Apr 2010
Lakers Limp into Playoffs
04/18/10 10:28 Filed in: NBA
The Lakers should be raring to go.
Unfortunately, chronic injuries to Kobe, Drew Bynum’s yearly leg injury, Sasha’s severely sprained ankle, and a beat-up Jordan Farmar, combined with a first-round face-off with the young, powerful, up-and-coming OC Thunder, makes the entire playoff season look like a major undertaking. Geting through the Thunder will be no easy task, and it will only get more difficult facing the rest of the best in the powerful West (Poetry at no extra cost.).
Also, defending the likes of Kevin Durant in the playoffs is the job that the Lakers had in mind when they signed ron artest. He never had a melt-down during the regular season, but the pressure of the playoffs could mean a return to form for the masked psycho.
On another injury note, the injury to Brandon Roy plus the Sun’s hot finish likely will mean the Lakers avoiding a matchup with their Portland nemesis.
Unfortunately, chronic injuries to Kobe, Drew Bynum’s yearly leg injury, Sasha’s severely sprained ankle, and a beat-up Jordan Farmar, combined with a first-round face-off with the young, powerful, up-and-coming OC Thunder, makes the entire playoff season look like a major undertaking. Geting through the Thunder will be no easy task, and it will only get more difficult facing the rest of the best in the powerful West (Poetry at no extra cost.).
Also, defending the likes of Kevin Durant in the playoffs is the job that the Lakers had in mind when they signed ron artest. He never had a melt-down during the regular season, but the pressure of the playoffs could mean a return to form for the masked psycho.
On another injury note, the injury to Brandon Roy plus the Sun’s hot finish likely will mean the Lakers avoiding a matchup with their Portland nemesis.
theHoundDawg
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Not a Bad Day For Pitchers
04/18/10 08:59 Filed in: Baseball
Pitching ruled baseball yesterday.
There were five shutouts yesterday among MLB’s 15 games, but the most incredible pitching performance ended in a 2-1 score. IF you missed it, the Cardinals and Met played 18 innings before a run was scored by either team. Both teams managed runs in the 19th, and NY finally put the game away by scoring a second run in their 20th frame.
Met pitchers struck out 19 Cards, while the Mets struck out an additional 16 times themselves. The Cards emptied their bullpen and had nowhere to go, using infielder Felipe Lopez, who shutout the Mets in the 18th. Pulling Lopez, they then put outfielder Joe Mather on the mound, and he allowed the Mets their solo runs in the 19th and 20th innings. The Mets went another route. When Frankie Rodriguez, their last reliever, was pulled, Jerry Manual stayed with professional pitchers, using starter Mike Pelfrey, who, despite pitching seven shutout innings only two days earlier, had enough to give the Mets a shutout 20th, and save the victory.
This was a remarkable game that comes along only once every few years.
Among the more mundane feats of the day - largely ignored - was the no-hitter pitched by Colorado righty Ubaldo Jimenez, the first no-hitter ever recorded by a Rockies’ hurler. Also of note was the complete game shutout thrown by 75-year-old (ok, MLB lists him as 35, but come-on) Livan Hernandez, whose combined ERA over the past four seasons is north of 6.00 and was complied as he bounced back and forth with six different teams.
What a day for pitchers.
There were five shutouts yesterday among MLB’s 15 games, but the most incredible pitching performance ended in a 2-1 score. IF you missed it, the Cardinals and Met played 18 innings before a run was scored by either team. Both teams managed runs in the 19th, and NY finally put the game away by scoring a second run in their 20th frame.
Met pitchers struck out 19 Cards, while the Mets struck out an additional 16 times themselves. The Cards emptied their bullpen and had nowhere to go, using infielder Felipe Lopez, who shutout the Mets in the 18th. Pulling Lopez, they then put outfielder Joe Mather on the mound, and he allowed the Mets their solo runs in the 19th and 20th innings. The Mets went another route. When Frankie Rodriguez, their last reliever, was pulled, Jerry Manual stayed with professional pitchers, using starter Mike Pelfrey, who, despite pitching seven shutout innings only two days earlier, had enough to give the Mets a shutout 20th, and save the victory.
This was a remarkable game that comes along only once every few years.
Among the more mundane feats of the day - largely ignored - was the no-hitter pitched by Colorado righty Ubaldo Jimenez, the first no-hitter ever recorded by a Rockies’ hurler. Also of note was the complete game shutout thrown by 75-year-old (ok, MLB lists him as 35, but come-on) Livan Hernandez, whose combined ERA over the past four seasons is north of 6.00 and was complied as he bounced back and forth with six different teams.
What a day for pitchers.
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theHoundDawg
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The Season Starts Tonight - How it Will Unfold
04/04/10 09:53 Filed in: Baseball
AL 2010
East:
Boston - Unmatched pitching depth, great defense, and a veteran bench full of guys who can play make them best in the AL.
