCS. He did it a day or so after sporting a clean-shaven look. But the reigning AL MVP said he didn't change his appearance hoping to change the Blue Jays' luck.

''Actually, no. I got a new beard trimmer the other day and I went to trim my beard down a little bit and whenever I trimmed it I kind of nicked it. So I had to go with it, just had to shave everything off,'' he said.

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Urias to become youngest playoff starter
October 18, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) Julio Urias finally is getting to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason.

The 20-year-old rookie from Mexico came on in relief in a decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series, helping the Dodgers beat Washington to advance.

Now, he'll take the mound Wednesday in Game 4 of the Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, the youngest starting pitcher in major league postseason history.

''I felt the adrenaline when I was on the bench,'' Urias said through a translator. ''I felt it in Washington, but then I knew that it was something that I could handle and something I could do. I know that I can do it again.''

He's already the youngest Dodgers pitcher to appear in a postseason game and the youngest on any team to pitch in the postseason since 1970.

''I thank God for the accomplishment, but I have to put that aside,'' Urias said Tuesday. ''I really want to play a good game for my team, and that's really what it's about.''

Urias made his highly anticipated big league debut on May 27 in New York against the Mets. At the time, he was 19 and the second teenager to start in the majors this century, joining Felix Hernandez who debuted at the same age in 2005.

Urias made 15 starts for Los Angeles before finishing the regular season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. In all, he's had four stints with the Dodgers in his first season, and Los Angeles has limited him to 16 innings since Sept. 1.

''That's how it's been all year. The decision has been the team's,'' he said. ''The only thing that's important is to be in the mentality of go out there, do my job, and that's really what matters.''

Urias hadn't been expected to arrive so early in the season; manager Dave Roberts had anticipated him being a September call-up.

''It's been incredible,'' Urias said. ''As a ballplayer, I set goals for myself ever since I came to the United States. My goal originally was to set foot on a major league mound and to pitch at a big league level. I did that in May, and now to be able to have this opportunity and to be called on to start, it's great.''

Now, he'll face off against Cubs veteran John Lackey, who leads all active pitchers with 21 postseason starts, going 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 total playoff appearances.

Lackey was four days past his 24th birthday when he started Game 7 of the 2002 World Series for the Los Angeles Angels, who beat San Francisco for the title.

''Sometimes it can be good to be young. You don't know what you're getting into,'' Lackey said of Urias. ''You can just go out there and let your talent take over. And, obviously, he has a lot of that. Back then I was just worried about not messing it up for the older guys.''

Urias has experience against the Cubs, having made two starts against them this season. The first was in Chicago and the second came at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 27, when he earned the victory and allowed one run in six innings.

''That really helps,'' he said. ''It makes me a lot more comfortable, especially being that the second time was here at home. I go in with that mentality and try to give the best.''

Cubs manager Joe Maddon will be watching Urias closely and hoping the umpires are scrutinizing his pickoff move, which some have said is close to being a balk.

''When you get to see it on TV, it's pretty obvious, it's not even close,'' Maddon said. ''Give him credit, man, for going through with it. There are certain umpires that are in tune to that, some that are not. That's not an interpretation. That's balking 101 for me. We'll see how it all plays out.''

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Cubs' slump gets critical in shutout loss
October 19, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Chicago Cubs' powerful lineup is getting silenced in the NL Championship Series.

With every swing and miss, the postseason pressure is mounting.

And if the Cubs don't find their offense fast, that century-plus championship drought will last at least another year.

The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 6-0 victory Tuesday night, largely because the Los Angeles pitching staff dominated one of baseball's best lineups for the second straight game.

The Cubs had never been shut out in back-to-back games in their postseason history before the Dodgers did it. Including the Dodgers' 1-0 victory in Game 2, Chicago is a collective 6 for 60 with one extra-base hit in the last two games of the NLCS.

''We're not hitting the ball hard,'' Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. ''They're pitching well. There's no solid explanation. We have to pick it up quickly.''

The Cubs hadn't been shut out since Aug. 28, but Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill did it in consecutive games with plenty of help from closer Kenley Jansen and the rest of the bullpen.

The Cubs were third in the majors with 808 runs in the regular season, but they haven't scored since getting five in the eighth inning of Game 1. They had the majors' second-best on-base percentage before the postseason, but baserunners have been scarce for most of their seven playoff games, and their team batting average is languishing below .200.

Chicago hadn't been shut out in back-to-back games since May 2014, but the Cubs never really threatened the Dodgers - and their best hitters bear the responsibility.

