Cnotes Major League Baseball Playoffs Rated Games - Trends - News - Etc !!

[CNOTES]

MLB

Thursday, October 8

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ALDS Doubleheader Betting Preview: Rangers-Blue Jays, Astros-Royals
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The Jays host the Rangers and the Royals host the Astros as both ALDS's get undwerway Thursday.

Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays (-230, 8.0)

The Toronto Blue Jays play their first postseason game in 22 years when they host the Texas Rangers on Thursday in the opening game of the American League Division Series. Joe Carter's walk-off homer against Philadelphia won the 1993 World Series for the Blue Jays and the franchise hasn't been part of the postseason since that memorable moment.

Texas wasn't forecasted to be playing in October but the club stunningly won the AL West after winning just 67 games in 2014. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre swung a hot bat over the past two-plus months - .328 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs - and has five career postseason homers. Toronto has an explosive offense but leading AL MVP candidate Josh Donaldson has struggled on the postseason stage with no homers and no RBIs in 43 career at-bats. Ace pitcher David Price starts Game 1 and he has experienced his own postseason issues by going 0-5 with a 4.98 ERA in five starts.

TV: 3:37 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, Sportsnet

LINE HISTORY: The line opened with the Blue Jays as -230 home favorites and has held steady there. The total also hasn't moved off its opening number of 8.0.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "It's awful tempting to bet against the Blue Jays given the outlandish price in Game 1. Gallardo has owned Toronto this season, and the Rangers have won seven of his last nine road starts. Price on the other hand owns a 5.04 ERA while going 3-7 lifetime against the Rangers."

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH David Price (18-5, 2.45)

Gallardo defeated Toronto twice this season and didn't allow a run in 13 2/3 innings - the only victories the Rangers had against the Blue Jays in six meetings. He was 2-2 with a hefty 4.85 ERA in six September starts but his success versus the Blue Jays made him the easy Game 1 call for manager Jeff Banister. "I just go up there and pitch my game," Gallardo said in a press conference. "They know the way I pitch. It seems like I have faced those guys throughout my career. It's not easy."

Price was 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts for the Blue Jays after being acquired from Detroit. He will have 11 days off between starts so the possibility of early inning command issues does exist. Price won each of his final five regular-season starts but is just 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA in 11 career regular-season outings against the Rangers and is 0-3 with a 4.66 ERA in three postseason starts against Texas - the playoff outings coming when he pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays.

TRENDS:

* Rangers are 7-0 in Gallardo's last seven starts versus the AL East.
* Blue Jays are 5-0 in Price's last five starts.
* Under is 8-0-1 in Gallardo's last nine starts during Game 1 of a series.
* Under is 5-1 in Price's last six home starts.



Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals (-137, 7.5)

The Kansas City Royals begin defense of their American League pennant while the visiting Houston Astros attempt to be this year's surprise postseason force when the AL Division Series opens on Thursday. Kansas City took the wild-card route to the World Series a year ago and now Houston is looking to duplicate the feat after dispatching the New York Yankees in Tuesday's wild-card contest.

The Astros lost an average of 104 games over a four-year span before turning things around this season behind a young group. "I think this team is prepared, I think they’re ready," said closer Luke Gregerson, one of the team's veterans. "I know they’re young, but they showed this ain’t no fluke. This team can play some baseball. We can pitch, we can hit and we’ve got the opportunity to win." The Royals were expected back in the postseason mix and didn't disappoint and how look to get back to the World Series. "We've been looking forward to this since the end of spring training," manager Ned Yost said. "That's the big change from last year. Last year, we hoped we would be in position to make the playoffs. This year, we knew we were going."

TV: 7:37 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

LINE HISTORY: The Royals open as -137 home favorites and the total opened at 7.5.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Royals finished with the best record in the majors after closing the season on a five game winning streak. But they didn't look as good in the second half as they did in the first, and their bullpen has lost it's air of invincibility without closer Greg Holland." Covers Expert Jesse Schule.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Collin McHugh (19-7, 3.89 ERA) vs. Royals RH Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08)

McHugh finished the season strong by winning his last six decisions and has proven to be a quality complement to ace Dallas Keuchel. He won his lone career start against the Royals, firing seven innings of five-hit shutout ball during the 2014 season and was craving the opportunity to start the opener. “To be able to have that chance on Thursday is a real blessing," McHugh told reporters. "It’s going to take some preparation the next couple of days, but I like our chances.”

Ventura has won 27 games over the past two seasons and was tabbed to pitch the opener over struggling Johnny Cueto. "Ventura has been excellent in his last six, seven starts," Yost told reporters. "And we wanted to keep everybody on five days' rest. We thought that would work out best for us." Ventura is 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA in three career starts against Houston and posted a victory on July 26 when he allowed one run and six hits over seven innings.

TRENDS:

* Astros are 6-1 in McHughs last seven starts.
* Royals are 6-1 in Ventura's last seven home starts.
* Over is 4-0-1 in McHugh's last five road starts versus a team with a winning record.
* Under is 13-2-1 in Ventura's last 16 starts versus the American League West.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack


Odds on some college basketball teams to win national title next April......


7-1-- North Carolina, Maryland-- Former rivals are co-favorites.


8-1-- Kentucky-- Open season with the gritty Albany Great Danes.


12-1-- Duke-- Get lot of talented players, but few stay very long.


50-1-- California-- Have very talented freshman class.


100-1-- Arizona St-- Bobby Hurley's move (Buffalo-ASU) huge weather upgrade.


1,000-1-- Northwestern-- Wildcats have never been in NCAA tournament.


**********


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud........


13) Cubs 4, Pirates 0-- Jake Arrieta is on a Hershiser-like roll; Orioles look like fools for trading him two years ago. Road teams are now 6-2 in Wild Card games.


12) We talked several times this summer about the weirdness of teams batting their pitcher 8th; there is no apparent reason for doing it, but it seemed like some teams did it just because other teams were doing it, so it must be a good thing.


Actions speak louder than words; when the Cubs got into the playoffs, Joe Maddon has his pitcher bat.........9th. Arrieta hit 9th for only the fourth time all year; that says the whole batting 8th thing is a gimmick that got into everyone else's head.


