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**Udog** · 10-23-2018, 12:38 AM

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Someone took a survey; here are the most popular Halloween candies:

1) Reese’s peanut butter cups 84.2%

2) Reese’s miniatures 81.9%

3) Twix 81.8%

4) Kit Kat 78.8%

5) Snickers 76.7%

6) Reese’s Pieces 73.4%

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Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……

13) Oakland Raiders traded Khahil Mack to the Bears for two #1 picks before the season, then started season 1-5; Monday they traded WR Omari Cooper to Dallas, for another #1 pick, as they continue to plot for the future, when they’ll be playing home games in Las Vegas.

Raiders now have three #1 picks in the 2019 Draft, which will be held in Nashville; too bad it isn’t in Las Vegas, because Raiders are going to be the center of attention. Raiders also have two #1 picks in the 2020 Draft.

12) One of the values of Twitter is getting lot of diverse opinions; almost everyone said that the Raiders did very well getting a #1 pick for Cooper, but then on Monday Night Football, those guys are all saying the Cowboys made out on the deal. What gives?

Ed Werder, who has covered the Cowboys for decades, pointed out that this is the third time Jerry Jones has traded draft picks for a star WR— the other two WR’s he got were Joey Galloway and Roy Williams. When your owner/GM is in his 70’s, draft picks tend to mean less.

11) This from the legendary Gil Brandt on Twitter:
lowest %age of players still on team that picked them (in last six NFL Drafts):

16.0% Oakland Raiders
16.3% Buffalo Bills
20.5% New Jersey Giants
20.7% Cleveland Browns
24.6% San Francisco 49ers

10) Denver Broncos haven’t had consecutive losing seasons since 1971 (4-9-1) and ’72 (5-9); they were 5-11 LY, are 3-4 this year. I’m guessing they’ll be a coaching change if they don’t finish at least .500 this season.

9) Only three NFL teams haven’t played a regular season game outside this country; the Eagles, Packers, and Panthers. Philly plays Jacksonville in London this week.

8) Would Auburn really cough up $32M to tell football coach Gus Malzahn to take a hike? Malzahn is 28-19 in conference games; the guy was a high school coach not that long ago, but do people at Auburn really have $32M lying around to get rid of a fairly successful coach? Wow.

7) Oklahoma Sooners haven’t lost consecutive regular season games since 1999; they’re 39-0 SU in the games following their last 39 regular season losses.

6) According to Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart, Houston 2B Jose Altuve had surgery Friday to repair a patella (kneecap) avulsion fracture in his right knee. According to the Mayo Clinic website, an avulsion fracture occurs when a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone.

Altuve played thru that injury since August 21, hitting .276; he is one tough dude.

5) Cincinnati Reds showed very little imagination and hired David Bell as their new manager. Bell is a Cincinnati native and the son of current Reds executive Buddy Bell, and grandson of Gus Bell, both of whom played for Cincinnati.

David Bell played for seven big league teams, but never for the Reds.

Weird thing is that Bell doesn’t get to pick his own coaches; he will make recommendations, but the front office has the final say. Being a manager isn’t as big a deal as it used to be.

4) If you read this space a lot, you know I love basketball, and I have the NBA package on DirecTV- its fun to watch the games, but it is becoming more difficult to actually follow the league.

Everyone who plays/coaches in the league is pretty rich or really rich, but so few of them appear to be remotely happy— so much anger, and the season is a week old.

I mean, Rondo/Paul got into a scuffle in their game Saturday night , and then Rondo’s girlfriend shoves Paul’s wife afterwards; seriously? Time for everyone to grow up some.

Chris Paul got a two-game suspension for the fracas, that’ll cost him $491,962; the others, much less. Lakers’ Brandon Ingram ran into the scuffle and threw a punch; he got a longer suspension than either Paul or Rondo, but he doesn’t make as much $$$ as they do.

3) College basketball has these “closed/secret” scrimmages between teams; I don’t understand why they’re kept secret, when there is money to be made showing them on TV.

This weekend, North Carolina/Villanova scrimmaged, as did Minnesota/Creighton. Teams all over the country do it, but it is information being hidden and that hurts the sport.

2) Weird doings at the U of Arizona; back in January, the Wildcats fired football coach Rich Rodriguez after six years after a sexual harassment allegation against the coach.

