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

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LEADING OFF: Verlander tries to keep Astros from 0-2 hole
October 25, 2017

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

ACE IN THE HOLE

After dropping the World Series opener at Dodger Stadium, the Astros are confident they can rebound in Game 2 - with good reason. Justin Verlander is on the mound, and he's perfect in a Houston uniform.

The ALCS MVP is 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA this postseason, including his first career relief appearance. He is 9-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 67 strikeouts in nine outings for the Astros since agreeing to a trade from Detroit that was completed only seconds before the Aug. 31 midnight deadline for postseason eligibility.

''We think we can win every single game he pitches. I don't know there's any better compliment for a starting pitcher,'' Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. ''I expect his best, and that's what he's delivered since the day he became an Astro.''

HUSHED HOUSTON HITTERS

Houston's batters are looking for a breakout after getting three-hit in the Series opener. It was an especially tough night for George Springer, who went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts from the leadoff spot in a game started by Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.

Springer, who hit 34 homers this season and made his first All-Star team, batted .412 with a homer and two doubles in the Division Series against Boston but only .115 (3 for 26) in the ALCS vs. the Yankees. Hinch said Springer will be right back in the leadoff spot for Game 2.

The bright spot Tuesday was a solo homer by Alex Bregman, but the five batters below him in the order - Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Yuli Gurriel, Brian McCann and Marwin Gonzalez - were a combined 1 for 16. They weren't exactly tough outs, either - Correa was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and only saw five pitches. The Astros are batting just .176 since the start of the ALCS.

HILL TO RELY ON

Just over two years after pitching for the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League, Rich Hill will start for the Dodgers in Game 2. The 37-year-old left-hander used the Ducks as a springboard back into the majors, and after going 12-8 with a 3.32 ERA for Los Angeles this season, he's about to make his first Series start.

''A couple years ago, I was using a bucket in independent ball as a toilet,'' he recalled last weekend.

This will be Hill's third start this postseason - he's allowed three runs in nine innings and is yet to get a decision.

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Hollywood story: Hill goes from Long Island Ducks to Series
October 25, 2017

LOS ANGELES (AP) Rich Hill is living a Hollywood story.

Twenty-six months ago, he was pitching for the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League.

Thirteen months ago, he was pulled from a perfect game after seven innings because of his pitch count.

Two months ago, another perfect-game bid was spoiled by a leadoff error in the ninth.

And on Wednesday night, the 37-year-old left-hander will be on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Game 2 of the World Series.

''A couple years ago, I was using a bucket in independent ball as a toilet,'' he recalled last weekend.

Script writers seeking a follow-up to ''Bull Durham,'' ''Field of Dreams'' and ''The Natural'' need look no farther than Dodger Stadium, just 7 miles down the 101 from the Walk of Fame. Hill will take on the Houston Astros, who start Justin Verlander, the MVP of the AL Championship Series.

After a decade in the major leagues, Hill began 2015 with the Washington Nationals' Triple-A team at Syracuse, New York, and was released in June. He signed with the Ducks, struck out seven over five hitless innings on Aug. 2 against the Bridgeport Bluefish, then a week later struck out 14 over six scoreless innings versus the Camden Riversharks.

''I think it's something that people will think of and say, wow, it's just a bunch of guys that are washed up or guys that didn't get an opportunity to make it,'' he explained Tuesday. ''But that's not true. If you actually go to a game and take it in and see, there's a lot of good talent here. It just happens that there wasn't any room for these players in affiliated baseball.''

Boston took notice, purchased his contract and brought him back to the big leagues in mid-September.

''It was a great experience. I wouldn't change that for anything,'' Hill said. ''It was learning again, reigniting that fire, reigniting that passion for what we do out there on the field and really getting back into disassociating yourself with the results and just understanding that it is a pitch-to-pitch process and understanding that the moment is all that matters.''

He went 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in four starts with the Red Sox and earned a $6 million, one-year deal with Oakland for 2016. Dealt to the Dodgers that Aug. 1, he went 7-5 with a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts overall, became a free agent again and signed a $48 million, four-year contract to remain with Los Angeles.

At the news conference to announce his big deal, Hill's voice quavered and his face flushed with emotion when he thanked his wife Caitlin; son Brice, who was born in 2011; and son Brooks, who was less than 2 months old when he died in February 2014.

''He was born with multiple issues that we confronted and had to deal with,'' Hill said at spring training that year. ''Unfortunately, he succumbed. He's passed. He taught us a lot of things. Unfortunately, things didn't work out.''

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admires Hill for a passion and intensity that stands out even among hyper-competitive major leaguers.

