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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:21 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Thursday, October 15

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Capitals meet the Sharks, South Florida hosts Cincinnati, and the National League Championship Series begins in L.A.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

The college football schedule offers up a ranked matchup on Thursday night, with No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 21 South Florida. The Bearcats and Bulls have identical 5-0 records on the season; Cincinnati is 2-2 against-the-spread, while South Florida has a 2-1 ATS mark. The Bearcats got past Miami-Ohio 37-13 last time out, with Jacob Ramsey rushing for three scores. The Bulls beat Syracuse 34-20 last game. Cincinnati is a 3.5-point road favorite for Thursday's matchup.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The NLCS gets started on Thursday night, with the Dodgers playing host to the defending-champion Phillies. Philadelphia will send Cole Hamels to the mound in Game 1. Lefthander Hamels is coming off a shaky LDS outing against the Rockies, surrendering four runs on seven hits over his five innings of work. The Dodgers will counter with Clayton Kershaw. Lefthander Kershaw took a no-decision against the Cards last round, giving up two runs over his 6 2-3 innings.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, there are six NHL games on Thursday, with Los Angeles at Detroit, Colorado at Montreal, Tampa Bay at Ottawa, Chicago at Nashville, St. Louis at Phoenix, and San Jose at Washington. The Sharks were blanked 1-0 in a shootout by the Coyotes on Monday night, with Evgeni Nabokov making 30 saves. The Capitals head into Thursday's matchup on a four-game losing skid. Washington fell 3-2 to the Devils on Monday; Alex Ovechkin collected two assists.

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:22 AM

Bettor's best friend: Today's helpful tips

Thursday, October 15

Get me out of here

Stephen Jackson is still unhappy with his situation in Golden State. The shooting guard/small forward reiterated his desire to leave the Warriors yesterday telling reporters, “If they want to send me home and pay me, I’m fine with that.”

Jackson was fined $150,000 following an altercation during a preseason game with coach Don Nelson. The veteran bench boss believes he can work things out with Jackson, but the former team captain didn’t sound as optimistic.

“Anytime somebody takes $150,000 from you, your relationship is going to cange, regardless of who it is,” Jackson told the San Francisco Chronicle. “If my mom took some money from me, I’d still love her to death, but I’d still be upset about it. He’s not my mom, so you can imagine how I feel. …

“I have to listen to him on the court and that’s it.”

Oddsmakers have the Warriors season win total set at 35.5.

Raiders resemble scrimmage team?

Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce didn’t hold back when he was asked about the Raiders during a radio interview.

“Honestly, it felt like a scrimmage, like practice,” Pierce said. “It felt like we were going against our offense (in practice) as far as the tempo.”

He went on to say:

“There was no vibe of trying or effort from the Raiders at all from a defensive standpoint against their offense. We’re getting three-and-outs. You don’t hear nobody (saying), ‘Hey, let’s go!’ trying to pick the guys up, rallying them, getting guys fired up. There was nothing.”

Oakland has scored just 16 points in its last three games. Oddsmakers are giving the sad-sack club 14 points at home to the Eagles this weekend.

No Vanek vanishing

Buffalo Sabres winger Thomas Vanek’s injured shoulder, or upper-body injury as the team affectionately calls it, isn’t as bad as originally feared.

After Vanek left before the end of Buffalo’s 6-2 win over Detroit on Tuesday night, coach Lindy Ruff thought the wound could shelf Vanek for several weeks.

Now Ruff is saying he could have his two-time 40-goal scorer back as soon as Friday (more likely Saturday).

The Sabres have jumped out to a 3-0-1 start and Vanek is leading the way with three goals. No odds have been set yet for Friday’s game when the club hosts the Islanders.

Winning comfortably

The Bearcats face their biggest test this season on Thursday when they visit South Florida. Cincinnati is 17-3 straight up dating back to the start of last season and most of those wins haven’t been of the narrow variety.

Cincy is outscoring opponents by an average of 28.2 points this season and the club is 4-2 against the spread as a short favorite (between -1 and -6.5) over the last two years.

The Bearcats are 2.5-point favorites in Thursday’s Big East tilt.

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:23 AM

Six-pack for Thursday

Some NFL trends with Week 6 upon us........

-- Carolina covered seven of last nine as a divisional road favorite.

-- Chiefs covered one of their last eight games against the NFC.

-- Tampa Bay is 1-8-1 vs spread in its last ten games.

-- Green Bay covered five of its last seven after a bye.

-- Cleveland Browns covered one of its last six road games.

-- Buffalo Bills covered two of their last eight divisional games.

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Thursday's List of 13: Greetings from America's favorite city....

