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

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Wednesday, October 19

Cleveland @ Toronto

Game 903-904
October 19, 2016 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Merritt) 17.434
Toronto
(Estrada) 14.864
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-180
8
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(+160); Under

Chicago Cubs @ LA Dodgers

Game 901-902
October 19, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lackey) 17.803
LA Dodgers
(Urias) 16.332
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-110
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-110); Under




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, October 19

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.




MLB

Wednesday, October 19

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Trend Report
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4:08 PM
CLEVELAND vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Cleveland's last 10 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Cleveland

8:08 PM
CHI CUBS vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chi Cubs's last 17 games when playing LA Dodgers
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Short Sheet

Wednesday, October 19

Chicago Cubs at LA Dodgers, 8:05 PM ET
Lackey: CHICAGO CUBS are 19-7 SU on the road with a money line of -100 to -150
Urias: LA DODGERS are 14-18 SU after having won 4 of their last 5

Cleveland at Toronto, 4:05 PM ET
Merritt: CLEVELAND is 8-1 SU after batting .240 or worse over a 20 game span
Estrada: TORONTO is 30-31 SU after 2 straight games where they committed no errors

[StarDust Bum]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

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

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks.............11 - 10.....................52.38%............ + 6.20

O/U Picks.............6 - 10 - 1.................35.50 %............ + 1.00

TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 7 - 9

M/L-.......... 4 - 8 - 0
O/U-..........6 - 4 - 1

[StarDust Bum]

Cubs even NLCS with 10-2 Game 4 blowout
October 20, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) Julio Urias cruised through three hitless innings to begin Game 4 of the NL Championship Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers' 20-year-old rookie starter seemed to be thriving under the spotlight.

Then the lights went out for Urias and the Dodgers.

In one miserable night at Chavez Ravine, they squandered a chance to take control of this series and lost their opportunity to win the pennant at home.

The Chicago Cubs ended their 21-inning scoreless streak with a four-run fourth against Urias. The youngest pitcher in big league history to start a postseason game took his first playoff loss in the Dodgers' 10-2 defeat Wednesday.

Game 5 is Thursday at Dodger Stadium, with Kenta Maeda scheduled to pitch against Cubs lefty Jon Lester. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts reiterated he won't start ace Clayton Kershaw on short rest, putting the three-time Cy Young Award winner in line for Game 6 on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Urias was in fine shape until the fourth inning, and so were the Dodgers' plans to keep a powerful Chicago lineup off the board. The left-hander from Mexico didn't pitch much down the stretch for the NL West champions, who gave him a postseason start with the hope he could realize his ample potential in October.

Urias walked two Cubs in the first three innings, but otherwise kept them mired in their slump - until Ben Zobrist led off the fourth with a clever bunt single. Two more singles and an RBI groundout later, Addison Russell's first homer of the postseason put the Cubs up 4-0 and well on their way to a series-tying win.

While Urias didn't finish strong, the Dodgers' shaky defense played a big role in the collapse as well. Los Angeles hadn't made four errors in a playoff game since the 1974 NLCS, but Andrew Toles' throwing error on Willson Contreras' soft single to left field allowed Zobrist to easily score the Cubs' first run since Game 1.

Down 5-0 in the fifth, the Dodgers still had a chance to get back in it. They loaded the bases against reliever Mike Montgomery, who accidentally deflected Justin Turner's comebacker into shallow left field for a two-run single.

But Adrian Gonzalez and Kike Hernandez failed to reach base, and the Cubs turned it into a laugher moments later with a five-run sixth. The Dodgers' defense chipped in again, with Hernandez and Joc Pederson making throwing errors while the Cubs batted around .

Thousands of Dodgers fans hit the freeways early, unwilling to watch a healthy contingent of Cubs rooters celebrate.

The NLCS is down to a best-of-three, with the Dodgers still two wins from their first pennant since 1988, and the Cleveland Indians waiting for an opponent in the World Series next week.

[StarDust Bum]

Tribe tops Toronto, reaches World Series
October 19, 2016

TORONTO (AP) For the Cleveland Indians, the script was the same every game - hope for the best from whoever they started, then count on Andrew Miller and the bullpen to close it out.

