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

[StarDust Bum]

MLB Playoff Record:.........

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

10/13/2017 1-1-0 50.00% +0.00
10/12/2017 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
10/11/2017 3-1-0 75.00% +15.50
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:...............16 -18......47.05%.......-8.80


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

10/13/2017.................0 - 1.......................-5.00...........................1 - 0.......+5.00
10/12/2017.................0 - 0........................0.00..................... ......0 - 1........-5.50
10/11/2017.................2 - 0.......................+15.00.................... ...0 - 1........-5.50
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:........................4 - 7.......................- 11.00.......................10-9-1.......+0.50

[StarDust Bum]

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

NYY at HOU 04:00 PM

NYY +115 *****

O 7.5

CHC at LAD 08:00 PM

CHC +170 *****

U 7.0 *****

[StarDust Bum]

MLB playoff roundup: Astros take 2-0 series lead on Yankees
October 15, 2017

HOUSTON -- Carlos Correa homered and delivered a walk-off double against Aroldis Chapman, salvaging an incredible effort from Justin Verlander and giving the Houston Astros a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday.

With Jose Altuve on first base following a one-out single, Correa lined a 3-2 fastball from Chapman (0-1) into the right-center field gap. Altuve rounded the bases and scored when Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge made his relay toss toward the middle of the infield. The subsequent throw home short-hopped catcher Gary Sanchez, allowing Altuve to score.

Altuve and Correa both recorded two hits, with Correa scoring once and driving in two runs. The Astros will take a 2-0 series lead to New York for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Monday.

Verlander (1-0) pitched nine innings, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with 13 strikeouts. He threw a whopping 124 pitches (93 strikes).

Dodgers 5, Cubs 2

LOS ANGELES -- Chris Taylor hit a go-ahead home run and Charlie Culberson added an RBI and a run scored as Los Angeles opened the National League Championship Series with a victory over Chicago.

Culberson started at shortstop only after Corey Seager was not placed on the active roster for the series because back injury suffered in Game 3 of the NLDS. His sacrifice fly in the fifth inning tied the score 2-2.

Culberson followed Yasiel Puig's home run in the seventh inning with a double to left. He sprinted home on a Justin Turner single but appeared to get thrown out at home when catcher Willson Contreras applied the tag in time while blocking the plate with his foot before he had the ball.

But on a replay challenge, Culberson was called safe. The official ruing from MLB offices in New York was that Contreras was in violation of the "home plate collision rule." Cubs manager Joe Maddon was ejected for arguing the replay reversal.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADNG OFF: No Seager in NLCS, but Puig a party for Dodgers
October 15, 2017

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

BACKING OUT

The Dodgers will have to get through the Cubs without star shortstop Corey Seager in the NL Championship Series. Seager was left off the NLCS roster due to a back injury, a surprise omission announced hours before Saturday's Game 1 victory at Dodger Stadium. Charlie Culberson, who had 15 plate appearances in the big leagues this season, replaced last season's NL Rookie of the Year. Culberson had a sacrifice fly and a double in the 5-2 win.

''Obviously, it's a big blow,'' Game 2 starter Rich Hill said about Seager. ''That guy's fought with us the entire year. It's just an unfortunate thing.''

PUIG'S PARTY

Yasiel Puig has been on a roll this postseason, and he's not holding back on celebrating it. Bat flips, fist pumps, tongue wags - he even took a curtain call Saturday, although Dodger Stadium didn't seem to be demanding one.

Of course, Los Angeles' energetic outfielder has had reason to rejoice. He got his third multihit effort in four games Saturday, and his curtain call came after his first career postseason homer, a leadoff shot in the seventh inning.

STARTING UP AGAIN

Cubs lefty Jon Lester starts Game 2 of the NLCS four days after an extended relief outing in the Division Series. Lester threw 55 pitches in a 5-0 Game 4 loss to Washington, giving up a run in 3 2/3 innings. Chicago also dropped his NLDS Game 2 start despite his one-run ball over six innings.

He's not concerned about coming back from the bullpen on short rest.

''I don't think it's a problem,'' Lester said. ''This time of year you have to adjust and figure it out.''

