MLB 2018 Season Long Thread Thru the World Series / Picks,Trends,News Etc. !!

[StarDust Bum]

Dodgers tweak lineup to adjust to Braves
October 7, 2018
By The Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers put left fielder Chris Taylor in the leadoff position and sat Yasiel Puig as manager Dave Roberts adjusted his lineup to face Atlanta Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Sunday night.

The right-handed hitting Taylor is taking the spot of the left-handed hitting Joc Pederson in the lineup.

Another right-handed hitter, David Freese, is playing first base instead of Max Muncy and hitting third. Also, Matt Kemp is taking the place of Puig in right field and hitting fifth.

Kemp, who played for the Braves in 2016-17, hit 11 homers in 183 at-bats against left-handers. He hit 10 homers in 279 at-bats against right-handers. Freese hit .321 against left-handers and .273 against right-handers.

''To get Kemp, Freese, Taylor back involved against a starter like Newcomb, I think it gives us the best chance to win,'' Roberts said.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said the lineup moves reflect the depth of the Dodgers' bench.

''It just goes to the depth of their team when you can do that,'' Snitker said. ''I mean, they have five guys on their bench that could be everyday players for a lot of teams. And the fact that they can just flip a whole lineup like that again shows the depth and the quality of club that they have.''

Roberts said the depth helped keep his players fresh through a long season.

''The versatility lends itself to overcoming 162 games ... and keeps guys sharp mentally and physically,'' Roberts said.

Newcomb is starting ahead of veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, who will be available in the bullpen. Newcomb nearly pitched a no-hitter against Los Angeles in July, and the Dodgers have beaten right-handers in the first two games of the series.

The Braves are staying with rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. as their leadoff hitter but Snitker is moving Ender Inciarte into the No. 2 spot. Third baseman Johan Camargo, who hit second in Game 2, is hitting fifth.

Otherwise, the Braves' lineup remains unchanged.

The Dodgers lead the best-of-five series 2-0. The Braves must win to force a Game 4 on Monday.

[StarDust Bum]

Judge blares 'New York, New York'
October 7, 2018
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Aaron Judge walked past Boston's Fenway Park clubhouse early Sunday morning, Frank Sinatra's rendition of "New York, New York" blaring from a boom box atop the wheelie bag he was pulling with his left hand.

''It's a good song. And Aaron, he's one of our resident deejays, so he's got a pretty extensive playlist,'' New York manager Aaron Boone said later in the day at Yankee Stadium, a smirk filling his face. ''We like to hear that song sometimes when we win a big game.''

New York and Boston split at Fenway Park and are tied 1-1 in the best-of-five AL Division Series going into Game 3 on Monday night. Luis Severino, coming off four scoreless innings in the wild-card game against Oakland, starts for New York and former Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi pitches for the Red Sox.

Severino was 10-2 with a 2.74 ERA and .217 opponents' batting average at home, just 9-6 with a 3.99 ERA and .257 opponents' batting average on the road.

''Maybe my wife cooks better food here,'' he said.

New York is 19-9 in the postseason at new Yankee Stadium, where boisterous Bronx crowds try to intimidate. The Yankees' were 53-28 there during the regular season, the second-best home record behind Boston's 57-24. The win over Oakland in last week's wild-card game improved New York to 7-0 at home in the postseason since the start of the 2017 playoffs.

''The fans, they're out there on the field with you,'' Judge said. ''Every single pitch they're locked in. It's electric.''

New York is built for Yankee Stadium, where it takes advantage of the short right-field porch and hit 144 of its record 267 home runs. Boston is constructed in a similar fashion, knowing half its games are played in front of Fenway's Green Monster lurking in left field.

''Two places that are historic franchises where the fans are definitely rowdy for their home team and against the visiting team,'' Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes said .

This will be the first postseason game in the Bronx between the rivals since Boston won Games 6 and 7 of the 2004 AL Championship Series across the street at old Yankee Stadium, becoming the first major league team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series.

''All empires fall sooner or later,'' then-Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said that night.

A year earlier, Boone's 11th-inning homer off Tim Wakefield won Game 7 and the AL pennant. Now he's a rookie manager, leading a group of Baby Bombers that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series last year before losing to Houston.

''This fan base I feel like absolutely connected with kind of this new generation of Yankee player, this young corps that has developed,'' Boone said . ''Me watching from afar last year, especially in the postseason, you could kind of see that raw intensity connection that the fan base had with the players.''

For all the focus on big boppers, J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi for Boston, and Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez for New York, relievers have reigned in an error when starting pitchers often are shown the exit before they have a chance to stumble too much.

New York's bullpen has allowed one run in 10 innings, led by Dellin Betances, Zach Britton and Aroldis Chapman. Red Sox relievers have given up five in 11 innings.

Hoping for a deep outing, Boston manager Alex Cora selected Eovaldi for Game 3 over Rick Porcello, who pitched two-thirds of an inning of relief in Friday's opener and now will match up against 38-year-old left-hander CC Sabathia in Game 4.