New York - Vasquez can't pitch when it means anything and Johnson should wear "DL" instead of 26. Lack of depth will be killer.
Tampa - Too much reliance on young pitchers and no proven closer keep them behind NY.
Baltimore - Major offensive additions help them overtake Toronto, but big pitching questions keep them far behind top three. Expect big rebound from Atkins.
Toronto - Step back from this time last year - no Halladay and still big questions with Marcum and McGowan. Lind and Hill can't keep them ahead of Baltimore.
Central:
Minnesota - Solid offense and deep pitching, if not for loss of Nathan, could be in WS.
Chicago - Good mix of vets and youth on the field, solid pitching, especially addition of Peavy, make them solid contender.
Cleveland - Lots of aging vets ready in case gaggle of youngsters can't cut it, but whether they contend or end last depends on pitching, starting with Westbrook and Carmona.
Detroit - Scherzer, Willis & Bonderman mean too many questions on starting staff, new CF Jackson yet to bat in majors, and can expect adventure with Damon in LF (he and DH Guillen will try switch before May 1).
Kansas City - Lots of lineup changes but doubtful that means team has improved, though great arms in pen plus development of young starters could pull them closer to middle of division.
West:
Los Angeles - Losses of Lackey and Figgins tough to fill. Make or break for Brandon Wood. Wasted $$ on Pineiro. Still, no one close in AL West.
Seattle - Big bucks won't buy title. Lee starts season injured, and still need healthy Bedard to contend. Like I said about Cubs last year, no team relying on Milton Bradley will ever win anything. Note - Figgins out of position at 2B; his best spots are 3B & CF.
Texas - Still big questions on pitching staff, but again solid offense, especially if Vlad happy and healthy at DH spot.
Oakland - "Experts" have A's overrated; way too many wusses like Chavez, Crisp, and Sheets to contend.
Division series - Minnesota over Los Angeles and Boston over Chicago
Championship Series - Boston over Minnesota
NL 2010
East:
Philadelphia - Polanco at third is plus, Halladay slight improvement over Lee but there for whole season. Nobody in NL can touch them.
Atlanta - Same hype this spring for Heyward as last year for Schafer, result likely the same, but will contend due to solid staff. Healthy Hudson ad Glaus could mean playoff spot.
New York - Bay big plus in OF, as is no Sheffield, but Beltran and Reyes injuries and no pitching depth help to doom season from the start.
Florida - Looks like step back from surprising 2009; Maybin, Sanchez, 3-5 starters, pen all need big years to approach 87 wins again.
Washington - Solid infield and top of rotation needs lots of help from young starters and pen. Ok start and arrival of Strasburg in summer could make for interesting year.
Central:
St. Louis - Good bullpen and two great starters, but big questions after Carpenter and Wainwright (Lohse, Penny and Garcia 18-20 last year). A problem 90 HRs from Puljois and Holliday can help with.
Milwaukee - Disappointed last year due to immature staff, added vets should help this year; solid offense could get boost with encore from Edmonds.
Chicago - Still see as overrated though no Bradley a big plus. Will go as far as pitching takes them; big comeback from Zambrano is essential.
Houston - Too many questions to break .500 - Oswalt's health, is Manzella a major league SS, is Myers a major league starter, and more.
Cincinnati - Much is the same as what I said last year: Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with improved offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Not nearly the talent they had two years ago, and that team was bad. Going in wrong direction.
West:
Los Angeles - What I said last year: Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, and will go only as far as their starters will take them.
San Francisco - Solid front-line pitching and improved offense make Giants contenders again, but lack of depth will take toll in late summer.
Colorado - Let some keys guys go and starting season with Street and Francis questionable. No repeat of last year's surprise.
San Diego - Will battle Arizona for last, but stronger pitching staff will be difference.
Arizona - Haren only reliable starter: Jackson trade big mistake, Kennedy and Lopez are not major league pitchers, and Webb is question mark.
Division series - Los Angeles over St. Louis and Philadelphia over Milwaukee
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series (repeat of last season's pick - but this year it WILL happen.)
East:
Boston - Unmatched pitching depth, great defense, and a veteran bench full of guys who can play make them best in the AL.
New York - Vasquez can't pitch when it means anything and Johnson should wear "DL" instead of 26. Lack of depth will be killer.
Tampa - Too much reliance on young pitchers and no proven closer keep them behind NY.
Baltimore - Major offensive additions help them overtake Toronto, but big pitching questions keep them far behind top three. Expect big rebound from Atkins.
Toronto - Step back from this time last year - no Halladay and still big questions with Marcum and McGowan. Lind and Hill can't keep them ahead of Baltimore.
Central:
Minnesota - Solid offense and deep pitching, if not for loss of Nathan, could be in WS.
