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

[StarDust Bum]

Baseball Capsules
September 24, 2017

PHOENIX (AP) J.D. Martinez lined a two-out RBI single to deep left field with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Sunday to clinch the top wild card in the National League.

The Diamondbacks, who won only 69 games a year ago but are 90-66 this season, were assured a playoff berth in the fourth inning after St. Louis and Milwaukee lost. The comeback victory ensured Arizona will host the NL wild-card game Oct. 4.

Fernando Rodney (5-4) pitched a perfect inning for the win.

A throwing error by Justin Nicolino (2-3) on Kristopher Negron's sacrifice bunt helped load the bases with no outs in the ninth.

ROCKIES 8, PADRES 4

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Gerardo Parra hit a tiebreaking single in a two-run third inning, Pat Valaika and Charlie Blackmon hit consecutive home runs in the ninth and Colorado opened a two-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card. At 41-40, the Rockies tied their record for road wins, set in 2009.

German Marquez (11-7) allowed two runs, five hits and three walks in five innings.

Luis Perdomo (8-11) gave up four runs and six hits in five innings.

CUBS 5, BREWERS 0

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Jose Quintana (7-3) pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10 in his second big league shutout as Chicago opened a 5+-game lead over second-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.

Kris Bryant hit a go-ahead double in the fourth off Chase Anderson (11-4), Ben Zobrist had a two-run homer in the seventh and Anthony Rizzo added a two-run double in the eighth against Carlos Torres.

PIRATES 4, CARDINALS 1

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Seung Hwan Oh (1-6) allowed a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth to Starling Marte and rookie Jordan Luplow also went deep as St. Louis fell 2+ games behind the Rockies.

Jameson Taillon (8-7) allowed one run and four hits in five innings. Five pitchers combined for hitless relief, with Felipe Rivero striking out two in a perfect ninth for his 19th save.

BLUE JAYS 9, YANKEES 5

TORONTO (AP) - Jose Bautista had two hits and a walk in what was likely his final home game with the Blue Jays, leaving to a standing ovation during the ninth inning. Bautista, who turns 37 next month, is hitting .203 with 22 homers and 62 RBIs, and Toronto appears unlikely to exercise its half of a $17 million mutual option.

Aaron Judge homered twice for the Yankees, increasing his AL-leading total to 48 - one shy of the major league rookie record set by Mark McGwire in 1987. Judge has 11 home runs in September.

A day after clinching a postseason berth, New York dropped five games behind AL East-leading Boston with seven games to play.

Jaime Garcia (1-3) jeopardized his chance of making New York's postseason roster, allowing five runs, four hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings.

RED SOX 5, REDS 4

CINCINNATI (AP) - Mookie Betts hit a tying three-run double in the eighth off Raisel Iglesias (3-3) and dashed home from second base on Rafael Devers' infield single as Boston won for the 14th time in 17 games.

Robby Scott (2-1) won, and Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 35th save and hasn't allowed a run in his last 11 appearances.

Billy Hamilton helped the Reds go up 4-1. He tripled home a run and brought the crowd to its feet by scoring after getting caught in a rundown between first and second. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia made a wild throw, and Hamilton kept going when nobody covered home.

DODGERS 3, GIANTS 1

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Clayton Kershaw (18-4) became the NL's first 18-game winner, pitching shutout ball until Mac Williamson's home run in the eighth, his final inning.

Kershaw lowered his league-best ERA to 2.21 and struck out six to become the first Dodgers pitcher to reach 200 seven times.

Brandon Morrow worked a perfect ninth for his second save.

Yasmani Grandal hit a sacrifice fly in the first against Chris Stratton (3-4) and a homer in the fourth.

INDIANS 4, MARINERS 2

SEATTLE (AP) - Corey Kluber (18-4) won his sixth straight start and struck out 10 in becoming the AL's first 18-game winner, allowing Ben Gamel's tying two-run homer in the fifth, which stopped his scoreless streak at 26 2/3 innings.

Jose Ramirez's 29th home run put Cleveland ahead in the sixth against Mike Leake (3-1). Cody Allen worked the ninth for his 29th save as Cleveland won for the 29th time in 31 games and eliminated Seattle from postseason contention.

TWINS 10, TIGERS 4

DETROIT (AP) - Jorge Polanco hit a solo homer in the first off Buck Farmer (4-5), Eduardo Escobar welcomed Victor Alcantara with a three-run drive in the sixth and Minnesota completed a four-game sweep, outscoring Detroit 39-12.

Jose Berrios (13-8) won for the first time since he beat the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 30, allowing two runs and five hits in six innings.

Minnesota opened a five-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels and a 5+-game advantage over Kansas City and Texas for the second AL wild card. The Twins outscored the Tigers 39-12 in the sweep.

Detroit has lost seven straight and 14 of 16.

WHITE SOX 8, ROYALS 1

CHICAGO (AP) - Lucas Giolito (3-3) allowed one run in seven innings, Avisail Garcia drove in three runs with his 18th homer and Chicago dropped Kansas City

5+ games behind the Twins.

Ian Kennedy (4-13) allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings as he lost his seventh straight decision.

ATHLETICS 8, RANGERS 1

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Khris Davis hit his 41st home run, a drive off Martin Perez (12-12) in a five-run fifth inning, as Oakland extended its winning streak to a season-high seven.

Jharel Cotton (9-1) pitched five shutout innings of one-hit ball to win his fourth straight decision, dropping the Rangers 5 1/2 games behind Minnesota.

ORIOLES 9, RAYS 4

BALTIMORE (AP) - J.J. Hardy hitting a crowd-pleasing, go-ahead two-run homer off Chris Archer (9-12) in what was likely his last home game with Baltimore. Rookie Chance Sisco also homered for the Orioles, who earned a split of the four-game series to finish 46-35 at home.

Mychal Givens (8-1) got five outs for the win, dropped the Rays six games behind Minnesota with six to play.

NATIONALS 3, METS 2

NEW YORK (AP) - Max Scherzer (16-6) struck out 10 and allowed three hits over six innings as Washington clinched home-field advantage in the NL Division Series.

Trea Turner hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Jacob deGrom (15-10), and Jose Lobaton had an RBI single. Brandon Kintzler worked the ninth for his 29th save, retiring Nori Aoki on a game-ending groundout with runners at second and third.

PHILLIES 2, BRAVES 0

ATLANTA (AP) - Nick Pivetta (7-10) allowed five hits in six innings to outpitch Luiz Gohara (1-3) in a matchup of rookies, and Mikael Franco hit a tiebreaking home run in the fifth as Atlanta finished 37-44 in its first season at SunTrust Park.

Aaron Altherr added an RBI double in the eighth off A.J. Minter. Hector Neris pitched out of trouble for his 24th save.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

Time (ET) Away Home Site
1:05 PM Kansas City Royals New York Yankees Yankee Stadium
4:10 PM Atlanta Braves New York Mets Citi Field
7:05 PM Washington Nationals Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park
7:10 PM Toronto Blue Jays Boston Red Sox Fenway Park
7:40 PM Atlanta Braves New York Mets Citi Field
8:05 PM Houston Astros Texas Rangers Globe Life Park in Arlington
8:10 PM Los Angeles Angels Chicago White Sox Guaranteed Rate Field
8:15 PM Chicago Cubs St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium
8:40 PM Miami Marlins Colorado Rockies Coors Field
9:40 PM San Francisco Giants Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field
10:05 PM Seattle Mariners Oakland Athletics Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
10:10 PM San Diego Padres Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium

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Wild Card Standings

AMERICAN

Team Win Loss Percent GB

New York Yankees 86 69 0.555 +4.5
Minnesota Twins 82 74 0.526 0.0
Los Angeles Angels 76 78 0.494 5.0
Kansas City Royals 76 79 0.490 5.5
Texas Rangers 76 79 0.490 5.5
Tampa Bay Rays 76 80 0.487 6.0
Seattle Mariners 75 81 0.481 7.0
Baltimore Orioles 75 82 0.478 7.5
Toronto Blue Jays 73 83 0.468 9.0
Oakland Athletics 72 83 0.465 9.5
Chicago White Sox 63 92 0.406 18.5
Detroit Tigers 62 94 0.397 20.0

NATIONAL

Team Win Loss Percent GB

Arizona Diamondbacks 90 66 0.577 +6
Colorado Rockies 84 72 0.538 0.0
Milwaukee Brewers 82 74 0.526 2.0
St. Louis Cardinals 81 74 0.523 2.5
Miami Marlins 73 82 0.471 10.5
Pittsburgh Pirates 71 85 0.455 13.0
Atlanta Braves 70 84 0.455 13.0
San Diego Padres 70 86 0.449 14.0
New York Mets 66 89 0.426 17.5
Cincinnati Reds 66 90 0.423 18.0
Philadelphia Phillies 62 94 0.397 22.0
San Francisco Giants 61 95 0.391 23.0

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Harper back for Nats? Red Sox, Cubs close in
September 24, 2017

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

READY OR NOT

Nationals slugger Bryce Harper could come off the disabled list and return to the lineup in Philadelphia. ''We're still trying to make up our minds,'' manager Dusty Baker said Sunday. Harper, the 2015 NL MVP, has been out with a bone bruise in his left knee since slipping on a wet base while running out a grounder Aug. 12. Washington has already clinched the NL East title and home-field advantage in a best-of-five Division Series that will begin Oct. 6. But there's only a week left in the regular season for Harper to test his knee and get comfortable at the plate before the playoffs start. ''I think he is itching at getting back out on the field,'' teammate Max Scherzer said. ''Hopefully, he can come back and get his timing back because that is going to be the hardest thing for him.''

CLOSING IN

Fenway Park can start preparing for a potential celebration. Boston returns home from an 8-1 road trip with a magic number of three to clinch its second consecutive AL East crown, a feat the team has never accomplished. Mookie Betts and the Red Sox finish the regular season with three games against last-place Toronto and four vs. Houston in a possible postseason preview. Drew Pomeranz (16-5) gets a playoff tuneup against the Blue Jays. The left-hander is 7-1 with a 2.62 ERA in 13 starts since the All-Star break.

CENTRAL FOCUS

The Cubs and Cardinals begin a significant series in St. Louis. Chicago can clinch a tie for the NL Central title by winning the opener, but perhaps more important, it would like to get Jon Lester on track before the playoffs. Lester (11-8, 4.56 ERA) gave up seven runs to Tampa Bay in his last outing and has a 5.91 ERA in four September starts. The Cardinals are 2 1/2 games behind Colorado for the second NL wild card, and rookie Luke Weaver is a big reason why they've stayed close. Weaver (7-1, 2.05) has won seven straight starts, including five against division rivals.

LONE STAR KNOCKOUT

The Astros can eliminate the rival Rangers from playoff contention during a series at Texas this week. The Rangers trail Minnesota by 5 1/2 games for the second AL wild card with just seven left. Collin McHugh (3-2, 3.44 ERA) starts the opener for Houston - he looked good last time out in his first start since tearing a fingernail on his pitching hand. Andrew Cashner (10-10, 3.44) is set to pitch for the Rangers.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

6 most popular picks for Week 3 in the Westgate Super Contest:

6) Dallas Cowboys, -3, 577

5) Seattle Seahawks, +3, 586- L

4) New Orleans Saints, +5.5, 653- W

3) Kansas City Chiefs, -3, 665- W

2) Denver Broncos, -3, 795- L

1) Oakland Raiders, -3, 924- L

Season record of top 6 picks: 5-12


**********

Armadillo: Monday's Den: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday…….

Lot of great finishes in the early NFL games Sunday; from 4:00-4:20, there were four games that came right down to the end………good drama.

14) Falcons 30, Lions 26— Detroit appeared to score go-ahead TD with 0:08 left, but he was ruled down a foot short and because of a (bad) rule, there is an automatic 10-second run-off when a replay reversal happens on a play where the clock would’ve kept running, which cost Detroit a chance to win the game on the last play. Very poor rule.

Matt Ryan threw three picks; Falcons are first team this season (1-17) to win when going -2 or worse in turnovers.

13) Eagles 27, Giants 24— Rookie kicker Elliott kicked a 61-yard FG to end a wild 4th quarter; Eagles led 14-0 after three quarters- Giants had gained 206 yards on 44 plays in the first three quarters, but then scored TD’s on first three drives of 4th quarter, gaining 166 yards on only 11 plays.

New York had 14-yard edge in field position; they’re only 2nd team this year to have a 10+-yard advantage in field position but lose (2-13). Giants ran ball 17 times for 49 yards.

12) Bears 23, Steelers 17 OT— Chicago drove 74 yards on four plays to win the game in OT, even though they blew a 17-7 halftime and lead threw for only 84 yards.

This was an odd game; Bears blocked a FG on last play of the first half, they were going to score a TD on the runback, but the selfish jerk with the ball stopped and posed on the 1-yard line and two Steelers stripped him of the ball, which wound up costing the Bears four points.

11) Patriots 36, Texans 33- -New England drove ball 75 yards on 8 plays, scoring GW TD with 0:23 left, saving a lot of people’s survivor pools from extinction.

Houston has to be really happy with rookie QB Watson; they averaged 8.3 yards/pass attempt, outgained Patriots 417-396, so the Texans have found themselves a quarterback.

10) Jaguars 44, Ravens 7— Wow. Jacksonville actually ran a fake punt when they led 37-0; would like to know the backstory there. Total no-show for Baltimore, which was +7 in turnover ratio in its two wins, but they were -3 in this game. Ravens averaged 1.8 yards/pass attempt.

9) Colts 31, Browns 28— Two rookie QB’s started on the road this week; their teams scored 33-28 points, even if both did lose. Kizer threw three picks; Browns were -2 in turnovers; Colts averaged 9.0 yards/pass attempt. Brissett had 200+ passing yards at halftime.

8) Jets 20, Dolphins 6— Jets beat Miami for the 6th straight time; Dolphins didn’t score until the very last play of the game, then missed the PAT, which didn’t matter. Miami was 1-12 on third down, ran ball only 15 times for 30 yards. Jets gained 9.3 yards/pass attempt.

7) Bills 26, Broncos 16— Buffalo had a 16-yard edge in field position; three of their 11 drives started in Denver territory, but they scored only 6 points on those drives. Denver had only one TD on three red zone drives. Impressive win for the Bills. Underdogs were 11-3 vs spread in the games Sunday, and the Falcons (-3) were damn fortunate to cover their game.

6) Saints 34, Panthers 13— Carolina didn’t allow a TD in its first two games, gave up 34 points here. Panthers have scored only three TD’s on 28 drives this season; Newton threw three picks in this game, averaged only 4.2 yards/pass attempt. New Orleans started three drives in Carolina territory, won field position by 13 yards.

5) Vikings 34, Buccaneers 17— Backup QB Case Keenum was 25-33/369 yards, as Vikings beat a flu-ravaged Bucs’ squad. Tampa Bay ran ball only nine times for 26 yards- they had only six 3rd down plays the whole game (1-6), as Winston threw three INTs (-3). 20 of 30 NFL teams went over their individual over/unders this week; offenses are starting to catch up with defenses.

4) Titans 33, Seahawks 27— Tennessee ran 10 plays in the third quarter for 204 yards and three TD’s, breaking open a 9-7 halftime lead. Seattle is 2-5-1 in its last eight regular season road games; Titans ran ball for 195 yards. This was 7th NFL game this year with no turnovers in it; the underdog won four of those seven games.

