Weekend Viewing Recap 9/30/12

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  That's the old saying, but I'm saying that in the sports world, that's a bunch of crap.  Nothing was predictable this weekend.  Absolutely nothing.  On a scale of 1-10 this weekend was eleventy billion on drama, excitement and awesomeness. 

Here are some things not covered by my Top 10:

RGIII and the Redskins finding a way to win with kicker Billy Cundiff saving his job on a last second field goal

The Atlanta Falcons pulling victory out of defeat with a last second drive to stay undefeated against the Carolina Panthers

The Green Bay Packers getting screwed by another set of officials, but surviving at home sending New Orleans to an 0-4 start.

The University of Texas outlasting Oklahoma St. on the road with a last minute touchdown run.

The University of Georgia combining with Tennessee to score 88 points in the first 3 quarters before running out of steam and only scoring 7 in the final 15 minutes with Georgia hanging on between the hedges.

The University of Nebraska winning a close game against Wisconsin despite being forced to wear Scrabble tiles for uniforms.

Homer Bailey of the Cincinnati Reds throwing a no hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates matching the MLB record of 7 total no hitters pitched in a single season.

Outside of that, nothing much else happened...but I'll still cover the 10 things I was watching this weekend:

10.  #14 Ohio St. Buckeyes at #20 Michigan St. Spartans

7-3 at the half.  Yup, another riveting Big 10 game.  I don't give a damn that it ended up being a 1 point game the two teams were a combined 10-28 on third downs.  They couldn't sustain a drive to save their lives.  The 3rd quarter was the only watchable quarter where *gasp* 20 whole points were scored.  Defensive dominance??  No.  More like putrid, slow, outdated offenses.  The worst part about it is that Ohio St. won to stay undefeated meaning the Big 10 will still stay on the radar for another couple of weeks. 

9. Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals

Beware of the trap games.  I tried to warn everyone that this looked too good to be true for Arizona.  Everything was in their favor and it took Kevin Kolb pulling a rabbit out of the hat to survive.  Miami held a 13-0 lead into the 3rd quarter when Arizona finally woke up putting together 14 consecutive points to take a lead.  It lasted just over two minutes.  Brian Hartline caught an 80 yard touchdown pass en route to 253 yards receiving while collecting dust on my fantasy football bench.  Arizona answered back, scoring the game tying touchdown with only :22 left.  In overtime, Jay Feely blasted a game winning 46 yard field goal to keep the Cardinals undefeated heading into their prime time, nationally televised game on the Thursday night against the St. Louis Rams.  I had the game being 20-17 Arizona and it finished 24-21...not too shabby.

8. A.L. Central Race (Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins & Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox)

Ding dong the White Sox are dead...almost.  After a very promising start to the weekend with Detroit losing and Chicago winning Friday night, it was all down hill for the White Sox the rest of the way.  Chicago was shut down as the Tampa Bay Rays rolled out Matt Moore and David Price who combined to give up just 2 runs in 12.1 innings.  The Minnesota Twins didn't help Chicago either against Detroit as Justin Verlander dominated them on Saturday and Prince Fielder hit a go ahead 2 run home run in the 8th inning Sunday.  This leaves the A.L. Central exactly as I predicted at a 3 game spread with 3 to go.  Get the champagne ready Detroit.

7. Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals

In a potential playoff preview, the Washington Nationals continued to show some cracks in the mighty exterior against a quality opponent.  Their starting pitching struggled (Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler gave up 16 runs, 11 earned in just 4 total innings) and when Jordan Zimmermann actually gave them a good start, Drew Storen blew a 9th inning lead.  The Nationals survived in the Storen game, but they lost 2 of 3 and are now 7-9 in their last 16 games.  Because the Dodgers swept the Rockies while giving up just 1 run all weekend, the Cardinals didn't clinch a playoff spot and the Nationals are still stuck with a magic number of 1 because the Braves won 2 of 3 against the Mets.  Washington welcomes Philadelphia to D.C. with the champagne still on ice while St. Louis plays their main rival, the Cincinnati Reds to end the regular season with the playoff hopes on the line.

6. #25 Baylor Bears at #9 West Virginia Mountaineers

 There were no rational words to describe this game.  The scoring came easier than {insert racy, adult joke here}.  133 total points.  I pray to God you all bet the over.  Each team scored double digits in each quarter except the 3rd where Baylor only mustered 7 points.  Luckily West Virginia scored 21.  It was 35-35 at the half thanks to your average, run of the mill 67 yard (non Hail Mary) touchdown pass on the final play of the second quarter.  You name an offensive record and it was probably broken.  I had predicted the score to be 38-27, but I forgot that they play two halves and not just one in the Big 12.  Geno Smith, the quarterback for the Mountaineers, made his Heisman statement by going 45-51 for 656 yards (not a typo), 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.  He also added 31 yards on the ground, but who is counting?  He now has 20 passing touchdowns and only 28 INCOMPLETIONS on the season with no interceptions.  That's absurd.  Nick Florence did his best to keep pace for Baylor throwing for 581 yards, 5 touchdowns and rushing for a score as well, but the Bears ran out of time.  Somewhere between this and what the Big 10 produces is good, quality college football.  (Hint: its called the SEC).

