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

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Sale on hold, Astros under scrutiny, NLCS shift
October 17, 2018
By The Associated Press

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

SALE ON HOLD

Red Sox ace Chris Sale was still feeling weak and trying to regain lost weight after a stomach illness forced him to spend a night in the hospital after he started the AL Championship Series opener against the Astros. Boston had hoped to start Sale in Game 5 on Thursday night, but instead will give him a couple extra days to recover while planning to pitch him in Game 6 on Saturday in Boston, if necessary. David Price will start in Sale's place Thursday night on three days' rest as the Red Sox try to win the pennant.

Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes Wednesday before Game 4 in Houston, but manager Alex Cora said the lanky left-hander didn't throw a bullpen as planned.

Boston leads the best-of-seven set 3-1 and is one win from making its first trip to the World Series since winning the 2013 title. Game 1 winner Justin Verlander is scheduled to pitch for the Astros with their season on the line.

DEFENDING CHAMPS

The Astros are still under scrutiny, even after Major League Baseball absolved the World Series champions of any wrongdoing after a credentialed Houston employee was caught pointing his cellphone into the opposing dugouts during playoff games in Cleveland and Boston. MLB says the Astros were conducting surveillance, not spying, but the incidents have raised questions about sign-stealing and ethics in the age of high-speed, high-definition cameras.

Boston executive Dave Dombrowski also did not think the employee was stealing signs, but he was upset by Houston's suspicion of the Red Sox and the fact that the Astros weren't punished because ''there was a violation.''

''I don't like the implication that the Boston Red Sox were doing anything illegal,'' Dombrowski said, ''and I don't think that the issue is actually closed from Major League Baseball, from what I've been advised from the commissioner's office, so there's a lot more steps that are attached to this.''

YOU, AGAIN

The Dodgers and Brewers return to Milwaukee for an off day in the NL Championship Series. Game 6 is Friday night at Miller Park, and the Brewers plan to start Wade Miley again as they attempt to avoid elimination. Miley walked Cody Bellinger to open Game 5 on Wednesday before getting pulled in an unusual bit of strategy by manager Craig Counsell.

The left-hander would become the first pitcher to start consecutive games for his team in one postseason since George Earnshaw of the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1930 World Series against the Cardinals, according to STATS. Miley pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings in Game 2 vs. the Dodgers, allowing two hits.

Milwaukee starters have tossed just 14 innings in the NLCS, the lowest total ever through five games, the Elias Sports Bureau said.

''We're in a good spot, man,'' Counsell said. ''We're going back home, to me, in a position of strength.''

Hyun-Jin Ryu pitches for the Dodgers, one win from making consecutive World Series appearances for the first time since 1977-78.

[StarDust Bum]

Cora guides Red Sox, inspires team back home in Puerto Rico
October 18, 2018
By The Associated Press

Alex Cora spent this season rewarding the support of Jackie Bradley Jr., David Price and the rest of the Boston Red Sox organization with a record-breaking year and a run deep into the playoffs. The rookie manager's accomplishments go further than the baseball diamond, too.

Having seen his homeland of Puerto Rico devastated by Hurricane Maria, Cora remains at the forefront of helping the island rebuild.

''It's been a year since the hurricane and Puerto Rico is still recovering. We all have families over there and we know that the situation remains difficult,'' Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero said.

''Alex has that always in mind. I admire that. We are always talking about it. Hopefully, this can bring a little bit of relief to the people, that they have a Puerto Rican hero in such a big state, so important,'' he said.

Cora has a lot of people rooting for him right now. His team is one win from reaching the World Series, leading Houston 3-1 in the AL Championship Series.

Romero grew up on the island and his dad, Ed, played in the World Series for the Red Sox. So Cora's efforts especially resonate with him.

''Alex is always thinking about them. That's very nice,'' Romero said.

Cora had his mind set on aiding those in need from the very beginning of his first stint as a big league manager. While negotiating his contract last October, he made a request that the Red Sox front office supply aid to Puerto Rico, which the club eagerly accepted.

Then, Cora flew to his hometown of Caguas with team president Sam Kennedy to deliver food and supplies.

Boston catcher Christian Vazquez, whose walk-up song is ''Vamos Pa' La Calle'' by a fellow Puerto Rican, popular artist Bad Bunny, later joined Cora to lend a hand.

