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.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, April 11, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
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