I'll tell you this though...

   Today is the big day for all college football players hoping to become professionals in their craft. Everyone keeps saying that the Panthers are taking Cam Newton #1 and while yes he is an amazing athlete I am not so sure that they should use a number one pick on something that isn't a surething. I am not saying Cam doesn't have potential to be a great QB in the NFL but I am just not sure he can jump right in there and be effective this year like a number one pick is expected to be. I mean the fact that all his plays in college were pretty much just numbers that to me will be one of his biggest set backs, learning the plays and coverages and so on and so forth. Plus the Panters already have a Clausen and I know he was horrible last year but really who was he surrounded by on the offensive end? Smith was hurt and not him self last year, sure they have two great running backs but thats about it, I don't think you bail on a guy like that until you give him as fair a shot as you can give him. Now on to some others I will be keeping an eye on this weekend and during their NFL days as well. Well we can start with the obvious ones such as Patrick Peterson, Mark Igram, Marcel Dareus, De'quan Bowers you know all the first round names pretty much but really to tell you the truth I am really excited to see if Tyrod Taylor can prove to some team, any team that if they trust in him to be a QB that he will not let them down. I know VT didn't have the best of years this year and I know you all probably think that the only reason I am saying this is cause he is on that ESPN special Three for the Show, but really thats not true. I liked him when I saw VT play, they keep talking about how athletic Cam is but this kid is twice as atheltic with better accuracy he just doesn't have the size that Cam does. But we have seen with Tyrod Taylors good friend Mike Vick that size doesn't matter and that QB like Tyrod and Vick can be successful in the NFL. But if you ask me who is the most ready to be and NFL QB right now I have to go with the either Mallett, or the red rocket Andy Dalton from TCU. To me if Dalton gets drafted to a team where he can have a chance to be the guy or even have a chance to be a back up for a year and then be the guy I think he will be the one to prove himself first. Now there is one QB I haven't talked about at all and a lot of people aren't talking about at all even though he is one year removed from a national title, and that is Mcelroy from Alabama. While he isn't a top of the draft guy to me if he gets in the right place he could be a great NFL QB some day. Obviously I didn't talk about a lot of big names that doesn't mean I am not going to be watching them and doesn't mean I don't like them or anything I just was focused on QB's cause it seeems like everyone else is as well.

    I know we all love a good buzzer beater but last nights Spurs game was on a whole different level. I mean talk about a game changer there was no way the Grizzlies were going to get that OT win last night after Neal drove that dagger through the heart of all Grizzlies fans. First Ginobili sinks what looks like a crazy game tying 3 fading away but not really cause you could tell his foot was on the line, but still without that shot the game is over. Then the Grizzlies inbound get fouled make their shots, Spurs down 3 take the time out get the ball in to Neal from like 28 feet out and he nails it!! That was so intense everyone went crazy when Manu hit the first one then they calmed down and then right as they calmed down and took their attention off the game BAM Neal sinks the shot. I know the chances are that the Grizzlies still win the series but still you can't tell me that wasn't one of the craziest buzzer beaters you have seen in a long time. There are 3 games on tonight and all three games can be series enders, I think that 2 of them will end tonight and one will go to a game 7. The two that I think will end tonight are the Mavericks and the Lakers, if both teams play like they did in the previous games then they will be fine. Yes I know the Mav's blew a huge lead in game 4 but still to me they are the better team, and the deeper they get the better chance they have of Butler coming back and while he won't make a huge difference at first he is still a great add to this already really dangerous team. I told you this years playoffs would be better then any we have seen in a while, and this is just the first round! Rounds two and three and the grand finale are going to be better then ever! The Magic also play tonight and I think since Howard was in foul trouble the last game and his team finally realized hey we can do this without him if we HAD to, now I think we will see a little different Magic team.

   Thats all I got for now but I will be back later with a whole post just for baseball so make sure to check back later tonight.
   

  

Nooo!

   I knew that the Mav's would have a tough time in Portland and I did say they would take at least one game if not two. Well we know they won't get 2 cause they let tonights game slip away from them in the 4th quarter, instead of dominating the 4th quarter like they did in games 1 and 2. I don't think they went to Dirk enough in the 4 quarter tonight either that or the Blazers did a better job not letting him get the ball, either way the Mav's lost. A big reason for their loss was their missed free throws in the 4th quarter, I think Dirk missed 1 or 2 and Hayword missed at least 2 he is horrible at freethrows I don't think he has made a free throw all sereis. I have faith in the Mav's to get game 4 and take it back to Dallas 3-1 (knock on wood!!).

   After a rough couple outtings for King Felix he as back to his old self today dealing against the A's. I know that A's aren't much of an offensive threat but still, a lot of people were picking them as the darkhorse team that would surprise a lot of people this year. Beckett had another great outting although he gave up the 2 runs to tie the game, which is now in the 11th inning, he has been great for them his last 3 outtings 2 runs in 8 innings which should be enough with that offense. Boston just took a 1 run lead in the top of the 11th lets see if they can hold on for the win. The 2 biggest surprises to me would be the Indians and the Royals, I know the Royals have a lot of good young talent and people were expecting them to be good next year but they have a talented group of guys that have started off the season great. The Indians bats were not as hot tonight as they have been recently and that is why the Royals were able to sneak away with this one if you ask me. Sure the Indians had the lead most of the game but 2 runs isn't much insurance when your going up against a team as hot as the Royals especially when it comes to come back wins or walk off hits.  There are 2 great pitching match ups tomorrow the first is the Red Sox v. the Angels and Lester v. Haren in what should be a great game, IF Boston can get there bats hot then they have potential to be a great team with the way Beckett and Lester have been pitching, the key word obviously is if. The other great pitching match up to watch for is the Braves v. Giants and Hanson v. Bumgarner, the Braves went out and got Uggla who has been struggling to start the season but once his bat gets going their offense will be right up there with everyone elses, which is a scary thing if they can get their pitchers pitching to their full potential. A young pitcher to watch that most people don't know about just yet is Hellickson of the Rays, he has been great this year and is the #1 pitching prospect in baseball right now. With the way the Rays have picked up their offense I wouldn't be surprised if Hellickson got another W tomorrow.

