Cnotes MLB April's Picks-Trends-Stats-News !!

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Brief look at all the AL teams......


Orioles-- From 1998--2011, O's were under .500 every year. Under Showalter, they're 62 games over .500 since '12, thats what a great manager Showalter is. Adding Mark Trumbo should help, but their starting pitching is shaky.


Red Sox-- Shaw beat out Sandoval at 3B; Boston owes Sandoval $72.6M over next four years. Next year he'll be the DH with Ortiz retiring. They also owe Rusney Castillo $60M over next five years and he doesn't start. Adding Price/Kimbrel elevates the pitching.


White Sox-- Added Frazier/Lawrie to give Abreu protection in lineup; LaRoche retired after hitting .207. Sox are 62 games under .500 last three years-- manager Ventura somehow kept his job. 37-year old SS Rollins takes over from departed Ramirez; not sure that is an upgrade.


Indians-- One article this spring said Tribe has best rotation in big leagues. Kluber went from 18-9 in '14 to 9-16 LY; he gave up eight more HRs (22-14) LY. Francona has been over .500 all three years in Cleveland, but win totals also decreased last two years.


Tigers-- Over next four years, Detroit has $226M wrapped up in Verlander, Cabrera; when Mike Pelfrey is your #4 starter (they dealt Price LY), pitching is a concern. Justin Upton takes over in LF, Anthony Gose in CF- they've regressed a little.


Astros-- Over last four years, no Astro has played more than 105 games in any season at 1B; White beat out fellow prospect Reed at 1B this spring. Houston's 1-3 hitters are all 26 or younger, but three of five starting pitchers are 31+, with McCullers on DL.


Royals-- World Champs have new RF in rookie Fuentes, who was 5-33 in '13 cameo with San Diego. Four of five starting pitchers are 30+. LY, seven Royals were represented by Scott Boras, and their payroll went up $20M. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.


Angels-- Big $$$ team made playoffs once in last six years, were swept that one year- they've paid $852,409,866 in salaries since its last playoff win. Improved left side of infield, adding pair of SSs in Escobar/Simmons, but who will play LF?


Twins--Went 83-79 LY, first winning season since 2010; they were in playoffs three times in last decade, but got swept 3-0 in all three series. Payroll jumped $23M LY- they signed Korean DH Park this winter. have several versatile players; who will play SS?


Bronx-- Made playoffs 18 of last 21 years, but won World Series once since 2000; Bronx fans have to be wondering why owners sit back and don't make many moves, while fans get charged big $$$ to watch a team that is only 26 games over .500 last three years. Payroll spent since last World Series title: $1,273,295,558.


A's-- Bottom fell out LY, going 68-94 after three straight playoff years. Need quality starting pitching, guys who can be depended upon to 6+ innings every game- takes strain off bullpen. Oakland should score more runs this year; they've fortified the bullpen, Doubront was supposed to be #5 starter, but hurt arm Saturday.


Mariners-- New GM, new manager after going 437-535 in previous six seasons; Cano played hurt LY, should rebound this year, but after Felix/Iwakuma, how good is their rotation? Felix Hernandez has pitched 200+ innings last eight years, 190+ two years before that, so he is as dependable a pitcher as there is in the majors.


Rays-- Always do more with less; LY was second time they ever had a payroll higher than $75M, but they've been under .500 last two years, after making playoffs four of last six years. Two games in Montreal this weekend drew 106,000; could Rays relocate?


Rangers-- Been 12+ games over .500 five of last six years, came so close to winning World Series when Washington was manager. Payroll was $141M+ LY; it was $92M+ in 2011, so new owners are stepping up with financial support. Six of nine projected starters are 30+ years old, so future is now in Arlington.


Blue Jays-- This is first time since 1970 no Canadian teams will be in Stanley Cup playoffs, so focus will be on Jays early on, and the expectations are very high north of border. Jays made playoffs LY for first time since 1993; how good is rotation with Price gone?

MLB


Sunday, April 3


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Game of the Day: MLB Opening Day
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The 2016 Major League season gets underway with a trio of great matchups and we break them all down.


St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates (-120, 6.0)


The Pittsburgh Pirates won 98 games last year - their most since 1991 - but were eliminated in the National League wild card game for the second consecutive season. "Every year, we're a little more hungry," reliever Tony Watson told reporters as Pittsburgh prepares to kick off the 2016 season against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. "Ninety-eight wins is nothing to hang our heads about, but we definitely want to win a division, raise a World Series flag in Pittsburgh."


Part of the problem for the Pirates is that they are members of a Central Division that also boasts perennial playoff contender St. Louis and the upstart Chicago Cubs, who eliminated Pittsburgh in the wild card game last season. The Cardinals face challenges with shortstop Jhonny Peralta (thumb) likely out until mid-July while right-hander Lance Lynn (12-11, 3.03 ERA in 2015) could miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Pirates, meanwhile, boast 2013 NL Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen, who could be sitting on a monster year after "slumping" to fifth in MVP voting last season. St. Louis' Adam Wainwright makes his fourth consecutive opening day start (fifth overall) and opposes Francisco Liriano, who takes the hill for his third straight opener (fourth overall).


TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)


LINE HISTORY: The Pirates opened as very slight +102 home pups, but since then all the action has been on the Buccos, moving the line to -120. The total opened at 6.0 runs.


