![[SPORTS] GIANTS OPEN AS 7 POINT UNDERDOGS VS CAROLINA PANTHERS](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8015.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 2, 2018 | SPORTS
Giants Face Uphill Battle vs Gritty Panthers This Sunday
The Giants will be looking to avoid a 1-4 hole in a hostile environment Vegas doesn’t believe they will.
The New York Giants opened as +7 underdogs vs the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium by the Las Vegas Superbook.
The New York Giants (1-3) are coming off a souring 33-18 home loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The Giants offense showed an inability to move the ball down the field vs a pass defense that coming in had allowed 10 TD passes in the first three weeks.
The defense held its own in the first half before allowing New Orleans’ star running back Alvin Kamara to gash them for three scores in the second half.
The Carolina Panthers (2-1) are coming off a bye week with their last game being a 31-21 Week 3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Panthers flexed their muscles on offense (230 rushing yards on 41 carries) and defense (4 interceptions)
These two teams last played in the now infamous OBJ-Norman game back on December 20th, 2015.
The New York Giants lost a 38-35 thriller at MetLife in which the Giants erased a 28-point second half deficit but would lose on a 43-yard field goal by kicker Graham Gano as time expired.
Cam Newton, who won the NFL MVP during the season, finished with 340 passing yards and 5 touchdown passes. Eli Manning would throw for 245 passing yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT.
What are your thoughts on the New York Giants upcoming game? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] NEW YORK JETS OPEN AS 1 POINT FAVORITE VS DENVER BRONCOS](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8014.jpg?resize=600%2C425&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 2, 2018 | SPORTS
Vegas Likes The Jets To Rebound vs Denver
The Jets are in need of some healing coming off three straight losses and Vegas thinks they’ll get it this Sunday.
The New York Jets have opened up as -1 point favorites at home vs the Denver Broncos by the Las Vegas Superbook.
The New York Jets (1-3) are coming off their most lopsided loss of the season vs the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Sunday.
The Jaguars used 388 passing yards from Blake Bortles and a stymying defense to trounce the Jets 31-12 at TIAA Bank Field.
They’ll be getting a Denver Broncos team coming off a gut-wrenching 27-23 Monday night home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Denver (2-2) squandered a 23-13 fourth quarter lead to the Kansas City Chiefs as they watched a resilient Patrick Mahomes lead the Chiefs to a improbable comeback win to stay undefeated.
These two teams last met on December 10th, 2017 where the Denver Broncos ended their 8-game losing streak with a 23-0 victory over the New York Jets.
The Jets were limited to 100 yards of offense as they were shutout for the first time since a 31-0 Week 5 loss to the San Diego Chargers on October 5th, 2014.
What are your thoughts on the New York Jets upcoming matchup? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] NFL WEEK 5 POWER RANKINGS: UNLIKELY CONTENDER EMERGES](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8010.jpg?resize=600%2C463&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 2, 2018 | SPORTS
Which Teams Are Making The Move Up?
Week 4 of the NFL season was a wild one that saw the list of undefeated teams trimmed to two between the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, who survived stiff test in moving onto 4-0.
Through four weeks, there’s still not much clarity on who the actual contenders are. Seven teams which include the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are 2-2. Seven teams that include the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins are 3-1.
What we do know is exactly who the bad teams are as the teams at the bottom of the rankings will in all likelihood maintain their dreaded positions throughout the 2018 regular-season.
With that said, here are my NFL Week 5 power rankings.
1. Los Angeles Rams (4-0)
Jared Goff and the Rams showed that they can score when the pressure’s on them to do so last Thursday in a 38-31 win vs the Minnesota Vikings.
The Rams have scored 33+ points in all four games so far, but will be tested vs a surprisingly stout Seattle Seahawks defense on the road this Sunday.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
The Jacksonville Jaguars looked more like the team we saw vs the New England Patriots in Week 2 offensively vs a strong New York Jets defense coming in.
Blake Bortles 388 passing yards in Week 4 were a new career-high, breaking a mark he set back in Week 16 last year vs the San Francisco 49ers with 382 passing yards.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
Tested in a primetime game in Mile-High, Patrick Mahomes put together a gritty effort in the fourth quarter to bring the Chiefs from 10 down to win 27-23.
While it was statistically Mahomes worst game, the biggest takeaway is his composure under fire. He’ll need to carry that over on Sunday vs the NFL’s best defense in the Jacksonville Jaguars.
