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  • Monday’s six-pack

    Six most popular picks for Week 5 in the Westgate Super Contest:

    6) Kansas City Chiefs even, 615- W

    5) Buffalo Bills +3, 650- L

    4) Los Angeles Rams -1, 725- L

    3) Houston Texans even, 778- L

    2) Cincinnati Bengals -3, 847- W

    1) Detroit Lions -2.5, 1,053- L

    Season record of top 6 picks: 13-17

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

    Monday’s List of 13: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday

    Patriots 19, Buccaneers 14— Tampa Bay missed three FG’s; they’ll have a new kicker next week. Bucs had ball on Patriots’ 15-yard line when game ended, but ran out of time. Both teams gained 400+ yards, but combined to score only 27 points on seven red zone drives. Big improvement for New England defense, but they still allowed 409 yards.

    Chargers 27, Giants 22— Manning was sacked/fumbled on his own 11 with 3:46 left, Chargers scored three plays later for their first win of the year. Giants are 0-5 and head to Denver next week without WR Beckham, who broke his ankle. Four of Chargers’ five games were decided by 5 or less points. Giants never got in red zone in this game; their TD’s were on plays of 23-29-48 yards. Chargers are 23-11-1 in last 35 games as a road underdog.

    Bengals 20, Bills 16— Cincy outgained Bills 388-221, but turned ball over three times (-2); they held Buffalo to 3.8 ypa. Both teams scored 13 points on three red zone drives. Buffalo is now +8 in turnovers for the year, but they need their passing game to drive the bus now and then. For the week, individual team over/unders are 14-12 Under heading to Monday night.

    Jets 17, Browns 14— Cleveland changed QB’s at halftime, trailing 3-0; Hogan went 16-19 for 194 yards in two TD’s in 2nd half, would think he is now the #1 guy. Browns had ball in red zone three times, scored zero points, turning ball over twice in red zone in first half, then losing ball on downs in 3rd quarter. Suddenly Jets have won three games in row and tied for first in AFC East with Bills/Patriots. Browns are 4-11 vs spread in last 15 games when favored.

    Jaguars 30, Steelers 9— While the Giants are 0-5, Tom Coughlin’s Jaguars are 3-2- they picked Roethlisberger off five times in this game (+4), with pair of pick-6’s 2:30 apart in third quarter when Steelers led 9-7. Jaguars are +10 in turnovers already. Steelers lost two of last three games; they didn’t score a TD in this game. Jax ran ball for 231 yards; they’ve run ball for 155+ yards in 4 of their 5 games.

    Dolphins 16, Titans 10— Awful offense on both sides; they averaged 3.1, 2.8 ypa- these are NFL teams!!! Dolphins have three TD’s on 42 drives this season- why are they paying Cutler $10M? Backup QB Cassel was 21-32/119 passing for Titans, who lost 57-14 LW. Titans are 8-34 on 3rd down the last three games- they went 3/out on 16 of last 26 drives. Longest play from scrimmage in this game was 17 yards- very rare there is a game with no plays of 20+ yards.

    Colts 26, 49ers 23 (OT)— All three Indy home games have been decided by 3 points; Brissett threw an awful INT in red zone on Colts’ first possession of OT, but Vinatieri bailed them out on next possession, bitting 51-yard FG to send everyone home happy. Colts had 7 plays of 20+ yards, most of any NFL team this week; they had 11-yard edge in field position, but scored only 13 points on four red zone drives. At 2-3, Colts are still alive with QB Luck expected back soon.

    Eagles 34, Cardinals 7— Philly won this game easily, holding Cardinals to 31 rushing yards- they averaged 9.6 ypa. Eagles are 39-73 on 3rd down this year- they’re up 1.5 games in NFC East. Arizona gave up 12 TD’s in their three losses, one each in their wins, by a FG each over Colts/49ers. Cardinals have run ball for only 51.8 yards a game this year- they lost field position by 15 yards in this game. Hard to win that way.

    Panthers (3-1) @ Lions (3-1)— Carolina is now 3-0 on the road, scoring 23-33-27 points. Cam Newton lit Detroit up; he was 26-33/334 passing, averaging over 9.0 ypa for 2nd week in row. Newton lost his Dannon yogurt commercial because of his comment to a woman reporter last week- Dak Prescott takes his place. Detroit was +9 in turnovers coming in; they were -1 here, and lost field position for first time this year.

    Seahawks 16, Rams 10— Los Angeles in the red zone Sunday:
    1st quarter: Lost fumble on 1-yard line
    2nd quarter: Kicked a 34-yard field goal
    3rd quarter: Missed a 35-yard field goal
    3rd quarter: Threw INT on a screen pass
    4th quarter: Lost ball on downs as game ended.

    Thats five trips to red zone, 3 points, a total of five turnovers (-3). Can’t win that way.

    Ram opponents are 24-49 on 3rd down the last three games.

    Ravens 30, Raiders 17— Baltimore’s season so far:
    First two games: +7 turnovers, won 20-0/24-10. Led 17-0/21-7 at half.
    Second two games: -5 turnovers, lost 44-7/26-9. Trailed 23-0/19-0 at half.
    Sunday at Oakland: 8.5 ypa, no turnovers, led 21-3.

    Raiders lost their last three games; their QB has a broken back, and his backup lost his last six NFL starts. Not good.

    Packers 35, Cowboys 31— Aaron Rodgers drove Green Bay 75 yards on nine plays for the winning TD with 0:11 left, after Dallas had taken the lead with 1:13 left. Cowboys led 21-6 at one point, but Rodgers is a great QB- Packers are 4-1 now. Green Bay is now 7-1 in last eight games against the Cowboys, winning last three visits to Dallas, 37-36/34-31/35-31.

    Chiefs 42, Texans 34— JJ Watt broke his leg, which took the air out of the building early on; Kansas City won/covered its first five games, scoring 17 TD’s on 52 drives. Chiefs are 13-2 as a road favorite under Reid. Rookie QB Watson threw five TD passes in a losing cause; in last two years, Cleveland has passed on Wentz, Prescott and Watson- their QB now is Kevin Hogan. Good thing guy that runs their franchise went to an Ivy League school- an educated imbecile.
    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

    Comment


    • MLB
      Dunkel

      Monday, October 9


      Washington @ Chicago Cubs

      Game 905-906
      October 9, 2017 @ 4:05 pm

      Dunkel Rating:
      Washington
      (Scherzer) 14.951
      Chicago Cubs
      (Quntana) 15.911
      Dunkel Team:
      Dunkel Line:
      Dunkel Total:
      Chicago Cubs
      by 1
      11
      Vegas Team:
      Vegas Line:
      Vegas Total:
      Washington
      -130
      No Total
      Dunkel Pick:
      Chicago Cubs
      (+110); N/A

      LA Dodgers @ Arizona


      Game 907-908
      October 9, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

      Dunkel Rating:
      LA Dodgers
      (Darvish) 14.771
      Arizona
      (Greinke) 17.583
      Dunkel Team:
      Dunkel Line:
      Dunkel Total:
      Arizona
      by 3
      11
      Vegas Team:
      Vegas Line:
      Vegas Total:
      LA Dodgers
      -125
      9
      Dunkel Pick:
      Arizona
      (+105); Over

      Houston @ Boston


      Game 909-910
      October 9, 2017 @ 1:05 pm

      Dunkel Rating:
      Houston
      (Morton) 17.515
      Boston
      (Porcello) 16.304
      Dunkel Team:
      Dunkel Line:
      Dunkel Total:
      Houston
      by 1
      9
      Vegas Team:
      Vegas Line:
      Vegas Total:
      Houston
      -120
      10 1/2
      Dunkel Pick:
      Houston
      (-120); Under

      Cleveland @ NY Yankees


      Game 911-912
      October 9, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

      Dunkel Rating:
      Cleveland
      (Bauer) 15.814
      NY Yankees
      (Severino) 19.367
      Dunkel Team:
      Dunkel Line:
      Dunkel Total:
      NY Yankees
      by 3 1/2
      7
      Vegas Team:
      Vegas Line:
      Vegas Total:
      NY Yankees
      No Line
      N/A
      Dunkel Pick:
      NY Yankees
      N/A





      MLB
      Armadillo's Write-Up

      Monday, October 9


      Houston @ Boston
      Astros are 6-4 vs Boston this season; home team won first three series games.

