THURSDAY PLAYOFF INFO

[Lumi]

Thursday's Playoff Offerings
October 7, 2009

The playoffs are rolling right along this Thursday with three games set to whet our betting appetite. Colorado and Philadelphia gear up for the second game of their National League Division Series. The Cards and Dodgers will be doing the same in the Senior Circuit as well. Meanwhile, the Halos welcome the Red Sox to Orange County to begin their American League Division Series.

Rockies at Phillies ? 2:37 p.m. EDT

Philadelphia drew first blood with a 5-1 victory as a $1.30 home favorite on Wednesday afternoon. Cliff Lee scattered six hits and struck out five batters en route to his fourth complete game since being traded from Cleveland.

Colorado hand the starting duties for Game 2 over to right-hander Aaron Cook (11-6, 4.16 ERA). It?s going to be interesting to see which version Cook the Rockies will get on Thursday afternoon. Will they get the version that went 7-1 with a 1.91 earned run average in June and July or the Cook that posted a 1-3 mark from August 6 on? There?s reason to be hopeful after Cook pitched eight innings of four-hit ball on Oct. 1 against the Brewers. He is also 6-3 with a 4.82 ERA in 11 daytime starts this season.

Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32 ERA) hasn?t had quite the season he wanted to after being World Series MVP. Elbow problems have plagued him for the entire year. And his last three starts won?t soothe the Phillies? souls right now, giving up 13 earned runs in 16.2 innings of work ? all three were losing efforts.

What could prove the Rockies? undoing is the fact that they are 2-7 this season against left-handers in daytime road games.

Cardinals at Dodgers ? 6:07 p.m. EDT

St. Louis will send Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63 ERA) out to start Game 2 of this best-of-five series. The young righty has run into a spot of trouble recently on the mound, going 1-4 with a 2.89 ERA. Wainwright has done well against the Dodgers this season, however, as evidenced by a 1-0 record and 1.20 in two starts against them in 2009.

The Dodgers are banking on Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79 ERA) to give them some momentum before heading to Busch Stadium. Los Angeles?s southpaw has been slowly ramping back up into the starting role since coming back from a shoulder injury from early September. His last two starts offered promise as he has tossed 10 innings, giving up two earned runs, 14 strikeouts and four walks. Kershaw is just 1-0 in four career starts against the Cards, but he?s held his own with a 1.82 ERA.

Red Sox at Angels ? 9:37 p.m. EDT

Familiar playoff foes meet up in Anaheim with the Angels opening their division series with Boston on Thursday night. Los Angeles has enjoyed great success since Mike Scioscia took over as manager in 2000. The Halos have made the playoffs three straight years and six times in the last eight years. The Red Sox are in the postseason for the fifth time in Terry Francona?s six years as manager.

Los Angeles give the starting nod to John Lackey (11-8, 3.83 ERA) to start the series on a positive note. The Angels haven?t fared too well with their ace pitcher on the mound as they?ve lost three of his last four starts. However, that could be misleading with a two-inning performance Lackey had on Oct. 1 against Texas when there was nothing to gain from him pitching a standard outing. The Halos are just 3-14 in Lackey?s last 17 starts against the BoSox.

The Red Sox will send Jon Lester (15-8, 3.41 ERA) to start Game 1. He has earned this appearance by winning six of his last eight decisions with an ERA of 2.51 and 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. There is reason to be wary if you?re a Boston fan as Lester is just 1-1 with a 7.78 ERA in four career starts versus the Angels.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants listed the Red Sox as $1.30 series favorites (risk $130 to win $100). Needless to say that Boston is a $1.10 road ?chalk? in Game 1 with a total of eight.

Los Angeles has won four of the six games the played against the Red Sox in Orange County this season.

 

[Lumi]

Preview: Rockies (92-70) at Phillies (93-69)

Preview: Rockies (92-70) at Phillies (93-69)

Preview: Rockies (92-70) at Phillies (93-69)

Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: October 08, 2009 2:37 PM EDT

One day after a talented left-hander carried the Philadelphia Phillies to another postseason victory, the reigning World Series champions will hope for a repeat performance in Thursday's Game 2.

They already know Cole Hamels is capable of October excellence.

Hamels hopes to put his inconsistent regular season behind him and begin another dominating playoff run as the Phillies try to push the Colorado Rockies to the brink of elimination in the teams' NL division series.

Cliff Lee was the star for Philadelphia in Game 1, coming within one out of a shutout and settling for a complete game and a 5-1 victory in his postseason debut.


Hamels won't have to worry about any first-time jitters after going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts last postseason. The southpaw was named MVP of both the NL championship series and the World Series as the Phillies won their first title in 28 years.

The Rockies are the only team that has beaten Hamels in the playoffs. In his first postseason start, he allowed three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-2 loss in Game 1 of the clubs' division series in 2007.

Colorado went on to sweep that series and win the NL pennant. Hamels has a chance to help the Phillies return the favor, but he'll have to overcome a rocky finish to an uneven regular season.

He was 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in his final two starts, finishing 10-11 with a career-worst 4.32 ERA. His season started April 10 with an ugly loss at Colorado in which he allowed seven runs in 3 2-3 innings of a 10-3 defeat.

"I know my teammates know what I'm capable of doing, I know what I'm capable of," Hamels said. "It's just a matter of being able to repeat what I can do best, and that's going out there and trying to set the tone early."

Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel doesn't sound concerned about his former ace, who will take the mound in the afternoon after going 0-6 with a 5.44 ERA in nine daytime starts this year.

"I think he's one of the top pitchers in baseball," Manuel said. "Cole Hamels can pitch any game for me that he wants. If it gets down to five games, we have a pretty good decision between him and Lee."

Hamels will try to follow Lee's lead and shut down a Colorado offense that is suddenly struggling. The Rockies scored three total runs in their final two games of the regular season, losing both to squander a chance at the NL West title.

The NL wild-card winners managed just six hits against Lee, with sluggers Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe - both left-handed batters - going a combined 0 for 7.

"I think you tip your cap to (Lee)," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "It's a five-game series, and obviously we've been in this position before ... where obviously (Thursday) is a pretty important game because you certainly wouldn't be looking forward to going back to Denver down two games."

The Phillies got at least one hit from each of their starters and stole three bases in Game 1, an onslaught they'll try to continue against Colorado's Aaron Cook.

Cook (11-6, 4.16 ERA) missed most of September with a shoulder injury, but made a successful return, going 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts to close his regular season.

"I think the first game I had a little bit of rust, walked a few guys," he said. "But after I got past that, I knew my arm was healthy and it was just a matter of trusting that it was healthy and going out there and making my pitches."

The right-hander's only previous postseason start came in Game 4 of the 2007 World Series, when he returned from injury and held the Red Sox to three runs in six-plus innings but took the loss in Boston's series-clinching 4-3 victory.

Cook is 1-5 with a 6.02 ERA in eight career starts against the Phillies, and a number of Philadelphia's left-handed hitters have been successful against him. Jimmy Rollins (11 for 29), Chase Utley (8 for 21) and Ryan Howard (6 for 17) all have averages above .350 when facing the sinkerballer.

The Phillies have now won eight straight postseason games at Citizens Bank Park, while Colorado has lost its last five playoff games overall after getting swept by the Red Sox two years ago.

 

[Lumi]

Rockies vs Phillies

Rockies vs Phillies

Rockies vs Phillies

Game Time: 2:35 p.m. ET

Stadium: Citizens Bank Park Surface: Grass






Colorado
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/25/09 Stl 2-1 N/g +155 +135 8.5+100 8.5-115 Cook,aa W U
9/26/09 Stl 3-6 N/g -105 -130 8.5-110 8.0-120 Jimenez,ub L O
9/27/09 Stl 4-3 D/g -200 -200 9.5+100 9.5+100 De La Rosa,j W U
9/29/09 Mlw 7-5 N/g -180 -165 9.5-120 9.5-105 Marquis,ja W O
9/30/09 Mlw 10-6 N/g -185 -200 9.5-120 10.0-110 Hammel,ja W O
10/01/09 Mlw 9-2 D/g -185 -175 9.5-110 10.0-110 Cook,aa W O
10/02/09 At La 4-3 N/g -130 -107 7.5+100 7.0-120 Jimenez,ub W P
10/03/09 At La 0-5 N/g -135 -135 7.5-120 7.5-105 De La Rosa,j L U
10/04/09 At La 3-5 D/g +115 +115 8.5+100 8.5+100 Marquis,ja L U
10/07/09 At Phi 1-5 D/t -137 -145 8.0-115 8.5-120 Jimenez,ub L U
Philadelphia
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/26/09 At Mlw 5-7 N/g -125 +100 9.0-125 9.5-110 Kendrick,ky L O
9/27/09 At Mlw 6-5 D/g +125 +125 9.5+100 9.5+100 Blanton,jo W O
9/28/09 Hou 2-8 N/t -300 -300 8.5-120 9.0-110 Hamels,co L O
9/29/09 Hou 7-4 N/t -260 -320 9.0-120 9.5-105 Happ,ja W O
9/30/09 Hou 10-3 N/t -230 -210 10.0-110 10.0+100 Martinez,pe W O
10/01/09 Hou 3-5 N/t -170 -170 9.0-110 9.0+100 Lee,cl L U
10/02/09 Flo 2-7 N/t -170 -170 9.5+100 9.0-115 Blanton,jo L P
10/03/09 Flo 3-4 D/t -200 -220 8.5-120 8.5-130 Hamels,co L U
10/04/09 Flo 7-6 D/t -125 -125 8.0-110 8.0-110 Happ,ja W O
10/07/09 Col 5-1 D/t -137 -145 8.0-115 8.5-120 Lee,cl W U



Head-To-Head

Head-To-Head
Date Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Winner Dec O/U
5/26/08 Col 20-5 N/t -148 -200 10.0-130 10.0-135 Moyer,ja W O
5/27/08 Col 7-4 N/t -172 -168 10.0-110 10.0+105 Kendrick,ky W O
5/28/08 Col 6-1 N/t -175 -153 10.5-110 10.0+105 Eaton,ad W U
4/10/09 Phi 10-3 D/g +135 +120 9.0-110 9.5-110 Marquis,ja W O
4/11/09 Phi 4-8 N/g +105 -110 10.0-110 10.5+100 Myers,br L O
4/12/09 Phi 5-7 D/g -140 -135 10.5-110 10.0-120 Madson,ry L O
8/04/09 Col 3-8 N/t -145 -144 10.0-105 10.0-120 Hammel,ja L O
8/05/09 Col 7-0 N/t -140 -142 9.5+100 9.0-115 Happ,ja W U
8/06/09 Col 3-1 D/t -180 -167 8.5-110 8.5-115 Lee,cl W U
10/07/09 Col 5-1 D/t -137 -145 8.0-115 8.5-120 Lee,cl W U



W/L Record Comparison

Colorado
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 51-30 +836 41-41 +566 92-71 +1402
Last 10 5-1 +405 1-3 -225 6-4 +180
Philadelphia
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 46-36 -947 48-33 +1115 94-69 +168
Last 10 4-4 -160 1-1 -10 5-5 -170
RECORDS
Day Night Grass Turf Fav Dog
Colorado 30-24 62-47 88-68 4-3 59-40 31-29
Philadelphia 30-17 64-52 43-29 51-40 65-51 24-17



Over/Under Comparison
(Based on taking the Over)

