Cnotes MLB Best Bets - Trends - News Thru the World Series !

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack


— Dodgers 4, Nationals 3– Kershaw got last two outs to close game out, two days after he threw 110 pitches in Game 4. Thats why you pay the guy $31M a year. Break for Cubs, who won’t see Kershaw until Game 3 now.


— Florida visits LSU November 19 in a makeup game; Bayou Bengals go to Gainesville in both 2017 and 2018.


— In his great career, WR Larry Fitzgerald has caught TD passes from 13 different Cardinal QB’s.


— Since August 2014, half the 30 major league teams have hired a new chief baseball executive. Lot of impatient owners out there.


— Thru five weeks in the NFL, no kickoffs have been run back for a TD; last time that happened was 1979.


— Open Court on NBA TV has some good discussions with both NBA coaches/GMs that were filmed in Las Vegas this summer. Good stuff.


— Big Sky conference has 12 hoop teams; 8 of the 12 teams have either 4 or 5 starters back from LY. Will that make it harder to win on the road?


**********


Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Things I’m looking for this weekend


13) Cam Newton should be back at QB for the 1-4 Panthers, who visit the Superdome this week. Saints allowed 34+ points in three of their four games, had their bye last week, while Carolina is traveling on short week after the Monday night loss to Tampa Bay.


12) Tennessee Vols have had a brutal schedule: Florida-Georgia-A&M the last three weeks, now Alabama on the third Saturday in October. Vols have been gritty and resilient- beating Bama is a tall order, even in Neyland Stadium. One thing in Tennessee’s favor; Crimson Tide has only played one close game- if this one is close, the Volunteers are in familiar territory.


11) Who will have more fans in Miami Sunday, the Steelers or Dolphins? Pittsburgh fans are usually everywhere, but Steelers are just 12-21-1 as road favorites the last nine years. Miami scored total of 24 points in losing its last two games. Steelers are 4-0 if they allow 16 or less points.


10) Ole Miss QB Kelly got in a fight at his brother’s high school game during his bye week; I’m sure the Ole Miss coaches were thrilled to hear that. Rebels lost 53-52 in OT to Arkansas LY; this figures to be a high scoring, fun game to watch.


9) Colin Kaepernick starting for the 49ers means that thru six weeks, 8 of 32 (25%) NFL teams have started at least two QB’s this season. Will it helps the 49ers? Kaepernick is more mobile, throws a better deep ball— he is 29-20 as an NFL QB, Gabbert 9-31, but Gabbert was also on a terrible Jaguars team.


8) North Carolina beat Miami 59-21 LY; what is the over/under on the number of times Miami coaches brought that up this week? Problem is, Miami had their rivalry game with Florida State last week and it is tough to get really fired up two weeks in a row.


7) League championship series get underway in baseball, but first, I have a question.


Cubs pinch-hit for Addison Russell in Game 4 against the Giants. When was the last time a guy with 95+ RBI during the regular season got pinch-hit for in a big spot in a playoff game?


6) Northwestern covered its last six visits to Michigan State; now they’re visiting a Spartan squad that lost three games in row for first time in seven years.


5) Eagles-Redskins is an intriguing game. Wentz played well in Eagles’ loss LW, but they did lose, after entering their bye week 3-0. Redskins have won three games in row and pass the Eagles in the standings with a win here.


4) Total in the West Virginia-Texas Tech game is 83; kickoff is noon ET, which is 11am in Lubbock, more stupid scheduling for TV purposes.


3) Oakland is 4-1, with three wins by 3 or less points. Chiefs have been dismal on road so far, but Andy Reid is 11-4 vs spread coming off a bye. Big rivalry game in the Coliseum, with the Raiders fired up for their first playoff spot since 2002.


2) Texas-San Antonio won as a 17-point home underdog LW; now they’re a 3-point road favorite at Rice this week, a historic soft spot for the favorite. Rice is 0-5, allowing 40.2 pts/game, so they’re impossible to back, but this will be an interesting result.


1) St Louis Cardinals drafted Joe Namath in the 1965 NFL Draft; Jets drafted him in the AFL Draft. How would the football world have changed if Namath had played for the Redbirds? Arizona had extra time to prep after playing on Thursday last week; they’re hoping get QB Palmer (concussion) back this week.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Dunkel


Friday, October 14


Toronto @ Cleveland


Game 901-902
October 14, 2016 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Estrada) 12.856
Cleveland
(Kluber) 16.634
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 4
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-135
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-135); Over







MLB
Long Sheet


Friday, October 14


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

TORONTO (93 - 73) at CLEVELAND (97 - 67) - 8:05 PM
MARCO ESTRADA (R) vs. COREY KLUBER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 55-47 (-9.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 97-67 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 55-28 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 22-5 (+16.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday this season.
CLEVELAND is 93-64 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 69-39 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 25-11 (+12.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
CLEVELAND is 27-11 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 61-34 (+14.9 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.
ESTRADA is 43-29 (+16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 32-33 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 31-31 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 4-3 (+1.0 Units) against TORONTO this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)


MARCO ESTRADA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
ESTRADA is 0-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 0.917.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)


COREY KLUBER vs. TORONTO since 1997
KLUBER is 1-3 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.34 and a WHIP of 1.674.
His team's record is 2-3 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.1 units)


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








MLB
Short Sheet


Friday, October 14


Toronto at Cleveland, 8:05 PM ET
Estrada: TORONTO is 13-23 SU in road games against AL Central opponents
Kluber: CLEVELAND is 26-10 SU as a home favorite of -125 to -175








MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up


Friday, October 14


Blue Jays @ Indians
Estrada is 2-0, 0.99 in his last four starts (under 3-1); Toronto is 9-3 in his last 12 road starts. Estrada is 3-1, 2.67 in eight postseason games (4 starts); he allowed three runs in five IP in his only start against Cleveland this year. He is 0-1, 6.10 in two starts vs Toronto this season.


Kluber is 4-0, 2.59 in his last five starts (under 4-2 in last six); Indians are 11-1 in his last dozen home starts. Kluber threw seven shutout innings in his first postseason start, LW against the Red Sox.


Toronto won its last six games; they’re 3-4 against the Indians this year. Gibbons is 9-6 as a postseason manager, making it this year and last, his 8th/9th years as a manager. Jays lost in this round LY, their first playoff spot since their last world title, in 1993.


Cleveland also won its last six games overall; they’re in playoffs for 3rd time in last 15 years. Tribe was last in World Series in ’97; their last world title was in 1948. Francona won couple of World Series in Boston; he is 31-18 as a postseason manager.