4. New Orleans Saints (3-1)
The New Orleans Saints defense turned in their best outing in the first month of the season vs the New York Giants last Sunday in a 33-18 win.
The Saints held the New York Giants to 6.2 yards per completion while allowing only two touchdowns on the day.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
Philadelphia is 0-2 on the road to begin the season and the pass defense is a concern for Doug Pederson.
Philadelphia is allowing 373.0 passing yards per game on the road which is tied for the third worst mark in the NFL this season.
6. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
The Baltimore Ravens continued their stingy ways defensively vs their arch nemesis last Sunday in a 26-14 win in Pittsburgh.
Outside of a half in which Baltimore surrendered 28 points to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Baltimore Ravens have allowed 37 points in 14 quarters of play.
7. New England Patriots (2-2)
The New England Patriots got back to running the ball in a 38-7 Week 4 win vs the Miami Dolphins. New England rushed the ball 40 times for 175 rushing yards.
They’ll get a Indianapolis Colts team allowing 109.3 rushing yards per game (17th in NFL) on Thursday night.
8. Chicago Bears (3-1)
After doing mostly nothing in the first three weeks, Chicago showed off their offensive repertoire and plethora of weapons all over the field. Mitchell Trubisky (6 TDs) wasn’t the only one to impress last Sunday.
Running back Tarik Cohen finished the game with 174 yards from scrimmage and 1 TD in a 48-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
9. Carolina Panthers (2-1)
The Carolina Panthers had a bye week, but when they get back to work they’ll be preparing to face a New York Giants offense that’s one of the worst in the NFL.
The Giants are averaging 18.3 PPG (29th in NFL). That bodes well for a Carolina Panthers team that’s allowing only 14.5 PPG at Bank of America Stadium this season.
10. Tennessee Titans (3-1)
The Tennessee Titans have won three of their games by a grand total of 9 points, but they’re especially good in this one category.
The Tennessee Titans have the best redzone defense in the NFL. They have only allowed two touchdowns inside their own 20 in the first four games this season.
11. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)
Green Bay shutout the Buffalo Bills 22-0 last Sunday in a much needed performance from a Packers defense showing leakage in the first three weeks of the season.
Up next, a Detroit Lions team that’s playing better football but are only 1-3 and have struggled defensively to get off the field on third down.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)
The Cincinnati Bengals have had their flaws on the defensive side of the ball exposed over the past two games but one thing that’s remained consistent is their offensive firepower.
Cincinnati is averaging 31.5 PPG, the 4th best mark in the NFL.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
Anthony Lynn and the Los Angeles Chargers will take a 2-2 start over a 0-4 start any day of the week, but this team is lacking in consistency. One man who’s not, the longest tenured Charger in Philip Rivers.
The Los Angeles Chargers signal caller has a 110.8 Passer Rating with 11 TDs to 2 INTs to begin the season, putting himself smack dab in the early NFL MVP talks.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2-1)
For a second consecutive week the Pittsburgh Steelers went scoreless in the second half of a game as they are coming off a 26-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at home.
One win through the first four weeks is disappointing in the Steel City, but help may be on the way as they face one of the NFL’s worst defenses in the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.
15. Washington Redskins (2-1)
The Washington Redskins offense may not be explosive on paper, but they’ll enjoy a good matchup vs a Saints defense that ranks among the worst in the NFL.
The Saints rank 30th against the pass with a deceptive ranking against the run as teams have looked to attack New Orleans’ pass defense far more than their run defense.
16. Miami Dolphins (3-1)
The Dolphins failed their opportunity to send a statement to the New England Patriots in embarrassing fashion last Sunday.
The only positive to take away from the game is that the Dolphins forced Tom Brady into two interceptions. Over the last four yearsTom Brady has thrown two interceptions in a regular-season game three times, two of those have come vs the Miami Dolphins.
17. Minnesota Vikings (1-2-1)
The Minnesota Vikings defense has fallen apart in 2018 and it starts with the secondary.
A season after allowing only the fewest passing yards per completion at 6.0, the Minnesota Vikings are allowing 9.2 passing yards per completion (30th in NFL) and a 105.9 Passer Rating, 27th in the NFL.
18. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
The Dallas Cowboys got a superhuman effort out of Ezekiel Elliot in Week 4. Elliot finished the game with a career-high 240 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
He’ll be challenged on Sunday vs a Houston Texans defense allowing the only 3.5 yards per carry, 5th in the NFL.
19. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
The Seattle Seahawks may have won on Sunday at Arizona, but the loss of All-Pro safety Earl Thomas (leg) for the rest of the season could spell doom for a young defense that needs his leadership on the backend.
Facing a Los Angeles Rams team this Sunday that’s scored 33+ points in each of its first four games makes it even a taller task for Pete Carroll’s team.
20. Denver Broncos (2-2)
The Denver Broncos mustered a strong enough effort to pull off a upset of the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, but it was not to be.
When Denver signed Case Keenum this offseason they were hoping for the quarterback who guided the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 mark.
Through four games that hasn’t come to fruition. Case Keenum has thrown for 988 passing yards with 3 TDs and 6 INTs to go along with a 72.1 Passer Rating.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense was a concern well before the season began and now its threatening to turn a once promising season into an expected flop.
Tampa Bay has surrendered 34.8 PPG, the worst mark in the NFL. They have also allowed 13 TD passes, also the worst in the NFL.
22. Atlanta Falcons (1-3)
The Atlanta Falcons offense has clicked for three straight weeks, but the injuries have caused their defense from the past two seasons to completely lose their identity as a unit.
Over the past two weeks the Atlanta Falcons have surrendered 80 points in their own building, ruining the efforts of Matt Ryan and a talented Falcons offense.
23. San Francisco 49ers (1-3)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan liked what he saw vs the Los Angeles Chargers pass defense, and in doing so completely forgot about the NFL’s leading rusher coming into Week 4 in Matt Breida.
Maybe not.
In the first four games of the season Matt Breida has completely outperformed his expected production given his touches as he’s barely averaging over 11 touches a game.
24. Cleveland Browns (1-2-1)
The Cleveland Browns defense wasn’t helped by two turnovers by Baker Mayfield in their own territory as Oakland scored off both of those turnovers.
In Week 5 Mayfield will face a far tougher test in the Baltimore Ravens who through the first four weeks are allowing the third fewest points in the NFL at 16.3 PPG.
25. Detroit Lions (1-3)
The Detroit Lions problems vs the run to begin the season have been amplified given their 1-3 record to start the season.
The Detroit Lions are allowing 157.8 rushing yards per game, the worst mark in the NFL.
26. Oakland Raiders (1-3)
The Oakland Raiders finally came to life in the fourth quarter to win a game this season.
Jon Gruden’s team scored 21 points in the fourth quarter vs the Cleveland Browns to send the game to overtime where they would win 45-42.
27. New York Jets (1-3)
The New York Jets pass defense, which had been stellar to start the season, showed plenty of cracks vs the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jets allowed 388 passing yards last Sunday, the most passing yards allowed in the Todd Bowles era.
28. New York Giants (1-3)
Eli Manning is completing 74.2 percent of his passes but that hasn’t kept the New York Giants offense from falling into ineptitude.
That may have something to do with the Giants offensive line allowing among the worst quarterback pressures in the NFL to start the season.
29. Houston Texans (1-3)
Bill O’Brien and the Houston Texans benefited from playing it safe as it resulted in a aggressive decision by Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts to go for it from their own 43-yard line to win 37-34 in OT.
Deshaun Watson on a week-by-week basis is now starting to look like the quarterback we saw last season. Watson finished the game with 375 passing yards, 2 TDs and 1 INTs.
30. Indianapolis Colts (1-3)
The Indianapolis Colts got a vintage performance out of Andrew Luck who in his last two games averaged well under six yards per completion.
Luck finished the game with 462 passing yards and 4 TDs in a 37-34 loss at home to the Houston Texans.
31. Buffalo Bills (1-3)
The Buffalo Bills were held to 145 total yards and 3-for-16 on third down vs the Green Bay Packers in a 22-0 shutout at Lambeau Field.
The Bills haven’t been able to get much of anything from LeSean McCoy, who in three games this season has rushed for 85 rushing yards on 21 carries.
32. Arizona Cardinals (0-4)
Josh Rosen may have exceeded expectations in his first career start (15-for-27, 180 passing yards and 1 TD) but the Cardinals are still winless in spite of his efforts.
The last two weeks have been a vast improvement, however, as Arizona has lost their last two games by a combined five points. They dropped their first two games by a combined 52 points.