That plan seemed especially dicey in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series, with lightly used Ryan Merritt on the mound.

But out of nowhere, the rookie delivered.

Merritt coolly kept the Indians ahead until reinforcements arrived, and Cleveland earned its first trip to the World Series since 1997 by blanking the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 Wednesday.

The 24-year-old lefty defied expectations, shutting down the powerful Blue Jays before exiting in the fifth inning. Thanks to a most unlikely pitching performance, a most unexpected team won the ALCS 4-1.

Cleveland, which has never hosted a World Series opener, will play Game 1 at Progressive Field on Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs or Los Angeles Dodgers.

Manager Terry Francona's team will try to augment what's already been a scintillating year in Cleveland after LeBron James and the Cavaliers earned the city's first major pro sports championship since 1964.

The Indians' title drought dates to 1948. In 1997, they let a one-run lead get away in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 and lost to the Florida Marlins in the 11th.

''We always said if we could do it with this group it would be so special because this is as close to a family feel as you can get in a professional setting. So for that part of it, it is beyond feeling good,'' Francona said.

The Dodgers led the Cubs 2-1 going into Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday night. Cleveland didn't play either club this season.

Miller, acquired from the New York Yankees in a midseason trade, was selected the ALCS MVP as the Indians took their sixth pennant.

''I feel like I've said the word `special' a million times in the last 20 or 30 minutes. But it's the truth. It's a blast to be a part of,'' Miller said.

With all of 11 major league innings under his belt - and only one start, on Sept. 30 - Merritt took the mound and looked just like a seasoned vet . The lefty retired the first 10 batters and allowed a mere two hits before being pulled after 4 1/3 innings.

''I know they were counting on me,'' Merritt said. ''Before the game, they came and told me they had my back, everybody had my back, good or bad. So that takes some pressure off, and I just went out there and pitched and trusted my team.''

Merritt got taps on his heart and hat from teammates when he left the mound. Then it was up to Cleveland's tireless relievers to hold a three-run lead against the wild-card Blue Jays.

Miller again did most of the heavy lifting, going 2 2/3 innings before Cody Allen worked the ninth for a save . Winning pitcher Bryan Shaw tossed an inning before Miller came in.

Carlos Santana and Coco Crisp homered for the Indians.

With starting pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer dealing with injuries, the Indians kept defying the odds.

Cleveland overtook defending World Series champion Kansas City and topped a $196 million Detroit team to win the AL Central, then put an abrupt end to Big Papi's career, sweeping David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox in the Division Series.

The Indians stayed on a roll in the ALCS, shutting down the banging Blue Jays. Cleveland won despite hitting .168 in the series, with slick-fielding shortstop Francisco Lindor leading the way in going 7 for 19.

Toronto lost in the ALCS for the second straight year.

''I'm sure there will be some disappointments and grumbling and complaining about how you fell short again, but that's not coming from me,'' manager John Gibbons said. ''Because I know what these guys did, and I think it's a pretty good accomplishment. The key is we want to take that next step one of these days. Hopefully, it's next year.''

Merritt - a Texas native drafted in the 16th round by Cleveland in 2011 - hadn't pitched in a game since his late September start, although he'd gotten some work in this month in the instructional league at the Indians' spring training complex in Arizona.

A day after Toronto averted a sweep, the crowd at the roaring Rogers Centre expected the Blue Jays to roll over the rookie.

Maybe the Blue Jays did, too.

''With our experience in our lineup, I'm pretty sure he's going to be shaking in his boots more than we are,'' Toronto slugger Jose Bautista said after Game 4.

After the Blue Jays were eliminated, Bautista took a different tone.

''He seemed to make the right pitches at the right time,'' Bautista said. ''Hats off to him.''

After the game, Cleveland players chanted ''boots'' in the celebration, urging Merritt to pull cowboy boots from his locker and shake them.

Merritt struck out three batters in the first two innings - all looking - and didn't allow a baserunner until Josh Donaldson's one-out single in the fourth. After Russell Martin's bloop single with one out in the fifth, Francona leaned again on a bullpen that soaked up 8 1/3 innings in a Game 3 win Monday.