Eovaldi was 3-3 with a 3.33 in 11 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox, who acquired him from Tampa Bay in July. The 28-year-old right-hander, who throws at 97-98 mph, allowed no earned runs in three of four starts this year against the Yankees. He pitched for New York in 2015 and `16 before injuring his elbow, which required Tommy John surgery for the second time.

His goal is to keep bats and fans quiet.

''Trying to keep the ball in the ballpark - try and get quick outs, try not to let the crowd get too crazy and get behind them and get them going,'' he said.

Cora and the Red Sox wouldn't sound off about Judge's musical taste - not that they could hear the famous Kander and Ebb song on Fenway's concourse through thick clubhouse walls after the 6-2 win in Game 2.

''That's probably just something they do when they win,'' the manager said.

Yankees players were ready for familiar sounds when the series resume.

''It's been a while since Boston played Yankees in the playoffs. So the fans are going to be excited,'' Betances said. ''They were pretty loud for that Oakland game. This is going to be a little crazier for this Boston game, for sure.''

AUTUMN SUNDAY

Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel tossed a football with pitching coach Dana LeVangie before throwing a baseball in the outfield.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: 1B Mitch Moreland had what Cora called aggressive treatment on his right hamstring, which forced him from Game 2.

Yankees: CF Aaron Hicks hopes to be back in the lineup after missing Game 2 because of right hamstring tightness, but Boone said it was unclear if the leg might need another day to deal.

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

HOU at CLE 01:30 PM
HOU +119
O 8.5

LAD at ATL 04:30 PM
LAD -149
O 8.0

BOS at NYY 07:40 PM
NYY -175
U 8.5

[StarDust Bum]

Fall failures: Indians swept, ousted early in October again
October 8, 2018

CLEVELAND (AP) The master plan was for Trevor Bauer to be Cleveland's secret weapon, the October surprise.

But that idea, and just about everything else the Indians tried, was tossed away.

Bauer's two throwing errors in the seventh inning helped Houston rally for three runs and the Astros overwhelmed the Indians 11-3 in Game 3 to complete a surprising sweep in the AL Division Series.

After waiting months for a chance at redemption from blowing a 2-0 lead and losing to the New York Yankees in last year's ALDS, the Indians fell flat in the fall once again.

And the majors' longest World Series title drought has aged to 71.

''We were just outplayed,'' said center fielder Jason Kipnis, who was moved from his normal spot at second for the second year in a row. ''I wish it weren't that simple. It just seems from top to bottom we were out-scouted, out-pitched, out-coached a little bit. They really did just a fantastic job over there of being ready and prepared before the series.

''I don't think we were underprepared, they just went out and executed and played the way you need to play to win.''

The Indians were inept across the board.

They batted a collective .144, with All-Star Jose Ramirez continuing his postseason slump by going hitless in 11 at-bats. He's now batting .064 (2 of 31) over the last two playoffs, hardly numbers worthy of an MVP-caliber player.

Josh Donaldson, whose acquisition was supposed to put the Indians over the top, didn't get his first hit until the ninth inning of Game 3 and the Indians were outscored 21-6 in the three-game blowout.

But pitching, and more precisely Cleveland's flawed bullpen, was the main reason why the club watched a third straight team celebrate on its field before trashing the visitors' locker room at Progressive Field.

For months, the Indians managed to work around their bullpen issues, which were exacerbated by injuries. But when it mattered most, the same problems popped up again.

Andrew Miller, the star of Cleveland's 2016 postseason run, was never himself as the left-hander spent three stints on the disabled three times for his hamstring, knee and shoulder.

Miller wasn't charged with a run in his two appearances, but he retired only one batter, walked three and gave up a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning of Game 2.

''There were certainly times it was a grind,'' said the 33-year-old, who is almost certain to sign elsewhere as a free agent. ''Missing time was the hardest part for me. I felt like I was ready to go when the season wound down and I was in a good spot. There were certainly pitches that I didn't execute in the series.

''We tried to script things as best we could for me personally and for other guys on the team as well to be as sharp and as ready as we could for the playoffs. When the games started, obviously, it wasn't good enough.''

Bauer, who was having a Cy Young Award-worthy season before his leg was broken by a line drive in August, absorbed the brunt of Cleveland's relief issues.

Manager Terry Francona chose to use him in a relief role, mostly because it was his best option with both Miller and closer Cody Allen struggling.

Bauer pitched in Games 1 and 2, and entered Game 3 with the Indians clinging to a 2-1 lead in the seventh. But the right-hander made two throwing errors, one on a pickoff throw and the other on a comebacker he should have turned into an inning-ending double play.

Instead, the Astros scored three runs and wound up scoring 10 in their final three at-bats to put a bow on the blowout.

Bauer accepted the role, but it wasn't the one he envisioned having.

''I executed pretty well pitch-wise,'' he said. ''Obviously didn't execute defensively. But it is what it is, man. That was my role. Tito and I and a couple other guys had a meeting in Chicago towards the end of the year. I let them know what I had to say and they let me know what they had to say. I told them when I leave this room, `I'm 100 percent bought in on my role.' That's what I did. I left that room and got ready to pitch out of the bullpen. It is what it is.''