What are your thoughts on this week’s power rankings for Week 5? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] MLB PLAYOFF PREMIER: A LOOK AT EACH PLAYOFF TEAM AND ODDS TO WIN IT ALL](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8008-1-1.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 2, 2018 | SPORTS
What Are Your Team’s Odds To Win It All This October?
The MLB regular-season has concluded and MLB playoff baseball is upon us.
It was an eventful year in baseball, one that saw a record season in Boston, a team of young 20 year old players helping guide a baseball franchise back to the postseason and a couple of wild NL division pennant races that came down to the last day of the regular-season.
Now that we’re here, we’ll preview the playoff field and evaluate title odds as the hunt for the World Series is now on.
Let’s get started!
The title odds are based off Oddshark sports betting***
American League
The Boston Red Sox (108-54)
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Won AL East
Have home-field advantage throughout MLB playoffs
Next game: Game 1 of ALDS vs New York Yankees or Oakland Athletics
Notable seasons from players:
Mookie Betts – .346 BA, 32 HRs, 80 RBIs, 129 R, 30 SBs
J.D. Martinez – .330 BA, 43 HRs, 130 RBIs
Chris Sale – 12-4, 2.11 ERA, 13.50 K/9, 237 Ks
Title Odds: +350
The Red Sox are tied for highest title odds of any team in the postseason. Boston led the MLB in runs this season as they won a franchise-record 108 games.
They’ll play either the New York Yankees or Oakland Athletics to begin the ALDS, two teams in which they have a decided edge against due to their starting pitching and ability to score runs in bunches.
Houston Astros (103-59)
Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
Won AL West
Next game: Game 1 of ALDS vs Cleveland Indians
Notable seasons from players:
Justin Verlander – 16-9, 2.52 ERA, 290 strikeouts
Alex Bregman – .286, 31 HRs, 103 RBIs
Jose Altuve – .317 BA, 13 HRs, 63 RBIs, 17 SB
Title Odds: +350
The Houston Astros are tied for the highest title odds of any team in the postseason. Coming off a World Series title a season ago, Houston was even better in 2018 as they led the MLB in run differential at +263.
They’ll be facing a difficult challenge in the Cleveland Indians, who have a strong rotation. If there’s any team capable of matching that rotation though, it’s the Houston Astros.
The Houston Astros rotation finished the regular-season with a 3.16 ERA, the best mark in the MLB.
Cleveland Indians (91-71)
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Won AL Central
Next game: Game 1 of ALDS at Houston Astros
Notable seasons from players:
Jose Ramirez – .270 BA, 39 HRs, 107 RBIs, 110 Rs
Francisco Lindor – .277, 38 HRs, 92 RBIs, 129 Rs
Corey Kluber – 20-7, 2.89 ERA, 222 Ks, 215.0 IP
Title Odds: +800
The Cleveland Indians have the fourth highest title odds among all 10 playoff teams. Much of that has to do with Cleveland starting a playoff series with arguably the MLB’s best team in the Houston Astros.
One thing Cleveland has going for them is a strong track record against Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander. Verlander is 2-8 since 2015 with a 5.76 ERA in 12 starts.
New York Yankees (100-62)
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Won First AL Wildcard
Next game: vs Oakland Athletics
Notable seasons from players:
Giancarlo Stanton – .266 BA, 38 HRs, 100 RBIs
Luis Severino – 19-8, 3.39 ERA, 220 Ks
Aroldis Chapman – 2.45 ERA, 32 saves, 16.31 K/9
Title Odds: +1000
The New York Yankees are tied for the fourth highest title odds despite their difficult road to get there. New York will have to get past a red-hot Athletics team in a one-game elimination matchup on Tuesday night before thinking about a ALDS slugfest with the Boston Red Sox.
It’s obvious why New York would make and win the World Series. Their offensive depth, propensity to hit home runs (MLB record 267 in 2018) and a lights out bullpen headed by Aroldis Chapman.
Oakland Athletics (97-65)
Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images
Won Second AL Wildcard
Next game: at New York Yankees
Notable seasons from players:
Khris Davis – .247 BA, 48 HRs, 123 RBIs
Blake Treinen – 0.78 ERA, 38 saves, 11.20 K/9
Matt Chapman – .278 BA, 24 HRs, 68 RBIs
Title Odds: +1200
The Oakland Athletics are tied for the second worst title odds among all 10 MLB playoff teams this season given their path to the World Series.