''He's whacky on his start days,'' Roberts said. ''He gets more mad when he swings and misses than he does giving up a homer. This guy thinks he's Superman on the baseball field. So it's kind of comical at times.''

Hill's performance in Los Angeles has been blistering - both good and bad.

He retired his first 21 batters at Miami on Sept. 10 last year when Roberts removed him after 89 pitches. Hill didn't pitch in the majors between May 29 and July 2 because of a strained left groin and between July 17 and Aug. 24 because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

''I feel sick to my stomach,'' Roberts said then. ''This is probably the worst I've felt after a win.''

On Aug. 23 this year, he retired his first 24 batters at Pittsburgh before third baseman Logan Forsythe allowed Jordy Mercer's grounder to bounce off his chest and skip away for an error. Hill pitched no-hit ball until Josh Harrison homered on a fastball leading off the 10th that gave the Pirates a 1-0 win.

Still, his season was interrupted twice by the blister, which sent him to the disabled list from April 7-16 and April 17 to May 16. After returning for the second time, he held opponents to a .194 batting average and averaged 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings, finishing with a 12-8 record.

He didn't get a decision in his first two postseason starts this year, allowing two runs over four innings as the Dodgers beat Arizona 8-5 in Game 2 of the Division Series and giving up one run over four innings during the 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the Championship Series.

Hill thought back to ''those times of struggle and in the times of failure in the rehab, the years of rehabbing, not being in an affiliated clubhouse.''

''You understand how fortunate you are to play this game and fortunate to be able to get the opportunity to go out there and play,'' he said.

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LA's Pederson, Utley start in place of Hernandez, Forsythe
October 25, 2017

LOS ANGELES (AP) Left fielder Joc Pederson and second baseman Chase Utley get the start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series in place of Enrique Hernandez and Logan Forsythe, and shortstop Corey Seager moves from sixth to second in the batting order.

Chris Taylor bats leadoff and plays center field Wednesday night, followed by Seager, third baseman Justin Turner, first baseman Cody Bellinger, right fielder Yasiel Puig, Pederson, catcher Austin Barnes, Utley and left-hander Rich Hill.

Center fielder George Springer tops an unchanged Houston Astros batting order, followed third baseman Alex Bregman, second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, first baseman Yuli Gurriel, catcher Brian McCann, left fielder Marwin Gonzalez, right fielder Jose Reddick and right-hander Justin Verlander.

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Tuesday's Best Bet
October 25, 2017

Screw It, Astros In 6

The Los Angeles Dodgers have come out swinging at the plate and on the hill to take what feels like a commanding lead in the World Series. Clayton Kershaw threw 11 strikeouts and allowed just one run on three hits in the opener, while the heart of their batting order provided the offensive spark to put Houston away.

As a massive public team, the Dodgers have entered the fray as the favorite and continue to hold value as they maintain homefield advantage. But anyone who is investing heavily in the Dodgers is forgetting two things.

Whle Kershaw is one of the most well known strikeout artists in the game, he’s also backed by the best bullpen in the playoffs. The Dodgers didn’t allow a single run in the NLCS as they vanquished the Cubs. But let’s also be clear that Justin Turner and Chris Taylor needed to bash homeruns of Keuchel to get the Dodgers the lead in the first place.

Keuchel has routinely been knocked around by the Dodgers and this is the World Series where a lot of weird stuff can go down. He should be forgiven for throwing an otherwise strong game. But where the Astros themselves will find reprieve is in the remainder of their starters.

The Astros will send Justin Verlander to the mound tonight, and the former MVP is having an absolutely resurgent post season. He’s posted a 1.46 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP that far outclasses the metrics of his opponent, Chris Hill, in tonight’s pivotal Game 2.

Let’s not forget that that this series shifts back to Houston for Games 3 through 5, and the Astros are a perfect 6-0 SU when playing at home this season. So if you’re going to take one of the best value plays left on the board, it’s going to be the Astros in 6 at +600.

Of course, if you’re brazen enough to believe that Kershaw can’t steal a game on the road for the Dodgers, why wouldn’t you take Houston riding momentum for a four-game sweep and winning in Game 5? I mean, aside from if you think the Dodgers are going to win it all…

World Series Outcome - per by BetOnline.ag
Astros in 5 +1200
Astros in 6 +600
Astros in 7 +550
Dodgers in 4 +600
Dodgers in 5 +350
Dodgers in 6 +275
Dodgers in 7 +425

BetOnline.ag has a full service of awesome prop bets to compliment the World Series. You can bet on the obscenely tight race for World Series MVP, a market that is currently led by Kershaw (+300) and Justin Turner (+350). But three other bets – Altuve at +800, Velrander at +700 and other Dodger Chris Taylor at +800 – all boast extremely strong payout value as well. Follow your heart, it’s the only way to go.