INJURY REPORT:


Cardinals - C Y. Molina (questionable Sunday, thumb), SS R. Tejada (out Sunday, quadricep), RP J. Walden (out Sunday, shoulder), RP M. Harris (out Sunday, elbow), SS J. Peralta (out Sunday, thumb).


Pirates - 1B M. Morse (questionable Sunday, hamstring), C E. Diaz (out Sunday, elbow), 3B J. Kang (out Sunday, knee).


WEATHER REPORT: The first game of the 2016 Major League season is going to be a chilly one with temperatures in the high 30's for gametime. There will also be a strong 11 mile per hour hitters wind gusting out to right center field.


WHAT SHARPS SAY: "They had the second most wins (98) in the league last season and they had the best overall offense in NL Central, leading the division in team batting average, on-base percentage, hits and runs scored. Andrew McCutchen remains one of the best all-around players in the league. However, the Pirates were fortunate to go 36-17 in one-run games last year and will likely regress this season in close games. Meanwhile the Cardinals have five straight playoff appearances, including three straight division titles. Last season they became the first team to win 100 regular season games in the past four years. However, the team is aging and the depth of the starting pitching rotation is a concern. Wainwright missed five months last season, plus Jaime Garcia and Carlos Martinez had recent injuries."


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (2015: 2-1, 1.61 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (2015: 12-7, 3.38)


Wainwright makes his first start since going down last April with an Achilles' injury and after pitching six games in relief - three postseason - in September and October. The 34-year-old Georgia native yielded eight runs and 19 hits while walking six and striking out 11 in 15 innings over four starts during spring training. "My arm feels great, and that, I think, is the most important thing going forward and into the season," Wainwright told reporters. "There are a couple of very minor things that make a big deal of difference that I'm going to do between now and the next start."


Liriano, who becomes the first Pittsburgh pitcher to make three consecutive opening day starts since Doug Drabek in 1990-92, hopes to reach 200 innings for the first time as his career high is 191 2/3 while with Minnesota in 2010. "I think it means that I'm being more consistent than I used to be before," the 32-year-old Dominican Republic native told reporters about the opening day nod. "I wish I can continue to do that and be more consistent, hopefully go deep into games and throw more innings this year." Liriano permitted nine runs and 19 hits while walking two and striking out 16 in 13 1/3 innings over four starts during spring training.


TRENDS:


* Cardinals are 5-1 in Wainwright's last six road starts.
* Pirates are 11-0 in Liriano's last 11 home starts.
* Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Pittsburgh.
* Over is 12-3-1 in Liriano's last 16 starts overall.






Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays (-105, 7.0)


The Toronto Blue Jays came within two wins of reaching the World Series last fall and begin their quest to advance one more round Sunday with the first contest of a four-game road series against the revamped Tampa Bay Rays. The Blue Jays, who scored 127 more runs than anyone and led the majors in homers in 2015, will be tested in the season opener against talented right-hander Chris Archer.


Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and American League MVP Josh Donaldson combined for 120 home runs last season and the Blue Jays will get a full season of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the lineup. The biggest loss for Toronto is starting pitcher David Price and a lot will depend on new ace Marcus Stroman, who gets the ball in the opener. The Rays finished below .500 the last two seasons after making the playoffs in four of the previous six campaigns, and added some juice to an offense that finished second-to-last in the American League in runs scored in 2015. Newcomers - including first baseman Logan Morrison, outfielder-designated hitter Corey Dickerson, shortstop Brad Miller and catcher Hank Conger - are all expected in Tampa Bay’s lineup Sunday.


TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)


LINE HISTORY: The Rays opened as slight +104 home pups, but have since jumped the fence to slight -105 home faves. The total opened at 7.0 runs.

INJURY REPORT:


Blue Jays - 1B E. Encarnacion (probable Sunday, oblique), RP B. Schultz (out Sunday, hip), RP A. Loup (out Sunday, elbow), 2B D. Travis (out Sunday, shoulder).


Rays - SP A Cobb (out Sunday, elbow), RP B. Boxberger (out Sunday, abdominal).


WEATHER REPORT: Indoors.


WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The Blue Jays finished the 2015 regular season with an incredible 70-39 record after starting just 23-30. Their record could have been even better as they went just 15-28 in one run games. In fact, their X_WL (expected won-loss record using runs scored differential) was 102-60 last year which was six games better than any other team in baseball. The Rays on the other hand, ranked second to last in runs scored in the American League and only 25th overall in all of baseball last season. However, the starting pitching rotation has potential with Chris Archer and should be healthier overall this year."

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (2015: 4-0, 1.67 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (12-13, 3.23)


Stroman missed most of last season after suffering a torn ACL in the spring and was outstanding when he returned, including three decent postseason starts. The 24-year-old Duke product went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 26 games his rookie season in 2014, including 1-1 against the Rays. Stroman won his only start at Tampa Bay in September 2014, allowing two runs and seven hits over six innings, and gave up three runs in 13 2/3 frames this spring.


Archer became an All Star for the first time in 2015, breaking the club record for a single season with 252 strikeouts in 212 innings. The 27-year-old North Carolina native was only 3-8 at home last season, but had a better ERA (3.11) and batting average against (.213) at Tropicana Field than he did on the road where he went 9-5. Archer is 5-3 with a 3.26 ERA in his career against the Blue Jays and has held Bautista and Encarnacion to 10-for-69 with four homers.


