Haven't written one in a while, so...
I'm currently watching the Red Sox/White Sox game on MLB.TV online. It's in the 17th inning as we speak. This is the last game before the All-Star Game, a game in which White Sox manager demanded that every pitcher be available for at least an inning, and to which he selected a nice number of his own players (7). Surprise surprise, he has already taken out a couple of his All-Stars from today's game. How Mark Buehrle (9-6 W-L, 4.02 ERA, 54 K's) made it over Francisco Liriano (10-1, 1.83, 102), Justin Verlander (10-4, 3.01, 69), and a few others boggles the mind, and how Travis Hafner (.321 batting average, 25 HR, 74 RBI, 68 runs, .462 on-base %) didn't make it is amazing, but that's another subject.
The question is... what will happen when he needs a reliever during the All-Star Game? [Cool! Some guy just caught a foul ball from a box with a long fish net!] Will he go with his own Bobby Jenks, a closer who threw 2-2/3 innings? Jose Contreras, who threw 6 innings? Or will he force Boston's Jonathan Papelbon to go in first, even though he just threw 2 innings in relief? My bet is he'll protect his players at the expense of other teams, and that's just low. [Niiice double play by Cora, stepping on 3rd on a shot down the line and throwing to first from foul territory to complete it...]
Soccer: I didn't watch a single minute of the World Cup, something I actually do enjoy somewhat, until 4:20 or so this afternoon. I see everyone standing around, and while the rules do confuse me at times, this was completely new. Finally I see that they're setting up for penalty kicks, which means that I have perfect timing! I gather that French star Zidane Zidane head-butted an Italian in overtime to get himself thrown out of his last game ever; brilliant. The Italians win after a French guy hits the bottom of the top crossbar despite fooling the goalie, who apparently is on his team most of the year and therefore knows him well. The Italians hit all five of their kicks. For some reason the stadium wasn't as excited as I recall it being during the '02 cup...
NBA: Lebron re-signed! That's pretty much the most important thing.
NFL: I'm saying now that the Browns will win at least 9 games, and I told someone recently they would go 10-6. It would be interesting to see if 3 teams from the AFC North go to the playoffs. I'm surprised people are so completely underestimating the Browns, who didn't lose anybody, should have Kellen Winslow all year, the defense which was already getting pretty good added pieces and will be playing a 3-4 for the second time, and Braylon Edwards - though out until October - will be playing his second season. They also made a bunch of great free-agent moves, picking up some top O-linemen and defensive pieces. I'll wait until the season begins to finalize my picks, but for now, I'm going to say the Browns are going 10-6 and challenging for a playoff spot. Remember: They were 5-5 against non-division opponents, and 1-5 against the division last year. If they can sweep Baltimore and split Cincy and Pitt, that's 3 more wins right there; their non-divisional schedule is easier than last year.
Plus, I just got my season tickets (50-yard line, upper deck) yesterday. SWEET. :) [We invested with a couple of friends; for now, we sell them, mostly on StubHub.com.]
MLB: Back to baseball... I'm going to write a post about the Indians and how they can still make the playoffs (and a look ahead at '07). But not now. Meanwhile, go (Red) Sox!
Last time i went to a Cub game before Harry Cary died, the game (a night game) went 17 innings. Harry sang Take me out to the ballgame in the middle of the 14th. I remember arguing with guy next to me. I felt he SHOULD have sung in the 16th, b/c that is the 7th inning of what would have been a new game, my friend thought the stretch is a 7 inning practice and must be done EVERY 7 innings.
ReplyDeleteI countered that if so, during doubleheaders, the 2nd game stretch should occur in the 5th Inning....thoughts Ezzie?
must get to baseball and basketball when i'm in america next!!!
ReplyDeleteyou didn't report on wimbledon?!
A double-header is different, simply because those are two separate entities. However, within the same game, your friend might have a point, though really it should be after 13 innings, which is 6-1/2. I agree with you, however, that it should be during the 16th.
ReplyDeleteWimbledon was won by Federer. Big surprise there... [/sarcasm] :)
After following this World Cup and actually becoming somewhat involved, I wonder, "Can we PLEASE put together a competative team next year?"
ReplyDelete"How can we do this," you ask?
Simple. It doesnt take an astute observer to realize that most midfielders from these teams range from about 6'4''-6'6'', weighing upwards of 200 lbs (85 kilo for those of you that are Americanily challenged). Our team captain, Landon Donovan was, I think, about 5'8'', 150 lbs.
Maybe if we send out athletes instead of a bunch of midgets we can actually advance beyond the initial round!
Another guy I know put it best: It's because we don't care. If we gave even a slight damn, we'd win every year...
ReplyDeleteI think you are being real optimistic about the Browns. How exactly are they beating Cincy and/or Pittsburgh? Even once?
ReplyDeleteThey almost beat Cincy both times last year. And Pittsburgh basically took advantage of the lack of a line and beat up on Frye (8 sacks, 4 fumbles) and he STILL had a good game, even in a 41-0 loss. Plus, nothing is ever a given when the Browns play either of them.
ReplyDeleteI don't expect the Browns to surpass both of them, merely to win most of the other games on their schedule. It's like the Cavs' division in the NBA - everyone's better than the 2nd place teams in the other divisions in the conference.
RED SOX NATION BABY!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJH - Only when they're playing the Sox or Yanks... :)
ReplyDeleteShtender - The Browns lost to Cincy last year twice: Once on a last-second FG, after shutting down Carson Palmer; the other by having 2 TD's called back for penalties. Pittsburgh beat them solidly both times, though.
Ezzie: I don't see it happening.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, I'm a Giants fan, we'll be lucky to go 9-7 with the absolutely brutal schedule we have. The team is great though, all around.
Eh - I think the Giants are overrated, and teams are going to start making Manning make those middle-downfield passes he always gets picked on more often. But 9-7 sounds right.
ReplyDeleteFortunately Liriano has made the squad.
ReplyDeleteYeah - and notice that although "every pitcher must be available for an inning", Contreras (who pitched six) was not. Rather than make him pitch anyway, Guillen just took him off for Liriano. Disgusting.
ReplyDelete(Though, great for me, as an Indians fan! And as a fantasy owner - I have Cliff Lee & Liriano, and they were supposed to face each other. Now they might not.)