Home Court

   There are 3 NBA playoff games on tonight, and all 3 have the home team down 2-0, is tonight the night that they can start to turn it around? A lot of people are saying that the Blazers and the Pacers will have great chances to get a win tonight there first home game of the series. I know that both teams have played hard in both their road games and the Pacers made both games close, and the Blazers made the first game close and most of the second. But if you ask me I still think that for one the Bulls are a much better team then the Pacers, I know that the Pacers do have a lot of good players, even a UNM alumni in Danny Granger but I just think the Bulls weren't playing at 100% in both games. Now the other series with Dallas and Portland I can see why people would think that Portland can even this series up going back to Dallas because a lot of people don't like to trust Dallas in the playoffs, but to me this isn't the same old Mav's team, they play defense and they have at least 3 other people other then Dirk that can score in double figures, not to mention one of the best closers in the game. I know Portland has a lot of talent and they do match up well with the Mav's but I think this Mav's team is better all around then some of the past and I think they will get at least one of these games in Portland if not get them both. I know its the playoffs but Dallas was a great road team this year I know the playoffs are different but still they are fine on the road. As far as the Heat v. Sixers series it would seem that the Heat have that one all wrapped up. That Sixer team is talented though and will jump all over the Heat if they let up at all in these 2 games on the road. Not playing great when they think they don't have to is something the Heat have been known for during the season, but now that its the playoffs I doubt it will happen. I am just saying if it does this Sixers team will not let that opportunity get away from them no way.

Back in Time

   I thought that the Lakers would have come out with a little more fire then they did in game one that is for sure. But that being said I also didn't think they would be facing the real CP3 not the CP3 we have seen this season who has struggled hitting jump shots and not been as explosive, he still has been getting his teammates involved as much as always. I think that he took the Lakers by surprise I think maybe they were thinking that after his knee went out that he lost a step, I think most everyone thought taht until that first game. I know that the Lakers didn't get anything really out of their big men which to me was a bigger surprise then CP3 doing what we all remember him for. There is no way Pau and Bynum can get out worked by the Hornets front court and still expect to win this series. The Lakers are the better team it just seems that when they think they can coast they will coast and this is playoffs and it doesn't matter who you are playing you can't coast through any of the games. As far as the Spurs losing to the Grizzlies I can't say I am shocked the Grizzlies front court is good sure they are young and don't have anywhere near the number of playoff games under their belts as the front court of the Spurs but that didn't seem to bother them in game one. I am not saying they can win the series but they spread the ball around and can get good games from a number of different players. I think that if the Grizzlies front court can keep up that same level of play the whole series then the Spurs are going to be in big trouble moving forward. Now on to the other "upset" which I can't really  say to me is that much of an upset, yes the Magic have one of the best players in the league in Howard but when no one else steps up around him how can you expect them to beat a team like the Hawks, especially with Joe Johnson playing as well as he did in game 1. The Hawks are a much more balanced team then the Magic are and if the Magic are going to get back on track they are going to need a consistant number two scorer, I know Nelson had 20+ points but he got them all in the 3rd quarter when they were already getting beat pretty bad. Last night the Bulls out lasted the Pacers once again and I know everyone is ready to jump off the Bulls bandwagon because of a few bad games. I expect them to get back to their deffensive ways and there is no way they are going to turn the ball over as much as they did last night. Maybe now that they are in the playoffs and actually have expectation they are a little nervous I don't expect it to go on much longer. I think they come out in game 3 and show everyone that they are the team we all thought they were. Yes they do rely on Rose a lot but I think that with Boozer having the game he did last night they now know he is the guy they thought, that is the whole reason they brought him in was for his 20-12 playoff numbers and he came through for them last night. The only reason that game was so close was cause the Bulls kept turn the ball over everytime you turned around it was another Bulls turnover I don't expect it to be like that again.

    Now on to tonights games, the first game up is the Knicks v. the Celtics and if you ask me the Knicks should be leading this series 1-0 instead of the other way around. They seem to play great until they get into the 4th quarter then it all goes out the window which I don't understand. I know they were without Billups at the point which hurts a little as well, but when Amare is that hot and Melo that cold it should be obvious who your going to down the stretch, even if its not every time down the court at least get him 2 or 3 touches. In all fairness Melo is one of the best closers in the game right now and what happened to him in game 1 doesn't happen often at all, I expect a huge game from him tonight I say he goes for 30+ and Amare stays hot. I think that not having Billups out there for a whole game will hurt them a little but Douglas has shown he is a legit back up, no he isn't Mr. Big Shot but Melo can usually be that guy also. I think that the Knicks come out strong in game 2 and get a huge W taking it to 1-1 going back to MSG. Now as far as the second game goes with the Blazers v. Mavericks, I know the first game wasn't pretty for the Mav's as the got out shot from the floor by 6%. However they killed it from 3 point land which they need to continue to do throught the playoffs and with one of the best jump shooters ever and one of the best 3-point shooters ever (as far as makes go) they should be fine in that department. They need to continue to not let Wallace have a big game they did a pretty good job stopping everyone expect Miller and Aldrige and Aldrige is going to get his there is no doubt about that but when you hold there other scorers to under double digits there isn't much else you can ask for. I know that Wallace and Roy probably won't be in single digits every game of the series but neither with Chandler or Marion I mean the Mav's had a really bad game and they still were able to hold off the Blazers, I know the big reason is cause of Dirk and his ability to close games out but still I say they come out tonight and play a much better game and get the W making it 2-0 while they hit the road.

