Cnotes MLB 2019 Thru the World Series News, Notes, Trends Best Bets and Opinions !

[StarDust Bum]

911HOUSTON -912 NY YANKEES
NY YANKEES are 22-5 SU (19.5 Units) vs. teams outscoring opp by 1 or more runs/game on the season in the current season.

913ST LOUIS -914 WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 16-3 SU (14.8 Units) vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .315 or worse in the second half of the season in the current season.




MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, October 15

St. Louis @ Washington

Game 913-914
October 15, 2019 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Hudson) 16.827
Washington
(Corbin) 19.863
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-155
8
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-155); Under

Houston @ NY Yankees

Game 911-912
October 15, 2019 @ 4:08 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Cole) 17.265
NY Yankees
(Severino) 15.672
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-160
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-160); Under




MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, October 15

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HOUSTON (111 - 58) at NY YANKEES (107 - 60) - 4:08 PM
GERRIT COLE (R) vs. LUIS SEVERINO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 45-36 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 71-47 (-10.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 92-74 (-20.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 107-60 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 59-24 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY YANKEES are 42-12 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
NY YANKEES are 22-3 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss this season.
NY YANKEES are 49-28 (+20.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 73-32 (+25.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 3 seasons.
COLE is 29-9 (+16.0 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -175 since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-4 (+0.5 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.4 Units)

GERRIT COLE vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
COLE is 1-0 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.231.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

LUIS SEVERINO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
SEVERINO is 2-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 4.18 and a WHIP of 1.268.
His team's record is 3-3 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+1.0 units)

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

ST LOUIS (94 - 76) at WASHINGTON (100 - 71) - 8:05 PM
DAKOTA HUDSON (R) vs. PAT CORBIN (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 5-5 (+0.9 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.6 Units)

DAKOTA HUDSON vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
HUDSON is 1-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.08 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.4 units)

PAT CORBIN vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
CORBIN is 2-2 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.17 and a WHIP of 1.439.
His team's record is 2-5 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-5. (-4.6 units)

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




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, October 15

American League
Astros @ New York (1-1)
Cole is 6-0, 1.09 in his last seven starts; he is 1-0, 4.15 in two starts vs NYY, and is 4-3, 2.62 in seven playoff starts. Cole’s last loss was 24 starts ago, on May 22.

Severino is 1-1, 1.13 in four starts this year (16 IP); he is 2-1, 3.86 in five games (4 starts) vs Houston, and is 1-2, 5.33 in seven playoff starts.

Astros are in ALCS for third year in a row; they won 2017 World Series, but needed Game 5 to advance past Tampa Bay Thursday. Home teams won seven of nine NY-Houston games this year, with NYY winning three of four games played in the Big Apple.

New York lost the ALCS to Houston two years ago; they haven’t been in a World Series since 2009. NYY has allowed only seven runs in winning four of their five playoff games this month. Teams had yesterday off, so bullpens should both have ample rest.

National League
Cardinals @ Nationals (3-0)
Hudson is 6-1, 1.87 in his last nine starts; he is 2-1, 2.93 in six games (2 starts) vs Washington, and is 0-0, 1.93 in one playoff start, allowing four runs (one earned) in 4.2 IP.

Corbin is 0-2, 9.24 in his last five games (2 starts); he is 2-2, 4.50 in seven starts vs St Louis, and is 0-2, 7.56 in four playoff games (1 start).

Cardinals have been outscored 13-2 in series so far. St Louis is in the playoffs for first time in four years, after making it every year from 2011-15. Cardinals are in NLCS for first time since 2014.

Washington won the NLDS in dramatic fashion Wednesday, they’re 14-2 in last 16 games overall, and are in NLCS for the time since 1981, when they were the Montreal Expos.




MLB

Tuesday, October 15

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

New York Yankees
NY Yankees is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Yankees is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games
NY Yankees is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
NY Yankees is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games at home
NY Yankees is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
NY Yankees is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
NY Yankees is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
NY Yankees is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
Houston Astros
Houston is 14-7 ATS in its last 21 games
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Houston is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
Houston is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Houston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Houston's last 15 games on the road
Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees

Washington Nationals
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games
Washington is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Washington is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games at home
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 9 games when playing St. Louis
Washington is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis's last 12 games
St. Louis is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games on the road
St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of St. Louis's last 9 games when playing Washington
St. Louis is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Washington
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington

[StarDust Bum]

WHAT WAS THIS GUY ON???

Padres P accused of break-in in Arizona
October 10, 2019
By The Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) Police arrested San Diego Padres pitcher Jacob Nix after he was accused of breaking into a suburban Phoenix home through a doggie door and was shot with a Taser by the homeowner.

Nix, who is facing two counts of criminal trespassing, was released this week from the Maricopa County jail on $100 bond.

Charging documents indicate the 23-year-old Nix was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs during Sunday's incident.

Police say Nix tried to crawl through the doggie door of a Peoria home shortly before 4 a.m.

The homeowner discovered Nix and kicked him in the face.

According to the complaint, Thomas Cosgrove, a minor league pitcher for the Padres, was there and pulled Nix out of the door. The homeowner fired his Taser, hitting Nix in the back.

The documents indicate Nix told responding officers he thought he was entering his house.

