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

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[B]SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
1:00 PM Washington Nationals TBA

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
1:00 PM Washington Nationals TBA

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 25, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:07 PM TBA Washington Nationals Nationals Park

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:07 PM TBA Washington Nationals Nationals Park[/B]

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Tuesday’s 6-pack

Current Super Bowl odds:

+$240— New England

+$550— New Orleans

+$900— Green Bay

+$950— San Francisco

+1000— Kansas City

+$1600—Baltimore/Dallas


Quote of the Day
“It was fourth-and-short and I believe in our offensive line. I believe in myself and my team. Coach believed in us, obviously, because we went for it. The defense overflowed to the outside, the offensive line did a great job giving me a hole. And I just hit it.”
Lamar Jackson, talking about his TD run in Seattle Sunday

Tuesday’s quiz
Where did Lamar Jackson play his college football?

Monday’s quiz
There are no left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL right now.

Sunday’s quiz
There are seven NHL franchises located in Canada.

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

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

Hey, I’m going in the shop Tuesday for my 60,000-mile checkup; be back as soon as I can.

13) When he was 16 years old, Jose Altuve went to an Astros’ tryout camp in Venezuela, but was cut because the Astros considered him to be too short.

Altuve went back the next day, where he earned his way into a deal with Houston and a signing bonus of $15,000, a small bonus.

Starting next year, Altuve will be making $29M a year; good thing he went back to that tryout.

12) From the 2017 NFL Draft:
#2— Mitchell Trubisky, Bears
#10— Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
#12— Deshaun Watson, Texans

If I owned the Bears, I might be asking my GM some questions……..

11) So far this season, NFL road underdogs are 45-23-2 ATS.

10) CG Technology in Las Vegas took two money-line bets on the Chicago Bears Sunday, totaling $540,000, so when the Saints beat Chicago, CG Technology was ��

9) Troy Aikman is an assistant coach at Episcopal School of Dallas, where his stepson plays WR; Aikman does NFL games on Thursday/Sunday, but is on the Episcopal sideline Friday nites.

8) Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa has a high ankle sprain, is expected to miss a game or two.

In 2022, Alabama is playing Austin Peay in football; why????

Play them in basketball, when they would actually have a chance; it is a ripoff to fans for a dominant program like Alabama to play a I-AA team. Play a Sun Belt team, a MAC team, play Rutgers or UMass. Or, have some onions and play UAB, an in-state team.

7) Jets’ G Kelechi Osemele told reporters that he played in pain for the first three games, took painkillers (Toradal) prescribed by the Jets and needs surgery to repair a torn labrum; the Jets think Osemele had a pre-existing condition and can play; he was cleared to play by team doctors and an independent doctor.

Osemele is making $10.2M this season, and his $9.3M base salary is guaranteed because he’s a vested veteran. Oy.

6) Was watching an old movie (1987) Sunday night, Less Than Zero, with Andrew McCarthy and Robert Downey Jr; the female lead in the movie is Jami Gertz, who is married to the owner of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, Tony Ressler.

Ms Gertz has represented the Hawks at the NBA Draft Lottery a couple of times; ironically, the Hawks’ chances of winning an NBA title are less than zero.

5) Of the 27 guys in last year’s NBA All-Star Game, only two of them (Bradley Beal, Kemba Walker) played in all 82 regular season games.

4) New Orleans Pelicans’ rookie Zion Williamson had his knee scoped, is out 6-8 weeks.

3) Washington Redskins (+9.5) covered at home Sunday, losing 9-0 to the 49ers; they’re only second team in last 25 years to cover while being shut out. In 2007, the Dolphins (+16) lost 3-0 to the Steelers.

2) If you bet on every NFL road team this season, you would’ve shown a profit every week- road teams are 62-38-2 ATS in the NFL this year.

1) RIP to major league umpire Eric Cooper, 52, who passed away over the weekend; Cooper is one of only two umpires ever who worked the plate for two no-hitters by the same pitcher (Mark Buehrle). Cooper worked the New York-Minnesota playoff series couple weeks ago.

The other umpire is Ed Vargo, who worked two of Sandy Koufax’s no-hitters.

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World Series Cheat Sheet
Kevin Rogers

For the first time in franchise history, the Nationals have advanced to the World Series. Washington squares off with Houston, who is playing in its second Fall Classic in the last three seasons as things start up Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park.

Washington has been fighting back all season long, starting with erasing a 19-31 record in late May to grab the top Wild Card spot in the National League by finishing 93-69. The Nationals rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the Wild Card game against the Brewers for a 4-3 victory to advance to the NLCS against the favored Dodgers. Washington wiped out a 2-1 series edge by Los Angeles to win Game 4 at home, followed by a 7-3 triumph in extra innings to knock out the two-time defending NL champions.

The Astros have gone through quite the decade by winning 56 games or fewer for three straight seasons from 2011-13. Houston went through the process of trusting its minor league system, while also acquiring several big name players via trades to become a consistent playoff team in the American League. The Astros have qualified for the postseason in four of the past five seasons, while coming off three consecutive 100+ win seasons and three American League West division titles.

Houston squandered a 2-0 series lead in the ALDS against Tampa Bay by losing a pair of games at Tropicana Field to the Rays before capturing the decisive Game 5 at home to advance to its third straight ALCS. The Astros took home their third ever pennant on Jose Altuve’s walk-off home run to knock off the Yankees in six games, 6-4 as Houston has posted a 5-1 record at Minute Maid Park this postseason.

