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ACCESS
PICKS FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 |
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NFL |
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9/30/2018 |
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FOUND
13
GAMES |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+278
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+7 (-108)
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Over 40.5 (-110)
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-345
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-7 (-112)
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Under 40.5 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 The Jacksonville Jaguars believed they made a statement by avenging their AFC Championship Game defeat in Week 2, only to fall flat in their next contest. The Jaguars (2-1) look to pick themselves up after their first loss of the season when they complete a three-game homestand against the New York Jets on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field. Jacksonville has done itself proud following losses during head coach Doug Marrone's time on its sideline, posting a 7-1 mark. "The key to doing it is we had a productive Monday," Marrone said of avoiding consecutive losses. "You can never say good day after a loss. "We had a productive Monday where we looked at things and were able to address some of the things we need to get done, execution-wise, the football, the penalties, all the things that contributed to us not performing as well as we should. Coming in with a mindset of really being focused, really putting in the work and preparation. I have always said this and I truly believe it: 'You have to put in the work and you have to put in the preparation, but you can't make the mistake of not understanding that it is a performance-based business and you have to do it on Sunday. '"The Jaguars mustered just 232 yards and 12 first downs in last week's 9-6 setback to the Tennessee Titans without running back Leonard Fournette, who has missed two straight games with a hamstring injury. Blake Bortles completed 21 passes for just 155 yards passing versus the Titans. Should the versatile Bortles match his completion total on Sunday, he would surpass David Garrard (1,406) and move into second place on the team's all-time list. The quarterback receiving more buzz is found on the opposite sideline in rookie Sam Darnold, albeit the news hasn't been positive since the 21-year-old's impressive debut in the season opener against the Detroit Lions. The third overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft is tied for the league lead with five interceptions -- with two coming in New York's 21-17 setback to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. "We're on to Jacksonville this week," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said in a bid to turn the page. "The Cleveland game is a distant memory for me. " Darnold will face a stingy Jaguars secondary, led by All-Pro cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A. J. Bouye. Both of the Jaguars corners likely will play tight man-to-man coverage against the New York wideouts. Isaiah Crowell had a pair of touchdown runs against his former team last week and is tied for the league lead with four rushing scores. Fellow Jets running back Bilal Powell had a career-high 190 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in his last encounter with the Jaguars -- a 23-20 overtime win by New York. Keeping the Jets running game in neutral will be one of the tasks faced by defensive end Calais Campbell, who said the season's first quarter would be acceptable if the Jaguars win Sunday and post a 3-1 mark in the first four weeks. "The goal is to win enough games to win your division and have your shot at the playoffs," said Campbell, who collected a pair of sacks, five tackles, including three for loss, and two quarterback hits against the Titans. "We break the schedule down by quarters and if you go 3-1 each quarter, that will put you in position to go to the playoffs. We've got to put this loss behind us and move forward from here. Good teams don't lose two games in a row. " Defensive tackle Malik Jackson echoed those sentiments. He said there was a huge difference in going 3-1 compared to 2-2. "I believe in breaking the season down into quarters as well. You can't look at the big picture; you have to look at small pieces," Jackson said. "But it's a huge difference going 3-1 from 2-2; it's the difference in going from a great start to an average start. Hopefully we can go 3-1, that's what we're shooting for, but we've got a good team in front of us so we'll see. " Jaguars tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins likely would agree after spending last season with the Jets. The 25-year-old has reeled in three receptions in each game this season for the Jaguars and expects to play despite nursing a core muscle injury.
 Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Blake Bortles threw two touchdown passes, including a 67-yarder to Donte Moncrief, and the Jacksonville Jaguars used a dominant defensive performance to handle the New York Jets 31-12 on Sunday. Bortles ended up with a career-high 388 yards passing, topping 375 yards for the second time in three games. He found T. J. Yeldon wide open for a 31-yard score in the second quarter and then beat a blitz with the deep pass to Moncrief down the sideline. The pass to Moncrief was Jacksonville's lone offensive highlight in an ugly second half. The Jaguars (3-1) had three turnovers that led to nine points for the Jets (1-3), who have dropped three straight. Jets rookie Sam Darnold was harassed early and often, getting sacked three times and nearly throwing three interceptions. Tashaun Gipson's pick was overturned by a holding penalty on the other side of the field, and Pro Bowl cornerbacks A. J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey each dropped INTs that would have ended New York's scoring drives. The Jaguars allowed 178 yards and recorded a safety . The Jets scored their lone touchdown following Yeldon's fourth-quarter fumble, a 2-yard pass from Darnold to Jordan Leggett. Nonetheless, it was hardly the "identity game" the Jets had wanted. It was about what the confident Jaguars expected. They improved to 6-1 following losses in coach Doug Marrone's two seasons. Jacksonville's biggest concern coming out of the victory was the health of running back Leonard Fournette, who re-injured his strained right hamstring. Fournette missed the last two games while trying to get back to full speed, but tweaked it during his return. Bortles completed 29 of 38 passes, with an interception on a ball tipped at the line of scrimmage. Fournette ran 11 times for 30 yards before leaving the game for good. Darnold was 17-of-34 passing for 167 yards. The 1-2 punch of Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell combined for 26 yards on the ground. BAD BLOOD? The Jaguars were upset about something, maybe a late body slam on receiver Dede Westbrook by Jets safety Jamal Adams. Marrone called for a 2-point conversion on the final touchdown, a strange decision in a lopsided game. FIRST SACKSJets defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue recorded their first sacks of the season. Williams took down Bortles in the second quarter. Ngakoue sacked Darnold on the last play of the first half. BOUYE OLOGIESBouye had plenty to apologize for in the victory. First, he took blame for Gipson missing out on his first interception of the season. Later, he dropped a sure pick that hit him in the hands. KEY INJURIESJaguars center Brandon Linder was ruled out at halftime with a back injury. . . . Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne left game with a stomach illness, and linebacker Josh Martin was ruled out with concussion-like symptoms. UP NEXTJets: host Denver next Sunday. Jaguars: play at Kansas City next Sunday. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+296
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+8.5 (-111)
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Over 44 (-105)
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-370
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-8.5 (-110)
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Under 44 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 After pulling off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history at Minnesota, the Buffalo Bills take their act, and rookie starting quarterback Josh Allen, to Green Bay, where the Packers and their formidable quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, are in a foul mood coming off last week's loss in Washington. Not surprisingly, the Packers' No. 1 mantra is -- don't underestimate the Bills. Buffalo was a 17-point underdog going into Minnesota, where the Vikings had the No. 1 defense in the league ready to play the Bills' rookie quarterback. Or, maybe it wasn't ready, which is the point the Packers are keeping in mind. So by the time the game begins at 1 p. m. ET Sunday in Lambeau Field, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and Rodgers may have brain cramps after considering what the heck happened in Minnesota last week and why. "I used a bunch of numbers today in the team meeting -- statistics-for-losers approach just to show the importance of statistics but, more importantly, what's inside of those statistics," McCarthy said. "One of the segments was about the Bills and the uncommonness of our opportunity. We played them four years ago and I think they've had two players on their (current) team back then. We don't know them and they don't know us, that's really what our focus in on. It's getting in tune with the uncommon. That's going to be our biggest challenge throughout the week and then come Sunday. " To be clear, sort of, he is saying the Packers must prepare for the unknown. It's not just the rarity of seeing the Bills that's the problem. Three weeks into a season, a team's strengths, weaknesses and tendencies should be becoming apparent. However, the Bills haven't played a close game yet. How much of what the Packers are watching on video based on what Buffalo wants to do vs. what it's doing based on the scoreboard? Last week, for instance, the Bills didn't have primary ball-carrier LeSean McCoy, and the blowout score resulted in the Vikings running the football just six times. "They've played three disjointed games," Rodgers said. "They've been down by multiple scores the first two and then they were up by 27 in the third game. The film is definitely different this week. Obviously, it's an uncommon opponent, but the score has dictated different things on defense. We have a lot of stuff to look at so we've been going through that, and we'll be ready for whatever they throw at us. " Add that to the list of problems confronting the Packers, who lost by two touchdowns at Washington on Sunday. Defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson was placed on injured reserve and outside linebacker Nick Perry is in the concussion protocol, two injuries that could further impact a pass defense that was destroyed by Minnesota's Kirk Cousins in the second half of a tie two weeks ago and Washington's Alex Smith in the first half last week. Offensively, right guard Justin McCray and right tackle Bryan Bulaga couldn't finish the Washington game, two injuries that could further impact an offense that has struggled to protect Rodgers. Rodgers, of course, is dealing with an injured left knee and missed his third consecutive Wednesday practice. Buffalo's defense dominated its matchup against Minnesota. Cousins became the 23rd quarterback in NFL history to complete 40 passes in a game. With 296 passing yards, he's the only one of those quarterbacks to throw for less than 350 yards. Cousins was sacked four times and turned over the ball three times. While fans and media were mesmerized by the fact that Allen, the rookie quarterback, threw for 196 yards and one touchdown and ran 39 yards and two more scores against the Vikings' No. 1 defense, Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier would, ahem, like to point to other key factors in that win. After allowing 78 points in its two season-opening losses, 75 coming in the first six quarters before things began to settle in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Bills were dynamic against Cousins and the Vikings. "It was great to see our defense step up and play as well as they did," said Frazier, who had been stripped by head coach Sean McDermott of his play-calling duties in the second half against Los Angeles, but then was given those duties back in Minnesota. "We came really close to pitching a shutout, so it was a great effort by a lot of guys throughout the day. " This is the kind of defense the Bills must play given the state of their offense if they hope to win more than they lose in 2018. This Sunday that defense will face a gimpy Rodgers rather than a healthy Cousins. That doesn't foster increased optimism by the Bills, however. "I'll take Aaron Rodgers hobbling over most of the quarterbacks in the league," said Bills safety Micah Hyde, who was Rodgers' Green Bay teammate for four years. "He still has the intelligence, the arm, he's going to get it done regardless. We know he's going to play his A-game, we know what type of quarterback he is, so we have to play accordingly. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 GREEN BAY, Wis. Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Graham connected on their first touchdown pass of the year, and the Green Bay Packers put together their most complete defensive effort of the season in a 22-0 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Aaron Jones added 65 yards and a score on 11 carries for the Packers, who slowed in the second half after a fast start on offense. The defense didn't let up against the Bills. Green Bay (2-1-1) posted its first shutout since a 9-0 win over the Jets in 2010. Rookie quarterback Josh Allen accounted for three turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble late in the fourth quarter that stood on review. He was 16 of 33 for 151 yards. The Bills had a much tougher time on the road in the NFC North, a week after a stunning win at heavily favored Minnesota. Buffalo did manage to force Rodgers to throw his first interception of the year. Rodgers also fumbled the ball away early in the fourth quarter after a sack by Taron Johnson. But a 16-0 lead at the half was more than enough cushion against Buffalo's feeble offense. Even the return of running back LeSean McCoy, who missed a game because of a rib injury, didn't help the Bills (1-3). Mason Crosby kicked two 52-yard field goals, bouncing back after an extra-point attempt in the first quarter hit the right upright. A physical defense for Green Bay held the Bills to eight punts and three turnovers on their first 11 drives. Allen was sacked seven times, three by Kyler Fackrell. Things went so well for the D that linebacker Clay Matthews was credited for a half-sack after drawing roughing-the-passer penalties in each of the first three weeks. Rodgers was 22 of 40 for 298 yards. He had a little more mobility in the pocket, playing a third straight week with a brace on his injured left knee. Rodgers did misfire on a couple throws. Receivers dropped a couple passes. An offense playing without Randall Cobb because of a hamstring injury also lost Geronimo Allison in the second half after he had to be evaluated for a concussion. The offense wasn't quite as effective in the second half. Still, it was a confidence-building win following a disheartening 14-point loss last week to Washington. Davante Adams had 81 catches for eight yards. Running back Ty Montgomery had a 43-yard completion on a wheel route that set up Graham's 3-yard touchdown catch with 5:15 left to open the scoring. Graham had three catches for 21 yards. Signed in the offseason as a free agent, the athletic tight end made his first official Lambeau Leap after a touchdown earlier this season was wiped out by a flag. For Buffalo, McCoy finished with 24 yards on five carries, and 13 yards on three receptions. INJURY REPORTWR Kelvin Benjamin had one catch for 34 yards before leaving in the third quarter to be evaluated for a head injury. Benjamin absorbed a hard hit from Clinton-Dix on a play that also led the safety's interception. . . . S Micah Hyde had a disappointing return to Lambeau after leaving in the first quarter with a groin injury. Hyde left the Packers as a free agent after the 2016 season. UP NEXTBills: Host Tennessee Titans on Oct. 7. Packers: Visit Detroit Lions on Oct. 7. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-124
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-1 (-106)
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Over 48.5 (-110)
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+104
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+1 (-114)
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Under 48.5 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 While the Indianapolis Colts overhauled their coaching staff in the offseason, one glaring trend has continued under head coach Frank Reich. This team is still struggling to finish games. Last year's 4-12 team led at halftime in nine games but won just twice. This year's Colts (1-2) have had fourth-quarter leads in all three games but been outscored 27-10 in the final 15 minutes. The most recent disappointment was a 20-16 loss at Philadelphia. Enter the surprisingly winless Houston Texans (0-3), who visit Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday in dire need of a win against their AFC South Division hosts. While the Colts, on paper, are better in many ways than a year ago, they can ill afford another late collapse. "We know everybody emphasizes (that) everybody is desperate," Reich said. "They are desperate for a win. Every team is desperate for a win. " The good news is the Colts are only one game behind the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars (both 2-1) in the division. But the Colts are on the road for three of the next four after this game, which makes winning at home even more important. "I think we can probably look back and say if we hit a couple more chunks in a couple of the first games, then maybe that swings the tide in a way," said Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, referring to a sluggish offense that's been too dependent upon short-range pass plays. "We can always get better and I don't think I am anywhere near scratching the surface of realizing my full potential, if that makes sense. " The Texans are coming off a disappointing 27-22 home loss to the previously winless New York Giants. But quarterback Deshaun Watson leads an eighth-ranked offense with big-play capability, most notably with Pro Bowl star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. In addition, defensive end J. J. Watt is beginning to round into form after missing significant time the last two seasons because of injuries. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year recorded eight tackles, four for losses, three sacks and four quarterback hits with one forced fumble Sunday, dominating the Giants. Watt is encouraged by his progress, but not satisfied. "I think it's coming back little by little," Watt said. "I think last game it started to show up on the stat line more maybe than it did the first couple games, but I think it's still a work in progress. I still have a lot to improve on and get better at. I'm by no means where I want to be yet, but we're getting there. " Watt recorded his first sacks since a Sept. 18, 2016 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 79 career sacks. "He did a great job," Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said. "Did a really good job against the running game, played hard, excellent job pass rush. " Watt and Co. will look to keep Luck in control. Although Luck has attempted 124 passes, he's completed just five for 20 or more yards. He averaged a career-low 4. 1 yards per completion in 40 pass attempts against the Eagles. Because he missed last season due to right shoulder surgery, that's prompted questions about his arm strength. "I know I am at a level where I can make all the throws and I feel confident that I am going out there with my full arsenal, if that makes sense," he said. "I don't think anything is physically holding me back. " A Colts defense led by the standout play of rookie weakside linebacker Darius Leonard has been better than many expected. A 21-9 win at Washington in Week 2 marked the first time the Colts had held an opponent without a touchdown since 2016. Then last week, those same Redskins scored 31 in a double-digit win over visiting Green Bay. Meanwhile, injuries are affecting Houston's receiving corps. At Wednesday's practice, one day after placing Bruce Ellington on injured reserve, the Texans' receiving corps was banged up. Every wide receiver on the active roster was limited in practice except for rookie Vyncint Smith. Hopkins is on the injury report with thumb, ankle and hamstring injuries. Will Fuller V, Keke Coutee and Sammie Coates are still dealing with hamstring injuries.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 INDIANOLIS Ka'imi Fairbairn took advantage of his second chance on a 37-yard field goal attempt Sunday, making it as time expired in overtime to give the Houston Texans a 37-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He had missed the first kick wide left - just after Indy called timeout. Houston (1-3) ended the league's losing streak at nine games with its first victory since Nov. 19. The Colts threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-four from their own 43, giving the ball back to Houston with 24 seconds to go. Deshaun Watson then connected with DeAndre Hopkins on a 24-yard pass to set up the winning kick. It's the third time in four weeks Indy (1-3) has come up short in the closing minutes. The loss spoiled Adam Vinatieri's record-breaking day. The 45-year-old kicker became the league's career leader in field goals when he made a 42-yarder with 2 seconds left in the first half and he extended the mark to 567 with a 44-yarder to give the Colts a 34-31 lead in overtime. But Fairbairn tied the score with a 29-yard kick and won it with the 37-yarder. Vinatieri moved past Hall of Famer Morten Andersen, who had 565 career field goals. Watson, who missed the final nine games last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, looked like his old self. He was 29 of 42 with 375 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. He also rushed six times for 41 yards and his first rushing score of the season. Hopkins had eight catches for 134 yards and Keke Coutee had 11 catches for 109 yards. Luck nearly matched the franchise's regular-season record with a 21-point comeback. But his final pass hit the ground. He was 40 of 62 for a career-high 464 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He tied the single-game franchise record for completions and broke the mark for attempts. Indy struck first, using T. Y. Hilton's 40-yard reception to set up a 4-yard TD pass from Luck to Zach Pascal. The Texans tied it on Jadeveon Clowney's recovery of a botched snap in the end zone, then took the lead on Watson's 3-yard TD pass to Will Fuller V. They made it 21-7 when Hopkins caught a 5-yard TD pass. Vinatieri's field goal got the Colts within 21-10 at halftime. The Texans made it 28-10 with Watson's 5-yard scoring run to open the second half. But Luck methodically brought Indy back. He hooked up with Nyheim Hines on a 14-yard TD pass to make it 28-17 and Eric Ebron on a 5-yard TD pass to make it 28-23. After Fairbairn made a 40-yard field goal to give the Texans a 31-23 lead with 2:58 left, Luck took the Colts 85 yards in a little more than two minutes and threw a 9-yard TD pass to Hines and a 2-point conversion pass to Chester Rogers with 45 seconds left in regulation. INJURY REPORTTexans: Hopkins started despite dealing with thumb, ankle and hamstring injuries all week. Fuller left with a hamstring injury late in the first half and linebacker Brian Peters did not return after injuring his ankle. Colts: Hilton left with a chest injury and cornerback Kenny Moore III departed with a concussion in the first half. But Hilton returned then left in the second half with a hamstring injury. Moore did not return. UP NEXTTexans: Host cross-state rival Dallas next Sunday night. Colts: Head to New England on Thursday night. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFLMore NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+160
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+3 (+102)
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Over 52 (-113)
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-185
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-3 (-122)
