Tuesday LDS Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
A pair of divisional series shift venues as the action heads to Cincinnati and Oakland on Tuesday night. The underdogs won five of the first eight games in the postseason (including Wild Card play-in games), but the A's failed to cash as a 'dog against the Tigers. We'll begin in southern Ohio with the Reds looking to eliminate the 2010 World Series champions.
Giants at Reds
Cincinnati basically punched San Francisco in the mouth twice at AT&T Park, outscoring the Giants by a combined 14-2 in the first two victories of this series. The Reds followed up a 5-2 triumph in the series opener with a 9-0 rout of the NL West champions, as the Giants try to pick themselves off the mat heading back to the Great American Ballpark.
San Francisco has the inevitable task of winning three straight road games to advance to the NLCS for the second time in three years. Bruce Bochy's team pulled off just three road sweeps all season, while losing two of three meetings in Cincinnati back in late April. However, the Giants avoided the sweep with a 6-5 comeback victory in a contest started by Ryan Vogelsong and Homer Bailey, both who will take the mound in Game 3.
Bailey (13-10, 3.68 ERA) received plenty of accolades recently by tossing a no-hitter against the Pirates on September 28, while striking out 10 for his career-best 13th win on the season. The 26-year old's home-road splits are a concern for potential Cincinnati backers on Tuesday, as Bailey finished just 4-8 in 17 starts at the Great American Ballpark, including losses in five of his final six starts. Bailey allowed three runs (two earned) in 6.1 innings of that one-run loss to the Giants in April, as San Francisco scored three runs in the ninth to strip the right-hander of a possible victory.
Vogelsong (14-9, 3.37 ERA) limped down the stretch following a 7-3 start, delivering quality starts in only three of his final nine outings. The Giants put together a 1-3 record in his last four road starts (all against NL West opponents), but San Francisco managed to beat Cincinnati in both of his outings. In Vogelsong's most recent start against the Reds at AT&T Park in early July, the righty scattered three hits and two earned runs in seven innings of a 4-3 victory. This will be Vogelsong's first career playoff start, as he joined the Giants several months following their championship in 2010.
Tigers at Athletics
Oakland hopes its magical season won't come to an end on its home field as the A's trail the Tigers, 2-0. The A's have been known for not going away, while erasing a 13-game deficit inside the AL West in late June en route to knocking off the Rangers for the division title. However, Oakland fell short in each of the first two games at Comerica Park, including a 5-4 defeat on Sunday as the Tigers scored a pair of runs in the final two innings to take the commanding series lead.
Mid-season acquisition Anibal Sanchez (9-13, 3.86 ERA) toes the rubber in the potential close-out game for the Tigers, going for just his fifth win in 13 starts with Detroit. Following two shaky outings at Toronto and Minnesota as a favorite, Sanchez has put together four straight quality starts on the highway, but the Marlins and Tigers are just 2-5 in his seven outings as a road underdog. Sanchez was knocked around by Oakland last month at home, allowing six runs in 5.2 innings as the A's pounded by the Tigers, 12-4.
Brett Anderson counters for the Athletics (4-2, 2.57 ERA), making his first start since straining his oblique in a 6-2 loss at Detroit on September 19. The Oakland southpaw dropped a pair of decisions to the Tigers and Angels following a tremendous run of allowing just two earned runs in 26 innings of action. In two of those starts at home, Anderson shut down the Red Sox and Twins as a favorite of at least -160, while the A's own a 6-1 record dating back to last May in the 'chalk' role.
Oakland won eight of its final nine home games of the regular season, including the crucial three-game sweep of Texas to claim the AL West crown. The A's and Tigers split four contests at O.Co Coliseum in mid-May, but Oakland was listed as an underdog each time.
NLDS Betting Preview: Giants at Reds
By Covers.com
San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds (-138, 8)
Cincinnati leads series 2-0
The Cincinnati Reds look for a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants when the National League Division Series heads to Great American Ball Park for Game 3.
