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[StarDust Bum]

MLB Daily Line Drive: Thursday's picks, betting odds and analysis

Double-Play Picks

Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers (-155, 9.5)

The Reds and Brewers wrap up their three-game series this afternoon at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The teams have split the first two games and the Brewers' playoff hopes are clinging to the thinnest of threads.

Despite winning 6-0 last night, the Reds can't be trusted to play proper spoiler on the Rockies behalf. Prior to their win on Wednesday they had lost seven baseball games in a row and they will send rookie right-hander Sal Romano to the mound today.

Romano's last start was a disappointing five earned runs allowed over four innings of work in a 5-4 loss at home against the Red Sox. And in his last start against the Brewers (Aug 13 at Miller Park) he allowed seven runs over five innings of work in an eventual 7-4 loss.

The Brewers will counter with lefty Brent Suter. He has been very good, especially during the month of September where he has made five appearances (four starts and one relief) and owns an ERA of 1.56 and a WHIP of 1.2115. Dating back to August the Brewers have won Suter's last five starts overall.

Desperation is a great motivator in sports, and the Brewers are certainly desperate today with the Rockies' magic number now down to two.

Pick: Brewers -155

Atlanta Braves at Miami Marlins (-110, 9)

The Braves and Marlins close out their respective disappointing seasons with a four-game set beginning Thursday night in Miami.

Neither Atlanta nor Miami were able to take a step forward in the National League East like they hoped to this season, with the Marlins sitting at 74-84 on the season and 21 games behind the division leading Nationals, while the Braves are 71-87 and 24 games back.

The NL East rivals open this season-ending series with Julio Teheran taking the mound for the Braves, while the Marlins counter with Dillon Peters.

It has been an interesting year of interesting splits for the Braves’ Teheran, who is 11-12 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP this season, but he hasn’t really enjoyed playing in the team’s new stadium, Sun Trust Park. However, Teheran has been excellent on the road, going 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

Meanwhile, it hasn’t been the easiest transition to the big leagues for the Marlins’ rookie Peters. The young southpaw is 0-2 in the first five starts of his career, pitching to a 6.31 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. He’s been even more roughed up in his last three outings, going 0-1 with a 9.88 ERA and a 2.27 WHIP while walking more batters than he has struck out.

The only thing to cheer for in Marlins games recently is whether or not Gancarlo Stanton will hit 60 dingers.

Pick: Braves -110

Yesterday's Picks: 1-1
Season To Date: 158-144-15

Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking: Brad Peacock, Houston Astros (12-2, 2.98 ERA, $324)

Very slim pickings for our Streaking Starter section today. Julio Teheran would likely have claimed the award, but we used him above in our Double-Play Picks.

Instead of Teheran we will go with Houston's Brad Peacock. The veteran utility right-hander is having a tremendous season for the Astros at 12-2 with a 2.98 ERA and a WHIP of 1.20. Things have been even better for him on the road where he owns a personal win/loss record of 7-0 with an ERA of 2.83 and a WHIP of 1.14.

Peacock and the Astros are slight road underdogs at -102 at Fenway Park against Eduardo Rodriguez and the Red Sox.

Slumping: Edwin Jackson, Washington Nationals (5-6, 5.40 ERA, $-261)

As the Nationals begin to get their roster set up for their upcoming NLDS series against the Cubs, you can be pretty sure that Edwin Jackson will not be a part of their starting rotation.

A team win/loss of 5-7, an ERA of 5.40, and a WHIP of 1.45 in 12 starts with Washington is not very good. A team win/loss of 0-3, an ERA of 15.68, and a WHIP of 2.71 in his last three starts is, pretty much, as bad as it gets.

Jackson and the Nats are -145 home favorites against Ivan Nova and the Pirates today.

Thursday's Top Trends

* The Cleveland Indians are 30-3 in their last 33 overall. -260 today vs. Twins.
* The New York Yankees are 11-1 in their last 12 home games. -200 today vs. Rays.
* Under is 35-15-2 in Eduardo Rodriguez's last 52 starts overall. Astros/Red Sox Total: 9.
* The Detroit Tigers are 5-24 in their last 29 vs. American League Central. +182 today at Royals.

Weather To Keep An Eye On

Rain will not be a factor at any MLB ballpark without a roof today, but there will be wind. Here are the most notable breezes in the forecast for today:

Twins @ Indians (Total: 8.5) - 13-15 mile per hour wind blowing IN from left-center field.
Rays @ Yankees (Total: 8.5) - 13-15 mile per hour crosswind blowing from left field to right field.
Pirates @ Nationals (Total: 9) - 11-14 mile per hour wind blowing IN from left field.
Astros @ Red Sox (Total: 9) - 13-14 mile per hour wind blowing IN from left field.
Athletics @ Rangers (Total: 10.5) - 9-11 mile per hour wind blowing OUT to right field.

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Thursday
September 28, 2017

TOP SU TREND:

-- The Nationals are 11-0 since Sep 24, 2016 after they had more than ten team-left-on-base last game.

TOP OU TREND:

-- The Rays are 0-10 OU (-3.70 ppg) since Aug 10, 2017 off a game as a dog in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent.

TOP STARTER TREND:

-- The Cubs are 8-0 since Aug 01, 2015 when Kyle Hendricks starts on the road when the total is no greater than eight after he averaged more than 4 pitches per batter in his last start.

TOP CHOICE TREND:

-- The Tigers are 0-11 since Aug 29, 2017 off a game as a dog in which they did not hit a home run.

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CIN at MIL 04:10 PM

CIN +135

U 9.5

TB at NYY 07:05 PM

U 8.5

PIT at WAS 07:05 PM

PIT +125

HOU at BOS 07:10 PM

O 9.0

ATL at MIA 07:10 PM

O 9.0

CHC at STL 07:15 PM

CHC +170

OAK at TEX 08:05 PM

TEX +100

O 10.5

LAA at CHW 08:10 PM

U 10.5

DET at KC 08:15 PM

O 8.5

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s six-pack

— San Juan tip-off hoop tourney will be moved to Coastal Carolina’s campus in South Carolina for this year. Event is Nov 16-19.

— Road teams are 7-3 in the baseball Wild Card games.

— Former UConn coach Jim Calhoun is now coaching a D-III team; St Joseph’s College- they will begin play next season. Calhoun is 75 years old.

— 33-year old Matt Cain will start Saturday for the Giants and then retire; he helped SF win three world titles.

— Dwayne Wade gets $2.3M to play for the Cavaliers this season.

— Still can’t get over the Jaguars running a fake punt Sunday while leading 37-0.