11) Wichita State alum/Knicks' sub Cleanthony Early played in an exhibition game last night even though he got his wisdom teeth taken out earlier in the day. When I was 20, I got my wisdom teeth out and they made me stay in the hospital overnight. Good to see a young guy trying hard to make the team.


10) Baylor Bears are a 44-point road favorite in a conference game this week. Kansas has lot of work to do just to become mediocre in league play. Oy.


9) Since 2009, Patriots have faced 14 quarterbacks starting because of injury to the starter; they're 11-3 in those games. Brandon Weeden is the Cowboys' backup QB.


8) Falcons' WR Roddy White has been on field for 235 snaps this year, most of any Atlanta WR, but caught only six passes (13 targets). He is not happy, despite the Falcons' 4-0 start. This is called selfishness.


7) Tampa Bay pitcher Chris Archer is 27; he has a long career ahead of him, but he was very, very good on TV Tuesday and would appear to have a bright future in TV when he gets done pitching. He also didn't want to get off the air, talking his way into another half-inning on the air when the inning he was on went by quickly.


6) LSU-South Carolina game this weekend was moved to Baton Rouge because of the flooding in the Palmetto State. We hope everyone in South Carolina is alright.


5) Ryan Tannehill got into a war of words with members of Miami's scout team, not what you want out of your starting QB, who is supposed to be a team leader, someone other players will follow. Most things that make a great QB cannot be seen by the average fan; it is not just physical skill. You have to be a really good teammate.


4) Matt Hasselbeck has been sick this week, so the Colts hustled former 3rd-stringer Josh Johnson back to Indy after they had cut him earlier in the week. Looks as if Andrew Luck will start tonight in Houston; unsure who the backup will be.


3) Vancouver-Calgary got into a fight 0:02 into their game last night; I mean, the four gloves almost hit the ice before the puck did to start the game. Some people in the NHL think the league needs fighting to remain popular; I'm thinking the two guys need to be thrown out of the game. Kings-Sharks had a fight less than 2:00 into their game too. It makes zero sense; hockey is a great game-- let the skilled players play.


2) Have you seen the GEICO commercial with the sea monster on the golf course? In the original version of that commercial, the scoreboard was the same shape as the scoreboard at Augusta National, where The Masters is played.


Apparently someone complained, because the newer version of the commercial has a rectangular scoreboard. People at Augusta National can be a little touchy.


1) If I own the New York Giants, I bring Odell Beckham Jr in and tell him we do not want him punching opposing players, because you can break your hand punching a football helmet. The last thing the Giants need is Beckham with a broken hand.

 

[CNOTES]

mlb / wnba / cfl rated plays:

Recapping wednesday's action:

mlb: 0 - 2 - 0

wnba: 0 - 0 - 0

cfl: 0 - 0 - 0

cfb: 0 - 0 - 0

nfl: 0 - 0 - 0

nhl: 3 - 2 - 0


wnba record for june/july/august/september/october :

*****...................................35 - 28 - 2
double play............................71- 56 - 1
triple play..............................39 - 32 - 0
slam dunk..............................41 - 37 - 2

mlb record for playoffs:

*****.....................................0 - 1
double plays.............................1 - 1
triple plays...............................0 - 0
grand slam...............................0 - 0
double grand slam....................0 - 1
total.........................................0 - 2


cfl june/july/ august/september/october record:

Single play.................................35 - 28
double play................................16 - 20
triple play..................................21 - 101- 1
blow out.....................................5 - 3

 

[CNOTES]

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (909) TEXAS@ (910) TORONTO | 2015-10-09 12:45:00 - 2015-10-09 12:45:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 23 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (+18.77 units)


MLB > (901) TEXAS@ (902) TORONTO | 2015-10-08 16:05:00 - 2015-10-08 16:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 23 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (+18.77 units)


MLB > (907) NY METS@ (908) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-09 21:45:00 - 2015-10-09 21:45:00
Play AGAINST LA DODGERS using money line after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 20 Wins and 27 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.35 units)


MLB > (911) HOUSTON@ (912) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-09 15:45:00 - 2015-10-09 15:45:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using money line against right-handed starters
The record is 64 Wins and 40 Losses for the this season (+18.95 units)


MLB > (903) HOUSTON@ (904) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-08 20:05:00 - 2015-10-08 20:05:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using money line against right-handed starters
The record is 64 Wins and 40 Losses for the this season (+18.95 units)


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


MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (901) TEXAS@ (902) TORONTO | 2015-10-08 16:05:00 - 2015-10-08 16:05:00
Play ON TORONTO vs. right-handed starters
The record is 37 Wins and 25 Losses for the this season (+16.9 units)


MLB > (909) TEXAS@ (910) TORONTO | 2015-10-09 12:45:00 - 2015-10-09 12:45:00
Play ON TORONTO in home games
The record is 46 Wins and 35 Losses for the this season (+19 units)


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MLB TOTALS




MLB > (903) HOUSTON@ (904) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-08 20:05:00 - 2015-10-08 20:05:00
Play UNDER KANSAS CITY on the total when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 15 Overs and 38 Unders for the this season (+20.65 units)


MLB > (911) HOUSTON@ (912) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-09 15:45:00 - 2015-10-09 15:45:00
Play UNDER KANSAS CITY on the total when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 15 Overs and 38 Unders for the this season (+20.65 units)


MLB > (907) NY METS@ (908) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-09 21:45:00 - 2015-10-09 21:45:00
Play OVER LA DODGERS on the total against right-handed starters
The record is 75 Overs and 44 Unders for the last two seasons (+30.35 units)


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MLB TOP POWERLINES




MLB > (901) TEXAS @ (902) TORONTO | 2015-10-08 16:05:00 - 2015-10-08 16:05:00
Line: TEXAS BTB PowerLine: TEXAS-170
Edge On: TEXAS (40)


MLB > (903) HOUSTON @ (904) KANSAS CITY | 2015-10-08 20:05:00 - 2015-10-08 20:05:00
Line: HOUSTON BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON113
Edge On: HOUSTON (37)


MLB > (905) CHICAGO CUBS @ (906) ST LOUIS | 2015-10-09 06:45:00 - 2015-10-09 06:45:00
Line: CHICAGO CUBS BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO CUBS102
Edge On: CHICAGO CUBS (2)