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Under 52 (-107)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a head-on clash of focal points. The Bengals (2-1) want to improve their run defense. The Falcons (1-2) want to improve their running game. At least those are the stated goals, although don't be surprised if the game still becomes a passing duel between two explosive quarterbacks -- Cincinnati's Andy Dalton and Atlanta's Matt Ryan. Dalton completed 74 of 116 passes for 860 yards in three games and is tied for third in the league with eight touchdowns. Ryan has completed 70 of 106 passes for 897 yards and seven touchdowns, but is hot as five of those TD passes came in a shootout against New Orleans last week, won by the Saints in overtime 43-37. So his arm is probably still warm. But Falcons head coach Dan Quinn laments the team's inability to run the ball effectively puts too much of a load on Ryan. Atlanta ran the ball 22 times for 48 yards against the Saints after rushing 32 times for 170 yards against Carolina. The Falcons ran the ball only four times in the fourth quarter against the Saints, two of those scrambles by Ryan. "It was such a difference," Quinn said. "I thought we stayed with it. That's usually the first thing I look at, was there enough attempts, was there enough shots. We had three of them that ended up being penalties . . . we had 20 or 21 runs. Then there were five of the runs that ended up being a negative run. " Tevin Coleman was limited to 33 yards on 15 carries, a week after he went for 107 yards. Ito Smith, who looked good in running for 46 yards against Carolina, ran it twice and lost 6 yards. Tailback Devonta Freeman has missed the last two games with a knee injury and it is uncertain if he will play Sunday. On the other side of the ball Sunday, the Bengals hope they return to the more efficient run defense that helped them begin the season 2-0. But last week the Carolina Panthers collected 230 yards rushing on 41 carries. The tone was set on the Panthers' first touchdown drive, the final 64 yards of which was on the ground, including one 45-yard jaunt by elusive Christian McCaffrey. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis expects a different type of ground game from the Falcons, who are not as diversified on the ground. Well, unless they analyze films of the Panthers game. "We have to go back and look at the film and figure out how we can fix that because you know, it's a copycat league," Lewis said. "Those same plays will come up later. We just got to put it to bed. " All that talk about rushing and rushing defense notwithstanding, this is a passing league and both teams can do that well. The Falcons have been unable to get any consistent heat on the quarterback the last two weeks (Cam Newton, Drew Brees) and will need to do better in that regard against Dalton. With at least three starters out (and likely more) Atlanta will need to get an effective pass rush from Vic Beasley Jr. , who picked up his first sack last week, and Grady Jarrett. Dalton is generally underrated by most opponents despite winning 58. 9 percent of his starts, best in franchise history. This season he completed 63. 8 percent of his throws and only been sacked four times in three games. However, Dalton has already been intercepted five times. Cincinnati's third-year wide receiver Tyler Boyd is off to a strong start and was probably player of the game in an otherwise disappointing loss at Carolina. For the second straight game, he matched a career-high with six receptions and set a career-best with 132 yards. Boyd leads the Bengals with 249 receiving yards and his 15 catches are second on the team. For Atlanta, the emergence of wide receiver Calvin Ridley the last two weeks has helped spark the offense. Ridley was hardly used in the season opener at Philadelphia. He has been a key part of the game plan the last two weeks. Against the Saints, Ridley caught seven passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns. He pulled in a career-long 75-yarder for a score and became the first Atlanta rookie to catch three touchdown passes in a game and the seventh player in franchise history to do so. "One of the things that jumps out is the speed he practices with," Quinn said. "He's one of the two fastest players at practice. It allows him to run routes at full speed and the timing you're seeing with him and Matt is because of the way he works. " Ridley has seen how fellow Alabama alum Julio Jones goes about his business and is right there with him. "From the time he got here, the work that he puts in on the practice field, like he constantly empties the bucket to get ready," Quinn said. "He does not cut corners. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 ATLANTA Andy Dalton threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to A. J. Green with 7 seconds remaining, lifting the Cincinnati Bengals to a 37-36 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Dalton moved the Bengals 75 yards in about four minutes. He completed two passes on fourth down to Tyler Boyd, who had 11 catches for 100 yards, to keep the drive alive. Green, the former University of Georgia star making his first return to the state of Georgia, made a diving catch in the right side of the end zone to cap the drive. He had four catches for 78 yards. Giovani Bernard ran for 69 yards and two touchdowns for Cincinnati (3-1). Matt Ryan continued his resurgence by throwing three scoring passes, including two to rookie Calvin Ridley, for the Falcons. As was the case last week, when he had his first career game with five touchdown passes in a loss to New Orleans, Ryan had too little support from an injury-depleted defense. The Falcons (1-3) topped 30 points for the third straight week. Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP, has thrown eight touchdown passes in his past two weeks and has 10 through four games after throwing only 20 in 2017. Atlanta's Matt Bryant, who kicked three field goals, including a 55-yard field goal in the second quarter, was good from 32 yards to give the Falcons a 36-31 lead with 4:15 remaining. That was too much time for Dalton, who completed 29 of 41 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. There were no punts in the first half. The Bengals scored touchdowns on each of their four possessions. Ridley had scoring catches of 11 and 30 yards, giving him five in his past two games and six for the season. Ridley's second TD catch, a 30-yarder, gave Atlanta a 33-28 lead early in the fourth quarter when the 2-point pass attempt was no good. Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert had four catches for 38 yards, including a 15-yard scoring catch in the first quarter, before suffering a gruesome lower right leg injury early in the third quarter. Eifert, the team's third-leading receiver entering the game, caught a 2-yard pass and was tackled by De'Vondre Campbell and Jack Crawford. Eifert brought his hands up to his helmet as he was on his back in obvious pain. His leg stabilized by the medical staff, Eifert received encouragement from teammates before he was carted off the field. Each team was without its top running back. Devonta Freeman missed his third straight game for Atlanta with a sore right knee. Joe Mixon was held out for the second straight week for the Bengals after having debris removed from his right knee. INJURY REPORTBengals halfback Mark Walton did not return and was being treated for a possible concussion after a helmet-to-helmet penalty hit by Brian Poole near the end of the third. Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had an ankle injury late in the fourth and did not return. UP NEXTBengals: host Miami Dolphins next Sunday. Falcons: Visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in first road game since opening season at Philadelphia. ---For more NFL coverage: https://apnews. com/tag/NFLfootball and www. twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-142
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-3 (-101)
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Over 41 (-115)
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+122
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+3 (-119)
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Under 41 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 It wasn't that long ago when Marcus Mariota dominated everything in Philadelphia. Headlines, sports talk radio, water cooler chatter, you name it, all the talk was whether or not Mariota was going to be an Eagle and what should the Eagles do to make it happen. Mariota had just won the Heisman Trophy with the University of Oregon in 2014. Chip Kelly was Philadelphia's head coach who had been Oregon's head coach two years earlier and recruited Mariota from Hawaii to come to Oregon. Problem was, the Eagles were slotted to pick 20th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota would be long gone, unless they could find a way to engineer a trade with the team that owned the second overall pick -- the Tennessee Titans. The Eagles never made the move up to get Mariota, although there were reports at the time that they had offered defensive tackle Fletcher Cox as a sweetener. So Mariota went to the Titans and now the Eagles might have to contend with him. It's likely that Mariota will start despite an injury that has him feeling numbness in his throwing hand fingers because backup Blaine Gabbert is in concussion protocol and the team only signed veteran Austin Davis off the street earlier in the week. "I really liked him coming out of college," Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said about Mariota. "I thought his athleticism, his attention to detail, his work ethic, he is a smart kid. I thought being in the right system, he would really flourish, and he has, and he's done some good things. "Always been one of those quarterbacks -- he's always been one of those guys that can be dangerous outside the pocket. You saw it in college and you've seen it in his first few years in the league. He throws a really good ball. I haven't really seen him in person until this weekend if he gets a chance to start and looking forward to watching him a little bit. " The Eagles' defense, which is ranked ninth overall, will try to shut down the run, especially with the potential Mariota's throws could be affected. The Eagles are facing an offensively challenged offense, one that is ranked 29th in the NFL (10th in rushing, 29th in passing) and averaging just 16 points. Mariota's accuracy looked OK when he came off the bench to lead the Titans to victory over Jacksonville, but he passed for just 100 yards and had no deep throws to speak of. The Eagles no doubt know Mariota is less than 100 percent and will challenge the Titans to make a play over the top in the passing game. Tennessee needs to run the ball consistently to stay out of long passing situations. Mariota is wearing the partial glove on his throwing hand, which he says helps. "I mean the glove helps in terms of getting more grip," he acknowledged. "Eventually, I'd like to get rid of it. I don't really like having something on my hand. For now, it's helping, so I'll continue to use it. " As for the Tennessee ground game, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said, "They have a Heisman Trophy running back (Derrick Henry). They had probably their premier, free-agent pick this year, Dion Lewis, and they have a running quarterback. So obviously it's what they want to do and they're committed to it, so it's our job to combat that. " On offense, the Eagles will have to contend with linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who made 12 tackles in last week's win over the Jaguars and has had 35 tackles on the season, with three tackles for loss and a sack, and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, who has three sacks in three games. Defensively, the Titans need to make life uncomfortable for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who is in just his second game back from a torn ACL. Wentz finished 25 of 37 for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception last week and showed a bit of mobility against the Colts, but the Titans would like to keep him confined to the pocket if they can and win the matchups along the front. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, in particular, has been solid with three sacks.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 NASHVILLE, Tenn. Marcus Mariota hit Corey Davis with a 10-yard touchdown pass just before the end of overtime, and the Tennessee Titans beat the Philadelphia Eagles 26-23 on Sunday for their best start since 2013. The Titans trailed by 14 in the third quarter before rallying for the lead. They also trailed 23-20 in overtime before coming back again behind Mariota, who in his first start since being knocked out of the season opener with an injured elbow threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a score. On the game-winning drive, the Titans converted three fourth downs, one by penalty. Mariota hit Taywan Taylor with a 19-yarder on fourth-and-15, and Mariota found a wide-open Dion Lewis on fourth-and-2 for a 17-yard gain. Facing third-and-goal and the clock running out, Mariota found Davis for the receiver's first TD catch in the regular season. The Titans (3-1) also came up with four sacks. Rookie Harold Landry got his first and also stripped Carson Wentz of the ball within the first minute of the fourth quarter, setting up the second of Ryan Succop's two field goals. The Eagles (2-2) had their chances to win both at the end of regulation and in overtime but were forced to settle for a pair of field goals by Jake Elliott. Philadelphia had three chances inside the Tennessee 20 to win in regulation after DeAndre Carter returned a punt 42 yards to the Titans 39 with 1:41 left, but Wentz threw incomplete on first and third down. Elliott kicked a 30-yarder to force overtime. In the extra period, the Eagles had first-and-10 at the Tennessee 17 but had to settle for a 37-yard field goal by Elliott for the lead. The Eagles led 10-3 at halftime and 17-3 after a masterful drive that ate up more than 7 minutes of the third quarter before Wentz hit receiver Alshon Jeffery with a 16-yard TD. Mariota finally got the Titans' offense going after just two offensive touchdowns through the first three games. He capped a 75-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run to pull Tennessee within 17-10 late in the third, and he hit Tajae Sharpe with an 11-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. The Eagles outgained Tennessee 432-397 with Wentz throwing for 348 yards. Jeffery finished with 105 yards receiving and a TD, and Zach Ertz had 10 catches for 112 yards. Davis finished with 161 yards on nine catches for the Titans. INJURIESEagles: Right guard Brandon Brooks limped to the sideline late in the fourth quarter. Titans: Linebacker Wesley Woodyard, Tennessee's leading tackler, hurt his shoulder in the first quarter and did not return. Safety Kenny Vaccaro went to the locker room with trainers late in the first half with an injured right elbow and watched the second half with his arm in a sling on the sideline. UP NEXTEagles: Host Minnesota. Titans: Visit Buffalo. ---Follow Teresa M. Walker at www. twitter. com/teresamwalker---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+256
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+6.5 (-103)
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Over 50.5 (-112)
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-315
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-6.5 (-117)
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Under 50.5 (-108)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 The AFC East traditionally has been the division that has provided the least amount of surprise during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady Era. After all, the Patriots have scribbled their name atop the division 14 times in the last 15 years -- save for Brady's season-opening injury in 2008 that opened the door for the Miami Dolphins to capture the AFC East title. Fast forward to the present as the Patriots (1-2) have endured back-to-back losses to fall two games behind the undefeated Dolphins (3-0) heading into their early-season showdown Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. "We've spent some time here on the Dolphins, and they're certainly off to an impressive start," Belichick said. "This is a really good football team. They're good in all three areas of the game. "They lead the league in field position. A lot of that's created by special teams, obviously, and their turnover differential. So, done a really good job there, very good in the kicking game, explosive return game, good rushing team, they cover well. "And offensively, this is a well-balanced team that's very explosive, has a lot of big plays, run the ball, have a lot of play-makers on the offensive side, including the quarterback (Ryan Tannehill) throwing and running. And defensively, they're aggressive, they play fast, turn the ball over, really good pursuit team, well-coached, good fundamental team. It's easy to see why they're 3-0. They're playing well, well-coached. " For the Dolphins to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1995, they will have to record their first win in New England since 2008. In fact, the Patriots have won 14 of their last 16 encounters with the Dolphins heading into Sunday's tilt. Tannehill improved to 10-1 in his last 11 starts after throwing for 289 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 28-20 victory over the winless Oakland Raiders. While the Dolphins are 3-0 for the first time since 1998, the quarterback insisted there is more work ahead. "We're on the right track," Tannehill said. "Are we there yet? No. But the patterns we're establishing are going to take us there. " While Jakeem Grant had two touchdown receptions last week and Albert Wilson threw and received a scoring strike, another wide receiver is fixated on Sunday's game versus New England. "I'm excited to get back up there. I've had a lot of experience playing there," said Danny Amendola, who won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots before signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the Dolphins in March. Amendola used to catch passes from Brady, who found himself pacing along the sideline as the Patriots' 28th-ranked defense was gouged by the Detroit Lions last Sunday. The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player finished 14 of 26 for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the 26-10 setback. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had two touchdown receptions in his last meeting with Miami, routinely was double- and occasionally triple-teamed last week with the Patriots receiving little from their wide receivers in the passing game. Wideout Josh Gordon, who was acquired from Cleveland last week, is uncertain to play versus Miami as he nurses a hamstring injury while getting up to speed on the Patriots' offense. For New England to avoid its first 1-3 start since 2001, it will need to contain Cameron Wake. The five-time Pro Bowl selection has recorded 10. 5 sacks in his career against New England. "You've got to definitely get the ball out quick," Gronkowski said as a means of preventing Wake from disrupting the offense. "I would say that definitely disturbs the defenses pretty well, if you can get the ball out quick and make yards. So definitely that's what you want to do when you've got good pass-rushers on the other side of the ball. " New England also had great difficulty with Detroit's ground game. On Sunday, the Patriots will face the ageless Frank Gore and promising Kenyan Drake. Gore recorded 289 scrimmage yards in three career meetings with the Patriots while Drake had a career-high 193 scrimmage yards in the last meeting. New England rookie Sony Michel rushed for 50 yards in his first career start while fellow running back James White reeled in Brady's lone touchdown pass versus the Lions. White also had a receiving touchdown in his last encounter with the Dolphins.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Tom Brady threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns and the New England Patriots handed Miami its first loss of the season in a 38-7 rout on Sunday. It denied the Dolphins their first 4-0 start since Hall of Fame coach Don Shula's last season in 1995. Brady improved to 15-1 as a starter against Miami. But New England lost one of its best players in the process. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, one of Brady's favorite targets, left the game in the third quarter with a right ankle injury and did not return. It put a slight damper on an afternoon in which New England showed the kind of consistency on both sides of the ball that had been missing in back-to-back losses to Jacksonville and Detroit. Since 2002, the Patriots are 7-0 after back-to-back lossesIn its two losses, New England's offense struggled to find its rhythm and sustain drives on third down. It did both Sunday, taking advantage of a Dolphins defense that couldn't seem to match the Patriots speed. Running back James White finished with a rushing and receiving touchdown. Rookie running back Sony Michel rushed 25 times for 112 yards and his first career touchdown. Miami struggled in every phase and looked very much like the team that has lost 10 straight road games to New England. Ryan Tannehill finished 11 for 20 for 100 yards and an interception. He was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of Brock Osweiler. Osweiler connected with Frank Gore for a 6-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for Miami's lone score. Miami was just 3 of 11 on third down and managed only 172 total yards. The Dolphins also had two turnovers. Miami had a strong start on defense, intercepting Brady on New England's second offensive series. But following quick Dolphins' punt, the Patriots bounced back with a 55-yard TD pass from Brady to Cordarrelle Patterson to take a 10-0 lead. The 55-yard pass was New England's longest play of the season. Patterson caught the pass over his shoulder along the sideline and stutter-stepped past safety T. J. McDonald to find a clear path to the end zone. Then about midway through the second quarter, Tannehill fumbled a snap to begin a series that was recovered by Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy on the Dolphins 2 . White ran it in for a touchdown on the next play to make it 17-0 . The Patriots then ended the half with a 15-play, 85-yard drive capped by an acrobatic touchdown grab in the end zone by Phillip Dorsett. Dorsett, who had no catches in last week's loss to Detroit, finished with four catches for 55 yards. GORDON DEBUTSPatriots receiver Josh Gordon made his debut Sunday, making his first playing time in New England since his trade from the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 17. He made his first reception at the 7:27 mark of the first quarter, hauling in a 13-yard grab. Gordon was inactive in Week 3 in New England's loss to Detroit with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice this week. He finished with two catches for 32 yards. MR. 200Dolphins running back Frank Gore became the eighth running back in NFL history to appear in 200 NFL games. Gore took the field in the first quarter of Miami's matchup with the Patriots. With 14,124 rushing yards, Gore entered the day ranked fourth on the NFL's all-time rushing list behind only Emmitt Smith (18,335), Walter Payton (16,726) and Barry Sanders (15,269). SPREAD IT AROUNDPatterson became the 70th different player to catch a touchdown pass from Brady. It tied Brady with Vinny Testaverde for the most players with a touchdown reception from a single quarterback in NFL history. INJURIESDolphins center Daniel Kilgore left the game in the first half with an arm injury. Safety Bobby McCain left with a knee injury. Patriots defensive lineman Adam Butler was helped off the field in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Elandon Roberts also limped off late. UP NEXTThe Dolphins visit Cincinnati next Sunday. The Patriots host the Colts on Thursday night. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+119
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+2.5 (-110)
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Over 44 (-105)
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-139
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-2.5 (-110)
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Under 44 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 It's becoming more and more apparent that it's going to take time for the Dallas Cowboys to develop an offensive identity in life after tight end Jason Witten and wide receiver Dez Bryant. On Sunday, they hope that begins to happen when the Detroit Lions visit AT&T Stadium. In order for quarterback Dak Prescott to develop chemistry with new receivers like Tavon Austin, Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson in games, a lot of other things have to go right. The Dallas offensive line has to keep Prescott from getting sacked five times, like he was last week in Seattle. The Cowboys have to put themselves in favorable down-and-distance situations to keep opposing defenses from pinning their ears back and coming after the quarterback on third-and-extra-long situations. But, mostly, it seems, the receivers need to get open and Prescott has to be able to find them and get them the ball. Dallas head coach Jason Garrett said he can't single out one of those areas that has hurt the Cowboys the most. "If there is something that's overarching, you say, 'OK, we've really got to address this,'" Garrett said. "I don't know that that's been the case though. I think it's probably been something here on this play, something there on that play, something here on this other play. And hopefully we can iron those things out and execute better. " It might be death by a thousand paper cuts, but it's still pretty grim for the Cowboys. Through three games, Dallas averages 13. 7 points, ranking next-to-last in the NFL. In the season opener, the Cowboys didn't score in the first three quarters. After an uptick and a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants in Week 2, Dallas gave up three turnovers and fell to Seattle 24-13. Meanwhile, the Lions have the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL three weeks into the season, but safety Glover Quin isn't reading too much into that ranking yet. "It's kind of one of those things where we can be proud of it, but on the flip side of it, we got the last-ranked run defense," Quin said. "So if teams don't have to throw the ball then you're probably not going to give up a lot of yards. So we need to continue to have a good pass defense and get that run defense in the top 10, then we can say we're doing something. " After allowing 100-yard rushing games to running backs Isaiah Crowell (10 carries, 102 yards) and Matt Breida (11-138) in season-opening losses to the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers, the Lions finally put together a respectable showing against the run in last week's 26-10 victory over the New England Patriots. The Lions held the Patriots to 89 yards rushing on 19 carries, with much of that production coming with the game out of hand and the Lions in a prevent defense in the fourth quarter. This week, with a game against Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys looming, the Lions' run defense will get its sternest test yet. Elliott is the NFL's co-leader in rushing yards, and the Cowboys are one of the league's best teams at the stretch zone run, a concept that's given the Lions fits all year. "Ezekiel Elliott, he's phenomenal," Lions head coach Matt Patricia said. "This guy's big, he's strong, he's got great balance, he's athletic, he can run powerful. He'll attack the tacklers as they're coming to get him. He's going to take it to them whether it's a stiff arm or just lowering the shoulder. Great vision. He can take the ball, start it front side, come back out the other way, and just is such a dynamic player in that accord. It's very hard to defend. " Prescott has not reached 200 yards passing in a game since mid-December, and with a lack of weapons on the outside, the Lions may be able to commit extra resources to stopping Elliott on Sunday. "We've got to get the run stopped and make it one-dimensional and then we can hone in on the pass game and try to make it difficult on them," Quinn said.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 ARLINGTON, Texas Brett Maher kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Dallas Cowboys to a 26-24 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Maher's fourth field goal was set up by Dak Prescott's 34-yard completion to running back Ezekiel Elliott on a deep throw after Matthew Stafford had put the Lions in front with a 38-yard touchdown to Golden Tate, their second TD connection of the day. Elliott had a career-high 240 all-purpose yards, with 152 yards rushing and 88 receiving. The rushing total was 1 yard shy of his best. The best offensive day of the season for a previously struggling Dallas offense spoiled Stafford's homecoming again, with his third straight loss at the home of the Cowboys (2-2). The former Dallas-area high school star threw for 307 yards. Trailing 20-10, Stafford led the Lions (1-3) 75 yards to rookie Kerryon Johnson's first career touchdown, an 8-yard run that started a back-and-fourth final quarter. After the Cowboys settled for Maher's third field goal on an 85-yard drive, Stafford found Tate for 35 yards into Dallas territory before Tate easily beat zone coverage down the sideline and strutted toward the end zone, just as he had on a 45-yard score in the first quarter. But Prescott had an answer while throwing for at least 200 yards for the first time this season. The Dallas quarterback saved the final drive by picking up a fumble when he was hit on the arm and scrambling before throwing the ball out of bounds. Prescott then converted a third down on the next play and two plays later threw deep to Elliott with linebacker Jarrad Davis trailing the 2016 NFL rushing leader by a couple of steps. The Cowboys then killed the clock to set up Maher, the kicker they chose over trusty Dan Bailey at the end of the preseason in a cost-cutting move. Elliott had a season-high 25 carries for his 152 yards, and Prescott was 17 of 27 for 255 yards with two touchdowns, including tight end Geoff Swaim's first career score. Stafford was 24 of 30 with the two scores to Tate, who had eight catches for 132 yards. ROUGHING THE PASSERThe touchdown screen to Elliott was set up by a roughing-the-passer penalty against Romeo Okwara. The question was whether the whistle had blown when he hit Prescott, who was trying to escape pressure when he stumbled out of an attempted tackle and went to a knee. Prescott popped up but had stopped moving, anticipating that he was down, when Okwara knocked him to the ground. Officials discussed the play before announcing two defensive penalties. The other was an illegal contact call against Darius Slay. CAREER FIRSTDallas receiver Terrance Williams was a healthy scratch for the first time in his six-year career. The Cowboys have struggled for consistency with their pass catchers in the first season without Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. They have seven receivers on the 53-man roster. Williams was the odd man out this week, and was a no-show at practice Friday. INJURIESLions: RG T. J. Lang didn't return after sustaining a concussion in the first quarter. Cowboys: WR Tavon Austin injured his right shoulder falling to the ground after dropping a potential touchdown catch in the first half. He returned in the second half. . . . DT Antwaun Woods left in the first half with a calf injury. Woods was questionable before the game because of a groin injury. UP NEXTLions: Green Bay at home next Sunday. Cowboys: At Houston next Sunday. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:00 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+120