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

As the ALCS shifts to the Big Apple, the Houston Astros plan to take batting practice at Yankee Stadium during an off day in the series. But the Bronx Bombers won't work out and will instead take the day off in an attempt to refresh their big hitters. New York struck out 27 times while losing the first two games by identical 2-1 scores to Houston aces Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez are a combined 1 for 14 with eight strikeouts in the series. Game 3 is Monday night, with CC Sabathia scheduled to pitch against Charlie Morton and the Astros. New York has dropped seven straight ALCS games dating to 2010.

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday’s six-pack

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

6) Atlanta Falcons, -11.5 (644)

5) Los Angeles Rams, +2.5 (701)

4) Denver Broncos, -11.5 (716)

3) Detroit Lions, +5 (779)

2) Green Bay Packers, -3 (970)

1) Pittsburgh Steelers, +4.5 (993)

Season record of top 6 picks: 13-17

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Sunday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a college football Saturday

13) Rough week for big favorites:
Syracuse (+24) 27, Clemson 24
Boston College (+21) 45, Louisville 42
South Alabama (+18) 19, Troy 8
California (+14) 37, Washington State 3
Tulsa (+13.5) 45, Houston 17
Florida International (+13.5) 23, Tulane 10
UConn (+9.5) 28, Temple 24

12) Friday the 13th hijinx; If you put $10 on a Syracuse/Cal moneyline parlay Friday night, you cashed a ticket for $700.

11) Washington State alum Klay Thompson was on the sidelines at Berkeley for the second half of the Coogs’ loss at Cal Friday night. Wazzu turned the ball over seven times; everything they tried went wrong. Just a very bad night, after they had beaten USC/Oregon their last two games.

Warriors beat Sacramento at home earlier Friday night.

10) South Carolina 15, Tennessee 9— Vols started a freshman QB, Vols didn’t score in second half. Vols play Alabama next; good luck with that. Just for the record, Butch Jones’ buyout is over $8M. You know someone dislikes your performance if they pay you $8M to go away.

9) LSU 27, Auburn 23— Auburn led this game 20-0; LSU ran punt return back for a TD early in 4th quarter, then kicked two FG’s in last 2:36 for the upset win.

8) Air Force 34, UNLV 30— Rebels led this game 30-7 in the 3rd quarter.

7) South Florida 33, Cincinnati 3— Bulls have won their last ten games, the longest current win streak in college football.

6) Rained so hard at the Akron-Western Michigan game that they postponed it until Sunday; the stadium had some damage with the heavy rains, they weren’t 100% sure they could play Sunday.

5) Texas A&M 19, Florida 17— Not often you beat a good team on the road when your QB is 8-24 passing, but Aggies pulled this win out- they’re 5-2, after blowing a 44-10 lead in their opener, a hideous 45-44 loss at UCLA. At one point early in 2nd quarter, A&M had four true freshman playing in their secondary— you don’t see that very often.

4) Ohio State 56, Nebraska 14— In its last two games, Ohio State outgained opponents 390-35 in the 1st quarter. Maybe Mike Riley can go back to Oregon State when Nebraska fires him.

3) Oklahoma 29, Texas 24— Sooners blew a 20-0 lead, but pulled out a win; Longhorns covered the last four games in this rivalry. Two of Oklahoma’s three TD’s in this game came on plays of 50+ yards.

2) USC 28, Utah 27— Utes scored a TD with 0:42 left to make score 28-27 USC, then went for two points and the lead— they failed on the attempt. I’ve said this before in this spot, but I really dislike this play— it is the macho thing to do, but if you’re the underdog, keep the game going as long as possible, plus this— YOU’RE ON NATIONAL TV!!!! National TV exposure is PRICELESS.

1) Army 28, Eastern Michigan 27— Eagles did the same thing as Utah, except with 0:49 left; this is even more of a blunder against a service academy, since chances are you have a better kicker than they do, as far as overtime goes. Army didn’t complete one pass (0-5) in this game, so they weren’t gonna score in the last 0:49 of regulation.

[StarDust Bum]

[B]MLB Playoff Record:.........