This World Series spotlights several of the game’s best pitchers as the first two contests in Houston highlight a pair of Cy Young winners along with two other hurlers that combined for 38 victories this season. Starting with Houston, the Astros send out Cy Young favorite Gerrit Cole to the hill in the series opener.

Cole finished the regular season with a career-high 20 victories, while Houston has won each of his past 16 starts dating back to July 17. In eight of Cole’s last nine outings, the right-hander has given up one earned run or fewer, while yielding a total of one run in three playoff starts. Cole’s latest gem came in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees by tossing seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 triumph, but he struck out only seven batters, which ended an 11-start streak of double-digit strikeouts.

Justin Verlander helped the Astros capture their first World Series title in 2017 after coming over from the Tigers in August. Verlander seeks his second championship as he is fresh off a 21-6 regular season mark, the second-most wins in his stellar career (24 wins in 2011). The former Cy Young winner and MVP has seen his ups and downs this postseason as the Astros are 2-2 in his four outings. Houston is 2-0 in his two starts at Minute Maid Park as he allowed two earned runs in 13.2 innings of work, but was racked in two away outings by giving up four runs and two home runs each in losses at Tampa Bay and New York.

Zack Greinke was the coldest pitcher of the Astros’ Big Three starters during the playoffs in losses to Tampa Bay and New York, but he rebounded as a road underdog in an 8-3 victory in Game 5 in the Bronx. Although Greinke received a no-decision, the former Cy Young winner scattered three hits and gave up one run in 4.1 innings of work as the Astros are 5-2 in his seven road starts since coming over from Arizona. Greinke is slated to start Game 3 at Nationals Park, as he is the only Astros’ player to face Washington this season by tossing 7.1 shutout innings in a 5-0 victory back on June 13.

On the Washington side, the Nationals send out their big guns in the first two games at Minute Maid Park with Max Scherzer starting Game 1 and Stephen Strasburg going in Game 2. Scherzer is pitching in his first World Series since 2012 as a member of Detroit and picked up a no-decision in a 4-3 loss to San Francisco as the Giants swept the Tigers. The three-time Cy Young winner struggled in his first postseason start against Milwaukee in the Wild Card game by giving up a pair of homers in five innings, but the Nats rallied to get Scherzer off the hook. Scherzer was fantastic in his last two playoff starts by allowing five hits and one run in 14 innings in victories over the Dodgers and Cardinals.

Strasburg posted a career-high 18 wins and 251 strikeouts, while the Nationals won 24 of his 36 starts this season. The former top pick is unbeaten in his past five starts, including a pair of road victories against the Dodgers in the NLDS. Strasburg struck out 12 batters in seven innings in his most recent outing at St. Louis in Game 3 of the NLCS in an 8-1 rout, marking his 10th quality start in his last 11 tries. Washington put together a 5-2 record in Strasburg’s seven starts as a road underdog in 2019, as he is facing Houston for the first time since 2017 when he tossed six scoreless innings in a 5-4 extra-innings win.

Patrick Corbin is also making his first World Series along with Strasburg as the former Diamondbacks’ hurler will start Game 3 at Nationals Park. Corbin came over to Washington on a six-year, $140 million deal in the offseason following six seasons in Arizona. The southpaw won 14 games in a season for the third time in his career, as Washington won 14 of his 18 home starts, including a 12-1 mark in his past 13 at Nationals Park. Corbin struck out a season-high 12 batters in the pennant-clinching game of the NLCS against the Cardinals, while coming within one out of a complete game shutout in a 4-0 win at Houston back in 2017.

Since 2010, home teams have compiled an 8-1 record in Game 1 of the World Series with the only road team win in this span being San Francisco in 2014 at Kansas City. The task for Washington to win the first two games of this series on the road is a difficult one against Cole and Verlander, but history goes against them as well. The last team to win the first two games of the World Series on the road was the Yankees back in 1999 in a four-game sweep of the Braves.

In Houston’s only World Series title run in 2017, the Astros outlasted the Dodgers in seven games, although they didn’t have home-field advantage. The last underdog to capture a Game 1 win came in 2012 by the Giants, who stunned the Tigers as +155 home ‘dogs, 8-3. Since getting blanked in Game 1 of the NLDS by Los Angeles, the Nationals have won four straight road games, while Washington is 18-3 in its past 21 games heading into the World Series.

Head-to-Head

Dating back to 2012, these teams have met in four interleague series. The Nationals have gone 9-1 and the 'under' has produced a 7-3 record.

2017
Washington 5 at Houston 4 (Underdog +123, Over 8)
Houston 6 vs. Washington 1 (Favorite -144, Under 9.5)
Washington 4 at Houston 3 (Underdog +158, Under 9)

2014
Washington 6 vs. Houston 5 (Favorite -172, Over 8)
Washington 6 vs. Houston 5 (Favorite -145, Under 9.5)
Washington 7 at Houston 0 (Favorite -137, Under 8)
Washington 4 at Houston 3 (Favorite -138, Under 8)

2012
Washington 5 at Houston 0 (Favorite -169, Under 7.5)
Washington 4 at Houston 3 (Favorite -215, Under 8.5)
Washington 3 at Houston 2 (Favorite -175, Under 8.5)

World Series Betting Trends and Results

-- Favorites have gone 19-12 the last five World Series

-- Run-line favorites own a 14-5 record in the 19 games that the favorites won

-- We haven’t seen much disparity in home/away numbers with the hosts holding a slight 16-15 edge over the visitors

-- The ‘over’ is 16-14-1 since 2104 but the ‘under’ has gone 7-4-1 (63.6%) the last two years

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Hot & Not Report - World Series
Matt Blunt

Week of October 21st

I hate to be the bearer of bad news for those of you in the nation's capital, but even with the likes of Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin on your side, history is definitely not. And just like the Baby Shark phenomenon that went well past its 15 minutes of fame in the real world, this Nats team that rallies behind that song likely doesn't have much time left of winning baseball games. That's because...