Will the Lakers drop the ball for Phil

    This is the 4th chance at a 3-peat for Lakers coach Phil Jackson and what will be his last season coaching as well. Can the Lakers win again for the 3rd straight year in a row, yes there is no doubt in my mind they can. But they will need a healthy Bynum to do that, I know he played with pain in his knee last year and still was a key part of what they did. So I expect him to be in there maybe not a lot in the first round but after that he will be key to the Lakers in any matchup they have. If the Lakers were to not win though it wouldn't surprise me very much. It wouldn't even surprise me if they don't eve come out of the West and make it to the Finals. I wouldn't be surprised or disapointed with a OKC v. Chicago final and I am sure everyone else would enjoy it as well. Do the young guys have what it takes to really get through the playoffs that is yet to be seen, we have seen them in there for a year but now they have expectation and we all know what that can do to someone not knowing how to handle it, anyways more on that later.

   As far as baseball goes if you thought Cruz was off to a good start you seemed to have made Tulo mad. The man is on fire already at 7 homeruns with 4 in the 4 games they played against the Mets, the man is just on fire and hitting everything thrown his way. Tomorrow the O's pitcher Britton is making another start this time against the Inidians who have been hitting well as of late, but Britton has been great in his first few starts I really think he is going to be a quality pitcher for these guys all year. I know they didn't want to have to bring him up till late April early May but the kid has handled it so well and just been lights out. Weaver is on the mound after that 15 K outting last time out he now has to deal with a White Sox team that has been hitting decent, if not for their closer their record would refelct their talent. A really great matchup tomorrow not just pitchers but all around teams is the Rangers v. Yankees series that starts tomorrow. The Rangers have Matt Harrison who will be looking to continue to be strong for the Rangers and get them some quality innings against this dangerous Yankee lineup. The Yankees have their young pitcher Nova out on the mound who I really think is and will be a great pitcher. I liked what I saw with him when he was on the Red Sox v. Yankee game on ESPN, this will be a great game to start the series but I am hoping the Rangers get back to hitting like they were before the 2 loses and pull out the win.

    Now for the West's side of the first round of the playoffs, this side has to be the strongest from top to bottom and has the biggest chance at an upset. Saturday for the west the Blazer v. Mavericks in what many people think will be an upset, let me just tell you I know the Mav's have fallen short in years past in the playoffs but this team seems so much different then those ones to me. This team is tougher it plays better deffense and IF they get Butler back they will have many different ways to hurt you on the offensive ends. I think that if Dirk did work in the paint as well as his mid range game then they would for sure take the Blazers down with ease. Now I really like the Blazers and if they were going up against almost any other team I would be tempeted to take them for the upset but I just can't go against my Mav's in the first round. I know that might be stupid because with the Wallace trade this Portland team is really strong I just have faith in my Mav's. Now for Sunday we have the Grizzlies v. the Spurs in another great first round match up, I know the Grizzlies lost Gay and that really killed them but they still have shown they are a good team. I wouldn't be surprised if Manu doesn't come back for this series if it doesn't go to at least 6 games. I really wouldn't even be surprised if they won, but Randolph would need to play at an unreal level for that to happen. Next up Sunday is the Lakers v. Hornets in what should be an easy series for the Lakers and I know that is what we said about the Thunder for them last year. But I look for the Lakers to want to show everyone they are ready for the playoffs and they are the team to beat, I look for them to sweep the Hornets especially if Bynum is healthy. Last but no where near least is the Nuggets v. Thunder series and this one is just like the Mavericks series for me, if the Nuggets were playing anyone else I would probably pick them to win, but I think the Thunder are hungry and are ready to prove they belong up there at the top right there with the Lakers and Spurs in the West. I am really excited about the Wests playoff due to the fact that all these teams are so close in talent unlike the East, even though the East is better then years past I still think this will be a great playoff.

Not again!

   I really didn't think that having Hamilton out would effect the Rangers as much as it seemed to, or maybe Scherzer was on or something. But they only  scored 2 runs off 9 hits and it just didn't seem like they had their A game today, I wish I could have watched the game on TV to actually know but I don't have MLB extra innings so I am stuck with like maybe 1 D-Backs game a day if I am lucky. I am not worried about the Rangers I think maybe they were a little over worked they have a day off tomorrow I expect them to bounce back strong from this and put up a few more wins in a row. I knew that with Doc on the mound there was no way the Phillies would lose. The score makes it seem a lot closer then it was, the Nats didn't score a run till the 9th inning and they left Doc out there so maybe he was a little gased but still he got the job done. I wish they would have let the closer come in though cause I just picked him up on my fantasy team because Lidge is going to be out till the all star break. I also have the White Sox closer Thorton on 2 of my teams or at least I have him on one and dropped him on the other, I would have dropped him from both but there isn't a better option in my other league. I totally forgot that Josh Johnson was pitching for the Marlins today or else I never would have picked the Braves to beat them. Johnson was on tonight he went 7 1/3 hitless innings and struck out 9 and left the game after the no no was broken up. I know Drabek wasn't perfect today but he did only give up 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings which isn't bad I know he left the game down by 1 but he still had a strong outting adding 5 strike outs as well. I think he will be a great pitcher by the all star break, I mean he already is good and some poeple were say his first game was a fluke but I just don't see it.