But he would not elaborate when asked why he tried to go inside when his own house has no doggie door.

The Padres said in a statement Thursday that the team is aware of the incident and has been in contact with authorities and the commissioner's office.

Online court records show Nix does not yet have an attorney. He has a preliminary court hearing scheduled for Oct. 16.

Nix is currently playing for the Peoria Javelinas, an Arizona Fall League team.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Nats a win from 1st World Series, Cole vs Yanks
October 15, 2019
By The Associated Press

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

CAPITAL GAINS

Patrick Corbin can pitch the Nationals to their first pennant when Washington goes for a four-game sweep of slumping St. Louis in the NL Championship Series. The $140 million lefty starts at home against Cardinals rookie Dakota Hudson.

Washington hasn't put a baseball team in the World Series since 1933, when the Senators lost to the New York Giants in five games. The nation's capital owns one MLB championship; the Senators won all the way back in 1924. There wasn't even a baseball team at all in Washington for more than three decades until the Montreal Expos franchise moved to town before the 2005 season and was renamed the Nationals. Until this season, the Nats hadn't won a playoff series, going 0-4 since 2012.

COLE COUNTRY

With the Astros and Yankees tied 1-all, the best-of-seven AL Championship Series shifts to New York for Game 3. Houston ace Gerrit Cole, who is 18-0 with a 1.66 ERA in 24 starts since his last loss on May 22, pitches against Luis Severino.

In beating Tampa Bay in Games 2 and 5 of the Division Series, Cole allowed one run and six hits over 15 2/3 innings, striking out 25 and walking three. His winning streak is the longest by a pitcher in one year since Rube Marquard began 19-0 for the 1912 New York Giants, winning 18 of 19 starts and adding a victory in relief.

Cole, primed to become a prized free agent this fall, grew up in California rooting for the Yankees and was drafted by them 28th overall out of high school in 2008. He didn't sign and chose to attend UCLA instead, then was selected first overall by Pittsburgh in 2011.

At times he wondered what his career would have been like in pinstripes, especially when the Pirates were considering trades.

''I don't want to be dishonest and tell you that it didn't cross my mind. Obviously I got drafted by them, so I thought about it then,'' he said. ''And all the rumors going around, it's kind of hard to control what you hear. But as of late it's just been not a thought at all.''

STANTON'S STATUS

Before setting their lineup for Game 3 against Houston, the Yankees must make a decision on outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. The slugger strained his right quadriceps in the series opener and missed Game 2.

Limited by injuries to 18 games during the regular season, Stanton homered and singled in Game 1. If he were dropped from the roster against the Astros, he would be ineligible to return this year.

''It is a sensitive decision, a tough decision,'' manager Aaron Boone said. ''We'll just try and evaluate and try and get as honest as feedback as we can from Giancarlo.''

Aaron Hicks could get his first start since Aug. 3, taking over in center field from Brett Gardner, who would replace Stanton in left. Sidelined by an injured flexor near his right elbow, Hicks pinch-hit for starting left fielder Cameron Maybin and grounded out leading off the 10th inning in Game 2, then moved to center.

''Aaron is very much in play,'' Boone said.

SILENT NIGHTS

If the Cardinals want to prevent a four-game sweep and get back into the NL Championship Series, their bats need to wake up fast.

St. Louis has all of two runs and 11 hits through three games and trails 3-0. Washington's three starters - Anibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg - have a combined ERA of 0.00. Strasburg took his turn quieting the Cardinals on Monday night, going seven innings in an 8-1 victory. He finished off each of his 12 strikeouts with an off-speed pitch.

''We haven't scored,'' said Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt, who fanned four times in Game 3. ''We haven't executed as an offense. I haven't really done anything this series, and the results speak for themselves, especially tonight. Just have to do a better job.''

DODGER BLUES

After an agonizing playoff exit, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will be back next season.

Roberts led the team to its seventh straight NL West title and a franchise-record 106 wins - second-most in the majors - but has been criticized for his pitching decisions in losing Game 5 of the Division Series to Washington. His in-game tactics during defeats in the 2017 and `18 World Series drew some disapproval, too.

Roberts signed a contract extension through the 2022 season last November.

''When the season ends as abruptly as it did, and it's one of the more painful losses that I can remember, the whole thing is focusing on how we get to winning those 11 games in October,'' Friedman said. ''In our mind Dave is absolutely a part of that.''

Friedman said he expects his own extension to be finalized in the next few days. His $35 million, five-year deal expires at the end of this month.

Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, 65, will transition to a special assistant role next season, which would be his 15th with the Dodgers.

CUBS CANDIDATES

The Chicago Cubs plan to interview former Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler and Houston bench coach Joe Espada this week for their managerial opening.

Kapler was fired last week after going 161-163 in two years with the Phillies.

The Cubs are searching for a successor to Joe Maddon, whose contract expired after Chicago missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2014. At least four other candidates have spoken with the Cubs about the job: Joe Girardi, Mark Loretta, David Ross and Will Venable.

[Udog]

By: Andrew Caley



POSTSEASON STARTER STAT OF THE DAY

Luis Severino, New York Yankees (1-1, 1.50 ERA, $65): Severino takes the ball at Yankee Stadium tonight, and while Cole will be the starter who gets most of the attention heading into this matchup, you can’t ignore the impact Severino can have on this matchup.