MVP candidate Anthony Rizzo (2 for 26), Addison Russell (1 for 24), Jason Heyward (2 for 20), Dexter Fowler (5 for 28) and Ben Zobrist (4 for 26) are all struggling mightily in the postseason. The middle of Chicago's lineup is particularly lacking, and Maddon's adjustments haven't helped.

The Cubs were baffled by Hill, the 36-year-old journeyman who was playing independent ball just more than 14 months ago. Hill threw six innings of two-hit ball, and Chicago starter Jake Arrieta couldn't keep up in his return to the stadium where he threw a no-hitter in August 2015.

The All-Star and 2015 Cy Young Award winner had a middling NLCS start for the second straight season, giving up four runs and six hits to the Dodgers over five-plus innings. Last October, he gave up four runs and four hits over five innings to the Mets in Game 2 of New York's sweep.

Maddon dropped Heyward from the lineup for Game 3, but replacement Jorge Soler went hitless and made two misplays in right field, although neither cost the Cubs any runs. Heyward then struck out on three pitches to end the seventh as a pinch hitter, taking a terrible swing on a down-and-in slider from Joe Blanton.

Dexter Fowler's two-out double in the eighth off reliever Grant Dayton was the Cubs' first extra-base hit since Game 1, but Jansen promptly struck out Kris Bryant.

Rizzo got just his second hit of the postseason in the ninth, but only because Jansen shattered his bat on an infield single. Jansen calmly finished off the win.

The playoffs always provide small sample sizes of teams' woes, but California pitching has flummoxed the Cubs through seven games in October. They weren't hitting much even in the Division Series against San Francisco, batting a collective .200 with a meager .247 on-base percentage while relying on pitchers at the plate for an alarmingly big chunk of their runs in that four-game series victory.

Game 4 on Wednesday suddenly looms as pivotal for the Cubs, who had five two-game skids in the second half of the season, but haven't lost three straight since July 8-9.

''We have to get some runs early and get that feeling back,'' Maddon said. ''Because obviously when you're not scoring runs, it makes it even harder to get it back.''

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Dodgers great Lasorda out of hospital
October 18, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda was at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday for Game 3 of the NL Championship Series, a day after being released from a hospital.

The 89-year-old former manager who currently serves as senior adviser to chairman Mark Walter left a hospital on Monday after a 10-day stay caused by back and shoulder issues in addition to an extensive checkup.

Lasorda was expected to sit with Walter in the owner's box for the game between the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.

Lasorda guided the Dodgers to World Series titles in 1981 and '88, the last time Los Angeles has won the title.

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Indians manager Francona loses tooth
October 18, 2016

TORONTO (AP) Enough talk about that toothless Toronto offense. Cleveland manager Terry Francona had a real dental issue to deal with after Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.

Francona says he had to see a dentist after Monday night's game because of a mishap earlier in the night.

''Right before the game, I mean, like literally, my lower tooth, the veneer popped out while I was chewing,'' Francona told reporters Tuesday. ''I undid my tobacco and there's my tooth.''

Francona said he was able to go around 1 a.m. to see a dentist, who met him downtown. The manager said he was ''good to go'' before Game 4 on Tuesday.

The Indians lead the Blue Jays 3-0 in the ALCS.

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Former D-Back Hale returns to Athletics
October 18, 2016

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale is returning to the Oakland Athletics organization as third base coach on manager Bob Melvin's staff.

Hale replaces Ron Washington, who took the same position with the Atlanta Braves to be closer to his home in New Orleans.

In two seasons as Arizona manager, Hale went 148-176 before being fired Oct. 3, one day after the season ended. He left his position as A's bench coach - which he had from 2012-14 - to become the D-backs skipper.

Oakland also hired Jeff Collins as assistant athletic trainer and Josh Cuffe as major league strength and conditioning coach. The rest of the coaching staff remains intact from 2016.

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Schilling doesn't like Bauer comparison
October 18, 2016

Curt Schilling believes his bloody sock shouldn't be compared to Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer's bloody finger.

Bauer started Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday but threw just 21 pitches before getting removed as blood dripped from his hand. Bauer cut his finger last week repairing a drone that he flies as a hobby.

That led to parallels to Schilling's most memorable performance. Schilling led the Boston Red Sox to a Game 6 victory over the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS while pitching with an injured ankle that left his sock stained with blood.

Schilling didn't appreciate the comparison and went on Twitter to explain .

''Please don't tweet at me about Bauer,'' Schilling said on Twitter. ''He cost himself a start, likely more, AND his teammates, and fans, (messing) around with a drone. (hash)stupid.''

Bauer didn't cost his team a game, however.

Thanks to the splendid performance of the bullpen, the Indians won 4-2 to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

Game 4 - Cubs at Dodgers
October 19, 2016


National League Championship Series - Game 4
Chicago Cubs (107-61) at Los Angeles Dodgers (96-74)
First pitch: Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Chicago -110, Los Angeles +100, Total: 7

The Cubs will be hoping to prevent a 3-1 series deficit when they take on the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday.