   The NBA playoffs are almost here and I can't wait this year will be one of the best playoffs we have had in awhile. Especially now that there are a few more good teams on the East side and epsecially with all the great teams out west and how everyone has a tough first round match up on the West. Saturday the Pacers face the Bulls for the first game of that series in which I think the Bull will sweep the Pacers. Maybe the Pacers win one game but I just don't think we have seen the Bulls at their best I think they are saving that 5th gear for the playoffs and we are about to see a really talented team surprise some people. Also on Saturday the Sixer play the Heat in what should be a decent series they both play the same style of basketball and if the Heat aren't careful they could lose a game or two to the Sixers. But I think we are going to see them turn it on in the post season, people have been saying how LeBron isn't a clutch player and while that might be true I think he has been saving himself for the playoffs this year I think he will take over a little bit and the Heat will crush the Sixer. Last but not least we have what I think is going to be one of the best first round match ups in the East. The Hawks v. the Magic and while the Hawks don't have someone that can stop Howard I think they have the players to really challenge the Magic. I also think these teams are pretty even talent wise except of couse for Howard. Which might be ok now that he can take over games on the offensive side of the ball as well they might be able to ride him through the first round or two of the playoffs, as long as their other can knock down shots when they need to. Then Sunday is my favorite first round matchup in the East and that of course is the Celtics v. the Knicks even though the Knicks are fully understanding how to play together they are getter REALLY close. Like I have said before as soon as they made this trade in fact, these guys will be a tough out in the playoffs and that still holds true today. I think the Knicks big 3 all have good playoff experience and one even has finals experience and finals MVP. Does that mean I think they will beat the Celtics no, but they have a really good chance especially the way the C's have been playing lately. If they don't get Shaq back and they are still playing like this Rondo in particular then I think the Knicks will beat them in 7.

Really?

   Man just as I thought everything was going great for the Rangers Hamilton goes and gets himself hurt after the third base coach sent him home on what really was a stupid play. There was no one covering the plate but the catcher was much closer then Hamilton and there was no reason to risk it. I know it was a close game but its the start of the season no need to risk your best player like that. Of course he slides head first and breaks some bone on the right shoulder or arm or something and is now out 6-8 weeks! That was peoples knock on him and Cruz is that they are great players but are never there for the whole season. I know that is usually the case with both of them but I was hoping for them both to be in 150 games this year and now that isn't going to happen I just hope Cruz stays healthy. There have been a lot of injuries to start the season lets hope that we are just getting them out of the way now and that way we can come down the back end of the season with everyone healthy and playing at 100%. Today there was a lot of good pitching match ups but it seemed like no one except Haren had their best stuff today. I know Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter didn't have anywhere near his best stuff as the D-Backs hammered him tonight in route to their 13-8 win over the Red Birds, but to take something positive away from this for the Cardinals is that Pujols went 3-5. Now I was sure that with Lester on the mound the Red Sox would be able to pull off a win agains the Rays and I know the Rays had their ace David Price out there who is one of my favorite pitchers and he just got it done today against the struggling Red Sox. Price got his first win of the young season going 7 2/3 innings giving up 2 runs off 5 hits with 2 walks and 3 K's. Lester on the other hand suffered his first loss of the season going 7 innings giving up 3 runs off 7 hits with 2 walks and 8 K's. Now with a lineup like the Red Sox have 3 runs should be good enough for Lester to get the W, I know this wasn't his best outting of the season but still that offense needs to pick it up and needs to do so fast. I know its the start of the season and baseball season is long to say the least, but I mean you can only call it a slow start for so long. I know they are a really talented team on the field and at the plate but lately they just aren't showing it.

     Tomorrow there are not many great pitching match ups but I will go ahead and give my picks for all the games we have going on tomorrow and see how I do my second time around. The first game is the Rangers v. the Tigers and the Rangers have lost some of their pitching in the double header they had over the weekend so they aren't starting Colby Lewis their usually number 2 guy. That could make it tough on the pitching staff tomorrow as the Tigers are a very good team at the plate, I just don't know if they are as good as Texas and while Hamilton is out I still think the Rangers bounce back from their loss today with a win tomorrow. Next the Royals v. the Twins and the Twins have been off to a little bit of a slow start but tomorrow they have Liriano on the mound and if he can give them a quality start I think they have this one in the bag if not they Royals will pile up the hits and edge this one out. I will go with the Twins though I think once they get their bats going they are only going to get better. The A's v. the White Sox since the A's haven't really been hitting well either I am going to take the White Sox to get them again tomorrow. The Blue Jays v. the Mariners as the Jays send Kyle Drabek back out for his 3rd start and some people are saying his first outting was a fluke and I still think he has something going for him I look for him to have another strong showing tomorrow in the Jays win over the M's. The Reds v. the Padres and Wood takes the mound again for the Reds I think he will be a little to much for the Padres tomorrow as will the Reds bats. The Indians v. the Angels and since the Angels don't have an ace on the mound tomorrow I think the red hot hitting Indians win tomorrow. O's v.  the Yankees as the O's send Tillman out to face Burnett as long as the O's can get some runs I think they can win this one, and I think they are going to win this series actually and let a lot of people know they are at the top of the AL East and they belong their as of right now. Philly v. Washington and I really think that the Nats did a great job adding players in the off season to make them better I just don't think they have a shot at winning against who might be the best pitcher in baseball right now Doc Holladay, that being said Phillies win. One quick thought on the Nats, if they get those bats going they could be a dangerous team especially next year with Strasburg coming back and maybe the chance Harper is up in the bigs by then. The next game would be the Brewers v. the Pirates and the Pirates have some good young talent on the offensive side but they do still need some pitching to get to where they want to be. The Brewers have it on the mound and at the plate and I think they take this one tomorrow. The Rays going for a sweep of the Red Sox tomorrow as the Sox put Lackey on the mound I think if the Rays can beat Lester they can for sure beat Lackey. The real question is have they turned it around or has the past few days just been because they have been playing a team who is also struggling I don't know, Rays win. The Braves v. the Marlins tomorrow and while the Marlins have a lot of young talent they are not there just yet. They will win their share of games this year thats for sure but they need Hanley Ramirez to get going and they will be much better, Braves win. The Rockies v. the Mets and no one thought the Mets would be as good as they have been, but tomorrow the Rockies have Rogers out on the mound who did a great job his last time out I think he has another one tomorrow in a close win over the Mets. The Cubs v. the Astros and while both teams have good pitchers on the mound I think the Cubs will edge them out tomorrow for the win. The Cardinals v. the D-Backs and while the Cards are supposed to be a great team and the D-Backs well not so much I have seen a lot more good things from the D-Backs this year then the Cardinals but that being said I think the Cardinals win this one. The Dodger v. Giants tomorrow for the series and I think the Giants will pull this one off with a little better offense.