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+2.5 (-118)
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Over 45.5 (-110)
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-140
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-2.5 (-102)
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Under 45.5 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers publicly haven't shown their hand in regard to their starting quarterback for the Week 4 contest against the Chicago Bears, but the team came up aces with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. Fitzpatrick is expected to get the nod over Jameis Winston as the Buccaneers (2-1) bid to rebound from their first loss of the season on Sunday when they face Khalil Mack and the Bears (2-1) at Soldier Field. The 35-year-old Fitzpatrick was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week following both of Tampa Bay's victories in its first two games. He overcame three interceptions to lead a comeback attempt that fell just short in Monday's 30-27 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fitzpatrick still leads the NFL in passing yards per game (410. 0) and is second behind Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes in both touchdown passes (11) and passer rating (124. 8). Winston, who was the top overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, returned to the team this week after serving a three-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. "So we know what we're going to do, both guys know what we're going to do, and I hope everybody can appreciate it doesn't do us any good to tell our opponents what we're going to do," Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said. "That'll work itself out as the week goes on, but we do have a plan and both guys are aware of it. " While Koetter has refused to divulge his starter for competitive reasons, Mack insists it's all part of the game. "Man, that's the whole point in playing in the NFL," Mack said. "You have to be prepared. You get paid to go out and be able to know. No matter who it is, you've got to be prepared. That's going to be a challenge. You're ready to meet the challenge. " Mack has met the challenge since being traded from the Oakland Raiders, recording four sacks, an interception and three forced fumbles for a Bears team that is tied for second in the NFL with eight takeaways. A former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Mack had two sacks and five tackles as Chicago overcame an early deficit to post a 16-14 victory over the winless Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Mitchell Trubisky was limited to just 220 yards and an interception against the Cardinals, but a date with a forgiving Buccaneers defense that ranks 31st in yards allowed and 29th in scoring can help silence his mounting critics. "In this sport, at the quarterback position, there's immense pressure, especially with a great team like we have here in the great city of Chicago," Bears head coach Matt Nagy said. "There are a lot of people and a lot of people that care, and so it's easy to direct it at one person. "And then you throw on top of that somebody that's a high draft pick, that's a lot of pressure. But that's OK. This kid is willing to take anything and everything on. I want to make sure that he understands that there are so many parts to this offense that take time, and as long as I convey that to him, that the only thing he needs to worry about is what I tell him and how he's going at our pace, that's the only thing that matters. " Tampa Bay defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul provides another worry for Trubisky, as he has three of his team's seven sacks. The Bears' fifth-ranked defense will need to keep a keen eye on Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and Chris Godwin, as the three Buccaneers receivers each have three touchdown receptions under their belt. In fact, Evans (367 yards) and Jackson (312 yards) are the first pair of teammates in league history to have at least 300 receiving yards and three touchdown catches apiece through their team's first three games of a season. "(Jackson is) underrated as a route runner, he's a phenomenal route runner," Nagy said. "And then you've got Mike Evans, he's so big he can beat you with his physical size but yet you saw he can go downfield and his ball skills are amazing. He can make great catches. And that's been like that since Texas A&M. " While the passing game has flourished, Tampa Bay's rushing attack ranks last in the NFL in yards per carry (3. 0). Last week, the Buccaneers fell behind 30-10 and abandoned the run game early. To slow the Bears' pass rush, they will have to be more balanced. Running back Peyton Barber gets most of the carries and it remains to be seen if second-round pick Ronald Jones II will see his first action of the season. Statistics would suggest it will be difficult to get Bears running backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen running lanes, but the Buccaneers' defense hasn't really been tested on the ground. Attacking with the inside zone and occasional jet sweeps or screen passes is the best way to move the ball and keep Tampa Bay's own offense watching the game. Howard rushed for 100 yards during a 2016 encounter versus the Buccaneers.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 CHICAGO Mitchell Trubisky threw a career-high six touchdown passes and the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears pounded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-10 on Sunday. The Bears (3-0) won their third straight with Trubisky delivering the sort of breakout performance general manager Ryan Pace envisioned when he traded up a spot to draft the prized quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick last year. He finished one TD pass shy of a franchise mark set by Sid Luckman against the New York Giants in 1943. The Bears also racked up 483 yards, nearly matching their record of 488 in that same game, on the way to their highest point total since 51-20 victory over Tennessee in 2012. The defense did its part, harassing Ryan Fitzpatrick before Jameis Winston took over to start the second half. And the Bears (3-1) won their third straight, matching their longest run since a 3-0 start in 2013. Trubisky had never thrown for more than two touchdowns in a game. But he threw for five in the first half alone as Chicago grabbed a 38-3 lead. The only other player with more in a single half since 1991 was Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers with six in the first two quarters against the Bears in a romp at Lambeau Field in November 2014. Trubisky had no trouble finding wide-open receivers against a struggling secondary, completing 19 of 26 passes for 354 yards. Khalil Mack had a strip-sack in the first half against Fitzpatrick. That made him the first player with a sack and forced fumble in four straight games since Robert Mathis for Indianapolis in 2005. He also appeared to tip the ball as Winston released a pass that Danny Trevathan picked off on the first drive of the second half. Coming off a tight loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night, the Buccaneers (2-2) were simply overwhelmed in this one. Tampa Bay decided to stick with Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback even though Winston was back from a three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. But after becoming the first player in NFL history to top 400 yards passing in three consecutive games, he was 9 of 18 for 126 yards and got sacked two times. Winston was 16 for 20 with 145 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Chicago's Tarik Cohen had a career-high 121 yards receiving and a touchdown. Taylor Gabriel had a personal-best 104 yards receiving to go with two TD catches. Trey Burton caught a 39-yard touchdown on the game's opening drive and finished with 86 yards. Allen Robinson caught a 14-yarder late in the first quarter - his first TD since signing with Chicago in the offseason. NATIONAL ANTHEMThere were no obvious protests by either team. INJURIESBuccaneers: TE O. J. Howard left in the first half because of a knee injury. . . . CB Carlton Davis III aggravated a groin injury. . . . DT Vita Vea, the No. 12 overall draft pick this year, was active for the first time after being sidelined by a calf injury. Bears: LB Sam Acho left in the first half with a pectoral injury. UP NEXTBuccaneers: Have bye week. At Atlanta on Oct. 14. Bears: Have bye week. At Miami on Oct. 14. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFLfootball and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 4:05 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-200
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-3.5 (-118)
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Over 40 (-107)
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+170
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+3.5 (-103)
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Under 40 (-113)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 The Arizona Cardinals hoped Josh Rosen's rookie season would be a learning experience as he watched veteran quarterback Sam Bradford run the offense. So much for the best-laid plans. With the Cardinals reeling from a dreadful 0-3 start to the season, the tutorial is over for Rosen, who will step into the limelight when he makes his first career start Sunday against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. "I prepared every single week up to this point as if I was the starter because anything can happen, and something has happened," said Rosen, the No. 10 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. "It doesn't change my preparation. I'm always balls to the wall all the time. "It's awesome. I'm just hopeful that I can make the most of this opportunity. " Arizona has scored the fewest points in the NFL with 20. Bradford produced 14 of those with a pair of pair of first-quarter touchdowns last week, but the Cardinals failed to score the rest of the way in a 16-14 loss to the Chicago Bears. Rosen replaced Bradford last week and didn't exactly dazzle in his NFL debut, completing 4 of 7 passes for 36 yards with no touchdowns and one pick. First-year coach Steve Wilks was asked if he decided to go with the rookie from UCLA because of what Bradford didn't show or more because of what he thinks Rosen can offer the team. "I think it's a little of both," Wilks said. "I'm very pleased and happy with what I think Josh is going to be able to bring to the table. Then again, we just didn't have a lot of production at that position in the pass. "Whether it was all on Sam, or whether it was collectively with the offensive line, the receivers, running backs, we all had a hand in it. But, I wanted to make a change, and I think Josh is going to bring something to the table. " The Seahawks (1-2) prevented this week's matchup from becoming a battle of winless teams by grinding out a 24-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys last week. Seattle hasn't lost in Arizona since 2012 in a series that has been dominated by the away team, but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll called Rosen a "wild card" for this week's divisional matchup. "The challenge is how they're going to utilize him, how they're going to mix their stuff," Carroll said of preparing for Rosen. "We won't know until we play. We have to go off what they've done but anticipate that we may have to adjust, so we'll have to wait and see. " The Seahawks finally got their pass rush untracked last week, sacking Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and intercepting him twice to raise their season total to eight turnovers. Carroll hopes to see that trend continue against the inexperienced Rosen. "Our guys are coming through in a big way, making their picks. I think we're being little bit more aggressive and it's just paying off for us in terms of getting the ball. " Carroll said. "There's nothing better. There's nothing better than taking football off your opponents. " Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked six times in each of the first two games -- losses at Denver and Chicago -- but he was taken down only twice by the Cowboys as the Seahawks relied heavily on the running game. Chris Carson rushed for 102 yards on a career-high 32 carries. Wilson could get back his favorite target this week with the potential return of wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the season opener. Baldwin practiced Wednesday and has a history of tormenting the Cardinals with 60 catches and four touchdowns in 14 meetings. Similarly, Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald has been a nemesis for Seattle throughout his career. Not only does he have 11 touchdowns in the series, but Fitzgerald has more catches (163) and receiving yards (1,958) against the Seahawks than any player in NFL history. Fitzgerald was limited to two catches for nine yards last week while dealing with a hamstring injury. He did not practice Wednesday, but Wilks said it was primarily for precautionary reasons to give Fitzgerald some extra rest. Wilks' main concern is getting Rosen up to speed and he thought Wednesday's practice was a good sign of things to come for the rookie. "Josh is a very smart guy. He did a tremendous job today in a lot of the things that we were doing," Wilks told reporters Wednesday. "We threw a lot at him from a standpoint of the install. He did a great job at the line of scrimmage checking and getting us in the right call from a standpoint of protections with the blitzes, those kinds of things as well. I thought he looked good today. " The home team hasn't won in the series since November 2014. Dating to 2013, Arizona is 4-1 at Seattle but 0-4-1 at home versus the Seahawks.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 GLENDALE, Ariz. Sebastian Janikowski, who had missed twice earlier in the game, kicked a 52-yard field goal as time expired to give Seattle a 20-17 victory over Arizona on Sunday and spoil the debut of Cardinals rookie Josh Rosen as the starting quarterback. The Seahawks (2-2) mounted their winning drive after Phil Dawson missed a 45-yard field goal that would have given the lead to Arizona (0-4) with 1:50 to play. The Cardinals are 0-4 for the first time since 1986, two years before they moved from St. Louis. Rosen completed 15 of 27 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Chad Williams to tie it at 17-17 with 8:59 to play, then directed the drive to set up Dawson's errant field goal try. Dawson also missed from 50 in the game. Seattle's Earl Thomas was hurt on the Arizona TD pass and carted to the locker room with a left leg injury. Jankowski missed field goals of 38 and 52 yards. Mike Davis rushed for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 21 carries after being pushed into extra duty by the absence of starter Chris Collins, out with a hip injury. Davis scored on a 20-yard sweep early and bulled in from a yard out for the go-ahead touchdown with a minute left in the third quarter. Seattle improved to 5-0-1 in its past six trips to the desert. David Johnson had his best game of the season for Arizona, rushing for 71 yards and catching three for 41. With the score tied at 10, the Seahawks' Russell Wilson threw to David Moore on a 30-yard play to the Arizona 23. After a pair of penalties against the Cardinals, Davis scored on a 1-yard run to put Seattle back in the lead at 17-10. But Rosen had completions of 31 yards to Ricky Seals-Jones and 30 yards on a screen to Johnson before throwing 22 yards to Chad Williams for his first NFL TD to tie it at 17-17 with 8:59 remaining. Arizona led 10-7 at the half on Johnson's 1-yard TD run and Dawson's 23-yard field goal. Seattle used up 7:46 of the third quarter with a 14-play drive that ended with Janikowski's 40-yard field goal that tied it at 10-10 with 4:59 left in the quarter. INJURIES & INACTIVESIn the first quarter, rookie Will Dissly, the Seahawks' starting tight end, was carted into the locker room with a knee injury. Thomas was hurt defending Williams on the TD catch. After losing his starting job to Rosen, Sam Bradford was inactive. Mike Glennon was the backup quarterback, active for the first time this season. UP NEXTSeahawks: host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. Cardinals: play the 49ers in San Francisco next Sunday. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 4:05 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+120
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+2.5 (-110)
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Over 44.5 (-105)
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-140
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-2.5 (-110)
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Under 44.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 OAKLAND, Calif. -- When the Cleveland Browns leave the Dawg Pound behind and visit the Oakland Raiders Black Hole at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum Sunday, the game will feature two highly hyped players trying to prove they are indeed what is known as Franchise Quarterbacks. Cleveland is 1-1-1, Oakland 0-3. The Browns will unleash their controversial No. 1 2018 draft pick, Baker Mayfield, for his first NFL start after bouncing off the bench last Thursday (Sept. 20) to lead Cleveland on a come-from-behind, 21-17, victory over the New York Jets. That famously ended a Browns' winless streak at 635 days. And although Browns head coach Hue Jackson feigned the necessity of deciding if Mayfield would be the starting quarterback this week, is was a foregone conclusion. By kickoff, an intense pressure cooker of suspense will be ready to explode with some multi-megaton rating. The Raiders counter with Derek Carr, who was a mere second-round pick out of Fresno State in 2014, but quickly became a team leader touted as a Franchise Quarterback, and paid like one with a contract extension in 2017 worth $125 million over five years. However, despite improved play since the season opener, Carr and the Raiders are a disappointing 0-3 entering this game. In fact, despite tons of praise and a well-stocked bank account, Carr has only one winning season going into his sixth year and a career record that is now 28-37. It may be a fortuitous turn for Carr that the national focus in Sunday's game in Oakland will be on Mayfield, a gunslinger whose comparisons range from Johnny Manziel, due to size and impromptu demonstrations, to Brett Favre, with whom he shares a high-caliber gun, hair trigger and a killer mentality. The Browns obviously saw more of the latter, so they selected the controversial Oklahoma quarterback over popular top choice Sam Darnold. And the irony of that draft decision was not lost when Mayfield's victorious debut was against Darnold. Meanwhile, Carr and the Raiders may not be as bad as their 0-3 record might indicate. They lost to three teams with a combined 8-1 record - the Los Angeles Rams (3-0), Detroit Lions (2-1) and Miami Dolphins 3-0. And the Raiders were ahead in the third and/or fourth quarter of each game. Not coincidentally, Carr's season reflects the Raiders' overall frustrations. Carr has a 76. 6 completion percentage, second in the NFL only to Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints). The Raiders are sixth in the NFL in total offense. But, like the rest of the team, his mistakes are made at critical times. The Raiders were outscored in the fourth quarter 37-3. Carr's five interceptions are tied for most in the league. Jon Gruden, the quarterback guru who himself is looking for his first win in 3,591 days (or nine years and 10 months), was on point when describing Carr's play this year. "I think at times he is trying too hard," Gruden said. "I think sometimes he needs to learn a little bit more patience and he will. I'm really excited about the way he has played and improved and mastered this offense. We are getting closer. " Now that Carr has overcome some technical issues and is throwing the ball with authority, perhaps he needs to balance his confidence with discretion. Not unlike Mayfield of the Browns, Carr may need to get the bit in his mouth to maintain consistency. If so, he should reflect on what he said after that late interception last week. "I just saw one-on-one with Martavis (Bryant)," Carr said. "I just gave him a chance, just like I have a hundred other times in my life. They ended up making a good play. It sucks, right? The outcome sucks; but I think going back through in my head, getting one-on-one with that guy I'd probably have to do it again. " No, Derek. Either don't throw the pass or harken back to the Raiders days when another gunslinger, Ken Stabler, would take such a shot only by throwing it so high to the back pylon that either tight end Dave Casper could get it - or nobody. The gunslinger mentality is the same, but the difference is between ready, ready, fire, aim and ready, aim, fire. Of course, there are many factors that will decide the outcome of this game, but the most compelling one is the ability to watch two talented, gunslinging quarterbacks trying to find their niche in football history by simply getting the bit in their mouth.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 OAKLAND, Calif. Derek Carr threw four TD passes and a game-tying 2-point conversion with 30 seconds left in regulation to set up Matt McGrane's 29-yard field goal in overtime that gave the Oakland Raiders their first win since Jon Gruden's return as coach, 45-42 over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. McGrane missed a 50-yard field goal on the opening possession of overtime before Carr drove the Raiders (1-3) back down the field again after a defensive stop for the game winner with 1:46 left in the period. The field goal dealt the Browns (1-2-1) another tough loss as they blew a 14-point lead in the second half and then allowed to get the game-tying TD and 2-point conversion in the final seconds of regulation to spoil Baker Mayfield's NFL starting debut. Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick, threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns to put Cleveland on position to win but also committed four turnovers, losing two fumbles and throwing two interceptions. The Browns were seeking their first back-to-back wins since November 2014. Carr threw for 437 yards, Marshawn Lynch ran for 130 yards for his most productive game in four years, and Amari Cooper (128 yards) and Jared Cook (110) each topped the 100-yard mark. It was a roller-coaster game that had the Browns break out to a 28-14 lead midway through the third quarter only to fall behind 34-28 early in the fourth thanks in part to Mayfield losing two fumbles deep in his own territory to set up TD passes by Carr. But the Raiders squandered a fourth-quarter lead for the second straight week, falling behind 42-34 after Mayfield's 59-yard pass to Antonio Callaway set up Carlos Hyde's 1-yard run and rookie Nick Chubb ran 41 yards for his second long TD of the game. It looked as if that would decide the game when the Browns forced Carr into two incompletions from the 9 with under two minutes left to lead to a turnover on downs. Cleveland appeared to be in position to run out the clock when Hyde converted a first down, but a replay review determined he was down just short of the marker and the Browns punted. Carr then engineered a 53-yard touchdown drive capped by a 7-yard pass to Jared Cook with 30 seconds to play. The Raiders still needed the 2-point conversion to tie it and they got it when Jordy Nelson came down with a fade despite physical coverage by ex-Raider TJ Carrie. Mayfield then led the Browns across midfield before his deep pass was intercepted by Reggie Nelson to force overtime as he was unable to duplicate the late-game heroics that allowed him to snap Cleveland's 19-game winless streak in relief last week against the Jets. CHUBB'S RUNSChubb had just three carries on the day, but the first went for a 63-yard score in the second quarter and the last went for 41 yards and another TD. He finished with three carries for 105 yards. ROUGH STARTMayfield's first start got off to a rough start when his pass on the second play of Cleveland's second drive deflected off Antonio Callaway and went right to Gareon Conley, who returned his first career interception 36 yards for a TD that gave the Raiders their first pick-six since Khalil Mack had one Nov. 27, 2016, against Carolina. GO FOR 2Browns coach Hue Jackson went for a 2-point conversion twice in the first half. Mayfield's pass to Callaway was incomplete on the first attempt before Duke Johnson ran in the second try to make it 17-7. QUICK WHISTLEThe Raiders were upset by a quick whistle that possibly cost Lynch a long TD run. Lynch ran left and linebacker Joe Schobert tried to tackle him but Lynch appeared to spin out of it without going to the ground. He kept running for what could have been a 75-yard TD but the play was blown dead. That led Lynch to argue the call and the fans to boo, but nothing could be done. The Browns were hurt by a quick whistle in the fourth quarter when Carr was ruled in the grasp, negating a fumble recovery that might have resulted in a TD. INJURIESBrowns S Terrance Mitchell (wrist) left the game in the first half. . . . Raiders RT Donald Penn left in the second half with a leg injury. UP NEXTBrowns: Host Baltimore on Sunday. Raiders: Visit Chargers on Sunday. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 4:25 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-173
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-3 (-110)
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Over 51.5 (-118)
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+152
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+3 (-110)