Last year, Vazquez dyed his hair blonde to pay homage to the team that made a run to the championship game against the United States in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Cora was the general manager for that club and played infield for Puerto Rico in 2006 and 2009.

Cora's profound love for his homeland is ever-present in his actions. During his introductory news conference, he put the spotlight on his platform by raising the Puerto Rican flag as his daughter wiped away tears.

''Whenever I have the chance to talk about them or represent them the right way, I have to do it,'' Cora said during this month's playoffs. ''But for as proud they are - because they are - I'm prouder of them.''

''For us to be in the situation we're in as a country right now, after what happened last year, that's a W right there. That's a winning team right there. And I'm very proud of them,'' he said.

For Cora, Hispanic Heritage Month that ended Monday provided a lot of reminders.

The Red Sox clinched the AL East title on Sept. 20, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria. Cora went on to lead the Red Sox to a team-record 108 wins in the regular season.

Cora capped off the month by guiding the Red Sox into the ALCS for the first time since 2013. He confidently stuck with Bradley and Price, who both overcame past struggles to deliver in this series.

On and off the field, it's been a historic season for Cora.

Cora is the first Latino or minority manager for a franchise that was the last team in the majors to have a black player. In a year that saw Yawkey Way renamed to Jersey Street - team owner John Henry said the previous name, for a former owner, was a disturbing reminder of the club's history of racial intolerance - Cora has done a lot in Massachusetts for a state that is home to the fifth-largest Puerto Rican community.

In the ALCS, Cora's team is taking on Houston and shortstop Carlos Correa, a star when the Astros won their first World Series title last year. Cora was the bench coach on that championship team.

Correa also has been actively leading relief efforts in Puerto Rico. He recognizes all Cora has done for those who hail from an island that considers baseball a national treasure.

''He means a lot. I'm pretty sure people in Puerto Rico are watching his games and obviously wishing him the best. But now he's facing the Astros, and Carlos Correa is on this side, so they're going to be split between him and me. I'm pretty sure everyone is excited to watch those games,'' Correa said.

Puerto Ricans across the globe have certainly raised a glass to toast Cora's contributions. And perhaps the celebrations will carry on a little longer this year to celebrate a championship for the boy from Caguas who has become a leader.

After all, Cora has carried more than a clubhouse this postseason. He has used his broad shoulders to carry the entire island.

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date w-l-t % units record

10/17/2018 2-1-1 66.67% +6.80
10/16/2018 2-2-0 50.00% +0.65
10/15/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +12.70
10/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -1.40
10/13/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +8.95
10/12/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +11.65
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..............28-20-2.......58.33%......+31.70


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

10/17/2018...............1 - 1....................+1.80..................1 - 1..................0.50............+1.30
10/16/2018...............1 - 1....................+0.65.................1 - 1..................-0.50.............+0.15
10/15/2018...............1 - 0....................+7.70.................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+12.70
10/14/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00.................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+5.00
10/13/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00.................2 - 0.................+10.00...........+10.00
10/12/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.00..................1 - 0................+5.00.............+10.00
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.........................7 - 8....................+7.00...............17 - 7.................+46.50...........+53.50


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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BOS at HOU 08:09 PM

HOU -179

O 8.0

[StarDust Bum]

Verlander, Astros can't soar into another World Series.
October 19, 2018
By The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros couldn't soar into another World Series.

A year after Houston won the first title in the team's 56 seasons, Verlander had a rare off night in an elimination game and the Astros lost the AL Championship Series to the Boston Red Sox in five games.

Houston boosted its rotation with Gerrit Cole last winter and its bullpen with Roberto Osuna ahead of the July trade deadline. The Astros won a club-record 103 games and swept Cleveland in the Division Series.

But after beating Boston in the opener, the banged-up Astros were outscored 27-14 in losing four in a row. The major leagues remain without a repeat champion since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000.

''The World Series is the only thing that was going to make this team feel like we accomplished much,'' manager AJ Hinch said. ''It's a pretty hollow feeling when the season abruptly ends the way that it does and the way that it did.''

Verlander was last year's Championship Series MVP with two wins against the New York Yankees, including seven scoreless innings to force a game 7. The Game 1 winner this year, he entered 4-1 with a 1.21 ERA when starting potential elimination games with Detroit and Houston. He had pitched 26 scoreless innings in such situations before J.D. Martinez's go-ahead solo home run in the third

He wasn't the only Houston player who didn't measure up to his 2017 form.

