Fall CLASSIC!

Notice how I've made classic all caps in the title?  That's because I want to emphasize how sweet this series will be.  Pretty smart, huh?  I really want to encourage people to tune into this series because it should be astounding.  We are at a time where football continues to flourish (college and the extremely top-heavy pros) and basketball gets increasingly better ratings from the younger demographic.  Baseball ratings are pushed by the older male demographic (try to count how many ED commercials you see if you choose to watch any of the world series, it's brilliant) and I don't see my generation replacing that demographic when we're 50.  I just don't see it.  For the most part, we like fast-paced games where things happen frequently.  We don't want to wait 2 minutes to watch a 1-1 pitch turn into a 2-1 count.  I get that.  It's why I don't berate people for disliking baseball, even though I love it.  

Have you ever seen the movie "Knocked Up?"  If you answered, "no" I hate you.  Remember the scene at the playground where Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan are having the conversation about bubbles?  Paul Rudd's character says he doesn't like anything as much as his kids like bubbles because he has grown up and his life is mundane.  I can relate to that sentiment but starting tonight at 7:57 ET I will have discovered my bubbles, even if they pop within a week and a half. 

So, besides my (and your) love for watching commercials with ever-flaccid men, there are other reasons to catch this years' World Series.  First of all, the Yankees... love 'em, hate 'em, they make the world series worth watching because it matters to most of us if they win or lose. Sorry Tampa Bay, you're a nice story and you make the Reds and Indians (the '09 and future) seem relevant but you just don't make anybody emote.  Rooting against a team is just as good a reason to watch a game.  I think I get more excited to hate Notre Dame every Saturday than love the Buckeyes while they play another terrible Big Ten team.  Remember a few years ago when there was a heavy sentiment that was like, "I wish the ALCS was the World Series and the NLCS series was just for third place?  Yeah, from top to bottom the AL is easily better than the NL but the Phils have a real AL feel to them... and by that I mean they can hit the shit out of the ball.  From 1-8 in the lineup these teams match up really well.  Let me talk about 4 important factor in this world series and 1 pseudo important factor.  

1.  Nerves.  I think sometimes we feel that professional athletes don't do certain things because they ARE professional athletes.  I want to remind everybody that these athletes are people and I'm guessing their nerves are different in the world series compared to game 132 in the regular season.  There are big names in this world series who have never been there, namely, A Rod, CC and Cliff Lee and it will be interesting to see how they react.  I think the Phillies have been amazingly cool throughout the postseason, especially Ryan Howard.  They just seem like a team who knows they are going to win and they never panic.  I think think the Phils have that in their lineup and the Yankees have it in their pitching staff.  CC and Mariano Rivera are prime examples of this.  CC would pitch every game in the World Series if his arm would allow it.  Down the stretch of the season and playoffs, he loves it.  Nerves ARE GOING to be a factor for Brad Lidge but Charlie Manuel is treating the 9th inning like the 7th, and 8th innings and just playing the matchups.  Something, I believe, more teams should do (I think the only reason some team have "closers" is because the save is a stat).   I'm giving the Phils an edge in the nerves department because their lineup is soooo cool and I believe that if some of the Yankees struggle they will start to press and not hit very well.  

2. Starting Pitching.  The Yankees have the advantage in this category.  CC against Cliff Lee (a poor-mans CC) Burnett has electric stuff when he is on and also Andy Pettitte.  I do not like Pedro Martinez who is starting game 2 for the Phillies because he is only a couple starts back since finishing his rehab.  You can't really know what to expect from him and, he should be starting game 3.  Game 3 is in Philly where the Yankees would have to use a DH and help Pedro out a little bit, it would also allow him to probably get a few hitters deeper into the ballgame.  

3. Timely Hitting.  I keep thinking about the last weeks' ALCS game where Mariano came in with a runner on 3rd and no outs.  He didn't let up a run.  Don't expect to see that against this Phillies lineup.  I think this will also go back to a "nerves" thing, in big spots at the plate I believe the Phillies will be more relaxed and able to come up with the big hit.  I also think that if the Yankees lose the first game in NYC the atmosphere will be very tense for them in game 2 which will also be in NYC.  I give the Phillies an advantage in this category.

4. Base Running.  The Phillies have had an extremely high success rate over the past couple season when stealing bases.  I believe the Yankees will be able to mitigate this strength of the Phillies.  They have CC and Pettitte, who leads the league in pick-offs.  These two are both left-handed which just makes it harder to steal off them.  The Yankees also have the solid defensive Molina catch Burnett when he pitches.  The Yankees also steal a lot of bases and the Phillies won't be able to guard against this as much so they will have the advantage in this category.  

5. Defense.  You'll see analysts saying who has the better defense and that it's an edge in the series.  Most of the time, I think that's crap.  MLB players, specifically infielders, are so good defensively, it's really unbelievable, it's something the average person doesn't notice.  Defensive miscues are usually pretty rare enough that you cant predict in a 7 game series who is going to commit more.  You definitely can't predict in what kind of spot they are going to come in.  Will there be an error that extends an inning and allows a team to score 5 extra runs and thus take a 2-0 series lead instead of losing and evening up the series at 1?  Or will the error be followed by a guy who grounds into a double play?  I'm not trying to say that defense isn't important, I'm saying that they are relatively infrequent occurrences and you just can't predict where they will happen in this series.  