The Giants have been outscored 14-2 in the first two games of the series, and they’re facing an uphill battle after leaving home without a victory. None of the other 21 teams that have started the NLDS down 0-2 have come back to win the series. The Reds were 50-31 during the regular season at home, where they didn’t lose three consecutive home games all year. With Johnny Cueto (back spasms) questionable for the rest of the series, the Reds will start Homer Bailey in Game 3.
San Francisco is in danger of an early postseason exit, and there’s plenty of blame to go around. The first two batters in the Giants lineup - Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro - are 1-for-17 in the series, and the heart of their order has done little aside from Buster Posey’s solo home run in Game 1. After starters Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner failed to work past the fifth inning in the first two games, the Giants are hoping for a solid outing in Game 3 from Ryan Vogelsong, who got the nod over Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito.
The Reds hit an NL-worst .230 as a team in September, but they scored nine runs in Game 2 and outhit the Giants 13-2. Brandon Phillips is 5-for-10 with a home run and four RBI for Cincinnati, which is seeking its first postseason sweep since beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round in 1995.
WEATHER: The forecast is calling for clear skies and temperatures in the low 60s. Winds are expected to blow SSW at 7 mph.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (13-10, 3.68 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (14-9, 3.37)
Bailey is set to make his second career postseason pitching appearance and his first career playoff start. He’s 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA in five career starts against the Giants, including one outing this year when he gave up three runs (two earned) over 6 1/3 frames on April 26. Bailey finished the season on a strong note, allowing just 10 runs in his last seven starts covering 48 2/3 innings.
Vogelsong has gone 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 15 career appearances against Cincinnati, and he had a 4.15 ERA in two starts this season. After struggling for much of the second half, he finished the season with a 0.53 ERA over his final three starts. Phillips is 7-for-14 lifetime against Vogelsong, who allowed three runs or fewer in 24 of his 31 starts this season.
TRENDS:
* Over is 4-0 in Baileys last four starts vs. Giants.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Cincinnati.
* Giants are 1-4 in the last five meetings.
* Giants are 1-7 in the last eight meetings in Cincinnati.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Giants haven’t swept three games in Cincinnati since April 5-7, 1999, when the Reds played at Riverfront Stadium.
2. Reds 3B Scott Rolen is 1-for-7 in the first two games of the series and 28-for-136 (.206) in his career in the postseason.
3. San Francisco lost just one series on the road after the All-Star break, going 10-1-1.
ALDS Betting Preview: Tigers at Athletics
By Covers.com
Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics (-132, 7)
Detroit leads series 2-0
The Oakland Athletics trailed the Texas Rangers by 13 games on June 30 and still found a way to win the American League West, so they’re used to seemingly insurmountable challenges. Down 0-2 in the AL Division Series, the Athletics return home to face a Detroit Tigers squad that’s riding a wave of momentum after two close wins.
The Tigers are getting timely hitting, but they’re still waiting for Prince Fielder to heat up. The power-hitting first baseman is 1-for-8 with no RBI in the series, and he’s batting .183 over 17 career playoff games. Oakland is hoping right fielder Josh Reddick’s eighth-inning homer on Sunday is a sign of things to come. Reddick, who led the Athletics with 32 regular-season homers, opened the series with six straight strikeouts.
Detroit’s bullpen was a key part of Sunday’s 4-3 win, but Joaquin Benoit allowed his 15th home run in 73 innings this season. Reliever Al Alburquerque drew the ire of some Oakland players when he kissed the ball and looked at the Athletics dugout before getting the final out in the ninth. The Athletics have fanned 23 times in the first two games, and that number figures to climb dramatically if the series goes five games. Games 4 and 5 starters Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander each had more than 200 strikeouts this season, and Verlander fanned 11 in the series opener.
WEATHER: There is a 16 percent chance of rain for the Bay Area with temperatures dipping into the mid 50s. Winds are expected to blow west at 11 mph.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Brett Anderson (4-2, 2.57 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (4-6, 3.74)
Anderson is set to make his first start since Sept. 19, when he left his start against Detroit in the third inning with a right oblique strain. He missed most of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he posted a WHIP of 1.03 in six starts down the stretch. In two home starts covering 13 innings, he allowed two earned runs while striking out 10. Anderson is 2-2 with a 3.66 ERA in four career starts against the Tigers.