3) Chiefs 24, Chargers 10— KC’s first two TD drives were 43-34 yards; Rivers threw three picks. Chiefs led 17-10 at the half, then second half was scoreless until Hunt’s 69-yard TD run ended things with 1:49 left. Bolts could just as easily be 3-0, but they scored 10 points in three red zone drives. Last two weeks it was the kicker’s fault; their QB failed them here.

2) Packers 27, Bengals 24 OT— Hard to believe, but Aaron Rodgers is now 1-7 in his career in OT games; that is your Stat of the Day. Bengals led this game 21-7 after a pick-6, second week in row Packers gave up a defensive TD. Green Bay tied game with 0:17 left in regulation. Bengals left it all on the field here, but now they’re 0-3.

1) Redskins 27, Raiders 10- Ugly performance by Oakland: 7 first downs, 0-11 on third down, only one play longer than 11 yards the whole game- they ran ball 13 times for 32 yards, as the Redskins led 14-0 at the half and jogged to an easy win.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Monday, September 25


Atlanta @ NY Mets

Game 901-902
September 25, 2017 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Sims) 11.741
NY Mets
(Flexen) 14.183
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 2 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
-115
9
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(-105); Over

Washington @ Philadelphia

Game 903-904
September 25, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Cole) 15.350
Philadelphia
(Nola) 12.124
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-130
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+110); Over

Atlanta @ NY Mets

Game 905-906
September 25, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Fried) 14.266
NY Mets
(Lugo) 12.658
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-130
9
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+110); Over

Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis

Game 907-908
September 25, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 14.199
St. Louis
(Weaver) 17.287
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-120); Over

Miami @ Colorado

Game 909-910
September 25, 2017 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Despaigne) 13.104
Colorado
(Chtwood) 15.630
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-165
12
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-165); Under

San Francisco @ Arizona

Game 911-912
September 25, 2017 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Cueto) 14.960
Arizona
(Godley) 13.128
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
N/A

San Diego @ LA Dodgers

Game 913-914
September 25, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Wood) 15.012
LA Dodgers
(Darvish) 12.236
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-270
8
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(+230); Over

Kansas City @ NY Yankees

Game 915-916
September 25, 2017 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Junis) 15.136
NY Yankees
(Sabathia) 16.575
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-170
9
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-170); Over

Toronto @ Boston

Game 917-918
September 25, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Andrson) 18.388
Boston
(Pmeranz) 15.493
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-210
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+185); Under

Houston @ Texas

Game 919-920
September 25, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(McHugh) 15.438
Texas
(Cashner) 16.536
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-130
10
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+110); Under

LA Angels @ Chicago White Sox

Game 921-922
September 25, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Nolasco) 16.713
Chicago White Sox
(Shields) 14.505
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-150
10
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-150); Under

Seattle @ Oakland

Game 923-924
September 25, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Hernandez) 14.425
Oakland
(Gossett) 17.296
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
-115
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-105); Under

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Monday, September 25

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ATLANTA (70 - 84) at NY METS (66 - 89) - 4:10 PM
LUCAS SIMS (R) vs. CHRIS FLEXEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 33-17 (+16.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 138-177 (+4.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 41-35 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ATLANTA is 33-40 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ATLANTA is 27-21 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in September games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 67-76 (+11.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 49-53 (+25.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 55-60 (+23.1 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 39-48 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 66-89 (-31.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 34-43 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 127-145 (-59.3 Units) against the money line in home games in September games since 1997.
NY METS are 13-20 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
NY METS are 53-66 (-21.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 37-53 (-18.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
NY METS are 38-43 (-29.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 9-6 (+1.5 Units) against ATLANTA this season
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

LUCAS SIMS vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.

CHRIS FLEXEN vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

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WASHINGTON (94 - 61) at PHILADELPHIA (62 - 94) - 7:05 PM
A.J. COLE (R) vs. AARON NOLA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-35 (+8.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 436-435 (+51.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 25-15 (+10.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
WASHINGTON is 49-29 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 82-72 (+24.5 Units) against the money line in road games in September games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 67-33 (+23.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 38-23 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 32-16 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
WASHINGTON is 35-19 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 62-94 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 37-64 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 39-73 (-25.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 10-6 (+1.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.4 Units)

A.J. COLE vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
COLE is 1-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.364.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.0 units)

AARON NOLA vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
NOLA is 1-3 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.69 and a WHIP of 1.396.
His team's record is 2-7 (-4.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.1 units)

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ATLANTA (70 - 84) at NY METS (66 - 89) - 7:10 PM
MAX FRIED (L) vs. SETH LUGO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 33-17 (+16.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
LUGO is 15-9 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LUGO is 11-4 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LUGO is 11-2 (+9.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 138-177 (+4.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 41-35 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ATLANTA is 33-40 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ATLANTA is 27-21 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in September games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 67-76 (+11.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 49-53 (+25.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 55-60 (+23.1 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 66-89 (-31.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 34-43 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 127-145 (-59.3 Units) against the money line in home games in September games since 1997.
NY METS are 13-20 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
NY METS are 38-43 (-29.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 9-6 (+1.5 Units) against ATLANTA this season
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

MAX FRIED vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.

SETH LUGO vs. ATLANTA since 1997
LUGO is 2-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 1.93 and a WHIP of 1.071.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (87 - 68) at ST LOUIS (81 - 74) - 8:15 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. LUKE WEAVER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 87-68 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 22-24 (-13.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 9-14 (-9.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 66-54 (-16.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 47-39 (-11.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 28-31 (-12.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 474-331 (+63.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 257-161 (+70.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
LESTER is 31-9 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 81-74 (-5.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 80-75 (-25.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 32-37 (-11.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
ST LOUIS is 51-54 (-25.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 11-4 (+6.4 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

JON LESTER vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
LESTER is 6-5 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.19 and a WHIP of 0.994.
His team's record is 9-7 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-11. (-8.7 units)

LUKE WEAVER vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
WEAVER is 0-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.750.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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

MIAMI (73 - 82) at COLORADO (84 - 72) - 8:40 PM
ODRISAMER DESPAIGNE (R) vs. TYLER CHATWOOD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 84-72 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 75-77 (-20.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 39-44 (-17.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHATWOOD is 6-12 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHATWOOD is 13-19 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 3-0 (+3.1 Units) against COLORADO this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

ODRISAMER DESPAIGNE vs. COLORADO since 1997
DESPAIGNE is 2-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 1.32 and a WHIP of 1.097.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

TYLER CHATWOOD vs. MIAMI since 1997
CHATWOOD is 0-1 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 14.29 and a WHIP of 2.998.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-2. (-2.4 units)

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

SAN FRANCISCO (61 - 95) at ARIZONA (90 - 66) - 9:40 PM
JOHNNY CUETO (R) vs. ZACK GODLEY (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 10-6 (+4.0 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.7 Units, Under=-1.0 Units)

JOHNNY CUETO vs. ARIZONA since 1997
CUETO is 10-3 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.40 and a WHIP of 1.145.
His team's record is 11-3 (+7.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-7. (-1.3 units)

ZACK GODLEY vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
GODLEY is 1-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 0.800.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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SAN DIEGO (70 - 86) at LA DODGERS (99 - 57) - 10:10 PM
TRAVIS WOOD (L) vs. YU DARVISH (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 41-11 (+19.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.
SAN DIEGO is 70-86 (+7.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 39-43 (+7.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SAN DIEGO is 32-38 (+7.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
SAN DIEGO is 53-56 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 51-61 (+7.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 83-97 (+16.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 37-47 (+17.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 195-134 (-4.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 8-16 (-25.0 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
LA DODGERS are 6-10 (-12.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday this season.
LA DODGERS are 36-34 (-22.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
LA DODGERS are 137-103 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DARVISH is 13-17 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
DARVISH is 5-10 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
DARVISH is 4-9 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DARVISH is 7-10 (-10.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 6-10 (+1.6 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.7 Units)

TRAVIS WOOD vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
WOOD is 2-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 5.67 and a WHIP of 1.778.
His team's record is 3-2 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

YU DARVISH vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
DARVISH is 1-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 5.29 and a WHIP of 1.529.
His team's record is 2-1 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

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

KANSAS CITY (76 - 79) at NY YANKEES (86 - 69) - 1:05 PM
JAKE JUNIS (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SABATHIA is 17-8 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
SABATHIA is 9-1 (+9.3 Units) against the money line after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 76-79 (+2.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 49-43 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 38-35 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
JUNIS is 10-4 (+6.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
JUNIS is 9-3 (+6.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 4-2 (+1.5 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.9 Units)

JAKE JUNIS vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
No recent starts.