And it is going to be another long winter for the Indians, who could look drastically different next season with Miller, Allen and All-Star Michael Brantley all eligible for free agency.

''We tried. It's tough,'' Miller said. ''There's probably a million things you can point to why we didn't win three games. It's tough. It's one of those things. You take the hand you're dealt and make the most out of it. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for us.''


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Machado, Dodgers finish off Baby Braves in NLDS with 6-2 win
October 8, 2018

ATLANTA (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers went through all the expected motions after winning a playoff series.

They broke out T-shirts and caps. They posed for pictures in the middle of SunTrust Park. They doused each other with beer in the clubhouse.

Then, just like that, their focus turned to bigger goals ahead.

For a power-packed team that hasn't won a World Series since 1988, nothing less will do.

''We all know that there's a lot more work to be done,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after his team finished off the Atlanta Braves with a 6-2 victory Monday in the NL Division Series. ''We have eight more wins to go.''

Manny Machado hit a three-run homer and David Freese came through again in the postseason to lead the Dodgers into the NL Championship Series for the third year in a row. Los Angeles moved on to face the Brewers after taking out the Baby Braves 3-1 in the best-of-five series.

Game 1 is Friday night in Milwaukee, the Dodgers' fourth championship series in six seasons.

''We prepared ourselves to get here,'' Machado said, ''and we're not going to stop till we get what we want.''

Of course, this is just what the Dodgers had in mind when they bolstered their already power-packed lineup by acquiring the slugging shortstop - and free agent-to-be - from lowly Baltimore back in July.

Machado had only three hits in the series, but two of them were homers to go along with six RBIs. He got the Dodgers going in Game 4 with a run-scoring double in the first , and effectively wrapped up the series with his seventh-inning shot off rookie Chad Sobotka that cleared the Dodgers' bullpen in left.

''There are so many expectations put on him,'' Roberts said. ''We have a lot of good players, but I can't say enough about his focus and preparedness.''

Coming off a tense victory in Game 3, the Baby Braves grabbed the lead on pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki's two-run single in the fourth.

But Freese, the 2011 World Series MVP with St. Louis, countered with a pinch-hit single of his own in the sixth off Brad Brach , driving home Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig for a 3-2 lead.

''You just gotta be ready,'' Freese said. ''Whether you're in high school, college, whatever, just be ready. You don't have to be the best player in the world, you don't have to make the most money, but you're going to have a shot to do something cool. I learned that early in my career. I just try and stick with it.''

Ryan Madson earned the win by getting the final two outs in the fifth to escape a bases-loaded jam. The Braves' final gasp came in the eighth, when Lucas Duda's drive into the second deck in right drifted foul with two on against Kenta Maeda. Duda flied out to end the inning, and Atlanta went down quietly in the ninth.

The Braves' return to the postseason for the first time since 2013 yielded a familiar result.

Atlanta has lost nine straight playoff appearances, their last victory coming 17 long years ago against a team that is no longer in the National League. Since a sweep of Houston Astros in the 2001 NL Division Series, October has been a month of misery for the Braves.

Getting back to the playoffs ahead of schedule after a massive rebuild, Atlanta simply didn't have the experience, depth or power to stick with the power-packed Dodgers. Los Angeles had a franchise-record 235 homers during the regular season and eight more against the Braves, accounting for 14 of its 20 runs.

Tinseltown has become Boomtown.

''They're a very powerful team,'' Braves manager Brian Snitker said. ''It's what they've done all year is hit home runs. We're not built like that yet.''

Los Angeles also benefited from some shaky Atlanta defense during its go-ahead inning. Puig kept the sixth going with a popup down the line off loser Jonny Venters that fell between second baseman Ozzie Albies and right fielder Nick Markakis .

Puig stole second without drawing a throw and came home when backup shortstop Charlie Culberson failed to knock down Freese's sharp grounder up the middle. A super sub during the regular season, Culberson had to start in the playoffs because of an injury to regular Dansby Swanson.

''They played better baseball than we did,'' Culberson said.

WILD STARTERS

Rich Hill of the Dodgers walked five in 4 1/3 innings, including a pair leading off the fifth that set up Suzuki's two-run single. Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz walked four (one intentional) in four innings before he was lifted.

TOUGH OUT

Hill isn't much of a hitter, but he sure made Foltynewicz work for an inning-ending strikeout in the fourth.

After falling behind 0-2 in the count, Hill fouled out five straight pitches.

Finally, Foltynewicz blew a 97 mph fastball by the .107 career hitter.

FIRST PITCH

The Braves brought out another Hall of Famer to deliver the ceremonial first pitch.

Former Atlanta manager Bobby Cox one-hopped his toss to the plate but still received a big ovation from the Atlanta crowd.

Chipper Jones threw out the first pitch before Game 3.