While Severino didn’t face the Astros this season, in two starts against them last year, he allowed two runs on nine hits while striking out 21 in 16 innings. And the right-hander is looking more and more like his old self with each passing appearance. Oh, and the Yankees are 22-4 in Severino’s last 26 starts at Yankee Stadium.


3 STRIKES

MINING FOR COLE’S VALUE

How good as Gerrit Cole been this season. Well, he’s on the road at Yankee Stadium, against one of the only lineups in baseball that scored more runs than the Astros, facing a quality starter in Severino, and are still -155 favorites.

Considering those factors and a Yankees’ bullpen that has a 1.88 ERA and is limiting opponents to a .172 batting average this postseason and we are leaning towards taking the value with the home underdog at +135 tonight.

THIS SERIES IS OVER

Well, we mean in terms of tonight’s total, which is currently set at 7.5. As mentioned previously, Hudson struggles more on the road and is facing a Nationals team that has nearly an .800 OPS over their five-game winning streak. And while we think this series has a strong chance of ending tonight, the Cardinals should out up a little fight. Additionally, the Over is 5-0-1 in Cardinals last 6 road games vs. a left-handed starter and is 5-1 in Nationals last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The total is in trouble.

RED BIRDS HAVE POSTSEASON BLUES

St. Louis is a franchise known for being a perennial contender in the NL, however, that hasn’t translated to a lot of postseason success.

The Cardinals have dropped six straight NLCS games, are 2-8 in their last 10 playoff road games, are 7-19 in their last 26 League Championship road games and are 4-11 in their last 15 playoff games overall. A loss tonight means another season of unfulfilled potential in St. Louis.

[Udog]

Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton (quad) is not in the starting lineup for today's ALCS Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Could be available to pinch hit.

[StarDust Bum]

Cole pitches Astros past Yankees, 4-1
October 15, 2019
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NEW YORK (AP) Gerrit Cole is making his pitch to own this October.

A gritty Cole held the New York Yankees scoreless without his sharpest stuff, Jose Altuve sparked Houston at the plate and the Astros locked down a 4-1 victory Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Altuve and Josh Reddick homered early off Luis Severino, who labored into the fifth while keeping the Yankees close. But they never broke through against Cole, who grinded through seven innings to win his 19th straight decision despite walking five batters for the second time in his career.

''Just boiled down to making some good pitches under pressure,'' he said.

Cole escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first and stranded nine runners through five, improving to 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in three playoff outings this year. Poised to become a prized free agent who could command more than $200 million, he's putting together a dominant run that's beginning to rival some of baseball's greatest postseason pitching performances.

The 29-year-old right-hander, unbeaten in 25 starts since late May, allowed four hits and struck out seven. That ended a streak of 11 consecutive games with double-digit strikeouts - the previous big league record was eight. Cole led the majors with 326 Ks this season.

''I think he's the best pitcher in baseball right now,'' Astros manager AJ Hinch said. ''Gerrit is locked in. And to see him do it on the big stage in a playoff game with the magnitude of this game, it was pretty awesome.''

Game 4 in the best-of-seven playoff is scheduled for Wednesday night - but that could change. The gloomy weather forecast calls for a substantial rainstorm, potentially forcing a postponement that would likely alter pitching plans for both teams.

Gleyber Torres homered in the eighth off Houston reliever Joe Smith, one batter after replay umpires reversed a call and ruled Edwin Encarnacion out at first base. That led to a little trash and a ball being thrown onto the field before public address announcer Paul Olden reminded fans not to toss any objects out of the stands.

Roberto Osuna got three quick outs in the ninth for a save.

''Two more to go,'' Osuna said. ''I'm excited.''

The bushy-haired Cole grew up in California rooting for the Yankees and was drafted by them 28th overall in 2008. He didn't sign, choosing instead to attend UCLA before the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him with the top pick in 2011.

Making his second career start at Yankee Stadium, he got away with several pitches in key situations. Other times, Cole flashed the filthy breaking balls and 98-100 mph heat that have made him so unhittable in October - and unbeatable since May.

His winning streak is the longest by a pitcher in one year since Rube Marquard began 19-0 for the 1912 New York Giants.

''He's exceptional. And he gets better and better and better,'' Hinch said. ''Once he found his curveball, it was pretty lights out. I think he finished his outing as strong as ever.''

After rolling to a 7-0 victory in the series opener, the Yankees - the highest-scoring team in the majors this season - have totaled three runs on two homers in the last 20 innings.

''It's obviously a little frustrating we weren't able to break through with him,'' manager Aaron Boone said. ''But I think up and down we gave ourselves a chance. And anytime you're facing a guy like that, you want that kind of traffic. And we had that in several innings. He made big pitches when he had to.''

With two on in the fifth and the Astros clinging to a 2-0 lead, Didi Gregorius lofted a high fly that Reddick caught at the right field fence.

''The emotions kind of followed the flyball, right?'' Cole explained. ''So it was kind of like low, to freaking out, to not so worried anymore.''

The three-time All-Star finally found his rhythm after that, retiring his last seven batters with three strikeouts.

He called his early fastball command ''spotty,'' but his ability to pitch out of trouble prevented a lively sellout crowd of 48,998 from really ever letting loose.