5.  New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

 For more than half of this game, it looked as though Buffalo was ready to take control of the AFC East and put a boot to the throats of the Patriots.  Then reality set in.  New England reeled off 35 straight points after falling behind 21-7 in about 13 minutes of game time.  In all the Patriots scorched the Bills for 45 second half points and climbed back to 2-2 along with Buffalo by winning 52-28.  My score of 27-20 New England was spot on if the game had ended after the 1st minute of play in the 4th quarter.  Somehow I keep underestimating the quality of offenses and the lack of defense in both college and pro football.  Not only did New England get 340 yards passing and 3 touchdowns from Tom Brady, but they had two running backs (Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden) eclipse 100 yards while scoring three times total.  Buffalo had both of their running backs (Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller) quasi-healthy for the game, but they were held in check rushing for only 62 total yards on 21 carries.

4. New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

 What started out as a snooze fest, turned into another dramatic, down to the last play, controversial ending, classic NFC East grudge match.  The keys for Philadelphia (per me) was to involve LeSean McCoy more and he had 26 touches for 140 yards.  Michael Vick didn't turn the ball over and since both of my two keys came true it only meant that the Eagles were destined to win a close game.  Down by just a point late in the 4th quarter, the Eagles were forced to settle for a field goal after having a 1st and goal.  This left just under 2 minutes to play and Eli Manning with yet another chance to win a game late.  Thanks to a very, very questionable pass interference call, the Giants moved to within field goal range with only seconds to play.  That didn't stop them from taking one last shot to the end zone, but Manning under threw the receiver and he was forced to tackle Nnamdi Asomugha for offensive pass interference.  The Giants were now forced into attempting a 54 yard field goal which they missed.  But wait...Andy Reid called a timeout.  The Giants got a second chance and this time the kick split the uprights, but fell two yards short.  The Eagles won 19-17 which was kind of close to my 27-26 prediction.

3. A.L. West Race/Wild Card (Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics & Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers) 

Both of these series were incredible.  The Athletics took care of business easily on Friday night, but looked to be dead in the water on Saturday.  Heading into the 8th inning they trailed Seattle 4-1 and the half empty (shocker) O.co Coliseum crown was listless.  They scored a run in that inning, but the rally was squashed when the potential third run was gunned down at the plate.  But the 9th inning in Oakland is when the magic begins for these Athletics.  After a walk to Josh Reddick, Josh Donaldson hit a game tying 2 run homer and in the 10th inning, Brandon Moss hit the game winning 3 run homer to give Oakland its 14th walk off victory of the season.  Sunday saw the Athletics hit two more home runs in the 8th inning to break open a 2-2 tie to sweep the Mariners.  In Texas, the Angels survived a late rally to win game one of their series.  Saturday was rained out forcing the two teams to play a double header on Sunday.  The Rangers were an out away from evening the series at a game apiece when Torii Hunter smashed a two run double and the Angels won game two in dramatic fashion.  Game 3 was more of the same at the start as the Angels raced out to a 4-0 lead.  The Rangers were staring at a one game lead heading to Oakland, but rallied to score the next 8 runs.  Los Angeles hit a 3 run homer to close the gap to 8-7, but that was all she wrote.  Texas goes into Oakland needing just one win to clinch the West while Oakland needs a win or a loss by both Tampa Bay and Los Angeles to clinch a playoff berth.  With the Rangers win, they are in the playoffs as are the Orioles and Yankees.

2. A.L. East Race (Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles & New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays)

So I called for the Orioles to sweep the Red Sox. Yup.  So I called for the Yankees to take two of three from the Blue Jays (after losing game one of the 4 game set Thursday). Yup.  Nailed it.  Baltimore and New York are tied atop the A.L East (and Wild Card #1 for the matter) with only three games left.  Baltimore has by far the tougher road as they go to Tampa Bay for their games, although they will miss both David Price and Matt Moore.  The Yankees get to head home and welcome the horrid Red Sox to town.  Now nothing would make Boston fans somewhat happier than watching the Red Sox cost New York a division crown, but I don't know if the players on the field have enough talent to even make it close.  Their heart may be in it, but the current Red Sox suck to put it bluntly. They have lost 9 of 10 as they limp to the end of a disastrous season.  As much as it pains me to do so, I think the Yankees win the division outright by a game as Baltimore has to settle for a one game playoff against (probably Oakland) someone.