SMALLER CROWD

The announced crowd of 39,586 was nearly 3,000 smaller than the previous night's record SunTrust Park turnout, perhaps because of a 4:30 p.m. start time that coincided with Atlanta's notorious rush hour.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers beat Milwaukee 4-3 in the season series. Both teams won division titles with one-game playoff victories the day after the regular season.

Atlanta opens the 2019 season at Philadelphia on March 28.

[StarDust Bum]

wild card/division/championship series/world series /record and best bets:


Date w-l-t % units record

10/08/2018 3-2-1 60.00% +1.70
10/07/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -16.80
10/06/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +9.55
10/05/2018 4-4-0 50.00% -0.50
10/04/2018 2-1-0 66.67% +5.00
10/03/2018 1-1-0 50.00% +0
10/01/2018 2-1-1 66.67% +5.85

total..............16-13-2.......55.17%.....+4.80


best bets:................ats.....................units ..................o/u..................units............days total

10/08/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.95..................1 - 1.................-0.50..............+5.45
10/07/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00..................1 - 1.................-0.50..............-0.50
10/06/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.05..................1 - 1..................-0.50.............+4.55
10/05/2018...............0 - 3....................-15.00.................3 - 1..................+9.50.............-5.50
10/04/2018...............0 - 1.....................-5.00..................2 - 0.................+10.00...........+5.00
10/03/2018...............0 - 1.....................-5.00..................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+0.00
10/01/2018...............1 - 1....................+5.85..................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+10.85

total.........................3 - 6....................-8.15...................10 - 4.................+28.00...........+19.85

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s six-pack

Six interesting college football games this weekend:

— Miami (-6) @ Virginia

— Texas A&M (-2) @ South Carolina

— Colorado @ USC (-7.5)

— Washington (-3.5) @ Oregon

— Wisconsin @ Michigan (-7.5)

— West Virginia (-6.5) @ Iowa State

Quote of the Day
“He’s such a great quarterback, you have to do a really good job early in the game, otherwise he’s going to be out front, and you don’t want to play him from behind. This guy is so good, now. Even if … there might’ve been something he hadn’t seen before early in the game, you know he’s going to dial into it pretty quick and then he’s going to have success.

It’s that whole mental toughness of playing 60 minutes against that guy because he is so dangerous in those situations.”
Lions coach Matt Patricia, on coaching against Aaron Rodgers

Tuesday’s quiz
Who was the San Diego Chargers’ coach when Drew Brees was an NFL rookie?
(Hint: He’s been a major college head coach since then)

Monday’s quiz
James Buchanan was the only bachelor President of the United States.

Sunday’s quiz
Pittsburgh Steelers have had only three head coaches since 1969.

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

13) If you like the NFL and you’re in Las Vegas, a Sunday afternoon in the theater at the Westgate Casino is something you have to do.

1,500 seats, all the games are on, there are betting windows in the back, a concession stand on the left, and it is surprisingly quiet— everyone has always been cool when I’ve been there.

12) Saints 43, Redskins 19— New Orleans’ first four drives Monday night: 30 plays, 276 yards, four TD’s, two missed PAT’s. Last of the four TD’s was a 62-yard pass that put Drew Brees on top of the all-time passing yardage list.

There was a brief ceremony after the record-setting play; Saints actually got penalized 15 yards for excessive celebration.

11) Oklahoma lost 48-45 to Texas Saturday, so of course a coach had to get fired; DC Mike Stoops was told to take a hike. Ruffin McNeill, former HC of East Carolina, will be the new DC, which ain’t going to help a damn thing. Recruit more good defensive players!!!!

10) Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa has thrown 18 TD passes this season, and only 25 incomplete passes. Bama’s backup QB has a 26-2 record as the starter.

9) Boston 16, New York 1— Brock Holt is the first baseball player ever to hit for the cycle in a playoff game; how weird is that?

David Price sucks in the postseason, and he doesn’t pitch well against New York; Red Sox still owe Price $127M over the next four seasons, but when you’re a fat-cat team, you can afford miscues like this, and just spend more money to overcome them.

9) AFC North is only division in NFL where all the team are .500 or better.

8) If you think your favorite team is screwed up, be thankful you don’t root for the Phoenix Suns, who fired GM Ryan McDonough Monday, eight days before the season starts.

Last year, the Suns fired coach Earl Watson AFTER THREE GAMES. Oy.

7) Looks weird seeing Lebron James wearing a Lakers’ jersey; Lakers-Warriors play here in Las Vegas tomorrow night at T-Mobile Center.

6) Spurs’ PG Dejounte Murray tore his ACL Sunday night; he was expected to be the Spurs’ PG this season, replacing the departed Tony Parker.

5) 49ers ran 92 plays in their loss to Arizona Sunday; Cardinals ran only 49, but when you’re minus-5 in turnovers, not else matters too much. Still, 92 plays is a hell of a lot for an NFL game.

4) You see Cleveland 12, Baltimore 9 and you think it was an ugly game, but yardage was actually 416-410, Browns, so both teams moved the ball well enough, they were just useless in the red zone, scoring 18 points on six drives.

3) Over $50M of the Buffalo Bills’ payroll this year is going to players who aren’t on the team.