I guess not so much

   I mean yesterday was a great sign for the Boston Red Sox the way Beckett went out there and threw. But right after they take a step forward it seems they always follow it with 2 steps back.  Matsuzaka was horrible tonight I mean and that is being nice about it, it really did look like he was throwing batting practice in that second inning. In the first he looked great he wasn't throw from beind in the count he hadn't thrown a ball yet, I mean yeah he gave up the home run but you can live with that as long as he kept throw good strikes like he was. But then in the second he started leaving the ball up in the zone and making no adjustments at all once he started to get pounded. This guy has good stuff I just don't understand what has happened to him since he went 18-3. I do however think that if  they can get Beckett to pitch like he did last outting and they have Lester all they will need is their offense to get up to speed and they will be a pretty good team. Will they be in the World Series like everyone thought I don't know I don't think so but who knows there are still what 152 games left so who knows. The Rangers got another great outting from Ogando who went to 2-0 after the W today. He went 7 innings giving up 2 hits 0 runs 1 walk and 4 strike outs, he did leave with a blister I am not sure if it is serious or not I am hoping it is no big deal. The Rangers are showing that last year wasn't a fluke that they are here to stay. I knew it all along I knew it 3 years ago when they just fell short but they had that core group just starting to get noticed. I am not positive on this but I think the Mets might be looking to deal K-Rod at the deadline and the Rangers are looking for a good closer so they can try and stretch Feliz out so maybe that will go down and we can see if Feliz has what it takes as a starter. I guess at this point in the season the Indians are a bigger story then the O's are plus I have talked a lot about the O's already and not so much about the Indians who are the second hottest team in baseball right now behind the Rangers. The Indians pick up their 8th straight win today as their middle infield continues to carry them on the field and at the plate. Talbot their starter went 8 innings gave up 0 runs off 5 hits with 2 walks and 4 K's. They beat the Angels who are off to a .500 start but really have to be asking themselves what they were thinking paying that much money for Wells, who has a .091 batting average to start the year. A rare bad outting tonight from King Felix against the Blue Jays as they are up 7-0 in the bottom of the 7th right now. That is not the case however with the Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw who is having another great outting, tonight its against the defending world champ Giants. Kershaw went 6 2/3 innings giving up 0 runs off 6 hits with 2 walks and 7 K's. That game is about to be finished and unless the Giants get 7 in the bottom of the 9th that will bring Kershaws record to 2-1 this year. Matt Latos made his first start today against the Reds and was looking great through the first few innings ended up going 6 innings gave up 3 runs off 4 hits with 2 walks and 7 K's. The runs came off of home runs he gave up 2 of them and that is what seemed to kill him today. To me this was a good first start especially against a top offense if the leageu which the Reds are for sure.

   Lets get to tomorrows games and who I feel good about and maybe some matchups to watch for. The O's v. the Yankees tomorrow and the O's have Tillman on the mound while the Yankees have Burnett out there this is another test for the O's if they want everyone to start believing in them they are going to have to start beating the top teams and the Yankees are just that at the moment. If the O's can take the series from the Yankees which is totally possible then I think people will start taking them a little more serious. Another great match up tomorrow is going to be the Red Sox v. the Rays because both teams have their ace on the mound tomorrow it will be Price v. Lester as both the struggling teams try to get on track. I think that the Sox will take this one tomorrow, yes their offense has been struggling but so has the Rays and tomorrow they will be seeing a much better pitcher then they did tonight I think the Sox win tomorrow. One more good pitching match up tomorrow is the The A's trevor Cahill v. the White Sox Edwin Jackson, both are off to great starts this year, I think the White Sox have a little better bats then the A's but Cahill has been throwing really good the question is will his team be able to give him the run support he needs to get the W tomorrow. Galarraga is up against Carpenter tomorrow for another great pitching match up as well as a great match up all around. People have been writting the D-Backs off this year like they are going to be a last place team or something, the offense they have their is above average as long as they can get their pitchers to give them quality innings they should be alright. To bad Lincecum is throwing for the Giants tomorrow night and not tonight or else we would have seen one great game between the Dodgers and the Giants, at least we get to see 2 great pitchers just not in the same game. I like the Giants in that one tomorrow just cause Lincecum has really gotten off to a great start and if not for an error would most likely be 2-0 right now.

    Just as we thought we had everything figured out for the NBA playoffs the Lakers fall apart once they figure they won't catch the Spurs and who knows what has happened to the Celtics. But it seems more and more likely everyday that this year there just might be new teams in the NBA finals instead of the same as the past 3 years. I am still not 100% sold that OKC will be able to beat the Lakers in the playoffs but if both teams play the way they have been the past few days then the Thunder will roll right through them but who knows. I think that like I sais since the Lakers know now that they can't catch the Spurs for best record they have taken their foot off the gas pedal, and put it in coast mode till the playoffs. If they are that team we saw post all star break then I don't see a team in the NBA that will be better then them. But I will tell you this the Celtics are not in the same spot they were last year like some people think. I know they closed out last season bad as well and I know that people were saying they were to old last year and they still pulled it off. But this year is totally different first off their is a lot more talent in the east this year, the Bulls, Heat, Knicks, and Magic are all teams that can threaten the Celtics shot at getting back to finals. Also they lost Perk who was a huge part of not only what they do on the defensive end but who they are and what they are like. He isn't they offensive type player so some people think that the Celtics got the better end of the deal cause Green is a scorer but the Celtics said themselves if they would have had Perk last year they would have won the title and they DID win it with him in 08 so I just am not seeing how its the same for the C's this year as last, I don't think they will get out of the East.