      Morton is 3-0, 1.96 in his last three starts, all of which stayed under. Houston is 5-4 n his road starts this season. He allowed two runs in 5.1 IP in a 3-2 win over Boston 10 days ago.

      Porcello is 2-2, 6.26 in his last five starts; over is 7-4 in his last 11 starts. Boston is 8-11 in his home starts this year. He lost 7-1 to the Astros June 17, giving up seven runs in six IP, and pitched a scoreless inning in relief in Game 2 Friday.

      Red Sox are in playoffs for 3rd time in last five years; they got swept 3-0 by Cleveland in this round last year. Houston is in playoffs for second time in three years; they’ve never won the World Series, losing 4-0 to the White Sox in 2005.

      Cleveland @ New York
      New York is 3-7 vs Cleveland this season; home teams won all three games in this series.

      Bauer is 2-0, 0.92 in his last three starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven starts. Indians are 8-7 in his road starts. Bauer is pitching on 3 days’ rest; he is 3-0, 0.92 vs New York this season.

      Severino got KO’s in first inning of Wild Card game Tuesday; he is 1-0, 6.75 in his last three starts. Over is 3-1 in his last four starts. New York is 12-5 in his home starts; they won his last six starts overall. Severino is 1-1, 3.38 vs Cleveland this season.

      New York is in the playoffs for second time in the last five years; they last made the ALCS in 2012- they beat Twins 7-4 in Wild Card game Tuesday, with bullpen getting 26 of the 27 outs. Indians lost Game 7 of the World Series last year; they haven’t won a World Series since 1948. They’re in playoffs for 3rd time in last five years.

      Arizona @ Los Angeles
      Dodgers won first two games of this season, both of which went over the total. Arizona is 11-10 vs LA this season, 7-3 in Phoenix. Over is 12-9 in Arizona-LA games this season.

      Darvish is 2-0, 0.93 in his last three starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight starts. Dodgers are 8-7 in his road starts this season; he allowed two runs in five IP in an 8-6 win at Arizona 8-6, his only start against the Diamondbacks this season.

      Greinke is 0-1, 10.80 in his last three starts; over is 4-3 in his last seven outings. Arizona is 15-3 in his home starts this season. Greinke is 1-2, 3.65 in four starts against the Dodgers this year.

      Dodgers haven’t been to the World Series since 1988; this is their 5th year in a row in playoffs. Arizona won the Wild Card game 11-8 Wednesday, lost 9-4 last night; this is the first time they’re in the playoffs since 2011.

      Washington @ Chicago
      Washington is 5-4 against the Cubs this season (over 6-3): Nationals rallied for five runs in bottom of 8th inning Saturday to even this series 1-1.

      Scherzer is 2-0, 1.65 in his last three starts (under 3-0), but left his last start with hamstring cramps. Nationals are 11-5 in his road starts. Scherzer beat the Cubs 6-1 on June 27, allowing one run in six IP.

      Cubs won Quintana’s last six starts (3-0, 2.82); under is 5-3 in his last eight starts. Cubs are 3-3 in his road starts. He hasn’t pitched against Washington this season.

      Cubs won the World Series LY, their first title since 1908; this is their 3rd year in a row in the playoffs. Washington is in the playoffs for 4th time in six years- they lost in this round the previous three times. Nationals have never been in the World Series.

      AL Wild Card
      NYY 8-4 Minn -$255, O7.5

      NL Wild Card
      Ariz 11-8 Colo -$148, O8.5

      Divisional series
      Hous 8-2 Bos, -$120, O7
      Hous 8-2 Bos, -$185, O8.5
      Bos 10-3 Hst, +$117, O9.5

      Clev 4-0 NYY -$130, U8.5
      Clev 9-8 NYY (13), -$210, O7
      NYY 1-0 Clev, -$109, U8.5

      Cubs 3-0 Wash, +$135, U7.5
      Wash 6-3 Chi, -$117, O8.5

      LA 9-4 Ariz, -$270, O7.5
      LA 8-5 Ariz, -$142, O8




      MLB

      Monday, October 9


      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Trend Report
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      1:08 PM
      HOUSTON vs. BOSTON
      Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
      Houston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
      The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston's last 14 games when playing at home against Houston
      Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

      4:08 PM
      WASHINGTON vs. CHI CUBS
      Washington is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
      The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
      Chi Cubs are 16-5 SU in their last 21 games
      Chi Cubs are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games at home

      7:08 PM
      CLEVELAND vs. NY YANKEES
      Cleveland is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
      The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road
      NY Yankees are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Cleveland
      NY Yankees are 15-7 SU in their last 22 games

      10:08 PM
      LA DODGERS vs. ARIZONA
      The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Dodgers's last 9 games when playing Arizona
      LA Dodgers are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Arizona
      Arizona is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
      Arizona is 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

      Comment


      • MLB
        Long Sheet

        Monday, October 9


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

        WASHINGTON (98 - 66) at CHICAGO CUBS (93 - 71) - 3:05 PM
        MAX SCHERZER (R) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
        Top Trends for this game.
        WASHINGTON is 26-29 (-16.5 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
        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 50-31 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
        WASHINGTON is 33-17 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
        SCHERZER is 26-6 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
        CHICAGO CUBS are 93-71 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
        CHICAGO CUBS are 904-820 (-157.9 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
        CHICAGO CUBS are 16-23 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in home games in October games since 1997.
        CHICAGO CUBS are 37-36 (-20.7 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
        CHICAGO CUBS are 72-56 (-12.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
        CHICAGO CUBS are 32-33 (-9.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

        Head-to-Head Series History
        WASHINGTON is 5-4 (+1.3 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
        5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.7 Units)

        MAX SCHERZER vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
        SCHERZER is 3-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 2.92 and a WHIP of 0.973.
        His team's record is 3-3 (-0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.4 units)

        JOSE QUINTANA vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
        No recent starts.

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

        LA DODGERS (106 - 58) at ARIZONA (94 - 71) - 10:05 PM
        YU DARVISH (R) vs. ZACK GREINKE (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 88-80 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
        LA DODGERS are 7-10 (-11.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday this season.
        LA DODGERS are 16-24 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
        LA DODGERS are 43-35 (-16.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
        LA DODGERS are 143-104 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
        LA DODGERS are 95-93 (-35.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
        DARVISH is 14-17 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
        ARIZONA is 94-71 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
        ARIZONA is 53-29 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
        ARIZONA is 30-15 (+11.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
        ARIZONA is 46-33 (+10.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
        ARIZONA is 66-50 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
        ARIZONA is 69-52 (+10.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
        ARIZONA is 36-31 (+7.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
        GREINKE is 23-10 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
        GREINKE is 16-3 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
        GREINKE is 101-49 (+38.4 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
        LA DODGERS are 74-32 (+24.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
        LA DODGERS are 37-13 (+17.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.