''I mean, we just had to work it,'' Cole said.

Gregorius also grounded out with the bases loaded to end the first.

''Most of the game was on me,'' he said. ''I didn't come through, so I was the one that failed, not the whole team.''

Houston got a rally going in the seventh against scuffling reliever Adam Ottavino. George Springer walked and went to third when Altuve executed a perfect run-and-hit single through the right side.

After savvy baserunning by Springer to stay in a rundown long enough to get runners to second and third, Altuve scored on Zack Britton's wild pitch. Yuli Gurriel made it 4-0 with a sacrifice fly.

LET'S GET IT STARTED

The 5-foot-6 Altuve connected on Severino's third pitch for his fourth homer of these playoffs, extending his postseason hitting streak to 12 games dating to last year.

''I think everybody knows I like swinging the bat,'' he said. ''I don't like wasting too much time on home plate.''

FAST COMPANY

Cole has 32 strikeouts in the playoffs while allowing just one run. He joined Astros teammate Justin Verlander (2013 with Detroit) and Kevin Brown (1998 for San Diego) as the only pitchers to whiff at least 30 and permit no more than one run in a three-game postseason span, according to STATS.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees LF Giancarlo Stanton sat out for the second consecutive game because of a strained right quadriceps. He was replaced in the lineup by CF Aaron Hicks, who batted ninth in his first start since Aug. 3 due to a strained flexor near his right elbow. Brett Gardner shifted from center to left. Hicks went 0 for 2 with two walks.

OUT AT HOME

Plate umpire Jeff Nelson exited with a concussion after taking two foul balls off his mask, causing a 16-minute delay before the fifth inning. Kerwin Danley, who was at second base, went inside and changed into gear to work the plate. Mark Carlson switched from third to second and Marvin Hudson from left field to third. Severino was given additional time to warm up again, and the game proceeded with a five-man crew and no left field ump.

UP NEXT

Both teams were planning bullpen games Wednesday night, but a rainout would allow them to bring back the Game 1 starters on full rest in Game 4 if it gets pushed to Thursday.

Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka beat Zack Greinke in the opener last Saturday at Houston, improving to 5-2 with a 1.32 ERA in seven career postseason outings. Tanaka has permitted only one run and four hits over 11 innings in winning both his playoff games this year, while Greinke is 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Corbin 1st with 10 Ks in 1st 4 innings of postseason game
October 15, 2019
By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin is the first pitcher with 10 strikeouts in the first four innings of a postseason game, according to STATS .

The Nationals led the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 as Game 4 of the NL Championship Series headed to the fifth inning Tuesday night.

Corbin is trying to help Washington finish off a sweep of the NLCS and reach the World Series.

He began the game by striking out the first four batters he faced. Yadier Molina and Kolten Wong were the only two Cardinals position players who did not fan at least once in the first four innings.

Molina homered in the fourth.

The record for most strikeouts in a postseason game is 17, set by Bob Gibson of the Cardinals in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series against Detroit.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:08 PM Houston Astros New York Yankees Yankee Stadium

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY OCTOBER 17, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:08 PM Houston Astros New York Yankees Yankee Stadium


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


MLB PLAYOFF'S OPINIONS AND BEST BETS: ALL BASED ON 5 UNITS

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD.


10/15/2019..............NO PLAYS...................
10/14/2019.......1-1-0.......50.00%........+0.00
10/13/2019.......0-2-0.........0.00%.......-10.50
10/12/2019.......1-3-0........25.00%......-13.40
10/11/2019.......0-2-0..........0.00%......-11.85
10/10/2019.......0-1-1..........0.00%........-5.00
10/09/2019.......3-1-0.........75.00%......+12.10
10/08/2019.......1-1-0.........50.00%......+4.90
10/07/2019.......3-5-0.........37.50%......-11.25
10/06/2019.......1-1-0.........50.00%........-0.50
10/05/2019.......2-1-0.........66.67%.......+5.00
10/04/2019.......3-3-0.........50.00%........-0.50
10/03/2019.......1-3-0.........25.00%........-9.65
10/02/2019.......1-1-0.........50.00%........-1.35
10/01/2019...... 0-2-0........ 0.00%....... -10.50


Totals............17-27-0........ 38.63%...... -52.00


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


BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS.............UNITS. ............O/U...............UNITS.............TOTALS


10/15/2019...........................................NO PLAYS............................................. ..
10/14/2019.............0 - 0.......... +0.00...............1 - 0.............+5.00..............+5.00
10/13/2019.............0 - 1............-5.00................0 - 1............-5.50................-10.50
10/12/2019.............0 - 1............-5.00................1 - 1............-0.50................-5.50
10/11/2019.............0 - 1............-6.35................0 - 1............-5.50................-11.85
10/10/2019.............0 - 1............-5.00................0 - 0............+0.00...............-5.00
10/09/2019.............1 - 0............+7.60...............1 - 1............-0.50................+7.10
10/08/2019.............1 - 0............+10.40.............0 - 1............-5.50................+4.90
10/07/2019.............2 - 0............+11.95.............0 - 4.............-22.00..............-10.05
10/06/2019.............0 - 0............+0.00...............1 - 1.............-0.50................-0.50
10/05/2019.............0 - 1.............-5.00...............2 - 0.............+10.00.............+5.00
10/04/2019.............2 - 1.............+3.45..............3 - 1.............+9.50...............+12.95
10/03/2019.............1 - 1.............+1.35..............0 - 2.............-11.00..............-9.65
10/02/2019.............0 - 1..............-6.35..............1 - 0.............+5.00...............-1.35
10/01/2019.............0 - 1..............-5.00..............0 - 1..............-5.50...............-10.50