Soo close but yet soo far

   I know that a lot of those putts Tiger missed this weekend should have been easily made but they weren't. Sure he did just miss a few tough tough putts that could have made up for the ones he just gave away. I was so ready for him to take the lead all by himself when he hit that amazing shot on 15 to get within what like 2-3 feet for Eagle and then miss it! I mean sure he was now tied for the lead but he only had 3 holes left and most of the people closing in on him had at lead 7-8. Imagine if he eagles that hole, he would have been a totally different man the last 3 holes and who is to say he wouldn't have made a birdie or two which would have eventually forced a playoff. That is if with him so many shots up the guys no finishing up didn't choke it away and just give it to Tiger. But no of course that isn't what happened, he missed the putt that was right there just like he had been doing all weekend. I mean except for his first eagle putt he had which was MUCH MUCH farther away then his missed one. The one good thing to take away from this weekend is he is right there, and that I am pretty sure my prodiction is correct, as soon as he wins and remembers hey many I freaking Tiger Woods! Then that is when golf will be back to the way it was and Tiger will be back to the way he was, mark my words. I am sad that he didn't bring the jacket home but hey at least I was right when I said he would finish in the top 5. I know I know I said Phil would finish top 5 too but he just couldn't seem to keep it on the fairway, you can only hit so many great shots out of the pine needles and rough and trees and still be atop the leader board.

    I know everyone in Boston was probably paniced coming into the series with the Yankees as they were 0-6 and there were no signs of things to get better. Then they took the first one from the Yankees, and there were signs of hope but only for a day as they lost the next game. But then came last night where Josh Beckett was back to the Beckett of '07 and if they want to compete that is what they are going to have to get from him. Lester has done his job for the most part during his starts, sure he has yet to pick up a win but his last outting was a quality start it was the offense that let him down. This isn't a team that is going to need their pitchers to hold the other team to 1-2 runs all season trust me. Crawford will get going and so will the rest of the team, they are big hitters especially in that ballpark. That doesn't mean that their pitchers can continue to pitch the way they did the first 5 games. They should be in the hunt for the top spot in that division but they will need to play up to their full potential in order to do that.

   Right about now the Rangers are getting ready to send Ogando out to the mound for his second outting and he will be facing some big bats in the Tigers lineup. Can he come out and continue to dominate the way he did his last outting, I say yes. He has a high 90's fast ball and a nasty slider and as long as he throws strikes and keeps it low in the zone he should be able to at least get out of their with his team out in front. Sure the Rangers bats have some what slowed down, I mean they had to slow down a little bit you couldn't expect a home run a game from Cruz and Kinsler. I just hope that the back end of this rotation is for real, I mean Harrison seems to be legit now that I have seen him in 2 starts I can get a little better read on him, but still nothing is for sure as we aren't even through 1/10 of his starts yet. I know that Hunter will be coming back and Webb will be healthy hopefully at some point in the season haha. But until then I actually have faith in the guys we have in their now. As long as the bats continue to do what they do the Rangers should be fine.

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Way to bounce back

   I knew that after his last outting Lincecum would want to strike out as many as he could this time and take the chance out of the game, since last time he pitched his team let him down in the field and he ended up losing. I knew he would want to come out strong tonight I just didn't know how strong, but man was he on tonight going 7 innings giving up 1 run off 3 hits with 0 walks and 13 K's, this was his 27th 10+ strike out game of his career. I was worried how the Rangers bats would hold up against King Felix and rightfully so, but they found a way to do it again tonight moving to 6-0 on the year. Felix was still Felix going 7 innings giving up 4 runs only 2 earned off 6 hits with 3 walks and 6 K's. The Rangers ace was on the mound as well and he had another good outting  this time though it was good enough for the win. The Rangers weren't exactly mashing the ball like they have been to start the year but they will make you pay if you let them get on base and that is what makes them so dangerous. Yeah they hit the long ball but they also do the little things and if their pitching can hold up through the year I look for them to be right where they were last year at the end of the year. Now on to the Red Sox who continue to struggle tonight behind Matsuzaka they now fall to 0-5 the one good thing they have going for them is their ace Lester is on the hill tomorrow and Crawford seems to have found his stroke. They really need this win tomorrow they don't want to go into the series with the Yankees at 0-6 especially the way the Yankees are playing as of late. I think maybe the Sox are pressing a little bit with all those expectation of them they maybe thought things would be easier then they are for them this year. That division is going to be closer then people thought and watch out for the O's to compete as long as their pitchers can stay healthy. Another team that has yet to lose is the Reds who had another great game tonight behind Volquez who was a little shaky to start the game but once he got settled down and the Reds started to hit everything was fine. Someone I think will have another great year this year that a lot of people haven't really heard of is Drew Stubbs the Reds center fielder he could be a 20-20 guy this year it wouldn't surprise me at all. I am glad to see the pitchers having good outtings today Lincecum as well as Verlander had great outtings tonight and I look for Lester to have a good go tomorrow. I think that last year wasn't a fluke I think that we have some really amazing talent at the pitcher position.