MLB > (907) NY METS @ (908) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-09 21:45:00 - 2015-10-09 21:45:00
Line: NY METS BTB PowerLine: NY METS-122
Edge On: NY METS (48)

 

[CNOTES]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores


7:35 PM EDT


903 HOUSTON ASTROS (R) Mchugh, C 7.5 7.5u15 / 7.5 / 7.5u15 7.5 +1.5(-185)
904 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Ventura, Y -133 -134 / -133 / -134 -134 -1.5(+165)

TV: FS-1, DTV: 219 | MOSTLY FAIR, WIND IN FROM LEFT 5-10. GAME TEMP 75, RH 47% HEAT INDEX 76


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


MLB Consensus Picks


SIDES (ATS)


Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds


3:30 PM Texas +211 602 34.15% Toronto -231 1161 65.85% View View


7:30 PM Houston +123 688 41.40% Kansas City -133 974 58.60% View View




TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)


Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds


7:30 PM Houston 7.5 689 50.33% Kansas City 7.5 680 49.67% View View


3:30 PM Texas 8 872 58.21% Toronto 8 626 41.79% View View


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


THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8


Game Score Status Pick Amount


Houston - 7:30 PM ET Houston +123 500 DOUBLE PLAY


Kansas City - Under 7.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

 

[CNOTES]

mlb / wnba / cfl /cfb/nfl /nhl rated plays:


Recapping thursday's action:


mlb: 2 - 0 - 0


wnba: 0 - 0 - 0


cfl: 0 - 0 - 0


cfb: 4 - 0 - 0


nfl: 0 - 2 - 0


nhl: 4 - 3 - 0



wnba record for june/july/august/september/october :


*****...................................35 - 28 - 2
double play............................71- 56 - 1
triple play..............................39 - 32 - 0
slam dunk..............................41 - 37 - 2


mlb record for playoffs:


*****.....................................0 - 1
double plays.............................2 - 1
triple plays...............................1 - 0
grand slam...............................0 - 0
double grand slam....................0 - 1
total.........................................1 - 2




cfl june/july/ august/september/october record:


Single play.................................35 - 28
double play................................16 - 20
triple play..................................21 - 101- 1
blow out.....................................5 - 3

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rangers (88-74) at Blue Jays (93-69)
Game: 2
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: October 09, 2015 12:45 PM EDT

Cole Hamels tasted playoff success early in his career, leading Philadelphia to a World Series title in his third season.


Seven years later, he's hoping to do the same for his new club.


The left-hander takes the mound Friday for the Texas Rangers as they look to bury the Toronto Blue Jays in a 2-0 deficit in the AL Division Series, though both teams may have to cope with injuries to star players.


The Rangers dropped Hamels' first two starts after acquiring him at the trade deadline, but have won all 10 since. He owns a 3.21 ERA in that span and capped the regular season with his first complete game for Texas, tossing a three-hitter in Sunday's 9-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels as the Rangers clinched the AL West.


Hamels (7-1, 3.66 ERA) knows all about postseason glory. He was named the 2008 World Series MVP after going 4-0 with a 1.80 in five postseason starts as a 24-year-old.


He's 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 career playoff outings, including 5-1 and 2.01 on the road, though this marks his first taste of postseason action since he threw six scoreless innings in a Division Series win at St. Louis in 2011.


"These are the best moments," he told MLB's official website. "And you truly don't have anything to lose but enjoying it, because it's a special time. Not a lot of us get to experience this."


Hamels is still seeking his first win against Toronto, however, having gone 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA in four meetings.


Thursday's 5-3 victory has the Rangers looking to take a 2-0 lead, which would put the odds squarely in their favor. Since 2004, 27 teams have fallen into a 2-0 deficit in the division series, and only San Francisco in 2012 came back to win the series, defeating Cincinnati en route to winning the World Series.


Thursday's loss spoiled Toronto's first playoff game in 22 years.


"I'm over it," catcher Russell Martin said. "I'm ready to go tomorrow. I'm not a big believer in carrying over to the next day. It's a completely brand new ballgame. I like our offense, I like our defense, I like our pitching, I like our chances."


Both teams could be without one of their biggest offensive assets in Josh Donaldson and Adrian Beltre. Donaldson left in the fifth inning after taking a knee to the head during a slide into second base in the fourth, and manager John Gibbons said he reported feeling light-headed in the field, though he passed concussion tests.


Donaldson's 123 RBIs were the second-most in baseball.


"Hopefully he can bounce back and be back in the lineup tomorrow," Martin said. "He's an MVP. Obviously you want that guy playing."


Beltre left in the third with a sore lower back, also suffering his injury when sliding into second in the first inning. Manager Jeff Bannister said he wasn't sure if Beltre would play, though general manager Jon Daniels didn't rule him out.


An MRI showed a strained back but no structural damage, though Joey Gallo and Ed Lucas will join the team from Texas' Arizona Fall League squad in case Beltre needs to be removed from the roster.


"Obviously we want Adrian in there," Banister said of his third baseman, who posted a 1.204 OPS and 33 RBIs over his final 22 regular-season games. "He's the heart and soul of this ballclub."


Toronto outhit Texas 6-5, but the Blue Jays were 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position. All five of the Rangers' runs came against starter David Price, including three on homers by Robinson Chirinos and Rougned Odor.


Jose Bautista also gave the Blue Jays a scare, but is expected to play after leaving with a sore right hamstring after popping out in the eighth. He hit a solo homer in the sixth to get Toronto within a run.


Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67) has been outstanding in four starts since returning from a torn ACL suffered in spring training, particularly in the last three where he's limited opponents to 16 hits and two runs over 22 innings. The right-hander's performance has even caught the attention of Hamels.


"I think you have to give Stroman some serious credit for what he's done this year," Hamels said. " ... From what he's been able to do, it's absolutely tremendous."