Shaw pitched an inning, and Miller came on with one out in the sixth and a runner on. Donaldson bounced into a double play on Miller's first pitch, and the tall lefty made it through the seventh and eighth with little trouble before giving way to Allen.

Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the first when Mike Napoli doubled and left fielder Ezequiel Carrera misplayed the ball off the wall for an error. Lindor scored from first on the play.

Santana and Crisp added solo shots in the third and fourth off Toronto starter Marco Estrada to put the AL Central champions up 3-0.

PRECEDENT

Merritt was the second pitcher to start a postseason game with only one previous regular-season start. Matt Moore of Tampa Bay did it in 2011 in Game 1 of the Division Series against Texas. Moore pitched seven scoreless innings that day.

CLEVELAND KIN

James posted video on his Instagram account of him and the Cavs watching the game's final out at a crowded Cleveland sports bar. James, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith and others were gathered around a table by the front door, with fans pouring out into the street to watch.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: Francona said before the game that Bauer was supposed to have his lacerated right pinkie looked at by a doctor again. The idea was to see if the right-hander could potentially pitch out of the bullpen at all during this series after being lifted when he was bleeding in the first inning of Game 3.

Now the question is whether Bauer can be of any help in the World Series.

''Obviously, he needs to heal, but he can't just not throw,'' Francona said.

Bauer sliced his pinkie last week repairing one of the drones he enjoys flying as a hobby. During the boozy clubhouse celebration after Game 5, Bauer had his right arm wrapped in protective plastic.

UP NEXT

Indians: Cleveland returns home and rests up for the World Series.

Blue Jays: Toronto faces an uncertain offseason. Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Saunders are in the final year of their contracts.

[StarDust Bum]

Cleveland's Andrew Miller named ALCS MVP
October 19, 2016

TORONTO (AP) Andrew Miller has been selected the MVP of the AL Championship Series after his latest splendid performance in relief helped the Cleveland Indians reach the World Series.

Miller pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in a 3-0 win Wednesday over Toronto, capping a five-game series in which the 6-foot-7 lefty overpowered the Blue Jays. Miller had one strikeout in Game 5, increasing his series total to 14 in 7 2/3 shutout innings.

Miller was acquired from the New York Yankees in a July 31 trade - and Cleveland had an interesting idea of how to use him. Rather than restricting him to a closer role or using him only in the eighth inning, the Indians have been flexible with Miller, especially in the postseason.

[StarDust Bum]

Jays bats go silent in ALCS defeat
October 19, 2016

TORONTO (AP) Five games. Eight runs. Two shutout losses.

A power-laden Toronto Blue Jays lineup fizzled against Cleveland, finishing off a five-game AL Championship Series wipeout with a 3-0 loss Wednesday.

Bidding to return to the World Series for the first time since 1993, the Blue Jays were held to six hits by rookie Ryan Merritt and three relievers in the Indians' second shutout of the series.

Toronto lost in the ALCS for the second straight year, following last year's six-game defeat against eventual champion Kansas City.

''I'm sure there will be some disappointments and grumbling and complaining about how you fell short again, but that's not coming from me,'' Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. ''I know what these guys did, and I think it's a pretty good accomplishment. The key is we want to take that next step one of these days, hopefully it's next year.''

An offense led by Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki produced seven extra-base hits in the series - three doubles, two triples and two solo home runs.

Those also were Toronto's final batters in the ninth, with Cody Allen allowing Bautista's leadoff double before getting three straight outs for the save, retiring Donaldson on a game-ending foulout.

Bautista and Encarnacion may have been playing for the Blue Jays for the final time. Both are eligible for free agency.

''We were staring at a playoff drought for a lot of years around here. And they came through for the team last year, the organization. And then repeated it this year,'' Gibbons said. ''They really helped put this team back on the map again, what they've accomplished. And they really - both of them made their name here in Toronto.''

Toronto slugged its way past Baltimore in the wild card game, winning on Encarnacion's 11th-inning home run. The Blue Jays swept Texas in the Division Series, outhomering the Rangers 8-2 and outscoring them 22-10.

Bautista's two hits in the finale left him 3 for 18 (.167) with no RBIs in the series, and Encarnacion was 4 for 19 (.211) and drove in two runs. Tulowitzki was 2 for 18 (.111) with no RBIs and Donaldson 6 for 18 (.333) with two RBIs.