*************************

Friday’s List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here……..

13) First of all, congrats to the Minnesota Twins for making the playoffs this season; they lost 103 games last year. No team had ever made the playoffs when they had lost 97+ games in the previous season. Excellent accomplishment.

12) NBA changed how their draft lottery will work, to discourage tanking; right now the top three teams have these percentages of getting the #1 pick:
1) 25%, 2) 19.9%, 3) 15.6%

Under the new system, the top three teams will each have a 14% shot at the #1 pick.

11) JD Martinez made $11,750,000 this season; he is hitting .418 in September, with 16 HR’s and 36 RBI and is a free agent after this season. He is going to make a freakin’ fortune this winter.

10) There were rumors on the Interweb Thursday that Clemson coach/Alabama alum Dabo Swinney might replace Nick Saban when Saban retires from the Crimson Tide.

I’ve said this here before; replacing Saban in Tuscaloosa will be like replacing John Wooden at UCLA or even replacing Bear Bryant at Alabama 35 years ago. A rabid, spoiled fanbase. Very, very difficult job.

9) Oakland A’s extended manager Bob Melvin’s contract thru 2019, which is excellent news; A’s were 46-35 at home this year, have a decent nucleus of young position players. Not sure their starting pitching will be good enough to contend next year. One can hope, though.

8) Seattle Mariners have used 40 pitchers this season; 17 of them started at least one game.

7) Arizona Wildcats lose 6-5 swingman Rawle Atkins for 8-12 weeks with a broken foot; he was supposed to be one of the Pac-12’s best players this winter.

6) Tigers’ utility guy Austin Romine will play all nine positions for Detroit Sunday, which is pretty cool. Bert Campaneris of the A’s was the first player to do that, in 1965.

5) Sam Saunders shot a 59 at the web.com championship Thursday; Saunders is Arnold Palmer’s grandson.

4) Chris Fallica of ESPN points out that there are only six college football games this week that have a spread less than 7 points. 27 games have a double digit spread.

3)

2) Clippers are having training camp in Hawai’i, the Nets at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Nothing against the Naval Academy, but advantage, Clippers.

1) NBA preseason games start Saturday night, which is good news. Will be better news when the games count for real, in a couple weeks.

[StarDust Bum]

Leading Off: NL wild card down to wire; Harper getting ABs
September 28, 2017

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

WILD CARD WEEKEND

The only playoff spot that hasn't been decided is the second NL wild card, with the Brewers trailing the Rockies by two games entering the season's final weekend. Milwaukee closes the season with three games at St. Louis, while Colorado plays its final three at home against the NL West champion Dodgers. Chase Anderson will start the Brewers' series opener. NL Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw will get his final start of the regular season on Saturday in Colorado, while the Rockies are expected to go with Chad Bettis, German Marquez and Tyler Chatwood.

CHASING 60

Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has three games left at home against the Braves to become the first player since Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa in 2001 to hit 60 homers in a season. He hit Nos. 58 and 59 on Thursday night, with the latter blast measured at 467 feet, according to Statcast. Stanton is the sixth player in major league history to hit 59, joining Bonds, Sosa, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire and Babe Ruth.

HARPER'S RECOVERY

Bryce Harper has three regular-season games left to get his timing back, and then he'll rest another four days before the Nationals host the Cubs in the NL Division Series opener. The 2015 NL MVP missed 42 games with a hyperextended left knee before he was activated on Tuesday. He played back-to-back games before resting Thursday, saying his knee was ''a little sore.'' Washington manager Dusty Baker said there was no cause for alarm about his star right fielder, who ranks second on the Nationals with 29 homers despite missing so much time.

PLAYOFF TUNE-UPS

The nine teams that have already clinched playoff berths are giving final tune-ups to some of their top starting pitchers. On Friday, Stephen Strasburg will start for the Nationals, Zack Greinke will throw for the Diamondbacks, Jose Quintana takes the mound for the Cubs, Doug Fister starts for the Red Sox and Trevor Bauer pitches for the Indians.

SOLD!

The sale of the Miami Marlins to a group including retired Yankees great Derek Jeter is scheduled to close Monday. Jeter has about a 4 percent stake in the group, and Bruce Sherman, who'll become the controlling owner, has the highest equity stake in the group, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. Jeter, who led the Yankees to five World Series titles, will head the team's baseball and business operations. Retired NBA great Michael Jordan will own about half of one percent of the team.

[StarDust Bum]

Stanton homers twice to reach 59
September 28, 2017

MIAMI (AP) Barry Bonds. Sammy Sosa. Mark McGwire. Roger Maris. Babe Ruth.

And now Giancarlo Stanton.

The Miami slugger homered twice to become the sixth player to reach 59 in a season, and the Marlins opened the last series of Jeffrey Loria's tenure as owner by beating the Atlanta Braves 7-1 on Thursday night.

''It's crazy to be in that company,'' Stanton said . ''It doesn't sink in yet. It doesn't make sense, really, yet. But it's really cool. It's everything I've worked for and it's something really cool.''

Stanton hit a solo home run in the fourth , then added a two-run drive in the eighth that would have gone 467 feet unimpeded, according to MLB's Statcast. He has 33 home runs since the All-Star break and 10 multihomer games this season.

''It's impressive. I think he should be impressed, because it's been something special here,'' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. ''Those two balls he hit tonight are obviously loud and quick and fun to watch. It's amazing when you see them. It's been fun watching this, that's for sure. Pretty amazing to me that somebody hits that many. It's just a lot of homers.''

Braves manager Brian Snitker could only tip his cap to Stanton afterward.

''It's incredible to watch him hit,'' Snitker said. ''He's having a monster year; a monster year all around.''

Ichiro Suzuki got his 27th pinch hit of the year, one shy of the record John Vander Wal set in 1995. Dee Gordon had two hits for the Marlins, who despite a 75-84 record assured themselves of second place in the NL East, their highest finish since 2009.

Lane Adams homered for Atlanta, which fell to 34-17 at Marlins Park. The Braves need to win two of its final three games to avoid three straight 90-loss seasons for the first time since 1988-90.

Marlins rookie Dillon Peters (1-2) allowed two hits and struck out four in 5 2/3 shutout innings for his first big league win. Braves starter Julio Teheran (11-13) gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings, including the first of Stanton's two homers.

''You don't know what to throw,'' Teheran said. ''Or you worry that if you throw it there, he might hit it really far.''

That's usually the case.

''There's really no doubt about most of his,'' Mattingly said.