Totals.....................7 - 9.............-2.95.............10 - 14.............-27.00...............-29.95

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s 6-pack

Over/under win totals for the NBA this season:

57.5– Bucks

54.5— Rockets, 76ers, Jazz, Clippers

52.5— Nuggets

50.5— Lakers

49.5— Celtics

48.5— Warriors


Quote of the Day
“Seriously guys, that guy is our quarterback when he clears the protocol, and it’s as simple as that. Appreciate the efforts of Duck (Devlin) and so forth, but as soon as [Rudolph] is ready to go, he’s ready to go.”
Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin, talking about his QB’s

Thursday’s quiz
When was the last time the NY Knicks were in the NBA Finals?

Wednesday’s quiz
Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez won a World Series ring as bench coach for the Chicago Cubs.

Tuesday’s quiz
Aaron Rodgers played his college football at California

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Thursday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but…….

13) First off today, a little news…….at some point soon, probably early next week but maybe as early as tomorrow, I‘m going to be going off the grid for a week or so.

Turns out I have a detached retina in my right eye, and I’m going to have surgery to get it fixed. The doctor basically told me I have to lay on the couch and DO NOTHING for a week after the operation until the eye heals, so I’ll be on the shelf for a little while, but hopefully I’ll be back for the start of college basketball season.

12) Wound up in four different doctors’ offices Wednesday; not good- the last one was a pre-exam for the operation where they give you an EKG and test your urine (for what, I have no idea, but mine passed)

Two thoughts here…….
— Peeing in a little plastic cup is an underrated skill (seriously, tough to do it well)
— My EKG, to quote the doctor, was “Perfect” so I have that going for me.

11) NFL stuff:
— Michell Trubisky is expected to be back at QB for the Bears this week.
— Titans are starting Ryan Tannehill at QB this week against the Chargers.
— Steelers are going back to Mason Rudolph at QB for this week’s game.

10) Titans’ deposed starting QB Marcus Mariota is now 26-35-2 ATS as an NFL starter.

9) Win for me; flew home during a Presidential debate, so I missed it. Also missed couple of playoff games, but followed along on Twitter on the airplane. Politicians? Not so much.

8) 22-year NBA veteran Vince Carter holds the league record with 245 different teammates; four of his current Atlanta teammates weren’t even alive when Carter made his NBA debut in 1998.

7) In the second half of their last two games, Kansas City has run only 35 plays; their opponents have run 79 plays, and that is a problem. Chiefs will be missing five starters in Denver tonight.

6) Was reading an article about a bookmaker who said the biggest thing most books need is volume, because no matter what, books generally pocket around $6 for every $100 wagered.

5) St Louis Cardinals had a rough week in the NLCS, but their pitching coach Mike Maddox got two hole-in-ones in the same round last week in Washington. That doesn’t happen very much.

4) Under Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys are 35-17-1 ATS in the 2nd half of games when the Cowboys are behind at the half. Pete Carroll, Bill O’Brien are #2, #3 on that list.

3) Redskins’ QB Alex Smith broke his leg LY but still hopes to play in the NFL again; since he broke the leg, Smith has had 17 surgeries on it. Seventeen.

2) FWIW, thru six weeks of play, Arizona Cardinals have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends. Fantasy owners who have the Giants’ Evan Engram should enjoy that.

1) Angels signed Joe Maddon to a 3-year contract as manager; Maddon spent his first 31 years in pro baseball working in the Angels’ organization.

[StarDust Bum]

ALCS G4 PPD, to resume Thursday
October 16, 2019
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NEW YORK (AP) Game 4 of the AL Championship Series scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed because of rain in the forecast.

The Houston Astros and New York Yankees will play Game 4 on Thursday night instead, with Game 5 on Friday at Yankee Stadium and Game 6 in Houston on Saturday if necessary. Houston beat New York 4-1 in the Bronx on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 series lead.

It's expected that Houston will start Zack Greinke against the Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka in a rematch of Game 1. Tanaka pitched six sterling innings as New York won the opener 7-0.

Both clubs had planned to use bullpen openers Wednesday, and the day off will be welcome for New York after manager Aaron Boone used five relievers to cover 4 2/3 innings Tuesday. Starter Luis Severino threw 36 pitches in the first inning and was pulled in the fifth. Boone deployed key arms Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle, Adam Ottavino and Zack Britton in the loss, although none threw more than 11 pitches.

Of course, now the teams might play the final four games without a day off, culminating in Game 7 on Sunday. With the Yankees leaning heavily on their bullpen this month, the starter-driven Astros could be at an advantage.

Greinke, a 2009 Cy Young Award winner acquired from Arizona at the July 31 trade deadline, has struggled through two starts this postseason. He allowed six runs and couldn't finish the fourth inning against Tampa Bay in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, and the Yankees hammered two homers and scored three runs against him in six innings in the ALCS opener.