        Head-to-Head Series History
        ARIZONA is 11-10 (+4.2 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
        12 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

        YU DARVISH vs. ARIZONA since 1997
        DARVISH is 2-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.75 and a WHIP of 0.966.
        His team's record is 2-1 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.6 units)

        ZACK GREINKE vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
        GREINKE is 4-4 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.366.
        His team's record is 7-4 (+3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-6. (-1.8 units)

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

        HOUSTON (103 - 62) at BOSTON (94 - 71) - 1:05 PM
        CHARLIE MORTON (R) vs. RICK PORCELLO (R)
        Top Trends for this game.
        BOSTON is 76-51 (+13.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
        HOUSTON is 103-62 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
        HOUSTON is 26-15 (+9.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
        HOUSTON is 53-29 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
        HOUSTON is 37-19 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
        HOUSTON is 80-38 (+24.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
        HOUSTON is 40-20 (+9.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
        HOUSTON is 20-9 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
        MORTON is 28-11 (+14.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
        BOSTON is 1-12 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in October games over the last 3 seasons.
        BOSTON is 48-44 (-9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
        BOSTON is 58-58 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
        BOSTON is 227-230 (-65.1 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.
        PORCELLO is 2-8 (-9.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season. (Team's Record)

        Head-to-Head Series History
        HOUSTON is 6-4 (+1.2 Units) against BOSTON this season
        5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

        CHARLIE MORTON vs. BOSTON since 1997
        MORTON is 2-0 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 1.74 and a WHIP of 0.968.
        His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

        RICK PORCELLO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
        PORCELLO is 1-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 5.49 and a WHIP of 1.271.
        His team's record is 2-1 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.7 units)

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

        CLEVELAND (104 - 61) at NY YANKEES (93 - 73) - 7:05 PM
        TREVOR BAUER (R) vs. LUIS SEVERINO (R)
        There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

        Head-to-Head Series History
        CLEVELAND is 7-3 (+4.2 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
        5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.5 Units)

        TREVOR BAUER vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
        BAUER is 4-4 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.01 and a WHIP of 1.374.
        His team's record is 5-4 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-4. (-1.3 units)

        LUIS SEVERINO vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
        SEVERINO is 2-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 2.49 and a WHIP of 0.987.
        His team's record is 2-2 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-0. (+4.1 units)
        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

        Comment


        • Monday's MLB Division Series Betting Preview and Odds

          All four Division Series matchups will be in action Monday. The Astros will try again to close out the Red Sox and the Indians will look to do the same against the Yankees while the Cubs-Nats and D-Backs-Dodgers will resume after a travel day with a pair or crucial Game 3’s.

          Boston Red Sox at Houston Astros (+107, 10.5)

          Astros lead series 2-1

          Hanley Ramirez struggled through the final two months of the regular season and was left out of the Boston Red Sox's starting lineup in Game 1 of their American League Division Series. The veteran slugger seems to be back in form after an injury gave him another shot and looks to stay hot as the Red Sox attempt to even the best-of-five series at two wins apiece when they host the Houston Astros on Monday afternoon.

          Ramirez, who batted .213 with 45 strikeouts in his final 43 games of 2017, needed an injury to Eduardo Nunez to regain the role of designated hitter and has gone 6-for-10 with three RBIs in the first three games of the series. Houston will try to contain Ramirez while getting its offense going again after being shut out by Boston's bullpen over the last eight innings of a 10-3 loss in Game 3 on Sunday. AL batting champion Jose Altuve continued his torrid hitting by recording three hits for the Astros and is 8-for-11 in the series while Carlos Correa went deep for the second time in two games and has knocked in six runs in three contests. Charlie Morton won a career-high 14 games and will get the start for Houston in Game 4 against Rick Porcello, who went 11-17 with a 4.65 ERA this season after posting a 22-4 record en route to the AL Cy Young Award in 2016.

          TV:
          1:08 p.m. ET, FS1

          PITCHING MATCHUP:
          Astros RH Charlie Morton (14-7, 3.62 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (Playoffs: 0-0, 0.00)

          Morton won his final three starts of the regular season, including one at Fenway Park, as he allowed just four runs and 13 hits over 18 1/3 innings. The 33-year-old limited Boston to two runs in 5 1/3 frames on Sept. 29 as he improved to 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in two career starts against the Red Sox. Morton, who has handled Ramirez (1-for-15) and Mookie Betts (0-for-4), went 4-4 with a 4.17 ERA in nine turns on the road in 2017 and 4-1 with a 2.54 mark in September.

          Porcello won his last two decisions and went 7-3 in the final two months of the regular season to get the start despite pitching one scoreless inning of relief in Game 1 on Thursday. The 28-year-old New Jersey native was 7-11 with a 5.43 ERA at home this year after going 13-1 with a 2.97 mark at Fenway Park in 2016. Carlos Beltran is 10-for-27 with a homer and Josh Reddick 3-for-10 with a blast versus Porcello, who gave up seven runs over six innings in a loss to Houston on June 17.

          TRENDS:


          * Astros are 6-1 in Mortons last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

          * Red Sox are 1-5 in their last 6 Divisional Playoff games.

          * Over is 5-0 in Astros last 5 playoff games.

          * Over is 8-2 in Red Sox last 10 overall.

          * Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Boston.

          CONSENSUS:
          The public is leaning toward the road favorite Astros with 60 percent of the picks and Under is grabbing 55 percent of the totals wagers.

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

          Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs (+104, 7.5)

          Series tied 1-1

          The Washington Nationals were unsure what to expect from reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer going into the playoffs, but they’ll need their ace to be close to his best when he gets the ball Monday for Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Chicago Cubs. The series shifts back to Wrigley Field after the teams split the first two games in Washington.

          The Cubs’ pitching staff was dominant for the first 16 innings of the series, shutting out the Nationals in the opener and taking a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning of Game 2 before Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman went deep in a five-run frame that lifted Washington to a 6-3 win. "We've got to win two more games," Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo told reporters. "Doesn't matter how we do it. Doesn't matter the scenario. It starts Monday. With this group, with this experience, nothing's really going to faze us. We've given up way bigger home runs than that before." Chicago hopes left-hander Jose Quintana can put the Nationals back on their heels as he makes his postseason debut. Scherzer left his last start of the regular season on Sept. 30 with a hamstring injury that left his status for the division series up in the air, but he will aim for his first postseason win since the 2013 AL Division Series.

          TV:
          4:08 p.m. ET, TBS

          PITCHING MATCHUP:
          Nationals RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15)

          Scherzer is 0-3 in his last five postseason starts, but he posted a 3.75 ERA in two outings in last year’s NLDS against the Dodgers. The 33-year-old was pitching well before his injury, going 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in his last three regular-season starts. Scherzer is 3-1 with a 2.92 ERA in six career starts against the Cubs, including a win this season in which he allowed one run and two hits over six frames.

          Quintana has gone 7-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 14 starts since the Cubs acquired him from the cross-town White Sox. The Cubs have won the 28-year-old’s last six starts, and he has posted a 2.82 ERA over that span. Quintana has never faced the Nationals.

          TRENDS:


          * Nationals are 5-1 in Scherzers last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

          * Cubs are 6-0 in Quintanas last 6 home starts.

          * Under is 11-1 in Nationals last 12 games following an off day.

          * Under is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 playoff home games.

          * Under is 4-0 in Cubs last 4 games following a loss.

          CONSENSUS:
          The public is leaning toward the road chalk Nationals with 62 percent of the picks and Under is grabbing 60 percent of the totals wagers.