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

10/14/2017 0-3-1 0.00% -15.50
10/13/2017 1-1-0 50.00% +0.00
10/12/2017 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
10/11/2017 3-1-0 75.00% +15.50
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:...............16 -21......42.10%.......-24.30


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

10/14/2017.................0 - 2......................-10.00..........................0-0-1......+0.00
10/13/2017.................0 - 1.......................-5.00...........................1 - 0.......+5.00
10/12/2017.................0 - 0........................0.00..................... ......0 - 1........-5.50
10/11/2017.................2 - 0.......................+15.00.................... ...0 - 1........-5.50
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:........................4 - 9.......................- 21.00.......................10-9-2.......+0.50

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Sunday, October 15

Chicago Cubs @ LA Dodgers

Game 907-908
October 15, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 15.118
LA Dodgers
(Hill) 17.001
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-150
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(+130); Under




MLB
Long Sheet

Sunday, October 15

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CHICAGO CUBS (95 - 73) at LA DODGERS (108 - 58) - 7:35 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. RICH HILL (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 95-73 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 34-35 (-9.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LESTER is 0-6 (-9.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday this season. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 76-32 (+26.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA DODGERS are 39-13 (+19.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 187-111 (+38.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
LESTER is 32-10 (+18.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 144-104 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 5-2 (+3.2 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.0 Units)

JON LESTER vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
LESTER is 3-3 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.29 and a WHIP of 1.043.
His team's record is 5-4 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-3. (+2.9 units)

RICH HILL vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
HILL is 1-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.3 units)

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MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, October 15

Cubs @ Dodgers
Dodgers are 5-2 vs Chicago this season; they shut Cubs out in 3 of the 5 wins. Home team won six of seven series games (under 6-1). Cubs scored 6 runs in four games in LA this season.

Lester threw 55 pitches in relief in Wednesday’s game; he is 2-0, 1.06 in his last three starts. His last eight starts went over the total. Cubs are 8-7 in his road starts this season. Lester is 0-1, 6.75 in two starts against the Dodgers this season; he is 9-7, 2.57 in 24 career playoff games (20 starts).

Hill is 3-0, 1.64 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven starts. Dodgers are 9-6 in his home starts. Hill hasn’t pitched against the Cubs this season; he is 1-2, 4.50 in five career starts in the playoffs, the first of which was for the Cubs in 2007.

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
NYY 5-2 Clev, +$165, N7
New York wins series, 3-2

Cubs 3-0 Wash +$135, U7.5
Wash 6-3 Cubs, -$117, O8.5
Cubs 2-1 Wash, +$105, U7.5
Wash 5-0 Cubs, -$109, U7
Cubs 9-8 Wash, -$115, O7.5
Cubs win series, 3-2

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

League championship series
Hst 2-1 NYY, -$165, U8
Hst 2-1 NYY, -$118, U7.5

LA 5-2 Cubs, -$190, U7




MLB

Sunday, October 15

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Trend Report
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7:38 PM
CHI CUBS vs. LA DODGERS
Chi Cubs are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games
Chi Cubs are 11-5 SU in their last 16 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home


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[StarDust Bum]

Sunday's NLCS Playoff Betting Preview And Odds: Cubs at Dodgers

The Cubs registered four hits in Game 1, marking the third time in six games this postseason they have recorded fewer than five.

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers (LAD -150, 7.5)

Dodgers lead series 1-0

After going all-in to close out the National League Division Series and facing Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series, the Chicago Cubs figured they might be in this position. The Los Angeles Dodgers can keep the defending World Series champions on the ropes with another victory at home on Sunday.

Albert Almora Jr. gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead in the opener with a two-run blast off Kershaw in the fourth inning, but he wound up being the team’s last baserunner. Kershaw retired the final six batters he faced and the Dodgers’ bullpen set down 12 straight to close out a 5-2 victory. Chicago's bats need to bounce back against veteran Rich Hill, who was drafted by the Cubs and went 18-17 with a 4.37 ERA over his first four major-league seasons with the club from 2005-08. The Dodgers have belted five home runs while winning their first four playoff games and will try to keep it going against Jon Lester, who is slated to start on three days’ rest after an extended relief outing in Game 4 of the NLDS against Washington.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TBS

INJURY REPORT:

Cubs - RP Koji Uehara (Out Indefinitely, Knee).