Colorado
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 39-38 -295 33-44 -1585 72-82 -1880
Last 10 4-2 +185 0-3 -325 4-5 -140
Philadelphia
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 33-45 -1725 39-38 -375 72-83 -2100
Last 10 4-3 +50 2-0 +200 6-3 +250



Away Pitcher

COLORADO ROCKIES -- COOK,AARON (R)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 14 6 4 80.0 90 38 38 23 47 4.28 2 3 4 1 6 3 0 1
Home 13 5 2 78.0 85 38 35 24 31 4.04 4 0 1 2 5 2 0 0
Total 27 11 6 158.0 175 76 73 47 78 4.16 6 3 5 3 11 5 0 1
2009 BULLPEN FOR COOK,AARON
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
26 79.1 43 41 4.65 78 30 71 13 3 7 8 4
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
8/06/09 at PHI 1-3 L 5.0 3 3 7 0 0 1 -180 -167 8.5-110 8.5-115
8/16/09 at FLO 3-10 L 2.1 7 7 8 3 2 2 -105 -105 9.0+100 9.0+100
8/21/09 SF 3-6 L 3.0 4 4 3 2 0 0 -170 -160 9.0-115 9.5+105
9/25/09 STL 2-1 5.0 0 0 4 0 1 0 +155 +135 8.5+100 8.5-115
10/01/09 MLW 9-2 W 8.0 1 1 4 1 2 1 -185 -175 9.5-110 10.0-110
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
4/12/09 PHI 5-7 6.0 3 3 7 1 2 0 -140 -135 10.5-110 10.0-120
8/06/09 at PHI 1-3 L 5.0 3 3 7 0 0 1 -180 -167 8.5-110 8.5-115

Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
10/01/09 MLW 1.0 1 1 9.00 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10/02/09 at LA 3.0 2 2 6.00 3 1 3 1 0 0 1 0
10/03/09 at LA 5.0 5 5 9.00 9 3 5 0 0 0 0 0
10/04/09 at LA 4.0 1 1 2.25 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0
10/07/09 at PHI 3.0 0 0 0.00 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0



Home Pitcher

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES -- HAMELS,COLE (L)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 15 3 6 88.1 111 50 49 20 65 4.99 0 3 3 3 2 5 1 1
Home 17 7 5 105.1 95 45 44 23 103 3.76 0 3 7 2 0 0 7 5
Total 32 10 11 193.2 206 95 93 43 168 4.32 0 6 10 5 2 5 8 6
2009 BULLPEN FOR HAMELS,COLE
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
30 97.1 53 50 4.62 104 49 64 8 6 5 7 6
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
9/11/09 NYM 4-2 W 6.2 1 1 7 1 6 0 -270 -270 8.5-110 8.5-120
9/17/09 WAS 4-2 W 8.0 1 1 5 1 10 0 -300 -300 9.0-110 9.0-120
9/23/09 at FLO 6-7 7.0 4 4 8 0 4 2 +160 +135 8.5-105 8.5-105
9/28/09 HOU 2-8 L 6.2 6 6 9 3 5 0 -300 -300 8.5-120 9.0-110
10/03/09 FLO 3-4 L 3.0 3 3 3 2 2 0 -200 -220 8.5-120 8.5-130
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
4/10/09 at COL 3-10 L 3.2 7 7 11 1 1 1 +135 +120 9.0-110 9.5-110

Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
9/30/09 HOU 5.0 0 0 0.00 2 1 4 0 1 0 0 0
10/01/09 HOU 3.1 1 1 2.70 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10/02/09 FLO 3.0 2 2 6.00 5 1 3 0 0 0 0 0
10/03/09 FLO 6.0 1 1 1.50 3 2 5 0 0 0 0 0
10/04/09 FLO 8.0 4 4 4.50 7 6 7 0 1 0 0 0


**********************************************************************************

NL Matchup - St. Louis vs. Los Angeles

St. Louis Cardinals (91-71) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67)
Game One Los Angeles 5, St. Louis 3
Game Two Thursday, October 8th - St. Louis at Los Angeles, 6:07 p.m.
Game Three Saturday, October 10th - Los Angeles at St. Louis, 6:07 p.m.
*Game Four Sunday, October 11th - Los Angeles at St. Louis, TBA
*Game Five Tuesday, October 13th - St. Louis at Los Angeles, TBA
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 5-2 (3-1 at StL; 2-1 at LA)
2008 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 4-2 (2-1 at StL; 2-1 at LA)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Tied 3-3 (StL 2-1 at Home; 1-2 at LA)
2006 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 7-0 (4-0 at StL; 3-0 at LA)
Home Record St. Louis 46-35; Los Angeles 50-31
Away Record St. Louis 45-36; Los Angeles 45-36
Current Streak St. Louis (L3); Los Angeles (W2)
Record vs. Western Division St. Louis 19-15
Record vs. Central Division Los Angeles 22-19
2009 Meetings
7/27 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at StL - WP: C.Carpenter; LP: Ra.Wolf)
7/28 - St. Louis, 10-0 (at StL - WP: Wainwright; LP: Billingsley)
7/29 - St. Louis, 3-2 (15) (at StL - WP: Hawksworth; LP: Jef.Weaver)
7/30 - Los Angeles, 5-3 (10) (at StL - WP: McDonald; LP: D.Reyes)
8/17 - St. Louis, 3-2 (at LA - WP: C.Carpenter; LP: Haeger)
8/18 - Los Angeles, 7-3 (at LA - WP: Billingsley; LP: Boggs)
8/19 - St. Louis, 3-2 (at LA - WP: McClellan; LP: Broxton)
2008 Meetings
5/23 - St. Louis, 2-1 (at LA - WP: Wainwright; LP: D.Lowe)
5/24 - St. Louis, 4-0 (at LA - WP: Lohse; LP: Penny)
5/25 - Los Angeles, 4-3 (10) (at LA - WP: Saito; LP: Parisi)
8/05 - St. Louis, 6-4 (11) (at StL - WP: Ja.Garcia; LP: Jas.Johnson)
8/06 - St. Louis, 9-6 (at StL - WP: Pineiro; LP: D.Lowe)
8/07 - Los Angeles, 4-1 (at StL - WP: Kershaw; LP: Lohse)
2007 Meetings
5/14 - St. Louis, 8-4 (at LA - WP: B.Thompson; LP: Tomko)
5/15 - Los Angeles, 9-7 (at LA - WP: D.Lowe; LP: Wainwright)
5/16 - Los Angeles, 5-4 (at LA - WP: Ra.Wolf; LP: K.Wells)
8/10 - Los Angeles, 2-1 (at StL - WP: Beimel; LP: Wainwright)
8/11 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: D.Lowe)
8/12 - St. Louis, 12-2 (at StL - WP: An.Reyes; LP: M.Hendrickson)
2006 Meetings
7/13 - St. Louis, 3-2 (14) (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: Od.Perez)
7/14 - St. Louis, 5-0 (at StL - WP: Carpenter; LP: D.Lowe)
7/15 - St. Louis, 2-1 (10) (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: Baez)
7/16 - St. Louis, 11-3 (at StL - WP: An.Reyes; LP: Penny)
7/21 - St. Louis, 2-0 (at LA - WP: Suppan; LP: Penny)
7/22 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at LA - WP: Jef.Weaver; LP: Sele)
7/23 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at LA - WP: Marquis; LP: Billingsley)
St. Louis last 11 games Los Angeles last 11 games
9/23 - L at Houston, 0-3 9/24 - W at Washington, 7-6
9/25 - L at Colorado, 1-2 9/25 - L at Pittsburgh, 1-3
9/26 - W at Colorado, 6-3 9/26 - W at Pittsburgh, 8-4
9/27 - L at Colorado, 3-4 9/27 - L at Pittsburgh, 5-6
9/29 - L at Cincinnati, 2-7 9/28 - L at Pittsburgh, 1-11
9/30 - L at Cincinnati, 1-6 9/29 - L at San Diego, 1-3
10/1 - W at Cincinnati, 13-0 9/30 - L at San Diego, 0-5
10/2 - L vs. Milwaukee, 6-12 10/2 - L vs. Colorado, 3-4
10/3 - L vs. Milwaukee, 4-5 10/3 - W vs. Colorado, 5-0
10/4 - L vs. Milwaukee, 7-9 (10) 10/4 - W vs. Colorado, 5-3
10/7 - L at Los Angeles, 3-5 (POFF) 10/7 - W vs. St. Louis, 5-3 (POFF)

 

[Lumi]

Preview: Rockies at Phillies

Preview: Rockies at Phillies

Preview: Rockies at Phillies
Current Conditions - Philadelphia
SUNNY 50 ?F
Wind: W 6
5-Day Forecast GAME: Colorado Rockies (92-71) at Philadelphia Phillies (94-69)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 08 - 2:35 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: 150, -160 TOTAL: 8.5


Quick Hits
Batting

The Philadelphia Phillies are ranked 1 in hitting, with a batting average of .375. The Phillies are averaging 5.0 runs per game this season with an OPS of .943.

The Colorado Rockies are ranked 6 in hitting, with a batting average of .188. The Rockies are averaging 1.0 runs per game this season with an OPS of .469.

Pitching


The Philadelphia Phillies are ranked 2 in pitching, with an earned run average of 1.00. Opponents are hitting .188 for average, and have a .188 on base percentage and .188 OPS against the Phillies this season.


The Colorado Rockies are ranked 4 in pitching, with an earned run average of 5.62. Opponents are hitting .375 for average, and have a .412 on base percentage and .375 OPS against the Rockies this season.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Colorado Rockies (0-1) at Philadelphia Phillies (1-0), 2:37 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Aaron Cook (11-6, 4.16) Philadelphia - Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32)

World Series MVP Cole Hamels hopes to put an inconsistent regular season behind him this afternoon when the Philadelphia Phillies try to take a two games to none lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.

Hamels, who was 4-0 with a 1.80 earned run average in five postseason starts a year ago, was never really able to get it going this season and posted a 10-11 mark to go along with a 4.32 ERA.

The 25-year-old hurler also ended his campaign on a sour note, losing his last two starts, while surrendering 13 runs in 16 2/3 innings of his final three starts.

Hamels' lone playoff loss, though, came at the hands of the Rockies in the 2007 NLDS. He was also hammered by them in his first start of the year, giving up seven runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Hamels has also been outspoken about the start time for today's game, noting that the Phillies should have been given more respect considering they are the defending world champions.

"In being the defending world champs, I think it's kind of a little weird that we kind of get both games at 2:00," Hamels said. "I don't think it's fair. I definitely don't think it's fair for the fans, because this is all about the home-field advantage or just baseball in general."

Hamels has also struggled mightily in his nine starts during the day, going 0-6 with a 5.44 ERA.

The Phillies can only hope for the same type of effort from Hamels that they received from Cliff Lee in Wednesday's opener. Lee took a shutout into the ninth inning in his first career postseason start and Raul Ibanez collected two hits and knocked in two runs, lifting the Phillies to a 5-1 win.

Lee (1-0) scattered six hits and one run over his complete-game victory, striking out five without issuing a walk.

The left-hander also retired 16 consecutive batters from the second inning until the seventh en route to becoming the first Phillies starter to pitch a complete game in the playoffs since Curt Schilling during Game 5 of the 1993 World Series.

Ryan Howard finished 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Phillies, who reeled off their fourth consecutive playoff victory dating back to the 2008 Fall Classic. Jayson Werth went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple and scored twice while Carlos Ruiz added a run-scoring hit.

Troy Tulowitzki's two-out ninth-inning RBI double provided the lone run for the Rockies, who are playing in their first playoff series since getting swept in the 2007 World Series.