If Oakland advances to the World Series, they will need to win a road playoff game at Yankee Stadium followed by going through the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros-Cleveland Indians ALDS winner.
One stat in their favor is their win-loss record in one-run games. Bob Melvin’s team went 31-14 this season in one-run games, the best mark in the MLB.
National League
Milwaukee Brewers (96-67)
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Won NL Central
Have home-field advantage throughout NL playoffs
Next game: vs Chicago Cubs or Colorado Rockies
Notable seasons from players:
Christian Yelich – .326 BA, 36 HRs, 110 RBIs
Josh Hader – 2.43 ERA, 21 HLD, 15.82 K/9
Jesus Aguilar – .274 BA, 35 HRs, 108 RBIs
Title Odds: +1000
The Milwaukee Brewers may have home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs, but there’s reason to be skeptical of them according to OddsShark, who have them tied for the fifth highest odds to win the World Series.
The Milwaukee Brewers strength is in their bullpen, which finished with the 5th best ERA in the MLB this season. What the Brewers don’t have in their starting pitching is made up for by a bullpen made up of the most dominant relievers in the MLB this season in Josh Hader, Jeremy Jefferies and Corey Knebel.
Los Angeles Dodgers (92-71)
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Won NL West
Next game: vs Atlanta Braves
Notable seasons from players:
Manny Machado – .297 BA, 37 HRs, 107 RBIs
Matt Kemp – .290 BA, 21 HRs, 85 RBIs
Clayton Kershaw – 9-5, 2.73 ERA, 155 Ks
Title Odds: +450
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest odds among all National League teams and third highest overall. The star power offensively combined with a stellar rotation and a NLDS matchup with a inexperienced Braves team give the Dodgers an edge over all other NL playoff foes.
The Los Angeles Dodgers led the NL with 799 runs scored this season.
Atlanta Braves (90-72)
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Won NL East
Next game: at Los Angeles Dodgers
Notable seasons from players:
Freddie Freeman – .309 BA, 23 HRs, 98 RBIs
Ronald Acuna Jr. – .293, 26 HRs, 64 RBIs
Mike Foltynewicz – 13-10, 2.85 ERA, 202 Ks
Title Odds: +1200
The Atlanta Braves return to the MLB playoffs see them tied with the second lowest title odds among all 10 MLB playoff teams. The Braves will have a tough task of defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, but this is a team that this season proved they can win on the road.
The Atlanta Braves finished this season 47-34 on the road, tied for the best road record in the National League with, you guessed it, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Chicago Cubs (95-68)
Photo by Getty Images
Won First NL Wildcard
Next game: vs Colorado Rockies
Notable seasons from players:
Javier Baez – .290 BA, 34 HRs, 111 RBIs
Anthony Rizzo – .283 BA, 25 HRs, 101 RBIs
Jon Lester – 18-6, 3.32 ERA, 149 Ks
Title Odds: +1000
The Chicago Cubs losing out on home-field advantage throughout the NL Playoffs to the Milwaukee Brewers have Joe Maddon’s club with tied for the fifth highest odds to win the World Series.
Chicago will have to outlast a potent offensive team in the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field to advance to play a Brewers team that gave them fits late in the season. The Cubs may have limped into the playoffs, but let’s not forget their strength in their rotation as well as bullpen, both of which finished among the top 5 in the MLB this season.
Colorado Rockies (91-72)
Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Won Second AL Wildcard
Next game: at Chicago Cubs
Notable seasons from players:
Nolan Arenado – .297 BA, 38 HRs, 110 RBIs
Trevor Story – .291 BA, 37 HRs, 108 RBIs
Charlie Blackmon – .291, 29 HRs, 70 RBIs, 119 Rs
Title Odds: +2000
The Colorado Rockies’ title odds plummeted after losing their NL West tiebreaker game on Monday to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Colorado has the worst odds among all 10 MLB playoff teams.
A Rockies team flawed with their starting pitching and bullpen makes up for it with their ability to hit. The Rockies scored 778 runs this season, the second highest mark in the NL behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
What are your thoughts on the MLB playoffs? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] BUEHLER SHUTS DOWN ROCKIES AS DODGERS WIN NL WEST](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_7993.jpg?resize=600%2C480&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 1, 2018 | SPORTS
Dodgers Lock Up Sixth Straight NL West Title In 163
Dave Roberts could’ve done without the theatrics over the final weeks of the season, but they were all worth it for the prize at the end.