Stroman won his only previous start against Texas, throwing seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 home victory July 19, 2014.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rangers at Blue Jays
Thu, Oct 8 Final 5 to 3


GAME 2
Rangers at Blue Jays
Fri, Oct 9 - 12:45PM EDT


GAME 3
Blue Jays at Rangers
Sun, Oct 11 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Blue Jays at Rangers
Mon, Oct 12 - 4:07PM EDT


GAME 5
Rangers at Blue Jays
Wed, Oct 14 - 4:07PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Astros (86-76) at Royals (95-67)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: October 09, 2015 3:45 PM EDT

The Houston Astros swung a deal for Scott Kazmir in July with October baseball in mind.


The Kansas City Royals did the same for Johnny Cueto.


It's only fitting the two pitchers, acquired by their teams three days apart, will oppose each other in Game 2 of their AL division series on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.


Kazmir will take the mound after Collin McHugh pitched six strong innings in Thursday's 5-2 victory to open the series two days after ace Dallas Keuchel lasted six in a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees in the wild-card game.


'It's a big responsibility for someone like me that gets traded to a contending team, to be able to bring these guys to the postseason,' Kazmir said. 'It's just a matter of staying confident and pitching my game. There's a lot of things you can't control on the mound to where you have to stay confident in your abilities and know what you're capable of doing.'


The Astros traded right-hander Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham to Oakland for Kazmir, a Houston native whom they had pursued in free agency.


But the 31-year-old Kazmir wasn't nearly as effective for the Astros as he was for the A's, going 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA in 13 starts. That led some to wonder whether manager A.J. Hinch would be confident enough in Kazmir to send him to the mound for Game 2.


'He's had three games against the Royals this year. He's done very well in all three of those games,' Hinch said, alluding to Kazmir's 1-1 record and 2.11 ERA against Kansas City.


'It factors in a little bit in the decision-making,' Hinch said. 'He's comfortable in this ballpark. Maybe he likes the mound.'


Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain combined to go 1 for 17 against Kazmir in 2015.


The fact that Kazmir will be facing Cueto is surprising on two fronts.


Royals general manager Dayton Moore usually is reluctant to make deals for rental players headed toward free agency. The small-market club is built through the amateur draft and developing its players, so by shipping a trio of left-handed pitchers to Cincinnati for Cueto, Moore was making a rare gamble with the future to win in the present.


In addition, Cueto posted a 9.57 ERA in losing five straight starts between Aug. 21-Sept. 13. He is 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four outings since.


'Johnny's last four or five starts have been really, really good,' manager Ned Yost said, 'and we look forward to having him have another really good one tomorrow night.'


The Houston hitter Cueto has faced the most is Colby Rasmus, who is 9 for 27 with a homer in this matchup. Rasmus has delivered solo homers in each game in the postseason and has six home runs and 11 RBIs in his last nine contests. He has tied a major league record by getting an extra-base hit in his first five playoff games.


George Springer also homered Thursday and Jose Altuve added three hits for Houston, which has received six scoreless innings of two-hit ball from its bullpen in the playoffs.


Springer is 8 for 15 with three homers, six RBIs and nine runs scored in four career games at Kansas City.


"Sometimes guys see the ball better in one park over another," Hinch said. "They don't pitch Springer any differently than a lot of teams do."


The only offense by Kansas City was provided by Kendrys Morales' two homers. He's the third player in Royals history with a multihomer effort in the postseason, joining George Brett and Willie Aikens.


The Royals had only four singles outside of Morales, who is 2 for 9 this year off Kazmir.


'It's a five-game series,' Yost said. 'It's not a death sentence to lose Game 1.'


Kansas City, though, realizes how critical Friday is since Keuchel is set to pitch Game 3 on Sunday at home, where he is 15-0 with a 1.46 ERA.


"You look at Keuchel's numbers at home, they're really impressive," Yost said. "Tomorrow will be a big game for us, yeah."




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Astros at Royals
Thu, Oct 8 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Royals
Fri, Oct 9 - 3:45PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cubs (97-65) at Cardinals (100-62)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: October 09, 2015 6:45 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS (AP) John Lackey has been quite the bargain for the St. Louis Cardinals.


Pitching for the major league minimum $507,500 salary due to a clause in contract, Lackey went 13-10 for a team that lost its ace early. And when old rivals face each other in a postseason series for the first time Friday, he'll be pitching against an old buddy.


The 36-year-old Lackey will oppose the Chicago Cubs' Jon Lester, a duo that formed a devastating one-two for the Red Sox in the 2013 World Series.


'I'd like to say I was surprised, but I'm not,' Lackey said Thursday. 'He's good. No accident people running into each other this time of year.'


Lackey had a career-best 2.77 ERA and consistently went deep for the 100-win Cardinals, stepping up as the de facto ace after Adam Wainwright tore his left Achilles in late April.


He has earned this slot, the crusty, bulldog demeanor reminding management of former star pitcher Chris Carpenter.


Lackey was paid $82.5 million the previous five years under a contract he signed with Boston, which included a conditional club option for 2015 at the minimum. That condition was met when he missed 2012 while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.


St. Louis acquired him from the Red Sox on July 31, 2014. Lackey can become a free agent again this fall.


'I don't think we'll discuss what we're doing in the offseason or strategy in the offseason at this point,' Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. 'We're excited he's a part of it and we're looking forward to a successful October.'


Lester and Lackey combined for three victories in a six-game 2013 Series triumph over the Cardinals. Lester was 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA and Lackey won the clincher.


'He was probably the best on the planet going through the playoffs that year,' Lackey said. 'He knows how to compete and he knows how to handle this time of year, for sure.'


Lester will try to follow an excellent wild-card performance by Jake Arrieta, who threw a four-hitter Wednesday night in a 4-0 victory over the Pirates.


Lester figured he'd be matched against 17-game winner Michael Wacha, but the right-hander was 2-3 with a 7.78 ERA the final month and will start Game 3. When Lester learned he would be opposed by Lackey, he thought it funny - and fitting.


'He's going to almost out-will you sometimes, if that makes sense,' Lester said. 'Our friendship will go beyond this game, will go beyond this career, but come tomorrow, we're not buddies anymore.'


Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95) will oppose Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43) in Game 2 Saturday. Arrieta (22-6, 1.77), having a breakout Cy Young-caliber season, faces Wacha (17-7, 3.38) in Game 3 and in Game 4 it will be St. Louis' Lance Lynn (12-11, 3.03) against probably Jason Hammel (10-7, 3.74).