"Well, he got really good as the game went along, to the point where, by the third inning, I don't know if he missed a spot," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy of his club's difficulty facing the reigning AL Cy Young winner. "We certainly didn't have many good swings off of him beyond that point and we really didn't get too many good pitches to swing at."

Ubaldo Jimenez (0-1) was rocked for nine hits and five runs over five-plus innings in defeat, fanning four with one walk.

In a perfect world the Rockies would have 16-game winner Jorge De La Rosa on the hill today, but the left-hander injured his groin in his last start on Saturday and was left off the roster for this series.

So instead it will be veteran Aaron Cook, who missed most of September with a shoulder injury. Cook, though, returned late in the year and was 1-0 in his last two starts, yielding one earned run in those outings. He finished the season 11-6 with a 4.16 ERA.

"I think the first game I had a little bit of rust, walked a few guys," Cook said. "But after I got past that, I knew my arm was healthy and it was just a matter of trusting that it was healthy and going out there and making my pitches.

Cook, though, is just 1-5 lifetime against the Phillies with a 5.85 ERA in nine games, eight of which have been starts.

"You definitely want to be up one-zero," noted Phils outfielder Shane Victorino. "No one wants to play from behind. We just have to get to Cook early, and if Cole does his thing from last season, we'll be in pretty good shape."

Philadelphia, which has won eight straight postseason games at home, won four of six from the Rockies this season.

 

[Lumi]

Trends - Colorado at Philadelphia

Trends - Colorado at Philadelphia

Trends - Colorado at Philadelphia

W/L Trends

Colorado

Rockies are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. National League East.
Rockies are 5-2 in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Rockies are 11-5 in their last 16 Thursday games.
Rockies are 5-11 in their last 16 road games.
Rockies are 4-9 in their last 13 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Rockies are 2-5 in their last 7 during game 2 of a series.
Rockies are 3-8 in their last 11 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Rockies are 7-19 in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Rockies are 4-11 in their last 15 games as a road underdog.
Rockies are 4-11 in their last 15 vs. a team with a winning record.
Rockies are 4-12 in their last 16 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Rockies are 5-17 in their last 22 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Rockies are 1-5 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rockies are 1-7 in their last 8 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Rockies are 1-7 in their last 8 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rockies are 0-5 in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.
Rockies are 0-5 in their last 5 playoff games.
Rockies are 5-1 in Cooks last 6 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Rockies are 5-1 in Cooks last 6 Thursday starts.
Rockies are 4-1 in Cooks last 5 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Rockies are 6-2 in Cooks last 8 road starts.
Rockies are 5-2 in Cooks last 7 starts as an underdog.
Rockies are 9-4 in Cooks last 13 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Rockies are 11-5 in Cooks last 16 starts.
Rockies are 11-5 in Cooks last 16 starts on grass.
Rockies are 2-5 in Cooks last 7 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rockies are 7-20 in Cooks last 27 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Rockies are 2-8 in Cooks last 10 starts during game 2 of a series.


Philadelphia

Phillies are 7-0 in their last 7 playoff games as a favorite.
Phillies are 8-0 in their last 8 playoff home games.
Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff games.
Phillies are 8-1 in their last 9 vs. National League West.
Phillies are 4-1 in their last 5 Divisional Playoff games.
Phillies are 41-14 in their last 55 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Phillies are 31-11 in their last 42 games as a home favorite.
Phillies are 46-17 in their last 63 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Phillies are 20-8 in their last 28 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Phillies are 17-7 in their last 24 home games.
Phillies are 7-3 in their last 10 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Phillies are 9-4 in their last 13 Thursday games.
Phillies are 57-27 in their last 84 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Phillies are 67-32 in their last 99 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Phillies are 63-31 in their last 94 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Phillies are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 2 of a series.
Phillies are 6-0 in Hamels' last 6 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Phillies are 10-2 in Hamels' last 12 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Phillies are 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts vs. National League West.
Phillies are 9-3 in Hamels' last 12 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Phillies are 15-5 in Hamels' last 20 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Phillies are 9-3 in Hamels' last 12 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Phillies are 15-5 in Hamels' last 20 starts as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Phillies are 26-9 in Hamels' last 35 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Phillies are 5-2 in Hamels' last 7 Thursday starts.
Phillies are 26-12 in Hamels' last 38 starts during game 2 of a series.
Phillies are 3-8 in Hamels' last 11 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Phillies are 1-4 in Hamels' last 5 starts following an outing of less than 4 innings in his last appearance.
Phillies are 1-5 in Hamels' last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Phillies are 1-5 in Hamels' last 6 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.


OU Trends

Colorado

Under is 4-0-1 in Rockies last 5 games as an underdog.
Under is 3-0-1 in Rockies last 4 games as a road underdog.
Over is 5-1 in Rockies last 6 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Rockies last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Rockies last 5 playoff road games.
Over is 4-1 in Rockies last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-1 in Rockies last 6 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 4-1 in Rockies last 5 games following a loss.
Under is 20-6-3 in Rockies last 29 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Under is 3-1-1 in Rockies last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Rockies last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Rockies last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Rockies last 5 road games.
Under is 17-6-3 in Rockies last 26 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Under is 5-2 in Rockies last 7 vs. National League East.
Under is 5-2-1 in Rockies last 8 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 5-2-1 in Rockies last 8 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 7-3 in Rockies last 10 playoff games.
Over is 5-1-1 in Cooks last 7 Thursday starts.
Over is 5-1-1 in Cooks last 7 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-1 in Cooks last 5 starts during game 2 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Cooks last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-2 in Cooks last 6 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Cooks last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-2-1 in Cooks last 9 starts vs. National League East.
Over is 3-1-1 in Cooks last 5 starts as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Under is 20-7-5 in Cooks last 32 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 8-3-1 in Cooks last 12 starts as a road underdog.
Over is 13-5-1 in Cooks last 19 road starts.
Over is 10-4 in Cooks last 14 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.


Philadelphia

Under is 4-0 in Phillies last 4 vs. National League West.
Under is 6-0 in Phillies last 6 Divisional Playoff games.
Under is 7-0 in Phillies last 7 playoff games as a favorite.
Over is 8-1-1 in Phillies last 10 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Under is 6-1-1 in Phillies last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-1-1 in Phillies last 7 playoff games.
Over is 5-1 in Phillies last 6 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-2-1 in Phillies last 12 games as a favorite.
Over is 9-2-1 in Phillies last 12 overall.
Over is 9-2-1 in Phillies last 12 on grass.
Under is 4-1 in Phillies last 5 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 8-2-1 in Phillies last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Phillies last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 4-1 in Phillies last 5 Divisional Playoff home games.
Over is 6-2 in Phillies last 8 games following a win.
Under is 3-1-1 in Phillies last 5 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Over is 5-2 in Phillies last 7 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2-1 in Phillies last 8 playoff home games.
Under is 12-5-1 in Phillies last 18 home games.
Under is 11-5-1 in Phillies last 17 games as a home favorite.
Under is 13-6-1 in Phillies last 20 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-0 in Hamels' last 4 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Hamels' last 7 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 8-2 in Hamels' last 10 starts overall.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts as a home favorite.
Under is 12-3-1 in Hamels' last 16 Thursday starts.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 home starts.
Under is 8-2 in Hamels' last 10 starts on grass.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts during game 2 of a series.
Under is 8-2 in Hamels' last 10 starts as a favorite.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 16-7-2 in Hamels' last 25 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.


Head to Head

Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia.
Rockies are 2-10 in the last 12 meetings.
Rockies are 1-5 in Cooks last 6 starts vs. Phillies.
Rockies are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in Philadelphia.


Umpire Trends - Bob Davidson

Over is 4-1 in Davidsons last 5 games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Davidsons last 5 Thursday games behind home plate.
Phillies are 6-2 in their last 8 games with Davidson behind home plate.
Under is 9-3 in Davidsons last 12 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Home team is 11-4 in Davidsons last 15 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.


********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************


Bob Davidson - Colorado at Philadelphia

Bob Davidson Umpire G W/L Avg Pit Str. B Str.% SO BB K/BB HR O/U
Bob Davidson 40 18-22 9.85 289 185 105 63.9 13.4 6.4 2.10 2.36 19-17


Last 10 GamesDate Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
10/01/09 PHI 3 - HOU 5 C. Lee F. Paulino -/- Road -
09/27/09 CLE 9 - BAL 0 D. Huff C. Tillman -127/9.5 Home U
09/23/09 PIT 2 - CIN 12 K. Hart H. Bailey 114/8.5 Road O
09/19/09 LA 12 - SF 1 J. Garland B. Penny -137/8 Home O
09/11/09 MIN 5 - OAK 12 N. Blackburn C. Mortensen -203/9.5 Road O
09/06/09 TOR 14 - NYY 8 B. Tallet S. Mitre 137/10.5 Home O
09/02/09 MIN 2 - CHW 4 B. Duensing M. Buehrle 131/8.5 Road U
08/29/09 BAL 3 - CLE 5 C. Tillman J. Sowers -110/10 Road U
08/26/09 BOS 3 - CHW 2 T. Wakefield G. Floyd -133/10 Home U
08/21/09 ATL 3 - FLA 5 J. Vazquez A. Sanchez -209/8 Road P
vs. RockiesDate Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
05/21/09 ATL 0 - COL 9 K. Medlen A. Cook -140/9 Road P
08/02/08 FLA 5 - COL 3 R. Nolasco V. De Los Santos -162/9.5 Home U
05/05/08 COL 5 - STL 6 U. Jimenez J. Pineiro -139/10.5 Road O
04/16/08 SD 2 - COL 10 J. Germano M. Redman -137/8.5 Road O
08/06/07 COL 6 - MIL 2 J. Fogg C. Vargas -121/10.5 Home U
05/09/07 STL 9 - COL 2 A. Wainwright J. Hirsh -131/8 Home O
03/28/07 CHC 4 - COL 4 M. Prior A. Cook -124/- -
09/04/06 SD 7 - COL 5 W. Williams J. Fogg -154/8.5 Home O
05/20/06 COL 5 - TOR 1 J. Francis T. Taubenheim -131/11 Home U
08/31/05 SF 5 - COL 3 K. Correia J. Francis -150/8.5 Home U
vs. Aaron Cook(R)Date Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
05/21/09 ATL 0 - COL 9 K. Medlen A. Cook -140/9 Road P
03/28/07 CHC 4 - COL 4 M. Prior A. Cook -124/- -
vs. PhilliesDate Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
10/01/09 PHI 3 - HOU 5 C. Lee F. Paulino -/- Road -
06/28/09 TOR 4 - PHI 5 B. Tallet J. Moyer -143/9.5 Road U
05/13/09 PHI 2 - LA 9 J. Moyer R. Wolf -103/10 Road O
09/27/08 PHI 4 - WAS 3 J. Moyer J. Lannan -236/9.5 Home U
07/26/08 PHI 10 - ATL 9 C. Hamels M. Hampton -270/9 Home O
05/13/08 PHI 5 - ATL 4 K. Kendrick J. Reyes -137/10 Home U
07/24/07 PHI 4 - WAS 3 K. Kendrick J. Bergmann -155/10 Home U
09/23/06 PHI 8 - FLA 6 J. Lieber B. Moehler -201/10.5 Home O
08/06/06 NYM 8 - PHI 1 J. Maine S. Mathieson -150/9.5 Home U
06/24/06 BOS 5 - PHI 3 C. Schilling B. Myers -181/10 Home U
vs. Cole Hamels(R)Date Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
07/26/08 PHI 10 - ATL 9 C. Hamels M. Hampton -270/9 Home O

 

[Lumi]

Thursday?s best mound matchup

Thursday?s best mound matchup

Thursday?s best mound matchup

Wainwright vs. Kershaw

Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63 ERA), St. Louis Cardinals

Wainwright closed out the regular season on a bit of a sour note. He had a chance to become the Major?s only 20-game winner, but fell short in a six-inning, three-run outing.

The Brewers won the game but Wainwright?s stuff was impressive as always. He sat down eight Milwaukee batters against just two walks.

And of course we can?t forget how instrumental the hurler was for the Cards during their postseason run in 2006. Wainwright didn?t allow a run in nine different playoff appearances as St. Louis? rookie closer.

The Cards won the World Series that year in large part because Wainwright was able to close the door each time in the ninth inning.

Still, Cards supporters have noticed their team?s 1-3 record over the big righty?s last four starts.

Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79 ERA), Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers star prospect didn?t suffer any type of sophomore slump. He was the team?s most consistent starting arm throughout the season. That said, you?ve got to figure starting a 21-year-old kid in Game 2 of a best-of-five playoff series is giving Dodgers manager Joe Torre the heebie-jeebies.

Kershaw hasn?t won a game since mid-July and he?s only a few appearances removed from a stint on the 15-day DL. He?s got great stuff and he only surrendered two runs in 12 innings since coming back from injury.

If the lefty does struggle, Torre has some veteran long relief options in his bullpen.

 

[Lumi]

Thursday's best MLB bets

Thursday's best MLB bets

Thursday's best MLB bets

Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels (+100, 8)

Starting the playoffs on the right foot is a task the Los Angeles Angels have avoided in the last decade. The Halos are 0-4 in Game 1 of an ALDS going back to 2002, when they overcame an opening loss to roll all the way to a World Series title. They?ve been outscored 29-11 in Game 1s over this span.

In 2002, Los Angeles fell 8-5 to Roger Clemens and the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS. After missing the playoffs in 2003, the Angels dropped the 2004 postseason opener, 9-3, to Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox and were eventually swept in three games. The following year, they were stumped 4-2 by Mike Mussina and the Yankees at home in Game 1 of the ALDS.

The last two seasons, Los Angeles has lost both opening games of the Divisional Series to the Red Sox. And both times, Thursday?s starter John Lackey has been on the mound. In 2007, Lackey went six inning and gave up four runs ? getting outpitched by Boston?s Josh Beckett, who put up a complete-game shutout.

Last year, Lackey pitched just under seven innings, giving up two earned runs and one home run. But again he was outdone by the Red Sox?s starter, Jon Lester, who went seven shutout innings and gave Boston its first win of a four-game series victory.

Lackey and Lester face off again in Anaheim Thursday night. And if history has anything to say about it, Boston should be up 1-0 heading into Friday?s Game 2.

Pick: Boston -110

 

[Lumi]

DUNKEL INDEX MLB 08 OCT 09

DUNKEL INDEX MLB 08 OCT 09

Today's MLB Picks

Boston at LA Angels

The Red Sox look to build on their 7-2 record in their last 9 playoff road games. Boston is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Sox favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-120). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8

Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST
Game 957-958: Colorado at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 15.007; Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.812
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-150); Over

Game 959-960: St. Louis at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.123; LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.657
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 961-962: Boston at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 16.907; LA Angels (Lackey) 15.821
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-120); Over

 

[Lumi]

Preview: Cardinals (91-71) at Dodgers (95-67)

Preview: Cardinals (91-71) at Dodgers (95-67)

Preview: Cardinals (91-71) at Dodgers (95-67)


Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: October 08, 2009 6:07 PM EDT

Los Angeles managed to get the best of St. Louis' ace in Game 1 of its NL Division Series, but the Dodgers still have a daunting task at hand.

The Dodgers look to extend their series lead when they face Adam Wainwright and the visiting Cardinals on Thursday afternoon.

Los Angeles didn't waste any time putting pressure on Cy Young Award candidate Chris Carpenter in its 5-3, series-opening victory Wednesday.

Matt Kemp hit a two-run, first-inning homer to highlight a 12-hit effort for the Dodgers, who handed Carpenter his first career loss against them after reaching him for four runs in five innings.


We're just happy that we got the win,' said Manny Ramirez, who went 1 for 4 and is batting .483 in nine postseason games for the Dodgers. "So let's see what happens. We still got two more to go.'

Rafael Furcal added three hits with an RBI for Los Angeles, which was outscored 31-19 while going 2-5 against St. Louis during the regular season. Furcal is batting .438 against Wainwright, who led the NL in wins, finishing 19-8 with a 2.63 ERA.

Wainwright will make his first postseason appearance since closing out the Cardinals' 4-2 World Series-clinching victory in Game 5 against Detroit in 2006. The right-hander is the first pitcher since Bob Welch in 1981 for the Dodgers to save a World Series game and then draw a starting assignment in his return to the playoffs

Only once this season when Carpenter and Wainwright started back-to-back did St. Louis lose both games.

"(We'll) try to do the same thing we did against Carpenter - work him, try to get to that bullpen and get a win," said Kemp. "We've still got our work cut out for us."

Wainwright is 44-23 with a 3.14 ERA in three seasons as a starter for the Cardinals.

"It took me the first half of '07 to sort of find out what kind of pitcher I was as a starter, what was my identity,' said Wainwright, who went 7-1 with a 2.29 ERA in his last 11 contests. "What works best for me is taking a reliever mentality out there to start and get the guy out as fast as I can get him out as many times as I can do it.'

Wainwright is 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA in five starts against the Dodgers, including 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two this season.

"Well, I'm not going to put too much stock into that," he said. "So I've had success against them because I went out and executed pitches."

The Dodgers counter with Clayton Kershaw, who makes his first postseason start. The 21-year-old left-hander allowed one run over two innings of relief spanning two appearances against Philadelphia in last year's NL Championship Series.

"I'll probably be nervous for sure. I'm nervous every time I pitch," Kershaw said. "I think it's how you handle the nerves, how you channel it, how you can use it to your advantage sometimes."

Kershaw went 8-8 with a 2.82 ERA in 30 starts this season, but is 0-3 despite a 2.60 ERA in his last 11 since beating Houston on July 18. The culprit has been virtually non-existent support from his offense. The Dodgers have supported Kershaw with 1.54 average runs in his last 11 outings, including one total run in his four starts since the beginning of September.

He is 1-0 with a 1.82 ERA in four career starts against the Cardinals.

Albert Pujols - a career .318 hitter in the postseason - is 4 for 7 against Kershaw, but went 0 for 3 with a pair of intentional walks Wednesday as St. Louis stranded 14 runners.

The offensive struggles have been common of late for the Cardinals, who scored three runs or fewer in 12 of their 17 games to close September.

"We've just got to keep battling," said St. Louis' Ryan Ludwick, who had two hits with an RBI, but left the bases loaded in the fourth inning.

Cardinals third baseman Mark DeRosa had three hits and drove in a run in the ninth - the only run allowed by five Los Angeles relievers over 5 1/3 innings.

 

[Lumi]

Cardinals vs Dodgers

Cardinals vs Dodgers

Cardinals vs Dodgers

Game Time: 6:05 p.m. ET

Stadium: Dodger Stadium Surface: Grass






St Louis
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/25/09 At Col 1-2 N/g +155 +135 8.5+100 8.5-115 Carpenter,ch L U
9/26/09 At Col 6-3 N/g -105 -130 8.5-110 8.0-120 Wainwright,a W O
9/27/09 At Col 3-4 D/g -200 -200 9.5+100 9.5+100 Lohse,ky L U
9/29/09 At Cin 2-7 N/t +115 +110 9.0-105 8.5-105 Pineiro,jo L O
9/30/09 At Cin 1-6 N/t +100 -113 8.5+105 8.5+100 Smoltz,jo L U
10/01/09 At Cin 13-0 D/t +165 +165 7.5-110 8.0+100 Carpenter,ch W O
10/02/09 Mlw 6-12 N/g -180 -200 8.0-120 8.0-115 Wainwright,a L O
10/03/09 Mlw 4-5 D/g -145 -145 9.0-120 9.0-125 Lohse,ky L P
10/04/09 Mlw 7-9 D/g -170 -170 9.0-110 9.0-110 Pineiro,jo L O
10/07/09 At La 3-5 N/g +140 +125 7.0-110 7.0+105 Carpenter,ch L O
Los Angeles D
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/25/09 At Pit 1-3 N/g +175 +185 9.0+100 9.0-110 Garland,jo L U
9/26/09 At Pit 8-4 N/g +165 +160 8.5-120 8.0-110 Wolf,ra W O
9/27/09 At Pit 5-6 D/g +185 +170 8.5-110 8.5+100 Kershaw,cl L O
9/28/09 At Pit 1-11 D/g +155 +155 8.5-110 8.5+100 Kuroda,hi L O
9/29/09 At Sd 1-3 N/g +145 +148 8.0-110 8.0-105 Billingsley L U
9/30/09 At Sd 0-5 N/g +130 +115 7.5+100 7.5-105 Garland,jo L U
10/02/09 Col 3-4 N/g -130 -107 7.5+100 7.0-120 Wolf,ra L P
10/03/09 Col 5-0 N/g -135 -135 7.5-120 7.5-105 Kershaw,cl W U
10/04/09 Col 5-3 D/g +115 +115 8.5+100 8.5+100 Padilla,vi W U
10/07/09 Stl 5-3 N/g +140 +125 7.0-110 7.0+105 Wolf,ra W O



Head-To-Head

Head-To-Head
Date Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Winner Dec O/U
8/06/08 La 9-6 N/g +105 +120 9.0+100 8.5-120 Pineiro,jo W O
8/07/08 La 1-4 D/g -120 -130 8.5-120 8.5-110 Kershaw,cl L U
7/27/09 La 6-1 N/g -155 -160 7.5-120 7.5-120 Carpenter,ch W U
7/28/09 La 10-0 N/g -130 -115 7.5-130 7.5-120 Wainwright,a W O
7/29/09 La 3-2 N/g -110 -110 8.0-110 8.0-115 Hawksworth,b W U
7/30/09 La 3-5 N/g -120 +102 9.0+100 9.0-105 Mcdonald,ja L U
8/17/09 Stl 2-3 N/g +148 +140 7.5+100 7.5-125 Carpenter,ch L U
8/18/09 Stl 7-3 N/g -168 -190 8.0-130 8.5-105 Billingsley W O
8/19/09 Stl 2-3 N/g -127 -127 7.0-125 7.5+105 Mcclellan,ky L U
10/07/09 Stl 5-3 N/g +140 +125 7.0-110 7.0+105 Weaver,je W O



W/L Record Comparison

St Louis
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 46-35 -616 45-37 +562 91-72 -54
Last 10 0-3 -515 2-5 -380 2-8 -895
Los Angeles D
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 51-31 +270 45-36 +555 96-67 +825
Last 10 3-1 +233 1-5 -728 4-6 -495
RECORDS
Day Night Grass Turf Fav Dog
St Louis 28-30 63-42 86-65 5-7 66-50 20-19
Los Angeles 27-17 69-50 92-65 4-2 68-46 25-20



Over/Under Comparison
(Based on taking the Over)

St Louis
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 31-47 -2085 38-36 -205 69-83 -2290
Last 10 2-0 +200 4-3 +85 6-3 +285
Los Angeles D
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 34-41 -1070 39-38 -425 73-79 -1495
Last 10 1-2 -105 3-3 -20 4-5 -125



Away Pitcher

ST LOUIS CARDINALS -- WAINWRIGHT,ADAM (R)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 15 12 1 101.0 111 40 38 28 87 3.39 3 1 9 0 12 1 0 0
Home 19 7 7 132.0 105 35 30 38 125 2.05 2 2 5 5 7 7 0 0
Total 34 19 8 233.0 216 75 68 66 212 2.63 5 3 14 5 19 8 0 0
2009 BULLPEN FOR WAINWRIGHT,ADAM
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
33 73.0 42 38 4.68 65 39 58 9 4 3 11 4
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
9/09/09 at MLW 5-1 W 7.0 0 0 5 1 6 0 +180 +175 8.0-120 8.5-120
9/15/09 FLO 1-2 L 7.0 2 2 7 1 8 1 -230 -240 8.0-110 8.0-125
9/20/09 CHC 3-6 7.0 3 2 5 2 10 0 -150 -155 7.5+100 7.5+105
9/26/09 at COL 6-3 W 8.0 3 2 10 1 11 1 -105 -130 8.5-110 8.0-120
10/02/09 MLW 6-12 6.0 3 3 5 2 8 0 -180 -200 8.0-120 8.0-115
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
5/23/08 at LA 2-1 W 7.0 1 1 5 2 5 0 -125 -120 8.5+100 8.0-105
7/28/09 LA 10-0 W 8.0 0 0 8 1 5 0 -130 -115 7.5-130 7.5-120
8/19/09 at LA 3-2 7.0 2 2 4 1 3 2 -127 -127 7.0-125 7.5+105

Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
10/01/09 at CIN 4.0 0 0 0.00 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
10/02/09 MLW 3.0 9 5 15.00 7 4 2 0 0 0 0 1
10/03/09 MLW 3.0 0 0 0.00 3 4 3 0 0 0 0 0
10/04/09 MLW 5.0 5 5 9.00 9 3 5 1 0 0 0 0
10/07/09 at LA 3.0 1 1 3.00 3 4 3 0 0 0 0 0



Home Pitcher

LOS ANGELES DODGERS -- KERSHAW,CLAY (L)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 14 5 4 80.2 58 35 35 43 84 3.90 3 1 2 3 5 3 0 1
Home 16 3 4 88.1 61 20 18 47 97 1.83 0 0 3 4 3 4 0 0
Total 30 8 8 169.0 119 55 53 90 181 2.82 3 1 5 7 8 7 0 1
2009 BULLPEN FOR KERSHAW,CLAY
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
30 106.1 53 50 4.23 91 47 93 10 6 8 5 3
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
8/25/09 at COL 4-5 6.1 2 2 4 1 6 1 +103 +105 9.0-105 9.5-120
8/30/09 at CIN 3-2 7.0 2 2 4 2 11 1 +150 +158 8.0-120 8.0-125
9/04/09 SD 0-2 L 6.0 2 1 4 3 3 0 -250 -310 8.0-120 8.0-120
9/27/09 at PIT 5-6 4.0 2 2 4 1 4 0 +185 +170 8.5-110 8.5+100
10/03/09 COL 5-0 6.0 0 0 3 3 10 0 -135 -135 7.5-120 7.5-105
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
5/25/08 STL 4-3 6.0 2 2 5 1 7 0 -120 -117 8.5-110 8.0-110
8/07/08 at STL 4-1 W 7.0 1 1 3 4 7 0 -120 -130 8.5-120 8.5-110
7/29/09 at STL 2-3 8.0 0 0 4 2 7 0 -110 -110 8.0-110 8.0-115
8/19/09 STL 2-3 3.2 2 2 5 4 5 0 -127 -127 7.0-125 7.5+105
Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
9/30/09 at SD 4.2 0 0 0.00 2 5 6 0 0 0 0 0
10/02/09 COL 4.0 2 2 4.50 3 2 7 1 0 0 0 0
10/03/09 COL 3.0 0 0 0.00 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
10/04/09 COL 4.0 2 2 4.50 4 1 7 0 0 0 1 0
10/07/09 STL 5.1 1 1 1.69 5 0 5 0 1 0 1 0

 

[Lumi]

Preview: Cardinals at Dodgers

Preview: Cardinals at Dodgers

Preview: Cardinals at Dodgers
Current Conditions - Los Angeles
CLEAR 52 ?F
Wind: CLM 0
5-Day Forecast GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (91-72) at Los Angeles Dodgers (96-67)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 08 - 6:05 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



Quick Hits

Batting

The Los Angeles Dodgers are ranked 2 in hitting, with a batting average of .364. The Dodgers are averaging 5.0 runs per game this season with an OPS of 1.076.

The St. Louis Cardinals are ranked 3 in hitting, with a batting average of .306. The Cardinals are averaging 3.0 runs per game this season with an OPS of .835.


Pitching

The Los Angeles Dodgers are ranked 3 in pitching, with an earned run average of 3.00. Opponents are hitting .306 for average, and have a .419 on base percentage and .306 OPS against the Dodgers this season.

The St. Louis Cardinals are ranked 5 in pitching, with an earned run average of 5.62. Opponents are hitting .364 for average, and have a .500 on base percentage and .364 OPS against the Cardinals this season.

 

[Lumi]

Trends - St. Louis at LA Dodgers

Trends - St. Louis at LA Dodgers

Trends - St. Louis at LA Dodgers


W/L Trends

St. Louis

Cardinals are 4-1 in their last 5 Divisional Playoff road games.
Cardinals are 12-3 in their last 15 Divisional Playoff games.
Cardinals are 16-5 in their last 21 Thursday games.
Cardinals are 5-2 in their last 7 playoff games.
Cardinals are 16-7 in their last 23 vs. National League West.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 road games.
Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a loss.
Cardinals are 1-7 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 games on grass.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.
Cardinals are 4-0 in Wainwrights last 4 starts vs. National League West.
Cardinals are 15-2 in Wainwrights last 17 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Cardinals are 25-4 in Wainwrights last 29 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Cardinals are 5-1 in Wainwrights last 6 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cardinals are 5-1 in Wainwrights last 6 Thursday starts.
Cardinals are 4-1 in Wainwrights last 5 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cardinals are 25-7 in Wainwrights last 32 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Cardinals are 20-6 in Wainwrights last 26 road starts.
Cardinals are 14-5 in Wainwrights last 19 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Cardinals are 19-7 in Wainwrights last 26 starts during game 2 of a series.
Cardinals are 37-15 in Wainwrights last 52 starts.
Cardinals are 37-15 in Wainwrights last 52 starts on grass.
Cardinals are 15-7 in Wainwrights last 22 starts with 5 days of rest.


LA Dodgers

Dodgers are 4-0 in their last 4 Divisional Playoff games.
Dodgers are 6-0 in their last 6 Thursday games.
Dodgers are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Dodgers are 5-1 in their last 6 home games.
Dodgers are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Dodgers are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Dodgers are 13-3 in their last 16 during game 2 of a series.
Dodgers are 8-3 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Dodgers are 7-3 in their last 10 vs. National League Central.
Dodgers are 30-14 in their last 44 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Dodgers are 6-1 in Kershaws last 7 starts during game 2 of a series.
Dodgers are 1-4 in Kershaws last 5 starts vs. National League Central.
Dodgers are 1-4 in Kershaws last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Dodgers are 2-9 in Kershaws last 11 starts.
Dodgers are 2-9 in Kershaws last 11 starts on grass.
Dodgers are 1-5 in Kershaws last 6 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Dodgers are 1-5 in Kershaws last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Dodgers are 1-5 in Kershaws last 6 home starts.
Dodgers are 1-6 in Kershaws last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Dodgers are 1-6 in Kershaws last 7 starts with 4 days of rest.


OU Trends

St. Louis

Over is 3-0-1 in Cardinals last 4 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-0-1 in Cardinals last 4 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-0-1 in Cardinals last 4 games following a loss.
Over is 4-0-1 in Cardinals last 5 overall.
Over is 4-0-1 in Cardinals last 5 on grass.
Under is 9-3 in Cardinals last 12 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 9-3 in Cardinals last 12 Divisional Playoff road games.
Under is 60-25-1 in Cardinals last 86 Thursday games.
Under is 20-9 in Cardinals last 29 playoff road games.
Under is 15-7 in Cardinals last 22 playoff games.
Under is 4-0 in Wainwrights last 4 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Wainwrights last 7 Thursday starts.
Under is 6-1 in Wainwrights last 7 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-2-2 in Wainwrights last 13 starts during game 2 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Wainwrights last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Under is 5-2-1 in Wainwrights last 8 road starts.
Under is 5-2 in Wainwrights last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Over is 7-3 in Wainwrights last 10 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.


LA Dodgers

Over is 4-0 in Dodgers last 4 vs. National League Central.
Over is 3-0-1 in Dodgers last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-0-1 in Dodgers last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-0 in Dodgers last 4 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-1-1 in Dodgers last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-1-1 in Dodgers last 8 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-1-1 in Dodgers last 8 games following a win.
Over is 5-1-1 in Dodgers last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 5-1-1 in Dodgers last 7 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Dodgers last 5 Divisional Playoff games.
Over is 4-1 in Dodgers last 5 playoff games.
Over is 10-4-2 in Dodgers last 16 overall.
Over is 10-4-2 in Dodgers last 16 on grass.
Under is 6-1 in Kershaws last 7 starts overall.
Under is 6-1 in Kershaws last 7 starts on grass.
Under is 5-1 in Kershaws last 6 Thursday starts.
Under is 5-1 in Kershaws last 6 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Kershaws last 6 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 16-5-1 in Kershaws last 22 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-2 in Kershaws last 7 home starts.


Head to HeadUnder is 4-0 in Kershaws last 4 starts vs. Cardinals.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles.
Cardinals are 36-17 in the last 53 meetings.


Umpire Trends - Brian O'Nora

Over is 4-0 in O'Noras last 4 games behind home plate.
Over is 4-0 in O'Noras last 4 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
Road team is 5-1 in O'Noras last 6 Thursday games behind home plate.
Home team is 10-4 in O'Noras last 14 games behind home plate.
Under is 5-2-1 in O'Noras last 8 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.
Home team is 5-2 in O'Noras last 7 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
Dodgers are 0-4 in their last 4 games with O'Nora behind home plate.
Dodgers are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games with O'Nora behind home plate.

 

[Lumi]

Brian O'Nora - St. Louis at LA Dodgers

Brian O'Nora - St. Louis at LA Dodgers

Brian O'Nora - St. Louis at LA Dodgers

Umpire G W/L Avg Pit Str. B Str.% SO BB K/BB HR O/U
Brian O'Nora 39 22-17 8.67 286 180 106 63.1 13.9 6.2 2.24 2.00 18-19

Last 10 GamesDate Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
10/01/09 CIN 0 - STL 13 K. Wells C. Carpenter 164/8 Road O
09/27/09 PIT 6 - LA 5 D. McCutchen C. Kershaw 167/8.5 Home O
09/22/09 TOR 6 - BAL 5 B. Tallet M. Hendrickson -134/10 Home O
09/12/09 TEX 3 - SEA 8 K. Millwood B. Morrow -180/9.5 Road O
09/06/09 KC 2 - LAA 7 L. Hochevar J. Saunders 150/9.5 Road U
09/03/09 DET 4 - CLE 3 N. Robertson F. Carmona -135/9.5 Home U
08/29/09 STL 9 - WAS 4 M. Boggs C. Stammen -165/9.5 Home O
08/23/09 CLE 6 - SEA 1 F. Carmona F. Hernandez 135/8 Home U
08/19/09 HOU 6 - FLA 3 Y. Bazardo S. West -104/9.5 Home U
08/15/09 NYM 4 - SF 5 J. Santana M. Cain -130/7 Road O
vs. CardinalsDate Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
10/01/09 CIN 0 - STL 13 K. Wells C. Carpenter 164/8 Road O
08/29/09 STL 9 - WAS 4 M. Boggs C. Stammen -165/9.5 Home O
07/26/09 PHI 9 - STL 2 J. Blanton T. Wellemeyer -158/10 Home O
05/05/09 STL 7 - PHI 10 A. Wainwright B. Myers -140/8.5 Road O
09/17/08 CIN 3 - STL 0 A. Harang T. Wellemeyer 101/9 Home U
06/30/08 STL 7 - NYM 1 K. Lohse J. Maine 102/8 Home P
06/10/07 STL 9 - LAA 6 T. Wellemeyer J. Weaver 144/9 Home O
04/28/07 STL 1 - CHC 8 A. Wainwright C. Zambrano -102/8.5 Road O
09/01/06 STL 3 - PIT 1 C. Carpenter Z. Duke -256/8 Home U
07/26/06 COL 1 - STL 6 A. Cook J. Suppan -127/9.5 Road U
vs. Adam Wainwright(R)Date Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
05/05/09 STL 7 - PHI 10 A. Wainwright B. Myers -140/8.5 Road O
04/28/07 STL 1 - CHC 8 A. Wainwright C. Zambrano -102/8.5 Road O
vs. DodgersDate Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
09/27/09 PIT 6 - LA 5 D. McCutchen C. Kershaw 167/8.5 Home O
08/20/08 LA 3 - COL 4 C. Billingsley J. Francis -194/7.5 Road U
07/23/08 COL 5 - LA 3 G. Rusch H. Kuroda 108/10.5 Home U
06/20/08 LA 4 - CLE 6 C. Kershaw C. Lee -118/8 Road O
05/21/08 LA 5 - CIN 2 H. Kuroda J. Cueto -131/8.5 Home U
05/20/08 LA 4 - CIN 1 C. Billingsley M. Belisle -171/8.5 Home U
07/04/07 LA 2 - ATL 5 M. Hendrickson C. James -110/8.5 Road U
08/27/06 ARI 3 - LA 6 L. Hernandez C. Billingsley 106/9 Road P
08/25/05 LA 4 - COL 5 B. Penny A. Cook -185/7.5 Road O
06/10/05 LA 6 - MIN 5 B. Penny J. Mays -123/7.5 Home O
vs. Clayton Kershaw(R)Date Home - Road Home Starter Road Starter Line Result O/U
09/27/09 PIT 6 - LA 5 D. McCutchen C. Kershaw 167/8.5 Home O
06/20/08 LA 4 - CLE 6 C. Kershaw C. Lee -118/8 Road O

 

[Lumi]

St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (1-0), 6:07 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (1-0), 6:07 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (1-0), 6:07 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63) Los Angeles - Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79)

National League Cy Young Award candidate Adam Wainwright tries to even the National League Division Series at a game apiece this evening when the St, Louis Cardinals continue the best-of-five set against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Wainwright led the National League with 19 wins, while pitching to a 2.63 earned run average.

The 28-year-old eighty also finished the season strong, winning seven of his final eight decisions, surrendering three earned runs or less in all but one his starts from June 26 on.

Wainwright is 2-2 lifetime against the Dodgers, but is 1-0 against them this year with a 1.20 ERA in two starts.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, will rely on 21-year-old southpaw Clayton Kershaw, who was magnificent in his last start for the Dodgers, but is still winless in his last 11 starts.

However, he has given up more than three runs just once since May 12.

"I'll probably be nervous for sure," said Kershaw, who was 8-8 this season with a 2.79 ERA. "I'm nervous every time I pitch. I think its how you handle the nerves, how you channel it, how you can use it to your advantage sometimes."

Run support has been the biggest issue for Kershaw, as the Dodgers have supplied him with just 1.54 runs-per-start in his last 11 outings, including one total run in his four starts since the beginning of September.

Kershaw has faced the Dodgers four times and is 1-0 against them with 1.82 ERA.

Los Angeles drew first blood in this series on Wednesday, as Matt Kemp belted a two-run homer and the Dodgers received a yeoman effort from the bullpen, helping them to a 5-3 win at Chavez Ravine.

Rafael Furcal collected three hits, including a triple, and knocked in a run for the Dodgers, who are back in the postseason for the third time in the last four years.

Randy Wolf, making his first career postseason appearance, gave up two runs on six hits and walked five in 3 2/3 innings. Jeff Weaver (1-0) recorded the final out in the fourth and worked around a two-out double by Colby Rasmus in the fifth to get the win.

Ronald Belisario hurled a spotless inning for Los Angeles and Hong-Chih Kuo struck out pinch-hitter Troy Glaus to strand a pair of runners in the seventh. George Sherrill, a mid-season acquisition, retired two of the three batters he faced in the eighth before he was replaced by closer Jonathan Broxton, who earned a four-out save.

Mark DeRosa went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the NL Central champion Cardinals, who have dropped nine of their last 11 games dating back to the regular season.

Chris Carpenter (0-1), the NL Comeback Player of the Year, looked like anything but a Cy Young contender for St. Louis, surrendering four runs on nine hits and walking four in five innings of work.

"Chris' command at times was not as sharp as it usually is," said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa. "It's a credit to their hitters and you have to tip your cap to them. We had a bunch of hits, we just got beat by someone who was better."

The clubs established a postseason record by stranding a combined 30 men on base -- 16 for Los Angeles -- in a nine-inning game.

St. Louis won the season series between these teams, 5-2.

 

[Lumi]

NL Matchup - St. Louis vs. Los Angeles

NL Matchup - St. Louis vs. Los Angeles

NL Matchup - St. Louis vs. Los Angeles

St. Louis Cardinals (91-71) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67)
Game One Los Angeles 5, St. Louis 3
Game Two Thursday, October 8th - St. Louis at Los Angeles, 6:07 p.m.
Game Three Saturday, October 10th - Los Angeles at St. Louis, 6:07 p.m.
*Game Four Sunday, October 11th - Los Angeles at St. Louis, TBA
*Game Five Tuesday, October 13th - St. Louis at Los Angeles, TBA
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 5-2 (3-1 at StL; 2-1 at LA)
2008 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 4-2 (2-1 at StL; 2-1 at LA)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Tied 3-3 (StL 2-1 at Home; 1-2 at LA)
2006 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 7-0 (4-0 at StL; 3-0 at LA)
Home Record St. Louis 46-35; Los Angeles 50-31
Away Record St. Louis 45-36; Los Angeles 45-36
Current Streak St. Louis (L3); Los Angeles (W2)
Record vs. Western Division St. Louis 19-15
Record vs. Central Division Los Angeles 22-19
2009 Meetings
7/27 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at StL - WP: C.Carpenter; LP: Ra.Wolf)
7/28 - St. Louis, 10-0 (at StL - WP: Wainwright; LP: Billingsley)
7/29 - St. Louis, 3-2 (15) (at StL - WP: Hawksworth; LP: Jef.Weaver)
7/30 - Los Angeles, 5-3 (10) (at StL - WP: McDonald; LP: D.Reyes)
8/17 - St. Louis, 3-2 (at LA - WP: C.Carpenter; LP: Haeger)
8/18 - Los Angeles, 7-3 (at LA - WP: Billingsley; LP: Boggs)
8/19 - St. Louis, 3-2 (at LA - WP: McClellan; LP: Broxton)
2008 Meetings
5/23 - St. Louis, 2-1 (at LA - WP: Wainwright; LP: D.Lowe)
5/24 - St. Louis, 4-0 (at LA - WP: Lohse; LP: Penny)
5/25 - Los Angeles, 4-3 (10) (at LA - WP: Saito; LP: Parisi)
8/05 - St. Louis, 6-4 (11) (at StL - WP: Ja.Garcia; LP: Jas.Johnson)
8/06 - St. Louis, 9-6 (at StL - WP: Pineiro; LP: D.Lowe)
8/07 - Los Angeles, 4-1 (at StL - WP: Kershaw; LP: Lohse)
2007 Meetings
5/14 - St. Louis, 8-4 (at LA - WP: B.Thompson; LP: Tomko)
5/15 - Los Angeles, 9-7 (at LA - WP: D.Lowe; LP: Wainwright)
5/16 - Los Angeles, 5-4 (at LA - WP: Ra.Wolf; LP: K.Wells)
8/10 - Los Angeles, 2-1 (at StL - WP: Beimel; LP: Wainwright)
8/11 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: D.Lowe)
8/12 - St. Louis, 12-2 (at StL - WP: An.Reyes; LP: M.Hendrickson)
2006 Meetings
7/13 - St. Louis, 3-2 (14) (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: Od.Perez)
7/14 - St. Louis, 5-0 (at StL - WP: Carpenter; LP: D.Lowe)
7/15 - St. Louis, 2-1 (10) (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: Baez)
7/16 - St. Louis, 11-3 (at StL - WP: An.Reyes; LP: Penny)
7/21 - St. Louis, 2-0 (at LA - WP: Suppan; LP: Penny)
7/22 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at LA - WP: Jef.Weaver; LP: Sele)
7/23 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at LA - WP: Marquis; LP: Billingsley)
St. Louis last 11 games Los Angeles last 11 games
9/23 - L at Houston, 0-3 9/24 - W at Washington, 7-6
9/25 - L at Colorado, 1-2 9/25 - L at Pittsburgh, 1-3
9/26 - W at Colorado, 6-3 9/26 - W at Pittsburgh, 8-4
9/27 - L at Colorado, 3-4 9/27 - L at Pittsburgh, 5-6
9/29 - L at Cincinnati, 2-7 9/28 - L at Pittsburgh, 1-11
9/30 - L at Cincinnati, 1-6 9/29 - L at San Diego, 1-3
10/1 - W at Cincinnati, 13-0 9/30 - L at San Diego, 0-5
10/2 - L vs. Milwaukee, 6-12 10/2 - L vs. Colorado, 3-4
10/3 - L vs. Milwaukee, 4-5 10/3 - W vs. Colorado, 5-0
10/4 - L vs. Milwaukee, 7-9 (10) 10/4 - W vs. Colorado, 5-3
10/7 - L at Los Angeles, 3-5 (POFF) 10/7 - W vs. St. Louis, 5-3 (POFF)

 

[Lumi]

Preview: Red Sox (95-67) at Angels (97-65)

Preview: Red Sox (95-67) at Angels (97-65)

Preview: Red Sox (95-67) at Angels (97-65)

Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: October 08, 2009 9:37 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - It's still not a good idea to ask Kevin Youkilis and the Red Sox about jinxes, even when it seems Boston is holding one heck of a hex over the Los Angeles Angels.

``We don't believe in curses,' Youkilis said. ``We never believed there was a curse in Boston. I don't believe there's a hex (on the Angels). It's just two teams going at it.'

Yet even Boston's slugging first baseman realizes it's tough to find an adequate explanation for Boston's playoff domination of the Angels, which began nearly a quarter-century ago with one of the worst collapses in postseason history.


When the clubs open their third consecutive first-round series Thursday night, AL West champion Los Angeles will take another crack at wild card-winning Boston, the once-bedeviled franchise that has ended three of the Angels' past five seasons.