Kevin Sumlin is the new coach; Arizona is 3-5 after a 31-30 loss at UCLA Saturday, when they used their backup QB in place of injured starter Khalil Tate- that backup is Rhett Rodriguez, son of the former coach.

The kid played alright; 15-34 for 231 yards, with two TD’s, two INT’s, but it had to be so odd, a kid playing for the coach who replaced his fired father.

1) Before Rodriguez got the Arizona job, he worked a season in the CBS Sports studio doing college football Saturdays; as soon as the Wildcats hired him, he was off recruiting; the first day CBS Sports had a show after Rodriguez quit, the crew had RichRod on as a guest via remote from Tucson.

Here’s the thing; the whole one-hour show, they left the chair Rodriguez had sat in all season empty, thats the regard they held him in. After that I always rooted for his teams. Saturday night, I was rooting for his son.

**Udog** · 10-23-2018, 12:38 AM

World Series Cheat Sheet
Kevin Rogers

HOW THEY GOT HERE

In spite of the Astros winning the World Series last season, the Red Sox seemed like the team to knock off in the American League this season. Boston finished with the best record in franchise history at 108-54, while winning the American League East title in Alex Cora’s first season as manager. The Red Sox failed to advance past the opening round of the playoffs in 2016 and 2017 after capturing the division championship, but things changed this time around.

Boston split the first two games with rival New York in the ALDS at Fenway Park, but finished off the Yankees with a pair of victories in the Bronx to win the series, 3-1. Two of the wins came by one run, while routing New York in Game 3 by a 16-1 count. Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello each pitched terrific on the road, while J.D. Martinez and Steve Pearce combined for nine hits and eight runs batted in.

The Red Sox dropped the ALCS opener to the Astros in a rematch of last season’s ALDS won by Houston. However, Boston rebounded with a comeback victory in Game 2 at home, followed up by three consecutive wins at Minute Maid Park to take home its first pennant since 2013. Eovaldi was fantastic again by tossing six innings in a Game 3 victory, while the Red Sox rallied for an 8-6 win in a wild Game 4, capped off by Jackie Bradley, Jr.’s second home run in as many games. Boston finished off Houston, 4-1 in Game 5 behind a masterful performance from David Price, who picked up his first career playoff win.

The Dodgers are back in the World Series for the second straight season, but are looking for redemption after falling to the Astros in seven games in 2017. The road wasn’t easy to capture the NL West title as the Dodgers needed to beat the Rockies in game 163, but Los Angeles remained the kings of the division for the sixth straight season.

L.A. took care of upstart Atlanta in the NLDS after blanking the Braves in two home wins and finishing things off in four games. The NLCS was significantly more challenging as the Dodgers were pushed to seven games by the NL Central champion Brewers, but Los Angeles used home runs from Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig to knock out Milwaukee, 5-1 in the decisive contest at Miller Park. The Dodgers’ pitching staff allowed two runs or less in three of the final four games, while Los Angeles won two games at Chavez Ravine and two at Miller Park.

HITTERS TO WATCH

The Red Sox showcase two MVP candidates in Martinez and Mookie Betts, as the duo was the top two hitters in the American League this season. Betts batted .346 with a career-high 32 home runs, while Martinez finished second in batting average (.330), second in home runs (43), and first in runs batted in (130). Shortstop Xander Bogaerts knocked in 103 runs, while picking up a hit in eight of nine playoff games.

The balance of the Dodgers’ lineup was evident this season as not one player finished in the top-five of the NL in batting average, home runs, and RBI. However, seven Dodgers drilled at least 20 home runs this season, led by Max Muncy’s 35 round-trippers. That list includes Los Angeles sluggers who were with the team the entire season, as midseason pickup Manny Machado his 13 homers with the Dodgers, but posted 37 homers total, which included his time in Baltimore. The Dodgers scored the most runs in the NL with 804, while allowing the least amount runs with 610.

PITCHERS TO WATCH

Cy Young candidate Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11 ERA) was slated to start Game 6 of the ALCS if Boston lost Game 5. However, Sale was given several extra days of rest as he will get the ball in the World Series opener. Sale beat the Yankees in the ALDS opener by tossing 5.1 innings and allowing five hits and two earned runs in a 5-4 victory for his first career playoff win. However, the lanky left-hander yielded only one hit in four innings in a 7-2 home defeat to the Astros in the ALCS opener.