Thousands of fans regularly make the trek north or south and do their utmost to make the visitors feel right at home.


'I didn't even realize this was the first time we had met in the postseason,' said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who spoke reverently about the Cardinals tradition during earlier trips to Busch Stadium. 'I thought that was kind of interesting, but then again it's believable if you look at how this thing plays out.'


'It's going to be bumping tomorrow, regardless of who's winning,' Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong said. 'And when we go to Wrigley, we know that stadium is going to be bumping for sure.'


The pre-game workout was newsworthy for the Cardinals, who saw enough from All-Star catcher Yadier Molina that they believe he can be effective behind the plate wearing a hard plastic molded splint to protect a strained left thumb ligament. The thumb will be wrapped for at-bats.


Molina was injured tagging out the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo sliding into the plate on Sept. 20 in Chicago.


Maddon said he'd wait until game day to announce any roster changes but promised no major wrinkles.


'It's not going to be dramatically different, promise you,' Maddon said.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cubs at Cardinals
Fri, Oct 9 - 6:45PM EDT


GAME 2
Cubs at Cardinals
Sat, Oct 10 - 5:37PM EDT


GAME 3
Cardinals at Cubs
Mon, Oct 12 - 6:07PM EDT


GAME 4
Cardinals at Cubs
Tue, Oct 13 - 4:37PM EDT


GAME 5
Cubs at Cardinals
Thu, Oct 15 - 4:37PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Mets (90-72) at Dodgers (92-70)
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: October 09, 2015 9:45 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) Clayton Kershaw isn't sure what to expect from the new-look Mets, whose dramatic transformation in the second half of the season led to an NL East title.


The Los Angeles Dodgers ace faced a mostly different New York lineup before the July trade deadline. Even veteran Mets infielder David Wright was out at the time.


'There's a lot of guys that I'll be seeing for the first time this season,' Kershaw said Thursday. 'Definitely a completely different team. Obviously, a lot better than what we faced in July.'


The Dodgers aren't the same team that got chased out of the Division Series by St. Louis a year ago. They shipped out Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez and Juan Uribe (now a Met), and ushered in veterans Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal.


When Kershaw takes the mound for Friday night's opener at Dodger Stadium, he'll be trying to earn just the second postseason win of his career after going 0-4 in his last two series against the Cardinals.


'I definitely remember,' he said, 'but it's a new team, new season and, hopefully, for me a new outcome.'


The Mets won four of seven meetings between the teams, all in that month before Yoenis Cespedes arrived from Detroit in a trade that boosted the Mets' anemic offense. They are in the playoffs for the first time in nine years; the Dodgers are making their third straight appearance for the first time in franchise history.


Kelly Johnson and Uribe joined the Mets shortly before Cespedes, acquisitions manager Terry Collins credited for turning around the team along with the his message to the players: If you hit, you'll play.


'Lucas Duda took off, (Wilmer) Flores took off, Kelly Johnson and Juan kept playing, as well,' Collins said. "All of a sudden guys are looking at their jobs saying, `Oh my gosh, I've got to step up here, and they did.''


Kershaw will be opposed by Jacob deGrom, last year's NL Rookie of the Year and a converted infielder who is making his playoffs debut. The right-hander isn't about to compare himself to Kershaw, last year's NL MVP and a three-time Cy Young Award winner, except in one area.


'The way he takes the mound, he goes out there and attacks hitters,' deGrom said. 'I try to do the same thing, not get intimidated by anybody who steps in the box and go out there and make your pitches when you need to.'


Kershaw chatted with deGrom at the All-Star Game in July, already aware of deGrom's explosive fastball.


"Just the carry and the ride that it has on it, the ball that looks like it's at your shins or ankles seems like he gets a lot of called strikes there,' Kershaw said. 'His off-speed pitches have gotten better from last year. We definitely have a challenge. This whole series, the three, four guys they're throwing at us are pretty solid.'


The teams split the four regular-season games started by Kershaw and Zack Greinke, who will take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 2 on Saturday.


DeGrom's path to the majors took several twists and turns, starting with him becoming a pitcher in his junior year at Stetson University. He was drafted on the ninth round by the Mets in 2010 and missed his first minor-league season the next year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. DeGrom didn't make it to the big leagues until last year.


'All of us are thankful every day we get to put this uniform on and we play this game,' he said, 'so try not to take any days for granted.'


Already the oldest manager in the majors at 66, Collins is making his managerial playoff debut with the Mets after previous managing stints in Houston and with the Anaheim Angels. He was director of player development for the Dodgers in 2006 when they drafted Kershaw, who began in the Gulf Coast League.


Current Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt was Collins' minor league pitching coordinator then and approached him after watching Kershaw throw.


'He went, `Oh wow,'' Collins said.


'When he takes the ball he wants to finish what he starts,' Collins said of Kershaw. 'I'm not surprised he's as good as he is.'


Collins plans to start three left-handed hitters against Kershaw: Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda, who reminded his manager of his ability to hit against lefties.


'I told him the other day, `Remember when you told me you hit lefties?'' Collins said. 'Well, you're going to face a pretty good one Friday, so you better.'


NOTES:


Mets LHP Steven Matz, who has been bothered by back stiffness, threw approximately 90 pitches in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie, Florida. If he is put on the Division Series roster Friday, he likely would start Game 4.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Mets at Dodgers
Fri, Oct 9 - 9:45PM EDT


GAME 2
Mets at Dodgers
Sat, Oct 10 - 9:07PM EDT


GAME 3
Dodgers at Mets
Mon, Oct 12 - 8:37PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Rangers' Hamels has edge in experience for Game 2


The second game of the American League Division Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers will feature a contrast in pitching experience on Friday afternoon at the Rogers Centre.


Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, the 2008 National League Championship Series and World Series Most Valuable Player, will be making his 14th postseason start.


Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman will be making his playoff debut -- and the pressure will be on after the Rangers took Game 1 by a 5-3 count on Thursday.


"This is definitely the biggest start of my career hands down, but I'm ready for it, you know what I mean?" the second-year man said. "This is why you play the game. I'm excited. I can't wait to get out there.