Russell Martin, who chased Merritt with a one-out bloop single in the fifth and advanced on pinch-hitter Michael Saunders's hit - Toronto's only runner to reach scoring position. Reliever Bryan Shaw fanned Ezequiel Carrera and Kevin Pillar.

Toronto's offensive funk was remarkable given the shaky state of Cleveland's starting pitching. Carlos Carrasco (broken hand) and Danny Salazar (forearm) have missed the entire postseason, and right-hander Trevor Bauer left Game 3 after four batters when blood began dripping from his right pinkie, sliced open last week while he repaired a drone.

[StarDust Bum]

Celebrities among those long-suffering Cubs fans
October 20, 2016

CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Cubs are trying to do something that hasn't happened in the lifetime of anyone born in the last 108 years: Win a World Series.

So naturally, the chance to be part of that history has prompted people who live in Chicago, once lived in Chicago or just rooted for the Cubs from miles away to descend on Wrigley Field or tune in on television.

If you didn't know Chicago was once home to scores of celebrities, you do after tuning into the game. Broadcasts have shown actor Bill Murray, delirious with joy, in the middle of a throng of fans that included John Cusack, an actor who has long rooted for the Cubs, and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who turned his love for the Cubs into a song, ''Someday We'll Go All The Way.''

Here, then, are some Cubs fans who are better known for what they do for a living than who they root for.

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BOB NEWHART

Chicago native Bob Newhart has been posing with the team's signature ''W'' for win flag in pictures on his Twitter account during the playoffs.

The 87-year-old comedian said his first memory of going to a Cubs game was with his mother at age 6 or 7. He was 16 when he went to Chicago's LaSalle Street to cheer the Cubs as they were welcomed home after winning the National League pennant in 1945. The Cubs went on to lose the World Series to the Detroit Lions and haven't been back since.

So why remain a Cubs fan?

''I guess I'm not easily dissuaded,'' Newhart said. ''I used to say I'm a Cub fan in my stand up because it kind of prepared you for life, you knew you were ahead and you knew you were going to blow it somehow. That's a lesson all Cub fans shared until this year.''

Newhart went to Game 3 of the NLCS with his grandson on Tuesday. He said he hopes his Cubs fandom continues in his family.

''I'm deathly afraid that it's going to die with me because my grandchildren are Dodger fans,'' he said. ''I've got to leave it to somebody to continue the fight.''

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GEORGE WILL

Political commentator George Will can't explain why he started rooting for the Cubs as a little boy.

''I grew up in Champaign, midway between Chicago and St. Louis,'' he said. ''My friends became Cardinals fans and grew up cheerful and liberal and I, for reasons I don't understand, became a Cubs fan.''

Today, Will is certainly in a little better mood than Cardinals fans, whose team didn't even make the playoffs. But not by much.

''I was at the Bartman game,'' he said of the 2003 playoff game where a fan named Steve Bartman deflected a foul ball that seemed destined for Cubs' outfielder Moises Alou's glove just before the team - and its chances to reach the World Series for the first time since 1945 - disintegrated. ''So I am always nervous.''

Will is known best for writing about politics. But he has also written extensively about baseball, including a book about the home of the Cubs, ''A Nice Little Place on the North Side: Wrigley at One Hundred,'' which is a long way of saying he's seen a lot of baseball and a lot of Cubs baseball.

All of which is to say he knows two things: That the Cubs are the best team in baseball and that the best team in baseball does not always win in the playoffs.

He also knows that even if the Cubs do survive this series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and reach the World Series, it might just delay the agony of the fans of a team that hasn't won the World Series since 1908.

''If the baseball gods are as diabolical as I think they are, they've set it up for the Cubs to lose to Cleveland,'' he said. ''How vicious can they be?''

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JOE MANTEGNA

Actor Joe Mantegna, 68, is hoping his 101-year-old mother can see a Cubs win this year.

''It would be nice to see her celebrate a victory,'' he said. ''She was born in 1915 so the Cubs hadn't won for six years when she was born.''