Who's Hot

Teams that needed more games to get through the LCS round (Houston) are 6-2 SU since 2008 in winning the World Series

Now, I get that one doesn't really have anything to do with the other, and last year's Boston Red Sox actually were one of the two teams to buck this trend, but the old 'rest' vs 'rust' question always comes into play in this type of scenario, and generally speaking 'rust' usually wins out.

It was 10 years between World Series wins for the team with more rest, as the 2018 Red Sox did it, along with the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies. There were a few “pushes” in there (both teams played equal games in LCS), but at the time of year where you want to keep all the momentum you've got, extended time away from the ballpark seems to hurt more than help.

Had it been any other team other than Houston with a murderer's row of starters in Cole, Greinke, and Verlander, I think you'd have to give the Nationals more of a shot with who they can throw out there, but I don't think that's the case with Houston sharing the diamond with them.

And while you can break down all the advanced metrics specifically applying to the Nats and try to talk/convince yourself of Washington's chances in this series, the fact that they swept the NLCS is even more damning from a historical perspective. That's because....


Who's Not

Since the LCS went to a Best-of-7 format in 1985, MLB teams to sweep the LCS are 1-7 SU in winning the World Series; and 10-30 SU in World Series games individually, only winning more than one game once in those seven defeats

Only the 1995 Atlanta Braves were able to bring home a World Series title after sweeping the LCS prior, and those four wins are included in that 10-30 SU record for LCS sweepers. Take that out of the equation and teams that fit the Nationals role are an abysmal 6-30 SU in World Series games, have been swept three times (1990 Oakland, 2007 Colorado, 2012 Detroit) and lost 4-1 in the series three other times (1988 Oakland, 2006 Detroit, 2015 NY Mets).

That is just awful and it's probably too steep of a historical mountain to climb for the Nationals this year. Only the 2014 Kansas City Royals were able to win more than one game in the World Series after sweeping the ALCS, as they took the Giants to seven games that year.

But the bad news doesn't stop there for Nationals fans, as not only is that brutal history working against them here, but starters Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer were both apart of that 2012 Detroit Tigers team. That year we saw the Tigers sweep away the Yankees in the LCS, only to get swept away by the Giants days later. Could it be deja vu all over again for those two guys? That will have to get played out, but should Washington find themselves down 2-0 in the series when they head home for Game 3, I'm sure Sanchez and Scherzer may have a few flashbacks from 2012 pop up in their sleep.

Obviously, sweeping away a foe is never a bad thing because nobody ever wants to play with fire in terms of needing six or seven games to advance, but history suggests that World Series teams coming off a sweep have peaked to early. When you throw that on top of Houston being a prohibitive favorite already in this series, the deck is rather stacked against Washington this week, in what could very likely be a short series yet again.

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901WASHINGTON -902 HOUSTON
WASHINGTON is 77-44 SU (32 Units) vs. good defensive catchers - allowing 0.5 or less SB's/game in the current season.


MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, October 22

Washington @ Houston

Game 901-902
October 22, 2019 @ 8:08 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Scherzer) 16.959
Houston
(Cole) 18.690
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-190
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-190); Over


MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, October 22

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WASHINGTON (101 - 71) at HOUSTON (114 - 59) - 8:08 PM
MAX SCHERZER (R) vs. GERRIT COLE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 98-85 (-20.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
COLE is 54-16 (+25.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 101-71 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 22-17 (+14.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 16-8 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in road games in October games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 27-22 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WASHINGTON is 33-22 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 74-47 (-7.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 42-36 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MAX SCHERZER vs. HOUSTON since 1997
SCHERZER is 3-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.73 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 4-2 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.4 units)

GERRIT COLE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
COLE is 3-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.92 and a WHIP of 1.108.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-6. (-6.7 units)

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MLB

Tuesday, October 22

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Trend Report
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Houston Astros
Houston is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
Houston is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Houston is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games when playing Washington
Houston is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
Washington Nationals
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games when playing Houston
Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston

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Cole, Scherzer meet in World Series G1
October 21, 2019
By The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) Gerrit Cole rattles off the names of the pitching greats with ease, featuring the same command he shows with his vaunted four-seam fastball.

Bob Gibson. Tom Seaver. Don Drysdale.

Plus the guys he saw in person as a kid - Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling - when they dominated in October.

Now in the midst of perhaps the most remarkable run in baseball history, it's his turn, starting Game 1 of the World Series.

''The people you keep referring to,'' Cole said Monday, ''got the job done. So I'm trying to deliver on that front.''

Because as we all know, heading into Tuesday night's opener between his Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals, this is when reputations are built - or wrecked.

Madison Bumgarner, Orel Hershiser and Pedro Martinez excelled in their first Series starts. So did Clayton Kershaw, although his ledger is more checkered.

