After the 5th inning of the Yankee's rout/no-hitter, I had a nice little blog already writing itself in my head.
The 2007 Yankees came into today with a share of the record for most consecutive games using 5 or more pitchers; 10.
Injures as well as a shortage of talent were to blame. It didn't help that the Yankee bats have been ice-cold in the meantime, actually asking the pitching staff to keep them in games. They simply couldn't. Bad recipe.
5 innings into Phil Hughes' no-hitter, I was ready to pat myself on the back. Not only have I been praising this kid since he has come up, I've avidly supported the decisions while others have screamed "too soon". I used my top waiver priority in my fantasy baseball league to get him. I predicted that not only would the Yankees hit well tonight, but he would pitch well, and break that ugly streak of 5+ pitchers a game.
The self-love fest was looking great until Phil Hughes had his no-hitter bid come to an end.
No, it wasn't due to a hit; he didn't give one of those up. It wasn't due to pitch count; he'd only thrown 83. It was a hamstring injury; one that would force him out of the game and out of the lineup for four to six weeks.
He joins fellow starters Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano, and Jeff Karstens on the crowded DL; leaving Joe Torre with a pitching staff that looks a little something like this;
1. Andy Pettitte (3.00 ERA)
2. Chein-Ming Wang (5.84 ERA)
3. Kei Igawa (6.08 ERA)
4. ????????? (?.?? ERA)
5. ????????? (?.?? ERA)
No, those question marks aren't lack of research on my part. I really have no idea; and I don't think the Yankees do, either.
On a day that was looking to be a turning point and a bright spot in the season, the Yankees leave the game with a win in the standings but another crippling blow to their team.
I'm sure most of you won't shed any tears for the Yankees, as they are one of the most hated teams in sports... but at least feel bad for Phil Hughes. The kid was 8 outs away from making history, and becoming the only AL rookie since 1991 to pitch a no-no. Would have liked to see him get the chance.
Oh, and feel bad for my fantasy team, too. I'll miss him.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
New Blog!
Alright, so I realized last night that many of you don't want to sift through my picks of the day every day, and just want to read my columns/opinions.
Others of you want my picks, and don't really care what I think about anything else.
Hopefully some of you want both.
Either way, I've cut my blog in half and now will maintain two blogs.
http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com -
Will feature only columns/opinions/essays/blurbs/whatever and will not focus on gambling.
http://vegasdavespicks.blogspot.com -
Will feature my daily picks and insight into plays of the day
The layouts are identical, and there is a link in the top right corner so you can easily jump back and forth. Or, just stay on the one you like.
I hope you all like the change. It took me a LOT of work to get done!
Others of you want my picks, and don't really care what I think about anything else.
Hopefully some of you want both.
Either way, I've cut my blog in half and now will maintain two blogs.
http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com -
Will feature only columns/opinions/essays/blurbs/whatever and will not focus on gambling.
http://vegasdavespicks.blogspot.com -
Will feature my daily picks and insight into plays of the day
The layouts are identical, and there is a link in the top right corner so you can easily jump back and forth. Or, just stay on the one you like.
I hope you all like the change. It took me a LOT of work to get done!
Monday, April 30, 2007
What exactly are the Mavericks doing?
Listen, Dallas Mavericks -
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Don't mean any disrespect to Golden State, they've played some excellent basketball. And they've done exactly what an upset team has got to do; steal one on the road and then win your home games.
They are 75% of the way there.
Dallas lost 15 games this year. 15. Of 82.
They started the season off cold and dropped their first 4 games. They also lost 4 of their 10 games in April, seeing as they were already in cruise control, having the West locked up. They were using their key players sparingly in these games.
In the stretch after their opening 4 losses (which can be attributed to a slow start) and before the month of April (which can be attributed to resting players), Dallas lost only 7 games... out of
68.
61 wins. 7 losses.
During that span, they had streaks of 12 wins, 13 wins, and 17 wins. Yes. Separate streaks.
There is a word for a team like the Dallas Mavericks. DOMINANT.
