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When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 5, 2017
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina
Preview: Louisville at North Carolina State
Gracenote
Oct 3, 2017
North Carolina State served notice it was a team to be reckoned with in late September when it toppled then-No. 11 Florida State in Tallahassee, and coach Dave Doeren's squad will get another chance to prove it has some staying power less than two weeks later. The 24th-ranked Wolfpack eye their first 3-0 start in ACC play since 2002 and a fifth straight victory overall Thursday when they host No. 17 Louisville.
"We're a lot more mature than we have been in the past. A lot of guys in the past would've been like 'Oh we beat the (No. 11) team so we don't have to come out as hard this week.' We just all executed exactly what we needed to do," N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb told reporters following last weekend's 33-25 win over Syracuse. The victory gave the Wolfpack their first 2-0 start in the conference since 2006, leaving them as only one of two schools (Clemson) without a blemish in the ACC's Atlantic Division. In case his team needs any additional motivation on a short week, Doeren must only remind the Wolfpack of last season's 54-13 rout in which Louisville raced out to a 44-0 halftime advantage. The Cardinals have outscored a pair of overmatched opponents (Kent State and FCS foe Murray State) 97-13 since their demoralizing 47-21 setback to No. 2 Clemson on Sept. 16 and have won six of the seven meetings versus N.C. State, including all three since joining the ACC.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Louisville -4
ABOUT LOUISVILLE (4-1, 1-1 ACC): Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, who is 13 yards away from becoming the seventh player in conference history to reach 10,000 total career yards, posted his program-best 16th 100-yard rushing game while also breaking Chris Redman's school mark (538) for career scoring (554) last time out. Dez Fitzpatrick finished with two touchdowns on four catches against Murray State and has scored six times on only 16 receptions, leaving him one TD catch shy of Arnold Jackson (1997) and Mario Urrutia (2005) for the most by a freshman receiver in school history. Preseason All-American cornerback Jaire Alexander, who suffered a knee injury in the season opener, practiced last week and is day-to-day, according to coach Bobby Petrino.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (4-1, 2-0): Junior quarterback Ryan Finley owns the longest active streak of consecutive attempts without an interception at 257, ranks 23rd in the nation in passing yards per game (280.6) and ninth in FBS in completion percentage (ACC-high 71.9). Nyheim Hines, a 5-9, 197-pound track All-American, has transitioned smoothly to running back after being used as a flex player in his first two seasons and ranks fifth in the conference in rushing (411 yards) after setting a career high in rushing yards in each of the last three weeks. Chubb leads the conference with league-best 12 tackles for loss after 3.5 last week, increasing his career total to 46 and moving him into second place in school history behind Mario Williams (55.5).
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Cardinals yielded a combined 230 yards to Kent State and Murray State, the lowest two-game total allowed by Louisville since 1960.
2. The Wolfpack have not committed a fumble or thrown an interception during their winning streak and lead the ACC with a plus-six turnover margin.
3. Petrino is 14-0 against North Carolina-based schools.
PREDICTION: Louisville 34, North Carolina State 30 -
Trends - No. 17 Louisville at No. 24 NC State
ATS Trends
Louisville - Cardinals are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Cardinals are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Cardinals are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
- Cardinals are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Cardinals are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games in October.
- Cardinals are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
- Cardinals are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
- Cardinals are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Cardinals are 0-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Cardinals are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Cardinals are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Cardinals are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
OU TrendsNC State - Wolfpack are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
- Wolfpack are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Wolfpack are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Wolfpack are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Wolfpack are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
- Wolfpack are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Louisville - Over is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 10-3 in Cardinals last 13 conference games.
- Over is 12-4 in Cardinals last 16 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 18-7-1 in Cardinals last 26 games in October.
- Over is 5-2 in Cardinals last 7 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 5-2 in Cardinals last 7 games on grass.
- Over is 7-3 in Cardinals last 10 road games.
- Under is 14-6 in Cardinals last 20 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Over is 7-3 in Cardinals last 10 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
- Under is 17-8-1 in Cardinals last 26 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Head to HeadNC State - Under is 7-0 in Wolfpack last 7 conference games.
- Under is 16-1-1 in Wolfpack last 18 Thursday games.
- Over is 6-1-1 in Wolfpack last 8 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Wolfpack last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Wolfpack last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Over is 18-7 in Wolfpack last 25 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Under is 5-2 in Wolfpack last 7 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 13-6-1 in Wolfpack last 20 games in October.
- Over is 15-7-1 in Wolfpack last 23 games following a ATS loss.
No trends available.Comment
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NCAAF
Long Sheet
Thursday, October 5
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LOUISVILLE (4 - 1) at NC STATE (4 - 1) - 10/5/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NC STATE is 40-60 ATS (-26.0 Units) in weeks 5 through 9 since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOUISVILLE is 2-0 against the spread versus NC STATE over the last 3 seasons
LOUISVILLE is 2-0 straight up against NC STATE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasonsComment
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NCAAF
Week 6
Trend Report
Thursday, October 5
8:00 PM
LOUISVILLE vs. NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Louisville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing North Carolina State
Louisville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
North Carolina State is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
North Carolina State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Comment
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NCAAF
Week 6
Thursday’s game
Louisville is 3-0 vs NC State in ACC play, winning by 12-7-41 points; they won 20-13 (+3.5) in their last visit to Raleigh, in 2015. Cardinals (-19.5) crushed State 54-13 LY, outgaining Wolfpack 553-250; they’re 4-1 this year, winning 47-35 in Chapel Hill in their only road game so far- they beat Purdue 35-28 in Indy. Louisville is 8-5 as a road favorite under Petrino. NC State won its last four games, with a win at Florida State in there; Wolfpack is 3-7 as a home underdog under Doeren. ACC home underdogs are 1-5 vs spread so far this season.Comment
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NFL opening line report: Cowboys open as home faves in Week 5
Patrick Everson
New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4)
Much like Dallas, New England was dealt a stunning home loss in Week 4 and has now lost two of its three home games this season. The Patriots (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) tumbled to Carolina 33-30 as a 9-point fave, and now hit the road on a short week, playing in the Thursday night game.
Tampa Bay (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) got a Nick Folk 34-yard field goal as time expired to edge the New York Giants 25-23, but the Bucs fell a tick short of covering as 2.5-point chalk Sunday.
“We’re expecting this number to inflate with the Patriots coming off a loss. But it’s doubtful it will grow to -5, and unlikely it will drop below -4,” Cooley said. “Our team was pretty consistent on this number and it feels right. Squares will think this is a steal spread, backing the Pats.”
As Cooley predicted, the number did bump up a tick later Sunday night, to Patriots -4.5.
Comment
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NFL
Long Sheet
Week 5
Thursday, October 5
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NEW ENGLAND (2 - 2) at TAMPA BAY (2 - 1) - 10/5/2017, 8:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ENGLAND is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 36-19 ATS (+15.1 Units) in all games where the total is greater than or equal to 49.5 since 1992.
NEW ENGLAND is 178-140 ATS (+24.0 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1992.
NEW ENGLAND is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ENGLAND is 116-82 ATS (+25.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
Comment
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NFL
Week 5
Trend Report
Thursday, October 5
9:25 PM
NEW ENGLAND vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New England's last 5 games
New England is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games
Tampa Bay is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing New England
Tampa Bay is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games at home
Comment
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NFL
Week 5
Thursday's game
Patriots (2-2) @ Buccaneers (2-1)— New England defense has already allowed 33+ points in three games this year; they’re 0-2 when scoring less than 36 points. Patriot defense has given up 3.04 pts/drive on 28 opponent drives that started 75+ yards from goal line; next worst in NFL are Saints, at 2.80. Bucs don’t have a takeaway in last two games; they’re only 4-17 on 3rd down in last two games. Tampa ran ball for 117-111 yards in its two wins, only 26 yards on 9 carries in their 26-9 loss in Minnesota. Patriots are 6-2 vs Tampa Bay, winning last three meetings by combined score of 86-10. This is Patriots’ first visit to Tampa Bay since 1997. NFC South teams are 5-7 vs spread outside the division; AFC East teams are 6-4, 1-3 when favored.Comment
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When: 8:25 PM ET, Thursday, October 5, 2017
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Preview: Patriots at Buccaneers
Gracenote
Oct 3, 2017
Tom Brady is finally up against a defense that he might not be able to overcome -- his own. Despite a sensational start to the season by two-time league MVP Brady, the New England Patriots have allowed three of their first four opponents to score at least 30 points as they prepare to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.
The reigning Super Bowl champions have already lost twice at home following Sunday's 33-30 setback to the Carolina Panthers -- a division rival of Tampa Bay. "We haven't been really in control too often," said Brady, who rallied his team from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit in Sunday's last-second loss. "We are all really focused on trying to do a much better job than what we've done." The Buccaneers, who had their Week 1 matchup postponed due to Hurricane Irma, have sandwiched a pair of home wins around a 17-point loss at Minnesota. Quarterback Jameis Winston is coming off his best game of the season and gets back top running back Doug Martin, who returns after a suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
TV: 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -5.5. O/U: 55.5
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (2-2): Brady turned in a pedestrian effort in the season opener but he has thrown for 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past three games while completing at least 71 percent of his passes in each. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has 18 receptions and two touchdowns while averaging 95 yards receiving over the past three, but wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been inconsistent in his first season with the team. The ground game also has been spotty, although running back James White has a team-high 22 receptions. The defense has been a sieve, allowing a staggering 456.8 yards per game -- by far the league worst -- and ranking 31st with 32.0 points per game.
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (3-1): It's unclear how much of a role Martin, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, will play in his season debut, although Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 83 yards on 16 carries. Winston, the top overall pick in 2015, bounced back from a three-interception performance at Minnesota by throwing for 332 yards and three touchdowns to rally Tampa Bay to a 25-23 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. He connected with each of his tight ends -- Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard -- for TD passes last week but Mike Evans is his favorite target with 19 catches for 227 yards and two scores. Injured linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander are both expected to sit out their second straight game.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Brady was 9-0 on Thursday night until New England lost to Kansas City in its season opener.
2. Brate has 10 touchdowns since the start of the 2016 season, the most by any tight end in that span.
3. New England was 8-0 on the road last season and won its lone away game this season at New Orleans.
PREDICTION: Patriots 30, Buccaneers 27Comment
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Trends - New England at Tampa Bay
ATS Trends
New England - Patriots are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Patriots are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
- Patriots are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
- Patriots are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Patriots are 6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Patriots are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games in Week 5.
- Patriots are 17-5-2 ATS in their last 24 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Patriots are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.
- Patriots are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall.
- Patriots are 24-9 ATS in their last 33 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
- Patriots are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Patriots are 40-17-3 ATS in their last 60 games in October.
- Patriots are 41-18-1 ATS in their last 60 games following a straight up loss.
- Patriots are 78-38-2 ATS in their last 118 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
OU TrendsTampa Bay - Buccaneers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Buccaneers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
- Buccaneers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 5.
- Buccaneers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games on grass.
- Buccaneers are 22-46-1 ATS in their last 69 home games.
- Buccaneers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Buccaneers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Buccaneers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games.
- Buccaneers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
New England - Over is 8-0 in Patriots last 8 games overall.
- Over is 4-0 in Patriots last 4 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Over is 4-0 in Patriots last 4 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 6-0 in Patriots last 6 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 8-1 in Patriots last 9 games on grass.
- Under is 5-1 in Patriots last 6 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Over is 5-2 in Patriots last 7 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
- Over is 15-7 in Patriots last 22 games in October.
- Over is 47-22 in Patriots last 69 vs. a team with a winning record.
Head to HeadTampa Bay - Over is 7-0 in Buccaneers last 7 Thursday games.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Buccaneers last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Buccaneers last 7 games on grass.
- Over is 5-1 in Buccaneers last 6 games in Week 5.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Buccaneers last 6 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-1 in Buccaneers last 5 home games.
- Under is 4-1 in Buccaneers last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 7-2 in Buccaneers last 9 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 20-8 in Buccaneers last 28 games in October.
- Favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Comment
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WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A Playoff Series: Divisional Playoff; Series Tied 0-0
Preview: Red Sox at Astros
Gracenote
Oct 4, 2017
The Houston Astros battled all the way into the final weekend in the race for the best record in the American League and fell just short, leaving them to host the third-seeded AL East champion Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Thursday. The second-seeded Astros made the biggest move of the waiver deadline period by bringing in Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers and will send him to the mound in Game 1.
Verlander brings a 7-5 record and a 3.39 ERA in 16 career postseason starts to a Houston squad that led the AL in team batting average at .282 and features probable MVP and batting champion Jose Altuve. "I think that's the main goal, just be able to keep your feel, be able to come into the start, and be consistent," Verlander told reporters of his approach to the game. "As a starting pitcher, that's what it's about. I'm going to do whatever I can to help maintain my mechanics and the feel on the mound." The Red Sox will counter with Cy Young candidate Chris Sale, who struggled in September but had the luxury of taking the final day of the regular season off after Boston beat the Astros on Saturday to clinch the AL East. The Astros took three of four in that series and four of seven from the Red Sox during the regular season and went 48-33 at Minute Maid Park.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, MLB Network
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (15-8, 3.36)
Sale went 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA over his final eight starts and struggled to keep the ball in the park at times, including his final start against Toronto on Sept. 26 in which he served up four home runs. The Florida native will be making his first career postseason start and is 5-1 with a 1.31 ERA in six career starts against Houston. "I'm 28 years old, so I've been waiting for this about 23 years," Sale told reporters. "This has been a long time coming. A lot of hard work went into this. It's a long season. We had a lot of guys put everything they had on the field the entire season. To have this opportunity right here, it's the best."
Verlander earned his spot at the top of the Astros postseason rotation by going 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in five starts since joining the team. The former MVP allowed four runs (three earned) in 12 innings over two starts against Boston earlier this season, though he did not factor in either decision. "You can't get prepared for it," Verlander told reporters of starting in the postseason. "You have to experience it by being out there and feeling the adrenaline, and experiencing it for yourself."
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox INF Eduardo Nunez (knee) played in only one game since Sept. 9 but is expected to be available during the series.
2. Houston RF Josh Reddick (back) sat out the final six games of the regular season but could play Thursday.
3. Boston will start LHP Drew Pomeranz in Game 2 while Houston counters with LHP Dallas Keuchel.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 3, Astros 2Comment
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Trends - Boston at Houston
W/L Trends
Boston - Red Sox are 5-0 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Red Sox are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss.
- Red Sox are 19-7 in their last 26 road games.
- Red Sox are 23-9 in their last 32 games following an off day.
- Red Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 during game 1 of a series.
- Red Sox are 10-4 in their last 14 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Red Sox are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
- Red Sox are 2-5 in their last 7 games on grass.
- Red Sox are 3-8 in their last 11 Thursday games.
- Red Sox are 1-4 in their last 5 Divisional Playoff games.
- Red Sox are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Red Sox are 1-5 in their last 6 Divisional Playoff road games.
- Red Sox are 4-1 in Sales last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Red Sox are 7-2 in Sales last 9 road starts.
- Red Sox are 19-8 in Sales last 27 starts.
- Red Sox are 15-7 in Sales last 22 starts on grass.
- Red Sox are 0-4 in Sales last 4 Thursday starts.
OU TrendsHouston - Astros are 6-0 in their last 6 during game 1 of a series.
- Astros are 11-2 in their last 13 home games.
- Astros are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. American League East.
- Astros are 16-5 in their last 21 games following a win.
- Astros are 21-7 in their last 28 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Astros are 22-8 in their last 30 overall.
- Astros are 22-8 in their last 30 games on grass.
- Astros are 6-13 in their last 19 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Astros are 3-7 in their last 10 playoff games.
- Astros are 6-17 in their last 23 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Astros are 3-9 in their last 12 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Astros are 1-4 in their last 5 playoff home games.
- Astros are 4-0 in Verlanders last 4 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Astros are 5-0 in Verlanders last 5 starts.
- Astros are 5-0 in Verlanders last 5 starts on grass.
Boston - Under is 4-0 in Red Sox last 4 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Over is 12-2-2 in Red Sox last 16 during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 games following an off day.
- Under is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 road games.
- Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 games following a loss.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Red Sox last 6 playoff games.
- Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 7-2 in Red Sox last 9 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Over is 5-2 in Red Sox last 7 on grass.