Cole enters this matchup against fellow ace Max Scherzer at 19-0 in his last 25 starts, including three wins in the playoffs. No pitcher has ever won 20 in a row in a single season.

''I mean, I've been in the situation, faced really good pitchers here in the National League over the years; Kershaw, (Jacob) deGrom, those guys. You just know you've got to come out there, you're going to be throwing up zeros. And you've got to try to match the intensity from your opponent,'' Scherzer said.

''And Cole's had a terrific year. So obviously it's going to one heck of a challenge.''

Cole led the majors in strikeouts, topped the AL in ERA and finished second in the big leagues to teammate Justin Verlander in wins.

''When you dream as a little kid, you dream about storybook endings and storybook players and scenarios like that,'' Cole said.

In the old days of baseball - like, three or four years ago - this is about the time someone would step up and say, well, he's due for a loss.

Got to be, right?

NLCS MVP Howie Kendrick chuckled at that notion.

''I faced him in the past, but what he's been doing the past few years has been phenomenal since he came over to the Astros. It's like he's found his stride,'' said Kendrick, who will be Washington's designated hitter in Game 1.

''I've been watching him throughout the postseason. His stuff's electric, everybody knows that,'' he said.

Fusing his talent with the Astros' fortified analytics approach, Cole has found what works best for him. Among the results with his four-seamer, curve and slider: Nearly 17 percent of his pitches result in a swing-and-miss, the highest rate of anyone since such data has been tracked in the last 18 years.

NL MVP candidate Anthony Rendon is among the few hitters who've managed some success against Cole, going 5 for 13 overall.

''It's been truly amazing just to watch him do his thing and the amount of success that he's had,'' Rendon said. ''Not that he didn't have success in Pittsburgh prior.''

''But I think by him coming to a postseason team, being around guys or a team that has been in the postseason more times than not, I think that's really going to elevate your game and I think that's true for him,'' he said.

Talking about the Washington lineup, Cole was equally effusive in his praise for Rendon.

''It starts with Anthony Rendon being the tone-setter, a really special talent, probably a generational talent. We'll have to see how it all plays out,'' Cole said.

''But if it goes as expected, he'll probably end up in the Hall of Fame. He's so cool and calm and collected. And I think a lot of his players feed off that,'' he said.

Same way the Astros feel when Cole takes the mound.

Asked recently whether he'd ever seen someone on this kind of run, Verlander answered, ''Never.''

All this for Cole, along with the prospect of earning well over a $200 million contract in free agency after the World Series ends.

Yet if any of this is going to his head, by the way, it hasn't been apparent.

On Monday at Minute Maid Park, when the 29-year-old right-hander walked into a small interview room to do a news conference, Astros manager AJ Hinch was finishing up at the podium.

Without fanfare, Cole simply sat down by himself on the well-worn carpet and bided his time for a few minutes, silently picking at his fingernails.

Not a care in the world - or World Series.

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Astros pick Verlander for G2, then Greinke
October 21, 2019
By The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) Justin Verlander will follow Gerrit Cole and start Game 2 of the World Series for Houston against Washington on Wednesday.

Zack Greinke will start for the Astros on Friday when the Series resumes at Nationals Park.

''Greinke gets to hit. That's going to be fun for him,'' Astros manager AJ Hinch said Monday.

Greinke has a .225 batting average with nine homers, including three this season for Arizona before he was traded to Houston on July 31.

Houston plans a bullpen game for Game 4 on Saturday.

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World Series: How the Nationals and Astros match up
October 21, 2019
By The Associated Press

A position-by-position look at the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros going into the World Series, starting Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park:

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First Base:

Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman. The longtime face of the franchise, Zimmerman was Washington's first draft pick in 2005 after the team moved to the nation's capital from Montreal. The fan favorite has been through all of the Nationals' ups and downs, from a string of painful early playoff exits to the feel-good story of his first trip to the World Series this season. A converted third baseman, he's been hampered by injuries much of the past six years - including shoulder problems that affect his throwing. But at age 35, he's become an everyday player again during a solid postseason.

Astros: Yuli Gurriel. From a family of baseball royalty in Cuba, the highly touted Gurriel got a $47.5 million contract and has established himself as a productive RBI man during three full years in the majors. He took off in late June and put together a big 2019 season, with 31 homers, 40 doubles, 104 RBIs and an .884 OPS. He was slumping in the AL Championship Series against the Yankees until his three-run homer got the Astros going in the Game 6 clincher.

Edge: Astros.

---

Second Base:

Nationals: Howie Kendrick. The consummate pro, Kendrick is more than just a veteran presence at 36. A smart hitter and versatile defender, he batted .344 with 17 homers, 62 RBIs and a .966 OPS in 370 plate appearances this season. Then he won the deciding Game 5 of the Division Series at Dodger Stadium with a 10th-inning grand slam, and took home NLCS MVP honors after hitting .333 with four doubles and four RBIs in the four-game sweep of St. Louis. He has plenty of playoff experience, but this is Kendrick's first chance to play in the World Series.

Astros: Jose Altuve. What else can you say about this clutch little big man who remains the heart and soul of the Astros? Generously listed at 5-foot-6, the 2017 AL MVP is simply one of baseball's best players - no matter the size. Altuve put Houston back in the World Series with a walk-off homer against Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman in Game 6 of the ALCS and was selected series MVP. He's hitting .349 with five homers, eight RBIs, 10 runs and a 1.184 OPS this October. He has 13 career postseason homers, most by a second baseman.

