With temperatures in the low 100's this week in the D.C. area, it looks like the perfect weekend to stay home and watch sports. Unfortunately it is a slow weekend in sports, but fear not, sports fans, use my guide and you'll find enough to avoid outdoor chores.
10: NHL Free Agency Begins
This counts as sports right? Sure it does. By all accounts it is a shallow pool for free agents this season, but that makes the intrigue all the more. Who will overpay for the likes of Zach Parise and Justin Schultz? I understand this isn't sexy, but teams have holes to fill including my Washington Capitals. Per my insiders (Japers Rink @japersrink and Neil Greenberg @ngreenberg) the two players to hope for in Washington are Shane Doan and Mikael Samuelsson who are both right wingers which is the biggest deficiency of talent on the roster. For more visit Japers Rink and their thoughts on what the Capitals should do here.
9: NBA Free Agency Begins
For fans of a more popular sport, (unfortunate as that is to say) the NBA follows up its draft with Free Agency. Deron Williams is the prized jewel of the free agent class along with aging superstars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. The New Orleans Hornets revamped their roster through the draft last night, but the key to improving next season is hanging on to their lone star Eric Gordon.
8. New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers
This ship is sinking fast for the Dodgers. Injuries have taken their toll as now Andre Either has been added to the list of casualties. The Mets are trending upwards and even though R.A. Dickey has seen his streak of scoreless pitching come to an end, they are playing really well of late. They also get the nod for the Sunday night national televised game and Dillon Gee will be matched up with Clayton Kershaw. If I were Kershaw I'd be worried about pulling a muscle or straining a hamstring.
7. AT&T National
If you are brave enough to sit through the scorching weather here in the area, head on over to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD this weekend. Tiger Woods and a slew of relative unknowns are playing on a course that was recently seen hosting last years U.S. Open. According to the people at Congressional, the course will play much harder during this tournament than when Rory McIlroy carved it up last year.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals
Don't look now, but both of these teams are inching towards the Cincinnati Reds for 1st place in the N.L. Central. The defending champion Cardinals are still hitting minus the services of Albert Pujols who left them for Anaheim and Lance Berkman who is injured. The Pirates are being buoyed by A.J. Burnett who has won 8 consecutive starts for the first time in franchise history since Dock Ellis in 1974. It looks as though the move from New York was indeed the perfect thing to reinvigorate his fledgling career.
5. Wimbledon
Usually the first week of a Grand Slam Tournament is rather mundane with the top seeds rolling through qualifiers and youngsters, but this year has already been a shocker. Yesterday 5 time Wimbledon finalist Rafael Nadal was ousted in jaw dropping, dramatic fashion by 100th ranked unknown Lukas Rosol. Less stunning, but still surprising was on the Ladies side of the draw where former #1 and current 7th ranked Caroline Wozniaki was dropped in the first round. Add to the fact that Venus Williams again disappointed losing in the first round and you've got yourself an intriguing tournament for a change during week one.
4. Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees
Two first place teams that I equally don't like, but who are both playing really good baseball right now. The Yankees have lost 2/5 of its starting rotation this week, but they are the Yankees and we all know they will find a way to survive. More than likely they will just hit more home runs to make up for the lack of quality outings by their staff. The White Sox also made noise by acquiring Kevin Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox. Game one of this 4 game set went to the White Sox on a 9th inning 3 run blast by Dayan Viciedo.
3. Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
The first place Nationals look to stay that way as the All-Star Break approaches. They will throw out both of their aces (Strasburg and Gonzalez) this series in hopes to add a cushion to their 3.5 game lead in the division. The Braves who have lost Brandon Beachy and his 2.00 ERA for this season and probably next year as well with the dreaded, yet all too common Tommy John surgery. The Braves are good, but I have a feeling this could be a possible last stand of sort if they are to contend this season.
2. Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants
Guess which pitching staff is the hottest in the Majors right now? They are located in the Bay area and their colors are green and gold...yes the Oakland Athletics. Over their last 14 game the A's have given up more than 3 runs only three times. That's nice and all, but its their cross bay rivals the Giants that have thrown 4 consecutive shutouts and vaulted the injured Dodgers into 1st place in the N.L. West. The Reds are scuffling as of late, but still hold a slim lead in the N.L. Central. Matt Cain looks to extend the scoreless streak for the Giants tonight.
1. Euro Cup 2012 Final
Spain vs. Italy. Hopefully we get a game like yesterday when Italy scored early at shook Germany to the core. All it takes is an early goal to have the coaches throw out the game plan and get their team scrambling. Mario Balotelli showed all the good that he can bring to a team while leaving all the bad out Spain hasn't given up a goal in a knockout game since 2006 so we know they will have a great defensive structure and it will be interesting to see how the Italians try and break through. If Spain falls behind it should be fun, if they score first it could be a mind numbing 1-0 final score.
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I am headed to Texas to get away from the D.C. heat this upcoming week. The wife and I are headed to visit her sister, but I am looking forward to eating some Texas brisket, some local Mexican food, eating some burgers and gaining 15 pounds. I better walk around and see the sights or else I may not make it back in one piece.
I will probably not be updating the page too much unless I need a reason to stay out of the heat. I will be posting pictures of my gluttonous conquests on my Twitter page so enjoy those.
Enjoy the week ahead including the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 4th of July. I do love me some food.
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