ALCS.........NLCS

I would like to take this opportunity to discuss the ALCS (American League Championship Series) and the NLCS (National League Championship Series).  Now, you may be thinking, 'why are you talking about baseball? Baseball isn't football.'  Well, while you have a valid and compelling point... I like baseball so that's that and I'm Mr. That's That.  I believe the name is of Latin origin.  

ALCS

Angels vs. Yankees

If you've followed baseball this year you will know that the Yankees finished the regular season with the best record in baseball with over 100 wins.  They have a solid offensive lineup and one of the best pitchers in the league with CCCCCCCCCCCCCC Sabathia.  Many people think the Yankees will walk with this series but I'M HERE TO TELL YA this should be a good series.  Yes, the Yankees did have the best regular season record in baseball but who was second?  Ding, ding, ding, you guessed it, the Angels.  The Angels set an MLB record for having 11 players with 50+ RBI... how does that even happen?  The Yankees signed Mark Teixeira (two e before i's in one name!) from the Angels for big bucks.  He has been legit.  Kendry Morales filled in Marks position for the Angels and put up comparable numbers for considerably less money.  That will be an interesting matchup, let's see who does better between Kendry Morales and Mark Teixeira.  

One thing the Yankees have decided to do is go with a three man rotation.  I think that is a great call because this means CC can pitch 3 games this series.  Remember what he did for the Brewers after the trade deadline last season to get them in the playoffs??  Yikes!  CC has taken heat for underperforming in the playoffs but he looked good in the first round this year. Another thing the Yankees have is their lineup.  It is honestly pretty amazing.  There aren't any easy outs in it and they can really wear on a pitcher.  That being said, they didn't produce many runs against the Twins, who were depleted after playing game 163.  So, besides having CC go 3 games if needed and having probably the best offensive lineup in the MLB, another advantage the Yankees have is the Angels closer.  Yes, Brian Fuentes for the Angel's is left handed and that always scares me.  The Yankees really only have two left handed starting hitters in Matsui and Damon, which, I think makes Fuentes vulnerable when coming in late to save contests.  

The Angel's will definitely have a couple advantages over the Yankees in this series and here they are.  I think the Angels have the second best manager in baseball, and they aren't facing the best (Tony LaRussa, in my opinion).  Yes I think Mike Scioscia is the better manager and I think that will give the Angels a slight advantage.  It's kind of funny, people tend to think that managing a baseball game is really easy because it looks like managers don't really do anything.  The truth it, I felt the same way, until I did a little Jr. ACME coaching and realized there are so many decisions that need to be made quickly and it is taxing.  You call every pitch thrown, you decide to steal, not to steal, hit and run, leave the pitcher in, take him out.  It really is pretty taxing.  It's funny how coaches are called managers in baseball and coaches in other sports.  I also like the Angels because they are aggressive on the base paths and Jorge Posada is basically a pile of garbage defensively.  I hope to see some aggressive and competent base running out of the Angels after seeing so much terrible play on the base paths throughout the postseason.  Freeze on a line drive!  I think the Angels also have a mystique factor to them.  They are on the west coast and we don't really know much about them relative to the almighty Yankees.  A lot of analysts have this being a really close series and I think that bodes well for the Angels because they probably do something else well that I don't really know about to put them over the edge.

There are ten so-called "experts" on ESPN.com who have picked this series.  They have all picked the Yankees.  Although the Yankees did sweep the Twins, they narrowly swept the Twins and had to come from behind in every game, I believe.  This will be more difficult against the Angels.  I like the Angels to win this series with aggressive play and more timely hitting.  

NLCS

Dodgers vs. Phillies

I like to think of the Phillies as the "mini Yankees" because when I think of the Phillies the first thing that comes to mind is their lineup.  They have an amazing amount of power up and down that lineup.  They have a former MVP as do the Yankees.  The Dodgers really do have a solid, young core of great baseball players.  Seriously, go look at the Dodgers roster and check out their ages, it is amazing how many quality players they have aged 25 or younger.  