These are Miami's final home games before a group led by Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman takes over as owners, a transition scheduled to close Monday. Marlins president David Samson isn't being retained and was emotional when speaking Thursday spoke of the looming farewell. Mattingly said he has yet to speak with Jeter - his former Yankees teammate - about what comes next.

''Watching Derek over the years, the way he does things, he's not going to come here and want to just get beat up,'' Mattingly said. ''He's going to come here and want to build this thing and do it right. It's going to be a positive with Derek here.''

But the Marlins aren't thinking about 2018 quite yet.

For now, the number in mind is 60 - Stanton's next target.

''It's impossible not to think about,'' Stanton said. ''But the more you think about it, the harder it's going to be in my perspective. Take the rest of the at-bats, simplify it, and if it happens, it happens. If not, then it's not failure. I think I'll survive.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Atlanta: LHP Max Fried will get the start in Sunday's season finale. RHP R.A. Dickey was under consideration for the spot, but barring some unplanned relief appearance, his season is apparently over.

Miami: SS Miguel Rojas, who was 5 for 10 in Miami's last three games, started on the bench for a bit of rest before coming in late. Mike Aviles started in his place.

THEY'RE NO. 2

The Marlins have never won a division title - hard to believe, considering they've won two World Series - and have now finished second only four times. They did it in the World Series years of 1997 and 2003, then again in 2009 - and missed the playoffs.

GORDON'S CHASE

Gordon has 196 hits and 58 stolen bases, the third player in MLB history to have multiple seasons with those numbers. Ty Cobb did it five times, former Marlins outfielder Juan Pierre did it three times and now Gordon has two such seasons.

TEHERAN'S YEAR

Teheran reached 30 starts for the fifth straight year, the first Braves pitcher to do so since Greg Maddux had eight in a row from 1996-2003. Teheran was 8-3 in 15 road starts.

UP NEXT

LHP Luiz Gohara (1-3, 4.63) starts for Atlanta on Friday night against Miami RHP Dan Straily (10-9, 4.08).

[StarDust Bum]

WILD-CARD RACE

AMERICAN LEAGUE

TEAM W L PCT GB

z-N.Y. Yankees 89 70 .560 +6
y-Minnesota 83 76 .522 -

Kansas City (E) 78 81 .491 5
L.A. Angels (E) 78 81 .491 5
Seattle (E) 77 82 .484 6
Tampa Bay (E) 77 82 .484 6
Texas (E) 76 83 .478 7
Baltimore (E) 75 84 .472 8
Toronto (E) 75 84 .472 8
Oakland (E) 74 85 .465 9
Chi. White Sox (E) 66 93 .415 17
Detroit (E) 63 96 .396 20

NATIONAL LEAGUE

TEAM W L PCT GB

y-Arizona 92 67 .579 +6

Colorado 86 73 .541 -

Milwaukee (2) 84 75 .528 2

St. Louis (E) 82 77 .516 4
Miami (E) 75 84 .472 11
Pittsburgh (E) 73 86 .459 13
Atlanta (E) 71 88 .447 15
San Diego (E) 70 89 .440 16
N.Y. Mets (E) 69 90 .434 17
Cincinnati (E) 67 92 .421 19
Philadelphia (E) 64 95 .403 22
San Francisco (E) 62 97 .390 24

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Friday, September 29

Cincinnati @ Chicago Cubs

Game 901-902
September 29, 2017 @ 2:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Stphnson) 15.100
Chicago Cubs
(Quntana) 16.683
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-180
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-180); N/A

Pittsburgh @ Washington

Game 903-904
September 29, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Cole) 14.173
Washington
(Strasburg) 15.863
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-185
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-185); Under

NY Mets @ Philadelphia

Game 905-906
September 29, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Harvey) 15.386
Philadelphia
(Lively) 12.213
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-135
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(+115); Over

Atlanta @ Miami

Game 907-908
September 29, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Gohara) 14.043
Miami
(Straily) 12.080
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
-150
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+130); Over

LA Dodgers @ Colorado

Game 909-910
September 29, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Ryu) 13.882
Colorado
(Bettis) 17.349
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 3 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-115
12
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-105); Under

Milwaukee @ St. Louis

Game 911-912
September 29, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Andrson) 16.201
St. Louis
(Gant) 12.803
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 3 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
N/A

San Diego @ San Francisco

Game 913-914
September 29, 2017 @ 10:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Lyles) 11.367
San Francisco
(Stratton) 13.849
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 2 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-135
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(-135); Over

Toronto @ NY Yankees

Game 915-916
September 29, 2017 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Biagini) 15.928
NY Yankees
(Tanaka) 17.076
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
N/A

Baltimore @ Tampa Bay

Game 917-918
September 29, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Miley) 14.335
Tampa Bay
(Odorizzi) 16.325
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-145
9
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-145); Over

Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland

Game 919-920
September 29, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Pelfrey) 15.163
Cleveland
(Bauer) 17704
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
N/A

Houston @ Boston

Game 921-922
September 29, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Morton) 18.876
Boston
(Fister) 15.943
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
N/A

Oakland @ Texas

Game 923-924
September 29, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Alcantara) 15.663
Texas
(Perez) 12.170
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 3 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-120
10 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(+100); Under

Detroit @ Minnesota

Game 925-926
September 29, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Boyd) 16.079
Minnesota
(Gibson) 15.014
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
N/A

Seattle @ LA Angels

Game 927-928
September 29, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Gonzales) 15.996
LA Angels
(Skaggs) 14.445
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-160
9
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(+140); Under

Arizona @ Kansas City

Game 929-930
September 29, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Greinke) 16.239
Kansas City
(Kennedy) 12.702
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 3 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-150
11
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-150); Over

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, September 29

National League
Reds @ Cubs
Stephenson is 1-2, 6.00 in his last two starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Reds are 2-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 5-3-2

Quintana is 2-0, 2.18 in his last five starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Cubs are 6-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-4-3

Reds lost eight of their last nine games; under is 10-4 in their last 14 games. Cincy is 5-14 in last 19 road series openers. Cubs won six of last eight games (under 5-2-1). Chicago is 6-1 in last seven home series openers.

Pirates @ Nationals
Cole is 1-3, 5.58 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Pirates are 9-7 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-14-8

Strasburg is 4-0, 1.06 in his last five starts; under is 7-1-1 in his last nine. Washington is 9-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 14-10-4

Pirates won four of their last five games; under is 13-2 in their last 15 road games. Washington is 7-4 in its last 11 games; under is 11-5-2 in their last 18 games.