Sale landed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury in August, as he has not pitched past the sixth inning since late July. The Red Sox own a 9-5 record in his 14 home starts this season, compared to a 9-4 mark in his opening season at Fenway Park in 2017. As a home favorite or -200 or below in his two seasons in Boston, the Red Sox have compiled a 6-2 mark.

Price (16-7, 3.58 ERA) exorcised his playoff demons by dominating the Astros in Game 5 of the ALCS, picking up his first playoff win in 12 career starts. In the regular season, Price put together a 9-3 record at Fenway Park, while the Sox won 14 of his 18 home starts. Price will be making his first World Series start likely in Game 2, while tossing 3.1 innings of relief in his rookie season with the Rays against the Phillies in the 2008 Fall Classic.

Clayton Kershaw (9-5, 2.73 ERA) has captured three Cy Young awards in his career, but is seeking his first World Series title. Kershaw turned in a pair of masterful performances at home against the Braves and Brewers by tossing 15 innings and allowing five hits and one run. However, Kershaw put together his shortest career playoff outing in a Game 1 loss at Milwaukee by giving up six runs in three innings of a 6-5 defeat.

In last year’s World Series against Houston, Kershaw shut down the Astros in the opener at home, 3-1 by striking out 11 batters in seven innings. However, Kershaw was knocked around at Minute Maid Park in a pivotal Game 5 as the Dodgers blew a pair of three-run leads in a 13-12 walk-off loss in extra innings.

Fellow southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 1.97 ERA) allowed a season-high five runs in a Game 6 NLCS loss at Milwaukee, snapping a five-game winning streak by Los Angeles in Ryu’s previous five starts. Ryu has not been listed as an underdog this season, as the Dodgers posted a 4-1 record in his five outings following a loss in his last start. Ryu did not pitch in the 2017 World Series as he faces a Red Sox lineup that hit only .250 against left-handers this season compared to .275 vs. right-handers.

SERIES HISTORY

Amazingly, these two legendary franchises have met only once before in the World Series, coming way back in 1916. The Red Sox won in five games against what was known as the Brooklyn Robins, before the franchise changed its name to Dodgers in 1932.

The last time the Red Sox and Dodgers met in the regular season came back in 2016 in Los Angeles. The Dodgers captured two of three games against the Red Sox, as Price lost the series finale in spite of Boston grabbing an early 2-0 lead. Los Angeles is making its first trip to Fenway Park since 2010 when the Sox pulled off a three-game sweep of the Dodgers.

SERIES SCHEDULE - GAMES ON FOX

Game 1 – Tuesday, October 23 at Boston
Game 2 – Wednesday, October 24 at Boston
Game 3 – Friday, October 26 at Los Angeles
Game 4 – Saturday, October 27 at Los Angeles
*Game 5 – Sunday, October 28 at Los Angeles
*Game 6 – Tuesday, October 30 at Boston
*Game 7 – Wednesday, October 31 at Boston

* - If Necessary

**Udog** · 10-23-2018, 12:46 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, October 23

LA Dodgers @ Boston

Game 901-902
October 23, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Kershaw) 16.718
Boston
(Sale) 20.326
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 3 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-145
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-145); Under

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, October 23

World Series
Dodgers @ Red Sox
Kershaw is 4-1, 4.00 in his last six starts; over is 4-0 in his last four road starts. He closed Game 7 of the NLCS Saturday in Milwaukee (1 inning). Team in his starts: 17-11, 9-5 road
Kershaw has never pitched in Fenway Park; he is 2-1, 2.45 in his last four playoff starts.
5-inning record: 17-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-28

Sale is 1-0, 3.80 in six starts since August 12 (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 19-10, 9-5 home
Sale is 1-2, 5.85 in five playoff games (3 starts).
5-inning record: 17-5-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-29

Dodgers won three of their last four games; under is 4-1-1 in their last six 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.

Boston won eight of its last ten games; over is 15-4-1 in their last 20 games. Red Sox are in playoffs for third year in row, but this is their first World Series since 2013- they won last three WS appearances.

MLB
Weather Report

Tuesday, October 23

MLB

Tuesday, October 23

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Trend Report
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Los Angeles Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
LA Dodgers is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games
LA Dodgers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Boston
LA Dodgers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Red Sox
Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Boston is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games at home
Boston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing LA Dodgers
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

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Announcement

Tuesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/23

Tuesday's MLB Trends and Indexes - 10/23

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