Dodgers - SS Corey Seager (Out Indefinitely, Back), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (Out For Season, Back), RP Adam Liberatore (Out For Season, Forearm), LF Franklin Gutierrez (Out For Season, Spine), SP Scott Kazmir (Out Indefinitely, Hip), RP Yimi Garcia (Out For Season, Elbow).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (12-8, 3.32)

Lester was outstanding in one start and one relief appearance in the NLDS, allowing two runs and three hits over 9 2/3 innings. The 33-year-old is the active leader in postseason innings pitched with 143 1/3 and owns a 9-7 record and 2.57 ERA in 24 playoff appearances (20 starts). Lester is 2-3 with a 3.89 ERA in seven career regular-season starts against the Dodgers and went 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts in last year’s NLCS matchup.

Hill started Game 2 of the NLDS against Arizona, allowing two runs and three hits over four innings of a no-decision. The 37-year-old is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in five career postseason starts. Hill has made only one relief appearance against his former team in the regular season, but he limited the Cubs to two hits over six scoreless innings of a win in Game 3 of last year’s NLCS.

TRENDS:

* Cubs are 1-8 in their last 9 road games vs. a left-handed starter.

* Dodgers are 8-0 in Hills last 8 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.

* Over is 10-1 in Lesters last 11 starts overall.

* Over is 6-0-1 in Dodgers last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning record.

* Cubs are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings.

CONSENSUS: The public is siding with the home chalk Dodgers at a rate of 54 percent and the Over is picking up 69 percent of the totals action.

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CHC at LAD 07:30 PM

CHC +140 *****

U 7.5 *****

[StarDust Bum]

Bryant, Rizzo, Contreras no-shows at plate for Cubs in NLCS
October 15, 2017

LOS ANGELES (AP) The defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs are going back home trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 in the National League Championship Series in no small part because the heart of their order hasn't shown up.

Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras combined to go 0 for 11 in Sunday night's 4-1 loss. It was 1-all when Rizzo reached with one out in the ninth when he was hit on the right elbow by a pitch from Kenley Jansen, but was stranded after Contreras struck out and Albert Almora Jr. grounded out.

Bryant, the 2016 NL MVP, and Rizzo have been ineffective since the first inning of the opener on Saturday night, a 5-2 Dodgers victory. Bryant singled and Rizzo walked against Clayton Kershaw, and were left on base. Neither got on base the rest of that game, and both struck out against Jansen in his four-out, four-strikeout save.

The futility continued Sunday night against Rich Hill and a bullpen that was perfect other than Jansen plunking Rizzo.

After a travel day, the rematch of the 2016 NLCS resumes Tuesday night with Yu Darvish pitching for the Dodgers and Kyle Hendricks for the Cubs.

Chicago's only run Sunday came on Addison Russell's leadoff homer in the fifth off Hill.

Their only runs Saturday night came on Almora's two-run homer off Kershaw in the fourth. After that, the Cubs made 18 straight outs against Kershaw and five relievers.

Los Angeles' Justin Turner drove in all four of the Dodgers' runs Sunday night, including the winning, three-run homer off John Lackey with two outs in the ninth.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Astros, Yanks try to get bats going in New York
October 15, 2017

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

GOING BATTY

The two highest-scoring teams in the majors this season have combined for all of six runs in the first two games of the AL Championship Series. Houston, which totaled 896 runs to 858 for the Yankees this year, won a pair of nail-biters back home by identical 2-1 scores behind ace pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. Two wins from the franchise's second trip to the World Series, the Astros send 14-game winner Charlie Morton to the mound in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium (8:08 p.m. EDT). Morton grew up in nearby Connecticut rooting for the Yankees.

HOLE IN THE MIDDLE

If the Yankees are going to rally in this ALCS, they're probably going to need more production from their top hitters. Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius combined to go 2 for 22 in the first two games of the series, while Astros stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa went 8 for 15. Not to mention, Yankees designated hitters are 0 for 27 in the postseason, with Chase Headley, Jacoby Ellsbury and Matt Holliday all coming up empty. Maybe being back at Yankee Stadium will help. New York went 51-30 at home during the regular season, the best mark in the American League, and is 3-0 there during the playoffs.