Mantegna, known for roles in ''The Godfather: Part III'' and on the TV series ''Criminal Minds,'' grew up in Chicago going to Cubs games. There's even a black-and-white picture of him sitting in front of a television watching a Cubs game, he said.

''One summer I went to 10 games and they lost all 10,'' he said. ''I really thought I was the reason they were losing. That's what Cub fever will do to you.''

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NICK OFFERMAN and STEPHEN COLBERT

''Parks and Recreation'' star Nick Offerman , a Cubs fan born in Joliet, Illinois, appeared on ''The Late Show'' on Tuesday with host Stephen Colbert - also a Cubs fan.

The banter:

Colbert: ''I'm a Cubs fan, you're a Cubs fan ... how are you handling the stress?''

Offerman: `I have a compartmentalization system. When I auditioned for the role of `Ron Swanson' (on Parks and Recreation) it took five months to get the job so for that five months I had to put that information in this drawer that's not attached to emotion. So I know that something might happen in the coming weeks that would be very good for my baseball team, but I'm not attaching emotion to it.''

Colbert: ''When do you attach the emotion to it? You've loved and lost is what you're saying and now you're afraid to feel?''

Offerman: ''I suppose so. I've become inured to feeling.''

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SARA PARETSKY

Novelist Sara Paretsky traces her devotion to the Cubs to the day she heard about a young man who had shoveled the sidewalk in front of the home of a woman and her mother - a man who turned out to be the Cubs first baseman at the time, Bill Buckner. The way Paretsky, a casual Cubs fan at the time, figured it, any team that had a player who helped a couple of women for no other reason than to be neighborly deserved her devotion.

Now as the team that won more games than any other in the majors is in a position to reach the World Series for the first time since Harry Truman was president, Paretsky is, of course, distraught.

''I thought I had protected myself emotionally, but I realized this morning I am already in mourning,'' she said Wednesday, the day after the Cubs were shut out for the second straight game in the NL Championship Series.

[StarDust Bum]

Are Indians adding to list of great postseason bullpens?
October 20, 2016

TORONTO (AP) By winning the AL Championship Series in five games, the Cleveland Indians not only captured a spot in the World Series, they also earned a break this team could sorely use.

Injuries to starters Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer left Cleveland in a tough spot even as the Indians kept winning. They started Corey Kluber on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS against Toronto, then sent a virtual unknown to the mound for Game 5 in Ryan Merritt. Cleveland won Game 5 and the series behind a solid effort from Merritt, but the Indians would love for Bauer and perhaps even Salazar to be able to contribute at some point soon.

If not, well, Cleveland can still rely on a bullpen that's been up to the task so far. ALCS MVP Andrew Miller has received much of the attention, but the Indians go deeper than that. Their relievers have posted a 1.67 ERA in 32 1/3 innings this postseason, with Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw also making important contributions.

The World Series starts Tuesday, and Cleveland is four wins from its first title since 1948. If the Indians pull it off, they could join an impressive list of teams who have won championships thanks to terrific relief pitching.

Here are a few more examples:

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (1972)

Long before the concept of the one-inning closer took hold, bullpens were run much differently. Rollie Fingers was Oakland's star reliever during this era. In 1972, he went 11-9 with 21 saves in 65 appearances, pitching 111 1/3 innings, and Joe Horlen, Bob Locker and Darold Knowles also contributed out of the bullpen. The A's beat Cincinnati to win the World Series in seven games, with Fingers appearing in six of them and posting a 1.74 ERA.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (1989)

Tony La Russa's 1989 champions were led by Dennis Eckersley (33 saves, 1.56 ERA) and got solid work from Todd Burns, Rick Honeycutt and Gene Nelson. The A's won it all in '89, but Kirk Gibson's homer off Eckersley cost them the previous year, and in 1990, Oakland was denied by another incredible bullpen...

CINCINNATI REDS (1990)

Randy Myers, Norm Charlton and Rob Dibble - dubbed the ''Nasty Boys'' - formed a dominant late-inning trio for Lou Piniella's Reds. Dibble's numbers were particularly outstanding: 136 strikeouts in 98 innings and a 1.74 ERA. Cincinnati swept the A's in the World Series.