This is why the Phillies will win.  The aforementioned Phillies Lineup.  It really is potent.  I believe they have like 5 guys who hit 30 bombs or something ridiculous like that.  Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins really set the table well for the Phillies offense.  Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth can all go deep at any time and blow a game wide open.  I believe the Phillies also led the bigs in stolen base percentage, they sure can pick their spots.  I also like the Phillies because they seem to be unflappable!  When they are down they never seem to panic, they just continue to think that they will come back and win and I believe that goes a long way for a club.  

The Dodgers have a few things going for the too.  Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf.  They are both left handed and the two will probably start 4 games if the series goes deep.  I believe these two lefties will give the Dodgers a huge advantage because if they can stymie left handed batting Chase Utley and Ryan Howard it will really divide the Phillies lineup into two and it will make it difficult for them to score runs.  Another thing on the Dodgers side is the Phillies late inning relief.  Brad Lidge didn't blow any saves against the Rockies but if you watched that series carefully he didn't really throw strikes.  The only reason he was getting people out is because they were swinging at bad pitches and I hope the Dodgers are aware of this.  If they don't help Brad Lidge out in save situations, he may walk people and his mind may wander back to when he couldn't save a game if his life depended on it.  I think this is a huge advantage for the Dodgers, I predict that Brad Lidge blows one game this series.  

If Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf can win 3 games (big if) I like the Dodgers to win for sure, if those two combine for 2 wins I think we will be looking at a 7 game series.  Overall, I'm going to predict the Dodgers to win and it will be LA vs LA in the World Series.

Look at this video... it is unbelievable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWAS814ASmA

NFL Week 6 Predictions are here... look down

OKAY OKAY OKAY.  How did I do predicting week 5?

Aye, Aye, Aye, I did not do too well.  

Against the spread I picked 6 games correctly, I selected 8 winners and I was right on the O/U 7 times.  Basically, a monkey could have done just as well as I did last Sunday/Monday.  

I guess it's time for me to get back on the horse.

WEEK 6 Predictions.  Find the nearest bookie and bet everything you have on what I predict.  I have never been wrong.  Don't look up...

CHIEFS @ Washington (-6) under 37.5

I like the Chiefs to win this one on the road.  The Chiefs took the declining Cowboys to overtime before losing and the Redskins (Can I say that?) are terrible.  The Redskins defeated Tampa Bay and St. Louis (9-7) and manage to give the Lions its first win since Barry Sanders retired.  Check my facts on that but I think it's accurate.  

Houston @ BENGALS (-4.5) under 45

I've never wanted to get a pick wrong more in my life.  

Browns @ STEELERS (-14) under 3

I correctly picked the Browns to win last Sunday but I definitely wouldn't have picked them if I'd known they were only going to complete 2 passes.  This one's gonna be painful.

RAVENS @ Vikings (-3) over 43.5

Early this year I was hating Bretty Favre because I thought the Vikings made a huge mistake because I felt that Sage Rosenfels was qualified to hand the ball to Adrian Peterson.  Brett has been doing more than that and I've been wrong about him so far however, the Ravens are 3-2 and getting to that area of desperation.  I think they take that and use it to beat the Vikings. 

RAMS @ Jags (-9.5) under 42.5

The Rams lost to Seattle by 28 while the Jags lost by 41, clearly this means the Rams will win.  I don't know if it's actually that obvious but I'm gonna go ahead and pick the Rams because they have Steven Jackson who is supposed to be good and I don't know if MJD has done a lot for the Jags this year.  Rams are +400 straight up... I'm just sayin'.  If you're not gonna bet on this game, don't watch it... maybe take the time to learn how to knit or something.  

GIANTS @ Saints (-3) over 47

My two fantasy QB's playing each other, I'll be watching this one.  I like the Giants, I don't know why they have won so frequently on the road the past couple of years but I think there is definitely something to it.  I like Eli (and Drew Brees) in this game to come up big as he normally does in marquee games.  I think the X factor in this game are the defenses.  When it comes down to it, the G men have a better D so I think they win this one.  