Edge: Astros.

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Shortstop:

Nationals: Trea Turner. A terrific leadoff hitter with pop and one of the fastest players in the majors, Turner is often the engine that makes the Nationals go. He was 35 for 40 on stolen bases attempts this year and is 159 for 189 in his career.

Astros: Carlos Correa. After rib and back injuries limited him to 75 games this season, Correa made an impact with two big home runs and five RBIs in the ALCS. His walk-off homer in Game 2 at home tied the series and swung the momentum in Houston's favor. Dropped in the batting order for now, Correa hit just .171 during the playoffs. But the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, drafted first overall in 2012 out of Puerto Rico, is a rare talent.

Edge: Astros.

---

Third Base:

Nationals: Anthony Rendon. Born and raised in Houston, the steady Rendon went to college there at Rice after attending high school a few miles from Minute Maid Park. He lives in the Houston suburbs during the offseason, and now gets to face his hometown team in the World Series. Perhaps overlooked and underrated for a while, Rendon is an all-around player who is finally beginning to get some accolades and attention after a spike in home runs and RBIs this season. He made his first All-Star team and is a contender for NL MVP honors. He led the majors with 126 RBIs and ranked third in the NL with a 1.010 OPS. During the playoffs, he batted .375 with five extra-base hits and seven RBIs. The 29-year-old is poised to become a prized free agent this winter, and word is he turned down $210 million from the Nationals.

Astros: Alex Bregman. Coming off a huge season (41 homers, 112 RBIs, 1.015 OPS) that could warrant the AL MVP award, Bregman has been walked 10 times in 11 playoff games. He's got a great eye at the plate, so it's no surprise. But the cocky 25-year-old, already a two-time All-Star in three full major league seasons, can certainly wreck a game with his swing in the cleanup spot.

Edge: Even.

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Catcher:

Nationals: Kurt Suzuki or Yan Gomes. Washington signed Suzuki and traded for Gomes last offseason to give the team two front-line catchers who could share the load. Suzuki was more productive at the plate, but Gomes is 4 for 13 (.308) with three RBIs and seven strikeouts this postseason while Suzuki is 1 for 20 with eight Ks. Suzuki hurt his left hand and head when he was hit by a pitch in Game 5 of the Division Series against the Dodgers, but returned during the NLCS.

Astros: Robinson Chirinos or Martin Maldonado. Chirinos was signed as a free agent last December and hit 17 homers. Maldonado, who won a Gold Glove in 2017, began the year with Kansas City, played four games for the Cubs and was acquired by Houston in a July 31 trade. Maldonado has been catching Gerrit Cole and is 4 for 13 in the postseason. Chirinos catches Justin Verlander and is 2 for 22 with a homer and 10 strikeouts.

Edge: Nationals.

---

Left Field:

Nationals: Juan Soto. In his second big league season, Soto had 34 homers, 110 RBIs and a .949 OPS. The 20-year-old cleanup man seems to rankle certain opponents with his antics in the batter's box during intense at-bats, but he's one of the game's most impressive and polished young hitters. He's delivered several clutch swings this October, including a tying homer off three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw in the eighth inning of Game 5 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium.

Astros: Michael Brantley. Another unassuming star who doesn't garner that much attention, Brantley has been a great free-agent signing for Houston at $32 million over two years. He posted an .875 OPS with 90 RBIs and played 148 games after injuries derailed him for a couple of years in Cleveland. Now in his 11th season, the four-time All-Star gets to play in his first World Series after sitting out three years ago with the Indians because of a right shoulder ailment.

Edge: Nationals.

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Center Field:

Nationals: Victor Robles. A talented 22-year-old, the speedy Robles plays a strong center field and has power in his bat. He hit 17 homers during the regular season and stole 28 bases. After missing five games, Robles returned from a hamstring injury in Game 3 of the NLCS and homered. He also singled and scored twice. Robles went 5 for 16 (.313) during the playoffs and scored four runs, but he's not always smart on the bases.

Astros: George Springer. The 2017 World Series MVP is dangerous at the top of the lineup. After missing time due to injury this season, he finished with 39 homers, 96 RBIs and a .974 OPS in 122 games. The three-time All-Star socked 12 leadoff homers, one shy of the major league record. His 41 combined homers between the regular season and postseason are the most ever for a leadoff hitter, surpassing his previous mark of 40 in 2017. Springer slumped to .152 (7 for 46) in the AL playoffs, but he hit two big home runs against the Yankees. His 13 postseason homers are tied with Altuve for the team record.

Edge: Astros.

---

Right Field:

Nationals: Adam Eaton. The pesky Eaton helps to get rallies started from the No. 2 spot in the lineup. He runs well and tracks balls down in the outfield, too. Healthy all season for the first time in three years with the Nationals, Eaton posted a .365 on-base percentage. He went 7 for 36 (.194) with three extra-base hits and four RBIs in 10 playoff games.

Astros: Josh Reddick. Never shy about speaking his mind, Reddick is 3 for 22 (.136) with a home run in his fourth straight postseason and seventh overall. He's a fine fielder who won a Gold Glove in 2012 with Oakland and had a very productive season at the plate for Houston's championship team in 2017. Reddick has some power but often sits against left-handers, with Jake Marisnick starting in center field and Springer shifting to right.

Edge: Nationals.