Mets @ Phillies
Harvey is 1-3, 13.19 in his last four starts; over is 4-0-1 in his last five. Mets are 2-7 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-9

Lively is 0-1, 4.80 in his last three starts; under is 3-0-2 in his last five. Phillies are 2-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-9-4

Mets won their last three games; over is 7-3 in their last ten road games. NY is 2-5 in last seven road series openers. Phillies are 5-2 in last seven home games; under is 5-1 in their last six games. Phils are 7-6 in last 13 home series openers.

Braves @ Marlins
Gohara is 1-3, 5.02 in four starts (over 2-2). Braves won his only road start— their first 5-inning record with him: 0-3-1

Straily is 1-0, 1.64 in his last two starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Marlins are 9-7 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 17-11-4

Braves lost five of last six games; under is 7-1 in their last eight. Marlins lost three of last five games (under 4-1).

Dodgers @ Rockies
Ryu is 0-2, 4.24 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. dodgers are 3-8 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-11-4

Bettis is 1-3, 7.97 in his last five starts (under 7-1). Colorado is 2-2 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-5-1

Dodgers won their last four games, last three of which went over. LA is 13-5 in last 18 road series openers. Colorado won three of last four games; under is 8-2 in their last ten. Rockies are 15-5 in last 20 home series openers.

Brewers @ Cardinals
Anderson is 3-1, 1.99 in his last four starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Milwaukee is 7-5 in his road starts— their 1st 5-inning record with him: 15-7-2

Gant allowed one run in three IP (48 PT) in his first ’17 start, which was on the road. Cardinals’ first 5-inning record with him: 0-1

Milwaukee won five of last six road games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Brewers are 6-10 in last 16 road series openers. St Louis lost five of last six games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 home games. Cardinals are 8-5 in last 13 home series openers- they got eliminated yesterday, while Milwaukee is two games behind Colorado for Wild Card spot.

Padres @ Giants
Lyles is 1-2, 7.92 in four starts for San Diego (over 3-1). Padres split his two road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-2

Stratton is 1-1, 5.02 in his last four starts (under 5-4). Giants are 4-0 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-5-1

Padres lost their last four games, all of which went over. San Diego is 4-7 in last 11 road series openers. Giants lost four of last six games; under is 6-1 in their last seven home games. SF is 5-14 in last 19 home series openers.

——————————–

American League
Blue Jays @ New York
Biagini is 0-3, 7.71 in his last four starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Toronto is 3-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-10-1

Garcia is 0-3, 6.03 in eight starts for New York (under 6-2). NY is 2-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-5-2

Toronto won three of its last four games; their last four road games went over. Blue Jays are 7-12 in last 19 road series openers. New York won 11 of last 15 games; over is 7-5 in their last 12 home games. NY won its last four home series openers.

Orioles @ Rays
Miley is 0-4, 9.92 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Baltimore is 8-9 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 12-17-2

Odorizzi is 4-1, 3.62 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Tampa Bay is 4-8 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 14-10-4

Orioles lost four of last five games; under is 10-4 in their last 14 road games. Baltimore is 9-16 in road series openers. Tampa Bay lost three of last four games; under is 19-9-1 in their last 29 home games. Rays are 3-7 in last ten home series openers.

White Sox @ Indians
Pelfrey is 0-5, 8.76 in his last five starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. White Sox are 3-6 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-11-2

Bauer is 6-1, 3.10 in his last eight starts; under is 9-1-1 in his last 11. Cleveland is 9-7 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 18-8-4

White Sox won six of last eight games; under is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Chicago is 3-7 in last ten road series openers. Cleveland is 31-3 in its last 34 games; under is 10-3 in their last 13 home games. Indians are 10-1 in last 11 home series openers.

Astros @ Red Sox
Morton is 3-1, 2.74 in his last four starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Houston is 4-4 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 15-7-2

Fister is 0-1, 11.12 in his last three starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Boston is 3-5 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 5-9

Houston won 12 of its last 14 games; over is 5-0 in their last five. Boston won 10 of last 14 games; over is 6-1 in their last seven home games.

A’s @ Rangers
Alcantara is 1-0, 0.00 (8.2 IP) in two starts this season (over 1-1). A’s won his only road start— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-0

Perez is 0-2, 4.96 in his last three starts (under 3-0). Texas is 8-9 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-14-4

A’s won 9 of last 11 games; over is 9-6 in their last 15 road games. Texas lost its last seven games; under is 8-4 in their last 12.

Tigers @ Twins
Boyd is 1-0, 1.15 in his last two starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Detroit is 6-6 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-11-6

Berrios is 1-2, 4.50 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four starts. Minnesota is 8-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 14-8-3

Twins won five of last seven games but lost last two; over is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Minnesota is 6-3 in last nine road series openers. Detroit lost nine of its last ten games; over is 9-4-1 in their last 14. Tigers are 0-8 in last eight home series openers.

Mariners @ Angels
Gonzales is 1-1, 7.01 in six starts this season (over 5-1). Seattle is 2-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 4-4

Skaggs is 1-4, 5.98 in his last eight starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Angels are 4-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-9-3

Seattle is 3-8 in its last 11 games; their last eight series openers stayed under. Mariners are 11-5 in last 16 road series openers. Angels lost nine of last 11 games; under is 5-3 in their last eight. Halos are 6-15 in last 21 home series openers.

__________________________

Interleague

Diamondbacks @ Royals
Greinke is 3-0, 3.49 in his last six starts; under is 6-1-2 in his last nine starts. Arizona is 7-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 19-7-5

Kennedy is 0-4, 8.72 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Royals are 5-9 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-18-4

Arizona won five of last seven games (over 5-2). Snakes won four of last five road series openers. Royals are 5-3 in last eight home games; under is 4-1 in last five. KC is 4-7 in last 11 home series openers.