PANTHERS (-3) @ Buccs under 40

Does anybody else feel like there are a handful of great teams in the NFL, 15 decent teams and 10 teams who, up until a week prior to the season thought a football was a distant relative of a pineapple.  Football's are not edible, I know from experience dude and I'm tired of having four unwatchable games every week because both teams in the match are terrible.  

Lions @ PACKERS (-13) under 48

Detroit is not nearly as bad as they were, know that.  In my opinion they are the best 1 win team in the league.  They still aren't good enough to cover 13 on the road against the Pack.

EAGLES (-14) @ Raiders over 40.5

I'd take the EAGLES -21, the raiders are pretty terrible and since Jamarcus Russell is a former number 1 overall, they aren't going to put anyone else at QB.  

ARIZONA @ Seattle (-3) over 47

After the Seahawks put that beat down on the Jags last Sunday it might be tempting to pick them to win against the cards... for somebody else, not for me.  Once again, the Cards have too much offense for Seattle to keep up.  

Bills @ JETS (-9.5) UNDER 38

Did anybody watch the Browns/Bills???  That was painful.  I don't see the Bills losing by single digits.  I think they should get rid of TO... might as well try to get something for him.

Titans @ PATRIOTS (-9.5) OVER 43.5

I feel like the Patriots are playing more Patrioty lately (besides losing to a guy who was helping run practices for the past 8 years)  and yes, Patrioty is a word.  The Titans aren't very good and they are on the road... Another game decided by double digits this week.  jeez.

Bears @ FALCONS (-3) OVER 46

The Falcons made the 9ers their bitch last Sunday.  This is definitely my second favorite game of the week.  Just how for real is Jay Cutler?  Really for real, or just a little for real?  This is how professional writers talk.  I like the Falcons to ride that momentum and take this one.  

BRONCOS @ Chargers (-3.5) over 44

I guess I have to start taking the Broncos seriously.  I honestly am sort of surprised this spread isn't 6 because the chargers are only as good as LT and LT is done.  

I would like to dedicate these week 6 predictions to Fuji, the only person who reads it.  

I'm also dedicating this to Michael Bolton because I'm a fan.  

 

MLB...Peter Gammons

Usually when I post a blog it is on a topic I have researched or been contemplating for a week or two.  As I sit right now, it is the bottom of the 9th and A Rod has just hit a two run bomb to tie the Twins.  I can't help but wonder what exactly is the future of the MLB.  So far the first round of playoffs have been nothing short of incredible.  The Cards, many people's favorite to win the NL pennant, have had their two cy young pitchers beat to go down 0-2.  The Rockies and the Phillies are tied, the Twins playoff game was one of the best games I have ever watched and now this drama in the Bronx (We're going to extras).  The Twins were +230 to win this game and if you're not addicted to gambling like me, that basically means they have no business winning this game.  

I have always been a huge baseball fan and before this great postseason I couldn't help but wonder if anyone else really cared about the MLB.  All the races were basically over (I know about the AL Central, you don't have to remind ME) and college football and the NFL were just starting.  Football ratings on Television have been increasing immensely each year, ask Colin Cowherd.  Your average male aged ~ 30 knows so much more about the NFL than the MLB.  If the man closest to you is under 37 ask him about the NFL.  I'm sure he can tell you a lot because he has probably been playing fantasy for a couple of years.  I could probably name about 20 tight ends throughout the league and I bet when I was 10 I couldn't name the Browns' (my favorite teams') tight end.  The NFL is doing everything right and has been extremely successful.  It is perfect for today's world where everyone is working harder and want results quicker.  There is contact on every play.  In baseball, we wait for nearly a minute between every pitch.  I can't blame people for not caring about baseball, we like what we like, there's nothing wrong with it.  

For a while I was beginning to wonder if only Peter Gammons and I even cared about MLB but this postseason has given me hope.  Hell, The Phillies set an attendance record in game one, which was a day game, during a poor economy.  Attendance in the MLB regular season this year was only down 5% from last year in this week economy.  The reduced size of the two New York Ball Parks could have made up for this decrease.  