13) Long day today, traveling from Albany to Las Vegas, but the payoff is at the end of the day, I'm in America's favorite city, and that's good.

12) Where else could you plunk down $10 to win $7,500 on Arizona St. to win the national title in football, or the Knicks at only 100-1 to win the NBA title? I have a better shot of hooking up with Pamela Anderson than Arizona State or Knicks do of winning a title. You laugh......

11) Security at Albany Airport is excellent; thorough but not rude.

10) After staring at the emergency exit door on the plane for five hours, I now know the Spanish word for exit is salida.

9) If ESPN pushes soccer any harder, they'll get a yellow card. I'd rather watch poker or Australian football than soccer, but no one asked me.

8) Lot of young couples here in Las Vegas. Haven't seen Elvis yet.

7) David Stern is protecting his replacement refs; the evil Larry Brown was fined $60,000 for being a jackass and getting tossed out of a game in the preseason. I refer to Larry Brown as evil because he helped ruin the career of Darko Milicic after I picked him on my fantasy team. Darko is now backup center for the Knicks, the last step before retirement.

6) Second year in a row an NL West owner is getting divorced, which in this case is really, really expensive, since the Dodgers are worth $722M. Thats $361M to the lucky ex-wife.

5) Still trying to figure out how the hell USC is a double digit favorite at Notre Dame Saturday; when the folks from LA get here Friday, the line figures to go higher. If I was Pete Carroll, I'd be very nervous this week.

4) I hope no one hates me as much as some people hate Rush Limbaugh. Hopefully we've heard his name and "Rams" in the same sentence for the last time. Somehow, I doubt we have.

3) I don't think I'd enjoy travel as much if I had to do it for work. Lot of days, I'm asleep on my couch 20 minutes after I get out of work. Lot to be said for that, my friends.

2) Wow there's a lot to see here. No way can I see everything, so have to narrow my focus, make a list and stick to the list. Lakers-Kings game at Thomas and Mack Center is on my list for Thursday night.

1) After several hours exploring the casino here at Planet Hollywood, I still have no idea where I'm going, but I'll do better tomorrow. Also need to get a charger for my cellphone. Glad I reminded myself.

From: Armadillo
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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:24 AM

MLB
This Day in Baseball

On October 15 in Baseball History...

1912 - On a cold day in Boston, the Giants catch up with Joe Wood's smoke, teeing off for six runs on seven hits before the 32,694 fans have settled down for Game Six. The 11-4 win evens the Series. Tris Speaker turns an unassisted double play in the eighth for Boston, the only one by an outfielder in World Series play.

1917 - The Chicago White Sox won the World Series when the New York Giants left home plate uncovered and Eddie Collins dashed home with third baseman Heinie Zimmerman chasing him in helpless pursuit.

1923 - Babe Ruth hits a first-inning home run in Game Six, but the Giants take a 4-1 lead into the eighth. The Giants walk in two runs before Bob Meusel raps a single that scores the go-ahead runs. Sam Jones holds off the Giants, and the Yankees have their first World Championship.

1925 - Kiki Cuyler's bases-loaded double in the eighth inning gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 9-7 victory over Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators in Game 7 of the World Series, capping a comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

1946 - Enos Slaughter scored from first on a single to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-3 victory and the World Series title in the seventh game against the Boston Red Sox.

1964 - St. Louis takes an early lead in Game Seven as Lou Brock's fifth-inning home run triggers a second three-run frame and a 6-0 lead for Bob Gibson. Mickey Mantle, Clete Boyer and Phil Linz homer for New York, but it's not enough, as the Cards win 7-5.

1968 - Roger Nelson is the initial choice of the Royals in the AL expansion draft. Don Mincher is the first choice of the Seattle Pilots.

1970 - For the third time, the Orioles overcome a 3-0 deficit to bury the Reds, 9-3, and win the World Championship in five games. Brooks Robinson easily wins the World Series MVP award for his hitting and unbelievable fielding.

1972 - The A's win 2-1 as Joe Rudi clouts a home run and makes a game-saving catch to back up Catfish Hunter's pitching before a record Cincinnati crowd of 53,224. The A's take a 2-0 World Series advantage as the scene shifts to Oakland.

1974 - The surprise starter for the Dodgers in Game Three is Al Downing, but Catfish Hunter pitches Oakland to a 3-2 win.

1975 - Luis Tiant throws 163 pitches in winning his second game of the World Series against Cincinnati, 5-4, to even the Series after four games.

1977 - The Yankees win 4-2 to take a 3-1 World Series advantage over the Dodgers. Reggie Jackson doubles and homers, and Ron Guidry notches a four-hitter.

