CHASE THE PLAYOFFS... RD.1 OCT 5-12

REDS/GIANTS ....Line Reds/Latos  -130 and 7.

My thoughts....Dusty Baker got his managerial doors blown off yesterday and in a close game I can not rely on this guy to make the right moves. From MLB site:  "While Bochy aggressively worked the switches, maneuvering the early inning matchups in his favor by placing calls to the 'pen, Baker was more lenient with Mike Leake, and it came back to bite him when Leake ran out of gas in the fifth and the Reds didn't have a reliever ready."  I know managers don't pitch,hit or run but they do set the tone for thier clubs.  Dusty "toof picks" Baker has always been a great play against manager but the S.O.B is in a better situation right now. 

For you trends players....In Division Series history, NL teams that have gone up 2-0 are a perfect 21-for-21 in claiming that series. 

I just can't find the right feel here on a side and my gut tells me this is a close game either way.  This has the feel of a 2-1 game so I am going to pass on the side here and take the F5 under 3.5 -130.

I am not playing it, but I see the Giants becoming the first team in the NL to come all the way back and steal the series. Good Luck on this one Boys.         

I can't see the Reds losing today. I'll wait for the guru's to chime in, but I'll probably be on the first 5. or +1.5 line

Troy Polamalu is out tonight. What is the Steeler's record with him out. I don't think it's very good.

CARDS/NATS

Line pick -110 and 8.   Detwiller/Lohse matchup no where near Cain/Latos when it comes to numbers.  The over here looks really easy but buyer beware signs are flashing here.  Both offensives here will have the look fastball early in the count concept in play......From MLB.com: " Washington swung at more first pitches (32.1 percent) than any team in the Majors. St. Louis was seventh (28.9). Five of the eight most aggressive teams in the game -- Cincinnati, Detroit and San Francisco joining the Nats and Cards -- made it to the postseason."

Both these pitchers like to try and get ahead early in counts so this could be a quick 2 hour game in the 4-2, 3-1 range or it could be a 3 hour AL style slugfest if the hitters are making solid conatct early.  Lohse is having a career year and I see him weathering the storm better than Detwiller.   I see the Cards playing looser and jumping out early and then trying to hold on.

Cards -1/2 F5 +130 is my play here. 

Good Luck Boys!

O's/ Yanks

Line Hughes -165  and 8.5

Well, the Fighting Showalters roll out" Colonel. Saunders "and his finger licking good pitching.  This write up is very easy.  There is no way, I mean no way I can back Hughes at -165, that is carzy talk to me. I am styaing with my Fighting Showalters here to force a game 5 and will be playing them:

 F5 -110 +1/2,

 ML +145 

TIGERS/A's

Line:  Velry -140 and 6.5 

The amazing A's are unreal.  They sweep Texas in Texas to win the NL west and now lose the 1st two to the Motown Kitties and are still alive in Game 5.  Now they face the reigning CY Young and AL MVP in Verly and Mr. Triple Crown.  Holy shit batman!    

I really want to back the A's but I can't as the Tigers have the edge in every category and the A's home field advantage is even minimal at best with all those empty seats.  I am going to pass on this game and put out a  leam on the over 6.5 for those action junkies among us.   No reason just a hunch.      

I am done here...Good Luck Boys!!!

Thanks Semper as San Francisco has the momentum and pitching Cain and no Cueto for the Reds which has to hurt. Looks like making history today.