"This is the stuff you dream about, and this is kind of all the work that went in this past summer, it was for this moment, so I'm just excited to go out there and put my team in a position to win."


Stroman underwent left knee surgery in March and was expected to miss the entire season. However, he made it back in September and won all four of his starts, posting a 1.67 ERA. Stroman struck out 18 and walked six in 27 innings.


"I didn't necessarily know that it would play out like it has played out, but in the back of my head, through all those workouts ... was to get back because I knew the team that we had was extremely special and we would be able to go pretty deep into the playoffs," Stroman said.


"So I made it a point of emphasis to get back to this team to be a part of something special, and the fact that they were picking up new guys and winning with all these guys, that only made me more motivated and hungry to get back.


"I'm just excited to be back and I cannot wait to get out there on the mound (Friday)."


Hamels will be in the postseason for a sixth year, but for the first time, he is not a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Rangers acquired him on July 31 in an eight-player deal and he went 7-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 starts for Texas.


He is geared up for another October run.


"I think the postseason's where it's at," Hamels said. "This is what we trained for. Especially myself, these are the moments that I enjoy the most, so I think in order to get here, you do have to have a sense of focus, but then when you're here, you try to lay it all out on the line because sometimes you don't get that second chance.


"There might not be tomorrow. And if there is not tomorrow, you've got a lot more months to think about it."


Overall this year, the 31-year-old veteran was 13-8 with a 3.65 ERA in 32 starts. Hamels pitched a no-hitter in his final start for the Phillies on July 25 against the Chicago Cubs.


Aside from the pitchers, a big part of the story Friday will be the health of sluggers on both teams who left Game 1 with injuries.


Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson, an American League MVP candidate, came out in the fifth inning Thursday after taking a knee to the head on a hard slide into second base in the fourth. He passed the tests done for concussions, and the team will wait to see how he is Friday.


Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista was replaced in the ninth inning after he experienced a cramp while fouling out to end the eighth.


"I should be ready to go tomorrow," he said.


Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre left the game in the third inning when he developed back spasms after sliding into second base. An MRI exam performed Thursday night showed a strained lower back, and Beltre is listed as day to day.

 

[CNOTES]

Rangers feasting on opponents in Hamels' starts


The Toronto Blue Jays started their hired gun David Price in Game 1 Thursday, now the Texas Rangers will turn to Cole Hamels to give them a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 Friday. And with the way that the Rangers have been winning games in the southpaw's starts, the Jays could be looking at a monumental challenge.


The Rangers have gone 10-0 in Hamels' last 10 starts after the club lost his first two outings in a Rangers uniform since coming over via a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.


Texas won Game 1 in Toronto by a score of 5-3.

 

[CNOTES]

Astros' Gomez expects to return Friday


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Center fielder Carlos Gomez, who homered in the American League wild-card game Tuesday against the New York Yankees, was not in the Houston Astros' lineup Thursday for the first game of the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals.


Gomez missed most of the last two weeks of the regular season while batting a left intercostal strain. Manager A.J. Hinch said Gomez, who appeared in 41 games for Houston after being acquired in a midseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, would start Friday.


"I'm a little sore today, but that's what we expected, but I can start (Friday)," said Gomez, who pinch-ran for designated hitter Evan Gattis in the eighth inning.


Jake Marisnick replaced Gomez in center field, and he had a single and a double and scored a run in the Astros' 5-2 win over the Royals.


"We won a lot of games with Jake Marisnick as our center fielder this year," Hinch said. "That's not lost on me.


"I've got four center fielders on this team, and the best one's Marisnick. He can really do a lot of things."


The Astros went 47-37 with Marisnick starting in center during the regular season.


With Gomez out, third baseman Luis Valbuena, first baseman Chris Carter and catcher Jason Castro moved up one spot in the batting order, and Marisnick batted ninth.

 

[CNOTES]

Royals' hopes hinge on Cueto in Game 2


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals did not lose a game to an American League club in the playoffs last year, going 8-0 against the Athletics, Angels and Orioles.


This year, they lost their first playoff game, 5-2, at Kauffman Stadium to the Astros.


"It's not a death sentence to lose Game 1," Royals manager Ned Yost said.


It might be the electric chair, however, if they lose the second game to the Astros and then would have to face left-hander Dallas Keuchel on Sunday in Houston.


"You look at Keuchel's numbers (15-0) at home, they're really impressive," Yost said. "Tomorrow will be a big game for us, yeah."


This is why the Royals acquired right-hander Johnny Cueto, who starts Friday, in a July trade with the Reds.


"That's exactly why we got Johnny Cueto," Yost said. "If you lose Game 1, then you got Johnny to help you bounce back. And best-case scenario, you win Game 1 and then you've got Johnny to take it to two-game lead.


"So that's why we got Johnny, for games like that."

 

[CNOTES]

Midseason acquisitions to square off in Astros-Royals series


Two pitchers who were largely disappointments after midseason trades will square off Friday when the Houston Astros meet the Royals in Kansas City in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.


Houston left-hander Scott Kazmir will oppose Cincinnati right-hander Johnny Cueto.


The Astros won the series opener 5-2 Thursday night in Kansas City.


With Astros ace left-hander Dallas Keuchel unavailable until Game 3 on Sunday in Houston after pitching six shutout innings Tuesday in the AL wild-card game against the New York Yankees, manager A.J. Hinch decided to go with Kazmir for the second game in Kauffman Stadium.


"He's pitched very well against the Royals this year," Hinch, referring to Kazmir's 1-1 record and 2.11 ERA in three starts vs. Kansas City this year. "This is a good ballpark for him to pitch in. This is a big stage. He's been there before. Left-handed pitching against their balanced lineup was something that I looked heavily on."


Kazmir, acquired by Houston in late July in exchange for two minor league pitchers, went 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA in 13 starts for the Astros. He was particularly poor down the stretch as Houston fought to clinch a playoff berth, going 0-2 with a 6.52 ERA in six September starts.


Before getting dealt, he was 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts for Oakland.


"It hasn't been his best September, but as we get into October, trust your players come up big in the big moments," Hinch said.


Cueto, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in late July for left-hander Brandon Finnegan and two minor league pitchers, went 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts for Kansas City.