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Under 51.5 (-102)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 The New Orleans Saints have had little issue lighting up the scoreboard with star quarterback Drew Brees at the helm, piling up an NFC-best 104 points through three games. Brees and the Saints (2-1) aim to continue their high-scoring ways on Sunday when they visit MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants (1-2). The 39-year-old Brees earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the 23rd time in his career after a five-touchdown performance in New Orleans' 43-37 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Brees completed 39 of 49 passes for 396 yards, threw for three scores and added two on the ground -- including one in overtime. "He's going to be a Hall of Fame quarterback one day. He's going to have a Gold Jacket one day," Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree said in a statement that would generate a collective yawn from even the most aggressive headline writers of the New York-area tabloids. Trusted wideout Michael Thomas set an NFL record with 38 receptions in his first three games to begin a season. He also leads the league with 398 receiving yards. "You look Mike in the eye and you believe that he is gonna get open, no matter who's covering him, no matter what the situation," Brees said of the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Thomas. "He just has that mentality. He's got the highest, we call it 'competes. ' And he's got the best competes I've ever seen in a guy. " Reigning NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara is enjoying a scintillating start to his sophomore campaign, highlighted by his 15 catches and 190 scrimmage yards (66 rushing, 124 receiving) in Week 3. "We see (Brees) gets the ball out quick, and his guys get open," Giants safety Landon Collins said. "They know how to catch the ball. I think he kind of gets on their backs about it, and that's what a great quarterback does. " While the Saints reside third in the NFL in scoring (34. 7 points per game), the high-octane offense is just a few steps ahead of a generous defense that has surrendered a league-worst 34. 3 points per contest. The Giants have scored just 55 points in three contests this season as the team attempts to find its offensive rhythm with second overall pick Saquon Barkley and star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. "Both of these players are outstanding after the ball's in their hands," Saints head coach Sean Payton said. "They're very good run-after-the-catch players. " Payton's pass defense has seen plenty of that, as it has permitted 336. 7 yards per game through the air. The Saints' rush defense has stepped up, however, as it held the Falcons to just 48 yards on 22 rushes last week. Barkley is seventh in the NFL with an average of 72. 0 rushing yards per game and he's averaging 4. 7 yards per carry. The former Penn State star is tied for ninth with 21 catches for 137 yards. "He's special," Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said of Barkley. "He's 6-foot almost 240 (pounds), a 4. 4, 4. 3 guy. His contact balance is some of the best I've ever seen, hands out of the backfield, his ability to make guys miss in tight spaces, his ability to always be going forward even when he's going sideways. It's weird. "Talent-wise, he's definitely one of the best I've ever seen. He's going to be a great back in this league. We just can't allow him to be great on Sunday. " Eli Manning completed 25 of 29 passes for 297 yards with two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-22 victory over the winless Houston Texans. Manning likely will be without Evan Engram, who is considered week-to-week after spraining his MCL versus the Texans. Fellow tight end Rhett Ellison is expected to step right in and contribute, according to head coach Pat Shurmur. "There's a few little things that you would only do with Evan in there, then there's other things that we'll do with Rhett in there," Shurmur said. "We just tweak it. There's plenty of plays, and we'll just kind of tailor it toward what those guys can do. " Speaking of injuries, the Saints re-signed veteran wide receiver/kick returner Brandon Tate after placing Tommylee Lewis on injured reserve last week.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. Alvin Kamara ran for three second-half touchdowns and the New Orleans Saints' defense stepped out of Drew Brees' shadow in a 33-18- victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. Wil Lutz matched his career high with four field goals as the Saints (3-1) built a 12-7 halftime lead. Kamara broke the game open with scoring runs of 9, 4 and 49 yards to ice New Orleans' third straight win and send New York to its third loss in four games. Kamara had 134 on 19 carries. If there was a surprise, it was the Saints' defense, which came in ranked 30th in the league. After giving up a 2-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Sterling Shepard on the Giants' opening drive, New Orleans limited New York to a 33-yard field goal by Aldrick Rosas in the third quarter and a late 1-yard TD run by Saquon Barkley, followed by a 2-point conversion pass from Manning to Shepard. The anticipated slugfest between the 39-yard old Brees and the 37-year-old Manning never materialized. Brees, who came in needing 418 yards passing to break Peyton Manning's NFL career mark, finished 18 of 32 for 217 yards. Manning was 31 of 41 for 255 yards as the Giants (1-3) finished with just 299 total yards. Lutz connected from 42, 34, 37 and 26 in the first half. Kamara stretched the lead to 19-7 with 9-yard run that capped a nine-play, 69-yard drive on New Orleans opening possession of the second half. The 49-yard run capped a 97-yard drive for the Saints after Ted Ginn Jr. bobbled a kickoff after the Barkley score. The Saints had drives of 74 and 80 on the other touchdowns and finished the game with 392 total yards. Rosas closed the gap to 19-10 in the third quarter, but the Saints took control with Kamara's final two TD runs in the fourth quarter. The Giants had scored on the opening possession with Manning capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive with his short TD pass to Shepard. After that, New York gained 22 yards the rest of the half. INJURIESSaints: No injuries were announced. Giants: Beckham finished the first half in the locker room getting an IV. He returned in the second half and finished with seven receptions for 60 yards. UP NEXTSaints: Home against Washington for a Monday night game on Oct. 8. Giants: At Carolina next Sunday. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 4:25 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+367
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+10 (-119)
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Over 46.5 (-115)
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-475
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-10 (-101)
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Under 46.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 The San Francisco 49ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo midway through the 2017 season in what they hoped would be the first building block to turn around the franchise's sagging fortunes. They added a second building block during the free-agent signing period by bringing in running back Jerick McKinnon, giving Garoppolo a two-way threat out of the backfield. As it turned out, the two marquee acquisitions never got a chance to play a down together in a regular-season game for the 49ers and won't have a chance to do so until at least the 2019 season. Garoppolo, who won all five starts to wrap up 2017 and was the biggest source for the lofty expectations in the Bay Area, is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL in last week's 38-27 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the latest crushing blow for San Francisco, which lost McKinnon to a similar injury in the preseason. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it: It was hard waking up today," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Garoppolo blew out his left knee trying to make a cut on the sideline late in last Sunday's loss. "We were looking forward a lot to playing with Jimmy this year and going through the good and the bad that would happen, knowing that he would benefit from all of it. Now, we don't get to do that. "This is part of the league. It's part of the NFL. It's part of life. You have to adjust to it and you've got to make the best out of it. " Perhaps the most sobering reminder for San Francisco fans is the fact that the team was 1-10 the last time Garoppolo was not in the starting lineup. C. J. Beathard, a third-round pick in the 2017 draft who started five games last season, will step in for Garoppolo. Beathard completed 55 percent of his passes last season while throwing for four touchdowns against six interceptions. In last week's game, Beathard attempted only one pass for an apparent touchdown, only to see it negated by penalty. "He played in six games last year and beat the Giants," pointed out Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn. "He can move around a little bit; they do more things with him. I believe he can function well in that offense. " Much like the 49ers, Los Angeles built heightened expectations with a strong finish to the 2017 season, winning six of its last seven games. The Chargers, though, are also off to a 1-2 start with the only win coming at the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. Slow starts have been commonplace for Los Angeles, which owns a 1-6 record in September over the last two seasons. The Chargers have been unable to stop the opposition, giving up 93 points and negating an offense that is averaging 27. 3 points. They have been hurt by the absence of Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa, who had 12. 5 sacks last season but has been hobbled since early August due to a foot injury. Quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown for eight touchdowns and only one interception while averaging just over 300 yards passing per game. Wideout Keenan Allen has 17 catches for 219 yards and a TD while running back Melvin Gordon has accounted for four touchdowns, rushing for 172 yards and hauling in 17 receptions. "It's exciting as a quarterback to know we can do so many things," said Rivers. "We are not limited in what we can do week-to-week. "We're running the heck out of the ball right now, averaging 5. 5 yards per carry and that's huge. The offense feels really balanced and that's why we are getting a lot of first downs. The more first downs you get the more chances you get to throw it and run it. " Despite the loss of McKinnon, San Francisco also features a potent ground game, ranking second in the NFL in rushing. Matt Breida is tied for the league lead with 274 yards rushing, but he was limited in practice Wednesday due to a hyperextended knee. The 49ers will also be without one of their top defensive players. Cornerback Richard Sherman suffered a calf injury in the loss at Kansas City and is expected to be sidelined for at least the next two games.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 CARSON, Calif. Philip Rivers threw for three touchdowns, Melvin Gordon rushed for 104 yards and the Los Angeles Chargers rallied for a 29-27 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Caleb Sturgis had three field goals, including one from 21 yards with 7:41 left that gave the Chargers (2-2) the lead, but he had an eventful day with two missed extra points. Rivers was 25 of 39 for 250 yards. Gordon had his first 100-yard game since last Oct. 29 against New England. Gordon and Austin Ekeler each caught touchdowns, the first time the Chargers have had two running backs catch touchdowns since Jessie Hester and Darren Sproles did it on Nov. 22, 2010, against Denver. C. J. Beathard, who got the start for San Francisco (1-3) after Jimmy Garoppolo's season-ending knee injury, was 23 of 37 for 298 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Niners got off to a strong start, taking a 17-6 lead early in the second quarter on an interception return for a touchdown and scores on two of their first three drives. Antoine Exum put San Francisco on the board 57 seconds into the game when he picked off Rivers' pass intended for Keenan Allen and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. After Sturgis missed a 54-yard field goal, the Niners extended their lead to two touchdowns when Beathard threw a 2-yard score to Kendrick Bourne. Los Angeles answered that touchdown with one of its own as Rivers found a wide-open Antonio Gates for a 5-yard score to make it 14-6 after missing the extra point. Robbie Gould's 21-yard field goal extended the lead to 17-6 before the Chargers rallied to tie it at halftime. Rivers found Ekeler in single coverage on a go route for a 22-yard touchdown and Sturgis made a field goal from 48 yards that was set up by Desmond King's 55-yard punt return. The Chargers scored on their first two drives of the second half to take a 26-17 lead. Gordon caught a 6-yard TD pass from Rivers and Sturgis made a 25-yard field goal. With 2:50 remaining in the third quarter, Beathard got back on track by connecting with George Kittle for an 86-yard touchdown. Gould's 33-yard field goal gave the Niners a 27-26 lead with 12:39 remaining. EXTRA-POINT WOESThe Chargers' kicking problems continued with two more missed extra points by Sturgis. Los Angeles has missed eight PATs since the start of last season, which is the most in the league. Los Angeles has missed 10 extra points since the kick was moved back in 2015 and is one of eight teams in the league to have missed 10 or more. INJURIESNiners: Wide receiver Dante Pettis and left tackle Joe Staley suffered knee injuries. Staley's injury meant San Francisco had to reshuffle its offensive line, moving first-round pick Mike McGlinchey to left tackle and putting Garry Gilliam at right tackle. Chargers: Wide receiver Travis Benjamin, who missed the past two games due to a foot injury, did not play during the second half. He had a catch for 2 yards. ---Follow Joe Reedy at www. twitter. com/joereedy---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/30/2018 8:20 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+148
|
+3 (-108)
|
Over 51 (-110)
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-170
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-3 (-112)
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Under 51 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Sep 27, 2018 One of the league's most bitter rivalries will resume when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night in the first of two meetings this season between the AFC North foes. The Steelers have had the upper hand of late against Baltimore by winning the past three matchups, including a sweep last season. Yet the series has been among the most fiercely contested in the league with nine of the past 13 meetings decided by four points or fewer, including Pittsburgh's 39-38 victory on Dec. 10. "It's a great environment to play," Ravens tackle James Hurst said. "Their fans hate us, obviously. It's fun to run out and get booed, but it's a four-quarter game. It's the greatest game in football. " It will have early ramifications on the division standings. Baltimore (2-1) is tied with the Cincinnati Bengals atop the AFC North while the Steelers (1-1-1) are just a half-game behind after securing their first victory with a 30-27 win at Tampa Bay on Monday night. "No time to pat ourselves on the back," Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said after beating the Buccaneers. "We have AFC North football at Heinz (Field), and we respect and understand what that's about. We didn't give a good accounting of ourselves the last time we were at home, so we are excited to get back into Heinz Field and performing for our fans. " The rivalry long has been noted for defense and physical play, but both squads feature explosive offenses. The Ravens are averaging 32. 3 points per game and Pittsburgh is scoring 29. 3. So while that suggests a high-scoring matchup may be in the offing, Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco sees the game as a chance to send an early message -- and more -- to the Steelers. "It's more than just winning and losing a game," Flacco said. "It's beating a division opponent up a little bit, so they feel the effects the next week. " While both offenses have been clicking, the defenses have each had their moments. The Ravens are ranked No. 1 overall, allowing 819 yards over three games. Pittsburgh is tied with Dallas for second in the league with 11 sacks. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 353 yards and three scores against Tampa Bay and is second in the NFL with 1,140 yards, sees plenty of room for improvement for the Steelers. "To only have one win, I would say offensively we're not doing our job," Roethlisberger said. "Obviously, their secondary is very good. It starts with (safety Eric) Weddle, who kind of leads that charge now. I also think the pass rush helps the secondary. You look at pass breakups, interceptions, a lot of times that has to do with pressure on the quarterback. They're just a really good defense all around. " JuJu Smith-Schuster has been Roethlisberger's favorite target with 27 receptions and a touchdown and Antonio Brown has 24 catches, but the running game continues to struggle in the absence of unsigned running back Le'Veon Bell. James Conner erupted for 135 yards and two TDs in the season-opening tie at Cleveland, but has been limited to a combined 78 yards in the past two games. The Steelers are reportedly fielding trade offers for Bell but Baltimore is still preparing for the ultra-slim possibility that he could return. "Of course, their running backs that they're playing now, James Conner and Co. , that's who we'll looking at mainly," said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. "But, we've seen Le'Veon enough to understand what he brings to the table and how he affects what they do. " Flacco also has been impressive despite an overhauled wide receiving corps featuring Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead IV, who each have at least 12 catches and a combined four touchdowns. Not only had Flacco thrown for 889 yards with six touchdowns and just two interceptions, but the Ravens have cashed in on all 12 of their opportunities in the red zone. With another physical matchup expected against Baltimore, Tomlin said his team must keep its emotions in check. Pittsburgh has been penalized for an average of 120 yards per game, by far the worst in the league. "We have to play cleaner than we did (Monday) night," said Tomlin. "We played hard, but we have to play cleaner, and we have to play smarter. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Sep 30, 2018 PITTSBURGH Joe Flacco threw a pair of early touchdown passes, Justin Tucker kicked four second-half field goals and the Baltimore Ravens pulled away from the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-14 on Sunday night. Flacco completed 28 of 42 passes for 363 yards and TD passes to John Brown and Alex Collins as the Ravens (3-1) ended a three-game losing streak to their AFC North rivals. Tucker accounted for all the scoring after halftime as Baltimore ended Pittsburgh's long run of success on Sunday nights. The Steelers (1-2-1) came in having won nine straight Sunday night appearances, a streak that included a pair of victories over the Ravens. Baltimore brought Pittsburgh's run to an abrupt end by shutting down Pittsburgh in the second half. Ben Roethlisberger finished 27 of 47 for 274 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Steelers. Antonio Brown caught five passes for 62 yards, including his second touchdown pass in as many weeks. Pittsburgh's high-powered offense, however, sputtered after erasing an early 14-point deficit. The Steelers managed just 47 yards in the second half and converted 2 of 12 third downs. The Ravens were only too happy to play keep-away after the break. Flacco put together a string of clock-consuming possessions that ended with field goals by the ever reliable Tucker as Baltimore proved its strong start was no fluke. The Steelers came in hoping the defense was slowly starting to find itself after forcing four turnovers last Monday night in Tampa during a victory Pittsburgh believed would resuscitate its season. Not quite. Flacco wasted little time helping Baltimore build a quick 14-point lead. He found Brown open on a 33-yard touchdown pass on Baltimore's opening possession. Brown was double covered when Flacco let the ball go. By the time Brown chased it down in the end zone, both Steelers were two steps behind him and the Ravens were in front. Three snaps later Baltimore had the ball back thanks to a strip by safety Tony Jefferson. It took the Ravens just four plays to go up two touchdowns, when Flacco flipped the ball in the flat to a wide-open Collins. The score marked the 13th straight red-zone trip by Baltimore that ended with a Ravens touchdown, the longest streak to start a season in NFL history. Baltimore's 14th red-zone trip ended up far differently and briefly swung momentum. The Ravens had the ball at the Pittsburgh 2 with a chance to move ahead three scores when Steelers free safety Sean Davis ripped the ball from Collins and Pittsburgh rookie strong safety Terrell Edmunds recovered. Pittsburgh put together a lengthy drive that resulted in a Chris Boswell field goal to get within 14-6. The Steelers tied it with 2:50 left in the first half on a pretty 26-yard back-shoulder throw by Roethlisberger to Brown in the end zone and the ensuing 2-point conversion grab by Conner. Baltimore, however, kept coming and Pittsburgh's offense sputtered. UP NEXTRavens: Visit Tennessee next Sunday. The Titans beat Baltimore 23-20 last season in Nashville. Steelers: Host Atlanta next Sunday. Pittsburgh has won its last two meetings against the Falcons. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/tag/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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NBA |
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9/30/2018 |
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FOUND
4
GAMES |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 5:08 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
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TOTAL |
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OFF
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+5 (-110)
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Over 199 (-108)
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OFF
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-5 (-110)
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Under 199 (-112)
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 6:08 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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OFF
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+6.5 (-110)
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Over 209.5 (-111)
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OFF
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-6.5 (-110)
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Under 209.5 (-109)
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 7:08 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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OFF
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-3 (-115)
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Over 217.5 (-113)
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OFF
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+3 (-105)
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Under 217.5 (-107)
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NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 9:38 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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OFF
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+5.5 (-116)
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Over 218.5 (-119)
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OFF
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-5.5 (-104)
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Under 218.5 (-102)
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MLB |
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9/30/2018 |
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FOUND
15
GAMES |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:05 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-145
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-1.5 (+110)
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Over 8.5 (-120)
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+131
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+1.5 (-130)
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Under 8.5 (+100)
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GAME PREVIEW
Braves tune up for playoffs; Phillies finish season 3h ago 2 min read The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies close out their regular seasons Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.The Braves will continue their season next week in the National League Division Series and are still fighting for home-field advantage. The Phillies are finishing out a disappointing end to their season.Kevin Gausman (10-10, 3.93 ERA) is set to start for the Braves and the Phillies will send rookie left-hander Ranger Suarez (1-1, 6.00) to the mound.Gausman will get his final regular-season tuneup before joining Atlanta's postseason rotation.The right-hander, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, has been terrific for the Braves in nine starts. Gausman has bolstered the Braves' rotation with a 2.80 ERA and 1.10 WHIP since the trade.Gausman's latest start came against the Phillies on Sept. 20. He struck out seven and gave up three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings."These games mean a lot," Gausman, who hasn't pitched in the playoffs since 2014, told MLB.com after the game. "As a player, that's all you can ask for -- to be in September and to be playing meaningful games. To be a pitcher coming from Baltimore with the season we were having there, the playoffs were a far-fetched dream. So to be in this situation is great." Gausman discussed the difference between pitching in the regular season and postseason."The biggest difference is how draining every pitch is," Gausman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "You're sitting in the dugout or you're out there pitching, every pitch means so much. You give up one run, and that might be it that night. There's a premium on runs, so as a pitcher, it's on you a little more than it is the regular season." Gausman only has two career starts against the Phillies, allowing eight runs in 11 1/3 innings (6.35 ERA) in those games. Jorge Alfaro is 4-for-6 with a home run, double and four RBIs versus Gausman while Jose Bautista is 6-for-26 with a home run and five strikeouts.The Braves won Gausman's last start and it began a season-worst losing streak for the Phillies.The Phillies snapped a nine-game losing streak Saturday, but have completely collapsed in September, going 7-20 in the month. Philadelphia, who was 15 games above .500 on Aug. 7, head into the final day of the season with a 79-82 record. It's the seventh season in a row the Phillies have failed to finish above .500."We've been playing terrible baseball," first-year Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told reporters after Friday night's loss. "That's why we've lost a lot of games, not because we haven't fought or because anybody quit." The Phillies are 33-42 against the NL East this season and 6-12 against Atlanta.Suarez, 23, will make his fourth appearance and third start of the season for Philadelphia. Suarez, who has never faced the Braves, has an 8.00 ERA in his two major league starts, but he did not allow an earned run in three innings out of the Phillies' bullpen Monday against the Rockies.Suarez, who could vie for a spot in Philadelphia's rotation in 2019, last started Aug. 16 when the Phillies lost 24-4 to the New York Mets. He allowed eight runs (four earned) and 11 hits while walking two and striking out two.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