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-2 on Monday at Dodger Stadium to win the NL West.
163 games brought the Los Angeles Dodgers staring down a Colorado Rockies team determined to knock them off their perch as NL West kings over the past half decade.
The Rockies would be denied by a pitcher they’ll become familiar with for maybe the next decade in Walker Buehler, who’s proving to Dave Roberts and company why they can trust him in a big game.
The Dodgers got a shutdown performance from rookie Walker Buehler and the offense used the long ball to back Buehler to secure the Dodgers sixth consecutive NL West pennant.
Buehler — who earlier in the season was the starter in a combined no-hitter vs the San Diego Padres — went 6.2 IP vs the Colorado Rockies, limiting their offense to one hit while walking out three and striking out three.
Showing he’s more than a pitcher, he’d help himself in the batters box by going 1-for-2 with a RBI and a walk.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman Max Muncy went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs as he hit his 35th home run of the season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers would hold the Colorado Rockies to 0-for-3 with RISP.
After a scoreless and breezing start through the first three innings, Los Angeles would get the scoring going in the fourth inning with a two-run homer from center fielder Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger took German Marquez deep in a inning that would’ve ended had Colorado Rockies’ catcher Tony Walters not allowed a passed ball on a strikeout to begin the inning.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman Max Muncy would add a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Marquez as the Dodgers continued to deflate the Rockies now up 4-0 in the game.
Marquez, undone by the error in the fourth inning, would finish the game with a line of 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R (2 ER), 2 BB and 9 Ks.
Walker Buehler handcuffed a Rockies offense that finished second in the NL in runs scored, not allowing a hit until the sixth inning where center fielder Charlie Blackmon would send a stinging single to right center off of him with one out in the inning.
Buehler escaped trouble back in third inning as he stranded two runners put on base by a hit-by-pitch and a walk as he got second baseman DJ LeMahieu to ground out to end the inning.
The young right-hander Buehler, facing Colorado Rockies’ reliever Harrison Musgrave, would drive in a run with a RBI single with two outs that scored second baseman Enrique Hernandez from second base to make it a 5-0 game in the sixth inning.
The Colorado Rockies, despite a frustrating day in the batter’s box, would not go down quietly with three outs to stage a comeback.
Colorado Rockies’ third baseman Nolan Arenado would hit his 38th home run of the season, the most in the National League this season, off closer Kenley Jansen to begin the ninth inning.
Shortstop Trevor Story would follow Arenado’s home run with his 37th home run of the season to make it a 5-2 game.
Jansen, now in a save situation, would recover to retire the final three batters — striking out Ian Desmond and Gerardo Para — to secure the Los Angeles Dodgers 17th NL West pennant in franchise history.
Buehler, who has been lights out in the month of September, now has recorded quality starts in 8 out of his last 10 starts.
A season after going 104-58 and coming a game within a World Series title, it was a turbulent and challenging season for Dave Roberts’ Los Angeles Dodgers, who started the season slow before picking it up before the All-Star Break.
The team acquired soon to be free agent Manny Machado before the second half of the season to bolster their lineup, but it wouldn’t keep the Dodgers from slumping.
The Los Angeles Dodgers (92-71) fell to third place in August in a crowded NL West field with the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks in front of them.
The team used a 24-10 run from August 24th until the end of the regular-season to put themselves at 91-71, tied with the Colorado Rockies.
The Colorado Rockies (91-72) will look back on this season realizing their inability to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers cost them a chance at not only winning the division, but having home-Field throughout the NL playoffs.
The Colorado Rockies with another loss on Monday to the Los Angeles Dodgers finished the season 6-13 vs their divisional foes, a mark that led to Bud Black’s team failing to capture their first NL West pennant in franchise history.
Now losers of the tiebreaker game, the Colorado Rockies will have the daunting task of going from Colorado to Los Angeles to Chicago in a three-day stretch to play the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wildcard game on Tuesday.
The winner of the NL Wildcard game will have a date with the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to open the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium.