1978 - The Yankees pummel the Dodgers with 18 hits in Game Five to win 12-2. Bucky Dent, Mickey Rivers and Brian Doyle have three hits each.

1981 - Dave Righetti, Ron Davis and Goose Gossage combined on a 4-0 shutout of the Oakland A's to give the New York Yankees their 33rd American League pennant.

1982 - Willie McGee has two home runs to drive in four runs and makes a great catch to save another run in Game Three. Joaquin Andujar wins 6-2 despite having to leave the game after being hit by a line drive.

1986 - The Boston Red Sox capped one of the greatest comebacks in history by defeating the California Angels, 8-1, to win the American League pennant after trailing three games to one in the playoffs.

1986 - Ray Knight keyed a three-run ninth to tie the score, and the New York Mets won their third National League pennant by beating the Houston Astros, 7-6, in 16 innings in the longest postseason game.

1988 - With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Kirk Gibson hit a two-run, pinch-homer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 victory over Oakland in Game 1 of the World Series. Gibson, who did not start because of a strained left knee, limped around the bases as the Dodgers won one of the most dramatic games in Series history.

1997 - Mike Mussina pitches two-hit baseball for eight innings, but the Orioles can't score. Charles Nagy and three Indians relievers strand 14 Baltimore baserunners. Tony Fernandez homers in the 12th inning for the only run of the game as the Indians win the pennant for the second time in three years.

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:26 AM

MLB
Dunkel Index

NLCS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

Game 951-952: Philadelphia at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.669; LA Dodgers 16.078
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-115); Under

ALCS

LA Angels at NY Yankees
The Yankees open the ALCS looking to build on their 8-0 record in C.C. Sabathia's last 8 home starts. New York is the pick (-175) according to Dunkel, which has the Yankees favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-175). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

Game 953-954: LA Angels at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 16.610; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 17.831
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-170); Under

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:28 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

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NLCS

Thursday, October 15

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PHILADELPHIA (96 - 70) at LA DODGERS (98 - 67) - 4:35 PM
COLE HAMELS (L) vs. RANDY WOLF (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-3 (+1.2 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.9 Units)

COLE HAMELS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
HAMELS is 4-0 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 1.64 and a WHIP of 0.932.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.1 units)

RANDY WOLF vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
WOLF is 1-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.309.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

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ALCS

Friday, October 16

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LA ANGELS (100 - 65) at NY YANKEES (106 - 59) - 8:00 PM
JOHN LACKEY (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 57-32 (+12.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY YANKEES are 18-3 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY YANKEES are 106-59 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 70-36 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 100-65 (+25.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 26-12 (+12.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 9-2 (+12.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +150 to +175 over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 49-33 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA ANGELS are 13-2 (+12.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 198-145 (+44.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 93-57 (+25.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 68-49 (+19.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 38-17 (+17.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 61-38 (+16.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA ANGELS are 50-38 (+10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA ANGELS are 50-33 (+13.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 5-5 (+1.3 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.8 Units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
LACKEY is 5-7 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.51 and a WHIP of 1.531.
His team's record is 9-9 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-10. (-2.9 units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
SABATHIA is 5-7 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.72 and a WHIP of 1.460.
His team's record is 5-9 (-7.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-8. (-3.2 units)

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:29 AM

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, October 15th

National League Championship Series
Best of Seven
Game One
Series Tied, 0-0
TV: FOX
Philadelphia at LA Dodgers, 8:00 ET
Cole Hamels (L) vs. Randy Wolf (L)

Hamels:
6-0 Under in playoff games
PHI 5-0 Under in Game One's

Wolf:
34-12 TSR in home starts
8-2 Under on Friday

Friday, October 16th

American League Championship Series
Best of Seven
Game One
Series Tied, 0-0
TV: TBS
LA Angels at NY Yankees, 8:00 ET
John Lackey (R) vs. CC Sabathia (L)

Lackey:
LAA 10-3 as a road underdog of +150 or more
LAA 16-3 revenging BB Home losses

Sabathia:
7-0 Over vs. AL West
12-4 Over when the total is 7 to 8.5

TSR = Team Start Record
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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:30 AM

MLB
Write-up

NLCS starts Thursday, ALCS starts Friday. Armadillo is going on vacation to Las Vegas Wednesday the 14th, will be back in a week, so we won't be posting any writeups on the league championship series. Writeups will return for the World Series games.