Sanchez was a solid midseason addition, making 12 starts after being acquired from the Marlins in late July. He finished the season on a high note, allowing one run in his last two starts covering 15 1/3 innings. Sanchez struggled in his lone start against Oakland this season on Sept. 20, giving up six runs (five earned) over 5 2/3 frames. He’ll be pitching on eight days' rest on Tuesday, which could bode well for Sanchez. He’s posted a 3.07 ERA in 23 career starts on six or more days of rest.
TRENDS:
* Tigers are 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Under is 13-6-1 in the last 20 meetings in Oakland.
UMP TRENDS - Dana DeMuth:
* Under is 5-1 in DeMuths last six Tuesday games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
* Home team is 5-1 in DeMuths last six games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
* Under is 3-1-1 in DeMuths last five Tuesday games behind home plate.
* Under is 7-3-2 in DeMuths last 12 games behind home plate.
* Athletics are 2-5 in their last seven games with DeMuth behind home plate.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Athletics have lost each of their last six postseason games, all against Detroit. Oakland was swept by the Tigers in the 2006 ALCS.
2. 3B Miguel Cabrera has reached base safely in all 13 of his post-season games with the Tigers, trailing only Charlie Gehringer (16) and Hank Greenberg (18).
3. Oakland has started a series 0-2 eight times and never come back to win.
MLB Playoffs
Vogelsong is 2-0, 1.59 in his last three starts; he allowed six runs in his 13 IP in two no-decisions vs Cincinnati this season. Bailey is 3-1, 1.85 in last five starts; he allowed three runs (two earned) in 6.1 IP against Giants April 26th. Reds are 12-6 in last 18 games, Giants are 11-7- Reds are 6-3 against SF this year after winning twice out west. Under is 9-2 in Cincinnati's last 11 home games, despite it being a hitter's park; six of last nine Giant road games also stayed under. Reds sweep series with win here.
Detroit is 6-3 vs Oakland this year, won 10 of last 12 games overall. A's got here because of solid defense/timely hitting, but haven't done much of either in first two series games, failing badly on defense in late innings of game Sunday. Anderson return from oblique injury to start here-- he hurt it in Detroit, as he allowed three runs in 2.2 IP while trying to fight thru it. Overall, Anderson is 4-2, 2.83 in six starts this year, after he returned from arm injury. Sanchez is 2-0, 0.59 in his last two starts, since A's got six runs off him in 5.2 IP in 12-4 win Sept 20. Detroit sweeps series with win here.
Armadillosports.com
SAN FRANCISCO (94 - 70) at CINCINNATI (99 - 65) - 5:35 PM
RYAN VOGELSONG (R) vs. HOMER BAILEY (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 6-3 (+3.9 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)
RYAN VOGELSONG vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
VOGELSONG is 1-3 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.84 and a WHIP of 1.703.
His team's record is 4-4 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-2. (+1.9 units)
HOMER BAILEY vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
BAILEY is 1-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 5.59 and a WHIP of 1.517.
His team's record is 3-2 (+3.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+3.0 units)
DETROIT (90 - 74) at OAKLAND (94 - 70) - 9:05 PM
ANIBAL SANCHEZ (R) vs. BRETT ANDERSON (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-3 (+2.1 Units) against OAKLAND this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)
ANIBAL SANCHEZ vs. OAKLAND since 1997
SANCHEZ is 0-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 7.94 and a WHIP of 1.411.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)
BRETT ANDERSON vs. DETROIT since 1997
ANDERSON is 2-2 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.78 and a WHIP of 1.501.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.1 units)
SAN FRANCISCO vs. CINCINNATI
San Francisco is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
San Francisco is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cincinnati's last 11 games at home
Cincinnati is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
DETROIT vs. OAKLAND
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road
Oakland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing Detroit
San Francisco at Cincinnati
Vogelsong: San Francisco 7-0 SU away revenging a loss as a home favorite
Bailey: Cincinnati 5-15 SU at home off 4+ games allowing 4 runs or less
Detroit at Oakland
Sanchez: 1-8 TSR after allowing 1 or 0 ER's last start
Anderson: Oakland 31-13 SU as a home favorite of -125 to -150