Altuve, a six-time All-Star and last year's AL MVP, went on the disabled list for the first time in July with right knee soreness. He never seemed healthy, banged the knee in the playoffs and was limited to a designated hitter in the last three games. He hit .250 in the series with two RBIs.

Shortstop Carlos Correa dealt with back issues much of the second half of this season. While he had three hits and two RBIs in Game 4 - his only multi-hit game this postseason - he hit a relatively quiet .316 with three RBIs against the 108-win Red Sox.

Right-hander Charlie Morton was a first-time All-Star and won 15 games, but he dealt with shoulder issues the second half of the season, and Lance McCullers also was pitching hurt.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Dodgers face Miley for real, Granderson's grin
October 18, 2018
By The Associated Press

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

FOR REAL THIS TIME

Wade Miley is ready for take two. The Brewers left-hander figures to see more than one batter in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series when he tries to help Milwaukee stave off elimination, down 3-2 to the Dodgers. Miley goes back to the hill two days after being lifted one batter into Game 5 in a designed move by manager Craig Counsell. Miley hasn't given up a run in 10 1/3 innings this postseason. The Dodgers are going with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu in a rematch of Game 2 starters.

GRANDY'S NEW GRIN

Curtis Granderson is still smiling, even with a big chunk of his front right tooth buried somewhere in the infield at Dodger Stadium. The Brewers outfielder chipped a tooth during Game 5 when his helmet came off and bumped him in the mouth on a headfirst slide into second base. Los Angeles infielders Justin Turner, Manny Machado and Brian Dozier tried to help Granderson locate the missing piece of his tooth, but they came up empty. Granderson posted a photo on Instagram on Thursday showing off his new grin and promising to be ''cheesin' hard for game 6 tomorrow!''

WELCOME BACK

Boston got a boost when first baseman Mitch Moreland returned to the lineup Thursday night, a positive sign for the Red Sox as they play on in October. Moreland injured his right hamstring in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees and didn't start again until Game 5 of the AL Championship Series in Houston, 11 days later. He immediately came through with two hits off Astros ace Justin Verlander. Moreland, a 2016 Gold Glove winner, made pinch-hitting appearances in each of the first four ALCS games.

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date w-l-t % units record

10/18/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -14.45
10/17/2018 2-1-1 66.67% +6.80
10/16/2018 2-2-0 50.00% +0.65
10/15/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +12.70
10/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -1.40
10/13/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +8.95
10/12/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +11.65
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..............28-22-2.......56.00%......+17.25


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

10/18/2018...............0 - 0....................+0 00.................0 - 1..................-5.50.............-5.50
10/17/2018...............1 - 1....................+1.80..................1 - 1..................0.50............+1.30
10/16/2018...............1 - 1....................+0.65.................1 - 1..................-0.50.............+0.15
10/15/2018...............1 - 0....................+7.70.................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+12.70
10/14/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00.................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+5.00
10/13/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00.................2 - 0.................+10.00...........+10.00
10/12/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.00..................1 - 0................+5.00.............+10.00
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.........................7 - 8....................+7.00...............17 - 8.................+41.00...........+48.00

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s List of 13: Trends on non-top 13 college football games

13) Kentucky beat Vanderbilt last two years, 44-21/20-13, but Wildcats failed to cover its last six games as a home favorite. Vandy is 2-5 in its last seven games as road underdogs. Under is 4-1 in Kentucky games this year.

12) North Carolina is 0-3 on road this season, with losses by 7-22-37 points. Since 2013, UNC is 6-3-1 vs spread as road underdogs. Syracuse lost its last two games, 27-23/44-37; they’re 1-5 in last six gams as home favorites. This is teams’ first football meeting as ACC rivals.

11) Home side won both Maryland-Iowa games as Big 14 rivals; Terrapins lost 31-15 in last visit here. Maryland is 3-6 in its last nine games as road underdogs. Iowa is 5-1, scoring 48-42 in winning its last two games; Hawkeyes are 4-2-1 in last seven games as home favorites.

