MLB
Wednesday, October 21
Trend Report
4:07 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Kansas City
8:07 PM
NY METS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
NY Mets are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing NY Mets
Chi Cubs are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games
Wednesday, October 21
Trend Report
4:07 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Kansas City
8:07 PM
NY METS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
NY Mets are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing NY Mets
Chi Cubs are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games
Stephen Nover
BUFFALO (-110)
Just four games today in the NHL with seven bad teams playing. Toronto and Buffalo are two of them. But the Sabres, at a pick'em type price, can work hosting the Maple Leafs at Niagara Center.
Toronto is 1-3-1, playing its third road game in a row and not getting very good net play from goalie Jonathan Bernier. He has yet to win.
The Maple Leafs are 9-42 in their last 51 road contests. This has been a home series with the host winning the past 11 times. Toronto has dropped five in a row at Niagara Center. The Maple Leafs aren't expected to have back injured center Tyler Bozak.
Buffalo is 1-4 residing in last place in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres face unbeaten Montreal on Friday followed by New Jersey on Saturday. They need to win this game so a strong, focused effort should be forthcoming.
The Sabres rank No. 2 defensively in shots against. Offense has been Buffalo's problem. Specifically lack of goals because the Sabres are getting lots of shot on goal. Tyler Ennis already has fired 22 shots on goal and Evander Kane should have at three more goals considering how he's been playing.
So the feeling here is that the Sabres' offensive luck changes for the better. The shots have been there. Now they're in an important home matchup versus a weak opponent with a history of not playing well on the road and facing a goalie who has been sub-par.
BUFFALO (-110)
Just four games today in the NHL with seven bad teams playing. Toronto and Buffalo are two of them. But the Sabres, at a pick'em type price, can work hosting the Maple Leafs at Niagara Center.
Toronto is 1-3-1, playing its third road game in a row and not getting very good net play from goalie Jonathan Bernier. He has yet to win.
The Maple Leafs are 9-42 in their last 51 road contests. This has been a home series with the host winning the past 11 times. Toronto has dropped five in a row at Niagara Center. The Maple Leafs aren't expected to have back injured center Tyler Bozak.
Buffalo is 1-4 residing in last place in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres face unbeaten Montreal on Friday followed by New Jersey on Saturday. They need to win this game so a strong, focused effort should be forthcoming.
The Sabres rank No. 2 defensively in shots against. Offense has been Buffalo's problem. Specifically lack of goals because the Sabres are getting lots of shot on goal. Tyler Ennis already has fired 22 shots on goal and Evander Kane should have at three more goals considering how he's been playing.
So the feeling here is that the Sabres' offensive luck changes for the better. The shots have been there. Now they're in an important home matchup versus a weak opponent with a history of not playing well on the road and facing a goalie who has been sub-par.
Preview: Royals at Blue Jays
GAME: Kansas City Royals (101-70) at Toronto Blue Jays (97-74)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 21 - 4:00 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Playoff Series: League Championship; Kansas City leads 3-1
The Kansas City Royals attempt to win their second consecutive American League pennant when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Wednesday afternoon. Kansas City holds a 3-1 series lead after pounding the Blue Jays 14-2 on Tuesday.
The Royals racked up four runs in the first inning and nine over the final three frames while delivering such a beating that Toronto used infielder Chad Pennington to finish the contest - the first primarily position player to pitch in the postseason. Alcides Escobar (2-for-3, four RBIs) and Lorenzo Cain (2-for-3, two RBIs) continued their strong production in the series, while Ben Zobrist and Alex Rios each homered. "We're a good offensive team," Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "Our style of play is a little different. 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." The Blue Jays have scored 16 runs in the series, with 11 - and all three of their homers - coming in their lone victory.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS1, RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (1-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (1-1, 3.09)
Volquez was superb in his Game 1 victory, allowing only two hits over six scoreless innings. That performance was in Kansas City and he now tries to duplicate it in Toronto, a better ballpark for hitters. "It's kind of a small ballpark and the balls just fly," Volquez said in his press conference. "It's not like you play in Kansas City, we've got a big ballpark, and the ball doesn't carry much. Here, the ball is flying everywhere."