TRENDS:


* Blue Jays are 7-1 in Stroman's last eight starts.
* Rays closed last season 6-1 in their last seven home games.
* Over is 4-0 in Stroman's last four starts overall.
* Over is 6-1-1 in Archer's last eight starts overall.






New York Mets at Kansas City Royals (+110, 7.0)


The Kansas City Royals begin their defense of the World Series crown against the team they sent home last fall when they host the New York Mets in an interleague opener Sunday night. The two-time defending American League champs needed five games to top the Mets and claim their second all-time World Series title and they've largely kept their core intact, re-signing star left fielder Alex Gordon and filling small holes elsewhere to form a roster that they feel could even improve upon 2015.


"We've got the same pieces. We've got a little better," third baseman Mike Moustakas told reporters. "And we've got the same mindset, so there is no telling what we can accomplish. We've just got to go out there and do it." There has been talk in recent days of Kansas City retaliating for a purpose pitch by Mets flamethrower Noah Syndergaard to open Game 3 of the World Series, adding an element of intrigue to this two-game, three-day series, but several Royals shot down such talk. New York, which opened 2015 at 13-3, will be looking to get off to another solid start behind right-hander Matt Harvey, who struggled during the spring and also recently dealt with a blood clot in his bladder. The Mets went winless in their final 13 Grapefruit League games before splitting a pair with the Chicago Cubs in Las Vegas.


TV: 8:37 p.m. ET, ESPN


LINE HISTORY: The defending champion Royals opened as +106 home dogs and bettors like the Mets just enough to move the Royals to +110. The total opened at 7.0 runs.


INJURY REPORT:


Mets - SS A. Cabrera (probable Sunday, knee), RP H. Robles (out Sunday, suspension), RP J. Edgin (out Sunday, elbow).


Royals - RF J. Dyson (out Sunday, abdominal), RP T. Collins (out for season, Tommy John).


WEATHER REPORT: It should be a beautiful night for baseball in Kansas City. Clear skies and temperatures in the mid 60's for the game. There will also be a 10-14 mile per hour hitters wind blowing out to center field.


WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The defending National League champions have the best 1-2-3 punch of any starting rotation in the league with Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard. They also have a reliable closer in Jeurys Familia who had a 1.85 ERA last season while converting 43 of 48 save opportunities. Meanwhile the Royals lost Ben Zobrist and Johnny Cueto in the offseason, but overall they still have the same core that won the World Series last year. Kansas City was second to last in the AL in home runs, but they win with pitching as evident by the fact they allowed the second fewest home runs in the league last season."


PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (2015: 13-8, 2.71 ERA) vs. Royals RH Edinson Volquez (2015: 13-9, 3.55)


Harvey had a solid rebound after missing all of 2014 to recover from Tommy John surgery, ranking in the top 10 in the National League in ERA and WHIP (1.019) and winning the league's Comeback Player of the Year Award. He rebounded from the bladder issue to toss two innings Wednesday against Washington but gave up a three-run homer to lift his spring training ERA to 7.50, some of which was the result of nine walks in 12 innings. The 27-year-old gave up five runs in 14 innings in two World Series starts - both no-decisions - against the Royals, but has never faced them in the regular season.


After several down years, Volquez has put up 13 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA in two straight seasons and he was on the mound opposite Harvey in the Game 5 clincher on Nov. 1. The 32-year-old, who is 2-5 with a 5.70 ERA in nine career starts against the Mets, tossed a career-high 200 1/3 innings in 2015 before adding another 28 2/3 in the playoffs. New York right fielder Curtis Granderson, third baseman David Wright and second baseman Neil Walker are a combined 5-for-39 with seven strikeouts against Volquez.


TRENDS:


* Over is 6-0 in the last six meetings.
* Mets are 1-6 in the last seven meetings.
* Over was 6-0 in Matt Harvey's last six road starts last season/
* Royals are 7-0 in Volquez's last seven interleague starts.

MLB TOTALS


MLB > (971) CHI WHITE SOX@ (972) OAKLAND | 2016-04-04 22:05:00 - 2016-04-04 22:05:00
Play OVER OAKLAND on the totalin Home games in April games
The record is 12 Overs and 1 Unders for the last two seasons (+11.35 units)

MLB > (903) TORONTO@ (904) TAMPA BAY | 2016-04-03 16:05:00 - 2016-04-03 16:05:00
Play OVER TORONTO on the totalin All games when the total is 7 or less
The record is 43 Overs and 17 Unders for the since 1992 (+24.75 units)

April Pitchers Report
April 1, 2016




New Sportsbook.ag customers: Make your 1st bet, get your 2nd bet free, 100%,
Major League Baseball trades places with March Madness as the sports flavor of the month in April. And as we usher in America's favorite pastime, let's open the season with one of our favorite handicapping angles – good month pitchers.


Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of April. On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in April, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.


Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s April list.


GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:


Colon, Bartolo - 11-4 (6-2 H)


Will be a fifth starter until Zach Wheeler returns. Throws almost exclusively fastball and moves this pitch all around the zone. Places batters under pressure by throwing strikes.


*Gonzalez, Gio - 11-5 (7-1 H)


Tricky delivery and has great motion on fastball and changeup. Has gotten in more trouble the last two years by telegraphing curveball. Usually more effective early than late.