---

Designated Hitter:

Nationals: Veteran switch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera (.260, 18, 91 in 131 games with Texas and Washington) and left-handed bopper Matt Adams provide a pair of credible options at DH against Houston's right-handed starters. Cabrera had a .969 OPS and 40 RBIs in 38 games with Washington after coming over from Texas. He went 1 for 9 with two RBIs during the playoffs and didn't get an at-bat in the NLCS. The strikeout-prone Adams hit .226 with 20 homers and 56 RBIs in 310 at-bats this season.

Astros: Yordan Alvarez. Big and powerful, Alvarez was acquired from the Dodgers in a 2016 trade that appears to be a steal. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter from Cuba was called up in June and put up huge numbers: .313 with 27 homers, 78 RBIs and a 1.067 OPS in just 87 games. He set the team rookie home run record and has a chance to be AL Rookie of the Year, but a slumping Alvarez went 7 for 41 (.171) with 19 strikeouts and one RBI in the playoffs - including 1 for 22 with 12 Ks in the ALCS.

Edge: Astros.

---

Starting Pitchers:

Nationals: The most imposing rotation in the National League features three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, the Game 1 starter, followed by three-time All-Star Stephen Strasburg and $140 million lefty Patrick Corbin. Even crafty veteran Anibal Sanchez carried a no-hitter for 7 2/3 innings in the NLCS opener at St. Louis and has a 0.71 ERA in two playoff starts this year. Washington starters boast a major league-best 2.04 ERA this postseason after permitting only four earned runs in four games against the Cardinals. Scherzer was slowed by a back injury this season but still joined Strasburg and Corbin in finishing among the NL's top 10 pitchers in ERA, strikeouts and hits allowed per nine innings. Strasburg has a 1.10 ERA in 41 career postseason innings and can opt out of his contract to become a free agent this fall.

Astros: What a trio at the top in Cole, Verlander and Greinke, who was obtained from Arizona just before the July 31 trade deadline. Cole is 19-0 in his last 25 starts and hasn't lost since May 22. That includes 3-0 in the AL playoffs, when he yielded one earned run in 22 2/3 innings with 32 strikeouts. A victory in the opener would give him the longest winning streak for a pitcher in one year. Cole was 20-5 with an AL-low 2.50 ERA and major league-leading 326 strikeouts during the season. He can become a free agent after the Series and is expected to command more than $200 million. Verlander went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA and a career-high 300 Ks. He led the majors with 223 innings pitched and threw his third career no-hitter. The right-hander is 14-9 with a 3.26 ERA in his postseason career, but 0-4 with a 5.67 ERA in the World Series. Greinke was spotty during the playoffs and the Astros are expected to go with a bullpen game in Game 4 as they did in Game 6 of the ALCS. Rookie right-hander Jose Urquidy could be a big part of that again.

Edge: Even.

---

Bullpen:

Nationals: A weak spot all season, the relief corps looks different in October. Washington's bullpen ERA of 5.68 was the worst in the NL and ranked 29th in majors. To help cover for that, the Nationals used Strasburg, Scherzer and Corbin in relief during the playoffs. The unit has been more reliable in the postseason, with lefty Sean Doolittle regaining his All-Star form and Daniel Hudson supplanting Doolittle as an effective closer. Tanner Rainey has a live arm and 42-year-old Fernando Rodney, the oldest active player in the majors, offers tons of experience. But there are still plenty of question marks for this group, especially the further down the depth chart it goes.

Astros: Hard-throwing closer Roberto Osuna was 38 for 44 in save chances this season with a 2.63 ERA. He was having a solid postseason, too, before giving up a tying, two-run homer to DJ LeMahieu in Game 6 of the ALCS. Osuna recovered for the rest of the ninth inning, though, and he'll need to bounce back in the World Series. Houston's bullpen has several answers and is better than many realize - the unit's 3.75 ERA ranked second in the majors behind Tampa Bay. Will Harris is a stingy setup man who is pitching well. Josh James has a big arm, submariner Joe Smith is tough on right-handers and versatile Brad Peacock is experienced in postseason games. Ryan Pressly, an All-Star this season, got some very important outs against the Yankees but aggravated his surgically repaired right knee in the ALCS finale. He said he'll be ready for the World Series.

Edge: Astros.

---

Pick: Astros in 6.

[StarDust Bum]

World Series in Houston a homecoming for Nats star Rendon
October 21, 2019
By The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) Anthony Rendon vividly remembers his one visit to the Astrodome as a child to see the Houston Astros and his beloved Killer B's.

''I was really young at that time but that memory still sticks in my head,'' the Washington Nationals star said.

And along with the excitement of seeing Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell and Derek Bell, something else is seared in his senses. It has to do with the condition of the once-famed stadium that was in disrepair near the end of its run as the home of the Astros.

''It was a very smelly place,'' he said. ''We got a tour, a behind the scenes kind of deal, and that place was really dirty and really stinky.''

This week Rendon is back in his hometown, and it's not as a fan. Instead, he's leading the Nationals to their first World Series against the team he rooted for as a child.

The Astrodome has long been closed and he'll get a chance to put on a show for friends and family in the domed (and very pleasant smelling) confines of Minute Maid Park.

The third baseman laughed and shook his head when asked how many tickets he'll have to get for Game 1 on Tuesday night.

''I really don't know,'' he said. ''I can't put a number out there but it's definitely going to be a lot.''

And he made a rule for all his Houston people coming to the game: If he gets them a ticket, they have to root for the Nationals.

''Oh yeah,'' he said. ''Definitely.''