What are your thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the NL West? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] CAIN, BREWERS RALLY IN EIGHTH TO WIN NL CENTRAL](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_7990-1.jpg?resize=600%2C451&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 1, 2018 | SPORTS
The Brew Crew Take Home NL Central Pennant
It’s safe to say that if it wasn’t a rivalry before, it is now as an unfamiliar team is back atop the NL Central throne.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Monday at Wrigley Field to win the NL Central division title.
The Milwaukee Brewers used a eighth inning rally to break a 1-1 tie as center fielder Lorenzo Cain’s RBI single with no outs gave the Brewers a 2-1 lead.
Left fielder Ryan Braun would add to Milwaukee’s lead in the eighth with a RBI single with one out.
Milwaukee received an outstanding effort from right-hander Jhoulys Chacin and one of the best bullpens in the MLB this season who came in to shut the door on the Cubs NL Central title plans.
Wrigley Field was unusually loud for the road team on Monday afternoon as a large number of Brewers fans made the trip to the north side of Chicago to watch their team celebrate a division title.
Milwaukee Brewers’ right fielder Christian Yelich, who’s been the hottest hitter in the MLB since the All-Star break, continued his tear with a 3-for-4 day that included a RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers’ shortstop Orlando Arcia would have a huge performance for the Brewers as he went 4-for-5, collecting four hits for the first time in his career.
The Brewers pitching staff shutdown the Cubs offense as Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Daniel Murphy and Wilson Contreras went a combined 3-for-17.
The electric bullpen would go 3.1 IP allowing two hits while recording five strikeouts, with Josh Hader pitching the final two innings and recording three strikeouts.
It took 163 games to do it, and it happened at the one park the Brewers would want to do it outside of Miller Park.
The victory gives the Milwaukee Brewers just their second division title in franchise history and also gives them home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs for the first time ever.
The Brewers last won the NL Central back in 2011 where they went on to advance to the NLCS for the first time in franchise history.
The Chicago Cubs loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday completed a huge meltdown for the Cubs who on August 28th held a six game lead over the Brewers, who fell to third place behind the St. Louis Cardinals.
It’s the first time in franchise history the Cubs have blown a division lead of this magnitude. The loss means that the Cubs will have to host a NL Wildcard game at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night vs the loser of the Los Angeles Dodgers-Colorado Rockies NL West tiebreaker game.
The Milwaukee Brewers would jump out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning after a RBI single by right fielder Christian Yelich with two outs off left-hander Jose Quintana.
Chicago would held hitless by right-hander Jhoulys Chacin until the fifth inning until first baseman Anthony Rizzo sent a high fly ball into the seats in right field to make it a 1-1 game.
Chacin finished the game with a strong line of 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 3 Ks on 75 pitches.
The Brewers would be unable to do much damage against the Chicago Cubs left-hander as Quintana pitched around six base runners allowed to give the Cubs five strong innings of one-run ball.
The Brewers — who out-hit the Cubs in the game 12 to 3 — had their opportunities early but were unable to break through until the eighth inning rally.
That eighth inning rally would start with a single by shortstop Orlando Arcia that followed with a double by pinch-hitter Domingo Santana.
Those hits would set up the Brewers breakthrough with Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun, as mentioned earlier, giving the Brewers a 3-1 lead.
All-Star left-handed reliever Josh Hader would come into the bottom of the eighth to get a 1-2-3 inning, but would run into trouble in the ninth inning.
After retiring the first two hitters to greet him, Hader would give up a single to second baseman Javier Baez after a nine pitch at-bat.
Facing Anthony Rizzo, who had already hit his 25th home run of the season, Hader would get Anthony Rizzo to fly out to right-field to end the game as he picked up the two-out save for the Brewers.
Craig Counsell’s Milwaukee Brewers are the hottest team in the MLB that right now looks like the NL’s best team, but they’re much hungry for more.
For the Chicago Cubs, this disappointment will sting for a while if the Cubs bow out of the MLB postseason quickly, but a team that’s 15-18 over their last 33 games has little time to lick their wounds.
Chicago Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon will go with veteran left-hander Jon Lester on Tuesday for the NL Wildcard game at Wrigley Field vs an opponent yet to be determined.
The Milwaukee Brewers, meanwhile, may not have to wait long to face the Chicago Cubs again as they will face the winner of the NL Wildcard game in the NLDS.
The Milwaukee Brewers victory today was their eighth straight win, a season-high for them.
What are your thoughts on the Brewers winning the NL Central today? Leave your comments below!