Game 2 of the World Series is set for Wednesday at 8pm ET / 5pm PT with a showdown between Verlander and Hill set to captivate our attention.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

HOU at LAD 08:00 PM

HOU -111

O 7.5 *****

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Astros edge Dodgers to even series
October 25, 2017

LOS ANGELES (AP) George Springer circled the bases after hitting a two-run homer off Brandon McCarthy in the 11th inning.

Would it be enough? Was this the final plot twist in one of the wildest World Series games ever?

Yes, it was - barely - and the Houston Astros won a World Series game for the first time in their 56-season history.

Charlie Culberson hit a two-out homer in the bottom half off winner Chris Devenski, who then struck out Yasiel Puig in a nine-pitch at-bat. The Astros outlasted the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 in a Hollywood thriller Wednesday night to tie the Series at one game apiece.

On a night of dramatic swings and a World Series-record eight home runs, Marwin Gonzalez stunned the Dodger Stadium crowd with a solo shot off dominant closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth that made it 3-all.

Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa hit consecutive home runs against Josh Fields in the 10th to build a 5-3 Astros lead.

But there was more. Much, much more.

Puig homered off Ken Giles starting the bottom of the 10th and Enrique Hernandez knotted the score 5-5 with a two-out RBI single.

Devenski entered and with Hernandez at second, a wild pickoff throw headed toward center field before it struck second base umpire Laz Diaz. An incredulous Hernandez put both hands on his head, unable to advance, and he was stranded when Chris Taylor flied out.

Cameron Maybin, who had entered in the 10th, singled leading off the 11th against Brandon McCarthy, a surprise addition to the Dodgers' World Series roster who was pitching for the first time since Oct. 1. Maybin stole second and Springer hit a drive to center for a 7-5 lead, just the third 11th-inning home run in the Series after shots by Kirby Puckett in 1991 and David Freese in 2011.

Devenski retired Corey Seager and Justin Turner on lineouts. Puig checked his swing on a 2-2 pitch - the Astros jumped when first base umpire Gerry Davis signaled no swing - and Puig fouled off two more. Devenski threw his fifth straight changeup, and Puig swung over it as the Astros ran onto the field to celebrate.

After another steamy night in a Santa Ana heat wave, the series shifts to Texas and resumes Friday at Houston's Minute Maid Park, where the retractable roof has not been open for a game since June 8. Lance McCullers Jr. starts for the Astros and Yu Darvish for the Dodgers, who acquired him from Texas at the July 31 trade deadline.

Houston is 6-0 at home in the postseason but just 1-7 on the road.

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The Latest: Astros' McCullers starts Game 3, Morton Game 4
October 25, 2017

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Latest on Game 2 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers (all times local):

9:35 p.m.

George Springer hit a two-run drive in the 11th inning and the Houston Astros won a thrilling home run derby at Dodger Stadium, beating Los Angeles 7-6 Wednesday night to tie the World Series at one game apiece.

The teams combined for a Series record eight homers. When the slugging was finally over, the Astros had hung on to win a World Series game for the first time in their 56-season history.

Houston trailed 3-2 in the ninth when Marwin Gonzalez hit a leadoff home run against closer Kenley Jansen. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa hit back-to-back homers in the Houston 10th for a 5-3 lead.

The Dodgers then rallied, tying it on Yasiel Puig's home run and an RBI single with two outs by Enrique Hernandez.

Springer's shot off Brandon McCarthy gave Houston just enough margin to withstand Charlie Culberson's homer in the bottom of the 11th.

Game 3 is Friday night in Houston.

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Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

— Happy birthday to Pat Sajak, the youngest-looking 71-year old in America.

— Aaron Rodgers has 13 screws in his clavicle after surgery this week.

— Eastern Michigan has used five different punters this season.

— Ravens 40, Dolphins 0– Joe Flacco got KO’d with a concussion; Ravens have ten days before their next game, then a bye.

— Stanford 15, Oregon State 14– Cardinal tore OSU’s hearts out, scoring a TD with 0:20 left. Beavers are having a terrible season.

— Joe Girardi was fired by New York Thursday; the guy was 910-710 but got the boot.


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Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Things I’m looking for this weekend

13) Penn State-Ohio State is a game with national title implications; Buckeyes won five games in row since loss to Oklahoma, all by 31+ points; they’re 6-12 vs spread in last 18 games as a home favorite, 1-3 this year. OSU had last week off, Penn State whacked Michigan. Nittany Lions lost 38-10/63-14 in their last two visits to Columbus.

