Announcement

**Udog** · 10-18-2016, 08:19 AM

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.

**Udog** · 10-18-2016, 08:30 AM

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

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

**Udog** · 10-18-2016, 08:40 AM

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

**Udog** · 10-18-2016, 11:35 AM

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

**Udog** · 10-18-2016, 02:11 PM

MLB

Tuesday, October 18

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday's MLB Betting Preview: Indians at Blue Jays, Cubs at Dodgers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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

**Udog** · 10-18-2016, 02:18 PM

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

Announcement

Tuesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/18

Tuesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/18

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment