10-7-16

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Joe Gavazzi

6% Old Dominion
4% Boston College
4% New Mexico

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chuck O'Brien

Friday Selection

50 Dime Play: Tulsa

Line as of 12:50 PM Eastern: Tulsa -14 1/2
Special Instructions: None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rickenbach
8* Boston College

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BIG AL


MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME OF THE YEAR


At 9:15 pm, our selection is on the Chicago Cubs over San Francisco.



No offense to Bruce Bochy (a great manager) and the San Francisco Giants, but they just aren't in the class of this year's Chicago Cubs. It's true that the Giants have been "magical" in even-numbered seasons, with titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014. But that quirk (and their ace, Madison Bumgarner) won't have any impact in this game. Chicago's just too much better in all facets of the game. San Francisco ranked 13th in home runs and ninth in scoring. In contrast, Chicago was 2nd in scoring (but 1st after one accounts for effect of the thin air of Colorado's home ballpark). And the Cubs also have the National League's best pitching, as opponents hit just .212 vs. Chicago. The Giants' pitching was 31 points worse, at .243. Certainly, the Cubs didn't need any help, but they got a huge gift with the acquisition of closer Aroldis Chapman in July. And, since coming over to the Cubbies, Chapman's ERA is a microscopic 1.01, with a 0.82 WHIP, and 15.5 strikeouts per 9 IP. Tonight, Joe Maddon will hand the ball to Jon Lester. And all Lester has done this season is lead the Cubs to 13 wins in his 15 home starts, including the last 10 in a row. His two losses: 2-1 to Pittsburgh on May 15, and 2-0 to Colorado on April 17. Of course, neither of those two losses were Lester's fault, as he gave up just 2 earned runs in 14 innings, with 19 strikeouts (against 10 hitters placed on base). For the season, Lester's ERA is 1.74 at home, with a 0.88 WHIP. And he's 2-0 at home in his career vs. the Giants, with just 3 runs given up in 16 IP. Meanwhile, Cueto's given up 11 runs in his last 19 2-3 innings pitched at Wrigley Field. The home team has dominated this series, with 11 wins in the last 14 meetings. And the Cubbies were 57-24 at home this season. Take Chicago in Game 1. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Matt Rivers


Top-Rated 500,000♦ NLDS Dog of the Year



Cubs and Jon Lester on the Run Line at home in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Giants and Johnny Cueto.

Chicago is catching +135 on the Run Line as of 1:45 this afternoon here in Miami where I'm based.

[DaKid]

Big Al GOY
Chicago Cubs

Thanks for this one!!!!