12) Only 11 NFL games Sunday, only three divisional games this weekend as they defer to the World Series, keeping more marquee matchups until the second half of the season. Putting the Browns on TV from London at 9:30am isn’t going to help TV ratings any.

11) Washington State embarrassed Arizona 69-7 last year, now they visit Tucson to play an invigorated Wildcat squad that is running the ball like crazy behind sophomore QB Tate. Big contrast is styles, interesting game— too bad it is on the Pac-12 Network.

10) Bears visit the Superdome Sunday; Saints won their last four games, allowing 6 TD’s on 38 drives, while scoring three TD’s of their own. Now rookie QB Trubisky comes calling against a hot defense. Chicago’s only two TD’s last week were scored by their defense.

9) Florida beat Georgia the last three years, by 14-24-18 points, but the Dawgs are unbeaten this year with a win at Notre Dame. Florida has played lot of close games this year; they’re getting two TD’s in this game. Favorites are 4-1-1 vs spread in last six series games.

8) Raiders make the long trip last to play a Buffalo team that is B4-2 with a +10 turnover ratio; Bills are 3-0 at home, with wins by 9-10-3 points- they’re 22-42 on 3rd down in their last three games.

7) Tennessee is 31-1 in its last 32 games with Kentucky; this is only 2nd time in last 21 years they’ve been an underdog to the Wildcats, but Butch Jones is on his way out in Knoxville— if Kentucky doesn’t beat the Vols this week, not sure when they will.

6) Indianapolis is 0-3 on road, losing by 35-28-14 points (0-3 vs spread); four of their five losses are by 14+ points- they’ve been outscored 134-44 in second half of games this year, have one TD on 19 drives in last two games. Other than that, things are going great for the Colts.

5) North Carolina was a double-digit favorite in two of its first three games, but they split those games and are 1-7, losing last four games by a combined score of 145-41 (36-10 average). Tar Heels host unbeaten Miami this week, coming off a 59-7 loss at Virginia Tech.

4) Houston scored 33+ points in its last four games, led by surprising rookie QB Watson; now they visit a stout Seahawk defense that has allowed only two TD’s on 22 drives in two home wins, and held the Giants to seven points last week.

3) Road team won last four Michigan State-Northwestern games; Wildcats won 54-40 in East Lansing LY, holding State to 51 YR. Spartans won their last five visits to Evanston.

2) Redskins/Eagles both got banged up on Monday night; Washington hosts arch-rival Dallas here, as both teams try to keep pace with the first-place Eagles. Cowboys-Redskins is most always a fun game.

1) USC s 0-6 against the spread in its last six games, losing their last two road games, at Notre Dame, Washington State. Trojans are tied for first in Pac-12 South, making this a bigger game than usual. ASU won three of its last four games, covering all four.

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MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, October 27

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LA DODGERS (112 - 60) at HOUSTON (109 - 66) - 8:05 PM
YU DARVISH (R) vs. CHARLIE MORTON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 20-32 (-13.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 91-81 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 28-37 (-23.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 105-123 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 148-106 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 97-94 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 32-26 (-15.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
DARVISH is 16-17 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 109-66 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 43-19 (+20.1 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 84-40 (+26.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 40-26 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MORTON is 30-12 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 63-55 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

YU DARVISH vs. HOUSTON since 1997
DARVISH is 5-5 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.44 and a WHIP of 1.067.
His team's record is 8-6 (-3.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-5. (+1.1 units)

CHARLIE MORTON vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
MORTON is 0-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 6.55 and a WHIP of 1.909.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, October 27

Los Angeles @ Houston
Astros are 6-0 at home in playoffs, outscoring opponents 31-7. Dodgers are 8-2 in the playoffs, 3-1 on the road.

Darvish is 4-0, 1.17 in his last five starts (under 3-1-1); Dodgers are 5-2 in his road starts. Darvish is 1-1, 3.00 vs Houston this year; he allowed one hit in seven IP in his only start here this year, on June 12. He is 2-2, 3.52 in four playoff starts.

McCullers is 0-1, 5.21 in his last four starts; he threw four scoreless innings in relief in AL clincher vs New York. Over is 7-2 in his last nine starts. Astros are 6-3 in his home starts. McCullers is 0-0, 2.33 in four career playoff games (2 starts).