*Greinke, Zack - 11-2 (6-0 A)


Premier starting pitcher who adds and subtracts on fastball to get more movement. He can also spot inside and out. Has late breaking slider and can dial up 12-to-6 curveball when necessary. Tremendous talent.


*Hammel, Jason - 11-4 (7-2 H)


Back of the rotation starter for Cubs who still can throw in low to mid-90's, but has to keep the ball down or will be knocked around. Slider is second-most effective pitch.


*Hamels, Cole- 10-4 (5-2 H)


Has all the pitches and can throw any for strikes. Still has good fastball but has developed excellent cutter the last four years, which has come at the expense of arguably best changeup in the game. Has half dozen curves, which are different in velocity and shape.


*Kazmir, Scott - 9-3 (6-2 A)


Knows how to pitch with four-pitch assortment he can throw strikes with. Both his two-seam and four-seam fastballs are back in the 90's, but they have straightened out a bit and do not miss as many bats. Lots of pressure to replace Greinke.


Scherzer, Max - 10-5 (7-2 H)


Top line pitcher who dominate with mid-90's fastball, sweeping curve and biting slider. Extreme confidence with loose repeatable delivery and great bet early.


Teheran, Julio - 13-2 (7-1 A)


Talented hurler being wasted on bad team Atlanta team, but is still young enough at 25 to be in prime if Braves rebuild quickly. Inconsistent command of fastball hurts, but when he's right with this pitch, slider and curve are nasty. FYI: these numbers represent Teheran’s career starts during April.


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:


Bailey, Homer - 4-8 (1-6 A)


Recovering from Tommy John, probably a couple months away from pitching for Cincinnati.


*Cahill, Trevor - 2-10 (0-4 A)


Now working out of Cubs bullpen as setup man, but could be spot starter if needed. Note: 0-7 last seven April starts.


Cashner, Andrew - 4-8 (1-5 A)


Have never understood why Cashner does not to throw his mid to upper 90's fastball more often. Secondary pitches all a little above average, but has spooked himself by tossing heat down the middle instead of going up the ladder with fastball based on count.


Hughes, Philip - 5-10 (2-6 H)


Looks to regain 2014 form with Minnesota after reverting to Yankees numbers in 2015. Has good command of fastball and cutter and curve is tightly spun with excellent dropping motion. Will get into trouble early, seemingly not focused or feeling pressure if all pitches are not working.


Kluber, Corey- 3-9 (1-6 A)


Legit ace who got off to slow start last year trying to live up to winning Cy Young award. Has mid 90's fastball that darts in or out and he can control at batters knees. Also delivers hard curve and occasional changeup. Return to 2014 numbers expected, but like all pitchers will need some run support.


Samardzija, Jeff - 5-11 (2-7 A)


Is 47-61 with a 4.09 ERA for career, yet is making 9.8 million with San Francisco. Still has good fastball and when he hits his spots, can be hard to hit. All other pitches are ordinary. If he cannot win with Giants, his usefulness is all but done.


Weaver, Jered - 4-8 (1-3 H)


Former Angels ace spent the spring throwing fastball in the low 80's. Not being a Mark Buehrle-type, that renders most of his other pitches almost useless because the differences in speed do not fool batters. Claims to have found arm slot to add velocity and movement. Not a Play On pitcher.

Preview: Cardinals (0-0) at Pirates (0-0)
Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: April 03, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates have spent the last three years making believers out of everybody, even the schedule makers.


The team that toiled in national anonymity for two decades will bat leadoff for Major League Baseball on Sunday when the Pirates host rival St. Louis in the opening game of the 2016 regular season. The significance isn't lost on a club that has undergone a pragmatic and thorough transformation under relentlessly optimistic manager Clint Hurdle, a ride that includes three consecutive playoff berths and the second-best record in the majors since the start of 2013.


'We're getting the kind of recognition as an organization that I don't think we've gotten a much in the past,' pitcher Jeff Locke said. 'Even as successful as we've been the last three years, really you can say it has been coming on for the last five years. This organization has really changed its face a lot.'


There's no need to convince the three-time defending NL Central champion Cardinals, who will send out ace Adam Wainwright against Francisco Liriano as arguably the most hotly contested division in baseball gets a jumpstart on what could be another six-month staredown between St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the trendy Chicago Cubs.


'I do think it's tangible evidence we've gotten better,' Hurdle said. 'We got to play five Sunday night games last year. There's a whole different set of challenges in those we found out as we get into the season and we start playing good baseball and people take notice and they want to put you on TV because they like your team and they like your players.'


And they taut, high-level play that tends to follow the Pirates face the Cardinals.


St. Louis is the only team with a better record over the last three years than Pittsburgh, the main reason the Pirates have been relegated to the wild card during the franchise's sprint back to respectability. Pittsburgh is well aware a better start would go a long way toward claiming its first division crown in 24 years. The Pirates are just 58-65 in April during Hurdle's highly successful tenure, typically waiting to heat up in lockstep with the weather at PNC Park.


'We dug some holes in the past coming out of spring training,' Hurdle said. 'We structured our spring training a little differently this year to hopefully generate a more consistent offense from opening day to the end of the season.'