NEW YORK YANKEES (1996)

Before he became one of the game's greatest closers, Mariano Rivera was a setup man in 1996, throwing 107 2/3 innings and finishing third in the Cy Young vote. Closer John Wetteland earned World Series MVP honors, and Jeff Nelson was also a factor in that six-game victory over Atlanta.

ANAHEIM ANGELS (2002)

Francisco Rodriguez's debut year consisted of 5 2/3 innings in the regular season, then the Angels turned him loose in the postseason to devastating effect. He struck out 28 in 18 2/3 innings during Anaheim's march to the title, teaming up with relievers Brendan Donnelly and Troy Percival to form a championship-level bullpen.

BOSTON RED SOX (2013)

Closer Koji Uehara capped an amazing season by allowing one run in 13 2/3 postseason innings. He was the ALCS MVP and had help all the way through from Junichi Tazawa and Craig Breslow.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2015)

After reaching Game 7 of the World Series the previous year behind the relief trio of Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera, the Royals won the title in 2015. Holland was unavailable for that postseason because of an injury, but Davis and Herrera were up to the challenge, combining to allow one earned run in 24 1/3 innings.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Cubs-Dodgers play Game 5, Indians resting up
October 20, 2016

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

SQUARED UP

The Cubs can take an NLCS lead back to Wrigley Field by winning Game 5 in Los Angeles. Chicago thumped the Dodgers 10-2 on Wednesday night, tying the series 2-2 behind slump-busting performances from Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell. Jon Lester makes his second start of the series after allowing one run in six innings in a Game 1 victory. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he won't ask ace Clayton Kershaw to pitch on three days' rest, and instead will go with Kenta Maeda, who has a 9.00 ERA in two postseason appearances and allowed three runs in four innings in the NLCS opener.

WORLD AFFAIRS

The Cleveland Indians get a while to rest before hosting Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night. The break will give starter Trevor Bauer more time to recover from a lacerated right pinkie, the result of an accident while repairing one of his drones. The question is whether the quirky right-hander will be able to pitch against the Cubs or Dodgers next week. ''Obviously, he needs to heal, but he can't just not throw,'' manager Terry Francona said.

FREE BIRDS

After leading Toronto to its second straight AL Championship Series appearance - and loss - outfielder Jose Bautista and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion become free agents after the World Series along with starter R.A. Dickey, outfielder Michael Saunders and relievers Joaquin Benoit and Brett Cecil. Toronto must decide whether to exercise a $3 million option on pitcher Jason Grilli or pay a $250,000 buyout.

CONTINUE THE FIGHT

Chicago native and 87-year-old comedian Bob Newhart has been engaging with a younger generation this postseason by tweeting photos of himself holding the Cubs' victory flag with the (hash)FlyTheW hashtag. Newhart went to Chicago's LaSalle Street as a 16-year-old to cheer on the Cubs following their NL pennant victory in 1945, and he's stuck by the North Siders even as their World Series drought stretched to over a century. Newhart went to Game 3 of the NLCS with his grandson on Tuesday and said he hopes his Cubs fandom continues in his family. ''I'm deathly afraid that it's going to die with me because my grandchildren are Dodger fans,'' he said. ''I've got to leave it to somebody to continue the fight.''

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s games

Cubs @ Dodgers

Lester is 6-1, 1.27 in his last eight starts; Cubs won five of his last seven road starts. He is 7-6, 2.57 in 16 postseason starts, and is 1-0, 0.86 in three starts against the Dodgers this year.

Maeda is 0-3, 9.88 in his last four starts, 0-1, 9.00 in two playoff starts. He allowed three runs in four IP in his only start against Chicago this year.

Cubs are 5-3 in playoffs this year, 3-2 on the road, 6-5 against Los Angeles this season.

Dodgers won four of their last six games; Roberts is a rookie manager who is 5-4 in the playoffs. Maddon got Tampa Bay to ’08 World Series; he is 22-25 as a manager in the postseason, 9-8 with Chicago.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Some football trends to consider for Week 7………

— Chicago is 7-17-1 vs spread in last 25 NFC North games.

— Falcons covered seven of their last nine games.

— Patriots are 5-13 vs spread in last 18 games as a road favorite.

— Houston is 10-4-1 vs spread in its last fifteen games.