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:31 AM

MLB

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Trend Report
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Thursday, October 15

8:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. LA DODGERS
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
Philadelphia is 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
LA Dodgers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:32 AM

MLB

Thursday, October 15

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Hot lines: Today’s best MLB bets
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Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers (-136, 7.5)

The Dodgers sure had us fooled. Not many people expected the club to get past the Cards. Los Angeles’ second-half coast (31-28 since July 31) lulled bettors to sleep. How could you be impressed with that type of ho-hum record when division rival Colorado was tearing it up?

But then Joe Torre’s team went out and swept St. Louis, beating up Cy Young favorites Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in the process.

For their second act, the Dodgers will try to earn a spot in the World Series and gain some revenge in the process.

When Los Angeles met Philadelphia in the NLCS last season, Philly had the home field advantage and the more potent lineup. This time around the Dodgers offense won’t be as reliant on slugging outfielder Manny Ramirez.

The West Coasters’ kiddies are all grown up. The development of Andre Either and Matt Kemp gives Los Angeles a batting order that’s dangerous top to bottom.

Expect the Dodgers to get to struggling Philly starter Cole Hamels early and the Phils to return the favor against 21-year-old lefty, Clayton Kershaw.

Pick: Over

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:33 AM

MLB

Thursday, October 15

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Payoff pitch: Today’s best mound matchup
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Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Phillies) vs. Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32 ERA)

Hamels made a name for himself in the postseason last year. He opened the 2009 playoffs with a less-than-impressive performance against the Colorado Rockies in Game 2 of the NLDS, allowing four runs on seven hits in just five innings for a 5-4 loss. But, in Hamels’ defense, his wife was having a baby.

Despite battling inconsistency this year, Hamels is still one of the nastiest pitchers in baseball. His postseason record is remains a stellar 4-2 in seven starts and his ERA is just 2.70. He has totaled 42 strikeouts in postseason playing including five against the Rockies last week. Hamels is just 3-6 away from home this season with an ERA just south of 5.00.

Hamels was nearly invisible against the Dodgers this season. In his two starts versus Los Angeles, the lefty allowed one run in 16 innings of work including a complete-game shutout of the Dodgers in his most recent start in June. For his career, Hamels has a 1.63 ERA against the Dodgers and had gone at least seven innings in each of those six appearances.

Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79 ERA)

Randy Wolf was originally scheduled to be the Game 1 starter, but after two straight shaky outings, including Game 1 against the Cardinals, manager Joe Torre decided to go with his kid lefty.

Kershaw surrendered just two runs in 6 2-3 innings of work against the Cards in the Game 2 win. He was just as impressive in his final regular season start. He struck out 10 Rockies while allowing just three hits and three walks in the six-inning appearance.

You know Torre must have a lot of confidence in Kershaw to make him the Dodgers Game 1 pitcher. Torre built a reputation in New York for being somewhat reluctant to go with younger players, instead placing his faith in veterans.

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:34 AM

MLB

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MLB playoffs: Phillies-Dodgers series preview and pick
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Series price: Dodgers -125

Pitching

Los Angeles’ starters don't get credited with too many victories, but they always keep their team in the game. Despite the fact no Dodgers hurler won more than 12 games during the regular season, L.A. led the majors with a 3.44 team ERA.

Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw, Hiroki Kuroda, Vicente Padilla and Jon Garland all sported ERAs under 4.00, while Chad Billingsley had an allowance of 4.02. Wolf, Kershaw and Padilla combined to limit the Cardinals to four runs over 17.1 innings in the NLDS.

Philadelphia's rotation has plenty of star power, led by lefties Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. Lee snapped out of a late-season slump by posting a 1.10 ERA in two starts against Colorado in the NLDS, but Hamels was knocked around in his only appearance. Rookie J.A. Happ was Philly's third starter against the Rockies and gave up three runs in three innings. Pedro Martinez might also make a start for the Phillies.

While the Dodgers have a slight edge in the starting rotation, they enjoy a huge advantage in the bullpen. Los Angeles was far and away the regular-season leader in bullpen ERA (3.18), while the Phillies were 13th (3.90). Late leads are a lot safer with L.A.'s Jonathan Broxton than Philly's Brad Lidge, though Lidge did record two saves in the NLDS.

Edge: Dodgers

Offense

Though the Dodgers had a higher team batting average than the Phillies during the regular season (.270 to .258), Philadelphia scored 34 more runs. The Phillies do most of their damage with the long ball. Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez all clubbed 30-plus homers, and Howard drove in 141 runs. Philly's offense carried the team in the NLDS, scoring 20 runs and collecting 40 hits in four games. Howard drove in six runs and Ibanez knocked home five.