MLB


Friday, October 14


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


8:08 PM
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 10 games when playing Toronto
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

 

[CNOTES]

MLB


Friday, October 14


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALCS Game 1 Betting Preview: Blue Jays at Indians
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Blue Jays haven't been to the World Series since winning the second of back-to-back crowns in 1993 while Cleveland's last visit was a losing effort in 1997.


Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians (-135, 7.5)


Series tied 0-0


Neither the Toronto Blue Jays nor Cleveland Indians have been to the World Series this century and the two squads begin pursuit of ending that drought when the American League Championship Series opens in Cleveland on Friday. The Blue Jays haven't been to the World Series since winning the second of back-to-back crowns in 1993 while Cleveland's last visit was a losing effort in 1997.


Toronto rolled to a sweep of Texas in the AL Division Series while Cleveland was similarly strong by winning three straight games against Boston. While it was clear most of the second half of the season that the Indians were going to be involved in the postseason, the Blue Jays had to overcome a late-season funk and then had to defeat Baltimore in the wild-card game before shredding the Rangers. "We just kept plugging along. No big win streaks but no major dips either in the other direction," Toronto manager John Gibbons said at Thursday's press conference. "In September our bats went silent is basically what happened. We have that kind of team, we have a free-swinging team that hits for a lot of power, so that's not abnormal. But they hung in there, we won some close games, and the pitching was really good." The Indians' starting rotation has been dented by injuries to Carlos Carrasco (fractured pitching hand) and Danny Salazar (elbow) so a strong bullpen led by closer Cody Allen and set-up men Andrew Miller and Bryan Shaw will be heavily relied upon in this series.


TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, TBS


WEATHER REPORT: Clear, cool conditions (low 50's) are expected at Progressive Field in Cleveland for Friday night. There is a 2 percent change of rain with humidity levels hovering at around 70 percent.


PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (1-0, 1.08 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (1-0, 0.00)


Estrada was superb in Game 1 of the ALDS against Texas when he gave up one run and four hits in 8 1/3 innings. The 33-year-old, who has a 3.75 ERA in two career no-decisions against Cleveland, was a playoff standout last season when he went 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA in three outings. "Obviously it's the playoffs and I understand it's a big deal, but I treat every game just like the one before," Estrada said at Thursday's press conference. "I don't put extra pressure on myself. And it's something I've been saying since last year, why think about it any other way than just another normal start?"


The 30-year-old Kluber displayed that a late-September quadriceps injury was a non-issue by tossing seven innings of three-hit shutout ball against Boston in Game 2 of the ALDS. "I didn't feel like it was a problem, I felt like I was in the good spot," Kluber said at Thursday's press conference. "Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, having a chance for the rest of my body to recover and stuff." Kluber, who is 1-3 with a 5.34 ERA in five career starts against Blue Jays, went 18-9 in regular season to match his career-best win total from 2014 when he won the AL Cy Young Award.


TRENDS:


* Blue Jays are 6-0 in their last 6 overall.
* Indians are 6-0 in their last 6 overall.
* Indians are 9-1 in Kluber's last 10 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
* Under is 12-3-1 in Blue Jays' last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter.
* Over is 8-2 in Indians' last 10 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
* Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.


CONSENSUS: The public is leaning heavily toward Corey Kluber and the home favorite Cleveland Indians at 56 percent. In totals action, Over 7.5 is seeing 66 percent of the wagers.

 

[CNOTES]

Indians, Jays meet after 'quirky' games
October 13, 2016


CLEVELAND (AP) There wasn't a bench-clearing brawl.


That is about the only thing that didn't happen during seven tense, theatric and highly entertaining regular-season games between the Toronto Blue Jays and Indians, who will renew acquaintances when the AL Championship Series opens on Friday night at Progressive Field.


If October's drama is anything close to what it was like between the clubs in July and August, buckle up.


Their previous matchups included a 19-inning marathon on July 1 in Toronto and a walk-off Indians win on Aug. 19 on back-to-back homers in the ninth inning, the second an inside-the-park shot that turned rookie Tyler Naquin into a local legend.


''I was watching on TV,'' said Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, who was rehabbing a sprained left knee in Florida and missed Toronto's series in Cleveland. ''There were some games that were obviously close that had some quirky plays in them.''


The Indians, who swept Boston in the AL Division Series after a season filled with injuries, start Corey Kluber in Game 1 against Toronto's Marco Estrada.


Kluber was magnificent in his postseason debut, holding the Red Sox to three hits in seven shutout innings in Game 2 of the ALDS. The right-hander, who injured a quadriceps late in the season, will have to be on his game against the Blue Jays, who hit eight home runs in their sweep of Texas and feature a lineup with danger from top to bottom.


''They're a solid lineup, one through nine,'' said Kluber, tagged for five runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings against Toronto on July 3. ''It's not just two, three, four guys that can hurt you. Everybody in that lineup can hurt you. They have a lot of power, but they're also patient. You have to go out there and execute pitches. There's not really a magic formula. Just like what we asked about with Boston, it's not a magic formula, they're just a really good offense. We all have our work cut out for us.''


That was the case on Canada Day, when the Indians and Blue Jays slugged it out in Rogers Centre for more than six hours before Cleveland escaped with a 2-1 win.


Indians manager Terry Francona, whose bullpen touch was on display against the Red Sox, brought in starter Trevor Bauer, who was scheduled to pitch the following day, and the rubber-armed right-hander responded with five shutout innings.


The victory capped a franchise-record, 14-game winning streak for the Indians, and although it may have sapped them physically, the win had a positive effect.


''Anytime you're in a game like that, you always want to win a game from the first inning,'' said closer Cody Allen. ''But when you're playing extra ball, you're like, `Let's figure out a way to win.' And when we did it was like, `Man, if we can figure out a way to win that game, we can win any game.''


Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said the game was a test of endurance.


''I felt like I was out there at shortstop forever,'' he said. ''We were using position players to pitch. That game stands out because it shows how evenly matched we are. Every game was close. They walked us off and you remember that because you're walking into the dugout saying, `Man, we had that one.' And you hear the Indians people saying they've been doing that all year, so there's a lot of story lines for this series. It's the two best teams to me.''


The Blue Jays have been in playoff mode for weeks. They battled their way to a wild-card berth and beat Baltimore in the one-game playoff, riding a sonic wave from their rambunctious home crowd and three-run homer from Edwin Encarnacion into a matchup with the Rangers, the team they traded punches with earlier in the season and knocked out with a flurry of long balls to advance to the ALCS.