______________________________

Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
Cin-Chi: Stephenson 6-4; Quintana 9-4
Pitt-Wsh: Cole 17-15; Strasburg 21-6
NY-Phil: Harvey 6-11; Lively 13-14
Atl-Mia: Gohara 1-3; Straily 15-17
LA-Colo: Ryu 11-12; Bettis 3-5
Mil-StL: Anderson 13-11; Gant 0-1
SD-SF: Lyles 2-2; Stratton 5-4

American League
Tor-NY: Biagini 5-12; Garcia 4-4
Balt-TB: Miley 15-16; Odorizzi 12-15
Chi-Clev: Pelfrey 6-14; Bauer 17-13
Hst-Bos: Morton 15-9; Fister 8-6
A’s-Tex: Alcantara 2-0; Perez 15-16
Det-Min: Boyd 9-15; Berrios 14-11
Sea-LA: Gonzales 3-3; Skaggs 7-8

Interleague
Az-KC: Greinke 22-9; Kennedy 13-16

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
Cin-Chi: Stephenson 4-10; Quintana 4-13
Pitt-Wsh: Cole 11-32; Strasburg 4-27
NY-Phil: Harvey 10-17; Lively 6-27
Atl-Mia: Gohara 2-4; Straily 7-32
LA-Colo: Ryu 9-23; Bettis 3-8
Mil-StL: Anderson 7-24; Gant 0-1
SD-SF: Lyles 1-4; Stratton 1-8

American League
Tor-NY: Biagini 6-17; Garcia 6-8
Balt-TB: Miley 12-31; Odorizzi 8-27
Chi-Clev: Pelfrey 7-20; Bauer 4-30
Hst-Bos: Morton 3-24; Fister 9-14
A’s-Tex: Alcantara 0-2; Perez 12-31
Det-Min: Boyd 9-24; Berrios 6-25
Sea-LA: Gonzales 1-6; Skaggs 7-15

Interleague
Az-KC: Greinke 4-31; Kennedy 9-29

_________________________

Umpires
National League

American League

Interleague

Interleague play
NL @ AL– 84-57 AL, favorites -$280
AL @ NL– 75-72 NL, favorites +$396
Total: 156-131 AL, favorites +$116

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 71-68-4
AL @ NL: Over 75-65-8
Total: Over 146-133-12

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

Friday, September 29

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Trend Report
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1:05 PM
TORONTO vs. NY YANKEES
Toronto is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
NY Yankees are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games

2:20 PM
CINCINNATI vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home

7:05 PM
NY METS vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 13 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Philadelphia's last 15 games when playing NY Mets

7:05 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. WASHINGTON
Pittsburgh is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Washington
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games

7:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Cleveland is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games

7:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 9 games
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Miami is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games

7:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Houston is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 10 games when playing Houston

7:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. TAMPA BAY
Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games at home

8:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. TEXAS
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oakland's last 9 games on the road
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Texas's last 12 games

8:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. COLORADO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing Colorado
LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Colorado's last 18 games at home

8:10 PM
DETROIT vs. MINNESOTA
Detroit is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Detroit is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Minnesota's last 13 games when playing at home against Detroit
Minnesota is 2-15 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Detroit

8:15 PM
ARIZONA vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arizona's last 8 games on the road
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games at home
Kansas City is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Arizona

8:15 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Milwaukee's last 21 games on the road
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Milwaukee
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

10:07 PM
SEATTLE vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Seattle's last 23 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
Seattle is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of LA Angels's last 23 games when playing at home against Seattle
LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Seattle

10:15 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
San Diego is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games
San Francisco is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Diego
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 game

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, September 29

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

CINCINNATI (67 - 92) at CHICAGO CUBS (90 - 69) - 2:20 PM
ROBERT STEPHENSON (R) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 8-27 (-17.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
QUINTANA is 14-2 (+11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 36-37 (+7.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 90-69 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 902-819 (-158.0 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 420-379 (-84.7 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 35-35 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 69-55 (-14.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 49-40 (-9.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 829-775 (-156.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 10-6 (+0.4 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
11 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.7 Units)

ROBERT STEPHENSON vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
STEPHENSON is 0-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 7.04 and a WHIP of 2.477.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-2. (-2.2 units)

JOSE QUINTANA vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
QUINTANA is 1-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.600.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

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PITTSBURGH (73 - 86) at WASHINGTON (96 - 63) - 7:05 PM
GERRIT COLE (R) vs. STEPHEN STRASBURG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 73-86 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 29-49 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 46-64 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 115-136 (-32.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 35-50 (-15.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
PITTSBURGH is 2-13 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
WASHINGTON is 69-35 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
STRASBURG is 40-11 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 23-4 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 23-24 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 2-2 (+0.2 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

GERRIT COLE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
COLE is 3-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.56 and a WHIP of 1.010.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-5. (-5.5 units)

STEPHEN STRASBURG vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
STRASBURG is 4-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 0.837.
His team's record is 5-2 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.2 units)

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NY METS (69 - 90) at PHILADELPHIA (64 - 95) - 7:05 PM
MATT HARVEY (R) vs. BEN LIVELY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 69-90 (-29.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 54-67 (-21.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 29-36 (-13.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
HARVEY is 12-22 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 5-15 (-11.4 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 5-15 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 4-14 (-15.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 37-36 (+9.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
NY METS are 42-31 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 25-19 (+7.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 39-65 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 40-74 (-26.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 11-5 (+3.1 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
11 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.7 Units)

MATT HARVEY vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
HARVEY is 7-2 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 2.70 and a WHIP of 0.932.
His team's record is 7-3 (+2.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-4. (+1.8 units)

BEN LIVELY vs. NY METS since 1997
LIVELY is 1-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.03 and a WHIP of 1.200.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

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

ATLANTA (71 - 88) at MIAMI (75 - 84) - 7:10 PM
LUIZ GOHARA (L) vs. DANIEL STRAILY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 30-20 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
STRAILY is 35-28 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRAILY is 22-10 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRAILY is 9-1 (+8.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRAILY is 19-10 (+10.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 139-181 (+1.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 42-38 (+7.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ATLANTA is 71-87 (+23.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 50-57 (+21.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 56-63 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 98-82 (+25.9 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
MIAMI is 31-40 (-10.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
MIAMI is 64-84 (-27.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 10-6 (+3.9 Units) against MIAMI this season
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.3 Units)

LUIZ GOHARA vs. MIAMI since 1997
No recent starts.

DANIEL STRAILY vs. ATLANTA since 1997
STRAILY is 2-2 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.44 and a WHIP of 1.291.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.5 units)

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LA DODGERS (102 - 57) at COLORADO (86 - 73) - 8:10 PM
HYUN-JIN RYU (L) vs. CHAD BETTIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 18-31 (-14.4 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 86-79 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 11-16 (-22.0 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
LA DODGERS are 16-23 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 39-34 (-19.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
LA DODGERS are 140-103 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 94-92 (-35.0 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 3-8 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in road games after shutting out their opponent this season.
LA DODGERS are 12-14 (-11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
RYU is 2-7 (-7.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season. (Team's Record)
RYU is 1-9 (-10.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 86-73 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 40-28 (+12.8 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 41-32 (+12.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
COLORADO is 27-19 (+13.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
COLORADO is 33-27 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BETTIS is 24-16 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BETTIS is 12-3 (+9.5 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BETTIS is 21-8 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 71-31 (+22.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA DODGERS are 36-12 (+17.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 9-7 (+8.9 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-1.1 Units)

