Wednesday 10/21/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Thistledown - Race #8 - Post: 4:25pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,300 Class Rating: 79

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#8 DENALI HOLY BULL (ML=8/1)
#7 THE GREEN COUGAR (ML=9/2)


DENALI HOLY BULL - Ran in the last race against a high class rated field at Presque Isle Downs. The move down the ladder based on class rating points should suit him well. THE GREEN COUGAR - Have to give this gelding a shot. Ran a solid effort in the last race within the last month or so. That 77 fig this gelding notched in his last event tells me he's a major player today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #10 POWER BLAST (ML=4/1), #3 SEATTLE PRINCE (ML=6/1), #1 TRUE HEAVEN (ML=6/1),

POWER BLAST - This thoroughbred hasn't shown much in the last couple of contests. I normally try to beat this kind of chalk. Extended vacation and no drop in level of competition. SEATTLE PRINCE - Multiple chances for this questionable contender at Thistledown and still hasn't received his first victory here. Most unsatisfactory speed fig last time out at Thistledown at 6 furlongs. Don't feel this horse will improve too much in today's race. TRUE HEAVEN - Hard to bet on these non-winning types at less than generous odds.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Putting our cash on #8 DENALI HOLY BULL to win. Have to have odds of at least 5/2 or better though

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [7,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #7 - BELMONT PARK - 4:13 PM EASTERN POST

7.0 FURLONGS TURF FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD OPTIONAL CLAIMING $65,000.00 PURSE

#2 SISTER SOPHIA
#3 SWEETPOLLYPUREBRED
#4 HARLAN'S HONOR
#5 SLAM CHOWDER

#2 SISTER SOPHIA is the overall speed and pace profile leader in this O.C. field sprinting at today's "specialized distance" of 7.0 furlongs on the turf, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in each of her four career starts to date, including back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in her first two "adventures." Jockey Joel Rosario has been in her irons on two previous occasions posting a win and a show finish, and is back today for his 3rd ride, gunning for a 2nd "Circle Trip!" #3 SWEETPOLLYPUREBRED, a 5-1 shot, scored with back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in her 2nd and 3rd races back. Jockey Irad Ortiz has been in her irons on 5 previous occasions, hitting the board in each, winning 3 times, en route to a +167% return on investment in the process, and is back here in Elmont this afternoon for his 6th ride, gunning for a "Grand Slam Win!"

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Northfield: Wednesday 10/21 Analysis + Pick Four ticket
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Race 8 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Jeremey’s $1 Pick Four Play:

3 / 5 / ALL / 1,2,9 = $27


Best Bet: SAINT SIMEON (9th)

Spot Play: ROLL THE PRESS (2nd)


Race 1

(1) NORTHMEDO DELILAH just needs to stay trotting to hit the ticket. (4) TALISSA raced gamely last week after a lackluster effort the start prior. (2) SWEET NOLA KATE is 0 for the year but finds a weak and inconsistent field.

Race 2

(2) ROLL THE PRESS well bred trotter has just been racing evenly but finds a wide-open and evenly-matched race. (1) HANGIN JUDGE five-year-old makes his third start back off a long layoff and has room to improve. (3) JESMACH CHESTER has shown improvement and gets a better post.

Race 3

(3) SOARING FLIGHT will look to make it three straight against similar. (4) LOFTY CHIP filly is likely the only threat to the top choice with a good effort. (1) TRIUMPH SEELSTER should be in line for a great trip up close.

Race 4

(5) PRINCETON raced well last week and should be closer turning for home. (9) QOOL JAY freshman pacer was an easy winner last out but gets a tricky starting post. (4) ROCKIN ME BABY will offer value underneath but needs racing luck.

Race 5

(8) MAJESTIC LADY JO will offer a big price from a tough starting post and benefits from a top driver. (9) BAD HABIT also picks up a top driver and has been facing tougher. (1) DOUBLE O JESSE finds a weak field to do some damage.