2) FOX TV analyst Chris Spielman said Sunday that he considers Aaron Rodgers to be the best QB ever. Pretty strong statement.

1) According to the 2010 US Census, Los Angeles County has more people than these 12 states combined:

Alaska, Delaware, Hawai’i, Idaho
Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Dakota
Rhode Island, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, October 9

American League
Boston (110-55) @ New York (102-64) (Red Sox lead series, 2-1)
Porcello is 2-0, 4.76 in his last five starts; over its 11-7-1 in his last 19 starts. He is 2-0, 2.35 in five games vs New York this season. Team in his starts: 22-11, 11-7 road
5-inning record: 21-10-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-33

Sabathia is 2-0, 1.64 in his last two starts; his last three starts went over. He is 1-0, 4.50 in three starts vs Boston this season. Team in his starts: 16-13, 10-4 home
5-inning record: 14-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-33

Red Sox won Game 3 last nite, 16-1- they can end series here. New York is 11-6 in its last 17 games, 5-3 in last eight home games. Red Sox are 5-6 in their last 11 games, 3-4 in last seven on road; Boston is 12-10 vs New York this season; 4-6 in the Bronx.

New York is in playoffs for third time in last six years; they haven’t been to a World Series since 2009. Red Sox are in playoffs for third year in row; they won World Series in 2013. Both managers here are rookie managers.




MLB
Weather Report

Tuesday, October 9






MLB

Tuesday, October 9

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Trend Report
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Boston Red Sox
Boston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games on the road
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games when playing NY Yankees
Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Boston is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
New York Yankees
NY Yankees is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of NY Yankees's last 10 games
NY Yankees is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Yankees's last 7 games at home
NY Yankees is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Yankees's last 8 games when playing Boston
NY Yankees is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
NY Yankees is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing at home against Boston

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MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, October 9

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

BOSTON (110 - 55) at NY YANKEES (102 - 64) - 8:05 PM
RICK PORCELLO (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 12-10 (+2.7 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
13 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.6 Units)

RICK PORCELLO vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
PORCELLO is 10-9 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.23 and a WHIP of 1.124.
His team's record is 12-11 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-13. (-7.6 units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. BOSTON since 1997
SABATHIA is 18-15 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.38 and a WHIP of 1.368.
His team's record is 21-23 (-4.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 27-15. (+10.6 units)

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LEADING OFF: Red Sox try to bounce Yanks from ALDS
October 9, 2018
By The Associated Press

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

THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWN

Baseball's biggest rivalry gets the spotlight to itself as the Red Sox try to eliminate the Yankees in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. New York will be trying to rebound from the most lopsided postseason loss in the franchise's distinguished history - a 16-1 drumming Monday night capped by Brock Holt completing the first-ever postseason cycle. The blowout was so bad, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player ever to appear on the mound in the playoffs. He gave up Holt's ninth-inning homer.

Game 4 may be the final appearance with New York for veteran CC Sabathia, who is expected to make his 23rd career postseason start. He's made 17 of those as a Yankee, going 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA during a span that included a 2009 ALCS MVP. The 38-year-old said Monday he plans to play again next season, though it's uncertain if the upcoming free agent will be back in pinstripes.

Rick Porcello will throw for Boston after getting two outs in relief during a Game 1 victory. Porcello has allowed seven runs over 7 1/3 innings in his past two postseason starts, one each in 2016 and '17.

WAITING GAME

The Dodgers get a few days to regroup after finishing off the Braves in their NLDS on Monday. They'll begin their third consecutive NL Championship Series on Friday in Milwaukee. Los Angeles beat Milwaukee 4-3 in the season series. Both teams won division titles with one-game playoff victories the day after the regular season.

LA punched its ticket to a fourth NLCS in six years with a 6-2 win over Atlanta. Manny Machado hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning that essentially buried the Braves - exactly the sort of impact the Dodgers envisioned when they acquired the free agent-to-be from Baltimore at midseason. The reigning NL champs also have another pennant and a World Series championship in mind.

''We have eight more wins to go,'' manager Dave Roberts said.

OFFSEASONS UNDERWAY

The Indians bowed out of the postseason in a surprising sweep by the Astros, and now they'll begin a difficult winter. Michael Brantley, Josh Donaldson, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen are set to become free agents. Miller and Allen struggled this season for a bullpen that needs revamping. Brantley would be the most difficult to replace after he batted .309 over 143 games in a bounceback season after years of injuries.

Atlanta also begins to regroup after getting bounced by the Dodgers. The Baby Braves could lose Nick Markakis to free agency but should otherwise bring back the core of a breakout group. Their 3-1 NLDS loss to Los Angeles showed that Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. could use a deeper supporting cast, though.

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Red Sox win away from reaching ALCS, eliminating Yankees
October 9, 2018

NEW YORK -- New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone experienced a rough night in Game 3 while Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora saw his decisions work out perfectly.

While Boone appeared to wait too long to get Luis Severino out of the game when the right-hander's command was lacking, Cora opted to insert Brock Holt into the lineup at second base and start Nathan Eovaldi.