   I think that is enough of that for now I will get on to my picks for tomorrows match ups. First up we have
the Red Sox looking for their first win in their last game against the Indians and with Lester on the hill I think they finally get that first win, I also think the rest of the Sox will get their sticks going tomorrow in what might be a blow out win for them. The Astros v. the Reds and I believe the Reds will continue their winning ways, with that lineup they have they can feel confident against anyone, Reds win. The A's take on the Jays again tomorrow only tomorrow the A's senf Cahill to the mound who I think is a great young talent coming off an 18 win season last year I expect him to pick up right where he left off. I know the A's bats have been disapointing this year they brought in Matsui and them to produce and I think they will and once they do the A's will be that team everyone expected them to be, A's win. The Twins face the Yankees tomorrow and as long as the Twins can get their bats going I think they have a great chance to win this one with the Yankees butt Burnett out their on the hill. I know that the Yankees are back to mashing the ball especially the way A-Rod has been playing they could really contend this year, and if you know me you know how much it pains me to say that but its true. I mean their lineup is deadly and their bull pen is lights out their one flaw might be a few of their starting pitchers, I think they do however have a great young talent in Nova I think he will carry the back end of that rotation for them this year, that being said Twins win. The Rockies v. the Pirates tomorrow as the Pirates are finally at home and are hitting the ball great. The thing is the Rockies big bats have finally gotten going and that is a bad thing for anyone they play, Rockies win. Next the Braves face the Brewers and these are expected to be 2 of the best teams in the NL this year but tomorrow I think the Braves have a better pitcher on the hill. They are hitting well too the only one not hitting well for the Braves is Uggla and once he gets going watch out that lineup will be deadly, I think once the Brewers get healthy they will be right there with the Braves just tomorrow they Braves Hanson will throw a gem in their win over the Brew crew. The Rays v. the White Sox as the Rays search for their first win they have their ace David Price on the mound tomorrow which usually is a for sure win but the way they have been swinging the bat lately nothing is for sure, especially when the White Sox have a really good pitcher going for them as well in Jackson this should be a great pitchers duel and I look for the White Sox to pull it off in the late innings after Price has left the game. The Mets v. the Phillies and the Phillies send Doc out there for his second start and he is in search of his first win I expect him to cool down the hot bats of the Mets and go all 9 innings in their win over the Mets. The Tigers look to win back to back games over the O's tomorrow although I think with Tillman on the mound for the O's it will be a little harder for them. They have the power to put runs on the board in a hurry that is for sure, but so do the O's and I look for the O's to bounce back and get the W tomorrow. Last but not least he Nats v. the Marlins and with another ace on the hill I think that says it all as the Marlins send Josh Jonhson out their, I think that will be the key to their win tomorrow giving them 2 in a row.


   The Masters start tomorrow and I am excited because I know Tiger has been horrible up to now but if he is going to show up anywhere it will be here. I look for him to finish top 5 or better and I think lefty will do the same.

   There are no basketball games tomorrow and the Lakers are down by 14 right now to the Warriors and if they lose this will be their 3rd straight loss. I don't think they will I thin Kobe will somehow pull them back into this game and they will win in the last second or so at least I hope thats what happens. The Heat lost tonight to the Bucks as they were without D-Wade, to me if they don't have all their big 3 in the lineup they have no shot. The reason for that is they account for what 75-80% of the Heats offense and Wade also has been showing up big on both ends of the court. I am sick of people saying that LBJ is giving Rose a run for his money as MVP, there is no way! I mean yeah sure his numbers are great but look who he has along side him. LeBron isn't even in my top 3 its Rose, Howard, then Kobe and there is no way anyone could argue different or at least I don't think they could. More basketball and baseball tomorrow!

Pick Me Pick Me!

  Since none of the NBA games were on TV tonight I will just give my picks for tomorrows games before the games tonight are finished. With the recent events in the West the Lakers are closing in on the Spurs but they won't be able to make any ground up tonight as the Spurs pulled off the win against the Hawks meaning the Lakers can only hold it as is or lose ground if they drop this game tonight to the Jazz. They have only lost 2 games since the All Star break and it was only 1 before they lost to the Nuggets this past weekend. Everyone keeps saying how the Blazers are the team no one wants to face in the playoffs but I disagree, other then the obvious choices I would go with the Nuggets as the team people are not looking forward to seeing in the post season. I know that the Nuggets lost tonight to the Thunder who I really think will give the Lakers all they can handle in post season, if and when they meet. I mean last year the Thunder almost beat the Lakers and that was without Perk and when they were much younger and pretty much all KD all day. Now they Thunder can hurt you in a couple ways on the offensive end and they have Perk and Ibaka down low and I really think that either them or the Laker will be repping the West in the Championship game. I really have my heart set on the Mav's being the West's team but they will really need to pick up their play here in the stretch towards the playoffs or else they are going to go into the post season playing their worst ball of the year.

  Ok lets get to my picks for the games that are taking place tomorrow night. First up is the Wizards v. the Pacers and the Wizards aren't the best road team and they played tonight so I will take the Pacers in that one. Next is the Knicks v. the Sixers and while they both played tonight and one won and the other lost I am not sure about this one its a toss up and every time I pick the Knicks they let me down. That being said I think they are finally starting to figure out how to play with each other and I think that they will continue to show that tomorrow night while they beat the Sixers. The Cav's vs. the Raptors tomorrow will be a great  game so good it should be on TV lol just kidding. The Cav's won tonight but I don't think they have what it takes to knock out 2 in a row and just because of that I am  taking the Raptors. The Magic take on the Bobcats tomorrow and like I have said many times the Magic have what would be the MVP if not for Rose in Howard and I think there is no way the Bobcats will have an answer for him, and with Nelson playing the way he has been lately that makes the Magic very deadly, Magic win. The Nets v. the Pistons and while the Nets have Williams back I am not sure if they will be able to hang with the Pistons who can play with anybody if they play 100%, that being said I think that now Williams in on the Nets he wants to show everyone he can win with anyone and he has done that so far with them, Nets win. The Rockets v. the Hornets tomorrow and since the Hornets are at home and the Rockets played tonight I am taking the Hornets in this one. The Bucks travel to take on the Heat tomorrow, and the Heat are playing great at the right time and I think they will run throught the Bucks like they do every bad team. The Suns v. the T-Wolves tomorrow and while the T-Wolves have Love and Beasley I just think that now that Nash is healthy the Suns will win these games where they are going against people they equal to or better than, Suns win. The Clippers v. the Thunder and as I said in my opening paragraph I really like the Thunder especially after the trade, I think they will stop Blake and Durrant will continue to dominate like he has been the past couple games trying to get his point per game average up as much as possible over LBJ before the season is over, Thunder win. The Nuggets travel to take on the Mav's and since the Nuggets played a game tonight and the Mav's are at home and had the night off tonight I am taking the Mav's. I know they haven't been playing well lately but this will be a statement game for them to let people know they are the team we thought they were all year and you don't wanna play them in the post season. The Kings v. the Spurs tomorrow and even though the Spurs played tonight I think they will be able to pull off the win tomorrow night as well. Last but not least the Laker v. the Warriors and while the Warriors can score a lot and fast I still think the red hot Lakers will be to much for them inside, Lakers win...Kobe.