10) Marshall won four of last five games with Florida Atlantic, losing 30-25 (+7) at FAU last year; Owls lost 27-21/35-16 in last two visits here. Under Kiffin, FAU is 3-2 as road favorites. Since 2012, Marshall is 3-5 vs spread as a home underdog.

9) Eastern Michigan beat Ball State last two years, 56-14/48-41; Eagles lost four of last five games- their last four games were all decided by 3 or fewer points. Over last 11 years, EMU is 1-1 as a road favorite. Ball State is 2-7 in its last nine games as home underdogs.

8) Penn State won its last four games with Indiana, winning 45-31/13-7 in last two visits here; under Franklin, Nittany Lions are 7-3 vs spread as road favorites, 1-9 coming off a loss- they lost last weeks, both at home. Hoosiers are 2-6 in last eight games as home underdogs.

7) Utah State scored 55.8 ppg in winning its last five games since a 38-31 loss at Michigan State in their opener; all six of their games went over total. Wyoming is 7-4 in last 11 games as a home underdog, but are 0-2 in that role this year. Aggies/Wyoming split their last six meetings.

6) Fresno State won its last four games with New Mexico, winning 35-24/49-32 in their last two trips to Albuquerque. Bulldogs won/covered their last four games, giving up 3-3 points in last two weeks. Lobos are 6-2 in last eight games as a home underdog.

5) Cal Bears won three of last four games with Oregon State; they lost two of last three visits to Corvallis. California lost its last three games; they’re 2-7-1 in last ten games as road favorites. Beavers is 0-5 vs I-A teams, with one loss by less than 19 points; they’re 1-4 vs spread this year.

4) Florida State won its last six games with Wake Forest, winning last three, by 7-11-8 points; since 2014, Seminoles are 11-15 as home favorites- their last three games went over. Deacons lost 63-3 to Clemson LW; they’re 10-4 in last 14 games as road underdogs.

3) Minnesota/Nebraska split their last six meetings; Gophers won LY’s game, 54-21. Minnesota lost its last three games, allowing 40 ppg; they’re 3-6-2 in last 11 games as road underdogs. Cornhuskers are 0-6 SU this year; their last four games went over the total.

2) SMU won its last three games with Tulane, by 3-4-28 points; their last two visits here were decided by total of five points. SMU is 0-3 on road this year, losing by 23-25-28 points; they’re 2-4-1 in last seven games as road dogs. Tulane is 7-3 in last 10 games as home favorites.

1) Home side won last three Nevada-Hawai’i games; Wolf Pack lost last visit here 38-17, after winning previous two trips to Paradise. Nevada is 5-9 in its last 14 games as road underdogs. Hawai’i is 3-12 vs spread in its last 15 games as a home favorite.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, October 19

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

LA DODGERS (98 - 74) at MILWAUKEE (101 - 70) - 8:35 PM
HYUN-JIN RYU (L) vs. WADE MILEY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 98-74 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 40-46 (-24.2 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 68-55 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 101-70 (+27.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 53-35 (+16.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 54-31 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 32-17 (+11.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 21-8 (+14.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday this season.
MILWAUKEE is 69-37 (+31.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 73-58 (+23.0 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 43-26 (+19.3 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MILWAUKEE is 49-37 (+15.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 27-17 (+14.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
MILEY is 13-6 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-7 (+0.4 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.2 Units)

HYUN-JIN RYU vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
RYU is 1-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 1.201.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

WADE MILEY vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
MILEY is 4-5 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.18 and a WHIP of 1.264.
His team's record is 6-10 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-9. (-3.9 units)

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MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, October 19

National League
Dodgers @ Brewers (Dodgers lead series, 3-2)
Dodgers won Ryu’s last five starts (4-0, 0.89), which all stayed under. Team in his starts: 12-5, 4-3 home
Ryu allowed two runs in 4.1 IP in his only start vs Milwaukee this year.
5-inning record: 10-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-17

Miley is 0-0, 3.63 in his last five starts (17.1 IP); under is 5-2 in his last seven starts. Team in his starts: 13-6, 5-3 home
Miley faced one batter (walk) starting Game 5; think he goes longer here.
He’s allowed one run in four starts (19 IP) vs LA this season.
5-inning record: 11-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-18

Dodgers won 10 of their last 13 games overall, on road. Under is 4-0 in their last four games. LA is in playoffs for 6th year in row; they lost 7th game of World Series LY. Dodgers’ last WS title was in 1988.