RIGHT MAN ON THE MOUND

CC Sabathia pitches for the Yankees as they try to stop a seven-game ALCS losing streak that dates to 2010 against Texas. The 37-year-old lefty went 14-5 with a 3.69 ERA during the regular season. But he was at his best when New York needed to rebound, going 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 10 starts following Yankees defeats.

CHILL OUT

The Dodgers and Cubs will trade sunglasses for long sleeves as their NL Championship Series shifts from Los Angeles to Chicago. Dodger Stadium was 92 degrees for first pitch of Game 2 on Sunday night, and Los Angeles right fielder Yasiel Puig had to battle a difficult setting sun to track a fly ball in the first inning.

Temperatures are projected to dip into the low-50s for Game 3 on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, with first pitch set for 8:01 p.m. local time.

[StarDust Bum]

Astros trying to give Houston a boost in wake of Harvey
October 15, 2017

HOUSTON (AP) Every time the Astros suit up, they wear a simple patch as a reminder of what Houston lost to Hurricane Harvey and its catastrophic flooding.

The city is determined to rebuild, and the Astros are careful to honor Houston with every game as they chase a second trip to the World Series in the franchise's history.

''I hope we're representing the city well and for our fan base and even non-fans that are in our community, that we can be something positive for the city and be part of the message that we're still rebuilding,'' manager A.J. Hinch said.

The Astros have worn the patch each game since returning home. It sits on the upper left side of their chests and features the word ''STRONG'' in white block letters between an Astros' logo and a rendering of the state of Texas.

It's a nod to the ''Houston Strong'' slogan the city adopted after the storm, and it's become a catchphrase in the area. A woman in the crowd at Minute Maid Park held a sign with those words on Saturday as she cheered on the Astros in their 2-1 win over the New York Yankees that gave them a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship series.

''We're doing this for the city,'' shortstop Carlos Correa said. ''We want to bring a lot of joy and happiness to the fans out here in Houston, especially after everything they've been through this year. It's been a tough year for the city. So if we can bring something through baseball, we're going to do it.''

Though the Astros take pride in being a bright spot in a difficult time, Hinch doesn't want to make too much of their role.

''We all need to keep it in proper perspective, we're a baseball team,'' he said. ''We play a game and we provide entertainment and a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of agony along the way, too. But it does bring some exposure to a community that needs as much support from around the country to rebuild itself for months to come, not just days to come.''

The Astros have been active in supporting the city's efforts to return to normal. Owner Jim Crane and the Astros foundation donated $4 million to relief efforts, and a number of players donated to various charities and helped collect supplies for those affected.

AL MVP contender Jose Altuve is one of the few players remaining on the roster who was around for the lean rebuilding years when the Astros had 100-plus losses in three straight seasons from 2011-13. He remembers the support he got from fans when the team was the worst in baseball and feels like he owes it to the people in Houston to help the Astros win as much as possible.

''After the hurricane I love the people from Houston even more,'' Altuve said. ''They've been supporting us all the time, since 2011 when we lost 100 games and they have a lot of heart and are encouraging us to keep playing. And now that we are playing really good we want to finish it up for them, for us and for our families.''

Altuve has more than done his part so far, becoming a star of this year's postseason by going 13 for 23 (.565) after going just 4 for 26 (.154) in the 2015 playoffs. He added two hits and scored the winning run on a bold dash from first base in the ninth inning Saturday.

The Astros were among the best teams in baseball throughout the season but were boosted by the trade for six-time All-Star pitcher Justin Verlander on Aug. 31. He's been brilliant since joining the team, going 8-0 in eight appearances, capped by striking out a postseason career-high 13 in a complete game on Saturday.

Though Verlander wasn't yet with the Astros when Harvey made landfall on Aug. 25, he was quick to jump in to help in the rebuilding effort. He announced before the playoffs that he was donating $100,000 to start a fund called the Harvey Patriot Grant Foundation that will donate up to $2,500 each for military and veteran families affected by the storm. He also pledged to donate his playoff share to the cause at the end of the postseason.