— Oakland covered its last six road games.

— Seattle is 10-5 vs spread in last fifteen NFC West games.

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Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: NFL’s top 10 and bottom 3……

32) Browns— Jimmy Haslam owns the Browns; apparently his brother Bill is the governor of Tennessee. Wonder if they bet on last week’s game with the Titans and if so, did the governor give his brother seven points?

31) 49ers— San Francisco has allowed 42 pts/game in losing all three road games- they’ve been outscored 54-17 in second half of their last two games.

30) Jets— Geno Smith gets the nod under center for Gang Green this week; not sure why they have four QB’s, two who have never played in the NFL, but they do. Short week this week for their game with the Ravens.

10) Steelers— Ready to drop them out of top 10 until Big Ben returns, but there isn’t anyone better to put ahead of them this week. Landry Jones has started two NFL games but didn’t last long in the one Steelers won.

9) Raiders— Why are they getting points in Jacksonville this week? They’re 3-0 on the road.

8) Bills— So much for trying to have balance on offense. Rex Ryan wanted them to run the ball more, so he fired the OC and told the new guy to run it more, which they have, and very well.

7) Redskins— Jay Gruden was a head coach for 162 games in the Arena League and UFL before he got his chance in the NFL— he’s a really good coach who paid his dues.

6) Broncos— Not sold on either of their QBs, but their defense is really good and they’re still the defending champs.

5) Seahawks— They’ve slipped some but with 14 rookies and a veteran core, expect them to play better as the season rolls along.

4) Cowboys— Why would you replace Dak Prescott? Dallas won their last five games, they won easily at Green Bay, Cowboys have it rolling. Don’t mess with a winning streak.

3) Falcons— Was just as impressed with them in their loss in Seattle as I was by their wins. Atlanta gained 269 yards IN THE THIRD QUARTER at Seattle last week.

2) Patriots— Wonder if Microsoft stock will take a hit now that Belichick has disowned the tablets teams use on the sideline.

1) Vikings— Sam Bradford went thru training camp with the Eagles, now he goes back to Philly in Week 7 as the starting QB of the hottest team in the league.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, October 20

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Trend Report
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8:08 PM
CHI CUBS vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chi Cubs's last 18 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games at home
LA Dodgers are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games at home

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MLB
Dunkel

Thursday, October 20

Chicago Cubs @ LA Dodgers

Game 905-906
October 20, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 13.371
LA Dodgers
(Maeda) 17.842
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 4 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-155
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(+135); Under

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MLB
Long Sheet

Thursday, October 20

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CHICAGO CUBS (108 - 61) at LA DODGERS (96 - 75) - 8:05 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. KENTA MAEDA (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 5-6 (+0.2 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.8 Units)

JON LESTER vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
LESTER is 2-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 2.82 and a WHIP of 0.965.
His team's record is 3-3 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-1. (+3.9 units)

KENTA MAEDA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
MAEDA is 0-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.750.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, October 20


Chicago Cubs at LA Dodgers, 8:05 PM ET
Lester: Chicago Cubs are 6-3 SU in last 9 games
Maeda: 13-3 SU in last 16 home games

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

MLB

Thursday, October 20

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Thursday's NLCS Game 5 Betting Preview: Cubs at Dodgers
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Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts reiterated after Game 4 that right-hander Kenta Maeda will start Thursday.

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers (+140, 7)

Series tied 2-2

The Chicago Cubs went 21 innings without scoring before the offense broke out and now aim to regain the series lead when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Addison Russell each broke out of deep postseason slumps as Chicago racked up 13 hits in a 10-2 victory on Wednesday to even the series at two games apiece.

Rizzo (three RBIs) and Russell (two) were each 3-for-5 with a homer to end deep postseason funks that saw them enter Game 4 with a combined 3-for-50 showing -- 2-for-26 for Rizzo and 1-for-24 for Russell. "We just got to keep fighting, and we know that," Rizzo said afterward. "We know what we're capable of in any inning. ... We have to keep going and keep believing and keep pushing." Los Angeles played sloppily and committed four errors in Game 4 but that didn't sway the decision announced earlier in the day by manager Dave Roberts to not pitch ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw again until Game 6 in Chicago. Roberts reiterated after the contest that right-hander Kenta Maeda will pitch Thursday as Roberts cited Kershaw was heavily used (three starts, one relief appearance) over a 10-day span.