C.C. SABATHIA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
SABATHIA is 20-11 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.220.
His team's record is 24-14 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 24-14. (+8.8 units)

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

TORONTO (73 - 83) at BOSTON (91 - 64) - 7:10 PM
BRETT ANDERSON (L) vs. DREW POMERANZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 73-83 (-20.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 33-42 (-14.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
TORONTO is 43-56 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TORONTO is 15-23 (-12.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
TORONTO is 28-45 (-22.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TORONTO is 29-44 (-15.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANDERSON is 57-71 (-28.3 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
ANDERSON is 15-22 (-16.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 34-14 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in September games over the last 2 seasons.
POMERANZ is 21-9 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
POMERANZ is 13-3 (+10.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season. (Team's Record)
POMERANZ is 17-4 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 687-616 (-81.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 370-292 (-46.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 54-57 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 561-427 (-64.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
POMERANZ is 20-31 (-18.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 12-4 (+8.1 Units) against TORONTO this season
10 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.5 Units)

BRETT ANDERSON vs. BOSTON since 1997
ANDERSON is 5-4 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 3.32 and a WHIP of 1.223.
His team's record is 6-4 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-4. (+1.8 units)

DREW POMERANZ vs. TORONTO since 1997
POMERANZ is 3-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 2.96 and a WHIP of 1.602.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.3 units)

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HOUSTON (95 - 60) at TEXAS (76 - 79) - 8:05 PM
COLLIN MCHUGH (R) vs. ANDREW CASHNER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 22-23 (-16.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
TEXAS is 76-79 (+1.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 45-33 (+12.8 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 92-65 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 79-66 (+18.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 127-103 (+28.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 127-113 (+15.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 116-107 (+21.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 29-20 (+14.9 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 32-28 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TEXAS is 17-11 (+11.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 95-60 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 22-8 (+9.9 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -175 this season.
HOUSTON is 47-27 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 33-19 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 76-37 (+21.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MCHUGH is 16-3 (+12.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 7-9 (+0.6 Units) against HOUSTON this season
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.6 Units, Under=-0.7 Units)

COLLIN MCHUGH vs. TEXAS since 1997
MCHUGH is 4-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 4.71 and a WHIP of 1.642.
His team's record is 6-2 (+4.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.1 units)

ANDREW CASHNER vs. HOUSTON since 1997
CASHNER is 1-5 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.105.
His team's record is 2-5 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-2. (+3.0 units)

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LA ANGELS (77 - 78) at CHI WHITE SOX (63 - 92) - 8:10 PM
RICKY NOLASCO (R) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 14-25 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NOLASCO is 10-21 (-10.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 17-12 (+12.7 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +175 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 36-41 (+4.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 19-15 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.
LA ANGELS are 77-78 (+4.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 544-518 (+49.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 59-55 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
NOLASCO is 82-79 (+23.9 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 64-51 (+29.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 40-33 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

RICKY NOLASCO vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
NOLASCO is 1-4 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 3-5 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.3 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
SHIELDS is 7-4 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.225.
His team's record is 11-4 (+7.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-9. (-3.5 units)

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SEATTLE (75 - 81) at OAKLAND (72 - 83) - 10:05 PM
FELIX HERNANDEZ (R) vs. DANIEL GOSSETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 75-81 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 34-46 (-16.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
OAKLAND is 45-33 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
OAKLAND is 14-8 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
OAKLAND is 36-34 (+7.6 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 39-24 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 12-3 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
HERNANDEZ is 9-1 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 39-56 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 10-6 (+2.6 Units) against OAKLAND this season
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.3 Units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. OAKLAND since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 24-9 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.62 and a WHIP of 1.107.
His team's record is 31-14 (+12.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 19-24. (-5.8 units)

DANIEL GOSSETT vs. SEATTLE since 1997
GOSSETT is 0-2 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 2.375.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, September 25


National League

Braves @ Mets
Sims is 0-2, 7.54 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Braves are 1-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-5

Fried is 1-0, 5.19 in two starts this year (over 1-1). Braves won his only road start— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-1

Flexen is 1-3, 8.55 in his last four starts (over 4-3-1). Mets are 2-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-5

Lugo is 1-2, 6.16 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Mets are 3-2 in his home starts — their first 5-inning record with him: 7-5-4

Atlanta won three of its last four games; under is 8-2 in their last nine games. Braves are 1-6 in last seven road series openers. Mets are 3-10 in their last 13 games; under is 4-2 in their last six home games. NY is 13-7 in last 20 home series openers.

Nationals @ Phillies
Gonzalez is 7-2, 2.51 in his last nine starts; over is 4-0-1 in his last five. Washington is 10-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 17-8-5

Nola is 2-0, 2.79 in his last three starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Phillies are 9-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 12-7-6

Washington won five of last seven games; under is 9-3-2 in their last 14 games. Nationals are 17-9 in road series openers. Phillies lost three of their last four games; under is 7-1-2 in their last ten. Philly is 7-5 in last 12 home series openers.

Cubs @ Cardinals
Lester is 3-1, 5.91 in his last four starts; Cubs scored 40 runs in the four games- over is 7-1 in his last eight starts. Cubs are 7-6 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-11-6

Weaver is 7-0, 1.90 in his last seven starts (over 4-4). Cardinals are 3-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-1-1

Cubs won 10 of last 12 games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight. Chicago is 11-4 in last 15 road series openers. St Louis won five of last six home games; under is 6-1 in their last seven. Cardinals are 10-5 in last 15 home series openers.

Marlins @ Rockies
Despaigne is 0-3, 6.03 in six starts this year (under 4-2). Miami is 0-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 0-3-3

Chatwood is 2-1, 1.83 in his last four starts; over is 4-2 in his last six starts. Colorado is 4-6 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-12-1

Marlins won five of last eight games; 10 of their last 11 road games went over. Miami is 2-7 in last nine road series openers. Colorado lost five of its last seven games; under is 8-2 in their last ten games. Rockies are 18-6 in home series openers.

Giants @ Diamondbacks
Cueto is 1-1, 5.29 in his last six starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Giants are 7-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-9-4

Godley is 3-1, 3.38 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Arizona is 5-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-9-4

Giants won four of their last six games; under is 9-1 in their last ten games. SF is 2-7 in last nine road series openers. Arizona lost four of last seven games; under is 5-4 in their last nine games. Snakes are 18-7 in home series openers. Diamondbacks clinched a playoff spot yesterday.

Padres @ Dodgers
Wood is 1-2, 15.68 in his last three starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine starts. San Diego is 0-4 in his road starts, outscored 42-15— their first 5-inning record with him: 4-5-1

Darvish is 1-0, 0.73 in his last two starts (over 4-3-1). LA is 1-2 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 4-3-1

San Diego won five of its last seven games (under 8-3). Padres are 8-16 in road series openers. Dodgers are 8-16 in their last 24 games; under is 8-1-3 in their last 12. LA is 17-8 in home series openers.