Race 6

In a really soft field, (2) LILLIAN ROAD looks to be in line for a decent trip up close and will offer a fair price. (4) AMERICAN HEART lightly raced filly has room to improve in against easier. (3) UPTOWN ROMANCE is one of few in the race that has been competitive at this level.

Race 7

(6) HOORAY KATIE could be overlooked coming off a short layoff and picks up a huge driver change. (1) SBM GEORGIAN STAR trotting mare will be tough to beat with an easy early lead. (8) DUNKS BROTHER trotting gelding probably has more ability than most of the field but is handicapped by the worst post.

Race 8

(3) LOGAMOTION should be sharper second start back against much easier. (2) CMR WINDMACH dropped and popped last start for a new barn; threat. (1) HOP ZIP doesn't win often but has been competitive against better on the year.

Race 9

(5) SAINT SIMEON trotter is 0 for the year but gets sent out for the top barn off a big effort. (1) PINEFULLOFBOOTS should be in a great spot up close but is best used underneath. (2) UP FRONT MURRAY well bred colt comes off a nice qualifier and is one of few in the race with upside.

Race 10

(9) ROCKY MY BOY pacer will offer a huge price in an evenly matched race. (5) MECHANICAL ART is one of the faster horses in the race but will offer low value; use caution. (1) DANNY'S ATTHEDANCE takes a significant drop in class with the best post.

Race 11

(2) BERGERAC takes a huge drop down in class picking up a top driver. (1) DRIVEN TO SUCCEED has just been racing evenly but gets the best post in a suspect field. (9) NOAH'S SHARK is one of few threats in the race but needs a smooth trip.

Race 12

(2) SOUTHERN CAROL filly will look to make it four straight wins to kick off her career. (5) CEANA'S STAR has also been on a roll winning two straight but could need more. (8) ABES EARL has a lot of ability but is best used underneath starting from a tough post.

Race 13

(1) CAPTAIN AND COKE was a dominant winner last out and is right back in against similar. (6) SLIDN TO YA RONNIE was no match for the top choice last week but did pace a decent mile. (2) CONNER HANOVER freshman pacer looks to be improving but will need more to hit the top spot; use underneath.

Race 14

(4) A MILLION THANKS takes a huge drop in class and could still offer a decent price with a low percentage pilot. (1) HAGITHA pacing mare is 0 for the year but gets the best post facing softer. (6) SABINE'S FILLY picks up the top driver but rarely wins and looks to offer low value; command a price.

Race 15

(1) DUKE UH BRAVA picks up a big driver change and will be used aggressively; fires early. (9) JET SET STYLE just missed at this level three back and will offer a big price. (4) DUSTY DUNES couldn't parlay a perfect trip last start but did put in a good effort.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Wednesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Belmont Park (4th) Weather Girl, 3-1
(8th) Gypsum Johnny, 8-1


Charles Town (3rd) Tizawonder, 5-1
(6th) Rojo Perfecto, 3-1


Delta Downs (1st) Showbiz Or Bust, 6-1
(6th) Make Do, 8-1


Gulfstream Park West (4th) My House, 4-1
(9th) Golden Rifle, 7-2


Hawthorne (2nd) Osier, 6-1
(7th) Dolly Peach, 8-1


Indiana Grand (3rd) Weekend Special, 4-1
(5th) Laddie Boy, 4-1


Keeneland (6th) Silver Lode, 10-1
(8th) Plunder, 5-1


Penn National (4th) Flirting Clara, 5-1
(6th) Changingoftheguard, 5-1


Remington Park (2nd) Lady Brighton, 3-1
(8th) Perfect Paradise, 7-2


Thistledown (1st) Three Bagger, 6-1
(8th) Miller's Time, 10-1


Woodbine (1st) Frosty Vixen, 7-2
(5th) Golden Athena, 6-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Volquez aims to carry Royals into World Series
By Larry Millson, The Sports Xchange