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

WEATHER REPORT: Los Angeles. Sunny, low-90's at beginning of the game falling all the way down to mid-80's when the sun goes down, no wind, 10 percent humidity. Can anyone spare a plane ticket to Los Angeles?

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (1-0, 0.64 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (0-1, 9.00)

Lester received a no-decision in Game 1 when he allowed one run and four hits and wasn't thrilled when manager Joe Maddon pulled him after six innings. "I don't get paid to make decisions," Lester said at a press conference. "I pitch as long as he tells me to pitch. And as competitors in that particular moment, you're not happy with the decision. That doesn't mean that I'm going to go in there and yell at him or I don't trust him or I don't like him or anything like that. That's just being a competitor." Lester has a stellar 2.57 ERA in 18 postseason appearances (16 starts) but owns only a 7-6 record.

Maeda has pitched poorly in two postseason starts, including Game 1 when he gave up three runs and four hits in four innings. He has pitched five or fewer innings in six straight outings dating back to the regular season and admits his playoff performance has been shaky. "I'm not going to be too careful, even though I haven't been pitching well in the postseason," Maeda said during a press conference. "What I'm going to be really focused on is just pitching well (Thursday) and not worry too much about what I have done in the past."

TRENDS:

* Cubs are 2-9 in their last 11 League Championship games.
* Cubs are 6-0 in Lester's last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
* Dodgers are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
* Dodgers are 6-1 in Maeda's last 7 home starts.
* Over is 6-1 in Cubs' last 7 road games.
* Under is 10-2 in Lester's last 12 starts overall.
* Over is 6-0 in Maedas last 6 home starts.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:

10/19/2016 2-2-0 50.00% -450

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks.............12 - 11.....................52.17%............ + 5.46

O/U Picks.............8 - 12 - 1.................35.50 %............ + 1.00

TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 7 - 9

M/L-.......... 4 - 8 - 0
O/U-..........7 - 5 - 1

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CHC at LAD 08:00 PM

CHC -156

U 7.0

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Day off for Dodgers, Cubs before NLCS Game 6
October 21, 2016

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

BACK TO CHICAGO

It's a day off in the NL Championship Series before the Chicago Cubs try to earn their first World Series trip since 1945. They lead the Dodgers 3-2 going into Game 6 Saturday night at Wrigley Field. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw will start for Los Angeles on an extra day of rest. ''It's kind of nice,'' he said . ''Haven't had that in a while, so it's good.'' Kyle Hendricks , who led the majors with a 2.13 ERA this season, goes for the Cubs. Kershaw pitched seven innings of two-hit ball for a 1-0 win over Hendricks in Game 2 at Wrigley. ''You got Kershaw looming,'' Cubs lefty Jon Lester said after a victory in Game 5 on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

FRESH ARM

As the AL champion Indians await their next opponent, Wild Thing is warming up in the bullpen. Actor Charlie Sheen, who played the bespectacled Ricky ''Wild Thing'' Vaughn in the movie ''Major League,'' has offered to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a World Series game. Shortly after Cleveland won the pennant Wednesday, fans began posting their wishes on social media to have Sheen - well, Vaughn - be part of the pregame festivities. Sheen responded to the demand on Twitter, posting a photo of himself as Vaughn in his Indians uniform and writing, ''Major League continues to be the gift that keeps on giving! if called upon, I'd be honored.'' The World Series opens Tuesday in Cleveland. Released in 1989, ''Major League'' is a funny, fictional account of the Indians finishing in first place with an unconventional group of players, including Vaughn.

STATUS QUO

After winning 86 games and barely missing the playoffs this season, the Seattle Mariners are bringing back their entire coaching staff next year - with one addition: Scott Brosius, the 1998 World Series MVP, will join the major league club as an assistant coach. Brosius previously served as the hitting coach for Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners system. ... All seven members of Washington's coaching staff will return next season - including third base coach Bob Henley. It was Henley who made a critical mistake during the playoff loss to the Dodgers that ended the Nationals' season.