Estrada lost against Volquez in the series opener as he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Royals' penchant for being contact hitters makes it a tough assignment for Estrada, who typically doesn't strike out more than five batters in a game. "If he pitches his game and he's on, we feel pretty good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said in a press conference. "But they're different over there, meaning it's never an easy outing for a pitcher because they battle you."
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista is 2-for-12 with six walks and no extra-base hits in the series.
2. Escobar is 9-for-15 with six runs and five RBIs, while Cain is 5-for-14 with five RBIs and has hit safely in a franchise postseason-record 13 consecutive games.
3. Toronto C Russell Martin is hitless in eight at-bats in the ALCS and 3-for-23 overall this postseason.
PREDICTION: Royals 9, Blue Jays 7
GAME: Kansas City Royals (101-70) at Toronto Blue Jays (97-74)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 21 - 4:00 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Playoff Series: League Championship; Kansas City leads 3-1
The Kansas City Royals attempt to win their second consecutive American League pennant when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Wednesday afternoon. Kansas City holds a 3-1 series lead after pounding the Blue Jays 14-2 on Tuesday.
The Royals racked up four runs in the first inning and nine over the final three frames while delivering such a beating that Toronto used infielder Chad Pennington to finish the contest - the first primarily position player to pitch in the postseason. Alcides Escobar (2-for-3, four RBIs) and Lorenzo Cain (2-for-3, two RBIs) continued their strong production in the series, while Ben Zobrist and Alex Rios each homered. "We're a good offensive team," Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "Our style of play is a little different. 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." The Blue Jays have scored 16 runs in the series, with 11 - and all three of their homers - coming in their lone victory.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS1, RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (1-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (1-1, 3.09)
Volquez was superb in his Game 1 victory, allowing only two hits over six scoreless innings. That performance was in Kansas City and he now tries to duplicate it in Toronto, a better ballpark for hitters. "It's kind of a small ballpark and the balls just fly," Volquez said in his press conference. "It's not like you play in Kansas City, we've got a big ballpark, and the ball doesn't carry much. Here, the ball is flying everywhere."
Estrada lost against Volquez in the series opener as he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Royals' penchant for being contact hitters makes it a tough assignment for Estrada, who typically doesn't strike out more than five batters in a game. "If he pitches his game and he's on, we feel pretty good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said in a press conference. "But they're different over there, meaning it's never an easy outing for a pitcher because they battle you."
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista is 2-for-12 with six walks and no extra-base hits in the series.
2. Escobar is 9-for-15 with six runs and five RBIs, while Cain is 5-for-14 with five RBIs and has hit safely in a franchise postseason-record 13 consecutive games.
3. Toronto C Russell Martin is hitless in eight at-bats in the ALCS and 3-for-23 overall this postseason.
PREDICTION: Royals 9, Blue Jays 7
Preview: Mets at Cubs
GAME: New York Mets (96-74) at Chicago Cubs (101-69)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 21 - 8:00 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Playoff Series: League Championship; NY Mets leads 3-0
The New York Mets are in position to finish off a sweep on Wednesday, when they visit the Chicago Cubs for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. New York has limited Chicago to five runs while winning the first three games and Daniel Murphy has homered in each contest to run his postseason streak to five, tying Carlos Beltran (2004 with Houston) for the major-league record.
New York is one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time since 2000 and will send rookie Steven Matz to the mound. None of the Mets players want to hear any chatter about this series being over, particularly captain David Wright. "Because we understand just like we've won the first three games, these guys can win the next three games very easily," Wright said after going 3-for-4 and scoring twice in Game 3. "This is an excellent team, and you give them room to win a game or streak along a couple good innings, and they're going to get all the confidence in the world and expect to beat us three in a row. So it's as simple as that." Chicago won all seven regular-season meetings with the Mets, but the duo of Kris Bryant (2-for-11) and Anthony Rizzo (2-for-10) has been quiet in the NLCS.
TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, TBS
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jason Hammel (0-0, 6.00)
Matz lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series as he gave up three runs and six hits in five innings. That contest marked the 24-year-old's first defeat in seven major-league outings, and manager Terry Collins feels he's just beginning to reach his potential. "This guy's got plus stuff, he's got a plus fastball," Collins said at a press conference. "He's going to be 94 to 97 (miles per hour). He's got a plus curveball, he's got a good changeup. Now it's a matter of going out there every five days through the course of the season."
Hammel had a rough outing in the Division Series against St. Louis as he gave up two runs, three hits and three walks before being pulled after three innings. He denied that he felt extra pressure competing on the postseason stage during his press conference on Tuesday and was asked if this start is the biggest of his life "Of my life? Obviously, the deeper you get into the playoffs, yeah, I guess you could say that they're the most difficult in my life," Hammel said. "But honestly, I'm not really worried about that. I'm not thinking of it that way. It's the New York Mets versus the Cubs."
WALK-OFFS
1. Murphy set the Mets' franchise record with his sixth career postseason homer, while Chicago LF Kyle Schwarber delivered his fifth to become the Cubs' record-holder in that category.
2. Bryant is 5-for-31 with one homer and 10 strikeouts in the postseason while Rizzo is 5-for-28 with two solo blasts.
3. New York RHP Jeurys Familia has saved all three victories in the series and has five saves in the postseason while giving up just two hits in 8 2/3 scoreless innings.
PREDICTION: Mets 7, Cubs 5
GAME: New York Mets (96-74) at Chicago Cubs (101-69)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 21 - 8:00 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Playoff Series: League Championship; NY Mets leads 3-0
The New York Mets are in position to finish off a sweep on Wednesday, when they visit the Chicago Cubs for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. New York has limited Chicago to five runs while winning the first three games and Daniel Murphy has homered in each contest to run his postseason streak to five, tying Carlos Beltran (2004 with Houston) for the major-league record.
New York is one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time since 2000 and will send rookie Steven Matz to the mound. None of the Mets players want to hear any chatter about this series being over, particularly captain David Wright. "Because we understand just like we've won the first three games, these guys can win the next three games very easily," Wright said after going 3-for-4 and scoring twice in Game 3. "This is an excellent team, and you give them room to win a game or streak along a couple good innings, and they're going to get all the confidence in the world and expect to beat us three in a row. So it's as simple as that." Chicago won all seven regular-season meetings with the Mets, but the duo of Kris Bryant (2-for-11) and Anthony Rizzo (2-for-10) has been quiet in the NLCS.
TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, TBS
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jason Hammel (0-0, 6.00)
Matz lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series as he gave up three runs and six hits in five innings. That contest marked the 24-year-old's first defeat in seven major-league outings, and manager Terry Collins feels he's just beginning to reach his potential. "This guy's got plus stuff, he's got a plus fastball," Collins said at a press conference. "He's going to be 94 to 97 (miles per hour). He's got a plus curveball, he's got a good changeup. Now it's a matter of going out there every five days through the course of the season."
Hammel had a rough outing in the Division Series against St. Louis as he gave up two runs, three hits and three walks before being pulled after three innings. He denied that he felt extra pressure competing on the postseason stage during his press conference on Tuesday and was asked if this start is the biggest of his life "Of my life? Obviously, the deeper you get into the playoffs, yeah, I guess you could say that they're the most difficult in my life," Hammel said. "But honestly, I'm not really worried about that. I'm not thinking of it that way. It's the New York Mets versus the Cubs."
WALK-OFFS
1. Murphy set the Mets' franchise record with his sixth career postseason homer, while Chicago LF Kyle Schwarber delivered his fifth to become the Cubs' record-holder in that category.
2. Bryant is 5-for-31 with one homer and 10 strikeouts in the postseason while Rizzo is 5-for-28 with two solo blasts.
3. New York RHP Jeurys Familia has saved all three victories in the series and has five saves in the postseason while giving up just two hits in 8 2/3 scoreless innings.
PREDICTION: Mets 7, Cubs 5