Now, they'll square off with the Indians, a team that may lack marquee names but not confidence.


''They have their strengths and weaknesses,'' Bautista said. ''And so do we. As long as everybody executes and excels at what they're good at, it's going to be a tough series for either opponent to come out on top. We'll see what happens. They're a speed-and-base-hit club and we're a walk-and-home-run club. It's going to be a pretty good series, I believe.''


If the first seven games were any indication, believe.


LIRIANO SET: Blue Jays reliever Francisco Liriano has recovered from the concussion he received when he was struck on the back of the head by a comebacker in the ALDS.


He's expected to be cleared from the concussion protocol on Friday in time for Game 1.


''He's got a chance to be a valuable guy to us if he's healthy,'' manager John Gibbons said.


PRIZE POSSESSION: Several of the Indians players posed in the clubhouse for pictures with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, won by the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers in June. The championship was the first for a Cleveland team since 1964 and the Indians are trying to end a World Series drought dating to 1948.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:


10/13 - 1 - 0 - 1 + 1.35


WLT PCT UNITS


M/L Picks.............8 - 7....................53.33 %............ + 3.35


O/U Picks............3 - 7 - 1................42.85 %............ - 4.00


TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 1 - 4


M/L-.......... 1 - 4 - 0
O/U-..........1 - 2 - 1




FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TOR at CLE 08:00 PM

TOR +132 *****


U 7.5 *****

 

[CNOTES]

Lindor homers as Indians race past Jays 2-0 in ALCS opener
October 14, 2016


CLEVELAND (AP) Francisco Lindor hit a two-run homer and Corey Kluber silenced Toronto's booming bats, giving the Cleveland Indians a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series on Friday night.


Lindor connected in the sixth inning off Marco Estrada and raced around the bases like a track star as the bend-but-don't-break Indians won their fourth straight playoff game in this most unexpected season.


Kluber, Cleveland's solid and stoic ace, pitched 6 1/3 spotless innings before manager Terry Francona turned things over to the Indians' best weapon - their bullpen.


Andrew Miller struck out five of the six batters he faced and Cody Allen got the save with a perfect ninth.


Toronto slugger Jose Bautista struck out three times and Edwin Encarnacion lost his cool when he was fanned in the eighth, jawing at plate umpire Laz Diaz.


After getting their first ALCS win since 2007 - and tying their longest postseason win streak since 1920 - the Indians will try to take a 2-0 lead Saturday with Josh Tomlin facing Toronto's 20-game winner, J.A. Happ.


Tomlin was originally scheduled to start Game 3, but was moved up when Trevor Bauer sustained an odd injury as he sliced open his right pinkie while repairing a drone.


Kluber kept flying in the postseason.


The right-hander has not allowed a run in 13 1/3 innings this October and he kept the Blue Jays inside Progressive Field after they teed off against the Texas Rangers in the Division Series.


Toronto had some early chances, putting six runners on in the first three innings. But the Blue Jays failed to come up with a timely hit and lost for the first time in the postseason.


Estrada carried a four-hit shutout into the sixth before walking Jason Kipnis with one out. Lindor was in an 0-2 hole before the shortstop, who could become a household name before this series ends, drove his homer over the wall in right-center.


Lindor pumped his fist as he rounded first and he didn't stop smiling or slow down until he crossed home plate.


Kluber dodged some early trouble and held the Blue Jays, who hit eight home runs and scored 22 times in their ALDS sweep of Texas, to six hits in the first six innings. The Indians needed every out they could get from Kluber, who shut out Boston for seven innings in his postseason debut 10 days after he injured a quadriceps in a start against Detroit.


The 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner, who will certainly get votes this season after winning 18 games, has been the only dependable starter all season for Cleveland, which lost starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar to injuries in September and are now dealing with Bauer's mishap.


Kluber walked a tightrope over the first three innings, when the Blue Jays mounted what turned into idle threats.


Toronto had two on with one out in the first, but Kluber struck out Bautista and retired Russell Martin on an easy grounder. The right-hander was on shaky ground again in the second, allowing a single and walk before getting Devon Travis to ground into an inning-ending double play. In the third, Kluber gave up a single and a walk with two outs before striking out Martin.

COMEBACK KID


Blue Jays lefty Francisco Liriano will be eligible to pitch Saturday after recovering from a concussion sustained in the ALDS when he was struck in the head by a line drive. Toronto played with a 24-man roster in the opener as Liriano remained in baseball's seven-day concussion protocol. As a result, RHP Marcus Stroman - Toronto's projected starter in Game 3 - was available in relief for Game 1.


TRAINER'S ROOM


Travis left in the fifth after aggravating a right knee injury. He sat out the final two games of the Division Series with a bone bruise.


UP NEXT


Blue Jays: Happ struck out 11 and allowed one run over seven innings in beating the Indians on July 3. He was second in the AL in wins, going 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA. Happ picked up the victory in Game 2 of the ALDS against Texas, allowing one run in five innings.


Indians: Tomlin gave up three homers - to Martin, Melvin Upton Jr. and Encarnacion - in a loss to the Blue Jays on Aug. 20. Tomlin went 0-5 in August, but has bounced back and given up seven earned runs in 31 2/3 innings over his last six appearances.

 

[CNOTES]

Blue Jays 2B Travis to undergo MRI on knee after ALCS injury
October 15, 2016


CLEVELAND (AP) Losing the opener might not be Toronto's only setback early in the AL Championship Series.


Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis aggravated an injury in his right knee during a 2-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Friday night and afterward sounded pessimistic about his chances of returning in the series.


''It hurts pretty bad,'' Travis said. ''I felt good going into the game. I covered first on that bunt and jarred my knee a little bit. I felt a super sharp pain in my knee and it felt like it was going to give out a little bit.''


Travis is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday before Game 2 and the Blue Jays are hoping for good results. Toronto manager John Gibbons didn't want to guess whether Travis would be available for the remainder of the series.


''They're still checking him out,'' Gibbons said. ''He felt good going into the game. He planted and felt a sharp pain in his knee, and he wasn't able to continue. That's where we're at right now. What happens (next), I couldn't tell you.''


The 25-year-old Travis missed two games in the Division Series against Texas after sustaining a bone bruise in his right knee. He batted .300 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs in 101 games during the regular season.


If he's ruled out, the Blue Jays can't replace him on the 25-man roster for the rest of the ALCS because it's a pre-existing injury.