TORONTO -- Ned Yost stands by the adage that momentum in baseball depends on the next starting pitcher.
Based on the identity of his starter for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday, the Kansas City manager can feel good about the chances of the Royals clinching a second consecutive berth in the World Series.
Right-hander Edinson Volquez, who held the Toronto Blue Jays to two hits and four walks in a 5-0 win in Game 1, is set to start the potential clincher Wednesday.
Kansas City took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 14-2 pounding of Toronto on Tuesday in Game 4.
When he was asked Tuesday if he felt that Volquez has a chance to repeat that performance Wednesday, Yost said, "You hope that he can. That's why the game is so wonderful, it's not a cookie-cutter game. You don't know what you're going to get until you get out there, find out what's working and how your command is, and if you're duplicating your mechanics and being able to repeat. We'll find out tomorrow."
Volquez was 13-9 with a 3.55 ERA during the regular season, and he is 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in the postseason.
He feels that facing the Blue Jays for a second consecutive start will present a challenge.
"It's not easy," he said Tuesday. "That's a good question. I think facing this guy last week, and I've got to face him again tomorrow, it is very important for me to execute my pitches and keep the ball down, stick with the plan and just pitch in and out. Be consistent and stay aggressive with my pitches. We'll see what happens."
Volquez said Game 1 was one of those days where everything was working.
"That's one of the best feelings in the world," he said. "That day was like -- I had a great feeling. I knew I'd pitch a really good game. I didn't know it would end the way it did, but I had a good feeling that day that I would pitch a really good game, and I did.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jays' Estrada seeks improved command in Game 5
By Larry Millson, The Sports Xchange

TORONTO -- Marco Estrada said his Game 5 start on Wednesday comes down to location.
The Toronto Blue Jays hope he is the right guy in the right place as they try to avoid elimination in the American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals.
"I think the key for me (Wednesday) is being able to locate my fastball more so than my off-speed pitches," the right-hander said Tuesday.
The Blue Jays lost 14-2 Tuesday in Game 4 as the Royals took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The matchup Wednesday is a repeat of Game 1, when Estrada allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings when facing right-hander Edinson Volquez in a 5-0 Kansas City victory.
"The first time around, I didn't really have four-seam location," Estrada said. "I didn't have the down-and-away (pitch) as much as I wanted to. And those were the pitches that really got hit. So for me, the most important thing is to be able to establish the fastball location and then work off that."
If he puts the fastball in the right spots, it make his changeup a devastating pitch.
The Royals recorded 15 hits in each of the first two games played at Rogers Centre, with each team winning once.
"I faced them twice during the regular season," Estrada said. "They're just like any other team where some guys take and some guys don't.
"But pitching against them in the playoffs, it's been a lot different. At least my game was. They're really aggressive, and I've noticed that they've kept that up."
Estrada said he did not need a video session to determine the problem.
"I have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing," he said. "Those things just happen, and it was one of those days for me. I did go to the bullpen and threw a lot of fastballs, just working on the down and away. ... I feel pretty good and confident about that pitch."
Looking at the big picture of the series, Toronto manager John Gibbons said, "The key is to get a good outing out of Marco and we'll see where it takes us. Not a more important game this season, really. I know these guys will be ready.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mets trust Matz to deliver NLCS clincher
By Jack McCarthy, The Sports Xchange

CHICAGO -- In the eighth start of his major league career, Steven Matz will attempt to pitch the New York Mets into the World Series on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old left-hander takes the mound with seven days of rest as the Mets aim to complete a four-game National League Championship Series sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
"We've got to come out tomorrow and Steve Matz has got to give us a game," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Our bullpen is pretty rested, and if Steven can get us five or six (innings), we've got a lot of answers in the bullpen for any matchups we need."
Matz took a 3-1 loss last week in Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing three runs in five innings.
A Long Island native who went 4-0 in six regular-season starts this year, Matz spent seven weeks on the disabled list due to a torn left lat muscle before being activated by the Mets on Sept. 2. However, he struggled with back soreness in late September and was scratched from his final two scheduled regular-season starts.
The occasionally erratic schedule since returning hasn't bothered him.
"No, I still feel set to go," Matz said Tuesday. "We've been doing this before. We've been on a six-man (rotation), been on a five-man, we've had days off. ... (I) feel ready to go."
Matz has never faced the Cubs, but he expects to be a quick learner.
"I don't really have a history with them," he said before Game 3. "They look like a tough lineup. They're a bunch of young, fiery guys. Matt (Harvey) and Noah (Syndergaard) have done a great job the first two games, so I'm just going to watch Jacob (deGrom on Tuesday), see how he attacks them and try to just build off those guys."
Matz at least got a chance for an up-close look at Wrigley Field.
Upon arrival in Chicago on Monday, he and his teammates walked around the park and even climbed atop the manually operated center field scoreboard.
"We got up to the scoreboard, checked out all the scenery and stuff," he said. "It was pretty cool.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Cubs' Hammel takes relaxed approach for Game 4
By Jack McCarthy, The Sports Xchange