''It's going to be something special if we can win a World Series and to have the country rally around Houston and go hand in hand and give back and help the families that need it is of the utmost importance,'' he said.

Verlander believes if the Astros keep winning, it will not only be a bright spot in a difficult time, but that it could help keep the plight of the city in the nation's consciousness.

''A lot of people in this city ... are still struggling and still have a long way to go before they're back and on their feet and living a normal life in their home,'' he said. ''So ... I think that this could go a long way in helping people kind of forget and give them something to be happy about when it's really hard on them right now.''

[StarDust Bum]

This time vs Astros, Yanks again try to overcome 2-0 deficit
October 15, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) Trailing again 2-0 in the postseason, these young New York Yankees remain even keeled going into Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros.

''I don't know if it's maturity or just being dumb,'' Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said Sunday.

At 36 the old man of the pitching staff, Sabathia will pitch Monday surrounded by a starting lineup that includes Baby Bombers Aaron Judge (25), Gary Sanchez (24) and Greg Bird (24).

Houston, two wins from its first World Series appearance since 2005, starts 33-year-old right-hander Charlie Morton, who grew up in Connecticut rooting for the Yankees. He remembered getting Joe Girardi's autograph at spring training and his family spotting Derek Jeter at a Bahama Breeze restaurant, an especially exhilarating experience for his sister, Jennie.

''She walked up to him and said, `Hey, can I have a picture with you?' And he said, `Only if you smile,''' Morton recalled.

After a pair of 2-1 games in Houston, the series shifted to the Bronx and the Astros worked out at Yankee Stadium, where New York went 51-30 during the regular season. Houston won the 2015 AL wild-card game in the Bronx by a 3-0 score.

''It will be the biggest game of my career,'' said Morton, who didn't get a decision against Boston in Game 4 of the Division Series.

While Judge, Sanchez and Didi Gregorius combined to go 2 for 22 in the first two games of the series, Astros stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa went 8 for 15. Reaching the best-of-seven LCS is new for most players on both teams, and Astros manager A.J. Hinch thinks his players are motivated by doing well for each other.

''Maybe we don't sense sort of the magnitude of these moments because this is us, who we are, how we are,'' he said.

New York seeks inspiration from its comeback last week from a 2-0 deficit in the best-of-five Division Series against Cleveland, which led the AL with 102 wins - one more than Houston. Girardi said New York's streaky nature during the season also bred confidence. The Yankees started 38-23, opening a four-game AL East lead, lost 19 of their next 26, then rebounded to finish 91-71 and earn the top wild card.

''Guys started to understand that you have to be resilient in this game,'' the manager said. ''You're going to have really tough losses and you have to learn to bounce back.''

He also thought back to his playing days on the 1996 Yankees, outscored 16-1 by Atlanta in the opening two games of the World Series. New York swept the next four to win the first of its five titles with Jeter and reliever Marino Rivera.

''There were a lot of young players that played important roles, mostly Mariano and Derek,'' Girardi said. ''The message then was go win one, one game, and see where we're at. And that's the same message.''

Sabathia was 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 10 starts following Yankees' losses during the regular season and didn't get decisions against the Indians in New York's Game 2 loss or Game 5 win. Given a relief corps that includes Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, David Robertson, Chad Green and Tommy Kahnle, Sabathia doesn't worry about pitching deep.

''I'll go out and do my thing and let the bullpen clean up my mess,'' Sabathia said.

Morton follows Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander, whose stellar starts were the primary factor in the Yankees' 27 strikeouts over the two games. Morton recalled going to the old Stadium across 161st Street and also looking on at a Roger Clemens bullpen session during spring training.

''When I was little, I remember really wanting a Don Mattingly rookie card, and I never got it,'' he said.

Morton missed most of 2016 with a hamstring injury, left Philadelphia last offseason to sign with Houston as a free agent and went 14-7. He limited left-handed batters to a .172 average, down from .258 in 2016, and attributed his improvement to a talk in a Citi Field video room last year with Phillies pitching coaches Bob McClure and Rick Kranitz, who advised he throw more curveballs to lefties and fewer sinkers.