In the fifth, Coco Crisp dropped a bunt down the first base line that was fielded by Edwin Encarnacion. He threw to Travis, who caught the ball and then began walking in obvious pain. He was replaced by Ryan Goins, who was lifted for pinch-hitter Darwin Barney in the seventh.


Goins played in 77 games this year, batting .186 with 12 RBIs. He was added to the ALCS roster because of Toronto's concerns about Travis' knee.

 

[CNOTES]

Maeda to start Game 1 for Dodgers
October 14, 2016


CHICAGO (AP) Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda will start Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.


Maeda has lost three straight starts, lasting just three innings in his first career playoff appearance Monday against Washington. But manager Dave Roberts had limited options after he used eight pitchers in the Dodgers' series-clinching win against the Nationals on Thursday night, including ace Clayton Kershaw for the final two outs.


Jon Lester gets the ball for the Cubs, who eliminated the Giants with a 6-5 win in Game 4 of their NL Division Series on Tuesday night.


Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey round out the rotation for the Cubs in a repeat of the first round. Roberts wasn't ready to announce the rest of the rotation for the Dodgers.

 

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Dodgers-Cubs open NLCS; Indians go for 2-0 lead
October 15, 2016


A look at what's happening all around the majors Saturday:


PRIME TIME AT WRIGLEY FIELD

The Chicago Cubs host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series at 8:08 p.m. EDT. Four wins from their first pennant in 71 years, the Cubs send Jon Lester to the mound against rookie Kenta Maeda. Lester limited the Dodgers to one run over 15 innings in two starts this year, and Los Angeles batted .213 against left-handers overall. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen thinks he will be ready for the opener after throwing a career-high 51 pitches Thursday night against Washington.


DRONE-HEAD


Josh Tomlin was moved up two days and will pitch for Cleveland in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series after scheduled starter Trevor Bauer cut open his right pinkie while fixing one of the drones he likes to build and fly.


''It really doesn't affect me at all,'' Tomlin said. ''I'll be on normal rest.''


The Indians won the opener 2-0 behind ace Corey Kluber.


Bauer's bizarre injury is the latest to befall a depleted Cleveland rotation, but the quirky right-hander is expected to be ready for Game 3 on Monday in Toronto. He needed several stitches to close the cut after he was sliced while repairing a propeller.


SECOND THOUGHTS


The Blue Jays could be without second baseman Devon Travis after he left the ALCS opener when he aggravated a right knee injury. He was replaced by Ryan Goins, added to the roster for this round because of Toronto's concerns about Travis' knee. Travis sat out the final two games of the Division Series against Texas with a bone bruise and is worried it's worse. He was scheduled for an MRI and sounded pessimistic about his chances of returning in the series. ''It hurts pretty bad,'' said Travis, who received a cortisone shot last week. ''I felt a sharp pain.'' If he's ruled out, the Blue Jays can't replace Travis on the 25-man roster for the rest of the ALCS because it's a pre-existing injury.


MEDICAL UPDATE


All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos, who can become a free agent after the World Series, is expected to need six to eight months of rehabilitation after having surgery on his right knee. He had his ACL reconstructed and the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus repaired. Ramos batted .307 with 22 homers and 80 RBIs for Washington this year. He was injured during the last week of the regular season.

 

[CNOTES]

Cubs, Dodgers get ready for Game 1 of NLCS
October 14, 2016


CHICAGO (AP) Joe Maddon was driving his RV through Virginia two years ago when he got the news. Andrew Friedman was leaving Tampa Bay to take over the Los Angeles Dodgers.


One pivotal moment on the road to this year's NL Championship Series.


A month after Friedman's departure, Maddon was introduced as the 54th manager of the lowly Chicago Cubs. Friedman hired general manager Farhan Zaidi in his first big move in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers continued their winning ways.


Now Maddon and Friedman are together again, with a spot in the World Series on the line. The Cubs and Dodgers play Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday night at Wrigley Field.


''We stay in touch all the time,'' Maddon said before his team worked out on Friday. ''I know his family really well. His mom's a trip. I really enjoy the whole group. So Andrew and I are very close.''


Friedman's move to sunny LA triggered an opt-out clause in Maddon's contract, and Chicago jumped on the opportunity to put the Pennsylvania native in its dugout. The decision has worked out quite well so far, with the Cubs returning to the NLCS for the second straight year for the first time.


It turns out there are lots of friends on each side of this year's series.


Dodgers manager Dave Roberts contributed a famous steal to Boston's run to the World Series title in 2004, stopping an 86-year drought. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer worked for the Red Sox at the time, and they acquired Roberts in a trade with Los Angeles on July 31 that year.


''I kind of put Theo and Jed together and they're good friends of mine,'' Roberts said, ''and there's a lot of, a little bit of banter, but obviously I've got the ultimate respect for those guys and they really helped me get a ring.''


Roberts and the Dodgers arrived in Chicago on Friday, fresh off a dramatic 4-3 victory at Washington in Game 5 of their NL Division Series. The NL West champions used six pitchers in the series-clinching win, including closer Kenley Jansen for a career-high 51 pitches and ace Clayton Kershaw for the final two outs.


The taxing finale in Washington left Roberts few options for Game 1 of the NLCS, and he said Kenta Maeda will get the ball for the opener against the Cubs. Roberts wasn't ready to announce his rotation for the rest of the series, but hinted Kershaw likely would go in Game 2 on Sunday night.


''Physically, he feels great,'' Roberts said before the Dodgers' workout. ''He's going to go out there and get a lift in and throw and run and do what he does. So, obviously, we're not prepared to make that decision yet, but he's tracking to start when we all think.''


Jansen thinks he will be ready for the NLCS opener, and Kershaw said he felt fine. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner also said he isn't sure when he will make his next start.


''I haven't heard a thing,'' he said.


The 28-year-old Maeda went 16-11 with a 3.48 ERA in his first season in the majors. But the Japanese right-hander has lost three straight starts, lasting just three innings in his first career playoff appearance Monday against Washington.


''We've been relying a lot on our relief pitchers to take the load, so I want to be able to - I'm really just focused on throwing quality innings as long as I can,'' Maeda said through a translator. ''And as long as I keep throwing quality innings, then I would be able to throw longer and deeper into the game.''


The Cubs have been resting since they used a four-run ninth to finish off San Francisco with a 6-5 victory in Game 4 on Tuesday night. Jon Lester is lined up to start Game 1, followed by Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey in a repeat of the Division Series.


Lester pitched 15 innings of one-run ball in two starts against Los Angeles this year, and the Dodgers hit .213 against lefty pitching overall.