Mark Cuban has done an excellent job putting together the best team in the league. The fans have done an excellent job supporting it. They blew it last year in the playoffs and have waited all year for the chance to redeem themselves.
And this is how they show it.
I know that I gave Golden State no respect. Of course, I don't know basketball, so that wasn't that big of a deal. But it isn't like I was alone. Find me people that with a serious expression on their face picked this to go past 6 games.
What's pathetic, though, is that whether or not the general public respected the Warriors or not, you KNEW the Mavericks would. After all, any team that beats you all 3 times they play you, and is responsible for a whopping 20% of your total losses on the season, is going to get your best effort.
So, I'm to understand that the best team in the NBA's best effort is THIS. I've actually watched large chunks of this series, and I'll be damned if this is the best team in the NBA. This team has been flat out pathetic on defense. I can't believe this team dominated during the regular season. Any team capable of playing this poorly on the grandest stage of all should not have been the clear best in the NBA.
Is Dallas going to lose this series? All comes down to game 6. I can't see them losing game 5 (well, I certainly CAN, but I mean honestly, they'd BETTER not for the sake of everyone's sanity). Game 7 in Dallas is another game they simply don't drop.
Game 6 in Golden State? Can't say a Warriors victory would even make me raise an eyebrow.
Congratulations, Golden State. I want to reiterate that I mean them no disrespect. Even if they drop the next 3 games in the series, just what they have done already is more than enough to respect and build on over the next few years.
Shame on you, Dallas. If this is how you thank your fans for all of their support, and this is how you show them that you won't disappoint them again this season, then I'd consider them some of the unluckiest fans in America.
This coming from an Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Kings fan.
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Don't mean any disrespect to Golden State, they've played some excellent basketball. And they've done exactly what an upset team has got to do; steal one on the road and then win your home games.
They are 75% of the way there.
Dallas lost 15 games this year. 15. Of 82.
They started the season off cold and dropped their first 4 games. They also lost 4 of their 10 games in April, seeing as they were already in cruise control, having the West locked up. They were using their key players sparingly in these games.
In the stretch after their opening 4 losses (which can be attributed to a slow start) and before the month of April (which can be attributed to resting players), Dallas lost only 7 games... out of
68.
61 wins. 7 losses.
During that span, they had streaks of 12 wins, 13 wins, and 17 wins. Yes. Separate streaks.
There is a word for a team like the Dallas Mavericks. DOMINANT.
Mark Cuban has done an excellent job putting together the best team in the league. The fans have done an excellent job supporting it. They blew it last year in the playoffs and have waited all year for the chance to redeem themselves.
And this is how they show it.
I know that I gave Golden State no respect. Of course, I don't know basketball, so that wasn't that big of a deal. But it isn't like I was alone. Find me people that with a serious expression on their face picked this to go past 6 games.
What's pathetic, though, is that whether or not the general public respected the Warriors or not, you KNEW the Mavericks would. After all, any team that beats you all 3 times they play you, and is responsible for a whopping 20% of your total losses on the season, is going to get your best effort.
So, I'm to understand that the best team in the NBA's best effort is THIS. I've actually watched large chunks of this series, and I'll be damned if this is the best team in the NBA. This team has been flat out pathetic on defense. I can't believe this team dominated during the regular season. Any team capable of playing this poorly on the grandest stage of all should not have been the clear best in the NBA.
Is Dallas going to lose this series? All comes down to game 6. I can't see them losing game 5 (well, I certainly CAN, but I mean honestly, they'd BETTER not for the sake of everyone's sanity). Game 7 in Dallas is another game they simply don't drop.
Game 6 in Golden State? Can't say a Warriors victory would even make me raise an eyebrow.
Congratulations, Golden State. I want to reiterate that I mean them no disrespect. Even if they drop the next 3 games in the series, just what they have done already is more than enough to respect and build on over the next few years.
Shame on you, Dallas. If this is how you thank your fans for all of their support, and this is how you show them that you won't disappoint them again this season, then I'd consider them some of the unluckiest fans in America.
This coming from an Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Kings fan.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
With the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, the Oakland Raiders select; Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech.
In my dreams.
I have no beef with Jamarcus Russell. In fact, I like the idea of having a guy as big and strong as he is at QB. I like the idea of having a guy that can throw 80+ yards.
I like the idea of having a franchise quarterback.
I'm just not sure he is it.
Kyle Boller could throw the ball a mile. So can Mike Vick.
What you can't teach a player is awareness, great decision making, patience in the pocket, and leadership. Russell may or may not have or develop these talents. He may or may not
be a star in the league someday.
Make no mistake about it; there are no ifs, ands, or buts about Calvin Johnson. Johnson is the most talented player in the draft; he is built like a house, and has incredible speed. He also has that magnetic field effect that if you throw the ball in his general direction, it will be caught, no doubt about it. This guy will be a star in the league for years to come, and will make a serious impact on whatever team he joins THIS year.
Randy Moss hates Oakland; whether he isn't trying or is traded, he is no longer much more than an ultra-recognizable name to this team. Jerry Porter is the real deal, but he can't be the only guy. Ronald Curry is a perfect 3rd WR.
Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan, and Justin Fargas make up an unspectacular but solid backfield.
The O-line leaves much to be desired, but there is still time for at least one or two of these guys to develop into something. 3 more O-linemen get drafted in this draft. You can only hope someone pans out.
Quarterback? Walters was not given a fair chance last year. No offensive line, no running game to take pressure off the passing game, no time to throw and no weapons to throw to (Moss was either not trying or being double covered at all times). QB of the future, highly unlikely; but the guys got potential.
Defense is excellent, and young. It will continue to improve and impress, especially when the offense actually lets it stay off the field for more than 3 downs every once in a while.
So the Raiders over the next few years need to address 4 positions; QB, RB, OT, and WR.
OT - Joe Thomas; absolute sure thing, house, impenetrable. So was Robert Gallery. Just like the Lions can't draft a WR high again, the Raiders can't draft an O-lineman high again after that bust.
RB - Adrian Peterson; love him, but not a 1st overall pick. Would love to trade down to get him, but Jordan/Rhodes isn't all that bad, plus Peterson just might be injury prone and somewhat of a risk.
QB - Quinn or Russell? I concur with the overall consensus that Jamarcus is the pick; he's got the size and strength over Quinn. And forget the Sugar Bowl; Quinn is flat out overrated. I think both of these guys are very high risk. This coming from the guy who said Tom Brady was a one-hit-wonder, and that Vick and Harrington would both make great pro QBs... maybe I should just leave QB ranking alone.
WR - Calvin Johnson. Best player in the draft. Flat out amazing.
Seems simple enough to me. Best argument I've heard against drafting Calvin Johnson? "Who is going to throw to him?" That is short term thinking. This season, yes, it just might be frustrating to be a Raider fan again. But next year's draft will be chock full of QBs, plus free agency; look at how the Saints went out and signed Drew Brees.
The right pick is Calvin Johnson.
Jamarcus Russell isn't the "wrong" pick, and I hope more than anyone that he comes into the league and excels for the Raiders.
...because Johnson WILL be excelling wherever he ends up.
My Mock Top 5
1. Oakland Raiders - Jamarcus Russell
2. Detroit Lions - Joe Thomas
3. Cleveland Browns - Brady Quinn
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson
5. Arizona Cardinals - Adrian Peterson
I have no beef with Jamarcus Russell. In fact, I like the idea of having a guy as big and strong as he is at QB. I like the idea of having a guy that can throw 80+ yards.
I like the idea of having a franchise quarterback.
I'm just not sure he is it.
Kyle Boller could throw the ball a mile. So can Mike Vick.
What you can't teach a player is awareness, great decision making, patience in the pocket, and leadership. Russell may or may not have or develop these talents. He may or may not
be a star in the league someday.
Make no mistake about it; there are no ifs, ands, or buts about Calvin Johnson. Johnson is the most talented player in the draft; he is built like a house, and has incredible speed. He also has that magnetic field effect that if you throw the ball in his general direction, it will be caught, no doubt about it. This guy will be a star in the league for years to come, and will make a serious impact on whatever team he joins THIS year.
Randy Moss hates Oakland; whether he isn't trying or is traded, he is no longer much more than an ultra-recognizable name to this team. Jerry Porter is the real deal, but he can't be the only guy. Ronald Curry is a perfect 3rd WR.
Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan, and Justin Fargas make up an unspectacular but solid backfield.
The O-line leaves much to be desired, but there is still time for at least one or two of these guys to develop into something. 3 more O-linemen get drafted in this draft. You can only hope someone pans out.
Quarterback? Walters was not given a fair chance last year. No offensive line, no running game to take pressure off the passing game, no time to throw and no weapons to throw to (Moss was either not trying or being double covered at all times). QB of the future, highly unlikely; but the guys got potential.
Defense is excellent, and young. It will continue to improve and impress, especially when the offense actually lets it stay off the field for more than 3 downs every once in a while.
So the Raiders over the next few years need to address 4 positions; QB, RB, OT, and WR.
OT - Joe Thomas; absolute sure thing, house, impenetrable. So was Robert Gallery. Just like the Lions can't draft a WR high again, the Raiders can't draft an O-lineman high again after that bust.
RB - Adrian Peterson; love him, but not a 1st overall pick. Would love to trade down to get him, but Jordan/Rhodes isn't all that bad, plus Peterson just might be injury prone and somewhat of a risk.
QB - Quinn or Russell? I concur with the overall consensus that Jamarcus is the pick; he's got the size and strength over Quinn. And forget the Sugar Bowl; Quinn is flat out overrated. I think both of these guys are very high risk. This coming from the guy who said Tom Brady was a one-hit-wonder, and that Vick and Harrington would both make great pro QBs... maybe I should just leave QB ranking alone.
WR - Calvin Johnson. Best player in the draft. Flat out amazing.
Seems simple enough to me. Best argument I've heard against drafting Calvin Johnson? "Who is going to throw to him?" That is short term thinking. This season, yes, it just might be frustrating to be a Raider fan again. But next year's draft will be chock full of QBs, plus free agency; look at how the Saints went out and signed Drew Brees.
The right pick is Calvin Johnson.
Jamarcus Russell isn't the "wrong" pick, and I hope more than anyone that he comes into the league and excels for the Raiders.
...because Johnson WILL be excelling wherever he ends up.
My Mock Top 5
1. Oakland Raiders - Jamarcus Russell
2. Detroit Lions - Joe Thomas
3. Cleveland Browns - Brady Quinn
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson
5. Arizona Cardinals - Adrian Peterson
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Jake Peavy led the pack on Wednesday... can Phil Hughes do it today?
Plenty of pitchers were really good Wednesday. John Lackey, Tim Hudson, Joe Blanton, Curt Schilling, Brandon Webb.
Two of them were great.
Jarrod Washburn allowed only 5 base runners, giving up 3 hits and 2 walks over 9 shutout innings to trump Joe Blanton's impressive game, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 2 - 0 victory.
Jake Peavy also allowed only 5 base runners; 2 hits, 3 walks. Except, he did it in 7 innings, and threw 117 pitches while it took Washburn only 104 to complete his game. So what is the big deal?
Well, Washburn struck out 2 batters.
Peavy struck out 16.
Peavy got 21 outs, and over 75% of them were via strikeout.
At one point in the game, Peavy struck out 9 straight batters, one away from Tom Seaver's record of 10 straight. The 10th batter he faced, Eric Byrnes, check swung on a 2 - 2 pitch; and barely kept his bat from going around. On the 3 - 2 pitch, Byrnes watched a pitch cross the plate right around his knees, but just slightly too low. That is how close Jake Peavy was to tying the record for most consecutive strikeouts.
Too bad it was all for naught, as Stephen Drew's walk off HR capped off a victory for the D-backs, spoiling Peavy's special night.
Thursday, I'll be watching 3 pitchers very closely.
Cole Hamels - I love this kid so much. He is so damn talented. Fresh off his 15 K shutout, he faces a weak Nationals lineup this time around. Gee, I wonder if this will be in my picks of the day?
Phil Hughes - Making his much anticipated debut, Hughes will have the tough task of facing a pretty formidable lineup in the Blue Jays, as well as a solid starting pitcher in AJ Burnett. Still, the potential Jered Weaver of this year has one thing that 29 other ball clubs don't; the best offense in baseball to back him up. If Hughes can pitch 5 innings of 3 or 4 run baseball, he'll get wins more often then not.
And lastly...
Russ Ortiz - What?? Why? Well, with Zito / Cain / Morris / Lowry all locked into roster spots, it is this guy right here that is keeping wonder-prospect Tim Lincecum from getting his shot in the bigs. I just hope the Dodgers crush the ball against Ortiz, and force SF to stop delaying the inevitable and give this kid his shot already!
Two of them were great.
Jarrod Washburn allowed only 5 base runners, giving up 3 hits and 2 walks over 9 shutout innings to trump Joe Blanton's impressive game, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 2 - 0 victory.
Jake Peavy also allowed only 5 base runners; 2 hits, 3 walks. Except, he did it in 7 innings, and threw 117 pitches while it took Washburn only 104 to complete his game. So what is the big deal?
Well, Washburn struck out 2 batters.
Peavy struck out 16.
Peavy got 21 outs, and over 75% of them were via strikeout.
At one point in the game, Peavy struck out 9 straight batters, one away from Tom Seaver's record of 10 straight. The 10th batter he faced, Eric Byrnes, check swung on a 2 - 2 pitch; and barely kept his bat from going around. On the 3 - 2 pitch, Byrnes watched a pitch cross the plate right around his knees, but just slightly too low. That is how close Jake Peavy was to tying the record for most consecutive strikeouts.
Too bad it was all for naught, as Stephen Drew's walk off HR capped off a victory for the D-backs, spoiling Peavy's special night.
Thursday, I'll be watching 3 pitchers very closely.
Cole Hamels - I love this kid so much. He is so damn talented. Fresh off his 15 K shutout, he faces a weak Nationals lineup this time around. Gee, I wonder if this will be in my picks of the day?
Phil Hughes - Making his much anticipated debut, Hughes will have the tough task of facing a pretty formidable lineup in the Blue Jays, as well as a solid starting pitcher in AJ Burnett. Still, the potential Jered Weaver of this year has one thing that 29 other ball clubs don't; the best offense in baseball to back him up. If Hughes can pitch 5 innings of 3 or 4 run baseball, he'll get wins more often then not.
And lastly...
Russ Ortiz - What?? Why? Well, with Zito / Cain / Morris / Lowry all locked into roster spots, it is this guy right here that is keeping wonder-prospect Tim Lincecum from getting his shot in the bigs. I just hope the Dodgers crush the ball against Ortiz, and force SF to stop delaying the inevitable and give this kid his shot already!
May the best team win (yes, it may)
Everyone loves an underdogs. They are more fun to root for than the star teams. And, as has been said plenty of times before; every dog has his day.
Well, April 25th, 2007 was not that day.
The #1 seeded Dallas Mavericks, who fed into the upset hype with a loss in game 1 of their series against the Golden State Warriors, left little doubt as to who was the superior team Wednesday, taking care of business in a 112 - 99 victory.
In hockey, Detroit may have ended the season with the #1 seed, but you'd be hard pressed to find someone willing to argue that the Ducks weren't the best team in the West this year; and tonight they certainly played like it, lighting the lamp on Roberto Luongo 5 times en route to a 5 - 1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
As for the best in the East? The Buffalo Sabres, who sometimes looked a bit lethargic against the Islanders in the series that opened the playoffs, were anything but tonight, cruising to a 5 - 2 victory over the Rangers, who were riding the momentum of a sweep against the Atlanta Thrashers.
Do I love an underdog as much as anyone? Sure. But in a world of nonsense and drama, sometimes it is refreshing to just see the best be the best.
Isn't it?
Well, April 25th, 2007 was not that day.
The #1 seeded Dallas Mavericks, who fed into the upset hype with a loss in game 1 of their series against the Golden State Warriors, left little doubt as to who was the superior team Wednesday, taking care of business in a 112 - 99 victory.
In hockey, Detroit may have ended the season with the #1 seed, but you'd be hard pressed to find someone willing to argue that the Ducks weren't the best team in the West this year; and tonight they certainly played like it, lighting the lamp on Roberto Luongo 5 times en route to a 5 - 1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
As for the best in the East? The Buffalo Sabres, who sometimes looked a bit lethargic against the Islanders in the series that opened the playoffs, were anything but tonight, cruising to a 5 - 2 victory over the Rangers, who were riding the momentum of a sweep against the Atlanta Thrashers.
Do I love an underdog as much as anyone? Sure. But in a world of nonsense and drama, sometimes it is refreshing to just see the best be the best.
Isn't it?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Hockey: Playoff Preview Round 2
And then there were 8. The field has been cut in half, and the Flames, Wild, Stars, Predators, Islanders, Lightning, Thrashers, and Penguins join the 14 teams that didn't make the playoffs out on the golf courses and into the "wait 'til next year" club.
But there is still a lot of hockey left to be played on the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup, and I'll see what I can do about keeping up my .750 winning percentage on series predictions (6 - 2 round one). 3 of the teams I bet at the beginning of the season to win it all are still alive (Buffalo, Ottawa, and San Jose), and none are facing each other. Yet.
THE WEST
#1 Detroit Red Wings VS. #5 San Jose Sharks
This one should definitely be a hard fought, gritty series. Both of these teams play tough hockey; and even though both of them have plenty of offensive fire power, they both win games by stymieing opposing offenses with strong defensive play. You've gotta like San Jose in this series; they beat a fast, strong young team in Nashville in only 5 games, while it took Detroit 6 to knock off a not-as-strong Calgary team. The Wings will be no pushover, however, especially if they can find a way to translate their home-ice dominance into some solid road play. Still, in a series where goals might be hard to come by, I'll take my chances on Joe Thornton to make some plays.
SAN JOSE IN 6.
#2 Anaheim Ducks VS. #3 Vancouver Canucks
Exactly the series as a Ducks-hater I didn't want to see. The match up is perfect for the Ducks; they are the superior team offensively and defensively. Vancouver only has the better goaltender; but Giguere (and Bryzgalov when necessary) is perfectly capable of handling the load, especially come playoff time. I've said it once and I'll say it again; I hope I'm underrating the Canucks, because I know I'm not overrating the Ducks; they are pretty damn good.
ANAHEIM IN 5.
THE EAST#1 Buffalo Sabres VS. #6 New York Rangers
This could definitely shape up to be an excellent series. Both of these teams have scoring depth, roll four lines, and have good young goaltenders. After as dominant as the Rangers were in the Thrashers' series, they are becoming a popular pick to be "that team" this year. I don't think so. The Sabres opened the season with a 10 - 0 start; and never looked back, overcoming all injuries and obstacles along the way. This team is the real deal; they are headed to the finals, and whether the Rangers make a series of it or not, they aren't taking four games from this team.
BUFFALO IN 6.
#2 New Jersey Devils VS. #4 Ottawa Senators
On talent alone, I've got the Senators. But every year, the Senators get knocked off in the playoffs because they don't have "it". And I'm still not sure that they do. The Devils, on the other hand, epitomize "it". They are the playoff team of playoff teams. Not to mention, the goaltender match-up; Ray Emery VS. Marty Brodeur; is a no contest in Brodeur's favor, even if Emery has played well this season. I expect the Senators to win a few games, and wouldn't be shocked if they took the series; but I can't pick them against the Devs.
NEW JERSEY IN 7.
A-Rod... are you kidding me?
I predicted before the season began (too bad I didn't have a blog then) that A-Rod was going to have a monster year this year. Last season... a "bad year" of 113 runs, 35 HRs, 121 RBIs, 15 SBs, and a .290 batting average. It was his lowest home run total since 1997, and despite the fact that he was ranked among the best bats at 3rd base (and at any position in the league really, for that matter), A-Rod still somehow managed to disappoint everyone. I figured he'd bounce back with a great year this year.
But wow.
Let's play a fun game called "on pace". It is very easy. First, you take how many games a player has played, then figure out what his numbers are on pace to do if he repeats his current stats consistently over a full season.
Example: Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins
19 games played, 15 runs, 4 HRs, 15 RBIs.
162 divided by 19 = 8.53. Multiplying each stat by 8.53 will give us what he is on pace to do this season;
128 runs, 34 HRs, 128 RBIs.
For my fantasy team's sake, I certainly hope so. Let's try another.
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
18 games played, 11 runs, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs
18 goes into 162 an even 9 times; Albert has played exactly 1/9 of his season. and if he plays the other 8/9's exactly the same, he'll have...
99 runs, 45 HRs, 108 RBIs.
Bit of an off year, but not too bad. As you can see, projections and "on pace" have to be taken with a grain of salt, because a season is so long, it has its ups and downs, hot streaks and slumps, so on and so forth.
But I think you know who I'm doing next.
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
18 games, 26 runs, 14 HRs, 34 RBIs.
Already beats a few player's full season projections. But hell, lets assume the next 8/9's are as good as this one;
234 runs, 126 HRs, 306 RBIs.
I'm going to type that one more time.
234 runs, 126 HRs, 306 RBIs.
If that doesn't put into perspective how impressive this guy has been for you, nothing will. Halving that projection; 117/63/153; gives you a scarily realistic look at what this season might have in store.
But wow.
Let's play a fun game called "on pace". It is very easy. First, you take how many games a player has played, then figure out what his numbers are on pace to do if he repeats his current stats consistently over a full season.
Example: Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins
19 games played, 15 runs, 4 HRs, 15 RBIs.
162 divided by 19 = 8.53. Multiplying each stat by 8.53 will give us what he is on pace to do this season;
128 runs, 34 HRs, 128 RBIs.
For my fantasy team's sake, I certainly hope so. Let's try another.
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
18 games played, 11 runs, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs
18 goes into 162 an even 9 times; Albert has played exactly 1/9 of his season. and if he plays the other 8/9's exactly the same, he'll have...
99 runs, 45 HRs, 108 RBIs.
Bit of an off year, but not too bad. As you can see, projections and "on pace" have to be taken with a grain of salt, because a season is so long, it has its ups and downs, hot streaks and slumps, so on and so forth.
But I think you know who I'm doing next.
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
18 games, 26 runs, 14 HRs, 34 RBIs.
Already beats a few player's full season projections. But hell, lets assume the next 8/9's are as good as this one;
234 runs, 126 HRs, 306 RBIs.
I'm going to type that one more time.
234 runs, 126 HRs, 306 RBIs.
If that doesn't put into perspective how impressive this guy has been for you, nothing will. Halving that projection; 117/63/153; gives you a scarily realistic look at what this season might have in store.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Luongo outduels Turco; Canucks take game 7
Series Result: Vancouver Canucks over Dallas Stars in 7
My Prediction: Dallas Stars over Vancouver Canucks in 6
Well, the title of the article in the newspaper will read something like that. In reality? Both of these goalies were absolutely outstanding, and if either of them had an offense that could put a puck in the net; or perhaps, a less epic performance from the goalie on the other side of the ice; they would have won the series in 4 or 5 games. Unfortunately for Turco, there had to be a loser, and while Turco certainly did is part, the Stars just weren't able to muster up anything on offense tonight other than a single goal.
So now the stage is officially set. Vancouver will face Anaheim, San Jose will face Detroit, Buffalo will face New York, and Ottawa will face New Jersey.
I'll break down each of those series tomorrow. For now? I need to go weep, because I really wanted to see the Ducks play the Sharks, not the Canucks.
My Prediction: Dallas Stars over Vancouver Canucks in 6
Well, the title of the article in the newspaper will read something like that. In reality? Both of these goalies were absolutely outstanding, and if either of them had an offense that could put a puck in the net; or perhaps, a less epic performance from the goalie on the other side of the ice; they would have won the series in 4 or 5 games. Unfortunately for Turco, there had to be a loser, and while Turco certainly did is part, the Stars just weren't able to muster up anything on offense tonight other than a single goal.