Pittsburgh got hot last spring just in time to hold off the rapidly maturing Cubs in the regular season, though the Pirates mustered little in a 4-0 loss to Chicago ace Jake Arrieta during the one-game elimination. Despite the departure of longtime fixtures Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez over the winter, Pittsburgh remains bullish on the possibilities 2016 provides.


'It's not so much optimism it's more just a belief that we know what we can do with what we have,' second baseman Josh Harrison said. 'If that's taken as optimism that's fine but this isn't a front from anybody in this locker room. We know we're good. We don't care about what people say and what's been done. All that matters is what happens between those white lines and that's what makes it so good.'


It's a feeling that's equally as pervasive in St. Louis. The last time the Cardinals visited PNC Park, they soaked the carpet in the visitor's clubhouse after claiming their ninth NL Central crown since the start of the millennium.


'I am very, very excited about this team,' said Wainwright, who will start his fifth opening day for St. Louis.


And the rest of baseball is excited for a season filled with high expectations in three cities taking different tacks in hopes of reaching the same destination.


'No one wants to talk about a team that has won nearly 300 games in three years and no one wants to give us any credit because those other teams might look a little bit better on paper but games aren't played on paper and if we didn't have to play them we'd all have the year off I guess,' Locke said. 'We'll see what happens. I know it's going to be a tight race. Other teams have good pitching and good offense but it's nothing that we don't have.'

Preview: Blue Jays (0-0) at Rays (0-0)
Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 03, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Chris Archer relishes his emerging status as one of the new faces of baseball.


Evan Longoria still may be the most accomplished player on the Tampa Bay Rays roster, but Archer is quickly making name for himself after a breakout season in 2015.


The 27-year-old pitcher makes the second opening day start of his career Sunday against the defending AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays at sold-out Tropicana Field.


'It's a nice accomplishment. We have a lot of really good pitchers on our staff, so for me to be the one selected is nice,' said Archer, who also started last season's opener, but only after Alex Cobb underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery during spring training.


'Last year it happened, but not under the best circumstances, so to be the one to earn it for the 2016 season is nice,' he added. 'Even more special than last year considering how it happened and considering the arms we have healthy this year.'


Archer was a first All-Star and finished fifth AL Cy Young balloting in 2015, when he went 12-13 with a 3.23 ERA in 34 starts. In addition to working a career-high 212 innings, the right-hander struck out a franchise-record 252 to rank fourth in the majors behind Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Chris Sale.


A voracious reader who's among the more quotable players in baseball, Archer is making his mark off the field as well through numerous community and charitable endeavors.


He made his debut as a broadcaster during last season's playoffs, and easily was the most sociable Tampa Bay player during the team's recent trip to Cuba, where he got an opportunity to chat with President Barack Obama before the Rays played an exhibition against the Cuban national team.


Archer welcomes his role as the leader of a starting rotation that has a chance to be one of the best in the AL, excited to follow in the footsteps of former Rays James Shields and David Price, who helped set a standard young Tampa Bay pitchers feel compelled to uphold.


Tampa Bay earned playoff berths four of six seasons between 2008 and 2013.


'The day I walked in the door, James Shields laid it down for me: `This is what we do. We throw 200 innings. We're not really concerned about runs because innings speak for themselves,'' Archer said. 'We're trying to carry the load so that the bullpen can be used in the right situations and be as fresh as they possibly can be for that extra month of the season.'


Manager Kevin Cash said Archer earned role through hard work and performance.


'He comes about it naturally. It's not something that he feels he has to force, and that's why he's pretty special,' the manager said.


'Performance gives you the platform in the clubhouse to accomplish things off the field as well,' Archer said, adding he hopes improve this season in every aspect of pitching.


'Every single thing that I do on the mound, I want to be more consistent with,' he said. 'Fastball command, sharpness of my off speed, in-zone rate with all my off speed, minimizing damage, controlling the running game. Everything's that on the list, I want to get better at.'


The Blue Jays, coming off a season in which they lost to Kansas City in the AL Championship Series, will counter with right-hander Marcus Stroman in the opener.


Stroman was limited to four starts last year, going 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings after sitting out most of the season recovering from left knee injury suffered during spring training. Dating to 2014, the 24-year-old has won eight of his past nine decisions.


The Rays have announced a sellout for the home opener for the 11th consecutive year. Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to attend, the first time in the franchise's 19-season history that a commissioner has visited Tropicana Field for a home opener.

Preview: Mets (0-0) at Royals (0-0)
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: April 03, 2016 8:37 PM EDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The two teams and their respective starting pitchers that wrapped up last season will usher in the new one when the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets meet Sunday night at Kauffman Stadium.


The only difference will be the location.


Oh, and the stakes.


There is no championship on the line, as there was in Game 5 of the World Series last fall at Citi Field. Rather the season opener for both teams, shifted to prime-time to accommodate an ESPN audience, will serve as the curtain-raiser on the Royals' defense of their first title since 1985.


It's the first opening day rematch of a World Series in major league history.


'It's impossible to simulate World Series atmospheres,' Mets third baseman David Wright said, 'but with them getting their rings and raising the banner and things like that, I think it would give a little bit of motivation. But I also think they deserved it. They outplayed us during the World Series, no question.'


The Royals return most of the same team that not only won last year's Fall Classic but reached Game 7 against the San Francisco Giants the previous year. If not for the virtuoso effort of Madison Bumgarner, the AL Central champions could be trying for a three-peat.