''He's good. And right now he's at the top of his game,'' Maddon said. ''I mean, from what I've seen, he's had a couple hiccups, which everybody does. But, man, he's been pretty much right on the last couple months, including the first game of the playoffs for him.''


There was some question about Hendricks' health after he had a comebacker go off his right forearm in Game 2 against the Giants. But the right-hander, who had a major league-best 2.13 ERA this year, felt fine after a bullpen session on Thursday, allowing the Cubs to finalize their rotation.


''Our staff has been really, really good this year, and I think that, really, if you put all of our names in a hat and pulled one out, I don't think you could go wrong,'' Lester said. ''So, it's a huge honor, especially for an organization like this, to get the ball again and try to go out and give us a good start.''

 

[CNOTES]

Kershaw's relief brings back memories
October 14, 2016


Clayton Kershaw entered Dodgers lore Thursday night, right alongside the last ace to lead the franchise to a World Series title.


In 1988, Orel Hershiser came out of the bullpen for the final out of Game 4 of the NL Championship Series against the New York Mets. Hershiser, who had thrown seven innings the day before, retired Kevin McReynolds on a flyball with the bases loaded in the 12th inning, enabling Los Angeles to win the game 5-4 and even the series.


Kershaw did Hershiser one better Thursday, getting the final two outs of Game 5 of the NL Division Series against Washington. The Dodgers held on for a 4-3 win and advanced to the NLCS. They're now eight wins from their first World Series championship since that '88 season.


Kershaw had only one day of rest after his Game 4 start, but in the postseason, desperate times call for desperate measures. Here are a few other standout starters who turned into relievers in crucial spots:


WALTER JOHNSON, WASHINGTON (1924 World Series, Game 7)


Johnson had lost his only two starts of the series, but with the decisive game tied in the ninth inning, he came on and threw four innings of scoreless relief against the New York Giants. The Senators finally scored in the bottom of the 12th for a 4-3 victory and the championship.


JACK MCDOWELL, N.Y. YANKEES (1995 ALDS, Game 5)


With the decisive game against Seattle in extra innings, manager Buck Showalter turned to McDowell, who had started Game 3 just two days earlier. The right-hander worked through trouble in the ninth and again in the 10th, but after the Yankees took the lead in the 11th, he didn't retire another batter. The Mariners won it 6-5 on Edgar Martinez's two-run double .


PEDRO MARTINEZ (1999 ALDS, Game 5)


Martinez was at his absolute peak in 1999 and 2000, but was limited by a strained back muscle and pitched only four innings in Game 1 of this series against Cleveland. The Red Sox started Bret Saberhagen in the decisive fifth game against Charles Nagy, and the game was tied at 8 in the fourth inning when Martinez came on and shut the Indians down the rest of the way. He held Cleveland hitless for the final six innings, and Boston won 12-8.


JOHN SMOLTZ, ATLANTA (1999 NLCS, Game 6)


Smoltz belongs on any short list of top postseason pitchers - and he would show his versatility late in his career by becoming an effective closer. This move, however, backfired for the Braves. Smoltz had two days of rest after Game 4, and with Atlanta leading the Mets 7-3 in Game 6, he came in to start the seventh.


Smoltz retired only one hitter, allowing two doubles, a single and a tying two-run homer by Mike Piazza . The Braves did manage to overcome Smoltz's brief outing, winning 10-9 in 11 innings to take the pennant.


RANDY JOHNSON, ARIZONA (2001 World Series, Game 7)


Johnson had experience coming out of the bullpen - he was the winning pitcher in that 1995 classic against McDowell and the Yankees. He faced the Yankees again in the 2001 World Series, and after throwing 104 pitches in Game 6, he was still available the following night in the finale.


Johnson got the third out of the eighth and pitched a perfect ninth, then got the win when Arizona scored twice in the ninth off Mariano Rivera for a 3-2 victory.

JOSH BECKETT, FLORIDA (2003 NLCS, Game 7)


This series is best remembered as a collapse by the Chicago Cubs, but Beckett played a big role in that, throwing 115 pitches in a two-hit shutout in Game 5, then coming back three days later for a relief appearance in the finale. The Marlins had just taken a 6-5 lead when Beckett came on in the fifth. He pitched four innings , retiring every batter he faced with the exception of Troy O'Leary, whose seventh-inning homer was too little, too late. Florida won 9-6.


Beckett would go on to win MVP honors in the World Series against the Yankees.

MADISON BUMGARNER, SAN FRANCISCO (2014 World Series, Game 7)


The Giants couldn't afford to fall behind against a stellar Kansas City bullpen, so on came Bumgarner, who had thrown a shutout in Game 5. He held the Royals scoreless for the final five innings of Game 7, earning the save in San Francisco's 3-2 victory.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack


— Indians 2, Blue Jays 0– Is Terry Francona changing how bullpens will be used in the future?


— Louisville 24, Duke 14– Blue Devils hung in until the last 3:00.


— Oilers 5, Flames 3– Alberta rivals played twice in three nights, now do not play again until January 14.


— Memphis 24, Tulane 14– Back-door cover for the Green Wave.


— UNLV’s hoop team is practicing in brand-new T-Mobile Arena while their arena is being prepped for the last Presidential debate.


— When LA Kings started playing in the NHL 50 years ago, they played six games in Long Beach Arena before moving to the LA Forum.


**********


Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind……


13) Derrick Rose is 28 years old; at the end of this season, he will have earned $117M in salary in his career, not counting his immense sneaker contract and other endorsements. He should be sitting on the top of the world, without any cares except his playing career and his family.


Yet there he is, sitting in a courtroom in Los Angeles, the defendant in a $21M civil suit filed by an ex-girlfriend. Young people who get so rich, so quickly need to hire a life coach, someone to advise them on the pitfalls of fame and fortune, because there are many.


Being really, really rich makes you a target for parasites, being a celebrity means everything you do is fodder for social media and the nightly news. Be above reproach, because given the chance, people will come after you and try to syphon off some of your wealth for their own pockets.


I have zero idea what the truth is in the Rose matter; i just know if I’m advising Mr Rose, I’m telling him to stay the hell out of the way of drama, because he is the person with the most to lose.


12) Alex Rodriguez went out of his way the other night to praise Indians’ reliever Andrew Miller, as both a pitcher and a person. A-Rod, Pete Rose and Frank Thomas are an interesting combination in the FS1 studio after playoff games.


11) They were saying on TV the other night that one-third of the people who vote in Ohio will vote before Election Day. It isn’t just absentee ballots, either. How/why does that happen? I’d like to vote early, anything to avoid waiting in line.