The thing that was so alarming to me was home attendance.  Watching various games throughout the season I would notice that seemingly no baseball games were packed houses, unlike the NFL.  I guess the main thing to remember is that baseball teams have 81 home games to make their money compared to the 8 the NFL has.  

I guess as long as the MLB continues to have an exciting postseason and a competitive Yankees team, there really isn't anything for me to worry about because I have watched about every playoff game so far and they have all been packed houses.  

There is no need for me or Peter Gammons to worry.  He will be able to keep his job... and I will continue to look for one but if I can't find a job at least I'll always be able to watch MLB on TV... until I can't afford to pay my cable bill.

I didn't know much about some of these playoff teams so I couldn't analyze this round.  Check back before the divisional series' and I'll let ya know who'll win.

Stay hot.

week 5

Last week I picked 8 games right against the spread.  I correctly picked 11 teams to win and I was able to select the correct O/U in 8 games.  This was out of a total of the 13 games I picked.  I forgot to pick to colts game but I'm sure I would have gotten it right.  

Man, 11 out of 13 games... that's pretty good for a league that supposedly has amazing parody.  I'm a beast.  

This week the NFL has some pretty terrible games.  Picking against the spreads will be the real challenge... but it always is, that's why there are spreads.  

okie silly dokie yo, I'm an idiot!

NFL week 5

Cowboys (-8.5) @ CHIEFS under 42.5

I feel like the Cowboys have been declining season by season the past couple years and within this season they are declining week by week.  I think they will win this game because they have better talent.  I have a feeling it is going to be close though, Chiefs cover the 8.5.

REDSKINS @ Carolina (-3.5) under 37.5

This may be one of the most even games of the week.  Carolina probably is going to have the better rushing attack but Washington has been getting Santana Moss more involved in the past couple weeks.  I'm gonna take a road dog to win this game.  Carolina still winless.  

Buccs @ EAGLES (-15) Under 42.5

After the Browns almost beat the Bengals I'm just about ready to say that the Buccs are the worst team in the NFL.  The Buccs are the worst team in the NFL.  There, I DID say it.  I like the Eagles and Donovan to win this one in a snoozer.  

RAIDERS @ Giants (-15) over 39

It's tough for me to say the Giants will cover 15 points when their starting QB is going to have when trying to use his plant foot on his throws.  Whatever is wrong Eli's heel is not good.  I still think the Giants win but the RAIDERS cover.

Bengals @ RAVENS (-8.5) over 42

The Ravens have had an outstanding defense for years now but look out for their offense.  That also means look out for the Ravens.  I believe they have separated themselves from the rest of the AFC North this year and they continue that trend against the Bengals.  

Vikings (-10) @ RAMS under 41

I like the Vikings to win here but perhaps a little bit of a letdown on the road after a huge emotional win on Monday night.  Rams cover but lose.  

BROWNS @ Bills (-6) over 40.5

The Browns lost last week but they managed to look like they were at least playing in the right league.  Definitely a tough loss for the Browns but they can take some positives away from it.  Buffalo has gotten waxed their past two games and the Browns finally have a glimmer of hope last week.  I like the Browns to win this one on the road.  

STEELERS (-10.5) @ Lions under 44

Steelers blow out a team they should blow out with a rookie QB.

Falcons @ 49ERS (-2.5) over 40.5

This is probably my favorite game of the week, apart from the huge matchup in Buffalo.  It has one of the lowest spreads this week but I expect the 49ers to win this one by about ten.  I think Glen Coffee has a real nice game to propel the 9ers over the Falcons.  

Texans @ CARDINALS (-5.5) UNDER 50.5

I think the Texans are like the Cardinals little brother.  They have a pretty decent quarterback and they may have the best WR in the NFL.  Unfortunately for the Texans the Cards have 3 really good WR and an even better QB.  I like the Cards to win this one but this could end up being a very exciting game if you like offense (who doesn't).