So now the stage is officially set. Vancouver will face Anaheim, San Jose will face Detroit, Buffalo will face New York, and Ottawa will face New Jersey.
I'll break down each of those series tomorrow. For now? I need to go weep, because I really wanted to see the Ducks play the Sharks, not the Canucks.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Devils do it in 60 minutes and the Wings do it in 84; both are moving on
Series Result: New Jersey Devils over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6
My Prediction: New Jersey Devils over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6
And so the East has been decided, and I've got to tell you; the New Jersey Devils are the perfect playoff hockey team. Think Tom Brady and the Patriots; Marty Brodeur and the Devils are their hockey equivalent.
Are they as dominant? Not necessarily. But both teams have one trait in common that almost always leads to playoff success; they hardly ever make mistakes, and they always make their opponents pay for theirs.
Both teams have in one man; Brady and Brodeur respectively; a guy that can single handedly steal a game on any given night. They also have a core of guys that just compliment each other so well that they look like a team or a unit rather then a bunch of individuals wearing the same jerseys.
But enough of that analogy, the point is simply that the Devils are bred for playoff hockey. They've got the goalie, they've got the defense, and they've got the pesky role players that can shut you down; and chip in goals as well. They've also got a few very talented players on offense, including Patrick Elias, Scott Gomez, and Zach Parise.
Their series against the Senators should make for some great hockey.
Series Result: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 6
My Prediction: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 7
I'm surprised that the Flames were able to win games 3 and 4 after the way they were completely crushed in games 1 and 2; but alas, they did all they could to make a series of it before falling. The Red Wings are a team to be reckoned with, but their next opponent; either the Stars or the Sharks; isn't going to make life very easy for them. That being said, the tough life will be mutual.
I was disappointed with the Flames lack of... well, flame, throughout this series, especially on the road. I'm not sure whether it was the Red Wings that got them off their game, or whether they just couldn't find it, but it was an extremely disappointing showing, and another early exit that will not be easy for these players to swallow.
Now all we can do is watch and wait, as the Stars / Canucks Game 7 will fill out the rest of the playoff picture for you; and let me get those winning predictions to you as fast as I can.
My Prediction: New Jersey Devils over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6
And so the East has been decided, and I've got to tell you; the New Jersey Devils are the perfect playoff hockey team. Think Tom Brady and the Patriots; Marty Brodeur and the Devils are their hockey equivalent.
Are they as dominant? Not necessarily. But both teams have one trait in common that almost always leads to playoff success; they hardly ever make mistakes, and they always make their opponents pay for theirs.
Both teams have in one man; Brady and Brodeur respectively; a guy that can single handedly steal a game on any given night. They also have a core of guys that just compliment each other so well that they look like a team or a unit rather then a bunch of individuals wearing the same jerseys.
But enough of that analogy, the point is simply that the Devils are bred for playoff hockey. They've got the goalie, they've got the defense, and they've got the pesky role players that can shut you down; and chip in goals as well. They've also got a few very talented players on offense, including Patrick Elias, Scott Gomez, and Zach Parise.
Their series against the Senators should make for some great hockey.
Series Result: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 6
My Prediction: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 7
I'm surprised that the Flames were able to win games 3 and 4 after the way they were completely crushed in games 1 and 2; but alas, they did all they could to make a series of it before falling. The Red Wings are a team to be reckoned with, but their next opponent; either the Stars or the Sharks; isn't going to make life very easy for them. That being said, the tough life will be mutual.
I was disappointed with the Flames lack of... well, flame, throughout this series, especially on the road. I'm not sure whether it was the Red Wings that got them off their game, or whether they just couldn't find it, but it was an extremely disappointing showing, and another early exit that will not be easy for these players to swallow.
Now all we can do is watch and wait, as the Stars / Canucks Game 7 will fill out the rest of the playoff picture for you; and let me get those winning predictions to you as fast as I can.
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