10) San Diego Chargers switched the holder for kicks; backup QB Kellen Clemens was the holder Thursday night, after the backup punter botched a snap on the game-tying FG last week.


I’ve been saying for a while that players should hold for kicks, not punters, but for convenience sake (free time during practice), punters always seem to be the holders.


Back in the day, holders were mostly backup QBs, or guys like Nolan Cromwell (Rams), Karl Noonan (Miami) or Joe Scarpati (Saints) who was the holder for Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard FG for New Orleans.


9) Davidson’s basketball team has players from seven different countries.


8) Ottawa Senators have had seven head coaches in the last ten years.


7) North Carolina Tar Heels have a freshman guard named Seventh Woods; he is the youngest of six kids, his birthday is August 7. He will wear #21 because a) it is a multiple of 7 and b) his dad was born on the 21st. I’m glad the young man wasn’t born on the 29th.


6) Long Beach State alum Casper Ware is trying to make the Washington Wizards’ roster; he has played pro ball in France, England, Germany and China, as well as nine games with the 76ers three years ago. Have to admire guys who stick with it and work so hard to achieve their dreams.


5) Obscure baseball record: Norm Cash (377 HRs) holds the major league record for most career homers, without ever hitting a walk-off home run. Mark Teixeira had been the record holder until he hit a walk-off HR in late September.


4) Atlanta Braves named Brian Snitker full-time manager this week; he led the Braves to a 50-47 record in their last 97 games after a dreadful start under the previous skipper. Atlanta moves into its new stadium in Cobb County next spring.


3) College teams like South Florida or San Diego State, who play their football games in an NFL stadium? Their rent bill is usually around $250K, per game. UNLV will have to come up with that kind of $$$ to play in a new domed stadium in Las Vegas, if the Raiders move there.


2) The late Robin Williams was a great comedian/actor; he passed away far too soon. He also really liked cycling; his collection of 87 bicycles is being auctioned off this week, to benefit a couple of Williams’ favorite charities.


1— I’ve mentioned this before, but the NBA preseason is too long; they need to utilize October to stretch the regular season out and eliminate some of the back/backs that cause stars to sit games out and cheat fans (who pay lot of $$$) out of seeing them play..


This is where I point out that a player named Ron Boone (now a broadcaster for the Jazz) once played in 1,041 consecutive games; back then, teams had to play on three consecutive nights now and then and also flew commercial. This was in the 70’s and Boone was a good player— he averaged 16.8 pts/game in his career.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up


Saturday, October 15


Blue Jays @ Indians
Happ is 4-0, 2.78 in his last six starts; Toronto is 10-1 in his last 11 road starts. Happ is 1-0, 2.77 in nine postseason games (two starts, which were 7 years apart)- he allowed one run in seven IP in his only start against Cleveland this year.


Tomlin is 3-1, 2.35 in his last five starts; he allowed two runs in five IP in his first postseason start, last week. Indians lost four of his last six home starts. Tomlin is 0-1, 6.10 in two starts vs Toronto this season.


Toronto won six of last seven games; they’re 3-5 against the Indians this year. Gibbons is 9-7 as a postseason manager, making it this year and last, his 8th/9th years as a manager. Jays lost in this round LY, their first playoff spot since their last world title, in 1993.


Cleveland won its last seven games; they’re in playoffs for 3rd time in last 15 years. Tribe was last in World Series in ’97; their last world title was in 1948. Francona won couple of World Series in Boston; he is 32-18 as a postseason manager.


Dodgers @ Cubs
Maeda is 0-3, 11.17 in his last three starts; over is 8-2 in his last 10 starts. Dodgers lost four of his last five road starts. He allowed four runs in three IP in his first postseason start. Maeda did not start against the Cubs this season.


Since August 1, Lester is 9-1, 1.42 in 12 starts; under is 10-1 in his last 11 starts. Cubs won his last ten home starts. He is 7-6, 2.63 in 17 postseason games (15 starts). Lester is 1-0, 0.60 in two starts against the Dodgers this year (allowed one run in 15 IP).


Dodgers is 3-7 in its last ten road games, but just survived a Game 5 in Washington. Cubs got swept in this round by the Mets LY; they’re 4-3 against the Dodgers this year. Chicago is 12-4-1 in its last 17 games.


Roberts is a rookie manager who is 3-2 in the playoffs. Maddon got Tampa Bay to ’08 World Series; he is 20-23 as a manager in the postseason, 7-6 with Chicago.








MLB


Saturday, October 15


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


4:08 PM
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto's last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games at home
Cleveland is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home


8:08 PM
LA DODGERS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of LA Dodgers's last 14 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Dodgers's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 8 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Dunkel


Saturday, October 15


LA Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs


Game 903-904
October 15, 2016 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Maeda) 18.046
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 15.542
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-205
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(+175); N/A


Toronto @ Cleveland


Game 905-906
October 15, 2016 @ 4:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Happ) 13.788
Cleveland
(Tomlin) 18.312
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 4 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-140
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(+120); Under








MLB
Long Sheet


Saturday, October 15


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


LA DODGERS (94 - 73) at CHICAGO CUBS (106 - 59) - 8:05 PM
KENTA MAEDA (R) vs. JON LESTER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 94-73 (-5.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 40-44 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 15-24 (-20.1 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 91-71 (-7.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 65-55 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 22-25 (-10.0 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 50-42 (-5.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 30-8 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 62-30 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LESTER is 17-2 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 1594-1682 (-260.1 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 854-784 (-153.2 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 12-14 (-11.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1537-1595 (-234.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1173-1249 (-196.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 769-825 (-187.4 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 3-4 (+0.4 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.9 Units)


KENTA MAEDA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.