MLB

Friday, October 27

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Trend Report
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LA DODGERS @ HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games on the road
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers


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MLB
Dunkel

Friday, October 27


LA Dodgers @ Houston

Game 905-906
October 27, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Darvish) 16.994
Houston
(McCllers) 18.225
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-130
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-130); Under

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World Series Game 3 betting preview and odds: Dodgers at Astros

Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros (-115, 8.5)

Series tied 1-1

The Houston Astros emerged victorious in an epic Game 2 and now look to take a 2-1 lead when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 3 of the World Series on Friday. The teams combined for a World Series-record eight home runs on Wednesday, with George Springer's two-run blast in the 11th inning being the biggest in the Astros' come-from-behind 7-6 road win.

Houston carries the momentum home after the comeback triumph and has made the decision to close the roof on Minute Maid Park for Friday's game, assuring that crowd noise will play a role in the festivities. "It's quite an environment when we play under the roof," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said during his press conference on Thursday. "It was one of the loudest stadiums the last series; I expect it to be the same. We're coming off one of the most epic baseball games in any of our careers, so that feels good. It will feel good right up to first pitch, and then it will be a new game." The 4-hour, 19-minute Game 2 classic featured six homers in the final three innings as Los Angeles saw a chance for a 2-0 series advantage evaporate. "I think all year long we've done a nice job of recovering, turning the page, whether it's a big win or tough loss," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "It's a tough loss - just refocusing on the day at hand."

TV: 8:09 p.m. ET, FOX

LINE HISTORY: The Astros opened Game 3 as -125 favorites, but have been bet down to the current number of -115. Oddsmakers set the total at 8.5.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Yu Darvish (2-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0, 2.08)

Darvish has fanned 14 batters in 11 1/3 innings this postseason to improve to 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in four career playoff starts. The 31-year-old from Japan fared well at Minute Maid Park during his tenure with Texas, going 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 0.74 WHIP in six career outings. "I feel like it doesn't really matter," Darvish said of his past success through his translator at his press conference on Thursday. "It's better to know that I've pitched here before. But (Friday's) game, it could be totally different from my previous outings here."

McCullers, who has posted a 2.33 ERA in four playoff appearances (two starts), is making his second start this postseason and has recorded 13 strikeouts in as many innings. The 24-year-old took a shutout into the seventh frame of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series before allowing a homer by New York Yankees rookie slugger Aaron Judge but has been mesmerizing hitters with a steady diet of curveballs. "I don't view it as an off-speed pitch," McCullers said at his press conference on Thursday. "I just view it as another one of my weapons that I can use to get people out."

UMPIRE REPORT: Gerry Davis

When it comes to home and away splits, Davis was pretty even, with the home team having a slight edge in games he officiated, going 16-14. Davis is the thrid straight Under umpire to call balls and strikes in this series, with the Under going 18-10 in his games this season. Davis has seen an average of 7.8 runs per game anad has a strike rate of 63.63 percent.

TRENDS:

* Dodgers are 21-5 in their last 26 games following an off day.
* Astros are 6-0 in their last six playoff home games.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Dodgers last eight road games.
* Under is 8-1 in Astros last nine home games vs. a right-handed starter.

CONSENSUS: Bettors like the Astros at home in Game 3, with 56 percent of wagers on Houston. When it comes to the total, bettors are on the Over after the offensive outburst in Game 2 with 58 percent of wagers on it.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

LAD at HOU 08:00 PM

HOU -135

U 8.5 *****

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Darvish left spinning as Dodgers fall into Series deficit
October 28, 2017

HOUSTON (AP) Pitching in his World Series debut, Yu Darvish kept turning his head as balls clanked off the outfield wall or soared over it.

Darvish had never pitched fewer than three innings in 135 previous big league outings. On baseball's biggest stage, he got just five outs and left with a four-run deficit in Friday's night's 5-3 loss to Houston, which put the Dodgers in a 2-1 World Series hole.

If Los Angeles is to win the World Series, the Dodgers will have to do it at home for the first time since 1963 - and with a bullpen that has covered 13 1/3 innings over the past two games.

Ahead of his start, Darvish joked he should receive a gracious greeting because he wore a ''Houston Strong'' T-shirt last month to raise money for hurricane relief.

''Maybe I can use a ball that doesn't have much pop in it,'' he said through a translator.

Houston had enough pop to keep the ornamental train above Minute Maid Park's left-field wall sounding its whistle often early in Friday's game.

Darvish threw 49 pitches and had just one swing and miss - by Carlos Correa on a 98 mph fastball in the first inning. There was also a missed bunt attempt by Marwin Gonzalez before his run-scoring single in the second.

The 31-year-old Japanese right-hander seemed amped up. His fastball averaged 94.7 mph during the season, according to Brooks Baseball, but with higher velocity against the Astros, his slider flattened.