"I have never gone through something like this before," Cueto said through an interpreter. "That season is over. This is a new season. And you'll get to see what Johnny Cueto is all about."


In 19 starts for Cincinnati earlier this year, Cueto went 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA. He did not face the Astros this season.


Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez, expected back in the lineup after sitting out the start in Game 1 due to an intercostal strain, has four hits, including two homers, in 12 career at-bats against Cueto. Houston outfielder Colby Ramsus is 9-for-27 (.333) with one homer and five RBIs vs. Cueto.


Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer owns a .391 average (9-for-23) against Kazmir. Both left fielder Alex Gordon (6-for-34, .176) and center fielder Lorenzo Cain (4-for-24, .167) struggle against the lefty.

 

[CNOTES]

Ace pitchers face off in Dodgers-Mets opener


As Dallas Keuchel and Jake Arrieta proved earlier this week, pitching usually carries the day in the baseball postseason.


That figures to be the case again in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, when the reigning NL Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, squares off with the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom.


"I mean, he's one of the best pitchers in the game if not the best," deGrom said of Kershaw. "The way he takes the mound, he goes out there and attacks hitters. I think I try to do the same thing, not get intimidated by anybody who steps in the box and go out there and make your pitches when you need to."


Kershaw was similarly complimentary of his Friday opponent.


"I got to talk to him a little bit in Cincinnati (at the All-Star Game) this year, and obviously watching him pitch over the last couple seasons. It's just an explosive fastball," Kershaw said. "I think that's where you start with his fastball. Just the carry and the ride that it has on it, the ball that looks like it's at your shins or ankles seems like he gets a lot of called strikes there. The (batters) think the ball is down. Same thing with the ball up, you think you can catch up to it and guys swing through it a lot for strikeouts.


"So those two things combined with the commands, able to hit the outside, inside corner, this whole season pretty well. Then his off-speed pitches too, have gotten ... better from last year. So we definitely have a challenge. This whole series, the three, four guys they're throwing at us are pretty solid."


Kershaw went 16-7 with a 2.13 ERA this year, leading the majors with 301 strikeouts. In his last 24 starts, he was 14-4 with a 1.39 ERA.


DeGrom finished 14-8 with a 2.54 ERA in the regular season. He allowed more than two runs only three times in his final 14 starts.


Both teams enter the series relatively healthy, with Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig expected to be on the team's roster despite missing nearly all of the past month with a strained right hamstring. He returned to play the last two regular-season games, and he announced earlier this week that he would be ready for the NLDS.


Mets infielder Juan Uribe will miss the series due to a chest contusion. However, considering his mediocre production since joining New York in a midseason trade with the Atlanta Braves (.219 average, .301 on-base percentage, .430 slugging percentage with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 44 games), his bat won't be missed much.

 

[CNOTES]

Jays open -175, total opens 8 in Game 2 versus Rangers


Following the Toronto Blue Jays' loss in Game 1 versus the Texas Rangers, books have opened the Jays -175 with Marcus Stroman on the bump in Game 2.


The Rangers will counter with lefty Cole Hamels, who has led the Rangers to 10 wins in his last 10 starts heading into the postseason.


Texas triumphed 5-3 in Game 1 in a packed Rogers Centre, spearheaded by home runs from Robinson Chirinos and Rougned Odor off ace David Price.


The total opens at 8 after it closed at that number in the series opener.

 

[CNOTES]

NLDS doubleheader betting preview: Cubs-Cardinals, Mets-Dodgers


Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (-106, 6.5)


The Chicago Cubs just picked up their first postseason win since 2003 and have all the momentum going in their favor as they head into the National League Division Series. The St. Louis Cardinals are well-prepared for the pressures of the postseason and will host the rival Cubs in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday.


The Cardinals are one of only two teams that finished with more wins than Chicago’s 97 in the regular season and are familiar with the Cubs’ reluctance to back down from a challenge, something that cropped up again after starter Jake Arrieta was hit by a pitch in the 4-0 wild card win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. “We're going to stand up for our guys,” Chicago left-hander Jon Lester told ESPN.com. “And we're going to make sure that the other teams know we're going to stand up for our guys.” St. Louis and the Cubs engaged in a testy series from Sep. 18-20 that included several hit batters and some harsh words from Chicago manager Joe Maddon. Lester will take the mound in Game 1 against St. Louis righty John Lackey, who was Lester’s teammate on the 2013 World Series-winning Boston Red Sox.


TV: 6:45 p.m. ET, TBS


LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Cards -106 and the total at 6.5.


INJURY REPORT: Cubs - N/A. Cardinals - C Yadier Molina (Probable, thumb).


WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Cardinals won 11 of the 19 games including going 7-3 at home. John Lackey is 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA in three starts against Chicago in 2015. He has a 1.93 ERA in 17 home starts. Lackey has had his way with Kris Bryant (2-9), Starlin Castro (3-12) and Anthony Rizzo (1-12). Jon Lester gets the call for the Cubs. He is 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA in five starts this season against the Cardinals. Matt Carpenter (4-14), Jason Heyward (10-24) and Matt Holliday (5-9) have had success against the former Red Sox pitcher. The Cards are hitting just .211 in their last seven games." Covers Expert Steve Merril.


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Lackey (13-10, 2.77)


Lester limited opponents to two or fewer earned runs in five of his final six starts, with the lone outlier coming when he surrendered four runs in six innings to lose to the Cardinals on Sep. 20. The two-time World Series champion was better 11 days earlier in St. Louis, when he yielded one run and two hits over seven frames. Lester is 6-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 14 career postseason games – 12 starts.


Lackey is a two-time World Series winner as well – with the 2002 Angels and 2013 Red Sox – and allowed a total of seven runs in his final five regular-season starts. The Texas native was at his best at home in 2015 with a 9-4 record and a 1.93 ERA, including a pair of home starts against Chicago in which he yielded a total of three runs in 14 2/3 innings. Lackey is 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA in 21 career postseason games – 18 starts.


TRENDS:


* Over is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings.
* Cubs are 10-1 in their last 11 road games.
* Cubs are 1-9 in their last 10 playoff games.
* Cardinals are 5-1 in their last six Divisional Playoff home games.