[StarDust Bum]

Yanks' Boone defends C Sanchez's defense
October 16, 2019
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Yankees manager Aaron Boone wasn't sure Wednesday what his lineup for the next day's Game 4 of the AL Championship Series would look like.

Gary Sanchez will be behind the plate, though - whether many in the Bronx want it that way or not.

Boone doubled down on his defense of Sanchez after Wednesday's scheduled Game 4 was postponed a day due to rain. Boone said his catcher has been ''excellent'' defensively, and he wouldn't hesitate to start the two-time All-Star against the Houston Astros.

New York lost to Houston 4-1 on Tuesday to fall behind 2-1 in the series. One of the Astros' runs scored when Sanchez couldn't get in front of a wild fastball from left-hander Zack Britton with a man on third base, a play that prompted a lot of criticism from Yankees fans.

''He's been excellent behind the plate from a game-calling standpoint, from a game-plan target, receiving,'' Boone said. ''A lot of people are making a lot of the block. There's a lot of 94 mph fastballs that guys don't block. Guys aren't always set up to block a fastball. That's kind of a 50/50 play.''

Often maligned for his glovework in the early stages of his career, the 26-year-old Sanchez has become a star because of his dangerous bat. That stick has gone silent this postseason. He's 2 for 21 without an RBI in October after missing much of September with left groin soreness - a recurring problem this season.

''I feel like Gary has been back long enough now to certainly be in the flow and the rhythm of regular play,'' Boone said. ''Again, hopefully this starts real soon for him.''

Yankees pitchers have praised Sanchez's defense this postseason. Reliever Adam Ottavino said he was impressed with Sanchez's work behind the plate in his first season with the Yankees.

''I know there's been a narrative about his catching,'' Ottavino said. ''I thought he's been pretty awesome the whole year.''

''Even last year, I was pleasantly surprised,'' echoed Britton. ''I had heard a lot of negative things about him. I didn't find any of it to be true. I thought he was a really good catcher, actually, has a good feel for game calling.''

Advanced defensive metrics have generally graded Sanchez well, giving him above-average marks for pitch framing over his career. There's never been any question about his throwing arm.

''The bottom line is his body of work in this postseason, and frankly down the stretch in the second half of the season defensively, has been excellent,'' Boone said. ''So that part has me feeling really good about him. And just knowing how talented of an offensive player he is, I always feel like he's a pitch away or an at-bat away from really getting locked in and changing the course of a game.

''So clearly he hasn't been at his best offensively but with a guy as talented as he is, I think that's right around the corner always.''

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's Best Bet
October 16, 2019
By Matt Blunt

ALCS Game 4 Betting Preview

Houston Astros vs New York Yankees, 8:08 ET, FS1

With Wednesday's proposed Game 4 getting washed out because of the weather, both the Yankees and Astros avoid what would have been considered a bullpen day for both. We will never know how that type of game would have played out, and given the depth and talent the Yankees have in their bullpen, you would have to figure they would have had the edge.

Instead, Game 4 gets pushed to Thursday as it's a rematch of Game 1 starters with Zack Greinke and Masahiro Tanaka getting the ball. Tanaka and the Yankees managed to win that series opener by a 7-0 final score, scoring three runs off Greinke in six innings and padding the lead with four more from there. Now down 2-1 in the series, New York's going to need to win Game 4 to get back on even ground with the Astros, because the last thing they want to face is being down 3-1 and needing to not only win Game 5 at home, but go into Houston and win Games 6 and 7 as well. That's not even discussing the fact about which one of Houston's stud starting pitchers they'll be up against in all of those meetings.

Therefore, it's not hard to make the argument that Game 4 could essentially be the series for the Yankees, and as a 30-cent home favorite in Game 4, you know the Bronx Bombers will get plenty of support. But is that the best betting option?

MLB Odds: Houston (+120) vs New York (-130); Total set at 8

Not only will the Yankees likely end up as a popular side for Game 4 just based on their specific situation, but with the narrative that Greinke is Houston's “weak link” growing stronger after falling in Game 1, there is support on both sides in terms of wanting to play on the Yankees and play against the Astros in this game.

And while it is true that Greinke hasn't had his best stuff since becoming a Houston Astros player, calling him a “weak link” when comparing him to what Verlander and Cole have done this year is disrespectful to all three of them. Verlander, and especially Cole, have had absolutely phenomenal seasons in 2019 and probably ever other pitcher in the majors would be considered “weaker” to the performances they've put up. Even for all the credit Verlander and Cole have gotten, that's still not giving them enough credit in that regard.

And for Greinke, yes, the transition back to the American League has come with some bumps in the road, but what team in the league wouldn't want him as their third option in a playoff series? It's not hard to figure he'd be at worst the #2 man in the Yankees rotation were he to flip sides, and he would have been considered a #1 for probably every other playoff team in the 2019 postseason outside of what Washington brought to the table.

So just because Greinke has had some issues in his new uniform, doesn't mean he should be an automatic fade in this spot. Yes, situationally, the Yankees are in a decent position to even up this series in Game 4, being at home, with their #1 guy on the hill vs a #3 for Houston, and this being the 4th time in 2019 that they've faced Greinke (twice while he was with Arizona), but I'm not ready to trust Tanaka being as dominant as he was in Game 1 (1 hit allowed in 6 IP). Given that the Yankees are going to attract the majority of the support in all likelihood because of all those things, the side is probably one of the easiest stay aways of the post season for me overall.