Acquired from Texas at the July 31 trade deadline, Darvish had been 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in a pair of postseason starts, winning Game 3s against Arizona in the Division Series and the Cubs in the League Championship Series.

But he seemed out of sort right from the start against Houston, falling behind leadoff hitter George Springer 3-1 and allowing an RBI double.

Yuli Gurriel drove a slider into the left field Crawford Boxes opening the second, and Josh Reddick doubled to left for his first extra-base hit in 49 plate appearances this postseason - the third extra-base hit off Darvish among the Astros' first six batters.

Evan Gattis walked and, after a visit to the mound by pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, Gonzalez hit a 373-foot single off the left-field wall for a 2-0 lead.

Brian McCann lined an RBI single into right and Alex Bregman hit a sacrifice fly with one out, and Darvish was done for the day, skirting the edge of the World Series logo as he walked to the third-base dugout.

Yasiel Puig also had a bad day. With Los Angeles trailing 4-1 in the fourth, he singled down the third-base line, ran past first, slowed to almost a stop, then noticed the ball was bounding off the low wall. He then started for second and was thrown out by Gonzalez.

Reliever Tony Watson added his own errant moment, throwing Gattis' chopper past first baseman Cody Bellinger in the fifth, allowing Reddick to score from first base on what was ruled an infield hit and a two-base error.

After a strong start by Clayton Kershaw in the opener and a good-but-abbreviated one from Rich Hill in Game 2, the Dodgers have failed to retire the side in order for 14 consecutive innings. The bullpen stretched a scoreless streak to 28 innings during Game 2 on Wednesday night before blowing a save and losing in 11 innings.

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Preview: Dodgers (104-58) at Astros (101-61)
Game: 4
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: October 28, 2017 8:20 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- After burning through eight relief pitchers in Game 2 and sending five more to the mound on Friday night at Minute Maid Park in Game 3 of the World Series, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts faced the inevitable questions regarding the state of his bullpen after a 5-3 loss dropped the Dodgers into a 2-1 hole against the Houston Astros.

With left-hander Alex Wood scheduled to get the start on Saturday, the concerns are valid. Wood has made just one start this postseason, allowing three runs and four hits with seven strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of Game 4 in the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers dropped that game 3-2, their lone loss of that series.

Excluding right-hander Kenta Maeda, who worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings in Game 3, Roberts declared each member of his bullpen available for action in what will be a pivotal Game 4.

"Well, we just had an off-day yesterday," Roberts said. "And when your starter (right-hander Yu Darvish) goes five outs, you've got to find a way to cover some innings. Everyone tomorrow is available, outside of Kenta. And Alex is going to have to go deep.

"But I think, like I said, everyone is available, and we've got Kersh (ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw) going Game 5. They'll be available. They'll be fine."

Wood will face a pressure-packed outing but is equipped for the challenge. He paced the majors in winning percentage after finishing 16-3 with a career-best 2.72 ERA in 27 appearances (25 starts). His 3.3 WAR represented the second-best mark of his career, trailing the 3.7 WAR he produced with the Atlanta Braves while finishing 11-11 with a 2.78 ERA in 2014.

Relative postseason inexperience aside, Wood gets the ball with the Dodgers on the brink of a daunting deficit should they lose, yet buoyed by the opportunity to start instead of relieve.

"I feel fortunate that I'm finally getting to start in the postseason," Wood said. "My three previous postseason experiences have all been out of the bullpen. So really my first start against the Cubs in the postseason, I felt way more comfortable, not really much nerves. Just seemed like another game with a little bit of higher expectations for yourself and a little bit more pressure.

"But I felt really comfortable in Chicago. If you can feel comfortable there, you can feel comfortable anywhere. So I'm really excited about the opportunity tomorrow."

For the second time this postseason, Astros manager A.J. Hinch parlayed a tandem outing to positive results, riding right-handers Lance McCullers and Brad Peacock to victory in Game 3 after doing the same with Charlie Morton and McCullers in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Morton gets his first World Series start on Saturday at Minute Maid Park.

With Peacock, who made 21 starts for the Astros during the regular season, covering the final 3 2/3 innings with hitless relief, Hinch was able to avoid dipping into his beleaguered corps of full-time relievers. The possibility exists for Hinch to execute the same gambit Saturday, with right-hander Collin McHugh poised to finish what the Astros hope is a strong start by Morton.

Despite the obvious call to allow Peacock to continue his stellar pitching, Hinch was asked if his shaky bullpen, and a presumed lack of confidence in it, played a role in his decision. With the Astros one win from taking a stranglehold on the series, he was adamant that his bullpen arms are capable of playing a role in a Game 4 triumph.