HYUN-JIN RYU vs. COLORADO since 1997
RYU is 3-5 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 4.97 and a WHIP of 1.584.
His team's record is 3-5 (-4.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-2. (+1.5 units)

CHAD BETTIS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
BETTIS is 1-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 6.32 and a WHIP of 1.787.
His team's record is 3-3 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-1. (+4.2 units)

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MILWAUKEE (84 - 75) at ST LOUIS (82 - 77) - 8:15 PM
CHASE ANDERSON (R) vs. JOHN GANT (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 9-7 (+3.9 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.6 Units)

CHASE ANDERSON vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
ANDERSON is 1-2 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.95 and a WHIP of 1.430.
His team's record is 3-5 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-3. (+0.9 units)

JOHN GANT vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

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

SAN DIEGO (70 - 89) at SAN FRANCISCO (62 - 97) - 10:15 PM
JORDAN LYLES (R) vs. CHRIS STRATTON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 70-89 (+4.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 39-44 (+6.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SAN DIEGO is 27-24 (+14.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 66-83 (+11.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 53-59 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 51-62 (+6.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 27-20 (+12.7 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 8-3 (+9.7 Units) against the money line after getting shut out this season.
SAN DIEGO is 83-100 (+13.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 27-24 (+14.1 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 36-29 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN DIEGO is 19-13 (+8.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 62-97 (-38.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 50-62 (-22.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 26-29 (-15.5 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 27-46 (-19.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 41-63 (-21.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 44-67 (-28.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 21-41 (-28.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 12-21 (-13.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 11-5 (+8.7 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

JORDAN LYLES vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
LYLES is 1-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 6.39 and a WHIP of 1.548.
His team's record is 2-4 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-5. (-4.8 units)

CHRIS STRATTON vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

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

TORONTO (75 - 84) at NY YANKEES (89 - 70) - 1:05 PM
JOE BIAGINI (R) vs. MASAHIRO TANAKA (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 9-7 (+3.4 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.3 Units)

JOE BIAGINI vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
BIAGINI is 0-2 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

MASAHIRO TANAKA vs. TORONTO since 1997
TANAKA is 8-4 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.19 and a WHIP of 1.122.
His team's record is 10-4 (+4.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-9. (-5.4 units)

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

BALTIMORE (75 - 84) at TAMPA BAY (77 - 82) - 7:10 PM
WADE MILEY (L) vs. JAKE ODORIZZI (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 28-49 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
BALTIMORE is 62-98 (-30.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 48-61 (-14.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BALTIMORE is 15-32 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 163-158 (+3.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 76-73 (+10.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 145-175 (-37.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 14-18 (-12.2 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 this season.
TAMPA BAY is 75-83 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 19-32 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 92-117 (-29.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 33-43 (-12.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TAMPA BAY is 49-55 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 8-8 (+0.5 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
10 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.4 Units)

WADE MILEY vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
MILEY is 4-4 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.03 and a WHIP of 1.098.
His team's record is 5-6 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-3. (+4.4 units)

JAKE ODORIZZI vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
ODORIZZI is 5-4 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 5.13 and a WHIP of 1.442.
His team's record is 8-8 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-6. (+3.0 units)

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

CHI WHITE SOX (66 - 93) at CLEVELAND (100 - 59) - 7:10 PM
MIKE PELFREY (R) vs. TREVOR BAUER (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 11-5 (+1.4 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.9 Units)

MIKE PELFREY vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
PELFREY is 2-4 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.66 and a WHIP of 1.594.
His team's record is 5-5 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-5. (-0.3 units)

TREVOR BAUER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BAUER is 5-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.90 and a WHIP of 1.209.
His team's record is 8-3 (+5.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-7. (-3.3 units)

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

HOUSTON (99 - 60) at BOSTON (92 - 67) - 7:10 PM
CHARLIE MORTON (R) vs. DOUG FISTER (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 2-2 (+0.3 Units) against HOUSTON this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

CHARLIE MORTON vs. BOSTON since 1997
MORTON is 1-0 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.200.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

DOUG FISTER vs. HOUSTON since 1997
FISTER is 1-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.77 and a WHIP of 1.154.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.2 units)

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

OAKLAND (74 - 85) at TEXAS (76 - 83) - 8:05 PM
RAUL ALCANTARA (R) vs. MARTIN PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 365-461 (-97.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 since 1997.
OAKLAND is 28-50 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
OAKLAND is 10-25 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
OAKLAND is 40-58 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
OAKLAND is 8-25 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 171-153 (+23.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 79-70 (+14.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 127-106 (+25.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 127-115 (+13.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 146-123 (+42.7 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 10 to 10.5 since 1997.
OAKLAND is 16-10 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
OAKLAND is 37-35 (+7.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TEXAS is 39-44 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TEXAS is 18-25 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 10-6 (+4.3 Units) against TEXAS this season
10 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.9 Units)

RAUL ALCANTARA vs. TEXAS since 1997
ALCANTARA is 2-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.232.
His team's record is 2-2 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.3 units)

MARTIN PEREZ vs. OAKLAND since 1997
PEREZ is 6-7 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 5.29 and a WHIP of 1.531.
His team's record is 8-7 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-8. (-1.4 units)

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

DETROIT (63 - 96) at MINNESOTA (83 - 76) - 8:10 PM
MATT BOYD (L) vs. KYLE GIBSON (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 9-7 (+1.6 Units) against DETROIT this season
11 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+7.8 Units)

MATT BOYD vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
BOYD is 5-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.046.
His team's record is 7-3 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+2.0 units)

KYLE GIBSON vs. DETROIT since 1997
GIBSON is 6-7 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 5.51 and a WHIP of 1.488.
His team's record is 7-8 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-7. (-1.8 units)

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

SEATTLE (77 - 82) at LA ANGELS (78 - 81) - 10:05 PM
MARCO GONZALES (L) vs. TYLER SKAGGS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 77-82 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 35-46 (-15.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
LA ANGELS are 78-81 (+0.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 35-24 (+13.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 61-29 (+20.2 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 60-58 (+3.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 44-36 (+14.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
LA ANGELS are 34-13 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 41-25 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 14-4 (+9.9 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.
LA ANGELS are 9-16 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in September games this season.
LA ANGELS are 15-36 (-22.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 39-44 (-10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 10-6 (+5.8 Units) against SEATTLE this season
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.3 Units)

MARCO GONZALES vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
GONZALES is 0-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 2.08 and a WHIP of 1.155.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