Of course, winning another can't happen without first getting to the playoffs.


Royals manager Ned Yost was part of 12 division champions with Bobby Cox in Atlanta, yet the Braves only managed to win one World Series. That shows just how difficult the journey is to October.


'It's extremely difficult to maintain that, and just to get there,' Yost said. 'Our focus in spring training was getting off to a good start, and at the end of the year, having an opportunity to fight our way back. Because it is, it's a fight. Everyone starts the year with those aspirations and dreams of making it to a World Series, but it's very difficult to do.'


The Mets no doubt have similar aspirations.


When they send Matt Harvey to the mound against the Royals' Edinson Volquez on Sunday night, they will do so still searching for their first title since 1986. They also lost to the Yankees in the 2000 Series.


'It will be a good test for us, especially on the road,' Wright said, 'and provide a little motivation when we see those winners' rings that they're getting.'


The ring ceremony is actually scheduled for Game 2 on Tuesday. All the Mets will have to bear with on Sunday night is watching the Royals raise their second championship banner.


'A lot of guys here were not in the World Series. At some point, you turn the page and get ready for 2016, and for us that was this spring,' Wright said. 'It stinks to fall a little bit short, but it was a heck of a run. We just can't keep talking about last year.'


Both teams are predicting an emotional two-game set, given the way things transpired the last time they met on the field. There were intentional pitches inside, threats of retaliation and plenty of heated moments in the pressure-cooker that comes with the World Series.


Some have even suggested that tension may still linger five months later.


'I'm really looking forward to it. I think all the guys are looking forward to it,' said the Mets' Noah Syndergaard, whose inside pitch to Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar was the flashpoint of Game 3.


'It's going to be an extremely high-energy game,' Syndergaard said. 'As soon as we get to Kansas City, it's pedal-to-the-metal from there. It should be a fun time and we're all looking forward to it.'

SUNDAY, APRIL 3


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


CHC at LAA 03:05 PM


LAA -112




More lines up later............

C/note..........thank you for all your efforts here..........enjoy the season and BOL with your action..........indy

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack


Odds to win the 2016 World Series:


7-1-- Chicago Cubs-- Lot of expecttions for a franchise used to failing.


11-1-- Giants/Mets-- Its an even-numbered year, usually good for the Giants.


13-1-- Dodgers-- Their starting pitching is really shaky after Kershaw.


14-1-- Blue Jays-- Should sore an awful lot of runs.


15-1-- Boston/Houston/Washington


16-1-- Kansas City-- Not lot of respect for the defending champs.


**********


Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend......


13) Notes for tonight's national title game:


Since '87, #1-seeds are 6-0 vs #2-seeds in national final (4-2 vs spread, covering last four).


Since '85, six teams won national semifinal games by 18+ points. Underdogs covered five of six national finals those years.


ACC, Big East teams split 12 games this season; favorites were 9-3 vs spread in those games.


12) Of the 20 kids who started in the Final Four Saturday, 10 were seniors, a much higher total than in recent seasons.


11) Bronx Bombers were last in a World Series in 2009; they spent $1,273,295,558 in payroll since then.


Angels haven't won playoff game since 2009; that's $852,409,866 in salary paid out since they last won a playoff game.


10) Jimmy Butler became third Chicago Bull to get a triple double, with 28+ points, 15+ rebounds and 10+ assists. The other two? Scottie Pippen, Reggie Theus.


9) Brett Favre spoke to LSU's football team last week; considering how lame the Tigers have been at developing QBs, he should've been doing some coaching, too.


8) Bob Feller is only major league pitcher ever to toss a no-hitter on Opening Day.


7) Funny how some baseball teams break camp with 13 pitchers, others with 12. Not lot of pinch-hitting moves to make if you only have four bench players, one of whom is your backup catcher, who you generally do not use.


This will make me sound old, but in the early 70's, when Dick Williams managed the A's, they usually went with nine pitchers early in the season-- his starters went deep into games, and relief pitchers pitched more than one inning at a time back then.


6) Dan Straily is a marginal big league starting pitcher; in the last 10 days, he was traded from Houston to San Diego, and then was picked up on waivers by the Reds. Straily makes the big league minimum; he might have a wife and kids- they don't know what direction to head in for Opening Day. Has to be a stressful time for him, but at least with the Reds, he knows they need him, so he'll be in the big leagues all season.


5) Former A's 3rd base coach Mike Gallego was fired last year, used as a scapegoat for Oakland's lousy season; he is now Director of Baseball Development for the rival Angels- he works extensively with the Halos' farm teams.


4) Los Angeles Kings sold out their last 200 home games; thats what happens when you win two championships- more people go to the games.


3) Texas Rangers have a pitcher named Matt Bush who was once the top pick in the big league draft, but later ran into legal problems and spent four years in jail. Imagine him and Ranger OF Josh Hamilton trading horror stories about their experiences?


2) Quite a week for Jim Nantz; does the national championship game tonight, then goes right to Augusta National for The Masters on Thursday.


1) New York Post had its seven baseball writers pick the World Series winner; they came up with seven different teams. Should be an interesting season. Enjoy.

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up


Monday, April 4


For the first few days, not a lot of relevant information to go on, but we'll give you what we can and after a couple weeks, we'll be going full-tilt. Pitchers/teams/umpires trends, every day.