"It's about getting 27 outs," Hinch said. "At this point, if they didn't see Peacock pitching well, then they should watch the game, too. I love our bullpen, and our bullpen is going to get outs, but this is a race to 27 outs with a lead. When a guy is doing his job, there's only so much explanation I need to give."

[StarDust Bum]

Column: There's so much to like about the Houston Astros
October 28, 2017

HOUSTON (AP) There's so much to like about the Houston Astros.

We're not talking about how they've buoyed the spirits of a hurricane-ravaged city, though that certainly adds to the appeal now that they're just two wins away from their first World Series championship.

And we're certainly not overlooking the racist nonsense from first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who pulled on the corners of his eyes after homering against Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish during Houston's 5-3 victory Friday night.

But this is about a team that not so long ago endured three straight 100-loss seasons, the result of its very conscious decision to strip down to nothing at the big league level, take a lot of lumps, and stay true to a painful but necessary course to rebuild the franchise totally from scratch.

If they ever make a movie about this team, it should be called ''All The Right Moves (Mostly), Part II.''

They built around an undersized second baseman, Jose Altuve, who'll likely be the AL's Most Valuable Player. They stuck with once-struggling sinkerballer Dallas Keuchel, who won the Cy Young Award two years ago and went 14-5 this season. They drafted shortstop Carlos Correa and third baseman Alex Bregman, who now comprise a dynamic left side of the infield. They drafted Lance McCullers Jr. and traded for Brad Peacock, who got the win and the save in Game 3. They plucked Gurriel out of Cuba, signed outfielder Josh Reddick, traded for designated hitter Evan Gattis, and picked up veteran catcher Brian McCann for peanuts coming into this season.

Then, just before the deadline for postseason eligibility, Houston acquired ace pitcher Justin Verlander to bolster its October hopes.

How's that working out?

Verlander was 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in his last five starts of the regular season, and he's won four more games in the postseason .

''I'm pretty proud of these guys,'' said Peacock, who pitched 3 2-3 hitless innings for the save. ''It's a special team, a special lineup, a special group of guys. I'm just glad to be part of it.''

It wasn't a special team back in 2012, when I sat down with Jeff Luhnow in his office at the Astros' then-spring training stadium in Kissimmee, Florida, not long after he was hired as general manager.

Disney World was right up the road, but it sounded as though Luhnow was selling an even bigger fantasy .

The Astros were coming off a 106-loss season.

Things would get even worse before they got better.

Luhnow knew this.

He also knew it was the best way forward.

''We want to shake the system, shock the system, to change that mentality,'' Luhnow told me that day. ''If we change that mentality, the results will eventually track your mentality. We have to figure out a way, and we're already doing it, to make everybody expect that we're gonna win every game, we're gonna win every series. Eventually, when you start to do that, it builds on itself.''

With a roster that looked more like an expansion team, the Astros went 55-107 in Luhnow's first season.

In 2013, they fell to 51-111 - the worst record in franchise history.

Now, here they are, just four years later, leading the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers two games to one in the World Series.

What makes this even more appealing is the Dodgers have baseball's biggest payroll, well past the $200 million mark, while the Astros went into the season ranked 19th at a relatively paltry $122 million.

No GM gets `em all right.

Certainly, Luhnow has a few clunkers he'd like to have back.

Heading into the 2014 season, Luhnow decided to cut outfielder J.D. Martinez, who started out as one of the cornerstones of the rebuilding effort but didn't develop as the Astros were expecting. He wound up in Detroit, where he hit 38 homers with 102 RBIs and made the All-Star Game in 2015. This season, splitting time between with the Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, he hit 45 homers with 104 RBIs in just 119 games.

Houston also had a chance to draft Kris Bryant with the top overall pick in 2013. Luhnow used that selection on pitcher Mark Appel, who never made it to the big leagues and is no longer with the Astros. Bryant was taken No. 2 by the Chicago Cubs and led their run to a World Series championship last season.

But the Astros certainly have more hits than misses.

Again, I'm reminded of that conversation with Luhnow in the early days of what became a remarkable rebuilding job.

He brought up the 1991 Astros, a team that finished 65-97 but laid a foundation for the future with burgeoning young stars such as Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Luis Gonzalez and Curt Schilling.

''A lot of those players maybe weren't well known at that point, but they became well known,'' Luhnow said. ''It's fun to watch guys go from virtually unknown to household names. We have those same kind of players in our organization, like Jose Altuve. He's a great story. He'll always be the underdog because of his size. But if he has success this year, people will be saying they know who plays second base for the Houston Astros as opposed to, `Who are those guys?'''