NL East champ Braves drop finale, wait for NL West champ4m ago 3 min read PHILADELPHIA Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis and the NL East champion Atlanta Braves are set to open the playoffs on the road.All they need is an NL West champion to play.Needing at least a win to have a shot at home field in the NLDS, the Braves lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on Sunday.The Braves needed a win and a loss by both Colorado and Los Angeles to secure home-field advantage when the division series starts Thursday.The Dodgers and Rockies both ended up winning big, setting up a one-game playoff to decide the NL West. But the Braves' second straight loss in Philadelphia made those results inconsequential for Atlanta.Cesar Hernandez hit a leadoff home run, and Rhys Hoskins' RBI double in the fifth inning helped a Phillies team that was 15 games over .500 on Aug. 5 finish with 80 wins.Losing home field was a mild disappointment to a Braves team that was a surprising, resounding success under manager Brian Snitker. The Braves had lost 90-plus games in three straight seasons in a rebuild that was expected to see them need at least another season to contend for a playoff spot. Freeman, Nick Markakis and NL rookie of the year contender Ronald Acuna Jr. instead helped them become the first NL team to win 90 games (90-72) after three successive seasons of 90-plus losses.''I'm happy for all the guys in there that endured all that,'' Snitker said.There's more work ahead before they play either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Colorado Rockies. Snitker said he'll meet with the coaching staff and other members of the organization on Monday to determine the 25-man playoff roster. Shortstop Dansby Swanson's sore left wrist may keep him off that roster. He took some swings on Sunday and continued to receive treatment.With or without him, the Braves are in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.''It's a good feeling what we accomplished this year; where we came from, where we started to where we are right now,'' Snitker said. ''There were multiple boxes we needed to check along the way here, and we did. It's very gratifying. I'm proud of the guys in that room and how they carried themselves and showed up to play every single day.'' Markakis led the way there, playing all 162 games for the Braves, and Freeman led the NL in hits.Kevin Gausman (10-11) took the loss in a game where the Braves used five pitchers.Tommy Hunter (5-4) earned the win in relief for the Phillies, and Seranthony Dominguez got his 16th save to end a season where expectations soared in early August only to become unraveled in one of the bigger - but not close to the biggest - late-season collapses in team history.HIT KINGFreeman led the National League with 191 hits. He's the first Brave to lead the NL outright since Terry Pendleton had 187 in 1991.Freeman went 0 for 1 with a walk against the Phillies.IRON MANMarkakis because the fifth Atlanta Brave to play 162 games since 1962. Markakis started in right field and struck out twice before he was replaced for some needed rest.''He's the definition of a pro,'' Snitker said.CHANGEUPSean Newcomb retired two batters in the sixth in the first relief appearance of his career. Newcomb went 12-9 in 30 starts this season and had started all 49 of his previous appearances.GOING FOR THREEPhillies starter Ranger Suarez struck out five in three innings - and hit a stand-up triple for his first career hit.BANK ON ITThe Phillies finished 49-32 at home, their third-best record ever at Citizens Bank Park. They finished 31-50 on the road, the first time the Phillies were at least 15 games over .500 at home and 15 games under .500 on the road since 1955.Hoskins addressed the crowd before the game and said there was ''obviously a little bit of disappointment with the way the season ended'' but added that the Phillies would learn from it and be better in 2019.On fan appreciation day, Hoskins said Phillies fans were the best in baseball.UP NEXTBraves: Play Game 1 of the NLDS on Thursday, Game 2 Friday and Game 3 Sunday. Mike Foltynewicz is the likely Game 1 starter.Phillies: GM Matt Klentak and team president Andy MacPhail will meet the media this week to discuss plans for the offseason.---More baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:05 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-225
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-1.5 (-138)
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Over 7.5 (-120)
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+201
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+1.5 (+118)
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Under 7.5 (+100)
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GAME PREVIEW
Buehler's present as Dodgers visit Giants 2h ago 2 min read SAN FRANCISCO -- The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated clinching a playoff berth Saturday afternoon.They hope to do the same for a division title Sunday.The Dodgers (90-71) assured themselves of a sixth consecutive trip to the postseason Saturday with a 10-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants.Los Angeles begins play Sunday tied with the Rockies for first place in the National League West after Colorado lost to Washington 12-2 later Saturday.They'll take the field Sunday with a meaningful game less than 24 hours after champagne was flowing following their clinching of no worse than an NL wild-card playoff berth Saturday."Everybody's got their footprint on this season," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts boasted as he toasted the team after Saturday's win. "We're going to celebrate this victory, understanding we have a lot of important baseball ahead. But in this moment, everybody celebrates each other." As opposed to Saturday, when they had already showered and headed back to the hotel before the Rockies took the field, the Dodgers will get a chance to do scoreboard-watching on equal terms Sunday. All major league games have approximately the same starting time -- a little after noon PT -- on the final day of the regular season.Should the Dodgers and Rockies finish tied atop the NL West, a one-game playoff would be held Monday in Los Angeles, with the winner advancing to the NL Division Series and loser playing Tuesday in the single-elimination wild-card game.The wild-card game will be hosted by the NL Central runner-up -- the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee.The Dodgers will go for a series sweep Sunday with right-hander Walker Buehler (7-5, 2.76 ERA) dueling Giants rookie left-hander Andrew Suarez (7-12, 4.22).Buehler will take the mound on a roll, having allowed two earned runs in 20 innings of his last three starts.He has faced the Giants three times in his career (one start), going 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA.Buehler will face a Giants team that had its best offensive showing against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on Saturday.Hunter Pence contributed two doubles to a five-run, eight-hit Giants assault on Kershaw, who had never before in 43 previous starts allowed five earned runs against San Francisco.Giants fans did not enjoy watching the Dodgers celebrate inside AT&T Park but appreciated the effort of Pence, who is being applauded on every at-bat in this season-ending homestand as if it's his last in San Francisco.The pending free agent has responded with seven hits in 21 at-bats this week, with two doubles and a home run. He also has scored five runs.Pence has faced Buehler twice, recording a single and a walk.Suarez hopes to duplicate an earlier effort against the Dodgers in his only appearance against them this season.He shut out Los Angeles on two hits in six innings of a 2-1 road win in August but did not get a decision.Suarez has not pitched nearly as well in September, going 1-3.Also at stake Sunday is the winner of the season series. Each team has won nine times.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Dodgers rout Giants, head to NL West tiebreaker vs Rockies7m ago 1 min read SAN FRANCISCO Justin Turner and the free-swinging Los Angeles Dodgers headed for a one-game showdown against Colorado to determine the NL West champion, jumping on the San Francisco Giants from the start Sunday in a 15-0 win for a weekend sweep.The Rockies routed Washington 12-0 at Coors Field, setting up a tiebreaker at Dodger Stadium on Monday. The winner will get the division, the loser will go into the NL wild-card game Tuesday.Walker Buehler was set to start for the Dodgers as they try for a sixth straight West title.
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:05 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-230
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-1.5 (-151)
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Over 9 (-101)
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+205
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+1.5 (+131)
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Under 9 (-119)
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GAME PREVIEW
Astros' Morton to test shoulder vs. Orioles before playoffs 9h ago 2 min read BALTIMORE -- The Houston Astros will get one more tuneup for the playoffs on Sunday when they meet the Baltimore Orioles in the finale of the four-game series and the last game of the regular season at Camden Yards.Houston (103-58) is headed to the American League Division Series to meet the Cleveland Indians starting Oct. 5. The Orioles (46-115) are headed home after the worst season in franchise history.Charlie Morton (15-3, 3.18 ERA) starts for the Astros. The Orioles announced after Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader -- which the Astros swept -- that Jimmy Yacabonis (0-2, 6.00) gets the ball.Morton came out of his last start after just one inning because of shoulder issues and told the media Saturday that there's still some tightness there. It's expected Morton will not pitch very long Sunday, but the veteran is looking toward the playoffs."Part of the difficulty is the mental side of it; sometimes you just don't feel right," Morton told the media. "Sometimes you feel something's wrong when there really isn't anything that's that bad, and you have to kind of accept that. I'm trying to loosen things up and get in a better spot overall and try to get ready to pitch in October." Morton has a 1-2 career record with a 5.40 ERA against the Orioles.Yacabonis has filled in at times and made spot starts for Baltimore as the team tries to convert him into a starter. He's been up and down but pitched well at times, just like Yefry Ramirez, who lost Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.Yacabonis has never pitched against in Astros in his brief major league career.The Astros have shown some power in this series, especially in the doubleheader where they banged out five homers overall en route to their sweep of the slumping Orioles.Baltimore just hasn't come up with enough offense against the tough Houston starters, which has been a problem for many teams the last few years, but the Orioles have battled that issue all season."We're just not doing much offensively against some good pitching (in this series)," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said after the doubleheader.Sunday's game also could represent another bigger step in the rebuilding process that Baltimore began to undertake when it traded off several players around the deadline two months ago.It could be the final game for Showalter, who has been the team's manager since August 2010 and led them to the playoffs three times.Adam Jones, the face of the team in recent years and one of its most popular players, is about to hit free agency, and GM Dan Duquette's contract, like Showalter's, expires after this season.The Orioles could let all three of them go and would be looking at a major rebuild. If so, that would disappoint many fans because of how popular Jones and Showalter are with them.So even though Sunday's game means nothing to Baltimore other than the end to a very trying season, it could very well be the final page in a chapter of the team's history.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Jones, Showalter preside over Orioles' 4-0 win over Astros1m ago 3 min read BALTIMORE The Baltimore Orioles ended a trying season Sunday with a salute to outfielder Adam Jones and a 4-0 victory over the Houston Astros that could end up serving as a parting gift to manager Buck Showalter.Jimmy Yacabonis, Paul Fry (1-2) and Mychal Givens combined on a one-hitter against the AL West champions, who open the playoffs at home Friday against Cleveland.Baltimore finished at 47-115, the most losses in franchise history and the most for a big league team since Detroit's 119 in 2003. The Orioles were only the fifth team since 1900 to lose 115 or more.Baltimore is already in full rebuilding mode, which means the 33-year-old Jones and Showalter may not be back.When it came time for the Orioles to take the field before the game, Jones went out alone while players from both sides applauded and the fans stood and cheered. Jones started in center field, the position he held from 2008 until he was bumped to right field in August by 23-year-old rookie Cedric Mullins.Many in the crowd of 24,916 stood before each at-bat by Jones, who went 0 for 4.In the top of the ninth, Showalter sent Joey Rickard in to replace Jones, who received yet another standing ovation as he jogged off the field. Upon his arrival in the dugout, the chain of hugs and high-fives ended with his arms wrapped around Showalter.Hired by Orioles owner Peter Angelos in 2010, Showalter - like Jones - has a contract that expires this year and may not be renewed.''Mr. Angelos' family has been great to me and mine,'' Showalter said before the game. ''So whatever direction they decide to go, I'm at peace with it.'' Houston manager A. J. Hinch rested most of his regulars, making sure they're fresh for the postseason. Charlie Morton started and worked three innings, allowing just one hit in a performance that showed he's ready to be a factor in the playoffs.Brad Peacock (3-5) gave up four runs in the fourth inning, getting only one out.Houston's only hit came in the fourth, when Jose Altuve hit a sharp single to right before leaving for a pinch runner.WHITTLING THE ROSTERHinch shaved five players off his projected playoff roster, with more cuts to come.Right-hander Dean Deetz, OF Kyle Tucker and LHP Reymin Guduan had their seasons end Sunday. Pitchers Framber Valdez and Cionel Perez will work at the team's spring training facility to ''stay as active as they can in case of an injury or in case of a call from us,'' said Hinch, adding that in the next few days he will decide whether to carry three catchers.CORREA SHARPAstros shortstop Carlos Correa was rested Sunday after an abbreviated appearance Saturday that indicated he was no longer bothered by back soreness.''I think (Saturday) was a really good sign, with two good swings and a couple of difficult plays on defense,'' Hinch said. ''I don't think we can forget he's a really good player, and really good players step up when you need them the most. We're going to need that starting Friday.'' DUBIOUS RECORDOrioles first baseman Chris Davis sat out the entire series and finished with a .168 batting average, lowest in major league history by a qualifier.The previous record was .177, by Rob Deer in 1991 and Dan Uggla in 2013.It's been a harsh decline for Davis, who signed a $161 million, seven-year contract after the 2015 season.The Orioles probably can't find a taker in a trade, and it would be extremely costly to cut him.ATTENDANCE DROPThe Orioles drew 1,564,192 for 78 home dates, their lowest figure in a non-strike season since 1978.''It's up to us to give them something they want to embrace,'' Showalter said. ''Attendance is down. It's our fault, not theirs.'' UP NEXTAstros: Hinch hasn't announced his rotation for the playoffs, but Justin Verlander is the likely starter in Game 1. ''I don't think it's too much of a secret,'' the manager said.Orioles: The 2019 season opener will be at Yankee Stadium on March 28.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:05 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+122
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+1.5 (-160)
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Over 9 (-125)
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-135
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-1.5 (+140)
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Under 9 (+105)
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NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
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GAME PREVIEW
Yankees-Red Sox to decide season series 15h ago 4 min read BOSTON -- Manager Aaron Boone said he might announce his wild-card game starter Sunday, when the New York Yankees close out the regular season with a game against the Boston Red Sox.The Yankees, who reached the 100-win mark for the first time since 2009 with an 8-5 victory Saturday, host the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night, with the winner going to Fenway Park to open the American League Division Series on Friday.While J. A. Happ would be on regular rest to pitch the game Wednesday, the Yankees could be hesitating to use the left-hander against Oakland and then have him for only one game against the Red Sox. Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka are the other candidates.Severino, a 19-game winner who has struggled in the second half of the season, was pulled from Sunday's scheduled start but could work in relief in what would be his throw day. The Yankees have not announced their starter."We'll get into that pretty heavily tonight," Boone said before Saturday's game. "After (the game), we'll get together and talk about that. We're starting to, you know, the last couple days have started to have those conversations casually. After last night's game, with a little more intent behind it. But we'll meet tonight and get closer to that decision." Rick Porcello, a 17-game winner likely to start Game 3 of the ALDS, will start for the Red Sox on Sunday. The AL East champions have allowed 29 runs during their three-game losing streak."I can't wait until Monday," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who has to run another meaningless game Sunday before it all starts for real Friday.The Yankees broke the record for home runs in a season with two more Saturday (nine in the last three games, all wins) with 266 as Gleyber Torres provided the record-breaker and Giancarlo Stanton also hit one. That gave Stanton 100 RBIs, and Miguel Andujar smacked two more doubles, giving him 46 and breaking his tie with Joe DiMaggio for the franchise rookie record set in 1936.Torres homered out of the ninth spot in the lineup, making the Yankees the first team with at least 20 homers from every spot in the batting order."Everybody knows (what) was the number, and I hit the ball," Torres said." I feel really happy. My teammates, too. All season we do a really good job, everybody do something. I'm happy for us, and we enjoyed our moment." Stanton was hit by his own home run ball, a fan hitting him on the foot with a throw all the way from the Green Monster."That's the idea when you're an opposing fan, but I don't think that's what he meant to do," Stanton said. "Either way, if I was looking up, I could have grabbed it easily."It happens all the time at our stadium, here too. Not too worried about it -- plus that could be a special ball, so we needed it anyways. I think he lost some money possibly on it anyways." It appeared the black-shirted fan eluded authorities by not hanging around to take a bow.Lance Lynn, pulled from the start to work in long relief -- his likely postseason roll, pitched three strong innings of relief to even his record at 10-10.The game appeared to be well in hand late but got sticky enough in the ninth inning for Aroldis Chapman to enter for his first save chance since coming off the disabled list, picking up his 32nd and first since Aug. 14. He struck out two of the three hitters he faced, getting Jackie Bradley Jr. as the potential tying run to end the game.Porcello, 17-7 with a 4.33 ERA this season, was originally scheduled to pitch the series opener Friday. He is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA this year against the Yankees -- 10-8, 3.16 in his career. He's had one bad start against New York this season, but his other two have been gems, allowing a combined one run and three hits in 16 innings, with strikeouts.The Red Sox, who will open the ALDS at home Friday, have already broken the club record for wins in a season and, after an off day Thursday, come into the finale at 107-54 -- with the two rivals 9-9 in their season series.The Yankees reached 100 wins for the 20th time in their history. They won the championship in 12 of those seasons but had to worry about playing in only the World Series in some of them.New York learned before the game that CC Sabathia was suspended for five games for hitting Tampa Bay's Jesus Sucre on Thursday. The suspension will be served next season, when Sabathia, who has already said he plans to pitch another year, could be with another team.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
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GAME RECAP
Red Sox claim more titles, beating Yankees 10-2 in finale9m ago 4 min read BOSTON Mookie Betts claimed the big league batting title with one more hit and J. D. Martinez hit his 43rd homer Sunday to lead the AL East champion Boston Red Sox into the playoffs with their franchise-record 108th win, a 10-2 victory over the wild-card winning New York Yankees.Five days before they might meet in the postseason for the first time since Boston's epic comeback in their cathartic 2004 World Series championship run, the teams ran out 41 players in a meaningless Game 162. Red Sox manager Alex Cora compared it to the final day of spring training.Now they turn their attention to the playoffs: New York has to go through Oakland first, in Wednesday night's AL wild-card game. The winner will be in Boston for Game 1 of the AL Division Series, starting Friday.Betts finished with a major league-best .346 average, Martinez drove in three to give him an AL-best 130 RBIs, and Rick Porcello pitched two innings of no-hit ball before leaving with a 7-0 lead in his final tuneup for the postseason. The 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner is expected to start Game 3 of the ALDS, following Chris Sale and David Price to the mound.Eduardo Rodriguez (13-5) was credited with the win by the official scorer as the most effective reliever under MLB Rule 9.17(b). Rodriguez was the fourth of eight Boston pitchers, going one inning and striking out two.Xander Bogaerts also homered for Boston.MOOKIE JARBetts had already taken the field at the beginning of the third inning when Cora sent Tzu-Wei Lin out to replace him, allowing the AL MVP favorite to get a cheer on his way back to the dugout. A brief ''M-V-P!'' chant broke out.Betts led the majors in slugging percentage, runs and WAR. He is the first player in baseball history to lead the majors in batting average and also top 30 steals and 30 homers. He is the first AL player to lead the majors in both batting average and extra-base hits since Mickey Mantle in 1956.FIRST-INNING FUMBLESFour of the first five Red Sox batters reached base in the first against Yankees starter Luis Cessa, plus an error by Aaron Judge that allowed Betts to score from first on Brock Holt's single. With one out and runners on second and third, Eduardo Nunez hit one to the right side, beyond the pitcher's reach.First baseman Luke Voit fielded it and flipped it to Cessa, who arrived at first at the same time as the runner, tagging him but dropping the ball. Both Cessa and Nunez need medical attention; Nunez stayed in the game but Cessa was relieved by David Robertson.It was the earliest Robertson has entered a game in his career.Cessa (1-4) got just one out, allowing four runs - three earned - on five hits. Boston added three more in the second inning.TRAINER'S ROOMYankees: DH Giancarlo Stanton was a late scratch from the lineup, replaced by Miguel Andujar. The Yankees said it was not injury-related and only to give Stanton some rest.Red Sox: Nunez remained in the game after a bit of a collision with Cessa on his first-inning infield single but remained in the game until he was pinch run for after a sixth-inning walk.SEMI-USEFUL Yankees: New York finished 100-62, its 20th 100-win season and a nine-game improvement over last year. The Yankees had the third-best record in baseball, behind Boston and Houston. ... They join the Pirates as the only teams to play twice in the wild-card game. ... Have reached the playoffs in 20 of the past 24 seasons. ... Voit homered, No. 267 on the season for the Yankees, a major league record that topped the 264 hit by the 1997 Seattle Mariners. ... Andujar hit his 47th double, tied for second-most for a rookie in major league history.Red Sox: In winning their third straight AL East title and setting a franchise record for wins, the Red Sox improved by 15 victories over their 2017 record. ... Twelve teams in baseball history have won as many as 108 games. Seattle won 116 in 2001 but lost in the ALCS to the Yankees. The previous four won the World Series. ... Boston snapped a three-game losing streak but completed the season without losing four in a row. It was the only team in baseball to go all season without losing four straight. It also accomplished that in 1903 and 2013, winning the World Series in both years. ... The last Red Sox player to win the AL batting title was Bill Mueller, with a .326 average in 2003. Wade Boggs was the last Boston player to lead the majors in average, hitting .366 in 1988.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:07 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-102
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+1.5 (-212)
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Over 9 (+110)
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-108
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-1.5 (+177)
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Under 9 (-132)
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GAME PREVIEW
Angels host A's in what could be Scioscia's final game 8h ago 2 min read The Los Angeles Angels will conclude their season Sunday against the playoff-bound Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium.Many are certain it will be the final game for Mike Scioscia as manager of the Angels.After spending the past 19 seasons in Anaheim, the longest tenure of any current major league manager, Scioscia doesn't have a contract for next season.Los Angeles (79-82) will miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season after getting off to a franchise-best 13-3 start. The Angels haven't won a postseason game since 2009, and will finish below .500 for a third consecutive year, which hasn't occurred over three full seasons since 1975-77.Scioscia hasn't indicated he's ready to move on, but multiple media outlets have reported a change will occur."I love managing," Scioscia told KLAA AM 830 radio earlier this week. "I love the dugout. I love the challenge of getting the team and getting them going in the right direction. That's something I thoroughly enjoy." Scioscia, 59, told the radio station he plans to speak with owner Arte Moreno and general manager Billy Eppler soon after the season ends and determine his future with the Angels, whom he guided to their only World Series title in 2002."I think that if you love something, you want to continue to keep doing it," he said. "If you can, great, and if it doesn't happen, so be it, but I love the dugout." Brett Anderson will start the regular-season finale for the A's (97-64), who are readying themselves for the American League wild-card game at the New York Yankees on Wednesday.Anderson (4-5, 4.42 ERA) pitched Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, the day after Oakland clinched its first playoff spot since 2014, and lasted only 2 2/3 innings in the 10-8 loss. He gave up five runs and seven hits, including two home runs, ending a streak of five consecutive outings without giving up the long ball.He was much better in his previous start, shutting out the Angels on three hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 10-0 victory Sept. 19. He's 2-3 in his career against Los Angeles with a 3.36 ERA.A's designated hitter Khris Davis hit an opposite-field two-run homer on Saturday night in a 5-2 win against the Angels, increasing his major league-lead to 48.Davis needs one more home run to move into a tie with Reggie Jackson for third-most during a season in franchise history.Matt Shoemaker is scheduled to start the season finale for the Angels.Shoemaker (2-2, 4.82) has spent long stretches on the disabled list with a forearm injury the past two seasons, but felt a lot better after his last outing, holding the Texas Rangers to one run and four hits over five innings of a 4-1 win."It's been really frustrating this season, having to deal with (the forearm injury) again, and most importantly, missing all that time," he told reporters after his last start. "But every time I've been out there pitching since I've been back, I have not felt it at all." Shoemaker is 6-3 in his career against the A's with a 4.11 ERA in 14 games (11 starts).