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

          Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees (-164, 7.5)

          Indians lead series 2-1

          Luis Severino seeks a measure of redemption as he tries to keep the New York Yankees' season alive when he leads them into Game 4 of their American League Division Series against the visiting Cleveland Indians on Monday. The Yankees avoided being swept in the best-of-five matchup by posting a 1-0 victory on Sunday, riding a seven-inning gem from Masahiro Tanaka and a solo homer by Greg Bird to the season-saving win.

          Tanaka allowed three hits and recorded seven strikeouts in the best outing - by far - by a New York starter this postseason, a lackluster stretch for the rotation that began with Severino retiring only one batter in the wild-card game against Minnesota on Tuesday. The Indians, who registered four singles and a triple in Sunday's defeat, will counter in Game 4 with Trevor Bauer on three days' rest. Bauer flummoxed the Yankees through 6 2/3 innings of a 4-0 win in the series opener and has won 11 of his last 12 decisions overall, including three victories over New York. Cleveland played Sunday without cleanup hitter Edwin Encarnacion, who remains day-to-day after spraining his ankle in Game 2.

          TV:
          7:08 p.m. ET, FS1

          PITCHING MATCHUP:
          Indians RH Trevor Bauer (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (0-0, 81.00)

          Bauer has allowed two runs and 11 hits over 19 2/3 innings in a three-start span dating to the regular season. The 26-year-old posted a 4.54 ERA on the road this year but owns a 2.87 mark in three career turns at Yankee Stadium. Bauer struck out New York slugger Aaron Judge each of the three times he faced him in Game 1.

          Severino made a pair of starts against Cleveland in August, allowing a total of four earned runs and six hits in 13 1/3 innings while recording 18 strikeouts. The 23-year-old was reached for 15 of the 21 home runs he served up this year at home, including three - two by Jose Ramirez - in a loss to the Indians at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 28. Severino, who has worked just 9 1/3 frames in a span of 23 days, owns a 2.49 ERA in four career starts versus Cleveland.

          TRENDS:


          * Indians are 6-1 in their last 7 Divisional Playoff games.

          * Indians are 10-1 in Bauers last 11 starts vs. American League East.

          * Yankees are 14-2 in Severinos last 16 starts.

          * Under is 7-1-2 in Bauers last 10 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

          * Under is 9-1-1 in Yankees last 11 Divisional Playoff home games.

          * Indians are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

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

          Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks (102, 9)

          Dodgers lead series 2-0

          The Los Angeles Dodgers have rolled to back-to-back victories over the Arizona Diamondbacks and look to wrap up the best-of-5 National League Division Series when the scene switches to Phoenix on Monday. Los Angeles racked up 17 runs and 24 hits in two easy wins as it resembled the squad that led the majors with 104 regular-season victories.

          The Diamondbacks attempt to remain in the series behind ace Zack Greinke, the right-hander who won 51 games in three seasons with the Dodgers before signing with Arizona after the 2015 campaign. "If you've got to pick one guy to stop this situation we're in, I think we've found the right guy in Zack Greinke," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said in a press conference. Los Angeles right fielder Yasiel Puig has been one of the hitting stars by going 5-for-9 with four RBIs as the Dodgers appear to have put aside their regular-season struggles (8-11) against Arizona. "We're going to treat it like another game. We've been in Chase Field before," Los Angeles infielder Logan Forsythe told reporters. "I know it's probably going to be a little louder. But we're going up against Greinke, who is their guy, and we're going to do our homework, and go out there and prepare for the game the way we've been playing."

          TV:
          10:08 p.m. ET, TBS

          PITCHING MATCHUP:
          Dodgers RH Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (playoffs: 0-0, 9.82)

          Darvish finished the season strong by going 2-0 in his last three outings, allowing just one earned run in 19 1/3 innings during the stretch. The 31-year-old from Japan has a 5.40 ERA while losing both his career postseason starts but the Dodgers acquired him from the Texas Rangers to boost up their playoff-caliber pitching. "To have that front-line guy to win a playoff game certainly that's why you acquire a guy like Yu," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said in a press conference. "Outside of the first three or four (outings) once he came over, he's been very good and continuing to get better."

          Greinke has been ineffective over his last three turns - giving up 14 runs in 11 2/3 innings - and lasted just 3 2/3 frames in the wild-card contest against the Colorado Rockies. The 33-year-old is 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA in 10 career postseason outings with two of the wins coming during his six postseason starts for the Dodgers. "We've built around him. He set the pace for the entire pitching staff all year long," Lovullo told reporters. "I know he loves challenges like this. Nobody prepares better. Nobody is going to work to make sure that on that day when he takes the mound that he's going to be comfortable, confident and ready."

          TRENDS:


          * Dodgers are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.

          * Diamondbacks are 10-1 in their last 11 during game 3 of a series.

          * Over is 4-0-1 in Dodgers last 5 Divisional Playoff games.

          * Over is 6-1 in Diamondbacks last 7 vs. National League West.

          * Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Arizona.

          CONSENSUS:
          The public is leaning toward the home favorite Diamondbacks with 70 percent of the picks and Under is grabbing 62 percent of the totals wagers.
          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

          Comment


          • Monday's Best Bet
            October 9, 2017


            NLDS Game 3 Best Bet

            L.A. Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

            The L.A. Dodgers are up 2-0 in their NLDS series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and are hoping that their big move at the trade deadline in July can push them on through to the NLCS. L.A. gives the ball to Yu Darvish tonight, and while Darvish hasn't quite lived up to the lofty expectations the Dodgers organization and their fans had for them when he was brought it, all of that can be forgotten with a strong effort that leads to a W tonight.

            It won't be easy though as Arizona sends their ace Zack Greinke to the hill, and down 0-2 in the series, the Diamondbacks will pull out all the stops they can in order to live to fight another day.

            Bookmaker.eu Odds: L.A. (-111), Arizona (+101); Total set at 9

            This series hasn't been a good one for pitchers so far and that's a little surprising given the first two games were played in a pitcher-friendly park like Dodgers Stadium.

            Games 1 and 2 saw 14 and 13 runs scored combined, and the 7 HR's already hit in this series is indicative of how MLB has become a homer-happy league in 2017. Six of those seven HR's have been tallied by Arizona, so for them to have that many balls leave the yard and still be down 0-2 SU in the series and lose both of those games by at least three runs has to be a little disheartening. Yet it speaks to just how talented and deep this entire Dodgers lineup is from top to bottom and why they were the heavy favorites entering the NLDS.

            With the series now shifting to a hitter-friendly park in Arizona, many bettors will have a tough time thinking the offensive barrage will slow down. Both bullpens have already gotten plenty of work in this series and even with yesterday's day off, there are probably a few guys – especially on Arizona's side – in the bullpen that would rather not make that trip to the mound tonight.

            But Greinke had a rough outing in the Wild Card game (3.2 IP, 4 runs allowed on six hits) and another performance like that tonight and the rest of his Diamondbacks teammates might as well get their off-season plans finalized. That effort was also the last thing bettors remember about Greinke and it, along with the first two games having at least 13 runs scored is why VegasInsider.com shows about 75% of the money bet on tonight's total coming in on the high side of things.

            The 'overs' have been the way to go throughout these playoffs so far as both Wildcard games cashed 'over' tickets, and of the respective ALDS and NLDS games played so far, the 'over' is 7-3. I've already touched on the2-0 O/U mark in this series, but with elimination games now at the forefront, it might be time for bettors to shift their thinking a little bit.

            It's been rare for Greinke to have rough starts in consecutive outings since after the first month of the year, and while he's definitely struggled down the stretch with 4 IP or fewer in his last three starts, you know he'll want to be a big contributor in getting a W tonight against his former team.