Morton's percentage of flyballs among balls in play rose from 21.5 percent two years ago to 29 percent this year. And just like the old ballpark, new Yankee Stadium has a short porch in right, transforming flyouts elsewhere into home runs.

''It might be present in the back of my mind, but I don't think it would overly dictate the way that I throw,'' Morton said.

NOTES: Yankees DHs are 0 for 27 in the postseason, but Girardi isn't thinking about starting Ronald Torreyes there instead of Chase Headley, Jacoby Ellsbury or Matt Holliday. ''It's not something he's accustomed to doing,'' Girardi said. ... Brad Peacock or Lance McCullers will start Game 4 for Houston, and Sonny Gray for the Yankees.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB Playoff Record:.........


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

10/15/2017 1-1-0 50.00% +0.00
10/14/2017 0-3-1 0.00% -15.50
10/13/2017 1-1-0 50.00% +0.00
10/12/2017 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
10/11/2017 3-1-0 75.00% +15.50
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:...............17 -22......43.58%.......-24.30




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

10/15/2017.................0 - 1......................-5.00............................1 - 0........+5.00
10/14/2017.................0 - 2......................-10.00..........................0-0-1......+0.00
10/13/2017.................0 - 1.......................-5.00...........................1 - 0.......+5.00
10/12/2017.................0 - 0........................0.00..................... ......0 - 1........-5.50
10/11/2017.................2 - 0.......................+15.00.................... ...0 - 1........-5.50
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:........................4 - 10.......................- 26.00.......................11-9-2.......+5.50

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

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

6) Atlanta Falcons, -11.5 (644)- L

5) Los Angeles Rams, +2.5 (701)- W

4) Denver Broncos, -11.5 (716)- L

3) Detroit Lions, +5 (779)- L

2) Green Bay Packers, -3 (970)- L

1) Pittsburgh Steelers, +4.5 (993)- W

Season record of top 6 picks: 15-21


**********

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday…….

Eagles 28, Panthers 23— Philly’s first two TD drives were 12-17 yards; they improve to 5-1 and now have 11 days until their next game. Eagles are 3-1 on road; their only loss was to the Chiefs. Newton threw for 325 yards but threw three INT’s; guys on TV wondered if he hurt his shoulder on the play when he dove, trying to get the ball into the end zone. Road team covered all six Panther games this season.

Dolphins 20, Falcons 17— Atlanta led 17-0 at the half, then didn’t score in 2nd half, running 23 plays for 100 yards on four empty drives. Miami went TD-TD-FG-FG on their second half drives, after scoring 3 offensive TD’s on 46 drives in their first 4.5 games. Falcons are now 4-12 as home favorites under Quinn. AFC East road teams are 8-2 vs spread outside the division.

Vikings 23, Packers 10— So you’ve got Aaron Rodgers on your fantasy team, or you bet the Packers or are just a Packer fan; on one play, everything goes up in smoke, when Rodgers leaves in first quarter with a broken collarbone. Case Keenum is way better than Brett Hundley, as far as backup QB’s go. Next week, Hundley will become only the 7th starting QB for Green Bay in the last 25 years- since ’08, Packers are 3-5-1 without Rodgers, not including two other games they lost when he got hurt in the first quarter.

Saints 52, Lions 38— One of strangest games in NFL history; Detroit scored a defensive TD and had a punt return for a TD, yet they trailed 45-10 with 6:10 left in 3rd quarter. Then with 5:20 to go in the game, after being down 45-10, Lions had the ball down only 45-38.

New Orleans defense scored three TD’s in this game; when they were on the field, they scored 21 points and the Lion offense scored 24. In last three games, all wins. Saints have 9 takeaways (+6), after having zero takeaways in their first two games, both losses.

Patriots 24, Jets 17— At 1:48 Sunday afternoon, Josh McCown was 11-15/149 passing with two TD’s, as Jets led 14-0; McCown wound up 31-47/354 but a key call on a goal line fumble by the Jets cost Gang Green a huge TD. The play was very similar to Todd Gurley’s goal line fumble against Seattle LW, involving the pylon and the player recovering his fumble.