In closing, this should be a very exciting series... I really hope the Phillies win but I think the Yankees will be victorious.  I also really hope to see a game 7, since none of the first round series went five games and neither of the AL&NLCS' went 7.  I hope you all take some time to tune in and watch my bubbles. 

Week 7 Picks are here... sorry for the wait, Fujinopolis..

As you know buy now, I'm basically giving you all the chance at free money with these picks.  But if you want to get technical... this is how I did last week.

I picked 9 teams to win correctly, I was smarter than Vegas 9 times against the spread and vs. the O/U I picked 8 games right with one push.  9/14 against the spread is pretty good, I'll take it.  

Week 7

Okay, well before I start predicting games I'd like to point out that the games this week are pretty good.  Actually they are really good... they are borderline great, but I don't want to overhype them.  Normally, as you know, my picks are solid, money in the bank, taxes, death, my picks... that kind of deal.  I wouldn't be surprised if I got about 4 correct against the spread in week 7 because these games are WEIRD.  

Chargers (-5) @ CHIEFS under 44

The Chargers are coming off a loss that really ruined their season.  Do they give up?  Do they come out trying to redeem themselves?  Last Sunday the Chiefs did something they hadn't done yet, win.  The Chiefs beat the Redskins.  BTW, the Chiefs were +210 straight up... thanks sportsbook.com.  I like the Chiefs to ride that momentum (?) and keep it close but the Chargers have better personnel and a running back (LT) whose career is farther away from being over (LJ).  

COLTS (-13.5) @ Rams over 45

I just woke up from a six year nap.  "Do the Colts still have Peyton Manning?"  ok.  "Do the Rams still have Kurt Warner?" oh... "What about Orlando Pace?" ew... "Tori Holt is probably getting pretty old too, huh?" Oh, they don't have him either... "Who is Steven Jackson?"

P.S. Bob Sanders is back this week.  

VIKINGS @ Steelers (-5) over 45

This is one of those difficult games of week 7.  What Sticks out to me are the turnovers the Steelers had against the Browns last week.  I'm also aware that the Steelers are (1-5) against the spread this year... the Vikings are (4-2).  The Vikings have AP who is the best RB in the League but the Steelers have Mendenhall who is quickly becoming a beast of a man.  I think Jared Allen and the boys will get to Big Ben more than usual (Ben gets sacked a ton) and it will have an affect on the game.  I think the Vikings pull this out in a very interesting/exciting contest.  

PATRIOTS (-15) vs Tampa under 45

Here is a Lemon, London.  Make some lemonade.  I'm glad we got this game out of the contiguous United States.  

49ers @ TEXANS (-3) over 44

Week in and week out I have no idea what the Texans are gonna look like.  I'm going to assume they'll have one of their good games and beat the '9ers.  This will be a interesting game to watch Nate Clements to see if he can really earn that money against one of the top 5 WR's in the NFL.  

Jets (-6.5) @ OAKLAND over 35

Is Mark Sanchez regressing or did he just have 1 bad game?  This is a good game to see where he is at.  The Jets should win but Oakland is coming off a very good win and the Jets are coming off a terrible loss.  We will see how each team reacts.  I like Oaktown to cover but lose a close one.  

BILLS @ Panthers (-7) under 36.5

Well, this is a terrible game.  These two teams have some similarities, they are both awful and they both will have a lot of free time come January.  I gotta give this game to the Panthers because both teams' strength lie with their running game and the Panthers running game is better.  Bills cover.

BEARS @ Bengals (-1) over 42.5

Take away week 1 and the Bears have had a pretty good season... you could say the same for the Bengals.  Unfortunately, week 1 counts.  How will Cedric Benson do against his former team? I'm intrigued by Johnny Knox, I think he and J Cut will expose the Bengals a bit and bring home the W.

SAINTS (-6.5) @ Miami over under 47

I've seen a few analysts/Colin Cowherd pick the Dolphins because of their ability to control the clock against the Colts and their offense.  I don't buy that.  Saints are 5-0 against NFL teams and 5-0 against Vegas spreads.  They haven't had a close game yet.  I'm taking the Saints to cover every game until they don't.  Miami's cute little offense isn't gonna be enough yet.  

FALCONS @ Cowboys  (-4.5) over 47.5

The Falcons are coming off two quality wins and the Cowboys are getting worse every week.  That is all I thought about before I decided that the Falcons will win.  Then I thought, "Wade Phillips likes pizza."  Then I giggled, in a manly way.  

CARDINALS @ Giants (-7) over 46

This is my favorite game of the week.  We will learn a lot about the Giants after getting torn apart in New Orleans.  The Cardinals are 2-0 on the road and are involved in a tight race in the NFC West.  I like Tim Hightower to have a big game receiving out of the backfield and the Cardinals to take it down to China Town.  You also have to like the experience of the Cardinals receiving core over the Giants'.  I think the Cardinals win especially if Eli's heel starts barkin' (not that I'm rooting for that).  

EAGLES (-7) @ Washington under 37.5

The Eagles have a lot to prove after last week and luckily for them, they are playing the worst team in the NFL (in my humble opinion, of course).  The Redskins have some good skill position players (A. Randle El, Portis and Santana Moss) but they have just been terrible.  

There isn't a spread on the Browns game... I'm guessing because 12 players have the flu.  Somewhere Braylon is smiling.  

I'm not proofreading this 

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.