Chicago - Good mix of vets and youth on the field, solid pitching, especially addition of Peavy, make them solid contender.
Cleveland - Lots of aging vets ready in case gaggle of youngsters can't cut it, but whether they contend or end last depends on pitching, starting with Westbrook and Carmona.
Detroit - Scherzer, Willis & Bonderman mean too many questions on starting staff, new CF Jackson yet to bat in majors, and can expect adventure with Damon in LF (he and DH Guillen will try switch before May 1).
Kansas City - Lots of lineup changes but doubtful that means team has improved, though great arms in pen plus development of young starters could pull them closer to middle of division.
West:
Los Angeles - Losses of Lackey and Figgins tough to fill. Make or break for Brandon Wood. Wasted $$ on Pineiro. Still, no one close in AL West.
Seattle - Big bucks won't buy title. Lee starts season injured, and still need healthy Bedard to contend. Like I said about Cubs last year, no team relying on Milton Bradley will ever win anything. Note - Figgins out of position at 2B; his best spots are 3B & CF.
Texas - Still big questions on pitching staff, but again solid offense, especially if Vlad happy and healthy at DH spot.
Oakland - "Experts" have A's overrated; way too many wusses like Chavez, Crisp, and Sheets to contend.
Division series - Minnesota over Los Angeles and Boston over Chicago
Championship Series - Boston over Minnesota
NL 2010
East:
Philadelphia - Polanco at third is plus, Halladay slight improvement over Lee but there for whole season. Nobody in NL can touch them.
Atlanta - Same hype this spring for Heyward as last year for Schafer, result likely the same, but will contend due to solid staff. Healthy Hudson ad Glaus could mean playoff spot.
New York - Bay big plus in OF, as is no Sheffield, but Beltran and Reyes injuries and no pitching depth help to doom season from the start.
Florida - Looks like step back from surprising 2009; Maybin, Sanchez, 3-5 starters, pen all need big years to approach 87 wins again.
Washington - Solid infield and top of rotation needs lots of help from young starters and pen. Ok start and arrival of Strasburg in summer could make for interesting year.
Central:
St. Louis - Good bullpen and two great starters, but big questions after Carpenter and Wainwright (Lohse, Penny and Garcia 18-20 last year). A problem 90 HRs from Puljois and Holliday can help with.
Milwaukee - Disappointed last year due to immature staff, added vets should help this year; solid offense could get boost with encore from Edmonds.
Chicago - Still see as overrated though no Bradley a big plus. Will go as far as pitching takes them; big comeback from Zambrano is essential.
Houston - Too many questions to break .500 - Oswalt's health, is Manzella a major league SS, is Myers a major league starter, and more.
Cincinnati - Much is the same as what I said last year: Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with improved offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Not nearly the talent they had two years ago, and that team was bad. Going in wrong direction.
West:
Los Angeles - What I said last year: Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, and will go only as far as their starters will take them.
San Francisco - Solid front-line pitching and improved offense make Giants contenders again, but lack of depth will take toll in late summer.
Colorado - Let some keys guys go and starting season with Street and Francis questionable. No repeat of last year's surprise.
San Diego - Will battle Arizona for last, but stronger pitching staff will be difference.
Arizona - Haren only reliable starter: Jackson trade big mistake, Kennedy and Lopez are not major league pitchers, and Webb is question mark.
Division series - Los Angeles over St. Louis and Philadelphia over Milwaukee
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series (repeat of last season's pick - but this year it WILL happen.)
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theHoundDawg
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$$$ Rules at NCAA
04/02/10 14:26 Filed in: College
Basketball
The likelihood that the NCAA will now be increasing
the field to 96 for next year's basketball tournament
is extremely distressing. The current tournament
structure, with the minor 2001 addition of a 65th
"play-in" team, has been in use for 25 years. While I
personally would love to see the field significantly
decreased to only the schools who
actually deserve to be included by virtue of having
completed a championship-caliber regular season, the
dollars the tournament generates have NCAA execs
drooling for even more.
It is amusing, though, that they choose to ignore all of the arguments against a football tournament, in planning basketball expansion. All those arguments like not wanting "student"-athletes to have to miss classes.
I can just see a 96-team event next year: 15 Big East Teams, 11 from the SEC, and oh, yea, three from the Pac-10.
But seriously, the overwhelming fact that money talks at the NCAA does not bode well for those of us hoping that justice will prevail with the pending sanctions against the NCAA's biggest single money tree, the sc brain surgeons. The NCAA's long-standing history of protecting its top money-makers in general and the brain surgeons in particular, combined with two other recent events, makes one suspicious as to whether or not there will be a report that honestly recounts the sc transgressions and whether adequate and appropriate penalties will be assessed.