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Scioscia says he's leaving Angels after 5-4 win over A's6m ago 1 min read ANAHEIM, Calif. Mike Scioscia ended his 19-year run as Los Angeles Angels manager with a 5-4 win over the playoff-bound Oakland Athletics when Taylor Ward hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the ninth inning.Scioscia, the longest-tenured manager in the major leagues, finished with a 1,650-1,428 record, including 80-82. He guided the franchise to its only World Series title in 2002.Los Angeles missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year and recorded its third straight losing season for the first time under Scioscia, who turns 60 in November.The A's (97-65) will face the Yankees in New York in the AL wild-card game on Wednesday.During the game, Scioscia sat on the bench and talked with his staff, while first-base coach Alfredo Griffin stood in Scioscia's usual spot to the right of the dugout steps. Later, third-base coach Dino Ebel took Griffin's place.With Los Angeles trailing 4-2, Shohei Otani singled off Chris Hatcher (3-3) leading off the ninth, Jefry Marte hit an RBI double and Ward followed with a drive to left-center.Pat Bridwell (1-0) pitched the ninth for the win.Oakland's Khris Davis went 0 for 2 with a strikeout before being replaced in the sixth. He finished with a major league-leading 48 home runs and was second with 123 RBIs.Stephen Piscotty and Franklin Barreto hit two-run homers for the A's.Shohei Otani went 1 for 4 with a strikeout and finished his rookie season with a .285 average, 22 homers and 61 RBIs to go along with a 4-2 record and 3.31 ERA in 10 starts. The two-way Japanese sensation is set to have Tommy John surgery this week.Mike Trout was 0 for 1 with a flyout and wound up hitting .312 with 38 homers and 79 RBIs.Oakland starter Brett Anderson allowed two runs and four hits in three innings.Angels starter Matt Shoemaker gave up two runs and two hits in three innings. He struck out three and walked two.UP NEXTThe A's head to New York to play the Yankees on Wednesday in the AL wild-card game.The injury-plagued Angels had three straight losing seasons for the first time since 1992-94.---More MLB: www.apnews.com/tag/MLB and www.twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-115
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-1.5 (+140)
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Over 7.5 (-106)
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+105
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+1.5 (-160)
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Under 7.5 (-114)
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GAME PREVIEW
D-backs end disappointing month, season vs. Padres 1h ago 2 min read SAN DIEGO -- The painful month of September and the season ends Sunday for the Arizona Diamondbacks.While the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies are headed for the playoffs, the Diamondbacks will return to Phoenix on Sunday night after a horrible September cost them a shot at the National League West title.Arizona led the division for 125 days this season. But an 8-18 record in the final month dropped them from first to third in the division race and entirely out of the playoff race.The Diamondbacks will finish third in the NL West, although Saturday night's 5-4 win at Petco Park assured them their first back-to-back winning seasons since 2007-2008.Meanwhile, the Padres won't lose 100 games. They have 96 losses going into the season finale.Arizona will take a 12-6 series edge over the Padres into the last game of the season. Saturday night's win also assured the Diamondbacks of a winning record for the season against NL West opponents.The Padres-Diamondbacks finale will be a matchup of left-handers.Robbie Ray (6-2, 3.91 ERA) will start for Arizona against Padres rookie Joey Lucchesi (8-9, 4.14), who will make his 26th start of the season. Ray will make his 24th.Lucchesi is the third rookie starter to face the Diamondbacks this weekend. It will be the sixth time he pitches against Arizona this season.Lucchesi has been at his worst against Arizona, going 0-5 with a 6.85 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He has given up 18 runs, 26 hits and 12 walks, with 24 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. He has allowed five homers by the Diamondbacks -- two apiece by Paul Goldschmidt and Nick Ahmed and one by A. J. Pollock.Against the rest of the league, Lucchesi is 8-4 with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.256 WHIP. Opposing batters are hitting .256 this season against Lucchesi, with right-handed hitters batting .259 and left-handers .242.Lucchesi will make his 16th career start at Petco Park, where he is 5-5 with a 4.07 ERA.In Lucchesi's most recent outing last Sunday at Dodger Stadium, he allowed a career-worst seven runs, seven hits and two walks, with six strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Three of the hits were homers, bringing his 2018 total to 21 homers allowed in 124 innings.Ray is 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA in his last 10 starts. In the last seven outings, he has a 1.85 ERA and a .153 opponents' batting average.Ray is 1-0 with a 4.20 ERA in three starts against the Padres this season, allowing seven runs in 15 innings. He is 5-4 lifetime against the Padres with a 3.99 ERA in 12 starts.Ray is 3-1 in 11 road starts this season with a 2.95 ERA, a .187 opponents' batting average and a 1.182 WHIP.Overall, opponents are hitting .213 against Ray this season with a 1.32 WHIP. Right-handed hitters are batting .219 against Ray and left-handers are hitting only .129 against him.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Diamondbacks end deflating September with 4-3 loss to Padres8m ago 2 min read SAN DIEGO The deflated Arizona Diamondbacks concluded their disappointing September with a late miscue.Manuel Margot scored on a dropped third strike in the 10th inning to lift the San Diego Padres past Arizona 4-3 on Sunday.The Diamondbacks, a playoff team last year who led the NL West on the first day of every month this season, ran out of steam to finish in third place, nine games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies. The last-place Padres (66-96) took two of three from Arizona to close the season.Margot, who also homered on a 3-for-5 afternoon, reached in the 10th on his career-high eighth triple. When Jake Barrett (0-1) struck out pinch-hitter Francisco Mejia and the ball got away from John Ryan Murphy, Margot raced home on Murphy's throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. The relay back to home was tardy.Arizona went ahead 3-2 in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Socrates Brito, but the Padres tied it 3-3 on Eric Hosmer's bloop single to left. Jose Castillo (3-3) pitched the 10th for the win.Arizona went 8-19 in September to finish 82-80, salvaging a winning record for the second consecutive year.''I think that is something,'' Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said earlier in the series. ''When it's all said and done after the month that we had, it is really positive and a good way to finish.'' The Padres, who spent all but four days in the NL West basement, again look ahead to better days. It was their eighth straight losing season and their third straight year with at least 91 losses.''From our standpoint, we expect to be a lot better,'' Padres general manager A. J. Preller said before the game. ''I don't get too much into a number goal from a win standpoint. I think from out standpoint next year, we're going to start to compete. You've got to get over .500 to do that. We're going to come in next year and not try to put a ceiling on anything. We expect to be a lot better here moving forward and I think the guys in that room understand that and believe that as well.'' Margot was thrown at the plate by Goldschmidt in the eighth when trying to advance on Marte's throwing error.Arizona starter Robbie Ray pitched four-plus innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out eight.Joey Lucchesi was surrendered two runs and four hits over six innings. The rookie's eight strikeouts were one off his career high.Steven Souza's first career pinch-hit home run tied it 2-2 in the sixth.With Freddy Galvis and Wil Myers aboard on singles in the fifth, right fielder Brito dropped to one knee while trying to find the ball in the sun. Instead it landed beside him, with Galvis scoring for a 2-1 Padres advantage.Margot homered in the second, and the Diamondbacks pulled even when Marte connected in the fourth.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: Open next season in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.Padres: Host the San Francisco Giants on March 28, 2019.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+230
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+1.5 (+100)
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Over 7 (+100)
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-260
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-1.5 (-118)
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Under 7 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
Marlins' Realmuto to manage against the Mets 28m ago 2 min read NEW YORK -- Catcher J. T. Realmuto played in his last game of the season Friday. He wasted absolutely no time preparing for his next task: managing the Miami Marlins in the season finale on Sunday.Marlins manager Don Mattingly is handing the reins to Realmuto when Miami closes out 2018 by visiting the New York Mets in a battle of the National League East's fourth- and fifth-place teams at Citi Field.The Marlins' Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 4.00 ERA) is scheduled to oppose the Mets' Noah Syndergaard (12-4, 3.22 ERA) in a matchup of right-handers.The Mets posted a 1-0, 13-inning victory Saturday night when Austin Jackson's walk-off RBI double ensured David Wright would exit a winner in his final big-league game. Wright, whose pinch-hitting appearance Friday was his first major league at-bat since May 27, 2016, went 0-for-1 with a walk before leaving to a standing ovation in the top of the fifth inning.Wright, who has undergone neck, back and shoulder surgeries since 2016 and is battling spinal stenosis, said earlier this month that he can no longer physically play baseball. It is believed he and the Mets (76-85) will negotiate a settlement on the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2020."I'm at peace with the work and the time and the effort and the dedication that I put into this," Wright said afterward. "I'm certainly not at peace with the end result, but tonight was special." The Marlins (63-97) are hoping for a memorable afternoon when Realmuto slides into Mattingly's spot on the bench. Mattingly tries to let a player manage the season finale when the game has no playoff implications, a tradition he learned while serving as a coach with the New York Yankees under Joe Torre.Infielder Martin Prado was the Marlins' manager in the season finale last year, which Mattingly said was an eye-opening experience for the player."Prado's like 'I'm never going to question you again,' there was so much stuff going on in that game he managed," Mattingly said with a grin Saturday afternoon. "It's good for them to see the other side a little bit." Mattingly said Realmuto jumped right into managerial mode after the Marlins' 8-1 win Friday night."He told me (Friday) night that we had to talk about who I used out of the bullpen (Saturday), because he wanted to keep certain guys available for (Sunday)," Mattingly said. "He was taking over. He took over as soon as the game's over (Friday) night." Alcantara took the loss in his most recent start last Monday, when he gave up six runs in four innings as the Marlins fell to the Washington Nationals 7-3. Syndergaard didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, when he allowed three hits in six scoreless innings as the Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves 7-3.Alcantara is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts against the Mets. He beat the Mets on June 29 when he gave up one run in five innings and allowed two runs in seven innings of a no-decision on Sept. 13.Syndergaard is 5-0 with a 1.96 ERA in seven career starts against the Marlins. This season, he's 2-0 against them and has allowed four earned runs in 13 innings.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
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GAME RECAP
Syndergaard gets 1st shutout, Mets top Marlins 1-0 in finale10m ago 3 min read NEW YORK Noah Syndergaard pitched his first major league shutout and the New York Mets wrapped up a disappointing season Sunday with their second consecutive 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins.Todd Frazier hit an RBI double for the Mets, who finished fourth in the NL East at 77-85 under rookie manager Mickey Callaway - a seven-win improvement over last year. After beginning the season with playoff aspirations, they jumped out to an 11-1 start before going 5-21 in June as injuries once again took a heavy toll.New York rebounded a bit to win 33 of its last 55 games, but it was way too late by then.Promising rookie Sandy Alcantara (2-3) struck out a career-high 10 over seven innings in his sixth major league start for the Marlins. After trading Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon in an offseason payroll purge, Miami ended up with the worst record in the National League at 63-98 in Derek Jeter's first year as chief executive officer. The Marlins were scoreless over their final 24 innings.Looking to have some fun at the finish line, manager Don Mattingly appointed All-Star catcher J. T. Realmuto to pilot the team Sunday. Jeter indicated this month that Mattingly will be back next year.Syndergaard (13-4) allowed five hits and fanned six in a fast finale that took just 2 hours, 10 minutes. He walked none and threw 101 pitches for his second career complete game. The other one came on Sept. 2 in San Francisco, and the big right-hander completed the season by tossing a career-best 15 straight scoreless innings.Syndergaard's complete-game shutout was only the 19th in the majors this year, fewest in a season since 1874, when there were only eight teams. There were 27 such outings last season.Alcantara struck out five straight before Jeff McNeil opened the fourth with a single for New York's first hit. McNeil scored from first when left fielder Isaac Galloway misplayed Frazier's hard-hit double.One day after David Wright's emotional goodbye at Citi Field, the Mets gave Jose Reyes another ceremonial start at shortstop. The 35-year-old Reyes, who batted .189 in a bench role this season, was lifted after grounding out leading off the bottom of the first.He hugged teammates in the dugout and received a warm ovation while coming out for a curtain call for the crowd of 28,346.''I just thought he deserved to be on the field one more time,'' Callaway said.HOW'D THAT HPEN?Syndergaard's bat broke off just above his hands as he started to swing - and obviously miss - at a third-inning pitch. Teammates cracked up in the dugout as Syndergaard stood dumbfounded in the batter's box. After getting some new lumber, the pitcher struck out but then lashed a sharp single in the fifth.NEW KID IN TOWNMcNeil had two hits to give him 36 in September, breaking the club record for rookies set by Gregg Jefferies in 1989.TRAINER'S ROOMMets: LF Yoenis Cespedes is scheduled for his second heel surgery Oct. 23 - this time on his left foot - but said he can't yet predict how much he'll be able to play next season. The oft-injured slugger had surgery Aug. 2 to remove bone calcification in his right heel, the first of two operations expected to sideline him for eight to 10 months.UP NEXTMarlins: Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 13, and Miami opens the 2019 season March 28 against Colorado.Mets: Begin next season at NL East rival Washington.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+144
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+1.5 (-145)
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Over 9 (+105)
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-160
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-1.5 (+125)
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Under 9 (-127)
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GAME PREVIEW
Mariners' Diaz can pass Thigpen with one final save 27m ago 2 min read When Seattle's Edwin Diaz took the mound in a save situation Saturday night, it was the first time in 11 games he had such an opportunity.Such is the life of a closer.Despite some two-out drama, Diaz struck out the side in the ninth inning of a 4-1 victory over the visiting Texas Rangers for his 57th save, tying Bobby Thigpen of the 1990 Chicago White Sox for second on Major League Baseball's season list.After striking out the first two batters in the inning, the Rangers loaded the bases on an error, a hit batter and pinch-hitter Joey Gallo's infield single. But Diaz fanned Jurickson Profar for the final out."It's an unbelievable number," Mariners manager Scott Servais said of 57 saves. "It's so hard to do that. All the one-run saves, the workload, staying focused all year long ... it takes a special talent. It's been really fun to watch him all year long. It's a blessing to have him at the end of the bullpen. ..."When the bell rings in the ninth inning, he's ready to get it on." In the Mariners' previous 10 games, they won four times -- three by blowouts and the other in 11 innings.That thwarted Diaz's bid to reach Francisco Rodriguez's major-league record of 62 saves set in 2008."It's been tough," Diaz told MLB.com. "I want to pitch, I want to save games. I got used to seeing close games every night, now we're winning by a lot. But that's fine. It's a long season. When they give me the ball, I'm ready to go." It appeared Diaz might get a chance Friday night, when the Rangers rallied from a nine-run deficit to close within 9-6 in the eighth inning.While Diaz was warming up in the bullpen, the Mariners scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to nullify the save opportunity."That's fine. That's part of the game," Diaz said. "I can't be mad, I have to support my team." Diaz said he has already surpassed his own expectations."My goal was 40 saves before the season started," he said. "I'm at (57) and it's pretty special to me. I worked hard to get ready for this season, and I feel like I helped the team win a lot of games." Diaz might get one more chance Sunday afternoon when the Mariners and Rangers meet in the regular-season finale.Texas right-hander Yovani Gallardo (8-7, 6.40 ERA) is scheduled to take on Seattle left-hander Roenis Elias (2-1, 2.93).Gallardo is 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners; Elias is 2-2 with a 2.37 ERA in seven previous appearances against the Rangers, including five starts.The season series between the Mariners (88-73) and the last-place Rangers (67-94) is tied 9-9 heading into the finale. Seattle has a winning record against every other team in the American League West this season.Rangers interim manager Don Wakamatsu said 21-year veteran Adrian Beltre, who is considering retirement, will start at third base Sunday after serving as the designated hitter each of the previous two games."I think it's only befitting that he does that, especially because he played here (in Seattle from 2005 to 2009), too," Wakamatsu said. "He talks about finishing strong and finishing the season, and here he is. He wants to play third base on the last day of the season."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
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GAME RECAP
Beltre farewell? Mariners top Rangers 3-1 to finish off 201821m ago 3 min read SEATTLE Roenis Elias allowed one hit in five innings, and the Seattle Mariners closed out the regular season with a 3-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday in what could be the final game of Adrian Beltre's career.The Texas third baseman has not announced whether this was his final season, although Sunday had the feeling of finality. Beltre played 4 1/2 innings before being lifted before the bottom of the fifth, given a standing ovation by the crowd of 21,146. Beltre went 1 for 2 and finished with a .273 average, 15 homers and 65 RBIs.Like his demeanor for most of his career, Beltre had fun should it be his final game. Beltre blooped a single to right leading off the second inning. He was almost immediately doubled off when Joey Gallo's liner was caught by first baseman Ryon Healy. After he was called out, Beltre jogged to the Mariners dugout railing and gave close friend Felix Hernandez a hug before heading back to the Rangers dugout.Beltre had another humorous moment on the final out of the fourth inning with runners on first and second. Ryon Healy stopped running to third and retreated toward second base, but Beltre waved Healy back toward third and tagged him for the final out.Beltre, who spent five seasons with the Mariners from 2005-09, was given a standing ovation leading off the fifth inning as a ''Thank You, Adrian'' message was shown on the video board. Beltre tipped his helmet to the crowd before flying out to right field. Beltre took the field for the bottom of the fifth and was replaced by Jurickson Profar, receiving hugs from all of his teammates on the field and in the dugout.The blooper by Beltre was the only hit allowed by Elias (3-1), who struck out four and walked none in a game that took just 2 hours, 14 minutes. David Freitas had an RBI double and Andrew Romine a run-scoring single off Yovani Gallardo (8-8) in the second inning. Kyle Seager added a sacrifice fly in the fifth.Seattle finished with 89 victories, its most since 2003, but it was a hallow accomplishment after seeing the longest playoff drought in any of the four major U. S. pro sports extended to 17 years. The Mariners last made the postseason in 2001 and in the middle of June appeared set to finally end that streak leading Oakland by 11 games in the wild-card race. That lead disappeared quickly as Oakland caught Seattle by August and raced past the Mariners over the final two months.After having the 11-game lead, Seattle went 43-48 over the final 101 games.Texas finished last in the AL West for the first time since 2014 and had consecutive losing seasons for the first time since going four straight years under .500 from 2005-08. The 95 losses matched the most for Texas since losing 99 games in 1985.FAREWELL?Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz was replaced in right field with one out in the top of the fourth inning by Ben Gamel. Cruz was given a standing ovation as he jogged to the dugout in what could be his final game with the Mariners with his contract up after the season. Cruz has been one of the best free agent signings in Mariners history. Cruz, who turned 38 in July, hit .256 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs this season. He hit 163 homers and had 414 RBIs in his four seasons with Seattle.HOMERS OVER HITSRangers slugger Joey Gallo finished with more home runs (40) than singles (38). Gallo had 103 hits in 500 at-bats on the season. He batted .206UP NEXTRangers: Texas opens on March 28 at home against the Chicago Cubs.Mariners: Seattle starts on March 20 in Tokyo against Oakland.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+119
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+1.5 (-174)
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Over 9 (-103)
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-132
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-1.5 (+150)
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Under 9 (-117)
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GAME PREVIEW