And it hasn't even been close. The Angels have lost 12 of their last 13 postseason games against the Red Sox, including 9 of 10 over the last three series. Los Angeles hasn't even led Boston for eight total innings of those last 10 games, and the Angels' only win was a 12-inning nail-biter last season, snapping an 11-game losing streak in the matchup.

``Last year was last year,' snapped a smiling Torii Hunter, the Angels' leader and most gregarious player. ``I don't want to talk about last year. You can if you want, but I don't give a damn about last year.'

Player turnover and year-to-year injuries make most comparisons silly, yet as recently as three weeks ago, Hunter chastised his teammates for playing nervously against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Los Angeles won the season series 5-4, but six of those games were played in the season's first six weeks, before either team really got itself together for another playoff run.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia takes pleasure in debunking baseball conspiracy theories, and he doesn't believe there's anything special about the stark statistics his club has compiled against Boston.

``I don't think there is anything, really, to go back and analyze,' said Scioscia, the first manager to take a team to the playoffs six times in his first 10 seasons. ``It's a whole new set of variables, a whole new set of matchups. We know what the challenge is.'

The clubs first met in the 1986 AL championship series - ``before a lot of our guys were born,' Scioscia says. After the Angels got within one strike of a series-clinching victory in Game 5, Dave Henderson hit his long-remembered go-ahead homer in the ninth inning as Boston erased the Angels' three-run lead.

In 2004, the Sox sent the Angels packing in a first-round sweep on the way to their World Series title. John Lackey didn't pitch in that series, but the Angels' starter on Thursday night doesn't believe anything took root in his club that year.

``It's a definite challenge, but it's a new year,' Lackey said. ``I'm one of the few guys that have been here for all of them. It was different pretty much every year.'

Boston is responsible for a large chunk of Los Angeles' postseason woes, but not everything. The Angels have lost six straight home postseason games - all to teams named after hosiery, including three losses to the White Sox in the 2005 ALCS - and nine of 11 since winning the 2002 World Series.

When Jon Lester takes the mound against Lackey in Game 1, he'll be thinking more about the Angels' surging lineup than their history. Los Angeles set franchise records for runs (883), RBIs (841) and hits (1,604) with a lineup that featured nine .300 hitters as recently as mid-August.

The Angels haven't been immune to slumps, but Scioscia thinks his lineup is deeper than it's ever been. After managing just eight runs in their three losses to Boston last season, the Angels believe they're better equipped to come through in October.

Yet the Red Sox hold the knowledge they can beat the Angels in the postseason - something that matters to Lester, if not to Youkilis.

``I guess it's just an added confidence' that Boston has against the Angels, Lester said. ``I wouldn't say that in an arrogant way, but we know we've played this team well, and they play us tough. It's just that comfort level of knowing if we get in a bind, we've done it before. You just draw from that past experience.'

Aside from the looming recent history, the clubs are remarkably well matched. Both feature solid four-man starting rotations and deep lineups featuring both power and patience at the plate, allowing both managers to be creative with lineups and pinch-hitting opportunities.

Speed on the bases also is expected to pop into prominence during the series. Both clubs are among the AL's most active on the basepaths, with Jacoby Ellsbury's 70 stolen bases for Boston contrasting with the Angels' 148 team steals.

Yet in close games, a key difference could show through. The Red Sox should be able to rely on what's been a superior bullpen this season, with Billy Wagner and Daniel Bard setting up closer Jonathan Papelbon. The Red Sox also can count on Takashi Saito, Ramon Ramirez and Hideki Okajima.

The Angels' bullpen has been springing leaks since April, and not every hole is yet filled.

Although new closer Brian Fuentes led the majors with 48 saves, he's been roundly booed more than once at Angel Stadium for occasional inconsistencies. His setup men are a mixed bag, some young (rookie Kevin Jepsen), some sore (Jason Bulger, who had a cortisone shot Sunday) and some pitching better than anybody expected (39-year-old veteran Darren Oliver and 11-game winner Matt Palmer).

Although the Angels won 97 games and its third straight division title, they're still three tough-to-get victories away from really having something to celebrate.

``Whatever you do during the season doesn't matter in the postseason,' Hunter said. ``This is my sixth postseason, and I know that. ... It's not about history or division titles or who has more rings. It's about who wants it more.'

 

[Lumi]

Red Sox vs Angels

Game Time: 9:35 p.m. ET

Stadium: Angel Stadium Surface: Grass






Boston
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/25/09 At Nyy 5-9 N/g +105 +113 9.5+100 9.0-115 Lester,jo L O
9/26/09 At Nyy 0-3 D/g -200 -170 9.0+100 9.5+100 Matsuzaka,da L U
9/27/09 At Nyy 2-4 D/g -175 -185 10.5-110 10.5-120 Byrd,pa L U
9/28/09 Tor 5-11 N/g -190 -190 10.0-120 10.5-110 Bowden,mi L O
9/29/09 Tor 7-8 N/g -200 -240 9.0-110 9.0-120 Buchholz,cl L O
9/30/09 Tor 0-12 N/g +175 +150 8.5-110 8.5-120 Wakefield,ti L O
10/01/09 Cle 3-0 N/g -220 -280 9.5+100 9.5+100 Lester,jo W U
10/02/09 Cle 6-2 N/g -170 -200 10.0-110 10.0-110 Matsuzaka,da W U
10/03/09 Cle 11-6 N/g -210 -210 9.0-110 9.0-120 Beckett,jo W O
10/04/09 Cle 12-7 D/g -210 -230 10.0+100 10.0+100 Buchholz,cl W O
Los Angeles A
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/25/09 Oak 0-3 N/g -230 -220 9.0-110 9.0-110 Weaver,je L U
9/26/09 Oak 10-15 N/g -220 -230 8.5-120 9.0-120 Lackey,jo L O
9/27/09 Oak 7-4 D/g -230 -235 9.5-110 9.5-110 Saunders,jo W O
9/28/09 Tex 11-0 N/g -155 -165 9.5-110 9.5+100 Santana,er W O
9/29/09 Tex 5-2 N/g +105 +105 8.5-125 8.5-125 O'sullivan,s W U
9/30/09 Tex 5-0 N/g -140 -135 10.0-110 10.0+100 Palmer,ma W U
10/01/09 Tex 3-11 D/g -165 -160 9.0+100 9.0+100 Lackey,jo L O
10/02/09 At Oak 5-2 N/g +115 +107 8.5-110 8.5-110 Weaver,je W U
10/03/09 At Oak 4-2 D/g +125 +115 8.5-110 9.0-110 Kazmir,sc W U
10/04/09 At Oak 5-3 D/g +120 +120 9.0-110 9.0-110 Saunders,jo W U



Head-To-Head

Head-To-Head
Date Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Winner Dec O/U
7/30/08 Laa 2-9 N/g -165 -185 8.5-110 8.5-120 Saunders,jo L O
4/10/09 Bos 6-3 N/g +105 -105 9.0+100 9.0-110 Weaver,je W P
4/11/09 Bos 4-5 D/g -120 -120 8.5-120 8.5-120 Penny,br L O
4/12/09 Bos 5-4 D/g +140 +160 8.5-120 9.0-105 Moseley,du W P
5/12/09 Bos 3-4 N/g -125 -130 9.0-110 8.5-110 Ramirez,ra L U
5/13/09 Bos 8-4 N/g +110 +100 9.0-120 9.5-110 Palmer,ma W O
5/14/09 Bos 5-4 D/g -120 -130 9.0-120 9.5-105 Bulger,ja W U
9/15/09 Laa 4-1 N/g -110 +115 9.5-110 9.5-110 Matsuzaka,da W U
9/16/09 Laa 9-8 N/g -115 +110 10.0-120 10.5+100 Bard,da W O
9/17/09 Laa 3-4 N/g -155 -160 9.0-120 9.5+105 Jepsen,ke L U



W/L Record Comparison

Boston
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 56-25 +1482 39-42 -750 95-67 +732
Last 10 4-3 -130 0-3 -323 4-6 -453
Los Angeles A
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 49-32 +372 48-33 +1848 97-65 +2220
Last 10 4-3 -205 3-0 +300 7-3 +95
RECORDS
Day Night Grass Turf Fav Dog
Boston 25-21 70-46 83-54 12-13 76-41 18-22
Los Angeles 35-14 62-51 90-57 7-8 62-39 31-24



Over/Under Comparison
(Based on taking the Over)

Boston
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 40-37 -85 36-40 -780 76-77 -865
Last 10 5-2 +290 1-2 -120 6-4 +170
Los Angeles A
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 41-35 +175 40-38 -115 81-73 +60
Last 10 4-3 +65 0-3 -330 4-6 -265



Away Pitcher

BOSTON RED SOX -- LESTER,JON (L)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 18 8 5 112.0 104 48 48 36 131 3.86 2 1 6 4 5 3 3 2
Home 14 7 3 91.1 82 32 29 28 94 2.86 1 1 6 2 7 3 0 0
Total 32 15 8 203.1 186 80 77 64 225 3.41 3 2 12 6 12 6 3 2
2009 BULLPEN FOR LESTER,JON
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
30 85.1 35 35 3.69 82 51 77 11 7 2 11 3
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
9/06/09 at CWS 6-1 W 7.0 0 0 4 2 8 0 +120 +128 8.5-110 8.5-110
9/13/09 TB 4-0 W 8.0 0 0 2 3 7 0 -200 -200 9.0+100 8.5-110
9/19/09 at BAL 11-5 W 6.0 3 3 10 0 4 2 +185 +200 9.0-110 8.5-120
9/25/09 at NYY 5-9 L 2.1 5 5 8 3 3 1 +105 +113 9.5+100 9.0-115
10/01/09 CLE 3-0 W 6.1 0 0 2 1 7 0 -220 -280 9.5+100 9.5+100
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
4/23/08 LAA 4-6 5.0 4 4 9 2 1 2 -140 -140 10.5-110 10.5-125

Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
9/30/09 TOR 6.0 7 7 10.50 10 5 2 2 0 0 0 0
10/01/09 CLE 2.2 0 0 0.00 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0
10/02/09 CLE 3.0 0 0 0.00 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 0
10/03/09 CLE 4.0 2 2 4.50 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
10/04/09 CLE 6.0 1 1 1.50 3 1 6 0 1 0 0 0



Home Pitcher

LOS ANGELES ANGELS -- LACKEY,JOHN (R)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 14 5 3 90.0 89 44 38 22 71 3.80 2 0 3 3 5 2 0 1
Home 13 6 5 86.1 88 40 37 25 68 3.86 3 1 3 4 6 5 0 0
Total 27 11 8 176.1 177 84 75 47 139 3.83 5 1 6 7 11 7 0 1
2009 BULLPEN FOR LACKEY,JOHN
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
26 65.1 50 47 6.47 84 29 51 6 3 5 8 4
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
9/10/09 SEA 3-0 W 9.0 0 0 5 1 7 0 -190 -190 8.5+100 8.0-110
9/15/09 at BOS 1-4 L 7.2 3 2 8 3 6 0 -110 +115 9.5-110 9.5-110
9/20/09 at TEX 10-5 W 6.0 5 4 7 2 4 0 +125 +135 9.5+100 9.5+100
9/26/09 OAK 10-15 5.0 6 6 10 1 2 2 -220 -230 8.5-120 9.0-120
10/01/09 TEX 3-11 2.0 2 2 4 0 2 1 -165 -160 9.0+100 9.0+100
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
7/18/08 BOS 11-3 W 7.0 3 3 5 2 6 2 -150 -145 8.0-110 7.5-120
7/29/08 at BOS 6-2 W 9.0 2 2 2 2 4 1 +103 -123 9.0-125 9.0-140
9/15/09 at BOS 1-4 L 7.2 3 2 8 3 6 0 -110 +115 9.5-110 9.5-110

Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
9/30/09 TEX 4.0 0 0 0.00 0 3 6 0 0 0 0 0
10/01/09 TEX 7.0 9 6 7.71 11 4 8 0 0 0 0 0
10/02/09 at OAK 4.0 2 2 4.50 5 0 3 0 0 0 1 0
10/03/09 at OAK 4.0 2 2 4.50 2 3 5 0 0 0 1 0
10/04/09 at OAK 4.0 1 0 0.00 6 0 6 0 0 0 1 0

 

[Lumi]

Red Sox-Angels series breakdown and pick

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

Series odds: Boston -150

Pitching

Los Angeles has a slight edge when it comes to starting pitching. John Lackey has an ERA under 3.00 since the All-Star break and has been effective against the Red Sox this season, while Scott Kazmir has been excellent since being acquired from the Rays last month. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders round out the rotation.

