Announcement

**Udog** · 10-19-2016, 07:47 AM

Armadillo: 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?

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Armadillo: 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.”

**Udog** · 10-19-2016, 07:55 AM

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

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**Udog** · 10-19-2016, 12:15 PM

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

**Udog** · 10-19-2016, 12:22 PM

MLB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, October 19

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CHICAGO CUBS (107 - 61) at LA DODGERS (96 - 74) - 8:05 PM
JOHN LACKEY (R) vs. JULIO URIAS (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 5-5 (+1.4 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.8 Units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
LACKEY is 7-3 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 1.73 and a WHIP of 0.928.
His team's record is 8-4 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-11. (-10.6 units)

JULIO URIAS vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
URIAS is 1-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.545.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (+0.1 units)

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CLEVELAND (100 - 68) at TORONTO (94 - 76) - 4:05 PM
RYAN MERRITT (L) vs. MARCO ESTRADA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 100-68 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 53-25 (+21.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CLEVELAND is 8-1 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in October games this season.
CLEVELAND is 53-36 (+12.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 94-76 (-8.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 35-36 (-10.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 7-4 (+3.8 Units) against TORONTO this season
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.8 Units)

RYAN MERRITT vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.

MARCO ESTRADA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
ESTRADA is 0-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 3.15 and a WHIP of 0.900.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

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**Udog** · 10-19-2016, 12:39 PM

MLB

Wednesday, October 19

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Wednesday's MLB Betting Preview: Indians at Blue Jays, Cubs at Dodgers
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Julio Urias will be 20 years, 68 days old at the start of Game 4, surpassing Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen (20 years, 175 days in 1984) as the youngest postseason starter.

Cleveland Indians at Toronto Blue Jays (-180, 8)

Indians lead series 3-1

The Toronto Blue Jays look to take the second step of what they hope is an historic comeback when they host the Cleveland Indians for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday. Toronto staved off elimination Tuesday with a 5-1 victory and hopes to join the 2004 Boston Red Sox (ALCS) as the only teams in major-league history to overcome a 0-3 deficit and win a playoff series.

Josh Donaldson homered and Edwin Encarnacion delivered a two-run single as the Blue Jays became the first team to fare well against Corey Kluber this postseason, reaching Cleveland's ace for two runs in five innings after the former Cy Young Award winner worked 13 1/3 scoreless frames over his first two starts. The Indians managed only two hits - both doubles - in six innings against Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez before three relievers tossed a perfect frame apiece. It was the first loss of the postseason for Cleveland, which swept Boston in the AL Division Series before taking the first three games of this matchup. The Indians put their hopes in rookie Ryan Merritt on Wednesday as they aim to secure their first World Series appearance since 1997.

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

WEATHER REPORT: It is going to be a beautiful day in Toronto today. Sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-60's. This year's wild card game against the Orioles was the first, and only, time that the Rogers Centre roof has been open for a playoff game. The ball carries better with the roof open, so keep your eye on our Twitter feed (@Covers) for updates on the roof open/closed status.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH Ryan Merritt (2016: 1-0, 1.64 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (1-1, 1.65)

Merritt will become the second pitcher in major-league history to start a playoff game after making just one regular-season start in his career. The 24-year-old Texan got the nod at Kansas City on Sept. 30 and recorded the victory after allowing just one run and three hits over five innings. Merritt began his tenure in the majors with three relief appearances over which he gave up one run and three hits in six frames.

Estrada is hoping to duplicate the effort from his start in Game 5 of last year's ALCS, when he yielded one run over 7 2/3 innings against Kansas City to keep Toronto from being eliminated. The 33-year-old Mexican tossed his first major-league complete game at Cleveland in Game 1 of this series but took the loss after allowing two runs and six hits in eight frames. Estrada also helped the Blue Jays avoid elimination in Game 3 of the 2015 ALDS at Texas, giving up just one run over 6 1/3 innings in his first career postseason start.

TRENDS:

* Indians are 9-1 in their last 10 overall.
* Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a left-handed starter.
* Blue Jays are 1-4 in Estrada's last 5 home starts.
* Under is 6-0 in Indians' last 6 playoff games.
* Under is 6-0 in Blue Jays' last 6 League Championship games.
* Under is 9-1 in Estrada's last 10 starts vs. American League Central.
* Under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Toronto.

CONSENSUS: 70 percent of the public is on the home favorite Toronto Blue Jays and Over is picking up 59 percent of the totals wagers.

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers (+105, 7)

Dodgers lead series 2-1

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias becomes the youngest pitcher to start a postseason game when he takes the mound against the visiting Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday. Urias, who reached the majors in late May, looks to help the Dodgers take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Urias will be 20 years, 68 days old at the start of Game 4, surpassing Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen (20 years, 175 days in 1984) as the youngest postseason starter. "Julio, I think that we expect him to just go out there and compete, use his pitch mix and go after these guys," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said at a press conference. "Give us a chance to win a baseball game. It's what Julio's done all year long." Catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer and third baseman Justin Turner added a solo blast as the Dodgers recorded a 6-0 victory in Game 3 for their second straight shutout -- holding Chicago to six hits over the 18 innings. "We're not hitting the ball hard," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after Game 3. "They pitched well, obviously. I have no solid explanation. We just got to keep working at it. ... We're just not getting the results right now."

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

WEATHER REPORT: Another perfect day for baseball (and life) is in the forecast for Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Sunny skies (shadows will be a problem for hitters once again) and temperatures will be in the upper-80's for this crucial Game 4.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH John Lackey (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Julio Urias (1-0, 0.00)

Lackey makes his 25th postseason appearance (22nd start) and is 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA, but lasted only four innings - allowing three runs and seven hits - in a no-decision against San Francisco in the NL Division Series. The 37-year-old first pitched in the postseason in 2002 with the Angels and later pitched in the World Series for Boston in 2013. "I had a long break in between World Series, so you realize how special they are and how hard it is to get there and how meaningful those games are for sure," Lackey said at a press conference. "They're tough to get to, and they're tough to win."

Urias went 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 18 appearances (15 starts) in the regular season and said it is a much more stressful feeling to pitch in the postseason. "The pressure is always there. It's something that you have to deal with," Urias said at a press conference. "I felt the adrenaline when I was on the bench, so I'm thinking that it's something that I'm also going to feel. I felt it in Washington, but then I knew that it was something that I could handle and something I could do." Urias pitched against the Cubs twice this season - getting hammered for six runs (five earned) in five innings in his second major-league start and later giving up one run and six hits in six innings in 3-2 victory Aug. 27.

TRENDS:

* Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
* Cubs are 1-9 in their last 10 League Championship games.
* Cubs are 4-0 in Lackey's last 4 starts.
* Dodgers are 6-1 in Urias' last 7 home starts.
* Under is 4-1 in Dodgers' last 5 League Championship home games.
* Under is 14-3 in the last 17 meetings.

CONSENSUS: Early consensus action on this game is split 50/50 on the moneyline and totals wagers are almost perfectly split with 51 percent of the picks on the Under.

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Wednesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/19

Wednesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/19

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