The L.A. offense scored 13 runs and rapped out 29 hits in three games last round against some pretty good Cardinals pitching. Manny Ramirez, who struggled this season after returning from his 50-game suspension, had three doubles and two RBI in the series, while Rafael Furcal and Andre Ethier each contributed six hits. The Dodgers need more from Russell Martin (1-for-9 last round) and Matt Kemp (2-for-14).

Edge: Phillies

Intangibles

Philadelphia easily defeated the Dodgers in last year's NLCS on the way to winning the World Series. Los Angeles got the better of the Phillies this season, winning four of seven matchups during the regular season.

The Dodgers, who are 52-31 at Chavez Ravine this season, have home-field advantage. That shouldn't faze the Phillies, though, considering they're 50-33 away from Citizens Bank Ballpark this year. Conspiracy theorists might believe Major League Baseball will do whatever it takes to get a Dodgers/Yankees matchup in the World Series.

Edge: Even

Pick: Dodgers in seven

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 06:34 AM

MLB

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MLB playoffs: Halos-Yanks series preview and pick
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Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees

Series odds: Yankees -167

Pitching

The Yankees have the best starting pitcher of the series in CC Sabathia, who is 12-2 since the All-Star Break. After Sabathia, the Yankees have only two reliable starters, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. Rather than using Joba Chamberlain or Chad Gaudin as a fourth starter, New York is reportedly considering using Sabathia for Game 4 and, if necessary, Game 7. Sabathia was roughed up in two regular-season meetings with the Angels, however, going 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA.

The Angels have four solid starters in John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders. Kazmir, who owns a 2.67 ERA against the Yankees in his career, could be key in shutting down the left-handed power bats of the Yankees.

While L.A. has the advantage in starting pitching, New York gets the nod in the bullpen. Yankees relievers had the 14th-best ERA in baseball during the regular season, while the Angels ranked 23rd. LA closer Brian Fuentes saved two games against Boston last round, but he's nowhere near as automatic as the Yankees' Mariano Rivera.

Edge: Los Angeles

Offense

Offense has been the calling card for both teams this season. New York scored the most runs in the Majors, while the Angels ranked second. LA had the highest batting average in baseball, followed closely by the Yankees.

New York generates most of its offense with the long ball. Seven Yankees went deep 20 or more times this year, helping the team set a franchise record for home runs in a season. Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez combined for 69 homers and 222 RBIs, even with Rodriguez missing the first month of the season.

The Angels steal more bases and run the bases more aggressively. Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu combined to swipe 74 bags during the regular season, setting the table for the rest of the order.

Edge: New York

Intangibles

Most teams are intimidated by playing New York, but the Angels aren't one of them. L.A. is the only American League team with a winning record against the Yankees over the past nine seasons, and the Angels eliminated New York from the playoffs in 2005.

Los Angeles got a huge monkey off its back by beating the Red Sox in the opening round, after falling to Boston in its previous three playoff meetings. Vladimir Guerrero entered the Boston series with only one RBI in his previous 17 postseason contests, but his two-out, two-run single off Jonathan Papelbon in Game 3 clinched the series win for the Halos.

As always, there's plenty of pressure on the Yankees, whose season will be viewed as a failure if they don't win their first World Series since 2000. Like Guerrero, Rodriguez exorcised some playoff demons in the opening round, hitting .455 with six RBIs in the first round and belting a clutch two-run ninth-inning home run off Twins closer Joe Nathan in Game 2.

New York has home-field advantage in the series, and that could be the difference. The Yankees were a league-best 57-24 at home this season.

Edge: New York

Pick: Yankees in seven games.

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**pm530** · 10-15-2009, 09:52 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

UPDATED FOR PHILLIES-DODGERS GAME

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NLCS

Thursday, October 15

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PHILADELPHIA (96 - 70) at LA DODGERS (98 - 67) - 8:05 PM
COLE HAMELS (L) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
Top Trends for this game.
HAMELS is 16-17 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
HAMELS is 16-16 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
HAMELS is 6-11 (-11.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 45-32 (+8.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA DODGERS are 98-67 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 19-6 (+10.7 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
LA DODGERS are 98-67 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 199-143 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 50-33 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 47-30 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 71-52 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 64-38 (+16.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 14-4 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-20 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-16 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 59-37 (+12.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
KERSHAW is 9-13 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-3 (+1.2 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.9 Units)

COLE HAMELS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
HAMELS is 4-0 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 1.64 and a WHIP of 0.932.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.1 units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
KERSHAW is 0-3 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.64 and a WHIP of 1.574.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

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Announcement

Thursday Trends and Indexes 10/15 (MLB, NHL, Misc.)

Thursday Trends and Indexes 10/15 (MLB, NHL, Misc.)

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