Milwaukee won 13 of its last 16 games; seven of last eight at home. Under is 8-1 in their last nine games. Brewers are in playoffs for first time since 2011- they lost Game 7 of the 1982 World Series.




MLB
Weather Report

Friday, October 19






MLB

Friday, October 19

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

Los Angeles Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
LA Dodgers is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
LA Dodgers is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
LA Dodgers is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
LA Dodgers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
LA Dodgers is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Milwaukee is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 9 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Milwaukee is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 12 games at home
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers


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MLB
Dunkel

Friday, October 19


LA Dodgers @ Milwaukee

Game 957-958
October 19, 2018 @ 8:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
19.581
Milwaukee
18.250
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-120); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Take two: Miley back to NLCS hill, Brews try to deny Dodgers
October 18, 2018
By The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) Wade Miley, take two.

And this time, the Milwaukee Brewers left-hander figures to seeing more than one batter in his next start in the NL Championship Series.

It comes on Friday night when Miley will try to help the Brewers stave off elimination, down 3-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miley goes back to the hill two days after being lifted after facing leadoff hitter Cody Bellinger in Game 5 in a designed move by manager Craig Counsell. The Dodgers are going with left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu in a rematch of the Game 2 starters.

''I think I'll be fine. Just got to go out and make pitches,'' Miley said at Dodger Stadium after the Brewers fell 5-2 Wednesday.

The last pitcher to start back-to-back games in the same postseason series was George Earnshaw of the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1930 World Series, according to STATS. Earnshaw tossed seven shutout innings in Game 5 before pitching a complete game two days later, allowing one run in a win that took the series.

Can you top that, Wade?

''I started the end of an All-Star break and the other side of it,'' Miley said.

Not quite the same. Miley got the last start against the Dodgers, and was pulled after a five-pitch walk.

Reliever Brandon Woodruff did the bulk of the Brewers' initial ''out-getting'' after coming in to face the second batter, Justin Turner. Woodruff allowed three runs, two earned, along with five hits and a walk while fanning eight in taking the loss after going 5 1/3 innings.

Counsell explained that the unconventional move was an effort to get the best matchups. The Dodgers led off with lefty-hitting Bellinger before going with three straight right-handers in the lineup. They had one other lefty in the starting lineup, power hitter Max Muncy.

Results were mixed. Los Angeles was held scoreless until the fourth, then broke through with five runs over the next three innings to move within one win of a return trip to the World Series.

This was the latest extension of the Brewers' pitching-by-committee strategy in the postseason. Milwaukee is playing to one of its strengths, which is a deep, hard-throwing bullpen. More teams around the league picked up on the maneuver after the Tampa Bay Rays started using bullpen days to get through some games this season.

When asked, Counsell said that he didn't think that lifting Miley after one batter broke down baseball norms or trust between opposing manager. He pointed to teams using pinch-hitters to replace a starter after just one at-bat, similar to what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has done with the right-handed hitting David Freese and Muncy at first base.

''We're using our roster, we're using our full roster, I think that's what all teams are doing in the playoffs,'' Counsell said Thursday, a day off as the series shifts back to Miller Park.

In Houston, Astros manager AJ Hinch said such pitching strategies are ''fair game'' now.

''Craig has been doing it since Sept. 1. (Tampa manager) Kevin Cash has been doing it since May,'' Hinch said before Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.

Hinch noted that the Brewers used reliever Dan Jennings to start a game against the Cardinals on Sept. 24 before pulling Jennings after retiring the first batter.

''You can't be caught off guard with that stuff. (The Dodgers) weren't caught off guard,'' Hinch said.

''You're allowed to play all your players whenever you want to. So I think it's ludicrous to think that it's ... an ethical issue when you're playing your players how you want,'' Hinch added.

For the 31-year-old Miley, the back-to-back starts are another highlight in a turnaround season with Milwaukee. Miley was 5-2 with a 2.67 ERA over 80-plus innings in 16 regular-season starts after joining the club on a minor league contract in spring training.

He hasn't given up a run in 10 1/3 innings this postseason. If it were up to him, Miley would stay in as long as possible.

''Craig's the manager, he makes the final decision,'' Miley said this week, ''but at the same time, you want to make it as tough on them as possible. We try to go out there and do the best we can.''