            Greinke's last two starts against L.A. ended in 3-1 and 8-1 Arizona wins and he only allowed four hits in each of those starts (one at home, one on the road) in six and seven innings pitched. He's got a strong ideal of how to attack this deep Dodgers lineup and he's been quite successful all year against them, outside of his first appearance vs them in mid-April when the Dodgers got to him early in a 7-1 game.

            Even with that though, in four Greinke starts vs L.A. this year, none of the four games have ever finished with more than 9 total runs scored (games of 4, 9, 5, and 8) and with the stakes much higher tonight, I do believe the good Greinke shows up in spades.

            Darvish only had one start vs. Arizona this year and it was decent. L.A. ended up winning that game 8-6, but Darvish went five full innings, allowed just five hits and 2 ER and struck out 10. It was his third career start against this Arizona franchise and in each one of them he's struck out double-digit batters. That's the type of stuff L.A. expected to get from him on a consistent basis when they traded for him, and it's the type of stuff they hope to get from Darvish tonight.

            While the familiarity with Dodgers hitters should actually work in Greinke's favor, it's the unfamiliarity Diamondbacks hitters have against Darvish that should work out in Darvish's favor tonight. He can be a spectacular pitcher when he is on, and the postseason stage isn't too big for him after he's got some experience in this setting the past few years. If Greinke is pitching a gem on the other side, Darvish has to be up to the task of matching him if L.A wants to wrap up this series tonight and not give Arizona any sort of life.

            So with the first two games of this series in a pitcher-friendly ballpark going well 'over' the number, I'm looking for that same “reverse” affect to happen in Game 3 tonight in a hitter-friendly park. A total of 9 is a little high for the capabilities of these two starters as Chase Field and the HR barrage we've seen in Games 1 and 2 have impacted this number.

            Greinke's starts against L.A. this year were only saddled with a total of '9' once this year and it was in early August game in Arizona. That game ended 3-2 in favor of L.A and tonight's game should have a similarly low-scoring result.

            With L.A. 0-3-1 O/U in theri last four on the road, 1-5 O/U in their last six on the road against a winning team, and 1-3-1 O/U in their last five away from home during October, I've got no problem going against the grain and taking the low side of this total tonight.

            Add in Greinke's 2-6-1 O/U run against division opponents and a 3-7-1 O/U run overall, and I think he bounces back in a big way after a rough outing in the Wild Card game. Darvish will be up to the task of going toe-to-toe with him as this game likely finishes with 7 or 8 runs combined tops.

            Best Bet: Under 9 runs (-101)
            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

            Comment


            • MLB Playoff Record:

              DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

              10/08/2017 2-2-0 50.00% -2.30

              10/07/2017 1-3-0 25.00% -10.50

              10/06/2017.......5-2-0......71.43%.....+16.25

              10/05/2017 ......1-3-0 .....25.00%..... -10.50

              10/04/2017 ......1-1-0..... 50.00%....... -0.50

              Total:...............10 -11......47.61%.......-7.55


              Best Bets:......................ATS.................... ...TOTAL.....................TOTAL O/U

              10/08/2017.................0 - 0........................00.00.................... ....2 - 0........+10.00

              10/07/2017.................0 - 2.......................-10.00........................1-0-1.......+5.00

              10/06/2017.................1 - 1.......................-1.00..........................3 - 1........+9.50

              10/05/2017.................0 - 2.......................-10.00........................1 - 1........-1.00

              10/04/2017.................1 - 0.......................+ 5.00........................0 - 1.......- 5.50


              TOTAL:........................2 - 5.......................- 16.00.......................8-4-1.......+18.00




              MONDAY, OCTOBER 9

              GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


              HOU at BOS 01:00 PM

              BOS +110

              O 10.5


              WAS at CHC 04:00 PM

              CHC -105

              U 7.5

              CLE at NYY 07:00 PM

              U 7.5

              LAD at ARI 10:00 PM

              ARI -105

              O 9.0
              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

              Comment


              • MLB roundup: Astros eliminate Red Sox
                October 9, 2017

                PHOENIX -- Rookie Cody Bellinger homered and drove in two runs, Yu Darvish pitched five strong innings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers swept their way into the National League Championship Series with a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Monday.

                Bellinger and Austin Barnes homered off Zack Greinke (0-1). Darvish (1-0) gave up one run and struck out seven in five-plus innings to send the Dodgers to the NLCS against the winner of the Chicago Cubs-Washington Nationals series. The Cubs beat the Dodgers in six games in the NLCS last year.

                Bellinger, the likely NL Rookie of the Year, had 39 regular-season homers but was 1-for-12 in the NLDS before his opposite-field homer made it 2-0 in the fifth inning.

                Barnes' homer gave Darvish a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning, and the Dodgers used four relievers to hold on. Kenley Jansen recorded his second save of the series.

                Astros 5, Red Sox 4

                BOSTON -- Houston clinched its first trip to the American League Championship Series with a victory against Boston in Game 4 of the AL Division Series.

                Josh Reddick drove in the go-ahead run on a two-out single to left field in the eighth inning off Boston's Craig Kimbrel, who replaced starter-turned-reliever Chris Sale (0-2) in the eighth after Houston tied it.

                Pinch hitter Carlos Beltran doubled home a two-out insurance run in the ninth. Rafael Devers cut the Astros' deficit to one with an inside-the-park home run to lead off the Boston ninth against Ken Giles, but the Houston closer completed two innings for the save.

                Cubs 2, Nationals 1

                CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo delivered a go-ahead, two-out RBI single in the eighth inning as Chicago beat Washington to take a 2-1 lead in the National League Division Series.

                Rizzo dropped a bloop single into shallow center field off Oliver Perez to score pinch runner Leonys Martin. Tommy La Stella led off the inning with a walk, and Martin went to second on a bunt.

                After being held without a hit by Nationals starter Max Scherzer for 6 1/3 innings, the Cubs tied the game at 1 in the seventh. Ben Zobrist's double into the gap in left-center broke up Scherzer's no-hitter before pinch hitter Albert Almora Jr. followed with an RBI single off reliever Sammy Solis.

                Yankees 7, Indians 3

                NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge capped a four-run second inning with a two-run double, and New York capitalized on shoddy defense by Cleveland to even the AL Division Series at two games apiece.

                The decisive Game 5 is Wednesday in Cleveland, where the Indians will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak in elimination games. The Yankees will look to rally from a 2-0 deficit to win an ALDS for the second time.

                Yankees starter Luis Severino (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in seven innings, pitching most of the night with a sizable lead. After getting one out on Oct. 3 in the AL wild-card game against the Minnesota Twins, he bounced back Monday to strike out nine and throw 113 pitches.
                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                Comment


                • MLB notebook: Twins extend Molitor through 2020
                  October 9, 2017


                  The Minnesota Twins signed manager Paul Molitor to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.

                  Molitor, who was named as the Twins' manager in November 2014, will remain with the club through the 2020 season.

                  The 61-year-old native of St. Paul (Minn.) led the Twins to an 85-77 record this season, marking a 26-win improvement from the 2016 campaign.

                  Minnesota qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2010, becoming the first team in baseball history to reach the playoffs after losing 100-plus games in the previous year.

                  --Cleveland Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion was not in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees due to a sprained right ankle.

                  Encarnacion missed his second straight game after he was injured in the first inning of Game 2, which Cleveland won 9-8 in 13 innings. Encarnacion was injured when he jammed his foot into second base while trying to get back to the bag in time to avoid a double play.