——————————–

American League

Royals @ New York
Junis is 5-0, 2.79 in his last eight starts; under is 4-2-1 in his last seven. KC is 5-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-5-2

Sabathia is 3-0, 3.12 in his last six starts; under is 15-4 in his last 19. New York is 8-3 in his home starts — their first 5-inning record with him: 14-10-1

Royals are 4-7 in their last 11 games; under is 8-4 in their last 12. KC is 6-9 in last 15 road series openers. New York won eight of last 11 games; under is 4-2-1 in their last seven. NY is 10-3 in last 13 home series openers.

Blue Jays @ Red Sox
Anderson is 1-2, 6.17 in five starts this year (under 3-2). Toronto is 0-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-2-2

Pomeranz is 2-0, 1.47 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Red Sox are 11-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 17-11-2

Toronto lost four of last six road games; under is 9-3-1 in their last 13 games. Blue Jays are 2-6 in last eight road series openers. Boston won nine of last ten games; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Red Sox are 13-5 in last 18 home series openers.

Astros @ Rangers
McHugh is 4-0, 2.19 in his last five starts; under is 8-1 in his last nine. Houston is 2-4 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-3-1

Cashner is 3-1, 3.45 in his last five starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Texas lost his last four home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 16-7-3

Houston won eight of its last ten games; under is 6-1 in their last seven. Astros are 17-7 in road series openers. Texas lost its last three games; under is 7-1 in their last eight. Rangers won their last six home series openers.

Angels @ White Sox
Nolasco is 0-2, 4.65 in his last six starts; over is 7-4-1 in his last 12. Angels are 5-10 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-17-5

Shields is 2-3, 4.80 in his last five starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. White Sox are 5-5 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-11-3

Angels lost six of their last seven games; six of their last seven road games stayed under. Halos are 3-8 in last 11 road series openers. Chicago won three of last four games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven home games. White Sox are 6-3 in last nine home series openers.

Mariners @ A’s
Hernandez is 0-2, 5.76 in his last five starts; overs 3-1 in his last four. Seattle is 3-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-7-1

Gossett is 1-3, 5.47 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. A’s are 2-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 5-9-1

Seattle lost eight of its last nine games; under is 14-5 in their last 19. Mariners are 10-5 in last 15 road series openers. Oakland is 14-3 in its last 17 games; over is 8-4 in their last 12 home games. A’s are 11-14 in home series openers.

__________________________

Interleague



______________________________

Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
Atl-NY: Sims 2-6 Fried 2-0; Lugo 8-8 Flexen 4-4
Wsh-Phil: Gonzalez 18-12; Nola 13-13
Chi-StL: Lester 17-13; Weaver 7-1
Mia-Colo: Despaigne 2-4; Chatwood 10-14
SF-Az: Cueto 12-11; Godley 14-10
SD-LA: Wood 5-5; Darvish 4-4

American League
KC-NY: Junis 10-4; Sabathia 17-8
Tor-Bos: Anderson 1-4; Pomeranz 21-9
Hst-Tex: McHugh 5-5; Cashner 13-13
LA-Chi: Nolasco 10-21; Shields 8-12
Sea-A’s: Hernandez 8-7; Gossett 6-10

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
Atl-NY: Sims 3-8 Fried 1-2; Lugo 4-16 Flexen 5-8
Wsh-Phil: Gonzalez 11-30; Nola 6-26
Chi-StL: Lester 11-30; Weaver 1-8
Mia-Colo: Despaigne 2-6; Chatwood 6-24
SF-Az: Cueto 6-23; Godley 5-24
SD-LA: Wood 5-10; Darvish 4-8

American League
KC-NY: Junis 7-5-2; Sabathia 7-25
Tor-Bos: Anderson 2-5; Pomeranz 8-30
Hst-Tex: McHugh 2-10; Cashner 6-26
LA-Chi: Nolasco 12-31; Shields 6-20
Sea-A’s: Hernandez 7-15; Gossett 2-16

_________________________

Umpires
National League
American League
Interleague

Interleague play
NL @ AL– 84-57 AL, favorites -$280
AL @ NL– 73-72 NL, favorites +$416
Total: 156-130 AL, favorites +$136

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 71-68-4
AL @ NL: Over 74-64-8
Total: Over 145-132-12

Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 9/19/17
Ariz 28-26-20……43-25–12……..71-51
Atl 27-35-10……26-42-8………..53-77
Cubs 33-31-8…….39-25-14………..72-56
Reds 23-43-9……..30-37-9…………53-80
Colo 38-31-7………40-29-5………..78-60
LA 38-24-13…….41-25-9…………79-49
Miami 32-36-10…….36-26-11………68-62
Milw 37-27-10…….38-29-10……….74-56
Mets 33-39-5……..30-37-7………….63-76
Philly 19-43-16……30-36-9………..49-79
Pitt 31-37-9…….28-33-13………..60-70
St. Louis 32-34-9……..39-25-10………..71-59
SD 21-46-8……..38-29–9…………59-75
SF 16-49-9……..30-33-13……….46-81
Wash 43-23-7……34-33-10………….77-56

Orioles 29-39-5……..31-39-8………..60-78
Boston 31-35-11………34-37-3……….65-72
White Sox 25-40-11………29-42–4…….54-82
Cleveland 45-23-8……..39-24-10……..84-47
Detroit 27-38-10…….30-36-11……..57-74
Astros 37-28-11……..47-24-5………84-52
KC 26-35-13……..30-31-13…….56-66
Angels 26-39-8………31-31-14……..57-70
Twins 38-24-13………38-33-8……..76-57
NYY 34-38-7……….40-28-5…..…74-66
A’s 29-39-10……..32-32-12……..61-71
Seattle 29-39-9……..39-25-11………68-64
TB 36-29-11……..40-24-9……..76-53
Texas 35-27-12……..38-28-9……..73-55
Toronto 30-40-5……..30-33-12……..60-73

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 9/19/17)
Ariz 24-76……..27-74………..51
Atl 17-71……….19-79………36
Cubs 20-72……..26-78………..46
Reds 30-76……..27-76……….57
Colo 20-76……..25-74..……..45
LA 23-76……..26-74..…….49
Miami 32-78……..27-73……….59
Milw 24-74……29-78…..…..53
Mets 34-75……..26-75……….60
Philly 17-78……..24-74……….41
Pitt 22-77……..22-75……….44
StL 16-76……..23-73………..39
SD 23-75……….26-75……….49
SF 17-75……….22-77……….39
Wash 26-73……..30-77……….56

Orioles 17-76……..25-77……….42
Boston 21-77……..18-74……….39
White Sox 24-76……20-75……….44
Clev 22-77……..26-75………48
Detroit 18-74…….27-77………45
Astros 21-77……..29-74………50
KC 18-75……..16-76………..34
Angels 27-75……..22-77……….49
Twins 17-73……..20-77……….37
NYY 19-78……..21-73……….40
A’s 20-76……..27-76………47
Seattle 21-77…….25-77……….46
TB 22-74……..26-77………48
Texas 29-76……..30-74………59
Toronto 26-76……..21-78………47

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Monday, September 25

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Trend Report
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1:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. NY YANKEES
Kansas City is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing NY Yankees
Kansas City is 2-8 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Kansas City
NY Yankees are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing Kansas City

4:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. NY METS
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets's last 7 games when playing Atlanta

7:05 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Washington's last 13 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 13 games when playing at home against Washington

7:10 PM
TORONTO vs. BOSTON
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Toronto's last 17 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home

7:40 PM
ATLANTA vs. NY METS
Atlanta is 1-5-1 SU in its last 7 games ,when playing NY Mets
Atlanta9-2-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games ,at home
NY Mets5-1-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta

8:05 PM
HOUSTON vs. TEXAS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games on the road
Houston is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 8 games

8:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
LA Angels are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 10 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games

8:15 PM
CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 7 games at home

8:40 PM
MIAMI vs. COLORADO
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami's last 9 games
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Colorado's last 15 games at home
Colorado is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

9:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. ARIZONA
San Francisco is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Arizona is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Francisco
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Arizona's last 13 games when playing at home against San Francisco

10:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. OAKLAND
Seattle is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
Oakland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Oakland's last 11 games

10:10 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. LA DODGERS
San Diego is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 7-16 SU in their last 23 games
LA Dodgers are 2-10 SU in their last 12 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

Betting Recap - Week 3
September 25, 2017

Overall Notes

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEEK 3 RESULTS

Wager Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 7-8
Against the Spread 3-12

Wager Home-Away
Straight Up 11-4
Against the Spread 9-6

Wager Totals (O/U)
Over-Under 11-4

The largest underdogs to win straight up
Bears (+7, ML + ) vs. Steelers, 23-17 (OT)
Jets (+5.5, ML + ) vs. Dolphins, 20-6
Saints (+5.5, ML+ ) at Panthers, 34-13

The largest favorite to cover
Chiefs (-3) at Chargers, 24-10
Falcons (-3) at Lions, 30-26
Titans (-2.5) vs. Seahawks, 33-27

K.C. Sunshine

-- The Kansas City Chiefs started out hot early in Sunday's game with the Los Angeles Chargers, winning and covering for the third time in as many outings this season. The Chiefs have been getting amazing production from RB Kareem Hunt, who is the first rookie to roll for 100 or more yards from scrimmage in his first three NFL games since Matt Forte accomplished the feat in 2008 with the Chicago Bears. The defense has been getting better, too, allowing just 10 points Sunday after 27 in Week 1, and 20 in Week 2. The 'under' result on Sunday was the first of the season after going 0-1-1 through the first two contest.

Buffalo Brothers

-- The Buffalo Bills used another strong defensive effort in Week 3, topping the Denver Broncos by a 26-16 score. The Bills have allowed just two touchdowns and eight field goals through three games, and they're a perfect 3-0 ATS on the season. The 'over' result in Sunday's game was the first after two 'under' results. Next up is a trip to face the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons in their brand new palace. The Falcons have covered two in a row after narrowly missing a cover in Week 1. The Falcons won a controversial game on the road against the Detroit Lions on a stop at the goal line.
Total Recall

-- Sunday Night Football was a low-scoring affair, as the 'over' was never threatened in Oakland-Washington (53.5). In fact, Raiders QB Derek Carr didn't even eclipse 100 passing yards until garbage time in the fourth quarter. It was a stark contrast to the barn burner between L.A. Rams-San Francisco (40) on Thursday night, as the teams combined to double the total.

-- Three games -- Baltimore-Jacksonville (38.5), Denver-Buffalo (39.5) and the L.A.-San Francisco (40) game had totals with a line of 40 or lower, and all three of those games cashed 'over', In fact, the Jaguars hit the over by themselves, as the 'over' is now 10-3 in the past 13 games played in the United Kingdom. Tampa Bay-Minnesota (41), Seattle-Tennessee (41.5) and Cleveland-Indianapolis (42) were the next three lowest totals on the board, and they all hit the 'over', too.

-- The Miami Dolphins and Ravens apparently didn't get the memo, as Week 3 was supposed to be a high-scoring weekend. Baltimore scored just seven overseas, while the Dolphins turned in the lowest total, six points, in a shocking loss to the New York Jets. The Dolphins have started a big sluggish after having their Week 1 game canceled due to Hurricane Irma, averaging just 12.5 PPG on offense while the defense has given up 18.5 PPG.

-- The 'over/under' is 5-5 through the first 10 primetime games of the 2017 season with Monday's total still pending. Officially, the 'over' finished 27-24 (52.9%) through 51 games under the lights in 2016. In 2015, the over finished 20-28-1 (41.7%) in 49 primetime games. In 2014, the over went 33-17 (66%) in primetime games, and the over was 28-22 (56%) in 2013.

Injury Report

-- Buccaneers LB Lavonte David (ankle) was carted off in Minnesota due to a left ankle injury. X-rays were negative, but reports say he was on crutches after the game.

-- Eagles RB Darren Sproles (arm) suffered a broken arm in Sunday's victory againts the Giants and he will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. He might be headed for the Reserve/Injured list as a result.

-- Jets RB Matt Forte (toe) exited Sunday's game against the Dolphins early due to a toe ailment.

-- Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee) left Sunday's game against the Saints due to a knee injury, but early reports indicate he escaped major injury.

-- Raiders WR Michael Crabtree (chest) was forced out of the Sunday Night battle against the Redskins after taking a hard shot to the sternum.

-- Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin (groin) was forced out of Sunday's game in Tennessee after suffering a strained groin.

Looking Ahead

-- The Bears meet the Packers at Lambeau Field on Thursday night. While Chicago is 5-0 ATS over their past five against teams with a winning record, they're just 2-7 ATS in their past nine road games and 1-5 ATS in their past six appearances on a Thursday. Chicago is also 3-10 ATS in their past 13 meetings with the Packers, while the favorite is 10-3 ATS across the past 13 in this series.

-- The Ravens will host the Steelers, as both teams look to rebound after Week 3 losses. Baltimore is 10-1 ATS in their past 11 against AFC North teams, and 5-1 ATS in their past six at home. Pittsburgh is 0-4-1 ATS in the past five meetings in this series, although the underdog is 4-0-1 ATS during the span. The 'under' is also 3-1-1 in the past five meetings.

-- The Bengals look to stay hot against the number on the road when they meet the Browns. Cincinnati is 12-5 ATS in their past 17 on the road, including a cover at Green Bay in Week 3. The Browns are 2-8 ATS in their past 10 at home, 5-15-1 ATS in their past 21 against AFC foes and 3-12-1 ATS across the past 16 inside the division. Cincinnati has covered five straight in the series, the favorite is 4-0 ATS in the past four and the under has hit in each of the past four meeting at First Energy Stadium.

-- The Titans won and covered for the second straight game in Week 3, and they look to make it four in a row against the Texans in Houston. The Titans are just 4-21-3 ATS in their past 28 against teams with a losing overall record. TheTexans are 8-3-1 ATS in their past 12 inside the division, but just 1-4 ATS across their past five at home. The favorite has hit in six straight in this series, and the over is 5-1 in the past six meetings in Houston.

-- The Lions look to rebound at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis against the Vikings. The Lions hope to change their luck at a new venue, as they're just 3-7-2 ATS in their past 12 visits to the Twin Cities. The under is 4-0 in the past four meetings in Minneapolis, and 6-1 over the past seven overall in the series.

-- After a horrific performance in D.C., the Raiders look to rebound against the Broncos in Denver in Week 4. The road team is 12-5-1 ATS in the past 18 in this series, but the favorite is 8-1-1 ATS in the past 10 overall between the AFC West rivals. The Raiders are also just 2-8-1 ATS in the past 11 in this series, and 1-3-1 ATS in the past five trips to the Mile High City.

[StarDust Bum]

Books dominate Week 3
September 25, 2017

Sorry bettors, I hate to say it because I'm always rooting for you, but y'all had no chance in Week 3 of NFL action. The burial started early with a 6:30 am PT start time in London when the Jaguars (+3) won 44-7 over the Ravens and it continued on through the morning as underdogs would go 9-1 ATS with seven of them winning outright. It was one of the largest Sunday regular season wins the Las Vegas sports books have ever seen.

"If the Redskins get there for us it will be on of the top-three regular season days I've ever seen," said MGM Resorts race and sports VP Jay Rood. "I had only one red mark on sheet for the day which I rarely ever see."

The game Rood's books lost on in the early games was surprisingly the Saints (+6) at Carolina. That's it. Almost everything the majority of betters keyed on Sunday ended up a loser. And the books also got some larger favorites to lose outright.