Since those decisions worked out for Cora, the Red Sox can secure their trip to the American League Championship Series by beating the Yankees Tuesday in Game 4 of the American League Division Series.

Rick Porcello will start for the Red Sox against New York left-hander CC Sabathia.

The Red Sox need one win to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2013 when they won their most recent championship. If they are unable to get it Tuesday, Game 5 is Thursday at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox and Yankees are in their respective positions because of what unfolded Monday when Boston cruised to a 16-1 rout.

Holt went 4-for-6 to become the first player to hit for the cycle in a postseason game, capping the milestone with a two-run homer in the ninth off New York backup catcher Austin Romine. Eovaldi, who was originally going to start Game 4, gave the Red Sox seven strong innings and helped hold the Yankees to five hits.

"We're going to try to take this into tomorrow," Boston left fielder Andrew Benintendi said. "It's over. We've enjoyed it. Now we can focus on tomorrow and get after it."

Holt had two hits in the decisive seven-run fourth that was highlighted by Benintendi's bases-clearing double.

Those hits occurred after Boone lifted Severino with the bases loaded and nobody out. Severino's fastball velocity was diminished slightly and he was tagged for six runs on seven hits in three-plus innings.

"I mean in hindsight because he didn't get an out," Boone said.

Now because of the decisions, the Red Sox will get a chance to clinch their second postseason series win in New York, nearly 14 years after coming back from 3-0 down in the ALCS.

"No choice but to flush," Boone said after New York absorbed its worst postseason loss. "The good thing about today is it's one game and, as awful as of a night it was for us, we got to turn the page, and tomorrow's obviously do or die."

The Yankees trail a series two games to one for the third straight time. They won Game 4 from Cleveland in the ALDS last season and Game 4 of the ALCS from Houston a year ago.

New York is hoping to force a fifth game in Boston and its history, the only time the Yankees did not force a fifth game after falling behind in the ALDS two games to one was 2002 vs. the Los Angeles Angels and 2007 vs. the Cleveland Indians.

Porcello threw 15 pitches in getting two outs in the eighth inning Friday and protecting a two-run lead. He exited after allowing an infield single to Gleyber Torres, resulting in Craig Kimbrel getting the final four outs around Aaron Judge's solo homer.

"I think he'll obviously be ready," Holt said. "We're lucky to have him on the mound, that's for sure."

As for Porcello's postseason history, it is inconsistent so far. He is 0-3 with a 5.33 ERA in 12 appearances and is 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA in four postseason outings with the Red Sox.

Porcello made one postseason start against the Yankees in 2011 when he started Game 4 of the ALDS for the Detroit Tigers. Back then Judge was still at Fresno State and Sanchez completed his second season in the minor leagues in the South Atlantic League.

The Red Sox are hoping to see the version of Porcello, who was 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in four starts against the Yankees during the regular season.

"He's actually been good against them," Cora said. "At one point of the playoffs, he was going to start regardless if it was Game 3 or 4."

CC Sabathia makes his 23rd postseason start and 24th appearance. In those appearances, he is 10-6 with a 4.20 ERA.

Sabathia has pitched particularly well in the ALDS. In 11 appearances (10 starts) he is 6-0 with a 3.32 ERA.

Since joining the Yankees in 2009 as a free agent, Sabathia is 8-3 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 postseason appearances (17 starts).

The veteran left-hander faced the Red Sox twice in the 2007 ALCS with Cleveland and was 0-2 with an 11.61 ERA while losing Games 1 and 5 of that series.

During the regular season, Sabathia was 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox.

"Top to bottom, it's a tough lineup," Sabathia said. "They've got speed. They've got power. They take a lot of pitches. It's a good lineup -- bad lineup for me in the fact they take a lot of pitches, they're patient, and they do a good job of working the count."

[StarDust Bum]

Hernandez reversed on 3 of 4 replays in Yanks-Red Sox Game 3
October 9, 2018
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Angel Hernandez hit .250 in Game 3 of the AL Division Series. That's a mediocre batting average for a player and awful replay average for an umpire.

Hernandez was overruled on three of four video reviews of his decisions at first base during Boston's 16-1 rout of the New York Yankees on Monday night.

''There were several very close calls at first base tonight, and we are glad that instant replay allowed the umpiring crew to achieve the proper result on all of them,'' Major League Baseball said in a statement.

The Red Sox, Yankees and fans around the country will see plenty of Hernandez on Tuesday night, when he's scheduled to work the plate in Game 4.

The 57-year-old Hernandez was born in Havana, joined the major league staff in 1993 and worked the World Series in 2002 and 2005. He sued MLB in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati in July 2017, alleging race discrimination and citing his lack of World Series assignments in the past decade and baseball not promoting him to crew chief. The suit alleges MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre ''has a history of animosity towards Hernandez stemming from Torre's time as manager of the New York Yankees.''

MLB moved to dismiss the case, but U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett transferred it to federal court in Manhattan in Sept. 30 without ruling on the motion to dismiss.