Monday's games


National League games


Giants @ Brewers
Bumgarner is 0-2, 3.92 in his last three starts; six of his last eight starts went over; he has a 5-2, 1.96 mark against Milwaukee, in eight career starts.


Peralta is 0-2, 7.02 in his last four starts; his last four starts went over. He is 3-1, 4.85 in his five starts against the Giants.


Giants won five of six games with Milwaukee LY.


Nationals @ Braves
Scherzer is 3-1, 1.63 in his last five starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five starts. He gave up two runs in 8.1 IP in losing his only start vs Atlanta LY.


Teheran is 2-1, 1.54 in his last six starts (under 4-1-1). He is 3-2, 3.65 in 11 career starts vs Washington.


Washington was 14-5 against the Braves last year.


Phillies @ Reds
Hellickson is 0-4, 5.52 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts stayed under. He lost his only career start vs Cincinnati, allowing four runs (three earned) in six IP.


Iglesias is 0-3, 4.54 in his last five starts; his last three starts went over. He hasn't pitched against the Phillies.


Philly lost four of six games with Cincinnati LY.


Dodgers @ Padres
Kershaw is 3-1, 2.01 in his last five starts; under is 6-4 in his last 10 starts. He was 0-0, 3.20 in three starts vs San Diego LY.


Ross is 0-3, 3.19 in his last five starts (under 3-1-1). He was 0-1, 2.25 in two starts against the Dodgers LY.


Dodgers were 14-5 against San Diego last year.


Rockies @ Diamondacks
De La Rosa is 2-1, 2.06 in his last four starts; six of his last seven starts stayed under total. He is 9-8, 2.94 in 22 career starts against Arizona.


Greinke makes his Arizona debut here; he is 7-1, 1.97 in his last nine starts. Six of last nine Greinke starts stayed under the total. He was 2-1, 1.23 in five starts vs San Diego LY.


Colorado was 6-13 against the Diamoondbacks LY.


American League games


Astros @ Bronx
Keuchel is 5-0, 1.34 in his last five starts; three of his last four starts stayed under. He has a career mark of 2-1, 1.13 in three starts against the Bronx Bombers.


Tanaka is 1-2, 2.61 in his last five starts (under 4-1). He allowed six runs in five IP in his only start against the Astros.


Astros beat Bronx in Wild Card Game LY, they were 4-3 in the seres LY.


Twins @ Orioles
Santana is 5-1, 1.62 in his last seven starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six outings. He is 4-5, 4.98 in 14 career starts against Baltimore.


Tillman is 2-0, 3.38 in his last three starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven starts. He is 0-4, 4.82 in six career starts against Minnesota.


Twins won all seven games with Baltimore last year.


Mariners @ Rangers
Hernandez is 4-1, 2.74 in his last six starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight starts. He was 5-0, 1.83 in five starts against Texas LY.


Hamels is 4-1, 4.14 in his last six starts; over is 8-0-1 in his last nine starts. He was 2-1, 4.00 in four starts against Seattle LY.


Seattle was 12-7 against the Rangers LY.


Red Sox @ Indians
Price makes his Boston debut here; he is 1-2, 6.17 in his last four starts. He is 9-2, 2.19 in 13 career starts against Cleveland.


Kluber is 1-4, 4.57 in his last seven starts; his last three starts stayed under. He is 1-2, 4.91 in six career starts against Boston.


Boston lost four of six games with Cleveland LY.


Rays @ Blue Jays
Dickey is 1-1, 3.70 in his last five starts (over 4-0-1). He is 7-8, 4.20 in 18 career starts vs Tampa Bay.


Smyly is 5-0, 2.74 in his last eight starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. He is 1-0, 1.10 in his five career appearances (two starts) against Toronto.


Jays-Rays are 10-10 in their last 20 series games. .


White Sox @ A's
Sale is 1-4, 5.81 in his last five starts (under 4-1). He is 3-2, 2.90 in five starts vs Oakland.


Gray is 2-2, 6.61 in his last six starts; six of his last seven starts went over. He is 0-0, 8.10 (nine ER in 10 IP) in two career starts against the White Sox.


Chicago was 5-2 against the A's LY.


Interleague games
Cubs @ Angels
Arrieta is 5-1, 1.73 in his last six starts; under is 8-1-1 in his last ten starts. He is 0-1, 7.47 in his three career starts against the Angels.


Richards is 2-1, 3.58 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts went over. This is his first career start against the Cubs.


Cubs and Angels didn't play LY.


Umpires

MLB


Monday, April 4


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1:05 PM
HOUSTON vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games
NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Houston


2:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. MILWAUKEE
San Francisco is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Francisco's last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games


3:05 PM
MINNESOTA vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota


4:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. TEXAS
Seattle is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Seattle's last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Texas's last 11 games when playing at home against Seattle
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle


4:10 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
Washington is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games
Atlanta is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home


4:10 PM
BOSTON vs. CLEVELAND
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Boston
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston


4:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. CINCINNATI
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Cincinnati is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home


7:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO
LA Dodgers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games on the road
San Diego is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of San Diego's last 24 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers


7:10 PM
TORONTO vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games on the road
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Toronto


9:40 PM
COLORADO vs. ARIZONA
Colorado is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Colorado is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games when playing Colorado
Arizona is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games


10:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 8 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox


10:05 PM
CHI CUBS vs. LA ANGELS
Chi Cubs are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Angels's last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs

MLB


Monday, April 4




Astros/Yankees postponed due to weather for today. Rescheduled for Tuesday.

