I am about 2 weeks away to draft week where my 3 leagues will get set. In the meantime here is what will pass the time this weekend while you are doing your draft prep.
6. St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts
Last night we all got to witness the start of the RGIII era in Washington. It was rather successful, but in Indianapolis the #1 draft pick is ready to start making headlines of his own. Andrew Luck makes his debut as Colts fans hope they have struck pay dirt once again after more than a decade of excellence with Peyton Manning under center. In St. Louis, the Rams are only two years removed from taking Sam Bradford 1st overall. Things started off okay, but he and the entire team regressed greatly through a myriad of injuries and bad play. Bradford will look to begin his path back to respectability this weekend.
5. Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks
Over the last month it seems as though nobody has been willing to take control in the N.L. West. The Dodgers, Giants and Diamondbacks have all been hovering just over .500 in the last 30 days and it doesn't get any easier for Arizona this weekend. The Washington Nationals have the best record in baseball and will start the series with Stephen Strasburg on the mound. All eyes have been on Washington brass as they have yet to formally announce their plans with Strasburg, but he sits at 127.1 innings pitched so he should be within his final 8 starts or so this season.
4. Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox
Even though they have cooled off as of late, the Athletics stellar play in July have put them squarely in the middle of a playoff race for the first time since 2006 when they went to the ALCS. After this series the Athletics play 13 of 16 games against teams already with October vacation plans. The White Sox have alternated streaks of dominance with streaks of ineptitude in the second half. They followed a five game losing streak with a five game winning streak and after winning five of six they have lost their last two heading into this weekend. Opening day starter Brandon McCarthy returns from the DL (again) to start the series for Oakland while Chris Sale brings his 13-3 record into the finale for Chicago.
3. Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers
Speaking of streaky, the Detroit Tigers cannot decide whether they are really good or really average. After winning 8 of 10 to start the 2nd half the Tigers lost 6 of 8 only to win their next 6. Of course after losing yesterday they are now bringing a two game losing streak into Texas who are having issues of their own. Even with better play of late the Rangers are only 12-11 since the All Star Break. Now their next seven games are against Detroit and the New York Yankees so more mediocrity seems inevitable. Both Justin Verlander and Yu Darvish make appearances. but unfortunately for fans not against each other.
2. PGA Championship
The final Major in the PGA takes place this weekend at picturesque Kiawah Island in South Carolina. After the 1st day the leader board has some interesting names that should attract viewers of all sorts. Rory McIlroy checks in one stroke off the lead. Adam Scott has regrouped from disaster and is two off the lead. Tiger Woods is floating around only three back. But the news of the day has to be John Daly who posted a -4 par score to sit only two strokes back as well. It must have been his pants:
1. Men's Olympic Basketball Semis/Finals
Starting this morning the gold medal will be decided in the marquee event for fans in the United States. Spain and Russia meet in the appetizer with the United States and Argentina meeting for the third time in three weeks. Save for the 3rd quarter of the second meeting the United States has only outscored Argentina by 9 points in seven quarters of play. Of course they blew the doors off of Argentina by 25 in that 3rd quarter. Sunday will bring the gold medal game and all expectations are that the United States will win that, but they have looked vulnerable as much as dominant at times in London.
-----------------------------------
If you need me this weekend I'll be taking our first year players from my baseball team through the Cinnamon Challenge at our annual team party. Last year went like this for the Falls Church News Hounds....enjoy:
No comments:
Post a Comment