- Over is 5-2 in Red Sox last 7 overall.
- Under is 9-4-1 in Red Sox last 14 playoff road games.
- Under is 11-5 in Red Sox last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Over is 5-0 in Sales last 5 starts on grass.
- Over is 5-0 in Sales last 5 starts overall.
- Under is 4-1 in Sales last 5 Thursday starts.
- Over is 4-1 in Sales last 5 road starts.
Head to HeadHouston - Over is 4-0 in Astros last 4 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Under is 6-1 in Astros last 7 home games.
- Over is 5-1-1 in Astros last 7 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
- Over is 5-1 in Astros last 6 games following a win.
- Over is 5-1 in Astros last 6 Divisional Playoff home games.
- Over is 10-2 in Astros last 12 Divisional Playoff games.
- Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 16-5-1 in Astros last 22 vs. American League East.
- Over is 9-3 in Astros last 12 games following an off day.
- Over is 6-2 in Astros last 8 on grass.
- Under is 6-2 in Astros last 8 Thursday games.
- Over is 6-2 in Astros last 8 overall.
- Under is 10-4 in Astros last 14 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Under is 5-2 in Astros last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Under is 4-1 in Verlanders last 5 starts on grass.
- Under is 4-1 in Verlanders last 5 starts overall.
Umpire Trends - Name unavailable- Over is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
No trends available.Comment
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GAME: New York Yankees (92-71) at Cleveland Indians (102-60)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 05 - 7:30 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A Playoff Series: Divisional Playoff; Series Tied 0-0
Preview: Yankees at Indians
Gracenote
Oct 4, 2017
Terry Francona made liberal use of his bullpen weapons while guiding the Cleveland Indians to the World Series last season, and Joe Girardi took that philosophy a step further while guiding the New York Yankees to the American League Division Series with a win in the wild-card game Tuesday. Girardi will try to find a way to beat Francona and the best team in the AL when the Yankees visit the top-seeded Indians in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Thursday.
Girardi got 26 outs from his bullpen after yanking starter Luis Severino with one out and three runs in in the first inning Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, and Chad Green, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Aroldis Chapman proved to be up to the task as the Yankees pulled out an 8-4 victory. "If you're playing four games in five nights, it's really difficult to do," Girardi told reporters of leaning heavily on the relievers. "You can do it probably two of the games of the four, but you can't do it back to back. And a lot of times you can -- if you were to do it on Game 2, you probably can't even do it on Game 3, even with the off-day in between." Francona rode left-hander Andrew Miller hard in the 2016 postseason and won't be afraid to do so again, though the Indians might have an even better team in 2017 after finishing the regular season with 33 wins in their last 37 games. Cleveland surprised some by choosing Trevor Bauer to start Game 1 over ace Corey Kluber, while New York is expected to counter with Sonny Gray.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Sonny Gray (10-12, 3.55 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (17-9, 4.19)
Gray went 4-7 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics prior to the trade deadline but struggled some in September, surrendering nine home runs in 35 1/3 innings. The Vanderbilt product, who lost at Cleveland in his New York debut on Aug. 3, was ripped for six runs on six hits - two homers - over 4 2/3 innings in his final regular-season outing on Saturday. Gray is 0-1 in two career postseason starts despite a 2.08 ERA.
Bauer aided the Indians' sprint to the finish by going 9-1 with a 2.42 ERA over his last 13 games (12 starts) and allowed two runs in 13 innings over his final two starts. Two of those 13 outings came against New York on Aug. 4 and Aug. 30, and the UCLA product breezed to wins in both by scattering two runs over 13 frames and striking out 11. Bauer, who gets the start over Cy Young candidate Kluber so that Kluber can come back on regular rest in a potential Game 5 or Game 1 of the ALCS, went 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA in five games (four starts) during the 2016 postseason.
WALK-OFFS
1.Yankees RF Aaron Judge set a rookie record with 52 home runs in the regular season and homered in Tuesday's wild-card game.
2. Cleveland 2B/3B Jose Ramirez hit .407 from Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season.
3. New York's bullpen recorded 13 strikeouts Tuesday, which ties for the most all-time by a bullpen in a playoff game.
PREDICTION: Indians 4, Yankees 3Comment
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