"We almost had a 13-point favorite go down," said Westgate SuperBook VP Jay Kornegay of the Patriots come-from-behind, 36-33 win against the Texans. "It was a really solid weekend. We got the 5-6-and-7-point favorite to lose outright, something we desperately needed but didn't get last week. Parity in the NFL is big for us. Last week we had teams hold true to form, week 1 was a mixed bag of results and so was week 3."

The biggest bet game of the day at William Hill's 108 sports books across the state was Denver (-3.5) at Buffalo taking 16 percent of Sunday's action. Denver had 82 percent of the tickets written on them after abusing Dallas the week before, but it was Denver's first road game and the Bills held serve with a 26-16 win.

"The day got started well for us when the Broncos lost at Buffalo," said Stratosphere oddsmaker Hugh Citron. "That was the big game for us, and you could just feel the air let out of the room when Buffalo got the win."

Next up on William Hill's list of risk was the Raiders visiting Washington with 11 percent of the wagers, and of course the popular Raiders had 91 percent of the tickets written on them. Washington jumped out to a 21-0 lead and won 27-10. They yardage favoring Washington, 472-128, shows how one sided the game really was.

"We needed the Redskins for a big decision,' said Station Casinos sports book director Jason McCormick. "The Bears win was big big killing money-line parlays and teasers. The Bills were also a huge win. Falcons was our worst game, but overall it was a big day and if Redskins get the upset it'll be a monster day."

Who knows what a monster day is, but let's just call it at least seven figures for each of the major sports book chains. The books almost got the clean sweep of favorites failing to cover early when the Lions appeared to pull out the last second win, but an official review negated a Lions TD and Atlanta (-3) held on for a 30-26 win.

The Steelers' 23-17 overtime loss at Chicago (+7) was also a shocker just because Pittsburgh was pegged as a team to dethrone the Patriots in the AFC. They looked lost and sluggish throughout the game while the Bears were playing with some serious intensity. William Hill had 79 percent of all tickets written on the game taking the Steelers.

"The Steelers loss was huge and set the tone for us because it knocked out teasers and big money-line parlays," said Rood. "Those guys that beat us up last week with the big money-line parlays took it on the chin this week."

Sunday's big win for the house was continuation from a solid Saturday of college football action.

"We had a nice two days back-to-back which has been a rarity lately," Rood said. "We didn't have a lot of winning Saturday's last season, so to have one followed up by a great Sunday was nice to see."

Just like Sunday's key games for the house that knocked out parlays, Saturday had one as well.

"The game that stood out the most just because of setting the tone on the day was Oklahoma State (-11) losing to TCU," said Rood. "We had some late sharp play on TCU, but overall, it had a huge impact just because of parlay risk extending throughout the day."

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Monday
September 25, 2017

TOP SU TREND:

-- The Rangers are 0-12 since Jun 25, 2014 as a home dog when they are off two losses in which they never led.

TOP OU TREND:

-- The Cubs are 0-11-1 OU (-2.71 ppg) since Oct 09, 2015 as a dog coming off a game as a favorite in which they scored in more innings than their opponent.

TOP STARTER TREND:

-- The Giants are 0-7 since May 07, 2017 when Johnny Cueto starts when they won in his last start.

TOP CHOICE TREND:

-- The Padres are 10-0 since Jul 02, 2017 coming off a home game in which their bullpen allowed multiple runs.

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

WAS at PHI 07:05 PM

O 8.5

TOR at BOS 07:10 PM

TOR +165

O 9.0

ATL at NYM 07:10 PM

O 9.0

HOU at TEX 08:05 PM

U 10.5

LAA at CHW 08:10 PM

U 10.0

CHC at STL 08:15 PM

CHC +125

U 8.5

MIA at COL 08:40 PM

MIA +150

O 12.0

SF at ARI 09:40 PM

SF +100

U 9.0

SEA at OAK 10:05 PM

U 9.0

SD at LAD 10:10 PM

SD +230

O 8.0

[StarDust Bum]

Baseball Capsules
September 26, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) Aaron Judge broke Mark McGwire's major league record for home runs by a rookie, hitting a pair for the second straight day to raise his total to 50 and lead the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 11-3 Monday.

The 6-foot-7, 25-year-old slugger tied the mark with a two-run drive to right-center off Jakob Junis (8-3) in the third inning that put New York ahead 3-0. His solo shot to left against Trevor Cahill in the seventh made it 7-3 and earned him a rare curtain call.

Judge has 13 home runs in September and six in five games, and he is second in the majors behind Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, who has 57. Judge has four multihomer games this month and seven this season.

McGwire hit 49 homers for Oakland in 1987.

Greg Bird added a two-run homer in the sixth. Gary Sanchez followed Judge in the seventh with back-to-back homers for the third time this year, raising his total to 33.

CC Sabathia (13-5) took a 6-0 lead into the seventh, when Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer and Mike Moustakas chased the left-hander by going deep four pitches later. Sabathia improved to 9-0 in 11 starts this year after Yankees losses.

New York moved within four games of AL East-leading Boston with six to play. Kansas City was pushed to the brink of postseason elimination.

CUBS 10, CARDINALS 2

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Addison Russell hit a three-run double in the first inning, then made a food run for a fan in enemy territory while Chicago beat St. Louis to move within a victory of clinching its second straight NL Central title.

Kris Bryant and Javier Baez homered for the Cubs, who can wrap up the division with a win Tuesday against the Cardinals or a loss by Milwaukee against Cincinnati.

Russell helped the Cubs get to starter Luke Weaver (7-2) early, then made some friends out of rival fans. After diving into the stands chasing a foul ball down the third-base line and spilling a fan's tray of chips, Russell emerged from the dugout a few innings later with a plate of nachos and delivered it to the fan. Russell stopped to take a selfie before heading back to play shortstop.

The loss eliminated St. Louis from NL Central contention and dimmed the Cardinals' wild-card hopes.

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was taken out of the game in the seventh after he took two foul balls off his mask. St. Louis announced he is in concussion protocol.

Jon Lester (12-8) allowed one run in six innings. Chicago is 11-2 in its last 13 games.

Weaver gave up eight runs in three innings. He had won seven consecutive starts, the longest by a Cardinals rookie since Ted Wilks in 1944.

BLUE JAYS 6, RED SOX 4

BOSTON (AP) - Josh Donaldson homered and drove in three runs, powering Toronto past AL East-leading Boston.

Boston's six-game winning streak was snapped and its magic number to clinch a second straight division title remained at three.

Eduardo Nunez and Mookie Betts both left with injuries for the Red Sox. Nunez aggravated a right knee injury that sidelined him for 13 games, and Betts came out with pain in his left wrist.

Ryan Goins hit a solo homer and Teoscar Hernandez had a two-run double for the Blue Jays. Brett Anderson (2-2) allowed three runs in five innings.

Red Sox lefty Drew Pomeranz (16-6) had his shortest start of the season, giving up five runs and seven hits in two innings. He had only lost once in his last 18 outings.

Roberto Osuna got three outs for his 38th save.

WHITE SOX 4, ANGELS 2

CHICAGO (AP) - James Shields tossed seven strong innings, Nicky Delmonico hit a two-run double and Chicago damaged Los Angeles' slim playoff hopes.

With six games remaining, the Angels trail Minnesota by five games for the second AL wild card.

Mike Trout hit his 30th homer for the Angels, who have dropped seven of eight.

Shields (5-7) allowed two runs and four hits. Juan Minaya got three outs for his seventh save.

Ricky Nolasco (6-15) allowed four runs, two earned, in five-plus innings.

ASTROS 11, RANGERS 2

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Marwin Gonzalez had four hits and three RBIs as AL West champion Houston put Texas on the brink of elimination in the wild-card race.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, the American League leader with 199 hits and a .348 batting average, left in the eighth inning after he was hit by a 95 mph fastball. The team said X-rays were negative and Altuve had a bruised forearm.