But it is the pitching rematch situation that leads me to a play on the total. We've only seen one specific playoff rematch between starting pitchers in these playoffs so far – St Louis/Atlanta Game 5 with Flaherty and Foltynewicz squaring off after doing so in Game 2 as well – and that result in the return match flipped both ways. St Louis lost Game 2 in an 'under' result, and then thanks to a huge 1st inning offensively, the Cardinals were able to win Game 5 and cash 'over' tickets in no time.

Flip flopping those results in rematches is a general theory that I tend to support if they make sense in other lines of thought as well, and taking the 'over' for Game 4 does seem to fit the bill (hence another reason to be tentative in backing the Yankees ML).

If the Yankees are going to even this ALCS at two games apiece, they are going likely going to do so by waking up their bats and scoring 4+ runs. This is a Yankees team that averaged 5.46 runs per game at home this year, and will now have close to 48 hours to stew about their many missed opportunities in Game 3.

In that Game 3 the Yankees had two guys on, no outs in the first inning before ultimately stranding the bases loaded, Didi Gregorius was a few feet away from a three-run shot in the bottom of the 5th, and all in all they left nine men on base, six of which were in scoring position. If Greinke is indeed the lesser of three evils these Yankees bats have to face in this series, New York will have to capitalize on those kinds of chances in Game 4, and I do believe they will.

However, at the same time, it's not like the Astros were a model of offensive efficiency in Game 3 as well, as they stranded the bases loaded in the 1st inning too, and finished the game with 10 ducks left out on the pond, all of which were out there in scoring position. Even with Tanaka on the hill, the Yankees are playing with fire if they continue to give the Astros those kinds of opportunities, as eventually they'll find there way home too. In Tanaka's two regular season starts against Houston, the Astros scored no fewer than 4 runs in either of those games, and a 4-4 type game in the late innings gives us a winning ticket on the high side of this total.

With improved weather – with winds projected to be quite strong and blowing out – and a scheduled HP umpire in Dan Bellino and his 17-12-4 O/U mark this year likely behind the plate, I believe we see the first relatively high-scoring game of this 2019 ALCS with both sides trading crooked numbers with one another.

As I said earlier, if the Yankees are going to win this game, you've got to figure they'll need 4+ runs to do so, and if you and I figure that, you know Houston does as well. From the Astros perspective, they would take great satisfaction in out-slugging this “savage” Yankees lineup on their own field to go up 3-1 in the ALCS, and they'll do their best to make it happen.

These two teams are too loaded offensively not to have at least one game in this series turn into a slugfest where the chips fall where they may in terms of the eventual winner, and I'm backing that happens here in Game 4.

Best Bet: Over 8

[StarDust Bum]

Reddick: Yankees fans 'disrespectful'
October 15, 2019
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Houston Astros right fielder Josh Reddick called out Yankees fans for tossing water bottles, baseballs and other objects on the field during New York's 4-1 loss in the AL Championship Series on Tuesday night.

''You throw a baseball hard enough and hit somebody in the head when they're not looking, it could do some damage to the player, so it's definitely disrespectful and at the same time very unsafe,'' Reddick said.

Fans erupted after a replay review changed Edwin Encarnacion's infield hit leading off the eighth to a groundout. Houston went on to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

''I don't think fans realize when they do that that you could hit a player. You hit a baseball player with a baseball from the third deck, it's got a little bit of movement on it so it can definitely do some damage to you and it's frustrating to see as a player in the outfield,'' Reddick said. ''I saw water bottles and like two baseballs. There were two souvenir baseballs thrown in center and left field. I got all the water bottles in right.''

Reddick homered off Luis Severino in the second inning for a 2-0 lead. Fans directed insults at him when he went to right field.

''It's a matter of all kinds of different things here, but you're used to that for nine innings. Pretty standard,'' Reddick said. ''They're all yelling at the same time, so it all kind of mumbles together.''

Restless Yankees fans cheered when Luis Cessa hit Alex Bregman on the back with a 92 mph fastball in the ninth.

[StarDust Bum]

Astros fan arrested for slapping fan
October 15, 2019
By The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) An Astros fan is facing an assault charge after being accused by authorities of slapping a New York Yankees fan after the two got into an argument at Houston's Minute Maid Park during the second game of the American League Championship Series.

James Dinkins was arrested on the misdemeanor charge after police say he slapped the Yankees fan in the back of the head after he cheered for the New York team during Sunday night's game.

The 73-year-old Dinkins, a former justice of the peace in neighboring Montgomery County, is free on a $100 bond. Court records didn't list an attorney for Dinkins.

Harris County District Attorney's Office prosecutor Nathan Beedle called the allegations against Dinkins ''troubling,'' saying that Houston prides itself on ''hospitality, sportsmanship, and welcoming anyone from anywhere.''

[StarDust Bum]

ALCS Game 4 Betting Preview

Houston Astros vs New York Yankees, 8:08 ET, FS1

With Wednesday's proposed Game 4 getting washed out because of the weather, both the Yankees and Astros avoid what would have been considered a bullpen day for both. We will never know how that type of game would have played out, and given the depth and talent the Yankees have in their bullpen, you would have to figure they would have had the edge.