PATRIOTS (-3) @ Broncos under 41

I think Tom Brady is beginning to hit his stride and I'm not convinced the broncos are for real.  They have a nice opportunity to change my mind this weekend, however, I think the Broncos lose by more than 3.

COLTS (-3.5) @ Titans under 45.5

I think the Titans are done and the colts are just too good to have a let down this week.  Besides, it makes it really hard to have a letdown when Peyton is your quarterback.  

Jets (-2) @ DOLPHINS over 36.5

I like the Dolphins to win this one at home on Monday night.  Sanchez got his first loss last week and I think this could rattle his game a bit and we might see a little regression in his play.  If the Dolphins can control the ball like they have been able to do a lot this season, I like them to win this game.  

WNBA

Before I start ripping on the WNBA I guess I should explain how I feel about the NBA.  I don't want people to think that I dislike the WNBA just because they're girls.

I don't like the NBA, at all.  I've felt for the past couple of years that the players in the NBA are too good.  Yes, and I mean that.  In this league of stars, it seems to me that someone could drive to the hole just about every time and get a pretty easy layup or dunk.  Then on sportscenter when I watch highlights of the NBA I see a bunch of "sweet dunks."  "Oh, did you see that dunk?"  Then I think, 'No, but I have seen a dunk exactly like that about 476,895 times.'  Outside of that, if someone has a wide open shot, it goes in.  I also don't like how being the home team is a big factor in who wins.  I guess they just don't try as hard on the road.  Basically, one of my favorite days of the year is when the Cavs season is over and I get my friends back and we can talk about and watch real sports like football, baseball and hockey.  If you don't know me that well, you're probably not reading this blog, but I'm serious about the NHL, I like it a lot.  

Basically, I've seriously wondered to myself if I would like the WNBA more than the NBA.  I mean, think about what I said, women, for the most part, can't dunk so the play happens further away from the bucket.  Women aren't as good so when there is a shot there's more mystery if it'll actually go in.  So I checked out game 1 of the WNBA finals on Tuesday night.  

I'm not too sure about how awesome this WNBA thing is.  In fact, it's not very awesome at all.  It's the kind of thing that should get cut out of a slow economy.  I mean, I don't understand how it makes money at all.  These players and owners and what-not must have very little salaries.  I could either watch TV or go out and exercise or read a book or write a blog or I could go to a WNBA game.  I don't know, maybe a WNBA game would be fun, I've never been to one.  Then I might think that all my other options are free, whereas a WNBA game probably costs 2 dollars.  Looks like I'm stayin' in!

I'm flipping through the channels Tuesday night and I come to the WNBA Finals.  There is a little under 2 minutes remaining and I think it was a 4 point game.  Phoenix, at home, leading Indiana.  'Ok, this might be an exciting finish,' I'm thinking.  I start watching and right away I can tell that none of these players have penises, pretty disappointing.  Also it didn't take long to realize how much cheaper this league is, you can tell by how terrible the refs are, you get what you pay for.  I think there were about 6 calls made by the officials and 4 of them were awful.

Indiana is down by 3 with the ball and about 15 seconds left; okay, here we go.  An Indiana player comes off a screen and makes a 3 to tie it up with about 7 seconds left.  Phoenix takes the ball down the court, drives to the hoop and misses a layup, a teammate gets the put-back and misses from point blank.  Why didn't she dunk... oh yeah.  Time expires and the game goes to overtime.  After time expired I thought to myself, 'that was a mildly entertaining minute and a half of basketball,' then I thought, 'I bet overtime is 5 minutes, I don't want to watch that much longer.  I wonder what else is on... oooh! A Home Improvement Rerun!' 

I can't think of another sporting championship going into overtime or extended play and me not wanting to watch it.  Maybe watching 1:48 of a game isn't enough to decide that I don't like the league but yeah, it probably is.  I can't believe I actually thought that I might like the WNBA more than the NBA.   

I guess no matter what, the higher the absolute level of talent, the more exciting the league will be.  It's science.