Rendon is notoriously low-key and rarely shows much emotion on the field. He admitted this week will be a bit different after spending his entire life in Houston before the Nationals drafted him out of Rice with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft.

''As a kid growing up, obviously you want to play for the hometown team,'' he said. ''But I think this will do.''

Before Rendon starred at Rice, he was a standout player for Lamar High School, which sits in Houston's posh River Oaks neighborhood. David Munoz was an assistant at Lamar when Rendon was there, and remains at the school as the head coach.

Munoz still keeps in touch with Rendon and raved about his former pupil.

''His most enduring quality is that he has not changed,'' Munoz said Monday. ''This is a kid who is still someone who is not caught up in any kind of anything. Ego. Brand. A very selfless person. He's the same person he was when he was at Lamar.''

Something else that hasn't changed about Rendon, who led the National League with 126 RBIs this season, since he was a teenager is his knack for making big plays.

''The thing that set him apart more than anything else was his ability to come through in clutch situations for us,'' Munoz said. ''The bigger the situation, the better he was. And his demeanor never changed. Very calm. Always smiling.''

He wore that big smile at World Series media day on Monday as hordes of reporters crowded around him, jockeying for position and shouting questions over each other. The beginning of his interview was interrupted by teammate Kurt Suzuki walking by, noticing the crowd and yelling: ''We get it, you're from Houston.''

Suzuki was mocking the attention that Rendon was getting, but his status in Houston is no laughing matter. Rendon was such a big deal while playing for the Owls that then-mayor Annise Parker honored him with `Anthony Rendon Day' after he won the Dick Howser Trophy Winner as the National Player of the Year in 2010.

Rendon thinks Parker might have been a bit biased since she was a Rice alumna, but he was thrilled by the honor nonetheless. Although there was a little bit of a letdown when he realized what the ceremony would entail.

''You hear all these stories like so and so he plays for the Rockets or he's the best fireman in the world, he gets a key to the city,'' Rendon said. ''That's what was going through my mind and I was like: `I'm about to get a key to the city.' And she just hands me like this piece of paper. But it was still an awesome experience.''

Though Rendon has spent his entire major league career in the nation's capital, he's never wavered in his love for Houston and said Monday that is something that will never change.

''This is my city for sure,'' he said. ''Born and raised. Still live here in the offseason and I don't plan on leaving.''

So this week he'll hit up some of his favorite taquerias because he can't get Mexican food up to his standards in Washington, and will probably grab some barbecue at his college haunt Demeris Bar-B-Q. Then he'll try and make sure his team doesn't end up like the 2005 Astros, who made a run similar to Washington's turnaround to reach their first World Series.

''Hopefully that's not our fate,'' he said. ''They got swept.''

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, October 22

Game 1, World Series
Nationals @ Astros
Scherzer is 3-0, 2.77 in his last five games (4 starts); he is 3-1, 3.38 in seven games (6 starts) vs Houston, and is 6-5, 3.35 in 20 playoff games (16 starts).

Cole is 8-0, 0.92 in his last eight starts; they won his last 16 starts. Cole is 3-2, 2.92 in six starts vs Washington, and is 5-3, 2.26 in eight playoff starts.

Washington is in its first World Series; they’re 16-2 in last 18 games overall.

Astros won 2017 World Series; they won six of their last seven home games- under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Houston is 13-5 in its last 18 games overall.

[StarDust Bum]

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

WAS at HOU 08:08 PM

WAS +170

O 6.5

[StarDust Bum]

Nationals vs. Astros score: World Series Game 1 goes to Washington as Juan Soto shines

20-year-old Juan Soto was the star of a gripping Game 1

The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros 5-4 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the 2019 World Series. The Nationals now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 2 on Wednesday, which will also take place at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Justin Verlander and Stephen Strasburg are the probable pitchers.

But before that happens, let's recap what happened in Game 1.

Why the Nationals won
Typically, a victory in a game started by Max Scherzer can be credited foremost to Scherzer. Not Game 1. Rather, the Nationals owe their victory more to Juan Soto, the 20-year-old phenom who recorded three hits and drove in three of Washington's five runs. Ryan Zimmerman also pitched in by opening the Nationals' scoring with a solo home run of his own. As for Scherzer, he gutted out five innings and seven strikeouts, permitting two runs on five hits and three walks. Davey Martinez then turned to a combination of Patrick Corbin, Tanner Rainey, Daniel Hudson, and Sean Doolittle to close down the Astros' operations. It wasn't the prettiest effort at times, but it proved to be effective in the end.

Why the Astros lost
Two big reasons: 1) Cole wasn't as dominant as he had been in his first three postseason starts, and 2) Houston failed to cash in its opportunities. Cole had allowed just one run in his first 22 postseason innings. On Tuesday, he gave up two home runs (and five runs) in seven innings. Meanwhile, the Astros lineup did him few favors, stranding runners left and right. As a team, the Astros were credited (or debited, depending on the perspective) with leaving 25 runners left on base. (That, of course, double-counts many individual runners.) The Nationals, conversely, stranded just 12 runners, albeit while reaching base five fewer times.

Turning point
Obviously it involves Soto. We're going with his two-run double in the fifth that extended the Nationals' lead to 5-2. Those extra runs came in handy, and the play itself was worth .190 Win Probability Added. No other play on the night topped .170, which shows how important that play was -- both objectively and subjectively -- for the Nationals. Washington was also likely thrilled when Daniel Hudson checked in and worked out of a mess created by Tanner Rainey, who had walked two and permitted a home run while recording just one out in what was at that point a 5-3 game.