CHICAGO -- Another big series, another Game 4 for Jason Hammel.
The Cubs right-hander takes the mound Wednesday for his second postseason start after helping Chicago dispatch the St. Louis Cardinals in last week's National League Division Series.
It is an even bigger challenge this time, as Hammel gets the call with the Cubs trailing 3-0 to the New York Mets in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. The Mets beat the Cubs 5-2 in Game 3 on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
Hammel, who went 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA during 31 regular-season starts, shrugs off the pressure.
"Pressure is what you make of it," he said Tuesday. "I honestly believe if I'm pressuring myself, I'm worried about the wrong thing."
Hammel is appearing in the postseason with his fourth different team. He also reached the playoffs with the Colorado Rockies (2009), Baltimore Orioles (2012) and Oakland A's (2014).
In the Cubs' clincher in Game 4 against the Cardinals on Oct. 13, Hammel threw three innings of two-run ball. He was not involved in the decision in a game Chicago won 6-4.
Hammel is 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in postseason appearances, including four starts. Last year with Oakland, he faced one batter in the 2014 American League wild-card game and allowed a hit.
Hammel pitched against the Mets once this year, getting a no-decision while pitching eight innings in a 2-1 Chicago walk-off victory on May 13.
"I'll be prepared with my game plan, go back and watch what I did when I faced the Mets earlier this year, and we'll kind of go from there," he said. "They are a little bit different of a team than they were earlier this year when we faced them, but nothing that I can't prepare for."
The 33-year-old veteran is 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA against the Mets in five career starts, working 29 1/3 innings while striking out 19 and walking five.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (95-67) at Blue Jays (93-69)

Game: 5
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: October 21, 2015 4:07 PM EDT

Doing what the Toronto Blue Jays do best has the Kansas City Royals one win away from a repeat World Series trip.

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Coming off another prolific scoring display, the Royals can clinch a second consecutive pennant Wednesday afternoon in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series in Toronto.

The Blue Jays earned their first postseason trip since 1993 on the strength of an offense that led the majors in home runs and runs scored, but it's Kansas City that's been swinging the hot bats in this series. After recording 15 hits for a second straight day in Tuesday's 14-2 victory, the Royals have built a 3-1 lead by hitting .331 with 33 runs.

Kansas City is batting .390 in splitting Games 3 and 4 at Rogers Centre and has outhomered the Blue Jays 4-3 after Ben Zobrist and Alex Rios both connected off R.A. Dickey on Tuesday.

'Our park, our style of play is a little different," first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "We like to use our legs and be athletic, but when we come to some of these parks where the fences aren't as deep we've got some guys that can put the ball in the seats.'

Zobrist is hitting .389 with seven runs and four extra-base hits for the series batting out of the No. 2 spot behind Alcides Escobar, who's 9 for 15 with six runs and five RBIs while becoming the first in MLB history to lead off the first four games of a postseason series with a hit.

Escobar singled in front of Zobrist's homer that ignited the first four-run opening inning in ALCS history and helped put Kansas City on the verge of becoming the first repeat AL champion since Texas in 2010 and '11.

"They've been table-setters. They've been run producers," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "It's been fun to watch them go to work every day."