TYLER SKAGGS vs. SEATTLE since 1997
SKAGGS is 1-2 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 4.67 and a WHIP of 1.587.
His team's record is 3-3 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-4. (-2.1 units)

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

ARIZONA (92 - 67) at KANSAS CITY (78 - 81) - 8:15 PM
ZACK GREINKE (R) vs. IAN KENNEDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 78-81 (+2.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 88-71 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 60-59 (+4.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 38-36 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ARIZONA is 92-67 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 65-46 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 68-50 (+11.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 56-35 (+17.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 140-96 (+30.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
GREINKE is 22-9 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 14-2 (+11.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 282-398 (-108.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
KANSAS CITY is 17-23 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in home games in September games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

ZACK GREINKE vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
GREINKE is 0-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.143.
His team's record is 0-3 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.8 units)

IAN KENNEDY vs. ARIZONA since 1997
KENNEDY is 2-2 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 5.93 and a WHIP of 1.939.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+3.2 units)

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TOR at NYY 01:05 PM

U 8.5

CIN at CHC 02:20 PM

O 7.0

NYM at PHI 07:05 PM

O 9.5

PIT at WAS 07:05 PM

PIT +165

CHW at CLE 07:10 PM

O 8.5

HOU at BOS 07:10 PM

O 10.0

BAL at TB 07:10 PM

BAL +125

O 9.0

ATL at MIA 07:10 PM

U 8.5

OAK at TEX 08:05 PM

O 10.5

DET at MIN 08:10 PM

U 8.5

LAD at COL 08:10 PM

U 12.0

MIL at STL 08:15 PM

U 8.5

ARI at KC 08:15 PM

U 9.0

SEA at LAA 10:07 PM

SEA +140

U 8.5

SD at SF 10:15 PM

U 8.5

[StarDust Bum]

Baseball Capsules
September 29, 2017

BOSTON (AP) The Boston Red Sox once again failed to clinch the AL East, losing 3-2 to Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros on Friday night.

The magic number for the Red Sox remained at one. Boston leads the New York Yankees by two games - both teams have two games left and they are each assured playoff spots.

If Boston and New York wind up even, they will play a one-game tiebreaker Monday at Yankee Stadium for the division crown, with the loser going to the wild-card game.

Bregman homered and drove in three runs for Houston, which reached 100 wins for the second time in team history. Charlie Morton (14-7) pitched into the sixth inning, and Ken Giles got three outs for his 34th save.

ROCKIES 9, DODGERS 1

DENVER (AP) - Nolan Arenado hit the first of Colorado's four homers, and Chad Bettis picked up his second win since his return from testicular cancer.

The Rockies have two games remaining and hold a two-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.

Mark Reynolds, Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story also connected for Colorado. Bettis (2-4) allowed one run over seven innings.

Los Angeles' Hyun-Jin Ryu (5-9) allowed five runs over two innings. It was his shortest outing this season.

BREWERS 5, CARDINALS 3

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Stephen Vogt homered and drove in three runs, Chase Anderson pitched seven solid innings, and Milwaukee kept its playoff hopes alive.

The Brewers entered two games behind the Rockies for the second NL wild card. Milwaukee has won four of its last six games.

Anderson (12-4) allowed one run and three hits in his fourth win in his last five starts.

Cardinals rookie shortstop Paul DeJong hit his 25th homer in the fourth. John Gant (0-1) allowed four runs in five innings in his second start of the season.

TWINS 6, TIGERS 3

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Brian Dozier hit a three-run homer in the second inning, leading Minnesota to the victory.

Eduardo Escobar also homered and drove in three runs, helping the Twins bail Kyle Gibson out of a 3-0 deficit after an RBI triple by Alex Presley and a two-run home run by Nicholas Castellanos.

Gibson was removed after 4 2/3 innings, so Jose Berrios (14-8) was credited with the win after recording four outs in a tune-up relief outing. Matt Belisle notched his ninth save with a perfect ninth inning for the Twins, who will visit New York or Boston on Tuesday in the AL wild-card game.

Detroit's Matt Boyd (6-11) allowed five runs in five innings.

YANKEES 4, BLUE JAYS 0

NEW YORK (AP) - Masahiro Tanaka struck out 15 over seven innings, his highest total since coming to the major leagues, and the playoff-bound Yankees won for the fourth time in five games.

Tanaka (13-12) retired his first 14 batters before Ezequiel Carerra reached on an infield single up the middle. Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 21st save in 25 chances.

Greg Bird had two hits and two RBIs for New York, and Aaron Judge also drove in a run.

Toronto right-hander Joe Biagini (3-13) allowed three runs and six hits in five innings.

MARLINS 6, BRAVES 5

MIAMI (AP) - Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton had two hits, but remained at 59 home runs.

Marcell Ozuna drove in three runs for Miami, which trailed 5-0 heading into the sixth inning. Adam Conley (8-8) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win, and Brad Ziegler got two outs for his 10th save.

The Marlins scored four times in the seventh. Justin Bour's two-run single gave Miami a 6-5 lead. The Marlins also got run-scoring singles from Ozuna and Stanton off Dan Winkler (0-1).

Ozzie Albies and Lane Adams homered for Atlanta.

CUBS 5, REDS 4

CHICAGO (AP) - Ian Happ hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Cubs won for the 14th time in 17 games.

With a second straight NL Central title in hand and their sights set on another World Series championship, the Cubs held sluggers Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant out of the lineup.

Trailing 4-2 in the eighth, Tommy La Stella started the rally with a one-out single against Amir Garrett. Taylor Davis then singled to third off Michael Lorenzen (8-4). After Kyle Schwarber struck out, Happ drove his 24th homer to left.

Brian Duensing (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth. Justin Grimm worked the ninth for his first save in three chances.

NATIONALS 6, PIRATES 1

WASHINGTON (AP) - Stephen Strasburg pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings for Washington, and Ryan Zimmerman homered twice.

Strasburg (15-4) gave up two hits, struck out eight and walked two. He is 5-1 with a 0.84 ERA since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 19.

Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the sixth and a solo shot in the eighth for the NL East champions. It was his seventh multihomer game of the season.

Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole (12-12) was charged with three runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

INDIANS 10, WHITE SOX 1

CLEVELAND (AP) - Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run double for the AL Central champion Indians, and Jay Bruce and Jose Ramirez drove in two runs apiece.

Cleveland maintained its one-game lead over Houston for the best record in the AL with two games remaining. The top seed will play the winner of the wild-card game between the Yankees and Twins in the Division Series.

The Indians' 101 victories are the second-most in franchise history and set a record for wins by an AL Central team.