''Angel was horrible,'' Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez said on TBS' postgame show. ''Major League Baseball needs to do something about Angel. It doesn't matter how many times he sues Major League Baseball. He's as bad as there is. That's the main reason we're sitting here so late.''

Hernandez's troubles started in the second inning, when Didi Gregorius bunted with Giancarlo Stanton on first and the umpire ruled Gregorius beat the throw from pitcher Nathan Eovaldi . The call was overturned, giving New York a runner on second with one out.

When Gleyber Torres hit a three-hopper off the mound in the third with the Yankees trailing 3-0, shortstop Xander Bogaerts gloved the ball, continued onto the second-base side of the dirt and threw to first, when Hernandez signaled safe . That, too, was overturned by the replay room umpires, which include Marvin Hudson, Brian Knight, David Rackley and Bill Welke during the Division Series.

New York trailed 10-0 in the fourth when Luke Voit hit a comebacker off the bare hand of Eovaldi, and Hernandez signaled Voit beat the throw from second baseman Brock Holt for an infield hit . That was upheld by the replay room umpires.

Stanton then singled to put runners at the corners, and Gregorius grounded to Holt. The second baseman made a backhand flip to Bogaerts covering second for a forceout, and Bogaerts threw to first, where Hernandez signaled out for a double play . That led to Hernandez's third reversal.

Expanded video review in the major leagues began in 2014.

Hernandez has had first-base calls overturned in 14 of 18 video reviews during the last three regular seasons, according to Sports Info Solutions, and his 78 percent overturn rate was above the 60 percent overall figure for first-base calls during that span, the company said.

''The guy's had a long career and a good career. You know he's going to get it right,'' Voit said. ''It happens, man. I mean, so many bang-bang plays consistently. You get it, and you just hope he makes the right calls.''

Former Yankees catcher John Flaherty took issue with Hernandez on the postgame broadcast of the Yankees' YES Network.

''I think back to the replay of the Luke Voit play at first base, that Angel Hernandez actually got right. And when he came back, next to Voit, he made a little comment to him and smiled a little bit, almost like, you know, `I got one right,''' Flaherty said. ''It's not that funny, Angel. These are playoff games. These are big deals. And replay bails him out - the play eventually is going to be right. But you got to be thinking at first base, maybe take a little more pride in what you're doing.''

[StarDust Bum]

wild card/division/championship series/world series /record and best bets:


Date w-l-t % units record

10/08/2018 3-2-1 60.00% +1.70
10/07/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -16.80
10/06/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +9.55
10/05/2018 4-4-0 50.00% -0.50
10/04/2018 2-1-0 66.67% +5.00
10/03/2018 1-1-0 50.00% +0
10/01/2018 2-1-1 66.67% +5.85

total..............16-13-2.......55.17%.....+4.80


best bets:................ats.....................units ..................o/u..................units............days total

10/08/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.95..................1 - 1.................-0.50..............+5.45
10/07/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00..................1 - 1.................-0.50..............-0.50
10/06/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.05..................1 - 1..................-0.50.............+4.55
10/05/2018...............0 - 3....................-15.00.................3 - 1..................+9.50.............-5.50
10/04/2018...............0 - 1.....................-5.00..................2 - 0.................+10.00...........+5.00
10/03/2018...............0 - 1.....................-5.00..................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+0.00
10/01/2018...............1 - 1....................+5.85..................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+10.85

total.........................3 - 6....................-8.15...................10 - 4.................+28.00...........+19.85


TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BOS at NYY 08:07 PM
NYY -139
O 9.0

[StarDust Bum]

Home for good: Yankees eliminated by rival Red Sox in ALDS
October 10, 2018
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees couldn't wait to get back home.

Now, that's exactly where they're staying.

CC Sabathia became the latest pitcher to put New York in an early hole as rookie manager Aaron Boone again stuck with his starter too long, and the Yankees fell just short of extending their season Tuesday night with a 4-3 loss to the rival Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of their AL Division Series.

New York mounted a last-ditch rally against wild closer Craig Kimbrel, scoring twice in the ninth inning. But the Yankees' comeback stalled when Gary Sanchez's bases-loaded sacrifice fly was caught on the left-field warning track, and rookie Gleyber Torres grounded out with two on to end it - sort of.

The play at first base was close, so both teams and a sellout crowd held their breath during a dramatic replay review before the out call was upheld following a 63-second delay. Kimbrel and the Red Sox - suspended in mid-celebration for a minute - resumed bouncing around in excitement.

After racking up 100 regular-season wins and beating Oakland in the AL wild-card game, it was a humbling exit for a power-packed Yankees team that added reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton last offseason and hit a major league-record 267 home runs this year.

With the stakes at their highest, however, the Yankees never left the yard in two home games versus Boston. They were outscored 20-4 as the AL East champs took the best-of-five series 3-1 and advanced to the ALCS against defending World Series champion Houston.

Last year, it was the Yankees who reached the AL Championship Series before their surprising run ended with a Game 7 loss to the Astros.