Twins, White Sox close out lackluster seasons 34m ago 3 min read Sunday marks the end of what has been a disappointing season for the Minnesota Twins.A surprise playoff participant a year ago, the Twins will be watching from their couches this October. That includes Joe Mauer, who will retreat to his home in St. Paul after Sunday's finale and contemplate his future.The three-time American League batting champion and six-time All-Star becomes a free agent this fall when the eight-year, $184 million contract he signed with his hometown team expires. Sunday could mark his final appearance in a Twins uniform ... or in a baseball uniform in general.He told reporters last month that retirement was something he'd consider, but not until after the season. He has given no hints since and the Twins did not plan any ceremonies to mark his 15-year career during their final homestand of the season.Now, though, there is a definite chance that the end is near."The end of the season sneaks up on you," Mauer said. "Here we are, in the last weekend. I'm just trying to enjoy it." Mauer was not in manager Paul Molitor's lineup Saturday night when the Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 8-3, but he will start at first base Sunday afternoon.If this is the end of his run, he's going out on a high note. He's batting .365 with nine RBIs in his last 16 games and will carry an eight-game hitting streak into the season finale."It doesn't surprise me," Molitor said. "We're all pulling for him to have a good finish to this year. He's putting together a nice homestand. I think he's really relishing just the response and the fans. You soak it in -- even if you're contemplating what lies ahead. Just to kind of pause and take pictures of each day you're playing the game." Right-hander Zack Littell (0-2, 6.61 ERA) gets the start for Minnesota. It will be the second career start and seventh career appearance for Littell, who threw two scoreless innings of relief last Saturday against the A's.He lasted just three innings in his only previous start, allowing six runs, six hits and four walks in a 6-3 loss to the White Sox on June 4."Obviously, the results weren't there, but it was one of the more fun nights of my life," Littell said. "I got to live out my dream. And that was awesome. I didn't pitch the way I wanted to, but the experience was incredible." The White Sox turn to right-hander Dylan Covey (5-13, 5.06) for the series finale. He has not allowed a run in his last two starts, both of them six-inning efforts against American League Central champion Cleveland, while striking out 12 with just four walks."That was definitely a big confidence-booster for me," Covey said after dueling Indians' ace Corey Kluber in his last outing. "I've known all year that I have the stuff; it's just trying to find that consistency with it." Consistency has been an issue for the 27-year-old in his second big league season. He went 4-10 with a 5.87 ERA in 17 starts before White Sox manager Rick Renteria moved him to the bullpen in late August. Covey posted a 2.25 ERA in five relief appearances and was put back in the rotation Sept. 11, when he was tagged for five runs in 4 1/3 innings of a loss to the Royals before looking dominant against the Indians."These last couple of starts felt really good," Covey said. "I got one more start to try to finish off the year strong, and we'll see what happens." Covey is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three games -- one start -- versus the Twins.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Mauer doubles, catches in emotional likely finale with Twins6m ago 2 min read MINNEOLIS Joe Mauer received one more pitch as catcher for the Twins, and Minnesota likely said goodbye to the longtime face of its franchise during an emotional 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.The 35-year-old Mauer was playing the final game of an eight-year, $184 million contract. He doubled into the left-center gap with a line drive of Juan Minaya in his final at-bat.The 2009 AL MVP then made a surprise appearance behind the plate in the ninth, his first time catching in a game since Aug. 19, 2013. He caught one pitch from Matt Belisle, then walked off to a final standing ovation and was replaced by Chris Gimenez.Mauer is a three-time AL batting champ and six-time All-Star over 15 major league seasons, all with Minnesota. A three-sport star from St. Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall High School, Mauer was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft and made his debut with the Twins in 2004.Max Kepler and Jake Cave homered for the Twins, and reliever Andrew Vasquez (1-0) earned the victory for the Twins with one perfect inning of relief. Trevor May replaced Belisle and got three straight outs with the tying run on second in the ninth to earn his third save.The White Sox lost their 100th game of the year, the first time they've done so since 1970. Meanwhile, the Twins won their sixth straight game to end the season, giving them 78 victories - seven fewer than last year, when they were the AL's second wild card.Dylan Covey (5-14) gave up five runs over six innings.Kepler hit a two-run home, his 20th of the season, onto the plaza in right field in the sixth.WHIFF WATCHWhite Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada struck out once, giving him a major league-leading 217. That's just six behind the record of 223, set by Mark Reynolds of the Rockies in 2009.MAUER MOMENTSThe day was filled with memorable moments for Mauer, who started at first base and batted leadoff. For Sunday home games, each Twins player is joined at his position by a young fan for the national anthem. On Sunday, Mauer's 5-year-old twin daughters, Emily and Maren, surprised him by running out to meet him at first base.The crowd of 30,144 gave Mauer an extended standing ovation before his first at-bat. He then shook hands with umpire Jim Reynolds and White Sox catcher Wellington Castillo before facing Covey.BY THE NUMBERSIf Mauer retires after this season, he will finish second in Twins history in games played, third in runs scored, second in hits, first in doubles, and second in walks. He broke the Twins' career record for times on base earlier in the homestand.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+113
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+1.5 (-190)
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Over 9.5 (-101)
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-124
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-1.5 (+163)
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Under 9.5 (-118)
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GAME PREVIEW
Pirates visit Reds before setting sail for offseason 11h ago 3 min read For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the final weekend of a better-than-expected season is a time to say not only goodbye but also hello. Perhaps to the same player.For the Cincinnati Reds, the final weekend of a worse-than-expected season is a time to begin looking ahead and not back at yet another frustrating year.The National League Central rival Pirates and Reds wrap up their three-game series and the season Sunday at Great American Ball Park, with both teams already focusing on 2019. But not before the Pirates conclude some unfinished business.During a 3-0 loss to the Reds on Saturday, the Pirates' infield had the look of a few seasons ago with Jung Ho Kang at third base, Jordy Mercer at shortstop and Josh Harrison at second base. But the once-familiar infield might be together only one more day.Kang, troubled by injuries and legal issues the last two seasons, started in the majors for the first time since Oct. 2, 2016, and went 1-for-4. Kang could return next season as the Pirates hold a $5.5 million club option on him, or they could decline the option and attempt to re-sign him for less money.Mercer, however, is a pending free agent who appears unlikely to return, and the Pirates can buy out Harrison's contract for $1 million instead of paying him $10.5 million in 2019."He (Kang) worked hard to try and put himself in position to come back before the season ended," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "I think we want to honor that responsibility and the work that he put in to get back here." Before losing Saturday, the Pirates (81-79) had won nine of 13 overall, a push that guaranteed them a winning season, plus seven in a row and nine of 10 against Cincinnati. The Reds (67-94) halted a six-game losing streak that came amid a late-season run of 11 losses in 14 games.Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen (4-2, 3.11 ERA), trying to make the transition from a reliever to a starter, shut out the Pirates on five hits in 5 2/3 innings Saturday. It was the second time in Lorenzen's three late-season starts that he didn't permit an earned run. He also contributed an RBI single, and Eugenio Suarez hit his 34th homer and his second in as many games."He (Lorenzen) certainly factors in (the 2019 plans)," Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said.Sal Romano (8-11, 5.37 ERA), another Reds right-hander who hopes to make the 2019 rotation, will make his first start since Aug. 21 on Sunday. In nine games as a reliever this month, Romano has a 5.19 ERA, with five earned runs allowed in 8 2/3 innings.During his last time out as a starter, Romano allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings of the Reds' 9-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. He didn't figure in the decision. Romano is 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Pirates.For now, it's too early to forecast what role he'll play next season."Our guys (pitchers) are competing like crazy, they're working their tails off," Riggleman said. "But we've got to make a few changes pitching-wise." The Pirates hand the ball to rookie right-hander Clay Holmes (1-3, 7.25 ERA), who makes his fourth career start. Holmes made his major league debut against Cincinnati on April 6, allowing one run in two relief innings.Reliever Steven Brault said he believes the Pirates exceeded expectations in 2018 after losing 87 games last season. Their record, for example, is nearly identical to that of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were in first place in the NL West at the start of September."I would say we surpassed expectations this year. We did some really good things," Brault told the team's website. "We were inconsistent as a club, individually, everything. That's why we have the record we do. (But) I think we held our own really well this year." For the Reds, 2018 was more of the same. They began the season by losing 15 of 18 and never recovered. Even if they win Sunday, they will lose at least 94 games for a fourth consecutive season.The Reds are 5-13 against the Pirates this season.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Stephens' wild pitch in 10th sends Pirates over Reds 6-55m ago 2 min read CINCINNATI Pablo Reyes scored on Jackson Stephens' wild pitch in the top of the 10th inning Sunday, rallying the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.The Reds finished 67-95, their fourth straight season with at least 90 losses - the second-worst stretch in franchise history. Their first item in the offseason is choosing a next manager.Bryan Price was fired after a 3-15 start, and the Reds went 64-80 under interim manager Jim Riggleman. He'll be interviewed Monday, and the Reds plan to pick a manager by the end of the month. Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin has told the team he isn't interested at this time.The Reds were one of a record eight major league teams to finish with at least 95 losses this year. There were seven in 2002.Starling Marte and Josh Bell homered for the Pirates, who finished 82-79 - their most wins since they last made the playoffs in 2015. They head into next season with a solid rotation and bullpen, their best hopes for getting back into contention in the NL Central.Reyes doubled off Stephens (2-3), advanced on an error and scored on the wild pitch. Michael Feliz (1-2) pitched the ninth, and Felipe Vazquez got his 37th save in 42 chances.Clint Hurdle got his 1,200th career win as a major league manager. Bruce Bochy, Mike Scioscia, Buck Showalter and Terry Francona are the other active managers with that many.LAST HURRAHRiggleman gave several regulars a curtain call. First baseman Joey Votto and center fielder Billy Hamilton took their positions to start the fourth inning and were subbed out, removing their jerseys and handing them to fans on the way to the dugout. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez got a curtain call in the fifth and tossed his cap to a fan.DWINDLING CROWDS AT GABPThe Reds drew 1,629,356 at Great American, their smallest home attendance since 1984 when they were at Riverfront Stadium. Attendance has slid significantly each of the last three seasons as the team languished in rebuilding mode.''Oh, it's definitely noticeable,'' catcher Tucker Barnhart said. ''It's pretty hard to not notice it when you can hear the light towers buzzing. It just means we have to play better. If you play better, more people will come.'' UP NEXTThe Ohio River rivals will reunite at Great American Ball Park to open next season, playing at 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, March 28.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+164
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+1.5 (-115)
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Over 11.5 (+105)
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-182
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-1.5 (-105)
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Under 11.5 (-125)
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GAME PREVIEW
Rockies avoid Scherzer in series finale vs. Nationals 7h ago 3 min read DENVER -- A one-sided loss Saturday night left the Colorado Rockies tied for first place with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, which may or may not be decided Sunday when the regular season is scheduled to end.Both the Rockies and Dodgers are 90-71. The Washington Nationals buried the Rockies 12-2 Saturday, ending their season-high eight-game winning streak. After the game, Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced that ace Max Scherzer will not start Sunday and instead right-hander Erick Fedde will face Colorado.Fedde (2-3, 5.24 ERA) will be opposed by left-hander Tyler Anderson (6-9, 4.76).The Dodgers' 10-6 win Saturday over the San Francisco Giants assured them of making the playoffs and factored heavily in the Nationals' decision not to start Scherzer on regular rest Sunday.He piled up 10 strikeouts, to boost his total for the season to 300, on Tuesday against Miami, working seven innings to increase his major-league leading total for the season to 220 1/3.Martinez said the decision to start Fedde came after Martinez, general manager Mike Rizzo and Scherzer spoke Saturday."We talked to him before the game and we just decided it'd be best if he doesn't pitch," Martinez said.Asked whether Scherzer lobbied to start Sunday or abided by the decision, Martinez said, "He was OK (with the decision). That last game he pitched, he got his 300th strikeout, and he left it all out there."We asked him (on Friday if he would pitch Sunday) if it meant a team being knocked out or being eliminated, he said, 'Yes, absolutely.' Then today, with both teams being in the playoffs, we sat down and told him it was enough."I understand the integrity of the game, but both teams are in it, so I got to take care of my player." The Rockies contemplated starting German Marquez on three days' rest, something he has never done in previous 64 starts in the big leagues. But by holding Marquez back, he can start Monday at Los Angeles, if necessary, on regular rest.Anderson is coming off two strong starts, the last Sept. 19 at Los Angeles when he held the Dodgers to three hits and two runs in six innings of a no-decision as the Rockies lost 5-2.Shoulder soreness then caused Anderson to be scratched from a scheduled start on Sept. 25. Anderson is 0-0 with a 4.35 ERA in two starts against the Nationals, including an outing this season on April 15 at Washington where he allowed two hits, three runs (one earned) and six walks in 4 2/3 innings with six strikeouts in a no-decision in Colorado's 6-5 win.In four September starts, three of which the Nationals lost, Fedde has pitched 18 1/3 inings and is 1-0 with a 4.42 ERA. He last pitched Sept. 23 and came away with a no-decision in Washington's 8-6 loss to the New York Mets after giving up five hits, four walks and three runs in 3 1/3 innings with two strikeouts.Fedde made his major league debut against Colorado on July 30, 2017, at Washington and gave up 10 hits and seven runs in four innings and lost 10-6.That was Fedde's only career appearance against the Rockies, leaving him 0-1 with a 15.75 ERA against them as he awaits his 14th career start and Coors Field debut.Not surprisingly, the Rockies were glad to hear three-time Cy Young Award winner Scherzer (18-7, 2.53 ERA) won't be starting Sunday."It's great when you don't have to face a four-time Cy Young (winner)," said Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, giving Scherzer credit for an additional Cy Young Award. "We were all ready to face him. He's one of the best to ever do it, with (Los Angeles' Clayton) Kershaw the best of our generation, really. The guy we're facing, there's not a lot of familiarity. I think his first big league start was (against) us in Washington."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Rockies rout Nats 12-0, to play at Dodgers for NL West title6m ago 3 min read DENVER The playoff-bound Colorado Rockies are headed to Los Angeles for a tiebreaking game to decide the NL West title after routing the Washington Nationals 12-0 on Sunday behind Charlie Blackmon's cycle.Tied atop the division with the Dodgers entering the last day, the Rockies won for the ninth time in 10 games, while Los Angeles routed San Francisco 15-0 to send the season to game 163.The one-game tiebreaker will be Monday at Dodger Stadium, and the loser goes to the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee for Tuesday's wild-card game.Nolan Arenado hit two of the Rockies' five homers and took over the National League lead with 37, one more than teammate Trevor Story - who also went deep. David Dahl homered for the sixth time in seven games.Colorado (91-71), is trying for its first division title.Blackmon finished off his first career cycle and the ninth in Rockies history with a double in the eighth. He tripled in the first, homered in the third, singled in the fifth and struck out in the sixth.Tyler Anderson (7-9) didn't look the least bit bothered by a sore shoulder that sidelined him for about a week. He scattered four hits over 7 2/3 inninhs for his first win since July 4.Arenado got the Rockies rolling in the first, with a two-run shot off Erick Fedde (2-4), who was starting after the Nationals elected to skip NL Cy Young Award candidate Max Scherzer. Blackmon added a two-run drive in the third.Fedde lasted four innings and gave up four runs in place of Scherzer, who wound up with an MLB-best 300 strikeouts.The Rockies went 19-9 in September, marking the second-most wins in the month in franchise history. The team record is 20 in 2007, when the Rockies made a late surge and beat San Diego in a play-in game to climb into the postseason. They used the momentum to propel them all the way to their only World Series appearance, where they were swept by Boston.Before the game, Story said he planned to do sneak peeks at the large scoreboard in right field to see how the Dodgers were faring. It wasn't pretty, as Los Angeles scored early and often.Late in the game, the fans chanted ''Beat LA! Beat LA! Beat LA!'' The only cheer louder was the one Anderson received when he was taken out.Anderson appeared iffy for this start after complaining of shoulder soreness that led him to be bumped from his outing last Monday. He steadily progressed throughout the week.The left-hander was 0-6 with a 6.08 ERA over his past 13 starts. But he found his command and worked out of trouble courtesy of three double plays.Arenado and Story hit back-to-back homers in the seventh to help the Rockies earn their 91st win of the season, which is the second-most in team history. The record is 92 turned in by the 2009 team.The Nationals (82-80) finished with a winning record for a seventh straight season.HARPER'S FINAL NATS AT-BAT?Soon-to-be free agent Bryce Harper doubled in potentially his final at-bat in a Nationals uniform. He was 2 for 4 with two doubles.Asked if Harper remains in the team's plans, general manager Mike Rizzo said: ''Of course he is in our plans. He's a guy that we would love to have.'' UP NEXTNationals: Open the 2019 season on March 28 against the New York Mets at Nationals Park.Rockies: RHP German Marquez (14-10, 3.76 ERA) figures to get the start Monday in Los Angeles.---More baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+145
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+1.5 (-145)
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Over 8 (-116)
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-161
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-1.5 (+125)
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Under 8 (-104)
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GAME PREVIEW
Blue Jays' Martin to manage versus Rays 10h ago 3 min read John Gibbons is one of those special "baseball" guys that makes the game fun, makes it a little more interesting.On Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla., Gibbons' second stay as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays comes to an end with the final game of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays, and Gibby is going out in style.He's having veteran catcher Russell Martin manage the team."I'm having a little fun with it," Gibbons said Saturday. "Let him see how tough it is." Technically, Martin will be a player/manager, but he hasn't played since Sept 3 as the Jays have been looking at younger players.While the game will be an emotional one for Gibbons and the Jays, it really has some importance to the home team.Blake Snell didn't win his 22nd of the season Saturday night, but the Rays won the game 4-3 for their 89th victory of the season -- thus giving them a shot at 90 in a year most people thought would be a washout.They could reach 90 wins for the first time in five years.On Saturday night, Tampa Bay notched its 50th home win.Marco Estrada, slated to close the season and the Gibbons Era, was scratched with the sore back that has bothered him through much of the season. Sam Gaviglio will start against another Rays "opener," likely Ryne Stanek, with several relievers following."The good thing is it's nothing major," said Estrada, a free agent at the end of the season. "It's something the doctor feels it should be just fine. If we hit the right spot, this should be cleared away for a while. Pretty excited about it. He said, 'Keep doing your core program, all the stretching you can, and it should help.' I've stayed on it all year. Just sometimes it froze up." As far as his future, the 35-year-old Estrada said: "Obviously, there's always a chance of me coming back. I'm not sure in which direction they're going, (or) if they want to go younger. It seems to be going that way. But I'm never right about these things. So I don't really know. But I definitely would love to hear from them again. I'm comfortable here. I do love this team." Snell pitched five innings and struck out 10 in a no-decision Saturday night, finishing his season at 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA -- and apparently headed for the second Cy Young Award in franchise history.He came up short Saturday in his bid to become the first pitcher since Justin Verlander in 2011 to win 10 straight starts."There's not really much debate in my opinion," said his manager, Kevin Cash.Said Snell: "I have a good case." The Rays' official Twitter account posted: Congrats to snellzilla4 on an outstanding season. We're rooting for you." Toronto hitters struck out 18 times Saturday night.Gaviglio is 3-9 with a 5.19 ERA this season and 0-3 in his last five starts. He is 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA in three starts versus the Rays this season, dropping him to 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay.Cash said before Saturday's game that Matt Duffy and Ji-Man Choi likely would not play because of injuries.Also before the game, Rays right-hander Andrew Kittredge learned he had been suspended for three games and fined for throwing behind Austin Romine on Thursday. That led to CC Sabathia plunking Jesus Sucre with Sabathia suspended for five games.Kittredge said he might appeal, but both sentences would be served next season."I understand, I do, I get it," Cash said. "I had some really good conversations with MLB, (chief baseball officer) Joe Torre and (senior vice president, baseball operations) Peter Woodfork. And you know what? Kitt, from my understanding, will go through the appeals process and kind of let it be heard, his viewpoint. And then go from there."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Rays use bullpen to beat Blue Jays 9-4 for 90th win9m ago 2 min read ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Ryan Yarbrough got his rookie-leading 16th win and the Tampa Bay Rays turned another bullpen game into their 90th victory, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 9-4 on Sunday.The Rays (90-72) went to the unconventional plan of using relievers to start games in addition to traditional starters in mid-May due to injuries.The results were about equal, as Tampa Bay went 46-38 with regular starters and 44-34 when utilizing the bullpen.Ryne Stanek was Tampa Bay's ''opener'' for the 29th time and went two scoreless innings. Yarbrough (16-6) followed and gave up two runs and four hits over three innings to get his 14th relief win.The Rays went 87-60 after losing 12 of their first 15 games.Outgoing Blue Jays manager John Gibbons decided to have some fun in the finale and let 35-year-old catcher Russell Martin manage the game.Martin ''thought about it for a couple seconds'' before deciding not to be a player-manager.Toronto announced Wednesday that Gibbons will not be back as manager next season.''He's one of my favorites,'' Martin said. ''I'm going to miss him. He's a special guy. He's kind of like having a second dad.'' Over two stints totaling 11 seasons, Gibbons went 793-789 with the Blue Jays.Toronto finished 73-89, a three-game drop from 2017.Tampa Bay improved 10 games from last year and joined the 2012 Rays (90) and 2013 Texas Rangers (91) as the only 90-win teams since the second wild card was introduced in 2012 to miss the postseason.Joey Wendle and Jake Bauers both had two RBIs for the Rays, who went 13-6 against Toronto. Tampa Bay has dominated the series at home, going 111-74.Loser Sam Gaviglio (3-10) allowed five runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.SEATS AVAILABLEDespite the strong on-field showing, the Rays' announced home attendance of 1,154,973 was their lowest since 2005 (1,141,699). Tampa Bay drew 1,253,619 last season. Sunday's crowd was 13,313.STAYING THE COURSEThe Rays are happy with the progress of two-way player Brendan McKay at Class A Charlotte this season and plan to continue the experiment. ''Where this ends up going I think we don't know exactly still, but we're really encouraged,'' Tampa Bay senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.Bloom said McKay, whose season ended prematurely due to an oblique injury, has been at instructional league and has gotten back ''to where he's a healthy player.'' HOT STREAKRays LF Tommy Pham walked in the third to extend his on-base streak to 32 games, the longest active streak in the majors. Johnny Damon holds the team record with 39.UP NEXTBlue Jays: Open the 2019 season at home against Detroit on March 28.Rays: Host AL West champion Houston on March 28 in their 2019 opener.