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

LAD at MIL 08:39 PM

LAD -113

UN-7.5

[StarDust Bum]

Aguilar, Brewers beat Dodgers 7-2, send NLCS to Game 7
October 19, 2018

MILWAUKEE (AP) Ryan Braun slid across home plate and raised his arms in sheer joy.

A big lead, a bruising bullpen and a boisterous crowd have the Milwaukee Brewers all set up for Game 7.

Jesus Aguilar sparked Milwaukee's slumping lineup with three RBIs on a pair of two-out hits, and the Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 on Friday night to even the NL Championship Series at three games each.

Game 7 is Saturday night in front of the same frenzied crowd that booed Manny Machado vociferously after he tangled with Aguilar while the series was in Los Angeles. Dodgers rookie Walker Buehler faces journeyman Jhoulys Chacin, with well-rested relief ace Josh Hader looming in the bullpen for Milwaukee after a surprise day off.

It's the first Game 7 for the Brewers since losing to St. Louis in 1982 in their only World Series appearance. The Dodgers dropped Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston.

David Freese led off this Game 6 with a home run that quieted Miller Park - but just for a moment.

Backed by raucous fans waving yellow towels that read ''ONE TOUGH CREW,'' Milwaukee rebounded from consecutive losses at Dodger Stadium with the same formula it used to win the NL Central during a breakout season.

Some timely hitting by Aguilar and company produced an early lead, and Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress led the way in another shutdown performance by Milwaukee's tough bullpen.

Los Angeles was looking for its second straight NL pennant and some time to prepare for the mighty Boston Red Sox in the World Series. But losing pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was tagged for four runs in the first inning, two on a double by Aguilar that sent Braun sliding home.

After Wade Miley pitched into the fifth inning in his second straight start - he faced only one batter in Game 5 - Knebel, Jeffress and Corbin Burnes closed it out with hitless relief. Knebel got the win and Burnes retired the Dodgers in order in the ninth, setting off a wild celebration for the crowd of 43,619.

If manager Craig Counsell was tempted to bring in the dominant Hader, Aguilar likely erased that urge when he scored on a wild pitch in the seventh and then singled in Lorenzo Cain in the eighth. The big first baseman had driven in just one run in the series heading into Game 6.

Freese drove in both runs for the Dodgers. The rest of the Los Angeles lineup managed just three measly singles. Hounded by boos all night long, Machado went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.

The 35-year-old Freese was a surprise choice for leadoff hitter by Dave Roberts, and he made his manager look quite good when he started the game with a drive to right-center for his ninth career postseason homer.

Freese also connected in the first inning of the previous NLCS Game 6 in Milwaukee, helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the pennant in 2011. It was just his fourth time in the leadoff spot in his 10 years in the majors.

But the Brewers put together a quick response that set the tone for the rest of the night. With runners on first and second in the bottom half of the first, Aguilar lined an opposite-field double into the corner in right.

Mike Moustakas followed with another RBI double and scored on Erik Kratz's single to make it 4-1. The Brewers managed just three runs in the previous two games in Los Angeles.

Christian Yelich and Braun combined for another run with consecutive doubles in the second, and then it became a question of strategy for Roberts and Counsell with Game 7 on deck.

Roberts used starting pitcher Rich Hill in the eighth after Kenta Maeda struggled, staying away from key reliever Pedro Baez and closer Kenley Jansen. Counsell stayed with Knebel for five outs, giving him his first pro plate appearance with the bases loaded in the fifth - he struck out - and Burnes worked two perfect innings.

[StarDust Bum]

8:05 PM EDT

961 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (R) Buehler, W -130 -130 -1.5(+130)
FREE
962 MILWAUKEE BREWERS (R) Chacin, J 8u20 8u20 +1.5(-150) HOT PICK
Time-change to 08:05pm EDT | TV: FS-1, DTV: 219


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


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

Date w-l-t % units record

10/19/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.15
10/18/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -14.45
10/17/2018 2-1-1 66.67% +6.80
10/16/2018 2-2-0 50.00% +0.65
10/15/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +12.70
10/14/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -1.40
10/13/2018 3-1-0 75.00% +8.95
10/12/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +11.65
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..............28-24-2.......53.84%......+6.10