Toronto's dangerous lineup, meanwhile, has produced just five runs in the three losses to put the AL East champions at a two-game deficit for the third time this postseason. The Blue Jays rallied to win the best-of-five ALDS against Texas despite losing the first two at home.

'It's a do-or-die game for us,' Toronto manager John Gibbons. 'But they do it all year. I think these guys will let this one go and they'll show up to play (Wednesday). I know these guys will be ready.'

The Blue Jays still face an uphill climb, having to play two straight in Kansas City if they can solve Game 1 starter Edinson Volquez and a Royals' team that's 4-1 when having a chance to eliminate the opposition over the past two postseasons. The lone loss came to San Francisco in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.

Volquez (1-1, 2.31 ERA) entered Friday's opener with an 8.76 ERA while losing his three previous postseason starts, but scattered two singles and four walks over six innings of the Royals' 5-0 win.

The veteran right-hander has lost both of his two career starts at Rogers Centre, allowing two runs over six innings of a 5-2 defeat there on Aug. 2, but has held a number of Toronto regulars in check. Including the postseason, Ben Revere is 0 for 11 against Volquez, Jose Bautista is 3 for 18 and Troy Tulowitzki is 3 for 17.

Gibbons will call on Marco Estrada (1-1, 3.09) to save Toronto's season, a feat the right-hander did accomplish by yielding one run through 6 1-3 innings of a 5-1 Game 3 win at Texas in the ALDS.

Estrada wasn't as effective when opposing Volquez in Game 1, surrendering a solo homer to Salvador Perez and three runs total over 5 1-3 innings.

Gibbons is counting on a longer outing Wednesday after Dickey lasted just 1 2-3 innings while permitting five runs. The Blue Jays own an 8.47 ERA during a series in which they've yet to receive a quality start and were forced to use infielder Cliff Pennington to get the final out of Game 4.

Hosmer is 4 for 8 against Estrada including the postseason and Escobar is 4 for 10. Lorenzo Cain, who owns a club-record 13-game postseason hitting streak, is 3 for 9 in the matchup.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (90-72) at Cubs (97-65)

Game: 4
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: October 21, 2015 8:07 PM EDT

Wait till next year? Maybe not for the New York Mets but another loss by the Chicago Cubs will have that familiar refrain echoing throughout Wrigley Field.

Daniel Murphy's bat and an array of overpowering arms have the Mets on the brink of sweeping the Cubs and reaching the World Series for the first time in 15 years Wednesday night.

After going 0-7 against Chicago in the regular season, New York has compiled a 1.67 ERA to build a 3-0 lead in this NL Championship Series, getting dominant performances from starters Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom.

DeGrom had a gutsy performance Tuesday, giving up two runs in the first four innings before shutting down the Cubs over the next three in a 5-2 win.

"Being up 3-0, we're very, very fortunate, because the Cubs have played great," manager Terry Collins said.

That certainly applies to Murphy, who has been just as reliable as the pitching - the Mets' calling card all year. The second baseman has homered in five straight postseason games to tie the major league record set by Carlos Beltran with Houston in 2004.

He put the Mets ahead 2-1 Tuesday with a solo homer in the third inning, finishing 2 for 5 with two runs. His six playoff homers are a franchise record, and he's batting .364 with nine RBIs and nine runs while getting a hit in each of New York's eight postseason games.

"I wish I could explain it," Murphy said. "I would have done it like six years ago. I can't explain it. I can only thank (hitting coach) Kevin Long and (assistant) Pat Roessler for the work that they've put in with not only myself but with all the guys hitting. I wish I could explain it; I can't."

Chicago is in search of comfort as it clings to the hope of winning its first World Series since 1908. Cubs president Theo Epstein has been in an 0-3 hole in the LCS before as his Boston Red Sox came back against the New York Yankees in 2004 and ultimately won their first World Series since 1918.

"Of course you think about those things, you think about the parallels, think about the fact that that happened against a New York team," manager Joe Maddon said. "We think about all that stuff, but it's up to us to go out and play and execute."

The Cubs were last swept in a best-of-seven series in the 1938 World Series against the Yankees.