   Tomorrow there are some good pitching match ups that I will touch on real fast also I will talk a little more about the season so far. Tomorrow the Rangers face their second really good pitcher of the year their first was Lester of the Red Sox. Tomorrow is the best of the best though in King Felix, who will try and slow down the league most powerfull offense. The Rangers will have their ace on the hill in C.J. Wilson who didn't get the win his first outting but the team still pull it out after he had left. If the Rangers can get ahead early that would be huge but if not all they need to do is keep it within 1 or so until Felix has to hand it over to the bull pen and hope they can get the W then. That is if he hands it over to the bull pen his last outting he went all 9 innings giving up only 2 runs off 5 hits with no walks and 5 K's. Granted the Rangers offense is much better then the A's but they don't call him King Felix for nothing. That being said I look for the Rangers to win by 1 or 2 runs late in the game. Also Lincecum will look to really take control this time out there after having an error cost him his last outting. He pitched near perfect going 7 innings giving up 1 uneared run off 5 hits with 3 walks and 5 K's. I am sure this time he will look to get ahead early and try and get as deep into the game as possible I really look for him to have a strong outting tomorrow just to make sure he gets the W. Another pitcher I think will be looking to bounce back after a rough first outting will be Justin Verlander. He went 6 innings giving up 3 runs off 3 hits with 4 walks and 8 K's he got the ND but still wasn't his best stuff and it was obvious, I look for the Tigers bats to have a much better day for him tomorrow as well. I mentioned earlier that I was worried about how Ogando would fair as a starter for the Rangers while their other pitchers are on the DL and he really had a strong outting. He went 6 innings gave up 0 runs off only 2 hits with 2 walks and 4 K's. I know that he will most likely be in the bull pen when their pitchers get healthy but it sure will be a battle for the number 5 spot once Hunter and Webb are healthy.

What a start

   Now I knew that the Rangers were going to be good this year, and I figured they would win the series with the Red Sox. Also I knew they had one of the best lineups in the game this year, I didn't know however that it would be this explosive this early. I know that if Cruz is healthy he can dominate but the power he has shown the first 4 games has been unreal. I love small ball baseball and I also love low scoring games but the thing is the Rangers don't just have power they can play small ball as well. The one thing that I am a littlw worried about is the back end of their rotation. I know Harrison's first outting was outstanding especially for him, but he has mad the starting rotation the last couple of years only to fall short after 6 or so starts. He did face on the best offenses he will see all year in his first start so that could be a good thing. But the back end is still unproven and there for I am not going to get excited just yet. I still have high hopes for Webb and Hunter both when they return, they don't need to lights out but as long as they can give the Rangers quality starts then they will be fine. The big question to me is tonights pitcher Ogando he is more of a bull pen type of guy but since the injuries to Webb and Hunter leave the Rangers with 2 less starter he has to fill in. He was supposed to be the closer if Feliz was moved to a starter roll but the Rangers obviously didn't have that much faith in him, seeing as how they said the reason Feliz wasn't starting was cause how bad their bull pen was this spring. Lets hope he can forget about any poor outtings he had during the spring and give the Rangers a quality start tonight so they can take home their 5th W in a row.

   The Rangers aren't the only team off to a hot start there are a few teams starting hot and one of them is of course the Phillies. Who actually let a great start by Halladay get away from them in the early innings only to win with a walk off single in the 9th inning. That was their first game the other 2 haven't been as close and as we all expected their pitching has really been lights out. To start of the season their ace Halladay went 6 innings giving up 1 run off 5 hits with no walks and 6 K's, unfortunately for him his team wasn't able to score any runs until after Halladay had left the game so he wasn't able to pick up the win with his great outting. Their next game Cliff Lee got the start and he was lights out as always going 7 innings giving up 3 runs off 4 hits walking none and 11 K's, the Phillies bats seemed to have woken up by Lee's start as they were up 8-3 when he left the game giving him the W. On to their 3rd Oswalt who continued the pitching dominance that we all expected of the Phillies starters. He went 6 innings giving up 2 runs off 5 hits and the 1 and only walk the Phillies starters have allowed all season to go along with 6 K's and the W.

   Now for the O's who are also a perfect 4-0 to the surprise of many, they have had a red hot start with their league leading pitching in everything possible. They have a combind era of 1.00 a whip of .89 and other teams BA against them is .152 also they lead the leauge in quality starts with 4. Their bats haven't got there just yet but their pitching and solid defense is what is carrying them to this 4-0 start, oh yeah I forgot to mention they are doing all this without their #1 pitcher! I am not saying the O's are going to win the AL of even with their division but they will compete and they are a team to watch this year as a darkhorse. Everyone was talking about the A's and all the talent they added on the mound but the O's have just as much talent they are just a tad younger.

   The Reds are also off to a great start and without one of their starting pitchers as well. This season has so far lived up to all my expectation and then some. Granted there has been a lot more injuries to key players then I would have liked but still so far so good. I know there has kinda been a lot more home runs then last year and I don't know if maybe MLB went back to a juiced ball of maybe pitchers are just off to a rocky start who knows. I really hope though that there are at least as many 20 game winners as last year if not a hand full more. I look for Clayton Kershaw to compete for the AL Cy Young this year his first start was outstanding and tonight he makes his second, if only I had MLB extra innings I could watch it. Well thats all I got for now I will be back later to do my NBA picks for tomorrow and talk NBA playoffs as well as talk about the NCAA National title game from last night