MLB


Monday, April 4




6 of Brewers last 7 season openers have gone Over the total. Set at 7.5 today vs. Giants




Giants last 2 season openers (both with Bumgarner on the mound) have hit the W/O parlay. SF -180, T 7.5 @ MIL


-----------------------


MLB


Monday, April 4




The Twins have lost their last 7 season openers. +115 @ Baltimore today, Total set at 9




Orioles have won last 5 season openers, including last 2 with Tillman. -125 vs MIN today


---------------------


MLB


Monday, April 4




Mariners have won last 9 openers, 8 of those with Felix on the mound, and 6 of those on the road. +120 @ TEX today


---------------------


MLB


Monday, April 4




Rangers last 3 season openers have hit the L/O combo. -125 vs SEA today, Total 7.5.

Yesterday's Best Bets: 0 - 0.............+ 0.00


As in Hockey......i wil only be looking for the underdogs for that day......Good Luck this season..........




MONDAY, APRIL 4


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




SF at MIL 02:10 PM


MIL +156


O 7.5




MIN at BAL 03:05 PM


BAL -120


U 9.0




SEA at TEX 04:05 PM


SEA +113


U 7.5




WAS at ATL 04:10 PM

WAS -167


O 6.5




BOS at CLE 04:10 PM

CLE -106


U 6.5




PHI at CIN 04:10 PM

PHI +156


U 7.5

B]MLB[/B]


MLB > (971) CHI WHITE SOX@ (972) OAKLAND | 2016-04-04 22:05:00 - 2016-04-04 22:05:00
Play ON OAKLAND in Home games in April games
The record is 12 Wins and 1 Losses for the last two seasons (+11.35 units)


MLB > (971) CHI WHITE SOX@ (972) OAKLAND | 2016-04-04 22:05:00 - 2016-04-04 22:05:00
Play OVER OAKLAND on the totalin Home games in April games
The record is 12 Overs and 1 Unders for the last two seasons (+11.35 units)

TOP POWER LINES


MLB > (961) HOUSTON @ (962) NY YANKEES | 2016-04-04 13:05:00 - 2016-04-04 13:05:00
Line: NY YANKEES+124 BTB PowerLine: NY YANKEES119
Edge On: NY YANKEES (5)


MLB > (951) SAN FRANCISCO @ (952) MILWAUKEE | 2016-04-04 14:10:00 - 2016-04-04 14:10:00
Line: MILWAUKEE+150 BTB PowerLine: MILWAUKEE146
Edge On: MILWAUKEE (4)


MLB > (963) MINNESOTA @ (964) BALTIMORE | 2016-04-04 15:05:00 - 2016-04-04 15:05:00
Line: MINNESOTA BTB PowerLine: MINNESOTA-116
Edge On: MINNESOTA (10)

MLB > (965) SEATTLE @ (966) TEXAS | 2016-04-04 16:05:00 - 2016-04-04 16:05:00
Line: TEXAS-126 BTB PowerLine: TEXAS-140
Edge On: TEXAS (14)


MLB > (967) BOSTON @ (968) CLEVELAND | 2016-04-04 16:10:00 - 2016-04-04 16:10:00
Line: CLEVELAND-108 BTB PowerLine: CLEVELAND-132
Edge On: CLEVELAND (24)


MLB > (955) PHILADELPHIA @ (956) CINCINNATI | 2016-04-04 16:10:00 - 2016-04-04 16:10:00
Line: PHILADELPHIA BTB PowerLine: PHILADELPHIA-117
Edge On: PHILADELPHIA (33)


MLB > (953) WASHINGTON @ (954) ATLANTA | 2016-04-04 16:10:00 - 2016-04-04 16:10:00
Line: WASHINGTON BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON221
Edge On: WASHINGTON (49)


MLB > (957) LA DODGERS @ (958) SAN DIEGO | 2016-04-04 19:05:00 - 2016-04-04 19:05:00
Line: SAN DIEGO+175 BTB PowerLine: SAN DIEGO145
Edge On: SAN DIEGO (30)


MLB > (969) TORONTO @ (970) TAMPA BAY | 2016-04-04 19:10:00 - 2016-04-04 19:10:00
Line: TORONTO BTB PowerLine: TORONTO110
Edge On: TORONTO (12)


MLB > (959) COLORADO @ (960) ARIZONA | 2016-04-04 21:40:00 - 2016-04-04 21:40:00
Line: ARIZONA-183 BTB PowerLine: ARIZONA-198
Edge On: ARIZONA (15)


MLB > (973) CHICAGO CUBS @ (974) LA ANGELS | 2016-04-04 22:05:00 - 2016-04-04 22:05:00
Line: CHICAGO CUBS BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO CUBS227
Edge On: CHICAGO CUBS (85)


MLB > (971) CHI WHITE SOX @ (972) OAKLAND | 2016-04-04 22:05:00 - 2016-04-04 22:05:00
Line: OAKLAND+120 BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND112
Edge On: OAKLAND (8)