Avoiding a similar fate will require solving the Mets' pitching and Chicago is about to get its first look at rookie phenom Steven Matz in Game 4.

The left-hander went 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA in six regular-season starts. He allowed three runs in five innings of a 3-1 defeat to Los Angeles in Game 4 of the division series Oct. 13 in his first appearance in nearly three weeks due to a sore back.

Matz isn't concerned with the long layoff.

"I still feel set to go," he said. "We've been doing this before. We've been on the sixth man, been on a five man, we've had days off. So I feel like I was able to get two bullpen sessions in, so feel ready to go."

Matz is facing a powerful Cubs lineup that's hit 15 homers in eight playoff games but only five have come with runners on base - none in this series.

Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler went deep off deGrom on Tuesday. Schwarber's five postseason homers are a Chicago record and put him one back of Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria for the rookie mark established in 2008.

Schwarber's only two hits in 11 at-bats in the NLCS have been homers after he batted .538 through his first five playoff games.

Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and star third baseman Kris Bryant have a combined .169 postseason average while going 4 for 21 in this series.

Offense wasn't an issue the last time the Cubs handed the ball to Jason Hammel last Tuesday. The right-hander allowed two runs with three walks in three-plus innings while being backed by four runs in a 6-4 win over St. Louis to clinch the NLDS.

"The 'W' is the bottom line, and whether it's seven innings or three innings, like it was for me last time, the game plan is to win," Hammel said. "We've entrusted Joe with that ability to make the decision whenever he thinks it's ready or whatever decision he needs to make at a certain time, that's his job as manager."

Hammel has failed to complete five innings in three of his past five overall starts, going 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA. He's 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA in five career starts against the Mets, and he's allowed Murphy to go 6 for 11 with two doubles.

Curtis Granderson has also had success against Hammel, going 7 for 21 with two homers and two doubles.

A win will give the Mets their first sweep of a best-of-seven series and put them in the World Series for the first time since 2000.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

American League

Royals vs Blue Jays
Volquez is 1-1, 2.04 in his last three starts (under 3-1 last four).

Estrada is 2-1, 2.45 in his last six starts (under 4-1-1).

Royals won 11 of their last 14 games (over 6-2 last eight).

Blue Jays lost four of last six games with KC; home side won ten of last 13 series games. Toronto is 4-5 in playoffs (over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games).


National League

Mets vs Cubs
Matz is 0-1, 5.06 in his last two starts (under 4-1 last five).

Hammel is 3-2, 5.50 in his last eight starts (over 6-1 last seven).

New York won seven of last nine games (under 9-2-1 in last twelve).

Chicago is 0-3 in this series after winning previous nine games with the Mets (under 8-2-2); over is 3-2-1 in their last six games.


AL Wild Card game
Houston @ Bronx
Hst 3-0, even U7

NL Wild Card game
Chicago @ Pittsburgh
Chi 4-0, -$125, U5.5

NLDS
New York @ Los Angeles
NY 3-1, -$196, U5.5
LA 5-2, -$170, O6
NY 13-4, -$164, O7
LA 3-1, -$146, U6.5
NY 3-2, +$129, U6
Mets win series, 3-2

NLDS
Chicago @ St Louis
StL 4-0, -$107, U6
Chi 6-3, +$126, O6.5
Chi 8-6, -$202, O7
Chi 6-4, -$115, O8.5
Cubs win series, 3-1

ALDS
Texas @ Toronto
Tex 5-3, +$250, N8
Tex 6-4 (14), +$154, O7.5
Tor 5-1, +$126, U10
Tor 8-4, -$149, O10
Tor 6-3, -$170, O8
Blue Jays win series 3-2

ALDS
Houston @ Kansas City
Hst 5-2, +$122, U7.5
KC 5-4, -$178, O7.5
Hst 4-2, -$175, U7.5
KC 9-6, +$116, O7.5
KC 7-2, -$126, O7.5
Royals win series, 3-2

Blue Jays vs Royals
KC 5-0, +$107, U8
KC 6-3, +$136, O7
Tor 11-8, -$151, O8
KC 14-2, +$142, O9