                  The Indians, who hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series, did not remove Encarnacion from their roster because he would be ineligible for the AL Championship Series.

                  --Oakland Athletics right-hander Blake Treinen underwent successful surgery on his right middle finger, the team announced.

                  Dr. McPherson Beall removed a cyst along Treinen's finger on Friday in Portland, Ore. Treinen is expected to be fully recovered in six weeks and have no restrictions for spring training, according to the Athletics.

                  Treinen, 29, was acquired from the Washington Nationals in a trade on July 16 and ended up saving 13 games with the A's. He went 3-4 with a 2.13 ERA in 35 appearances with Oakland. His ERA was third-lowest in the American League among pitchers with more than 35 innings from July 17 through the end of the season.
                  Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                  Comment


                  • LEADING OFF: Cubs try to oust Washington in Game 4 of NLDS
                    October 9, 2017

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


                    WRIGLEY WREADY

                    Cubs fans are hoping to go wild as the World Series champions try to close out Washington in Game 4 of the NLDS. Rain is in the forecast and Jake Arrieta is set to start for Chicago - he hasn't pitched since lasting just three innings Sept. 26 after tweaking his hamstring three weeks earlier.

                    Tanner Roark starts for the Nationals with his team trailing 2-1. He is from Wilmington, Illinois, about 60 miles south of Chicago, and grew up rooting for the Cubs. He is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA in five career games at Wrigley Field.

                    REST UP

                    Justin Verlander and the Astros earned a little extra rest by beating Boston in four games of the AL Division Series. They'll now wait to see where they open the AL Championship Series on Friday, either at Cleveland or at home vs. the Yankees. Dallas Keuchel is lined up to start the opener for Houston. Verlander threw 40 pitches Monday in his first pro relief appearance, helping win Game 4 at Fenway Park.

                    CONFIDENT FARRELL

                    After a second straight early playoff exit, Red Sox manager John Farrell enters the offseason facing questions about his job security. Boston has won consecutive AL East titles - a first for the franchise - but hasn't been past the ALDS since winning the World Series in 2013, Farrell's first season. Farrell insisted Monday that he's the right man to get the Red Sox over this current postseason stumbling block.

                    ''Yes, I feel confident in that,'' Farrell said. ''I know that we have got opportunity to access where we are as a team. I can't begin to talk about what the offseason plans are, and what changes may be realized, but there's still good things that are going on here.''
                    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                    Comment


                    • MLB Playoff Record:

                      DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD ( Best Bets & Opinions )

                      10/09/2017 2-5-0 28.57% -16.75

                      10/08/2017 2-2-0 50.00% -2.30

                      10/07/2017 1-3-0 25.00% -10.50

                      10/06/2017.......5-2-0......71.43%.....+16.25

                      10/05/2017 ......1-3-0 .....25.00%..... -10.50

                      10/04/2017 ......1-1-0..... 50.00%....... -0.50

                      Total:...............12 -16......42.85%.......-24.30


                      Best Bets:......................ATS.................... ...TOTAL.....................TOTAL O/U

                      10/09/2017.................0 - 1.......................- 5.00.........................1 - 3........-11.50

                      10/08/2017.................0 - 0........................00.00.................... ....2 - 0.......+10.00

                      10/07/2017.................0 - 2.......................-10.00........................1-0-1.......+5.00

                      10/06/2017.................1 - 1.......................-1.00..........................3 - 1........+9.50

                      10/05/2017.................0 - 2.......................-10.00........................1 - 1........-1.00

                      10/04/2017.................1 - 0.......................+ 5.00........................0 - 1.......- 5.50


                      TOTAL:........................2 - 6.......................- 21.00.......................9-7-1.......+ 6.50
                      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                      Comment


                      • Tuesday’s six-pack

                        — Oregon State football coach Gary Anderson walked away from the school Monday, leaving $12.630,555 on the table. Chances are the story is not that simple.

                        — This is the 7th straight season Oklahoma’s football team lost a game when they were favored by double digits in that game.

                        — Minnesota Twins smartly gave manager Paul Molitor a 3-year contract extension.

                        — If I ran baseball for 24 hours, I’d ban coaches/managers from visiting the mound.

                        — Knicks’ Michael Beasley is 28— Knicks are his 6th NBA team, with 56+ games played at 4 of his other 5 stops.

                        — ESPN isn’t holding its 24-hour college hoop marathon this year; sounds like a 1-year thing, with the 16-team PK80 event in Oregon a one-time event honoring Nike’s Phil Knight.

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

                        Tuesday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……..

                        13) Connie Hawkins was the first basketball player I can remember palming the ball, just holding it in his hand like it was a softball. He had huge hands and was a great player— the Phoenix Suns jumped from 16-66 in their expansion season to 39-43 in his first NBA season, then 48-34 and 49-33 the next two years.

                        12) Suns lost a coinflip with the Milwaukee Bucks for the first pick in the 1969 NBA Draft- the Bucks took Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of 3 or 4 best players of all-time. Suns took a center from Florida named Neal Walk with the #2 pick, but the NBA also awarded them to rights to Hawkins, who played a couple years in the ABA after being wrongly banned from the NBA after a point-shaving investigation that never implicated him— he sued the NBA and collected $1.3M from the league, which was a boatload of money in the late 60’s.

                        11) Hawkins passed away over the weekend at age 75; he was Dr J before Dr J and ESPN— if he played today, he’d have a huge sneaker deal and would be on highlight shows every night. I’m trying to think of a modern comparison to him— Giannis Antetokounmpo comes to mind. Big wingspan, rangy, fun to watch.

                        As a little kid just learning basketball, Hawkins was great fun to watch. RIP, sir.

                        Elsewhere in the world……..
                        10) Alex, I’d like “Career Suicide for $200″, please: Miami Dolphins’ offensive line coach quit Monday after a video was released on social media showing him snorting a white powdery substance. Dolphins have scored three TD’s on 42 drives in their 2-2 start; this genius was making between $2.5M-$3M a year as a freakin’ assistant coach.

                        25 years as an NFL assistant coach; hope he saved some of that money.

                        9) Watched the Celtics-76ers preseason game Friday night; Sixers’ TV guys said the goal for Ben Simmons this year was “70% from the foul line.” Say what?

                        Simmons shot 67% from the line at LSU two years ago; the goal should be 75% or 80%, not 70%; what did he do all last year when he wasn’t playing? Should’ve been working on his shot, yes?

                        He can really pass the ball, he is a high-level passer, but he has to develop a pull-up jumper to make defenses respect him, which takes a defender out of passing lanes. He picked up at least two charging fouls against the Celtics.

                        Simmons is still a young guy (21) but if he wants to be a great player, his shooting has to improve.

                        8) UCLA held a outdoor practice at Venice Beach over the weekend; it is good to live in southern California. UNLV held an outdoor practice in downtown Vegas last year; its a cool gimmick to get the fanbase interested.

                        I’m curious to see UCLA without Lonzo Ball this year; he made all his teammates a lot better. They’re not going to get as many open looks this year without Ball running the offense.

                        7) Houston Rockets were sold this summer for $2.2B, thats how profitable NBA teams are now, with the worldwide appeal of the league.

                        6) Why the Sacramento Kings are almost always bad:

                        They had the 20th pick in the NBA Draft in June, and took Duke’s Harry Giles, who when he was a 9th grader, was the #1 player in the high school Class of 2016, but then he tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in his left knee in 2013, then his ACL in his right knee in 2015..

                        In his one year at Duke, he averaged 3.9 ppg in 11.5 mpg, hardly numbers for a first round draft pick, but the Kings being the Kings, used the 20th pick on him.