First, sc's signing a couple of weeks ago of Seantrel Henderson seemed to indicate some inside info known to the sc staff and Henderson and his family. That may well have been, however, intentional misinformation allowed to percolate, as the timing of the signing may have been more related to the timing of the receipt of Henderson's ACT scores, and just how low sc would lower their admission standards to get the guy in. The second item was UTEP's signing of ex-brain burgeon basketball coach Timma. On its face, his sob story to the media (Floyd "repeated his previous denials of wrongdoing, while praising UTEP officials for doing “their due diligence” in hiring him." according to Yahoo! Sports) would seem to indicate knowledge that things won't get any worse. If the powers that be at UTEP could have believed that there was any chance whatsoever that Timma could yet be found to have caused cash payments to be delivered to one of his players, would they have possibly hired him?
The next few weeks will show the world just how dishonest and greedy the NCAA really is.
It is amusing, though, that they choose to ignore all of the arguments against a football tournament, in planning basketball expansion. All those arguments like not wanting "student"-athletes to have to miss classes.
I can just see a 96-team event next year: 15 Big East Teams, 11 from the SEC, and oh, yea, three from the Pac-10.
But seriously, the overwhelming fact that money talks at the NCAA does not bode well for those of us hoping that justice will prevail with the pending sanctions against the NCAA's biggest single money tree, the sc brain surgeons. The NCAA's long-standing history of protecting its top money-makers in general and the brain surgeons in particular, combined with two other recent events, makes one suspicious as to whether or not there will be a report that honestly recounts the sc transgressions and whether adequate and appropriate penalties will be assessed.
First, sc's signing a couple of weeks ago of Seantrel Henderson seemed to indicate some inside info known to the sc staff and Henderson and his family. That may well have been, however, intentional misinformation allowed to percolate, as the timing of the signing may have been more related to the timing of the receipt of Henderson's ACT scores, and just how low sc would lower their admission standards to get the guy in. The second item was UTEP's signing of ex-brain burgeon basketball coach Timma. On its face, his sob story to the media (Floyd "repeated his previous denials of wrongdoing, while praising UTEP officials for doing “their due diligence” in hiring him." according to Yahoo! Sports) would seem to indicate knowledge that things won't get any worse. If the powers that be at UTEP could have believed that there was any chance whatsoever that Timma could yet be found to have caused cash payments to be delivered to one of his players, would they have possibly hired him?
The next few weeks will show the world just how dishonest and greedy the NCAA really is.
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theHoundDawg
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Dodgers' Spring-Cleaning Means the End of the Line For Old Prospects
04/01/10 13:06 Filed in: Baseball
In January, I wrote:
These LA-Alburquerque shuttle guys have been the resultant casualties, in particular Eric Stults and Jason Repko. After several brief chances to be part of the rotation, Stults' Dodger days are now over, as Stults is now the property of the Japan League's Hiroshima Carp. He showed flashes of major league talent, but never any consistency. Chances are he'll be back in the US and likely fighting for a major league job in a couple of years, but with some other team.
Repko unquestionably has major league talent, but injuries have riddled his career. This spring, an outfield log-jam, and likely lessening patience with his physical ailments, have now lead to his release. Hopefully even at this late date in the spring he will find a major league fit. If not, a new perspective in a new organization could still lead to major league at bats later in the season.
In the following weeks, Ned Colletti re-signed Padilla, Asmus, and Belliard, added veteran position and bench players Garrett Anderson, Reed Johnson, and Nick Green, and brought in a handful of veteran pitchers to compete for the fifth rotation spot."Orlando Hudson. Ron Belliard. Vicente Padilla. Brad Asmus. Juan Pierre. Jim Tome. Juan Castro. Mark Loretta. Jamie Hoffmann. Randy Wolf. Jon Garland. Doug Mientkiewicz. Tony Abreu.All gone from last year's roster.Not one addition to the pitching staff, and overall only reserve infielder Jamey Carroll has been added. .....Unless some major work is done pretty soon, the Dodger roster figues to be filled out with a host of minor leaguers and guys who have spent their careers on the Albuquerque-LA shuttle, like Eric Stults, AJ Ellis, Chin-lung Hu, Scott Elbert, and of course the talented but always injured Jason Repko."
These LA-Alburquerque shuttle guys have been the resultant casualties, in particular Eric Stults and Jason Repko. After several brief chances to be part of the rotation, Stults' Dodger days are now over, as Stults is now the property of the Japan League's Hiroshima Carp. He showed flashes of major league talent, but never any consistency. Chances are he'll be back in the US and likely fighting for a major league job in a couple of years, but with some other team.
Repko unquestionably has major league talent, but injuries have riddled his career. This spring, an outfield log-jam, and likely lessening patience with his physical ailments, have now lead to his release. Hopefully even at this late date in the spring he will find a major league fit. If not, a new perspective in a new organization could still lead to major league at bats later in the season.
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theHoundDawg
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