Gonzalez had two hits and scored twice in an eight-run fourth, including a two-run single that chased starter Andrew Cashner (10-11). Gonzalez later hit his 23rd homer, a solo shot in the sixth.

Collin McHugh (4-2) struck out six while throwing 112 pitches in five innings. The right-hander is 15-0 with a 2.94 ERA in 19 starts in September or October during his four seasons with the Astros.

Texas (76-80), division champs the past two years, had an early 2-0 lead before losing its fourth straight game. The Rangers dropped six games behind idle Minnesota for the second AL wild card with six to play.

Only one of the eight runs in the Astros' fourth was earned.

NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Michael Taylor homered, A.J. Cole allowed one run while pitching into the sixth inning and Washington defeated Philadelphia.

The NL East champion Nationals extended their franchise record with 50 road wins.

Bryce Harper remained out of Washington's lineup with flu-like symptoms. The team had said it was possible he would return Monday from a knee injury that's kept him out since Aug. 12.

Odubel Herrera homered for the last-place Phillies.

Cole (3-5) struck out five and walked two. Sean Doolittle worked a perfect ninth for his 21st save in 21 chances with the Nationals since being acquired from Oakland on July 16.

Aaron Nola (12-11) allowed Taylor's two-run homer in the second but otherwise pitched well.

BRAVES 9, METS 2, 1st game

METS 3, BRAVES 2, 2nd game

NEW YORK (AP) - Seth Lugo pitched two-hit ball over six innings and Travis d'Arnaud hit a record-setting homer for New York in the nightcap of a doubleheader split.

D'Arnaud hit his solo shot in the eighth inning. It was the 219th homer for the Mets, a franchise season mark. The sparse crowd at Citi Field jeered when the home run apple didn't rise after d'Arnaud's homer, then cheered when it finally came out of its bin three batters later.

Lugo (7-5) struck out seven and didn't walk anybody. Jeurys Familia got his fifth save and second since returning from surgery to repair a blood clot in his right arm.

Max Fried (1-1) gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings for Atlanta.

In the first game, Lucas Sims (3-5) turned in his second strong performance since returning to Atlanta's rotation, allowing two runs and five hits over a career-high 6 2/3 innings. Chris Flexen (3-5) took the loss.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Cubs can clinch, Harper hopes to get well
September 25, 2017

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

PARTY TIME?

The Cubs can clinch the NL Central for a second straight year with a win against St. Louis or a loss by Milwaukee. Jake Arrieta (14-9, 3.43 ERA) goes for Chicago, making his second start since missing nearly three weeks with a hamstring injury. The Cardinals counter with righty Carlos Martinez (12-11, 3.63), who gave up seven runs to the Cubs in a start against them Sept. 15.

WAITING ON YOU

Perhaps slugger Bryce Harper will feel well enough to return to the Nationals' lineup in Philadelphia. Any plans the NL East champions had of Harper coming back from his knee injury Monday night were dashed due to flu-like symptoms. Washington manager Dusty Baker said Sunday the team was still trying to decide whether to reinstate Harper from the disabled list Monday, but he spent much of the day receiving treatment. The 2015 NL MVP has been sidelined with a bone bruise in his hyperextended left knee since slipping on a wet base Aug. 12. He has missed 42 games.

BOSTON BANGED UP

The Red Sox are hoping for good news on a pair of injured hitters - Mookie Betts and Eduardo Nunez. Betts exited Monday's game with pain in his left wrist a few innings after going over 100 RBIs for the second straight season. Nunez, meanwhile, aggravated a right knee injury that had kept him out of Boston's previous 13 games. Chris Sale (17-7, 2.75 ERA) tries to push the Red Sox closer to an AL East title when he takes his major league-leading 300 strikeouts to the mound against Toronto. Boston's magic number is three to clinch its second consecutive division crown.

LEFTY SHOWDOWN

Dallas Keuchel and Cole Hamels, a pair of left-handed aces who have both missed more than 50 games this season, pitch the middle game of a series between the Astros and Rangers. AL West champion Houston is still playing for a chance at the AL's top record, but two-time defending division champion Texas could be mathematically eliminated from wild-card contention Tuesday. Keuchel (13-5) is making his 12th start since missing 53 games during two DL stints, for a pinched nerve in his back and then neck discomfort. Hamels (11-4) missed 51 games because of a right oblique strain, and is making his 18th start since coming back.

WILD AT HOME

With slugger Aaron Judge looking to add to his rookie-record total of 50 home runs, the Yankees are one step from assuring themselves home-field advantage if they wind up in the AL wild-card game. To do it, New York needs just one win or a Minnesota loss. Rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery (8-7) starts against visiting Tampa Bay, while the Twins play at AL Central champion Cleveland. Of course, the Yankees would still love to catch Boston for the AL East title. They trail the first-place Red Sox by four games with six to play.

[StarDust Bum]

The turnaround Twins are closing in on a postseason clinch
September 26, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins could only watch and wince when their All-Star closer and newly acquired veteran starting pitcher were both traded in the last two days before the non-waiver deadline.

Three weeks later, their best player was sidelined by an injury he still hasn't returned from.

''But here we are with a week to go, and we have a chance to extend our season,'' manager Paul Molitor said.

They have more than just a chance.

After finishing 59-103 in 2016, the worst record in the major leagues, the Twins (82-74) completed a four-game weekend sweep in Detroit to expand their lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the second AL wild card. The Twins had Monday off, while the Angels lost to the Chicago White Sox and fell five games behind Minnesota with six to play.

The Twins can clinch their first postseason berth since 2010 with a win and an Angels loss Tuesday night. Minnesota is the 13th team in major league history, and first since the 2009 Seattle Mariners, to go from 100-plus losses to a winning record the following season.

''We tried to put last year behind us as best we could,'' Molitor said. ''I think guys tried to learn from it. I think some guys might have used that as a motivation. But more than anything, it was tremendous learning experience, even though it was tough to endure at the time.''

The front office brought about shorter-term discomfort for the players in late July, when a 1-6 finish to the month served as the trigger for separate deals that sold off ninth-inning man Brandon Kintzler and Jaime Garcia for minor-leaguers. Surges by the division rival Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals factored in, too.

Kintzler had logged 45 saves over a season-plus as the closer. Garcia had just arrived in a trade with the Atlanta Braves, winning his only start, as a signal the Twins were targeting the playoffs. The reaction from the clubhouse was predictably disapproving, with second baseman Brian Dozier voicing the most displeasure.

One week later, though, the Twins reeled off six straight wins. The back of the rotation began to stabilize. Matt Belisle gradually rebounded from some early-season struggles to effectively serve as the de facto closer. In their last 46 games since Aug. 8, the Twins have hit a best-in-baseball 80 home runs. Only three of those came from Miguel Sano, their All-Star third baseman who has not played since Aug. 19 because of a stress reaction in his left shin bone.

The Twins are 20-15 without Sano, whose .870 on-base-plus-slugging percentage remains the highest on the team. He hit 28 homers with 77 RBIs in 111 games.

''You can always use a Sano, but the most impressive thing one through nine is we don't have anybody who gets on base less than 30 percent of the time,'' Dozier said. ''Everybody is getting on base. They're grinding out at-bats. The biggest thing that we've always lacked is people trying to do too much in certain situations, rather than take what the game gives to you and let the next guy do it. That's kind of been the biggest thing. If he's giving me a walk, take the walk and let the next guy be the hitter. That's how we've clicked.''

The Twins are on course for a wild card game next week in New York, where they were swept by the Yankees in a three-game series last week. They've had trouble beating the Yankees for 15 years, especially on the road, while being eliminated from the postseason by them in 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010. But sometimes all it takes to win a one-game playoff is belief and a friendly bounce.

''There's a lot of confidence,'' shortstop Jorge Polanco said. ''You can see it by the games. It doesn't matter what happens in the game, we show our confidence.''