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

10/19/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00.................0 - 1..................-5.50.............-5.50
10/18/2018...............0 - 0....................+0 00.................0 - 1..................-5.50.............-5.50
10/17/2018...............1 - 1....................+1.80..................1 - 1..................0.50............+1.30
10/16/2018...............1 - 1....................+0.65.................1 - 1..................-0.50.............+0.15
10/15/2018...............1 - 0....................+7.70.................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+12.70
10/14/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00.................1 - 0.................+5.00.............+5.00
10/13/2018...............0 - 0....................+0.00.................2 - 0.................+10.00...........+10.00
10/12/2018...............1 - 0....................+5.00..................1 - 0................+5.00.............+10.00
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.........................7 - 8....................+7.00...............17 - 9.................+35.50...........+42.50

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday’s six-pack

— I’m not a big fan of 9:30 Sunday morning NFL games from London.

— Former Tennessee coach Butch Jones is now an assistant at Alabama.

— Raptors 113, Celtics 101— Really good game, better with Hubie Brown as analyst.

— Nets 107, Knicks 105— Caris LeVert with GW hoop; Knicks had only 3 turnovers (+19).

— Warriors 124, Jazz 123— Utah led this game 81-68 at halftime.

— NBA’s salary floor is $91.6M; the salary cap is $101.8M.

Quote of the Day
“Um, not as fast as you guys think it’s going to happen. I always kind of compare it to like instant oatmeal. It is not that fast. It takes a while to get to where you can close your eyes and know exactly where your guys are.”
Lebron James, on how long it will take for the Lakers’ chemistry to develop

Saturday’s quiz
Which four NBA teams came over from the ABA when the ABA folded in 1976?

Friday’s quiz
Olympia is the state capital of Washington.

Thursday’s quiz
Five current major league managers have won a World Series as a manager; Bochy, Hinch, Francona, Maddon, Yost.

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

Saturday’s List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind…..

13) G-League President Malcolm Turner announced that the league is implementing a “professional path” for would-be one and done college basketball players. The G-League will be offering $125,000 contracts, as well as access to NBA infrastructure and development tools.

Curious how many kids take this route, instead of playing college ball for a year?

12) Random movie trivia; remember when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a co-pilot with Peter Graves in the classic comedy Airplane!?

Kareem was on The Rich Eisen Show Wednesday; he said when the writers of Airplane! were casting the movie, they wanted Pete Rose to be the co-pilot, but they were filming during the summer and obviously, Rose was unavailable since that is also baseball season, so they chose Kareem to play the role.

11) More trivia from the past; New Orleans Saints had the first pick in the 1981 Draft; Dallas Cowboys called the Saints and offered them a ton for the #1 pick, but the Saints kept the pick and took South Carolina RB George Rogers.

Turns out the Cowboys wanted the guy who got picked #2; a linebacker named Lawrence Taylor. Wonder whatever happened to him?

10) There are players from 43 countries in the NBA; for the 5th year in a row, every NBA team had at least one international player.

9) NFL stuff:
— QB Brock Osweiler will start again for the Dolphins this week.
— Buffalo will start QB Derek Anderson at Indianapolis. Anderson has started only four times (2-2) since 2010- his career W-L record is 20-27.
— Arizona Cardinals fired OC Mike McCoy Friday.
— Browns traded RB Carlos Hyde to Jacksonville for a 5th-round draft pick.

8) Tremendous catch by Andrew Benitendi to end Game 4 of the Red Sox-Astros series late Wednesday night; he misses that ball, and Houston ties the game, maybe wins it right there.

It is also an example of how a ballpark with a very short LF fence occasionally takes hits away from the batter. No way is Benitendi that shallow if he’s playing in a ballpark other than Houston or Fenway.

7) Wednesday, Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff became 8th reliever in postseason history to strike out 8+ batters in a game. Before him, Pedro Martinez, was the last to do that, in the ’99 ALDS, Game 5 at Cleveland.

Of course, Woodruff wasn’t really a reliever, but Wade Miley walked the first hitter, a lefty, and was then lifted, so technically Woodruff relieved.

6) Falcons’ WR Julio Jones has the 2nd-most receiving yards (707) in the NFL this season but hasn’t scored a touchdown yet; he’s now gone 11 straight regular-season games without a TD catch, which is really odd for someone with his ability.