The Cubs were the most dominant team in the league during the regular season, but they have got to be panicking right now. Chicago has not faced this type of adversity all season long and there has to be some thoughts of, “here we go again”.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, have absolutely no pressure on them. They’re playing with house money against a Cubs team that everybody felt would win the World Series once the regular season ended. If Los Angeles can keep pitching the way it has been then Chicago will be looking at a long offseason.

The starters in this pivotal Game 4 are set to be RHP John Lackey (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4 K in one postseason start) for the Cubs and LHP Julio Urias (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 K in two innings this postseason) for the Dodgers. It’s worth noting that John Lackey is 8-1 versus teams that averaged 2.75 or less extra base hits per game during the second half of the season this year. Chicago is also 7-1 after two straight games with one or fewer extra base hits this season.

The Cubs have their backs against the wall and John Lackey is the guy that is going to need to help them even up this series. Lackey was brought in for situations like these this offseason, and his experience should really help Chicago on Wednesday. Over the course of his career, Lackey has really enjoyed seeing the Dodgers on the other side of the field. He is 6-3 with a 1.75 ERA in 12 appearances versus Los Angeles and the Cubs could really use a quality start from him in this one.

Offensively, 1B Anthony Rizzo (.077, 0 HR, 0 RBI in postseason) must break out of his slump on Wednesday. Rizzo has only two hits in the postseason and both of them were unimpressive singles. Chicago needs its superstar to play like he did during the regular season or the team will likely be heading home.

3B Kris Bryant (.357, 1 HR, 4 RBI in postseason), meanwhile, must keep up the good work for Chicago. He had two hits in the loss on Tuesday night and should be able to stay hot on Wednesday. He’s facing a young left and will need to find a way to take advantage of his inexperience.

The Dodgers have a golden opportunity to take complete control of this series on Wednesday and Julio Urias will be looking forward to getting out there for Los Angeles. One thing working in Urias’ favor is the fact that the Cubs do not hit lefties very well, as they have already failed to score runs against both Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill in this seires. Urias can be wild with his pitches, though, and must find a way to stay calm in the biggest game of his life.

Offensively, both SS Corey Seager (.206, 2 HR, 4 RBI in postseason) and 3B Justin Turner (.320, 2 HR, 6 RBI) can be counted on to produce in this game. Seager snapped out of a slump with a three-hit performance on Wednesday night and should be able to get after the right-handed Lackey in this one. Turner, meanwhile, has been hot all postseason and homered off of Jake Arrieta in Game 3.

Game 4 Propositions - per Sportsbook.ag

Total Runs+Hits+Errors
Over 24 (-115)
Under 24 (-115)

Team to Score First
Cubs -155
Dodgers +125

Adjusted Runline A
Cubs +1.5 (-265)
Dodgers -1.5 (+210)

Adjusted Runline B
Cubs -2.5 (+235)
Dodgers +2.5 (-300)

Cubs Total Runs
Over 3.5 (-130)
Under 3.5 (Even)

Dodgers Total Runs
Over 3.5 (-110)
Under 3.5 (-120)

Will there be a score in the 1st Inning?
Yes +130
NO -160

Total Runs Odd/Even More
Odd -165
Even +135

Will the game go to Extra Innings?
Yes +600
No -1000

1st 5 Innings 3 Way Line
Cubs +115
Dodgers +135
Tie +375

Margin of Victory
Chicago to win by 1 +400
Chicago to win by 2 +650
Chicago to win by 3 +850
Chicago to win by 4 +1250
Chicago to win by 5 or more +550

Los Angeles to win by 1 +425
Los Angeles to win by 2 +675
Los Angeles to win by 3 +900
Los Angeles to win by 4 +1300
Los Angeles to win by 5 or more +600

Double Result (1st 5 Innings / Game Winner)
Chicago / Chicago +145
Chicago / Los Angeles +900
Los Angeles / Chicago +850
Los Angeles / Los Angeles +155
Tie / Chicago +950
Tie / Los Angeles +950

Odds Subject to Change

[StarDust Bum]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

10/18/2016 2-2-0 50.00% -35

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks.............10 - 9.....................52.63%............ + 6.94

O/U Picks.............5 - 9 - 1.................35.71 %............ + 1.00

TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 6 - 8

M/L-.......... 3 - 7 - 0
O/U-..........5 - 3 - 1


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CLE at TOR 04:00 PM

TOR -180

U 8.5


CHC at LAD 08:00 PM

CHC -106

U 7.0