New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers (-199, 5.5)


The Los Angeles Dodgers own the largest payroll in the major leagues, but their path to a World Series title is largely in the hands of just two players. One of those aces, Clayton Kershaw, will try to exercise some postseason demons when the Dodgers host the New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday.


Kershaw and Zack Greinke will undoubtedly both finish in the top three of the NL Cy Young voting this season and are set up to pitch twice each if the series goes seven games, with Greinke following Kershaw in Game 2. The Mets are loaded in the starting rotation as well but are much shorter on experience, with Jacob deGrom set to make his postseason debut opposite Kershaw before Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey take their first turns in the playoffs. Kershaw will be going up against a New York offense that transformed itself in the second half and led the NL with 373 runs scored and a .770 OPS after the All-Star break. The Los Angeles offense went in the opposite direction and dipped to 13th in the NL in runs scored after the All-Star break as rookie center fielder Joc Pederson struggled and Yasiel Puig missed most of the final month with a hamstring injury.


TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, TBS


LINE HISTORY: The Dodgers opened -195 before moving to -199. The total opened at 5.5.


INJURY REPORT: Mets - P Steven Matz (Probable, back), SS Wilmer Flores (Questionable, illness), 3B Juan Uribe (Out indefinitely, chest). Dodgers - LF Scott Van Slyke (Out indefinitely, wrist), 2B Jose Peraza (Out indefinitely, hamstring), P Bronson Arroyo (Out for season, elbow), P Josh Ravin (60-day DL, hernia), P Hyun-Jin Ryu (Out for season, shoulder), P Brandon McCarthy (Out for season, elbow).


WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Dodgers' starter Clayton Kershaw is 11-3 with a 1.67 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in his 17 home starts. Michael Cuddyer (4-16), Lucas Duda (1-10), Kelly Johnson (3-15), Curtis Granderson (1-10), Juan Lagares (0-7), David Wright (3-14) have struggled vs. Kershaw. Los Angeles has been a much stronger team at home this season (55-26 SU) compared to on the road (37-44 SU)." Covers Expert Steve Merril.


PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.13 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54)


Kershaw led the majors with 301 strikeouts during the regular season and allowed more than three earned runs in a start only once after May 21. The former MVP has not always been that sharp in the postseason, however, and is 0-4 with a 7.15 ERA in his last four playoff starts – all against the St. Louis Cardinals. Kershaw never had those problems against New York and enters 6-0 with 1.34 ERA in nine career starts against the Mets, including a three-hit, 11-strikeout, no-walk shutout on July 23.


DeGrom struggled a bit from the end of August to the middle of September but allowed one run in 10 innings over his final two starts in the regular season, including four no-hit innings against Washington on Sunday. The All-Star struck out 205 and walked just 38 in 191 innings this season but enters the series 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers. Meanwhile, deGrom nearly picked up his first win against Los Angeles on July 26 but was held out of the decision despite scattering two hits across 7 2/3 scoreless innings.


TRENDS:


* Dodgers are 8-1 in Kershaw's last nine starts vs. Mets.
* Over is 16-5-2 in the last 23 meetings.
* Mets are 6-0 in deGrom's last six starts vs. National League West.
* Dodgers are 25-3 in Kershaw's last 28 starts vs. National League East.

 

[CNOTES]

Former teammates square off in NLDS opener


The close friendship between Jon Lester and John Lackey will be temporarily suspended on Friday.


The two former Boston Red Sox teammates square off in Game 1 of the National League Division Series when Lester's Chicago Cubs visit Lackey's St. Louis Cardinals. The importance of the situation changes the dynamic between the two players who were teammates for four-plus seasons and won a World Series title together in 2013.


"Our friendship will go beyond this game, it will go beyond our careers, and it's something that means a lot to me," Lester said in a press conference. "But you know, come tomorrow, we're not buddies anymore. We gotta go to battle and try to beat one another."


Lackey spun a similar tune and touched on how the left-handed Lester was the "best on the planet" during the 2013 postseason. But the right-hander won't be in a reminiscing mode once he takes the mound to throw the game's first pitch.


"I mean I have nothing but respect for him. I mean me and him are going to be friends long after this thing's over, and he's my boy," Lackey said. "Wish him nothing but the best, but I'm going to try to get after him tomorrow and I expect nothing but the same from him."


The two pitchers matched up once this season with Lackey throwing seven shutout innings in a 6-0 victory on July 6. Lester was a hard-luck loser by allowing two runs -- both unearned -- and two hits in seven innings.


Both Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) and Lackey (13-10, career-best 2.77) will be trying to get their team off to a fast start in the a series featuring two of baseball's winningest teams.


St. Louis led the majors with 100 victories and Chicago was third with 97. The Cubs enter the series with nine consecutive victories, including a 4-0 win over the 98-win Pittsburgh Pirates in Wednesday's wild-card game.


St. Louis won the regular-season series with Chicago 11-8. The Cardinals also received good news on Thursday when catcher Yadier Molina (left thumb) was ruled to be healthy enough to be placed on the 25-man roster.


"He took some live swings today off a pitcher throwing a simple battery game," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "Everything looked right. You saw him receiving the ball. Everything looked right."


Chicago's attack is led by first baseman Anthony Rizzo (31 homers, 101 RBIs) and rookie third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant (26 homers, 99 RBIs). The club has played with a renewed confidence under first-year manager Joe Maddon.


"We've been playing really well for over a week now," Maddon said. "We've been playing well all season, but for over a week we've been playing really good. I don't anticipate anything different."

 

[CNOTES]

Scully sidelined for playoffs


Vin Scully, the Hall of Fame broadcaster and longtime voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will miss the playoffs after undergoing a medical procedure on Thursday.


The Dodgers said Scully was resting on the advice of his doctors, but the team didn't indicate the nature of the problem.


The 87-year-old Scully missed the Dodgers' final regular-season series because of a cold and was absent during a road trip to San Francisco earlier last week.


Scully, who has spent a record 66 yards broadcasting Dodgers games, said earlier this year that he anticipates 2016 will be his last season in the booth.


The National League West champion Dodgers open a NL Division Series against the NL East champion New York Mets on Friday night in Los Angeles.