JON LESTER vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
LESTER is 2-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.06 and a WHIP of 0.990.
His team's record is 2-3 (-2.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-0. (+5.0 units)


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


TORONTO (93 - 74) at CLEVELAND (98 - 67) - 4:05 PM
J.A. HAPP (L) vs. JOSH TOMLIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 93-74 (-6.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 101-103 (-39.1 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997.
TORONTO is 3-10 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Saturday this season.
CLEVELAND is 98-67 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 51-25 (+18.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CLEVELAND is 56-28 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 27-9 (+12.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CLEVELAND is 94-64 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 26-11 (+13.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
CLEVELAND is 51-35 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TOMLIN is 20-10 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
TOMLIN is 12-4 (+7.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. (Team's Record)
TOMLIN is 19-10 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
HAPP is 25-8 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
HAPP is 14-2 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in day games this season. (Team's Record)
HAPP is 12-3 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
HAPP is 15-2 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 36-54 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in home games after shutting out their opponent since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 5-3 (+2.0 Units) against TORONTO this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)


J.A. HAPP vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
HAPP is 3-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 2.96 and a WHIP of 1.317.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)


JOSH TOMLIN vs. TORONTO since 1997
TOMLIN is 1-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.53 and a WHIP of 1.518.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

 

[CNOTES]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:


10/13 - 1 - 0 - 1 + 1.35


WLT PCT UNITS


M/L Picks.............8 - 7....................53.33 %............ + 3.35


O/U Picks............3 - 7 - 1................42.85 %............ - 4.00


TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 1 - 4


M/L-.......... 1 - 4 - 0
O/U-..........1 - 2 - 1




SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TOR at CLE 04:00 PM


TOR -136


U 8.5 *****




LAD at CHC 08:00 PM


LAD +170 *****


O 7.5 *****

 

[CNOTES]

Power outage from Rizzo, Russell costs Cubs against Kershaw
October 17, 2016


CHICAGO (AP) Star slugger Anthony Rizzo hit a soft liner for the Chicago Cubs' final out, which only seemed fitting.


While the rest of Chicago's lineup can take consolation knowing Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is about to get a few days off, Rizzo and shortstop Addison Russell won't share in that small solace. The duo that totaled 204 RBIs in the regular season is a combined 2 for 45 through six games in the postseason.


Kershaw only underscored their struggles during Los Angeles' 1-0 win Sunday night that tied the NL Championship Series at a game apiece.


Kershaw held Chicago to two hits over seven innings and Kenley Jansen finished with two perfect innings, but that 1-2 punch could quiet Murderers' Row.


The other Cubs have done plenty of damage, with six players getting a hit in an 8-4 Game 1 victory. Rizzo and Russell, however, were a combined 0 for 9 Saturday night before going hitless in six at-bats in Game 2.


Rizzo said changing his plate approach at this point in the series would be foolish. While it sounds counterintuitive, he's learned that patience is the quickest way to end a slump.


''I don't think it's fair to everyone trying to get six, seven, eight hits at one time. I've done that before in my career,'' he laughed ruefully, ''and it doesn't work.


''You just keep going through the process,'' he added. ''Keep battling, keep grinding.''


Rizzo and Russell were key contributors for baseball's best regular season team, but both have made every pitcher look unhittable in October, even as Chicago rolled past San Francisco in four games during an NL Division Series.


''We've been taking some good hacks,'' said Russell, whose tailspin actually began at the end of the regular season. ''They're just not falling.''


Rizzo batted .292 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs during the regular season. He's gone 1 for 23 in the playoffs with just a single and three walks, including the only one Kershaw issued in seven innings.


When Rizzo got to 3-0 in that at-bat, he was bristling for a pitch to hit.


''No doubt,'' he said. ''It's a 1-0 game at that point. One swing changes that.''


He nearly did that in the fourth inning, turning a 1-1 fastball from Kershaw into a towering shot that cleared the outfield wall in right by plenty - it landed on Sheffield Avenue, behind Wrigley Field - but hooked just outside the foul pole. Kershaw threw high and tight on the next pitch, then coaxed Rizzo into grounding out.


Rizzo was hoping for a second bite at the long ball in the seventh. But Kershaw walked him on the next pitch.


''Anytime you can get on,'' Rizzo said, his voice trailing off.


Russell hit only .238 in the regular season, but contributed plenty of power, with 21 homers and 95 RBIs. Yet, like Rizzo, he's got only a single in his 22 at-bats. He sat out the Cubs' playoff run last year due to an injury, but he said that lack of experience wasn't an excuse.


''He got ahead early and he throws strikes,'' Russell said. ''He had his stuff tonight. ... I've got to learn to grind out the at-bats better, extend the pitchers more.''


Kershaw yielded only two hits in seven innings. Tough as he was on Rizzo, the left-hander dominated Russell, who grounded out in his first at-bat then produced a pair of routine flyouts.


Rizzo said neither he nor Russell had a reason to hang their heads, at least on this night.


''We just faced the best pitcher on the planet,'' he said.

 

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Bauer, Indians take 2-0 ALCS lead into Toronto
October 16, 2016


A look at what's happening all around the majors Monday:


FLYING HIGH


Trevor Bauer and the Indians take a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series into Game 3 at Toronto. Bauer had been scheduled to start Game 2, but was pushed back after he said he cut the pinkie on his right hand while fixing a drone. Bauer, who needed stitches to close the wound, is a self-described ''nerd'' and big ''Star Wars'' fan who studied mechanical engineering in college and enjoys playing around with the flying objects. Marcus Stroman will start for the Blue Jays.


TAKE A BREAK


It's workout day at Dodger Stadium with Chicago and Los Angeles tied at one game apiece in the NL Championship Series. Rich Hill is set to pitch Game 3 for LA on Tuesday against Jake Arrieta. Hill has been bothered by blister trouble, and didn't make it out of the fifth inning in either of his two starts vs. Washington in the NLDS.


THE 0 IN TORONTO


The Blue Jays totaled one run over Games 1 and 2, and of their 10 hits, just one came against the Indians' bullpen. Jose Bautista is 0 for 6, Edwin Encarnacion 2 for 7, Troy Tulowitzki 1 for 8 and Russell Martin 1 for 7. Toronto was fourth in the majors in home runs during the regular season got off to a powerful start in the playoffs, but hasn't hit one in 27 innings, since the first inning of Game 3 in their AL Division Series against Texas.


WARMING UP


Injured Indians pitcher Danny Salazar threw what appeared to be a simulated game after Cleveland's workout Sunday night in Toronto. The All-Star righty has been sidelined since Sept. 9 because of forearm trouble and isn't on the roster for the ALCS. Salazar threw to hitters at Rogers Centre a day before Game 3. He was 11-6 with a 3.87 ERA during the regular season.


LINEUP SWITCH


The Diamondbacks plan to formally introduce Mike Hazen as their general manager. The 40-year-old served as Boston's GM this season. Hazen replaces Dave Stewart, who was fired along with manager Chip Hale a day after Arizona finished 69-93 - its fifth straight year out of the playoffs. Hazen graduated from Princeton and played two seasons in the minor leagues.

 

[CNOTES]

Monday’s game


Indians @ Blue Jays


Bauer hurt a finger on his pitching hand fixing a drone (???), was pushed back to here; he is 1-2, 6.75 in his last five starts— he allowed three runs in 4.2 IP in his first postseason start. Bauer is 1-0, 1.38 in two starts vs Toronto this year; he struck out 13 Jays in 8 IP In his last start against them. Indians lost four of his last six road starts.