                        Now Sacramento says Giles is out until at least January, to “improve his overall health.” Oy.

                        5) Sacramento’s record the last 10 years:
                        33-49, 38-44, 17-65, 25-57, 24-58, 22-44, 28-54 (twice), 29-53, 33-49, 32-50.

                        4) 76ers gave Joel Embiid a 5-year, $148M contract extension; he played 25.4 mpg in 31 games LY, scoring 20.2 ppg, grabbing 7.8 rpg. Missing 51 games is a red flag; wonder what kind of games played incentives are in the contract.

                        Embiid scored 11.2 ppg in 23.1 mpg in his one season at Kansas, then sat out his first two years in the NBA with injuries- he is 23 years old.

                        3) Big 14’s conference basketball tournament is leaving the midwest and is headed to Manhattan in March; thats New York City, not Manhattan, Kansas.

                        Because the Big East has Madison Square Garden in Championship week, the Big 14 agreed to have its tournament a week earlier than normal, which means their teams will all play a couple of conference games the first week in June, to make up for the week the league loses in March due to moving the tournament up.

                        This is a 5-game stretch of Indiana’s schedule in late November/early December:
                        Nov 29- Duke, Dec 2- @ Minnesota, Dec 4- Iowa, Dec 9- @ Louisville, Dec 16- Notre Dame. Tough stretch of games for the Hoosiers.

                        2) Washington State football coach Mike Leach played rugby, not football, in his college days at BYU. He is one of only four I-A head coaches who didn’t play college football.

                        BYU had great passing teams in those days; Leach credits LaVell Edwards for having a big influence on the Air Raid offense Leach runs now.

                        1) Baseball playoffs:
                        Astros 5, Red Sox 4— Houston moves on to ALDS, using Justin Verlander in relief.
                        Cubs 2, Nationals 1— Chicago takes 2-1 lead in this series.
                        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                        Comment


                        • MLB
                          Dunkel

                          Tuesday, October 10


                          Washington @ Chicago Cubs

                          Game 955-956
                          October 10, 2017 @ 5:35 pm

                          Dunkel Rating:
                          Washington
                          (Roark) 14.946
                          Chicago Cubs
                          (Arrieta) 15.916
                          Dunkel Team:
                          Dunkel Line:
                          Dunkel Total:
                          Chicago Cubs
                          by 1
                          9
                          Vegas Team:
                          Vegas Line:
                          Vegas Total:
                          Chicago Cubs
                          -150
                          7 1/2
                          Dunkel Pick:
                          Chicago Cubs
                          (-150); Over





                          MLB
                          Armadillo's Write-Up

                          Tuesday, October 10


                          Washington @ Chicago
                          Nationals are 5-5 against the Cubs this season (over 6-4).

                          Roark is 0-2, 6.94 in his last two starts; under is 10-2 in his last 12 starts. Washington is 8-7 in his road starts. He is 1-0, 2.84 against the Cubs this season.

                          Arrieta is 0-2, 7.84 in his last three starts; under is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Chicago is 6-4 in his home starts. He is 0-1, 13.50 vs Washington this year.

                          Cubs won the World Series LY, their first title since 1908; this is their 3rd year in a row in the playoffs. Washington is in the playoffs for 4th time in six years- they lost in this round the previous three times. Nationals have never been in the World Series.

                          AL Wild Card
                          NYY 8-4 Minn -$255, O7.5

                          NL Wild Card
                          Ariz 11-8 Colo -$148, O8.5

                          Hous 8-2 Bos, -$120, O7
                          Hous 8-2 Bos, -$185, O8.5
                          Bos 10-3 Hst, +$117, O9.5
                          Hst 5-4 Bos, -$118, O8
                          Astros win series, 3-1

                          Clev 4-0 NYY -$130, U8.5
                          Clev 9-8 NYY (13), -$210, O7
                          NYY 1-0 Clev, -$109, U8.5
                          NYY 7-3 Clev, -$150, O7.5

                          Cubs 3-0 Wash +$135, U7.5
                          Wash 6-3, -$117, O8.5
                          Cubs 2-1, +$105, U7,5

                          LA 9-4 Ariz -$270, O7.5
                          LA 8-5 Ariz, -$142, O8
                          LA 2-1 Ariz, -$115, U8
                          Dodgers win series, 3-0




                          MLB

                          Tuesday, October 10


                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Trend Report
                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          5:38 PM
                          WASHINGTON vs. CHI CUBS
                          Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
                          The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
                          Chi Cubs are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
                          Chi Cubs are 17-5 SU in their last 22 games
                          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                          Comment


                          • MLB
                            Long Sheet

                            Tuesday, October 10


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

                            WASHINGTON (98 - 67) at CHICAGO CUBS (94 - 71) - 5:35 PM
                            TANNER ROARK (R) vs. JAKE ARRIETA (R)
                            Top Trends for this game.
                            WASHINGTON is 26-30 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
                            WASHINGTON is 49-61 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
                            WASHINGTON is 50-32 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
                            WASHINGTON is 39-25 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 94-71 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 362-303 (-82.7 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 since 1997.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 905-820 (-156.9 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 240-276 (-69.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 38-36 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 73-56 (-11.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 51-42 (-10.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
                            CHICAGO CUBS are 15-17 (-10.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

                            Head-to-Head Series History
                            WASHINGTON is 5-5 (+0.2 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
                            6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.7 Units)

                            TANNER ROARK vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
                            ROARK is 3-2 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.250.
                            His team's record is 3-3 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.3 units)

                            JAKE ARRIETA vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
                            ARRIETA is 1-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 5.48 and a WHIP of 1.674.
                            His team's record is 5-4 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-3. (+2.6 units)

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


                            Tuesday's NLDS playoff betting preview and odds: Nationals at Cubs

                            Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs (A: +140, H: -160, Total: 7.5)

                            Cubs lead series 2-1

                            The Chicago Cubs gave Jake Arrieta a few extra days to rest his tender hamstring, and now he’s in a position to help get the team back to the National League Championship Series. Arrieta gets the ball in Game 4 of the NL Division Series on Tuesday as the Cubs look to close out the visiting Washington Nationals.

                            Anthony Rizzo’s bloop single in the eighth inning plated the go-ahead run Monday as the Cubs posted a 2-1 victory in Game 3 to regain the series lead. Arrieta can close it out as he makes his first start since Sept. 26, and the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner says his nagging right hamstring injury is a “non-issue.” He hopes to follow the rest of Chicago's starting rotation, which has allowed two runs - one earned - in 18 2/3 innings over the first three games of the series. Tanner Roark, who grew up about an hour’s drive from Wrigley Field, makes the start for the Nationals as they trail in the series despite permitting only eight runs.

                            TV:
                            5:30 p.m. ET, TBS

                            INJURY REPORT:


                            Nationals - S. Drew (Out Indefinitely, Abdominal), LF R. Raburn (Out Indefinitely, Shoulder), SP J. Ross (Out For Season, Elbow), CF A. Eaton (Out For Season, Knee).

                            Cubs - SP J. Arrieta (Probable, Hamstring), RP K. Uehara (Out Indefinitely, Knee).

                            WEATHER REPORT:


                            The forecast does not look good for Wrigley Field for late afternoon and into the evening with a 70-90 percent chance of wet stuff. If they do, somehow, manage to get this game in the wind will be blowing straight in from center field at 16-18 miles per hour.