Yep, we know who they are now.

A team that's two wins away from a much-deserved championship.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Saturday, October 28

LA Dodgers @ Houston

Game 907-908
October 28, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Wood) 16.817
Houston
(Morton) 18.402
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-125); Under




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, October 28

Los Angeles @ Houston
Astros are 7-0 at home in playoffs, outscoring opponents 36-10. Dodgers are 8-3 in the playoffs, 3-2 on the road. Since 1903, the Game 3 winner is 72-40 in that World Series.

Wood is 2-3, 4.28 in his last six starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven outings. Dodgers lost three of his last four road starts. Wood didn’t pitch against Houston this year; he is 0-1, 5.25 in five career playoff games (one start).

Morton pitched five great innings in Game 7 of the last series; he is 4-1, 3.73 in his last six starts. Under is 5-1 in his last six starts. Morton didn’t pitch against the Dodgers this season; he is 1-2, 5.30 in four career playoff starts.




MLB

Saturday, October 28

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Trend Report
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LA DODGERS @ HOUSTON
LA Dodgers is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers


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MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, October 28

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LA DODGERS (112 - 61) at HOUSTON (110 - 66) - 8:05 PM
ALEX WOOD (L) vs. CHARLIE MORTON (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-1 (+1.0 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

ALEX WOOD vs. HOUSTON since 1997
WOOD is 1-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.571.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

CHARLIE MORTON vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
MORTON is 0-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 6.55 and a WHIP of 1.909.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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World Series Game 4 betting preview and odds: Dodgers at Astros

Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros (-130, 8)

Astros lead the series 2-1

The Houston Astros are two wins away from winning the first World Series title in franchise history and they look to take another step when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Saturday's Game 4. Houston has won the past two games to take a 2-1 lead in the series and emerged victorious in Friday's game 5-3 when it received 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief from Brad Peacock.

Yuli Gurriel's homer to open a four-run Astros' second inning was the lone blast on Friday after the teams combined for a record eight homers in Wednesday's epic Game 2. Houston is 7-0 at home in the postseason and thriving in front of a raucous atmosphere so the pressure is squarely on the Dodgers to win at least one game and get the series back to Los Angeles. "Obviously this crowd is into it, very educated, very enthusiastic," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters after Game 3. "They've got some confidence over there, that team. ... But honestly, I don't think we see it as pressure, just go out and play a good clean game." National League Championship Series co-MVPs Justin Turner (2-for-13, one homer) and Chris Taylor (1-for-9, one homer) are struggling for Los Angeles, while Astros star Jose Altuve (3-for-15, one homer) is also having a quiet series.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX

LINE HISTORY: The Astros opened Game 4 as -115 home chalk and money coming in on the home team has pushed that line up as high as -132 where it currently sits. The total hit the betting board at 8 and has yet to move off the opening number.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (0-1, 5.79 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (1-1, 6.23)

Wood is making just his second start of the postseason as he gave up three runs (all on solo homers) and four hits while striking out seven over 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS. The 26-year-old is pitching for just the second time in 31 days and he is aware Roberts has been quick to pull starting pitchers this postseason. "We don't have the longest leash," Wood told reporters at his Friday press conference, "so if anything, it kind of holds us to a higher standard, like you need to go out and shut it down and put up zeroes, and not give up any runs and then you can stay in longer."

Morton hasn't pitched more than five innings in any of his three postseason starts while striking out 14 in 13 innings. The Astros took a flyer on the 33-year-old after he pitched in just four games for Philadelphia last season and the investment paid off as Morton won a career-high 14 games and now gets to make his first World Series start. "It's an honor," Morton said at his Friday press conference. "Most people don't get a chance to play in the postseason, let alone in a Championship Series or the World Series. I'm going to try to enjoy it, but at the same time I've got a job to do."

TRENDS:

* Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 playoff games.

* Under is 7-1 in Woods last 8 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

* Under is 5-1 in Mortons last 6 starts overall.

* Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings.

* Dodgers are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.

CONSENSUS: The public is siding with the home chalk Chiefs at a rate of 55 percent and the Over is picking up 65 percent of the totals wagers. View full consensus data here.

WALK-OFFS:

* Houston RF Josh Reddick is 4-for-11 with a walk and three runs scored in the World Series after going 1-for-25 in the American League Championship Series.

* Los Angeles 1B Cody Bellinger fanned in all four at-bats on Friday and is hitless in 11 at-bats (seven strikeouts) in the series.