Cubs vs Mets
NY 4-2, -$125, N6
NY 4-1, +$131, U5.5
NY 5-2, -$107, U7.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'ALCS'

Blue Jays on the endangered spicies list after dropping 3-of-4 in this best-of-seven series look to avoid elimination in a pitching rematch between Marco Estrada (1-1, 3.09 ERA) and Edinson Volquez (1-1 2.31 ERA). Jays Estrada lost the opener of the ALDS allowing 3 runs over 5 1/3 innings of work and heads to the hill with a 1-2 team start record vs K.C. this season. Royals Volquez tossed six innings of shutout ball in the GM-1 victory giving the hurler a 1-1 record vs Toronto this year over three starts (2-1 TSR).

The Royals with a stranglehold in this series will certainly be confident with Volquez taking the ball on Wednesday. The club owns a sharp 7-3 record on the road with the right hander following a team with including 4-1 when tagged as underdogs. Additionally, Royas have a 7-1 record his last eight vs an A.L. East opponent. Depending on locale, Royals opened +$1.25 to +$1.30 road underdogs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday's six-pack

Six of the more interesting NFL games this weekend.....

-- Seahawks (-6) @ 49ers-- Seattle RBs were racing cars after practice Tuesday.

-- Jets @ Patriots (-9.5)-- Battle for first place in AFC East.

-- Saints @ Colts (-4.5)-- Hopefully no fake punts in Indy this week.

-- Cowboys @ Giants (-4)-- First rematch of season; Dallas won first meeting.

-- Eagles @ Panthers (-3)-- Unbeaten Carolina finally on national TV

-- Ravens @ Cardinals (-7)-- Arizona was -3 in turnovers in both losses.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Golden Dragon Sports

Free Boston -140 NHL

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Huddle Up Sports

Bonus Play: Detroit pk NHL

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Wednesday

ROYALS (Volquez) at BLUE JAYS (Estrada) 4:05 PM

Take: ROYALS +134

The Blue Jays own baseball’s most dangerous offense, and there’s always some trepidation involved when it comes to trying to beat this team. But they looked like a beaten entry on Tuesday in what was a critical Game Four and I suspect the Toronto dream might come to a bitter conclusion today.

Edinson Volquez will go against Marco Estrada in a rematch of the Game One hookup, won easily by the Royals. Volquez was masterful in that game as he shut down the big Blue Jays bats and while Estrada has far exceeded expectations for Toronto, I think the visitors have a definite edge on the hill today. Once the game gets to the bullpens, as will surely be the case at some point here, that KC pen grades out on top as well.

We all know that Toronto has the more prolific attack. But that simply hasn’t been the case in this series. The Royals are the team that’s getting the big hits and in fact, the Blue Jays offense has been very quiet with the exception of the Game Three explosion.

There’s value to be had with the Royals today. They’re playing with extreme confidence and the truth is they’ve got more big game experience at this point than do the Blue Jays. Perhaps Volquez, as can be the case with the veteran righty, loses his command and gets blown up. But if he locates like he did in Game One, the Toronto power will get neutralized and let’s face it, the Jays haven’t gotten much timely hitting in this series.

Personally, I like KC’s chances of inflicting damage on Estrada. I’ve been waiting for some regression on his part as there are some analytical numbers that indicate this was a bit of a fluky campaign for the Toronto righty. That never really happened and it’s not as though Estrada was lit up in the series opener. But he did get touched for three runs in his 5.1 innings and I can see the Royals putting together a similar line against him today.

For me the bottom line is the price. I know it’s backs against the wall for the home team, but I just can’t agree with this number being quite this high. At +130 or better, I’ll be taking my chances with the Royals to wrap things up.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Bonus Play for Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015

NHL Flyers/Bruins Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play Blue Jays w/ Estrada -140

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports

Exeter City vs Cambridge United

Bonus Play Draw +220

I think we see a draw in this match being played on Wednesday afternoon.

Cambridge 1

Exeter 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Idaho +3 over UL Monroe