Stroman is 0-2, 2.77 in his last four starts, 0-0, 1.29 in two starts (14 IP) vs Cleveland this year. Blue Jays won six of his last eight home starts. He is 1-0, 3.91 in four postseason starts.


Toronto had won six in row before losing Games 1-2 in Cleveland; they’re 3-5 against the Indians this year. Gibbons is 9-8 as a postseason manager, making it this year and last, his 8th/9th years as a manager. Jays lost in this round LY, their first playoff spot since their last world title, in 1993.


Cleveland won its last eight games; they’re in playoffs for 3rd time in last 15 years. Tribe was last in World Series in ’97; their last world title was in 1948. Francona won couple of World Series in Boston; he is 32-18 as a postseason manager.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB PLAYOFF RECORD:


10/16/2016 0-2-0 0.00% -1050


WLT PCT UNITS


M/L Picks.............8 - 8....................50.00 %............ + 2.35


O/U Picks............3 - 8 - 1................37.50 %............ - 5.00


TRIPLE PLAYS - ***** 3 - 6


M/L-.......... 1 - 6 - 0
O/U-..........3 - 3 - 1

 

[CNOTES]

Game 3 - Indians at Jays
October 17, 2016




American League Championship Series - Game 3
Cleveland Indians (94-67) at Toronto Blue Jays (89-73)
First pitch: Monday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Cleveland +170, Toronto -200, Total: 9.0


Down 2-0 in the American League Championship Series, the Blue Jays desperately need a win against the Indians as the series shifts to Toronto.


The Blue Jays’ (89-73) bats were on fire during their three-game sweep of the Rangers, but the Indians (94-67) kept them in check in the first two games of the ALCS in Cleveland.


Terry Francona’s club took Game 1, 2-0, on Friday and then took Game 2, 2-1, on Saturday.


RHP Trevor Bauer (12-8, 4.26 ERA during the regular season) will start Game 3 for the Tribe. Bauer—who is recovering from a finger injury, and will throw with stitches on the back of his right pinkie finger—hasn’t pitched since Game 1 of the ALDS, back on Oct. 6. He wasn’t particularly strong in that game, allowing three earned runs on six hits—two of them homers—in just 4 2/3 innings pitched.


In what’s essentially a must-win game for Toronto, RHP Marcus Stroman (9-10, 4.37 ERA during the regular season) will get the ball for manager John Gibbons. Stroman hasn’t started since the AL Wild Card Game against the Orioles, back on Oct. 4.He allowed two earned runs in six innings in the Blue Jays’ win. The Blue Jays are 2-0 at Rogers Centre this postseason. The Indians have gone 1-0 on the road.


The Indians can really pitch—they’ve allowed just eight runs through five postseason games—but they can hit, too. RF Lonnie Chisenhall (7-for-16, HR, 4 RBI) and SS Francisco Lindor (7-for-20, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI) have had huge postseasons, and 3B Jose Ramirez (5-for-16, 2B) has had some big hits.


Cleveland hasn’t seen a ton of Stroman. DH Carlos Santana (4-for-17, HR) is 3-for-8 against him with a double, Chisenhall is 3-for-7 and LF Rajai Davis (0-for-10, RBI) is 3-for-8. Bauer faced the Jays once this season, back on Aug. 19, and took a no-decision despite allowing just two earned runs in eight innings.


For his career, he’s 0-1 against Toronto with an 8.57 ERA. The Indians’ bullpen is nearly automatic. If Cleveland has a lead late, setup man Andrew Miller (0 ER, 17 SO, 2 BB in 7 2/3 IP) and closer Cody Allen (0 ER, 8 SO, 2 BB, 4 SV in 5 IP) almost always protect it.


The Blue Jays have one of the best offenses in the sport, but they’ve only scored one run through the first two games of this series.


They’ll need to start putting some runs on the board, and that means 3B Josh Donaldson (12-for-26, 6 2B, 4 RBI), 1B Edwin Encarnacion (8-for-23, 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI) and SS Troy Tulowitzki (7-for-25, 3B, HR, 5 RBI) will have to hit like they did in the ALDS. Gibbons also needs RF Jose Bautista (3-for-21, 2 HR, 5 RBI), who’s been all or nothing at the plate, to get hot.


Donaldson has gone 2-for-5 against Bauer with a double and three RBIs, DH Michael Saunders (4-for-13, 2B) has gone 5-for-9 against him and C Russell Martin (2-for-23, HR) has taken him deep. Stroman faced the Indians twice in 2016 and was excellent, allowing just two earned runs in 14 innings. In four career postseason starts, Stroman is 1-0 with a 3.91 ERA in 25 1/3 innings pitched.


Game 3 Propositions - per Sportsbook.ag


Total Runs+Hits+Errors
Over 27.5 (-115)
Under 27.5 (-115)


Team to Score First
Indians -115
Blue Jays -115


Adjusted Runline A
Indians -1.5 (+250)
Blue Jays +1.5 (-330)


Adjusted Runline B
Indians +2.5 (-210)
Blue Jays 2.5 (+170)

Indians Total Runs
Over 3.5 (-125)
Under 3.5 (-105)


Blue Jays Total Runs
Over 5 (-115)
Under 5 (-115)


Will there be a score in the 1st Inning?
Yes +110
NO -140


Total Runs Odd/Even More
Odd -155
Even +125

Will the game go to Extra Innings?
Yes +650
No -1100

1st Inning 3 Way Line
Indians +330
Blue Jays +230
Tie -180


1st 5 Innings 3 Way Line
Indians +200
Blue Jays -130
Tie +400

Margin of Victory
Cleveland to win by 1 +550
Cleveland to win by 2 +900
Cleveland to win by 3 +1200
Cleveland to win by 4 +1700


Toronto to win by 1 +425
Toronto to win by 2 +600
Toronto to win by 3 +725
Toronto to win by 4 +900
Toronto to win by 5 or more +300

Double Result (1st 5 Innings / Game Winner)
Cleveland / Cleveland +230
Cleveland / Toronto +800
Toronto / Cleveland +1200
Toronto / Toronto -110
Tie / Cleveland +1300

First Run Will be Scored In
2nd Inning +220
3rd Inning +350
4th Inning +600
5th Inning +1000
6th Inning +1500
7th Inning +2500
8th Inning +3000
9th Inning +5000
Extra Innings +7500


Odds Subject to Change