Jets gained 408 yards but turned ball over three times; they covered on a FG with 3:40 left- they’re 13-5 vs spread in last 18 games as a home underdog. Gronkowski caught two TD passes for New England.

Redskins 26, 49ers 24— Niners became 5th team in first six weeks of season to bench their QB for non-injury reasons; in other words, because the guy sucked. Iowa alum Beathard is grandson of former Redskins’ GM Bobby Beathard; he was 19-36/245 in his NFL debut. 49ers may be 0-6, but their last five losses were by 3-2-3-3-2 points- they’re 3-1 as road underdogs. Washington is 5-11 vs spread in its last 16 games as a home favorite.

Bears 27, Ravens 24 OT— Baltimore scored two TD’s on special teams, and still lost- their offense averaged 3.8 ypa, gained 291 yards, turned ball over 3 times. In last six days, Chicago has four TD passes; one each by the punter and RB Cohen, two by rookie QB Trubisky. Bobby Rainey had a 96-yard kickoff return for a Raven TD, the first kickoff return for a TD in the NFL this year. Ravens are +8 in turnovers in their wins, -6 in their losses.

Texans 33, Browns 17— Deshaun Watson woke up on draft day last spring with a text from Browns’ coach Hue Jackson, telling him to “be ready”. Then Cleveland passed on Watson; they are now 6-12 vs spread in their last 18 games as a road underdog.

Meanwhile, Houston scored 33-57-34-33 points in their last four games behind rookie QB Watson, a player the Browns could’ve taken themselves. I went to a damn state college, but even I know that quarterback is an important position in football— you need a good one.

Cardinals 38, Buccaneers 33— Arizona led 31-0, KO’d Bucs’ QB Winston (shoulder), but then Tampa Bay roared back behind backup QB Fitzpatrick, scoring four TD’s on their last six drives, but they never got ball back with chance to take lead. Cardinals averaged 11.3 ypa, scored 31 points on five red zone drives- they head to England next to play the Rams.

For the week, team over/unders are 13-13 heading into the Monday night game.

Rams 27, Jaguars 17— Special teams, special teams, special teams. John Fassel is the Rams’ special teams coach— his dad used to coach the Giants. When they fired him, he was replaced by Tom Coughlin, who now runs the Jacksonville franchise. Rams ran opening kick back for a TD, then blocked a punt for a TD later in the game.

Leonard Fournette’s first carry was a 75-yard TD; rest of the day, he ran ball 20 times for 55 yards, before leaving with a sprained ankle. Jaguars are +11 in turnovers in their three wins, -1 in their three losses.

Rams were held to 20-16 points in their two losses; they scored 27+ in their four wins.

Steelers 19, Chiefs 13— First half yardage: Pittsburgh 216, Kansas City -21. Despite that, KC trailed only 19-13 with 3:40 left when a bad pass by Roethlisberger took an unfortunate bounce off a defender’s hand and into Antonio Brown’s hands, were he scored the game-clinching TD.

Chiefs scored 17 TD’s in their first five games; they scored one here and rushed for only 28 yards- they lost despite an 11-yard edge in field position. Since start of LY, Chiefs are 0-3 vs Pittsburgh, 17-3 vs everyone else.

Chargers 17, Raiders 16— Five of six Charger game have been decided by 5 or less points; they won their last two games, both on road. Rivers found TE Henry with couple of key passes to keep game-winning drive alive- they kicked FG as time expired to win the game. Novak is their third kicker in six games, by the way.

Oakland lost its last four games, scoring 10-10-17-16 points; Carr played despite his back being not fully healed. Raiders ran a lot of shorter pass patterns so Carr wouldn’t be subjected to hits from linemen— thats why Amani Cooper’s numbers were down in this game.

Giants 23, Broncos 10— New York gets its first win of the year as 12-point underdogs; their reshuffled offensive line paved way for 146 rushing yards, second week in row they ran for 145+ yards. Siemian threw an awful pick-6 right before the half that broke the game open.

Denver was -3 in turnovers; NFL teams are 4-33 this season when they’re -2 or worse in TO’s. Giants play their next three games vs NFC West teams; Seahawks-Rams-49ers, with a bye mixed in there.