Then, a 2018 season of soaring expectations - now over in bitter disappointment.

While the Red Sox got strong starts from Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello during the series, Yankees starters provided only 13 innings in four games.

Adding to the humiliation, Mookie Betts and the Red Sox got to revel in a second champagne celebration at Yankee Stadium in less than three weeks. Boston also clinched its third consecutive division crown on enemy ground Sept. 20.

So while the Red Sox roll on seeking their fourth World Series title in 15 years, the Yankees own but one pennant and championship during that span (2009).

On deck, a long winter of wondering how they've fallen behind in a rivalry they dominated for nearly a century.

All that changed in 2004, when Mariano Rivera was finally unable to close out the pesky Red Sox and they rallied for an unprecedented comeback from a 3-0 deficit to win the AL Championship Series. Boston took Games 6 and 7 at Yankee Stadium on the way to its first World Series championship in 86 years.

This was the first postseason meeting between the clubs since then, and the Red Sox once again made themselves right at home in the Bronx. After splitting two games at Fenway Park, they quieted the Yankees' boisterous crowd - and their dangerous bats. New York hadn't gone consecutive games at Yankee Stadium without a home run since April.

Before the last two games, New York was 7-0 at home over the past two postseasons. Confident players were excited about returning to the Big Apple, and Judge even walked past Boston's clubhouse inside Fenway Park early Sunday morning with Frank Sinatra's rendition of ''New York, New York'' blaring from a boom box atop the wheelie bag he was pulling with his left hand.

''It's a good song. And Aaron, he's one of our resident deejays, so he's got a pretty extensive playlist,'' Boone said later in the day at Yankee Stadium, a smirk filling his face. ''We like to hear that song sometimes when we win a big game.''

That was the last time his team did.

Boston's 16-1 blowout Monday marked the biggest defeat for a home team in postseason history, and shortstop Didi Gregorius called it ''an embarrassing day.''

Boone acknowledged some regret in allowing ace Luis Severino to start the fourth inning down 3-0. Severino was removed with the bases loaded and nobody out, but relievers Lance Lynn and Chad Green quickly let the game get out of hand.

The next night, after 1978 Boston nemesis Bucky Dent threw out the first pitch, Boone stayed with Sabathia even when the 38-year-old lefty ran into trouble in the third. By the time the inning was over, the Red Sox had a 3-0 lead they never relinquished.

''I was fine with the way CC was throwing the ball,'' Boone said. ''I think it was a sound decision.''

Zach Britton gave up an opposite-field homer to No. 9 batter Christian Vazquez in the fourth, and New York never recovered.

[StarDust Bum]

Bregman, Astros set for prime time in ALCS
October 9, 2018
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Alex Bregman is getting his wish - the Houston Astros are headed for prime time.

Major League Baseball released the schedule for Games 1 and 2 of the NL and AL Championship Series on Tuesday, and the Astros will play either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees on Saturday and Sunday nights.

The Astros played all three of their AL Division Series games against the Cleveland Indians in the afternoon, with Red Sox and Yankees playing exclusively in prime time.

Bregman sounded off about the scheduling decision to ESPN after the defending World Series champions completed a three-game sweep of the Indians on Monday.

''Does Floyd Mayweather fight the first fight of the night, or is he the main event?'' Bregman said. ''I mean, does Tiger Woods tee off at 8 a.m.? It's about time the show 'Stros play on prime-time television, so we're looking forward to the ALCS.''

Game 1 of the ALCS will be at 8:09 p.m. Saturday, and Game 2 will be at 7:09 p.m. Sunday. Game 1 of the NLCS between Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be Friday at 8:09 p.m., and Game 2 will be Saturday at 4:09 p.m. The schedule is the same as last year, and Houston would have played Game 2 in prime time regardless because it is the only scheduled game that day.

[StarDust Bum]

wild card/division/championship series/world series /record and best bets:


Date w-l-t % units record

10/09/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -12.45
10/08/2018 3-2-1 60.00% +1.70
10/07/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -16.80
10/06/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +9.55
10/05/2018 4-4-0 50.00% -0.50
10/04/2018 2-1-0 66.67% +5.00
10/03/2018 1-1-0 50.00% +0
10/01/2018 2-1-1 66.67% +5.85

total..............16-15-2.......51.51%......-7.65


best bets:................ats.....................units ..................o/u..................units............days total

10/09/2018...............0 - 0................... +0.00..................0 - 1.................-5.50..............-5.50
10/08/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.95..................1 - 1.................-0.50..............+5.45
10/07/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00..................1 - 1.................-0.50..............-0.50
10/06/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.05..................1 - 1..................-0.50.............+4.55
10/05/2018...............0 - 3....................-15.00.................3 - 1..................+9.50.............-5.50
10/04/2018...............0 - 1.....................-5.00..................2 - 0.................+10.00...........+5.00
10/03/2018...............0 - 1.....................-5.00..................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+0.00
10/01/2018...............1 - 1....................+5.85..................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+10.85

total.........................3 - 6....................-8.15...................10 - 5...............+22.50...........+14.35