Cleveland's Trevor Bauer (17-9) allowed one run over six innings.

Cleveland built a 10-0 lead after three innings, aided by six walks from Mike Pelfrey (3-12) and an error by shortstop Tim Anderson.

ROYALS 2, DIAMONDBACKS 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City's Ian Kennedy picked up his first home victory in more than a year.

Kennedy (5-13) snapped a franchise record of 18 winless home starts, holding the postseason-bound Diamondbacks to one run in five innings. It was his first Kauffman Stadium victory since Aug. 20, 2016.

Jake Lamb hit his 30th homer in the second for Arizona. Zack Greinke (17-7) allowed two runs in four-plus innings in his final tuneup before starting the wild-card game Wednesday in Phoenix against Colorado or Milwaukee.

RANGERS 5, ATHLETICS 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Shin-Soo Choo tied a career high with his 22nd home run, helping Texas end a seven-game skid.

Rangers left-hander Martin Perez (13-12) allowed three runs in six-plus innings. The 13 wins are a career high for Perez and the loss guaranteed Oakland would finish last in the AL West.

A's catcher Bruce Maxwell took a knee during the national anthem and was booed by a portion of the crowd before and after the song. It was the first time Maxwell has taken a knee on the field in an opposing ballpark.

Oakland's Raul Alcantara (1-2) was charged with four runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Alex Claudio worked a scoreless ninth for his 11th save.

RAYS 7, ORIOLES 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison homered, and Tampa Bay clinched third place in the AL East.

Longoria hit a leadoff drive in the fifth against Wade Miley (8-15), marking Longoria's fifth straight 20-homer season and the ninth of his 10-year career.

Morrison hit his 38th homer off Chris Tillman in the seventh.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi left his final start of the season after four innings with a sore right knee. Brad Boxberger (4-4) got the win.

PHILLIES 6, METS 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Maikel Franco, Jorge Alfaro and Cesar Hernandez homered, powering Philadelphia to the victory.

Earlier in the day, the Phillies (65-95) announced manager Pete Mackanin would not return to the dugout in 2018. Mackanin was given a role as a senior adviser to general manager Matt Klentak.

Jose Reyes and Dominic Smith connected for New York, which had won three in a row. Matt Harvey (5-7) allowed four runs and seven hits in four innings.

Ben Lively (4-7) pitched six effective innings for Philadelphia.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB notebook: Mackanin out as Phillies' manager in 2018
September 29, 2017
By STATS LLC Editorial
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The Philadelphia Phillies relieved Pete Mackanin of his managerial duties on Friday but are retaining him as a special assistant to general manager Matt Klentak.

The Phillies announced the news in what ranked as a relatively surprising move because they extended Mackanin's contract in May. He is signed through 2018 with a team option for 2019.

Also, Philadelphia has enjoyed a strong second half behind the emergence of some young players, including slugger Rhys Hoskins. The Phillies are 64-95 entering Friday night's home game against the New York Mets, but they are 35-37 since the All-Star break.

--Chicago Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta apparently won't be available until Game 3 of the playoff series against the Washington Nationals due to his ailing right hamstring.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Arrieta was being scratched from Sunday's start in the regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Reds. He said Arrieta needs the time off to allow the hamstring to heal.

Arrieta originally suffered the injury on Sept. 4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He experienced issues with the hamstring in his most recent outing when he lasted just three innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

--The Minnesota Twins are adding a significant piece back into their lineup with three games left in the regular season by activating third baseman Miguel Sano from the 10-day disabled list.

Sano sat out the last 38 games with a stress reaction in his left shin after fouling a ball off his leg. The 24-year-old slugger represented the Twins at the All-Star Game in July and is batting .267 with 28 home runs and 77 RBIs.

Sano was activated in time to be added to the Minnesota roster for Tuesday's wild card playoff game. He is likely to serve as the designated hitter in that contest.

[StarDust Bum]

Leading Off: Red Sox, Rockies try to clinch, Stanton near 60
September 29, 2017

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:

TRY AGAIN

The Boston Red Sox make their third bid to clinch the AL East crown when Drew Pomeranz (16-6, 3.38 ERA) faces Lance McCullers and the 100-win Houston Astros at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have lost two in a row and are 1-4 on their homestand. Boston's magic number is still one for closing out the Yankees - the Red Sox hold a two-game edge and each team has two games left. Both clubs already are assured playoff spots. If New York wins two against Toronto while the Red Sox twice lose to the Astros, there will be a one-game tiebreaker at Yankee Stadium on Monday for the division crown.

ALMOST

The Colorado Rockies will try to become the 10th and final club to seal a playoff spot this season. If they win with rookie German Marquez pitching against the Dodgers, or Milwaukee loses at St. Louis, the Rockies claim a berth and will play at Arizona in the NL wild-card game Wednesday.

TAKING AIM

Giancarlo Stanton has 59 home runs going into Miami's game at home against Atlanta. He doubled and singled Friday night. Marlins manager Don Mattingly says he might move up Stanton from the second spot in the lineup to leadoff this weekend to maybe get him an extra at-bat in the pursuit of No. 60.

SLOW GOING

Nationals star Bryce Harper is scheduled for a day off. He went 0 for 4 Friday night, striking out twice and hitting into two double plays against Pittsburgh. Harper returned this week after missing more than six weeks because of a hyperextended left knee. He hasn't played a full nine innings since coming back for the NL East champions.

FINAL PITCH

Max Scherzer or Clayton Kershaw - the NL Cy Young Award race figures to be a close vote, with those two aces probably at the top of the pack. Both will get one more chance to make their case when Scherzer and the Nationals face Pittsburgh, while Kershaw and the Dodgers play at Colorado.

Kershaw is 18-4 with a league-leading 2.21 ERA. The three-time NL Cy Young winner has struck out 200 and walked just 30 in 171 innings.

Scherzer is 16-6 record with a 2.55 ERA and an NL-best 263 strikeouts. He's logged 197 1/3 innings this season and held opponents to a .179 batting average. He won the AL Cy Young award in 2013 and the NL honor last season.

SO LONG

Matt Cain is set to pitch for the final time in his accomplished career with the San Francisco Giants. A day before his 33rd birthday, he figures to get a loud cheer from the home fans at AT&T Park when he faces San Diego.

Cain helped the Giants win a pair of World Series championships and also pitched a perfect game. He made his major league debut in 2005 with the Giants and has been beset by injuries in recent years. The three-time All-Star is 3-11 with a 5.66 ERA this season and says ''I can't picture myself putting a different uniform on.''