5) My Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook came in the mail yesterday; time to get serious studying college basketball.

In the last seven years, seven different teams have won the Big West conference tournament.

4) Speaking of the Big West, Mark Gottfried is the new basketball coach at Cal State-Northridge; one of his assistants is 80-year old Jim Harrick, who won a national title with UCLA in 1995.

3) Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan dropped his attempt to buy Wembley Stadium in London, which means the Jaguars won’t be playing half their home games there anytime soon.

2) Thru six games, Kansas City Chiefs have allowed 2,042 passing yards, the most PY any team has allowed thru six games, since 1940.

1) Here’s the thing about stealing signs: if you steal signals in football/baseball with the naked eye, more power to you; if you steal signals via technology, then you’re a cheater. Those are the rules.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, October 20

National League
Dodgers @ Brewers (Series tied, 3-3)
Buehler is 1-1, 4.34 in three starts this month (under is 7-1 in his last eight). Team in his starts: 14-11, 6-6 road
Buehler is 0-2, 3.21 vs Milwaukee this season.
5-inning record: 14-7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Brewers won Chacin’s last five starts (3-0, 1.80); under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 25-12, 9-5 home
Chacin is 1-1, 8.38 against the Dodgers this season.
5-inning record: 18-13-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-37

Dodgers won 10 of their last 14 games overall, they split their last ten games on road. Under is 4-1 in their last five games. LA is in playoffs for 6th year in row; they lost 7th game of World Series LY. Dodgers’ last WS title was in 1988.

Milwaukee won 14 of its last 17 games; eight of last nine at home. Under is 8-2 in their last ten games. Brewers are in playoffs for first time since 2011- they lost Game 7 of the 1982 World Series.




MLB
Weather Report

Saturday, October 20






MLB

Saturday, October 20

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

Los Angeles Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
LA Dodgers is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
LA Dodgers is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
LA Dodgers is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
LA Dodgers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
LA Dodgers is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Milwaukee is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 9 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers


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


MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, October 20

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

LA DODGERS (98 - 75) at MILWAUKEE (102 - 70) - 8:05 PM
WALKER BUEHLER (R) vs. JHOULYS CHACIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 98-75 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 68-56 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 55-47 (-18.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 41-34 (-13.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MILWAUKEE is 102-70 (+28.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 55-31 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 70-37 (+32.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 75-48 (+24.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 101-84 (+15.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 50-37 (+16.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 28-17 (+15.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CHACIN is 25-12 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
CHACIN is 17-7 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
CHACIN is 14-6 (+9.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 6-7 (+1.4 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-1.1 Units)

WALKER BUEHLER vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
BUEHLER is 0-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.21 and a WHIP of 0.786.
His team's record is 0-2 (-3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

JHOULYS CHACIN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
CHACIN is 12-9 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 1.507.
His team's record is 15-11 (+6.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 15-10. (+4.1 units)

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Dodgers-Brewers in Game 7 of NLCS, Red Sox wait
October 20, 2018
By The Associated Press

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

GAME 7

The Dodgers and Brewers meet in an all-or-nothing matchup at Miller Park to decide the NL Championship Series. Los Angeles will start 24-year-old rookie Walker Buehler, who showed flashes of brilliance this season but has not fared well in his two playoff starts. Jhoulys Chacin is set to pitch for Milwaukee - the journeyman had a career year and has done even better in the postseason, pitching 10 1/3 shutout innings in two starts.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell counts heavily on his bullpen, and Josh Hader is well rested. The rocket-armed lefty hasn't pitched since Tuesday in Game 4. He wasn't needed Friday night as the Brewers topped the Dodgers 7-2 in Game 6.

FALL AT FENWAY

Boston works out at Fenway Park for the first time since beating Houston to win its 14th pennant.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday he's sorted out his rotation for the start of the World Series: Ace Chris Sale will start Tuesday's opener and David Price probably will follow in Game 2, Cora told WEEI radio.

Cora said Sale is ready to return after missing his scheduled start in Game 5 of the ALCS because of a stomach issue that led to a hospital stay.

GETTING HEALTHY

Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove is expected to be OK for spring training after having abdominal surgery.

Musgrove had the operation Friday. The 25-year-old right-hander did not pitch after Sept. 17. He was 6-9 with a 4.06 ERA in 19 starts.