Instead, Game 4 gets pushed to Thursday as it's a rematch of Game 1 starters with Zack Greinke and Masahiro Tanaka getting the ball. Tanaka and the Yankees managed to win that series opener by a 7-0 final score, scoring three runs off Greinke in six innings and padding the lead with four more from there. Now down 2-1 in the series, New York's going to need to win Game 4 to get back on even ground with the Astros, because the last thing they want to face is being down 3-1 and needing to not only win Game 5 at home, but go into Houston and win Games 6 and 7 as well. That's not even discussing the fact about which one of Houston's stud starting pitchers they'll be up against in all of those meetings.

Therefore, it's not hard to make the argument that Game 4 could essentially be the series for the Yankees, and as a 30-cent home favorite in Game 4, you know the Bronx Bombers will get plenty of support. But is that the best betting option?

MLB Odds: Houston (+120) vs New York (-130); Total set at 8

Not only will the Yankees likely end up as a popular side for Game 4 just based on their specific situation, but with the narrative that Greinke is Houston's “weak link” growing stronger after falling in Game 1, there is support on both sides in terms of wanting to play on the Yankees and play against the Astros in this game.

And while it is true that Greinke hasn't had his best stuff since becoming a Houston Astros player, calling him a “weak link” when comparing him to what Verlander and Cole have done this year is disrespectful to all three of them. Verlander, and especially Cole, have had absolutely phenomenal seasons in 2019 and probably ever other pitcher in the majors would be considered “weaker” to the performances they've put up. Even for all the credit Verlander and Cole have gotten, that's still not giving them enough credit in that regard.

And for Greinke, yes, the transition back to the American League has come with some bumps in the road, but what team in the league wouldn't want him as their third option in a playoff series? It's not hard to figure he'd be at worst the #2 man in the Yankees rotation were he to flip sides, and he would have been considered a #1 for probably every other playoff team in the 2019 postseason outside of what Washington brought to the table.

So just because Greinke has had some issues in his new uniform, doesn't mean he should be an automatic fade in this spot. Yes, situationally, the Yankees are in a decent position to even up this series in Game 4, being at home, with their #1 guy on the hill vs a #3 for Houston, and this being the 4th time in 2019 that they've faced Greinke (twice while he was with Arizona), but I'm not ready to trust Tanaka being as dominant as he was in Game 1 (1 hit allowed in 6 IP). Given that the Yankees are going to attract the majority of the support in all likelihood because of all those things, the side is probably one of the easiest stay aways of the post season for me overall.

But it is the pitching rematch situation that leads me to a play on the total. We've only seen one specific playoff rematch between starting pitchers in these playoffs so far – St Louis/Atlanta Game 5 with Flaherty and Foltynewicz squaring off after doing so in Game 2 as well – and that result in the return match flipped both ways. St Louis lost Game 2 in an 'under' result, and then thanks to a huge 1st inning offensively, the Cardinals were able to win Game 5 and cash 'over' tickets in no time.

Flip flopping those results in rematches is a general theory that I tend to support if they make sense in other lines of thought as well, and taking the 'over' for Game 4 does seem to fit the bill (hence another reason to be tentative in backing the Yankees ML).

If the Yankees are going to even this ALCS at two games apiece, they are going likely going to do so by waking up their bats and scoring 4+ runs. This is a Yankees team that averaged 5.46 runs per game at home this year, and will now have close to 48 hours to stew about their many missed opportunities in Game 3.

In that Game 3 the Yankees had two guys on, no outs in the first inning before ultimately stranding the bases loaded, Didi Gregorius was a few feet away from a three-run shot in the bottom of the 5th, and all in all they left nine men on base, six of which were in scoring position. If Greinke is indeed the lesser of three evils these Yankees bats have to face in this series, New York will have to capitalize on those kinds of chances in Game 4, and I do believe they will.

However, at the same time, it's not like the Astros were a model of offensive efficiency in Game 3 as well, as they stranded the bases loaded in the 1st inning too, and finished the game with 10 ducks left out on the pond, all of which were out there in scoring position. Even with Tanaka on the hill, the Yankees are playing with fire if they continue to give the Astros those kinds of opportunities, as eventually they'll find there way home too. In Tanaka's two regular season starts against Houston, the Astros scored no fewer than 4 runs in either of those games, and a 4-4 type game in the late innings gives us a winning ticket on the high side of this total.

With improved weather – with winds projected to be quite strong and blowing out – and a scheduled HP umpire in Dan Bellino and his 17-12-4 O/U mark this year likely behind the plate, I believe we see the first relatively high-scoring game of this 2019 ALCS with both sides trading crooked numbers with one another.

As I said earlier, if the Yankees are going to win this game, you've got to figure they'll need 4+ runs to do so, and if you and I figure that, you know Houston does as well. From the Astros perspective, they would take great satisfaction in out-slugging this “savage” Yankees lineup on their own field to go up 3-1 in the ALCS, and they'll do their best to make it happen.

These two teams are too loaded offensively not to have at least one game in this series turn into a slugfest where the chips fall where they may in terms of the eventual winner, and I'm backing that happens here in Game 4.