                            PITCHING MATCHUP:
                            Nationals RH Tanner Roark (13-11, 4.67 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (14-10, 3.53)

                            Roark made two relief appearances in the 2014 NLDS and received his first postseason start in last year’s NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing two runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The 31-year-old had a solid second half but finished the regular season on a sour note, losing his last two turns before giving up two runs in one inning of relief on Oct. 1. Roark is 4-2 with a 4.06 ERA in seven career games (six starts) against the Cubs.

                            Arrieta is 4-2 with a 3.64 ERA in seven starts over the last two postseasons, including a pair of wins in last year’s World Series. The 31-year-old has been outstanding at home throughout his tenure with the Cubs, going 30-14 with a 2.31 ERA in 59 outings. He hasn’t fared as well against the Nationals, however, as he owns a 1-2 record and 5.48 ERA in nine career meetings.

                            TRENDS:


                            * Nationals are 1-4 in their last 5 Divisional Playoff games.
                            * Cubs are 5-0 in their last 5 Divisional Playoff home games.
                            * Cubs are 13-5 in Arrieta's last 18 starts vs. National League East.
                            * Under is 10-1 in Roark's last 11 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
                            * Under is 5-1 in Cubs' last 6 playoff home games.
                            * Under is 4-0 in Arrieta's last 4 starts vs. Nationals.

                            CONSENSUS:
                            The public is siding with the home chalk Cubs at a rate of 73 percent and the Over is picking up 69 percent of the totals action.
                            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                            Comment


                            • Tuesday's Best Bet
                              October 10, 2017


                              National League Divisional Series - Game 4
                              Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs (TBS, 5:35 p.m. ET)


                              Monday saw two teams get through their Divisional Series matchups with the Astros and Dodgers advancing to the LCS, and the Dodgers could get their opponent later tonight. The Chicago Cubs are one win away from getting back to the LCS after they won Game 3 yesterday, and Cubs fans have to like their chances this evening with the game being at home and Jake Arrieta on the bump.

                              After all, they are playing a Nationals team that has a long history of coming up short in October and so far in this series it's looking like another chapter will be added to that dreary book for Washington fans.

                              Can the Nationals step up and force a Game 5 with a win tonight, or will it be another quick end to another strong regular season campaign.

                              Sportsbetting.ag Odds: Washington (+148), Chicago (-158); Total set at 7.5

                              Chicago could have already won this series if it weren't for an 8th inning comeback by the Nationals in Game 2. That realization in itself speaks to just how well the Chicago starters have held this Nationals in check as starting pitchers have allowed a grand total of two runs against so far in this series. That type of quality pitching from the guys going out there first is how you win in October, and while the Nationals starters haven't done too shabby themselves, the silence of the bats outside of that 8th inning in Game 2 has to be concerning. There isn't really spectacularly good news on that front for Washington tonight either with Arrieta on the hill.

                              However, Arrieta was bumped to being the Game 4 starter after some big time struggles over the last month-plus of teh year. The Cubs starter never went more than 5 innings in his final three regular season starts, and two of those three he was gone by the start of the 4th inning. Chicago lost two of those three games as the Pirates won 12-0, and the Cardinals won 8-7, meaning that if Washington's offense is going to get right with their backs against the wall, maybe this is just the spot to do so.

                              Longballs hurt Arrieta over those three starts (allowed 5 HR's in 10.1 IP) and the Nationals definitely have a few guys that can go yard. With rainy weather and the wind blowing in as the projected forcast at Wrigley, swinging for the fences may not be Washington's best idea this evening, but they've got to find a way, any way to get the job done.

                              If you look at VegasInsider.com's betting percentages for this game, plenty of money has already come in on Arrieta and the Cubs. About 75% of the ML bets have already come Chicago's way, and whether it's because many don't trust the Nats after years of failure, prefer the more known name in Arrieta, or are combining a bit of everything for tonight's situation, the Cubs are the ones getting the majority of the support.

                              All of those tickets have already pushed the opening number of -145 to it's current status, and given the fact that yesterday's MLB quadruple-header began and ended with teams clinching their spot in the next round, it looks like many are thinking the same will happen tonight. Yet, Arrieta's struggles over the final month are a big concern – to both the Cubs and me as a bettor – and with Washington seemingly overdue for a breakout performance, that +140ish price tag is awfully appealing.

                              Washington entered the Divisional Round as the best hitting team in the NL in terms of batting average, and the 215 HR's they hit is not something to completely overlook. Yes, the conditions might make it tough to get a ball out of Wrigley tonight, but Arrieta's had problems keeping the ball in the yard of late, and their are three guys on this Nationals team that have taken him yard before (Murphy, Werth, Lind).

                              Arrieta is also still a a little concerned about the hamstring problem he had at the end of the year, and his only start vs. Washington this year ended in a 6-1 defeat for the Cubs. Chicago was a big underdog that day as they were up against Max Scherzer, but the fact that Arrieta gave up all six of those runs in just four innings of work as he struggled with his command (6 walks), doesn't exactly paint the greatest picture for success tonight.

                              Compare that past with Washington's starter Tanner Roark who is 1-0 SU against the Cubs this year, that game was at Wrigley, and he went 6.1 IP in a 4-2 win as a +150 dog. Washington's bats were able to give Roark an early 2-0 lead before he took the mound that day, and this is a guy who's had quite a bit of success when pitching with the lead.

                              Roark is also a guy who doesn't mind getting extended rest as Washington is 4-0 SU in his last four starts with 8+ days off, and his 4-1 SU mark in his last five on the road against a winning team suggests that tonight's stage and pressure will be more welcomed than feared for Roark.

                              Chicago may have all the experience in terms of knowing how to win and close things out this time of year relative to the Nationals, but this entire series has been tight the entire way. Just as Chicago could have already won this thing 3-0, it's not that hard to argue that Washington could be in a much better position themselves had it been for one timely hit or a few breaks going their way. It would be a shame to see a tight series like this not going the distance, and two fo Washington's three NLDS losses since 2012 have come in five-game series.

                              With the majority of bettors expecting the Cubs to close it out at home, I believe we see this NLDS go the way of the Yankees/Indians matchup over in the American League in that we get to see a decisive Game 5. Grabbing this plus-money price on a Nationals team that's getting a little undervalued here is the way to go.

                              Odds per - Sportsbetting.ag

                              Best Bet: Washington Nationals ML (+148)
                              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                              Comment


                              • MLB Playoff Record:

                                DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD ( Best Bets & Opinions )

                                10/09/2017 2-5-0 28.57% -16.75

                                10/08/2017 2-2-0 50.00% -2.30

                                10/07/2017 1-3-0 25.00% -10.50

                                10/06/2017.......5-2-0......71.43%.....+16.25

                                10/05/2017 ......1-3-0 .....25.00%..... -10.50

                                10/04/2017 ......1-1-0..... 50.00%....... -0.50

                                Total:...............12 -16......42.85%.......-24.30


                                Best Bets:......................ATS.................... ...TOTAL.....................TOTAL O/U

                                10/09/2017.................0 - 1.......................- 5.00.........................1 - 3........-11.50

                                10/08/2017.................0 - 0........................00.00.................... ....2 - 0.......+10.00

                                10/07/2017.................0 - 2.......................-10.00........................1-0-1.......+5.00

                                10/06/2017.................1 - 1.......................-1.00..........................3 - 1........+9.50

                                10/05/2017.................0 - 2.......................-10.00........................1 - 1........-1.00

                                10/04/2017.................1 - 0.......................+ 5.00........................0 - 1.......- 5.50


                                TOTAL:........................2 - 6.......................- 21.00.......................9-7-1.......+ 6.50


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

                                TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10

                                GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

                                WAS at CHC

                                WAS +145 *****

                                O 7.5 *****
                                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                                Comment

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