For Boston, Josh Beckett is known as a playoff stud, but he's struggled in the second half. Jon Lester is probably the most reliable Red Sox starter right now, having lost only once in the past two months. What Boston will get from Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz or Tim Wakefield is anyone's guess.

Starting pitching gets most of the attention, but this series might be won or lost in the bullpens. Boston ranks seventh in the Majors this year in bullpen ERA, while the Angels' relief corps is ranked 24th. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is much more reliable than the Angels' Brian Fuentes.

Edge: Los Angeles

Offense

Both teams have the potential to put up runs in bunches, though they do it in different ways. Los Angeles has the highest team batting average in baseball and all of its regulars are hitting .270 or better. Torii Hunter, Kendry Morales, Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu have all driven in more than 80 runs. The Angels are also known for running the bases aggressively, ranking third in stolen bases.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox rely more on the long ball, having hit the third-most home runs in the Majors this season. Leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury led the Bigs in steals this year and, along with defending AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, sets the table for RBI men Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Victor Martinez. David Ortiz has been a forgotten man after his awful start to the year, but he still came close to 30 homers and 100 RBI this season.

Edge: Boston

Intangibles

Though the Angels have handled the Red Sox fairly well this season, they probably aren't happy to draw Boston in the opening round. The Red Sox have eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs three times in the past five years, including last season when the Angels had the league's best regular-season record.

Boston's players seem to thrive under the postseason pressure, winning two of the past five World Series, while Los Angeles has developed a reputation as a good regular-season team that folds in the playoffs. Exhibit A is Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, who has one RBI in his past 17 playoff games.

Though Los Angeles has home-field advantage, the Angels will be in tough if they lose one of the first two games and need at least one victory in Fenway Park to extend the series.

 

[Lumi]

Preview: Red Sox at Angels

Preview: Red Sox at Angels

Preview: Red Sox at Angels
Current Conditions - Anaheim
SUNNY 55 ?F
Wind: CLM 0
5-Day Forecast GAME: Boston Red Sox (95-67) at Los Angeles Angels (97-65)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 08 - 9:35 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
LINE: -105, -105 TOTAL: 8



Quick Hits

Batting

The Los Angeles Angels are ranked 0 in hitting, with a batting average of . The Angels are averaging runs per game this season with an OPS of .


The Boston Red Sox are ranked 0 in hitting, with a batting average of . The Red Sox are averaging runs per game this season with an OPS of .
Pitching

The Los Angeles Angels are ranked 0 in pitching, with an earned run average of . Opponents are hitting for average, and have a on base percentage and OPS against the Angels this season.


The Boston Red Sox are ranked 0 in pitching, with an earned run average of . Opponents are hitting for average, and have a on base percentage and OPS against the Red Sox this season.

 

[Lumi]

Trends - Boston at LA Angels

Trends - Boston at LA Angels

Trends - Boston at LA Angels


W/L Trends

Boston

Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 games on grass.
Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
Red Sox are 6-1 in their last 7 Divisional Playoff games.
Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.
Red Sox are 12-3 in their last 15 games following a win.
Red Sox are 7-2 in their last 9 playoff road games.
Red Sox are 44-14 in their last 58 games following an off day.
Red Sox are 6-2 in their last 8 Divisional Playoff road games.
Red Sox are 21-8 in their last 29 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Red Sox are 13-5 in their last 18 games as a road favorite.
Red Sox are 13-5 in their last 18 playoff games.
Red Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Red Sox are 17-7 in their last 24 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Red Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Red Sox are 37-16 in their last 53 games as a favorite.
Red Sox are 39-17 in their last 56 Thursday games.
Red Sox are 9-4 in their last 13 playoff games as a favorite.
Red Sox are 11-5 in their last 16 during game 1 of a series.
Red Sox are 2-5 in their last 7 road games.
Red Sox are 5-16 in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Red Sox are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Red Sox are 3-15 in their last 18 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Red Sox are 2-14 in their last 16 games as a road underdog.
Red Sox are 0-4 in their last 4 games as an underdog.
Red Sox are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Red Sox are 5-0 in Lesters last 5 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Red Sox are 4-0 in Lesters last 4 starts vs. American League West.
Red Sox are 4-0 in Lesters last 4 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Red Sox are 7-1 in Lesters last 8 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Red Sox are 5-1 in Lesters last 6 starts as a road favorite.
Red Sox are 5-1 in Lesters last 6 road starts.
Red Sox are 5-1 in Lesters last 6 Thursday starts.
Red Sox are 21-6 in Lesters last 27 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Red Sox are 52-16 in Lesters last 68 starts on grass.
Red Sox are 47-15 in Lesters last 62 starts as a favorite.
Red Sox are 19-7 in Lesters last 26 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Red Sox are 24-9 in Lesters last 33 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Red Sox are 13-5 in Lesters last 18 starts during game 1 of a series.
Red Sox are 5-2 in Lesters last 7 starts with 6 days of rest.
Red Sox are 40-17 in Lesters last 57 starts.
Red Sox are 37-18 in Lesters last 55 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Red Sox are 1-5 in Lesters last 6 starts as an underdog.
Red Sox are 1-5 in Lesters last 6 starts as a road underdog.


LA Angels

Angels are 7-1 in their last 8 games on grass.
Angels are 7-1 in their last 8 overall.
Angels are 7-1 in their last 8 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Angels are 7-1 in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Angels are 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Angels are 22-6 in their last 28 games as a home underdog.
Angels are 24-8 in their last 32 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Angels are 8-3 in their last 11 games following an off day.
Angels are 8-3 in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Angels are 12-5 in their last 17 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Angels are 26-11 in their last 37 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Angels are 9-4 in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Angels are 46-21 in their last 67 games following a win.
Angels are 35-16 in their last 51 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Angels are 45-21 in their last 66 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Angels are 35-17 in their last 52 Thursday games.
Angels are 2-6 in their last 8 Divisional Playoff home games.
Angels are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. American League East.
Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Angels are 1-5 in their last 6 playoff games as an underdog.
Angels are 1-6 in their last 7 Divisional Playoff games.
Angels are 1-10 in their last 11 playoff games.
Angels are 0-5 in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite.
Angels are 0-6 in their last 6 playoff home games.
Angels are 4-0 in Lackeys last 4 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Angels are 7-1 in Lackeys last 8 starts with 6 days of rest.
Angels are 18-7 in Lackeys last 25 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Angels are 10-4 in Lackeys last 14 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Angels are 39-17 in Lackeys last 56 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Angels are 38-17 in Lackeys last 55 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Angels are 42-19 in Lackeys last 61 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Angels are 3-7 in Lackeys last 10 starts during game 1 of a series.
Angels are 5-13 in Lackeys last 18 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Angels are 2-7 in Lackeys last 9 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Angels are 1-4 in Lackeys last 5 starts as an underdog.


OU Trends

Boston

Over is 4-0 in Red Sox last 4 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-0 in Red Sox last 6 games as a road favorite.
Over is 4-0 in Red Sox last 4 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-1 in Red Sox last 8 games following a win.
Over is 6-1 in Red Sox last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 5-1-2 in Red Sox last 8 Divisional Playoff road games.
Over is 10-2 in Red Sox last 12 games as a favorite.
Over is 5-1 in Red Sox last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 vs. American League West.
Under is 20-5-1 in Red Sox last 26 games as a road underdog.
Over is 16-5 in Red Sox last 21 during game 1 of a series.
Under is 6-2 in Red Sox last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 22-8-1 in Red Sox last 31 games as an underdog.
Under is 5-2 in Red Sox last 7 playoff road games.
Over is 5-2 in Red Sox last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Red Sox last 7 on grass.
Over is 7-3-1 in Red Sox last 11 Thursday games.
Under is 18-8-1 in Red Sox last 27 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 4-0 in Lesters last 4 starts as a road underdog.
Under is 4-0 in Lesters last 4 starts as an underdog.
Over is 5-1 in Lesters last 6 road starts.
Over is 5-1 in Lesters last 6 starts as a road favorite.
Over is 4-1-1 in Lesters last 6 starts vs. American League West.
Under is 6-2 in Lesters last 8 Thursday starts.
Under is 24-8-2 in Lesters last 34 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 22-8-4 in Lesters last 34 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 11-4-3 in Lesters last 18 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 15-7-1 in Lesters last 23 starts vs. a team with a winning record.


LA Angels


Under is 2-0-2 in Angels last 4 playoff games as an underdog.
Under is 5-0 in Angels last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 8-1 in Angels last 9 during game 1 of a series.
Under is 6-1 in Angels last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 5-1 in Angels last 6 games as an underdog.
Over is 5-1 in Angels last 6 games a home underdog.
Under is 5-1 in Angels last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Angels last 5 playoff home games.
Under is 14-4 in Angels last 18 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-2 in Angels last 9 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 23-7-1 in Angels last 31 overall.
Under is 23-7-1 in Angels last 31 on grass.
Under is 19-6-1 in Angels last 26 games following a win.
Over is 6-2 in Angels last 8 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 6-2-1 in Angels last 9 games following an off day.
Under is 8-3-1 in Angels last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 8-3-1 in Angels last 12 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 13-5-1 in Angels last 19 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 18-7-1 in Angels last 26 games as a favorite.
Under is 5-2 in Angels last 7 vs. American League East.
Under is 5-2-2 in Angels last 9 Divisional Playoff games.
Under is 10-4 in Angels last 14 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Lackeys last 5 starts a home underdog.
Under is 4-1 in Lackeys last 5 starts following an outing of less than 4 innings in his last appearance.
Under is 3-1-1 in Lackeys last 5 starts with 6 days of rest.
Under is 3-1-1 in Lackeys last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 3-1-1 in Lackeys last 5 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Lackeys last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-3 in Lackeys last 10 home starts.
Under is 34-15 in Lackeys last 49 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 9-4 in Lackeys last 13 starts as an underdog.


Head to Head

Under is 4-0 in Lackeys last 4 starts vs. Red Sox.
Red Sox are 4-1 in Lesters last 5 starts vs. Angels.
Under is 3-1-1 in Lesters last 5 starts vs. Angels.
Angels are 3-14 in Lackeys last 17 starts vs. Red Sox.
Angels are 1-5 in Lackeys last 6 home starts vs. Red Sox.


Umpire Trends - Name unavailable

No trends available.