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:10 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+251
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+1.5 (+124)
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Over 9 (+100)
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-285
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-1.5 (-144)
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Under 9 (-120)
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VIEW ALL PICKS |
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GAME PREVIEW
Brewers can clinch at least a tie for NL Central 8h ago 3 min read MILWAUKEE -- One month ago, the Milwaukee Brewers took a chance on veteran left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Now, he wants to reward their faith in him and he'll get a chance to do just that on the biggest stage possible.Manager Craig Counsell announced Saturday night that Gonzalez will get the start Sunday as the Brewers try to clinch at least a share of the National League Central title when they wrap up the regular season against the Detroit Tigers at Miller Park."This is exciting," Gonzalez said. "I'll be ready to go tomorrow." It had been a rough go for the 11-year veteran left-hander. He'd gone 7-11 with a 4.57 ERA in 27 starts for the Nationals, a dramatic tumble from the 2.96 ERA he posted a year earlier while finishing sixth in Cy Young Award balloting.The Brewers, though, saw something in Gonzalez they thought could help them down the stretch and dealt for the 33-year-old. He spent a week getting back on track with pitching coach Derek Johnson before returning to the mound. In four starts for Milwaukee, he has gone 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA, striking out 20 in 20 1/3 innings."Coming over here, they gave me an opportunity to show them that I could still pitch, still compete at the highest level and be with a team that's doing that every single day," Gonzalez said. "For me, it's exciting to know they found a way to squeeze me in to such a great team so I'm excited." He's been in this position before. Gonzalez was one of the anchors of a Nationals team that had won four division titles in the last six seasons."I don't care who's pitching it -- they're going to feel it," Counsell said. "And you should feel it. It's a huge game. You've got to use the energy of the game to give you more focus. That's what you've got to do. It can take you to beautiful places and high levels of performance, but you've got to use it in the right way, certainly." Miller Park was raucous Saturday night for Game 2 of the three-game set. A sellout crowd of 45,520 -- the eighth largest in stadium history -- was on hand to watch MVP candidate Christian Yelich hit two more home runs and move within two RBIs of a possible triple crown.The atmosphere Sunday afternoon is expected to be even more jovial as the Brewers close in on their first division title since 2011."There's no question in my mind the vibe in the stadium flipped (Saturday)," Counsell said. "The energy level was turned way up, and you felt it." Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire thinks playing in a playoff-like atmosphere is a good learning opportunity for his team, still in the very preliminary stages of a full-blown rebuild."It's a good experience," Gardenhire said. "They are really into it. That is some of the things you need to see. You need to see what it's like. It makes you hungry to get back. You'd love to see us having that at home and having our fans like that, but it's good to see. Loud, can't hear. You've got to pay attention more. Those are big at-bats. People are really into it." Rookie right-hander Spencer Turnbull (0-1, 5.73) might not enjoy the experience quite as much, especially if Yelich continues his torrid second-half pace. Yelich has reached base in 11 straight games, posting a .486 average with five doubles, two triples and six home runs during that stretch and took over the team lead in homers with his two blasts Saturday.He leads the league with a .324 average, is tied for lead in home runs with Matt Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals and is two RBIs behind league-leading Javier Baez of the Cubs, also considered an MVP front-runner.Yelich can become the first National League Triple Crown winner since 1937, when the Cardinals' Joe Medwick batted .374 with 31 home runs and 154 RBI."I'm sure (the writers) will be thinking about it and the guys are going to be mentioning it to you throughout the day," Yelich said. "You can't hide from it. You've got to embrace it."But at the same time, we all realize that a win is at the forefront of everybody's mind. That's by far the most important thing tomorrow."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Yelich, Brewers top Tigers; Central tiebreaker vs Cubs next5m ago 2 min read MILWAUKEE Triple Crown contender Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers advanced to an NL Central tiebreaker against the Chicago Cubs, putting themselves in that position Sunday with an 11-0 romp over the Detroit Tigers.The Brewers will play the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday in a one-game matchup for the division title. The loser will host the NL wild-card game Tuesday vs. the loser of the Colorado-Los Angeles Dodgers tiebreaker in the NL West.The Brewers won their seventh in a row, and Chicago beat St. Louis 10-5 on the final scheduled day of the regular season.Yelich went 0 for 2 with two walks and scored twice, ending his 10-game hitting streak. He is hitting .323 in his first season with Milwaukee, locking up the first batting title in Brewers' history.Yelich has 109 RBIs, tied with Colorado's Nolan Arenado and two behind leader Javier Baez of the Cubs. Yelich's 36 home runs are tied with Colorado's Trevor Story and St. Louis' Matt Carpenter, one behind Arenado.The tiebreakers are considered game No. 163 of the regular season, meaning Yelich's stats - and those of Arenado and Baez - from Monday's game will count in the totals. The last NL player to win the Triple Crown was Joe Medwick in 1937 for the Cardinals.The Brewers (95-67) already had secured their first playoff appearance since 2011, the last time they won the NL Central.Robin Yount, Milwaukee's two-time AL MVP and Hall of Famer, was on hand to cheer for Yelich. Yount came the closest (.331) to the batting title in 1982 but finished a decimal point behind Kansas City Royals' Willie Wilson (.332).The partisan crowd of 41,848 at Miller Park serenaded Yelich with ''MVP! MVP!'' when he went to right field in the top of the first and then came to bat in the bottom of the frame.Yelich walked and scored on Jesus Aguilar's single in the first, struck out swinging in the third and fifth and was walked intentionally in the seventh as the fans booed the move. He came out of the game in the eighth to a thunderous ovation.Yelich tipped his cap just before ducking into the dugout as the crowd roared its approval. Hernan Perez took his place in the outfield.Gio Gonzalez (10-11) toiled efficiently through five scoreless innings in his fifth start since being acquired on Aug. 31 from Washington. The left-hander, who helped the Nationals win four division titles in the last six seasons, scattered three hits.Aguilar hit his 35th homer, connecting in the fourth off Spencer Turnbull (0-2). Aguilar added an RBI grounder in the seventh.The Brewers, who went 86-76 last year, scored six times in the seventh. Ryan Braun and Orlando Arcia had two-run doubles.Travis Shaw hit his 32nd home run in the eighth.The Tigers, under first-year manager Ron Gardenhire, lost their fifth in a row and finished 64-98 for the second consecutive season. Gardenhire, who previously managed the Minnesota Twins (2002-2014), replaced Brad Ausmus.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:15 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-230
|
-1.5 (-145)
|
Over 8.5 (-109)
|
|
|
+205
|
+1.5 (+125)
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Under 8.5 (-111)
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GAME PREVIEW
Indians start Carrasco vs. Royals to prepare for playoffs 2h ago 2 min read Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who is expected to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros on Saturday, will start the Indians' final game of the regular season Sunday afternoon against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.Carrasco isn't expected to go more than 70 or 80 pitches, as manager Terry Francona wants to keep the 31-year-old right-hander fresh for his start in Houston."We need to get Carlos ready," Francona said.Trevor Bauer will follow Carrasco to the mound. The Indians have yet to decide whether Bauer will be used as a starter or reliever in the postseason.Carrasco's last appearance came as a reliever Sept. 25, a 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Carrasco in that game relieved Bauer in the fifth inning, as the two starters were getting limited work in preparation for the postseason.In that relief stint, Carrasco pitched four scoreless innings on one hit before giving up a walk, three consecutive singles and three runs in the ninth inning. In 4 1/3 innings overall, he allowed three runs and four hits, with eight strikeouts and four walks."Carlos was very good until the ninth inning," Francona said.Carrasco's last win came Aug. 28. He is 0-3 with a 3.62 ERA in five appearances (four starts) since.His last start against Kansas City, his only outing against the Royals this year, came in his second start of the season, a 3-2 win on April 6. In that game, Carrasco pitching six innings, allowing two runs and five hits, with four strikeouts and one walk. In 23 career appearances (18 starts) against the Royals, Carrasco is 10-6 with a 3.55 ERA.The Indians go into Sunday's game with a record of 90-71. It's the third time in team history that they have had three consecutive seasons with 90 or more wins. The other two times were from 1999-2001, and from 1950-1955.The Indians' starting lineup Sunday will probably be the one they use in Game 1 of the Division Series against Houston, which will include Jason Kipnis in center field.Kipnis was moved from second base to the outfield after the Indians traded for third baseman Josh Donaldson at the end of August.Donaldson's arrival pushed Jose Ramirez from third to second base, and Kipnis from second to center field, where he's played well offensively and defensively. Kipnis is hitting .275 as a center fielder after hitting .228 while at second base."He looks more comfortable out there in center. He looks pretty good," Francona said.The Royals (58-103) will conclude the season with left-hander Eric Skoglund on the mound. Skoglund (1-5, 5.40) will make his 13th start of the season. He missed three months with a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.His last start was an abbreviated one. On Sept. 25, he got no decision in a 4-3 Royals win over the Cincinnati Reds. Skoglund pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and giving up one hit but left the game after a long rain delay.Skoglund's only win of the season came April 28. In nine appearances (eight starts) since then, he is 0-3 with a 4.98 ERA.His last start against Cleveland, on Aug. 27, 2017, was ugly. In 1 1/3 innings, he gave up seven runs and seven hits, with one strikeout and two walks.In two career appearances against the Indians, Skoglund is 0-2 with a 29.70 ERA, having given up 11 runs, 11 hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Carrasco and Bauer stifle Royals' bats in Indians' 2-1 win9m ago 2 min read KANSAS CITY, Mo. Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer combined for a five-hitter, Francisco Lindor homered and scored twice, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Sunday.Carrasco (16-10) was working with a limited pitch count in a tuneup before an anticipated start in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against Houston on Saturday. He went five innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking two and striking out six.Carrasco finished the season with a 3.38 ERA.Bauer took over in the sixth, hurling four scoreless innings of relief while striking out two for his first career save.Bauer ended the season with a 2.21 ERA, second in the American League to Tampa Bay's Blake Snell.Carrasco struck out 231 on the year, leading the Indians. Bauer struck out 221.The Indians opened the scoring after Lindor led off the game by reaching on an error when Eric Skoglund (1-5) fumbled his grounder. After stealing second, Lindor then stole third and scored when Alcides Escobar failed to catch the throw to third for the second error of the inning.Lindor drilled a 1-0 pitch into the stands in left-center field to lead off the third, extending the Indians' lead to 2-0. He hit seven of his 38 homers this year against the Royals.The Indians finished the season 91-71, their sixth straight year above .500. It is their longest streak since they had winning records eight years in a row from 1994 through 2001.Skoglund allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks, striking out three over five innings.The Royals got on the board in the fifth when Brian Goodwin led off with a hit and stole second, then scored on Meibrys Viloria's single.Whit Merrifield closed the season with a single in the eighth, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 20 games. The streak was also the longest of the year in the majors.Merrifield finished the season with 192 hits and 45 stolen bases, leading the majors in both categories.Kansas City's attendance fell by 555,213 from the previous year - nearly 7,000 per game - and finished at 1,665,107, its lowest since 2010. The club stumbled to its worst season since 2005, when it set a team record for most losses at 106. The 104 losses this year matched the 2004 team for the second-worst record in franchise history. This was the fifth time the club lost at least 100 games.Manager Ned Yost will be back in 2019, however. The Royals announced a one-year extension before the game.TRAINER'S ROOMIndians: C Yan Gomes' hand injury required two stitches but is not expected to prevent him from being available for the playoffs. ''The doctors and trainers all think he's going to be OK,'' manager Terry Francona said. ''That's really good news.'' ... OF Tyler Naquin is returning from rehab in Arizona to join the team in time for Tuesday's scrimmage. ... OF Lonnie Chisenhall has been running the bases and hitting, but will not join the team, instead returning to his home in North Carolina as his family deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.UP NEXTRHP Corey Kluber takes the mound for Cleveland in the first game of the ALDS at Houston on Friday.---More baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:20 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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|
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+144
|
+1.5 (-150)
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Over 8.5 (-105)
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|
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-160
|
-1.5 (+130)
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Under 8.5 (-115)
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VIEW ALL PICKS |
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GAME PREVIEW
Central title is the plan as Cubs host Cardinals 10h ago 2 min read CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs fourth straight postseason appearance has been guaranteed. Whether they finish as the National League Central Division champions, however, remains up in the air.The Cubs head into Sunday's regular-season finale tied for the first place in the division with the Milwaukee Brewers, who erased a one-game deficit in the standings with a 6-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.Meanwhile, the Cubs -- who had owned the top spot in the Central since mid-July -- came up short in a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field, where they will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday.Chicago's postseason future could sharpen into focus out Sunday or could be extended to Monday if Chicago and Milwaukee are still deadlocked atop the division after Sunday's games.The Cubs would capture the division with a win and a Brewers loss.If the Cubs and Brewers play Monday at Wrigley Field in a tiebreaker for the Central crown, the loser would host the wild card game Tuesday."I'd just like to continue to have the best record in the National League after (Sunday), "Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters Saturday, according to the team's official website. "There's nothing to lament with our guys. They've been playing hard for a long period of time. Our route has been a little different than anybody else. We'll come back ready to play (on Sunday) and see how it all falls." Mike Montgomery will make his career-high 19th start of the season. Montgomery (5-6, 3.99 ERA) joined the starting rotation after Yu Darvish was sidelined with elbow issues earlier this year. Montgomery is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 11 career outings (two starts) against the Cardinals.Even with so much on the line, however, the Cubs won't try to control more than they can."It's one day at a time," Cubs outfielder Ben Zobrist told reporters. "We just think about (Sunday) and try to win (Sunday) and hope that's enough going into this coming week. Regardless, we're thinking about all of these games like they're playoff games. We stay in the moment and believe that it's going to work out for us." Despite Saturday's win that snapped a four-game losing streak, the Cardinals saw their postseason chances vanish. The Los Angeles Dodgers win over the San Francisco Giants eliminated St. Louis from the wild card picture, which meant the Cardinals have failed to play beyond the regular season for the third straight year for the first time since 1997-99.The Cardinals left Wrigley Field hopeful after they got a gem from starter Miles Mikolas, who shut the Cubs down over eight innings. But the Dodgers pulled out the victory they needed to join the playoff picture, locking out the Cardinals.Rookie Jack Flaherty (8-8, 3.16 ERA) had been scheduled to start for St. Louis on Sunday, but that could change, according to the Cardinals' official website. Flaherty is 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against the Cubs.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
GAME RECAP
Cubs force NL Central tiebreaker game, beat Cardinals 10-510m ago 3 min read CHICAGO Anthony Rizzo had four hits and scored three times, and the Chicago Cubs set up a tiebreaker game for the NL Central title by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 10-5 on Sunday.Shortly after Milwaukee completed an 11-0 victory over Detroit, Jorge De La Rosa worked a hitless ninth inning to move the Cubs back into a tie with the Brewers at 95-67. The crowd of 39,275 roared in delight after Francisco Pena flied to right for the final out on a wet, cool afternoon at Wrigley Field.Now, everything gets real crazy.Chicago hosts Milwaukee on Monday afternoon and the Colorado Rockies visit the Los Angeles Dodgers as baseball holds a pair of tiebreaker games on the same day for the first time. At stake is the postseason road for each club.The winner at Wrigley gets a spot in the division series and home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. The loser plays again Tuesday night, hosting the runner-up in the NL West in the wild-card game.St. Louis (88-74) was in contention heading into the final week of the season, but it was swept by Milwaukee before dropping two of three against Chicago. Catcher Yadier Molina, outfielder Marcell Ozuna and infielders Kolten Wong and Jedd Gyorko were held out of the finale due to nagging injuries.St. Louis missed out on the playoffs for a third straight year for the first time since it went 75-86 in 1999. It finished with a 41-28 record under Mike Shildt, who took over as manager after Mike Matheny was fired on July 14.The only other time Chicago began the final day of the regular season tied for the lead in its division or league was in 1908, when it beat Christy Mathewson and the New York Giants 4-2 at the Polo Grounds for the NL pennant. The Cubs then won their second straight World Series title before enduring a championship drought that cruised past a century before they won it all again in 2016.Rizzo and company are looking for another October run, but they have been plagued by an inconsistent offense. It looked like more of the same when Jack Flaherty (8-9) cruised into the third inning with a 2-0 lead and then retired the first two batters.Then everything changed.The next six batters reached for Chicago, producing four runs. Rizzo hit a tiebreaking double to give him 100 RBIs on the year, waving his arms in the air as he coasted into second. Jason Heyward added an RBI single.The Cubs broke it open with four more in the fifth. Kris Bryant roped a two-run double into the left-field corner. Two batters later, Willson Contreras hit a drive to left for his first homer since Aug. 1.Allen Webster (1-0), the first of eight Chicago relievers after Mike Montgomery was pulled in the third, got two outs for the win.Jose Martinez, Paul DeJong and Patrick Wisdom each had two hits for St. Louis, which left 12 runners on base. Yairo Munoz finished with three RBIs.TRAINER'S ROOMCardinals: Wisdom was visited by a trainer and Shildt after he was hit by a pitch in the third. The trainer examined Wisdom's left wrist for a short time, but he stayed in the game. ... Wong (left knee) is expected to undergo an MRI in the near future, general manager Michael Girsch said.UP NEXTJose Quintana is expected to start the tiebreaker game for Chicago. The veteran left-hander is 6-2 with a 1.60 ERA in 10 career starts against Milwaukee.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap---More MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports
Game
Recap from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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NHL |
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9/30/2018 |
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FOUND
4
GAMES |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 1:38 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+124
|
OFF
|
Over 6 (+105)
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-143
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OFF
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Under 6 (-127)
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 3:08 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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+189
|
OFF
|
Over 5.5 (-109)
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-224
|
OFF
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Under 5.5 (-111)
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NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 6:08 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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|
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+155
|
OFF
|
Over 5.5 (-125)
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-174
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OFF
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Under 5.5 (+106)
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 8:08 PM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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+134
|
OFF
|
Over 6 (-137)
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-154
|
OFF
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Under 6 (+117)
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NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
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SOCCER |
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9/30/2018 |
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FOUND
29
MATCHES |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 6:00 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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|
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+190
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (+130)
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+168
|
OFF
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Under 2.5 (-145)
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NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
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FINAL |
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9/30/2018 6:15 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+440
|
+1 (-101)
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Over 3.5 (+107)
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-176
|
-1 (-114)
|
Under 3.5 (-122)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/30/2018 6:30 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+193
|
OFF
|
Over 2 (-116)
|
|
|
+181
|
OFF
|
Under 2 (+101)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/30/2018 8:30 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+514
|
+1 (-106)
|
Over 3 (-113)
|
|
|
-178
|
-1 (-109)
|
Under 3 (-102)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/30/2018 8:30 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+100
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (-153)
|
|
|
+263
|
OFF
|
Under 2.5 (+138)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/30/2018 8:30 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+857
|
OFF
|
Over 3.5 (-108)
|
|
|
-328
|
OFF
|
Under 3.5 (-107)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/30/2018 8:30 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+145
|
OFF
|
Over 2.5 (-125)
|
|
|
+194
|
OFF
|
Under 2.5 (+110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
|
|
|
FINAL |
|
9/30/2018 9:00 AM EST (79 DAYS AGO) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+109
|
OFF
|
Over 2 (-126)
|
|
|
+307
|
OFF
|
Under 2 (+111)
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | |
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