Highlight of the Game
It has to be Soto, who won't celebrate his 21st birthday for a few more days. Take a look at this opposite-field homer and do note where it lands -- there aren't many other left-handed hitters who could deposit the ball there against Cole:

Impressive.

Next up
The Nationals and Astros will play Game 2 on Wednesday night. It's an 8:08 p.m. start and the pitching matchup looks to be a great one: Justin Verlander vs. Stephen Strasburg. The Nationals will look to extend their series lead to 2-0 before the series moves to D.C.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:07 PM Washington Nationals Houston Astros Minute Maid Park

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 25, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:07 PM Houston Astros Washington Nationals Nationals Park

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2019
Time (ET) Away Home Site
8:07 PM Houston Astros Washington Nationals Nationals Park

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

2019 WORLD SERIES BEST BETS AND OPINIONS:

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

10/22/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +13.50

TOTALS..... 2-0-0 100.00% +13.50


BEST BETS


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

10/22/2019................1 - 0..............+8.50..............1 - 0..............+5.00..............+13.50

TOTALS......................1 - 0..............+8.50..............1 - 0..............+5.00..............+13.50

[StarDust Bum]

Cole's streak ends as Nats rough up Astros ace in Game 1
October 23, 2019
By The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) Gerrit Cole trudged slowly off the mound, wiped the sweat from his upper lip and took a handshake and pat on the backside from manager AJ Hinch.

Walking away without a lead - not something Cole and the Houston Astros are used to. Certainly not what they expected in the World Series opener.

The Washington Nationals roughed up Cole for five runs in seven innings Tuesday night, beating Houston 5-4 to jump ahead in the best-of-seven series.

Cole suffered his first loss since May 22. Set to cash in as a free agent this offseason, he had won a single-season record 19 consecutive decisions. His postseason prior to Tuesday was nearly perfect: 3-0 record, one run allowed, and 32 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.

In his first World Series appearance and ninth postseason game, the 29-year-old right-hander gave up his most runs since the White Sox tagged him for six in that May 22 loss.

''He's been so good for so long that there builds this thought of invincibility and that it's impossible to beat him,'' Hinch said. ''So when it happens it is a surprise to all of us.''

The Astros gave Cole a lead with a two-run first, but a shot by Ryan Zimmerman an inning later cut the lead to 1. Cole didn't even turn around to watch where that one landed, simply throwing his right hand up and preparing for the next pitch.

Houston still had the lead when 20-year-old Juan Soto knocked a fastball from Cole onto the train tracks atop left field. Soto struck again in the fifth, lining a two-run double that stretched Washington's edge to 5-2.

''The Zimmerman pitch was a mistake, and Zimmerman made him pay with a homer,'' Hinch said. ''He never really controlled Soto the whole night. He punched him the first at-bat and the after that Soto took some really good swings''

Along with teammate and Game 2 starter Justin Verlander, Cole is a favorite for the AL Cy Young Award. He led the league with a 2.50 ERA, and he allowed just seven home runs over the last two months of the regular season. No lineup had connected for two home runs against him since Colorado on Aug. 7, a span of 11 starts.

Cole struck out six, his lowest total since punching out four on Aug. 1 against Cleveland. After leading the majors with a career-high 326 strikeouts, he never looked so dominant Tuesday. His slider - a swing-and-miss machine this postseason - lacked bite. He threw the pitch 27 times and got just three whiffs.

''These guys are really tough to put away,'' Hinch said. ''They don't strike out a lot. And they proved tonight they're putting the ball in play.''

Cole allowed a single in a scoreless sixth and struck out two in a sharp seventh. By then his fate was all but sealed and instead of helping Houston take advantage of home-field advantage from its 107-win season, his uncharacteristic outing left the Astros in a hole as they chase their second title in three seasons.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Wednesday, October 23


Washington @ Houston

Game 903-904
October 23, 2019 @ 8:07 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Strasburg) 18.832
Houston
(Verlander) 16.817
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-185
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+165); Over




MLB

Wednesday, October 23

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

Houston Astros
Houston is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Houston is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Washington
Houston is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
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 OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games on the road
Washington is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Houston
Washington is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 9 games when playing on the road against Houston


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


903WASHINGTON -904 HOUSTON
WASHINGTON is 78-44 SU (33 Units) vs. good defensive catchers - allowing 0.5 or less SB's/game in the current season.

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

MLB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, October 23

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

WASHINGTON (102 - 71) at HOUSTON (114 - 60) - 8:07 PM
STEPHEN STRASBURG (R) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 99-85 (-18.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 102-71 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 22-17 (+14.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 9-2 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in October games this season.
WASHINGTON is 9-2 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in playoff games this season.
WASHINGTON is 56-46 (+7.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WASHINGTON is 34-22 (+14.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
STRASBURG is 33-13 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 17-7 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 11-13 (-16.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday this season.
HOUSTON is 74-48 (-9.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 70-52 (-18.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 95-76 (-20.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 23-22 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VERLANDER is 23-17 (-19.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VERLANDER is 15-15 (-21.9 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 (+1.8 Units) against HOUSTON this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

STEPHEN STRASBURG vs. HOUSTON since 1997
STRASBURG is 1-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 0.933.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
VERLANDER is 2-0 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.143.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)