1.  The Ryder Cup     
 







I don't think even the most talented writer would be able to piece enough glorious prose together to give what actually happened justice.  To put it simply, the USA got beat by the better team in remarkable fashion.  After the first two days, the Americans held a very commanding 10-6 lead.  Only once (in 1999) had either side come back to win on Sunday when trailing by 4 points or more.  That lead was 10-6 for Europe and the Americans made a outrageous comeback on home soil.  This time, with the tables turned, but still on American soil, nobody gave Europe much of a chance to win away from home.  The strategy that was employed by captain Jose Maria Olazabal was to put his best players out first to try and quiet the raucous crowd.  It worked perfectly.  The Europeans won the first four matches out of the gate and the score was even at 10.  Since Europe had won the previous Cup they only needed 14 total points to retain it, while the Americans needed 14 1/2 to win it.  The next two groups split victories to keep the score knotted at 11.  The Americans took a 12-11 lead, but Europe erased that quickly winning two straight and took their first lead of the weekend 13-12.  All they needed was one more point.  It wasn't going to come easy as Jason Dufner won to tie the score at 13.  It came down to the final two matches and with Europe leading in one and trailing in the other things were looking good for them.  American Steve Stricker holed a par putt to force Martin Kaymer to sink a six foot putt to win and that's just what he did.  It was an epic collapse, but the tension was unmatched.  I had predicted a 16-12 American victory and that's how it should have happened, but sports doesn't work that way.  Win, lose or draw that's the way I like them.
  

Weekend Viewing Guide 9/28/12

This is the week that every baseball team has been working towards since Spring Training started in March.  With six games left for everyone it's time to punch your ticket to the postseason or go home.  The American League holds all of the drama as none of the divisions have been decided.  There are also no less than four teams still vying for the two Wild Card spots.  Four of the five playoff teams, including two of the three division winners, have already been decided in the National League and the final Wild Card looks to be all be sewn up, but Washington still has some work left to do and they are still vying for the top record in all of baseball with Cincinnati.

The big news in the NFL is that the real referees are back and started last night in Baltimore.  Football is much more boring when you only have to focus on the game.  Thank heavens for fantasy football or else I would have turned off the Ravens/Browns game early with the way each team started.  Outside of the ref issues it was quite amazing to have a week like the last one where Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Michael Vick and Philip Rivers all lost.  That's a big chunk of the face of the NFL going down all at the same time, and you can't even say it was the next generation doing all the work as Cam Newton, RGIII and Andrew Luck all lost too.

College football has a light schedule, but I'm sure there will be a big upset (*Editors note* Did you see Stanford lose late last night??) and some crazy finishes worth noting.  Thankfully the PGA has the Ryder Cup going on to balance the weekend out.

Here's what I'll be watching:

10.  #14 Ohio St. Buckeyes at #20 Michigan St. Spartans

I realize this is a meeting of two top twenty teams.  But this is the Big 10 after all.  We've seen what happens to the Big 10 when they play out of conference, it gets quite ugly.  You can hype this game up as much as you want, but the fact is neither of these teams are good enough to contend.  This game will be exciting like watching paint dry.  I hate the Big 10 and I just don't know why I included this on my list.  I probably should have stuck with nine games.  The winner of this game will be zzzzzzzzzz....sorry fell asleep on my keyboard.  Michigan St. 24 Ohio St. 21


9. Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals

In my NFL preview article I predicted the Houston Texans to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl.  They are both 3-0.  There is only one other 3-0 team in the NFL and that is the Arizona Cardinals.  Yup, I'm as shocked as you are.  Not only did they lose their 'starting' quarterback John Skelton to injury and had to turn to their real 'starting' quarterback Kevin Kolb (who they paid big bucks for last season, but lost all faith in him real fast and now have no choice but to play him and he is finally producing the way he was supposed to so maybe they should have stuck with him after all because that only makes financial and football sense anyways), but they have already won in New England so it might be time to take them seriously.  Their defense has been stellar as they haven't given up more than 18 points in a game.  In fact they have only given up 40 points all season which is about one games worth to us Redskins fans.  Even without the services of Skelton and newly injured (re-injured? perpetually injured?) running back Beanie Wells, this should be a cake walk for Arizona.  Miami is not very good and their only offensive weapon, Reggie Bush is injured.  They also have to travel cross country for Ryan Tannehill's second ever road game.  This game will be a blowout, won't it?  Arizona 20 Miami 17



8. A.L. Central Race (Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins & Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox)

All season long I have been sticking by my prediction that the Tigers would win the A.L. Central by 4-5 games.  It finally looks like I may be right.  After losing to Tampa Bay last night, the White Sox have now dropped 3 in a row and are 2-8 in their last 10 games.  Detroit has won 4 in a row and 7 of their last 10 to take a seemingly insurmountable two game lead with six to go.  Detroit plays only the Twins and Royals the rest of the way and at worst they will go 4-2.  Chicago is not going 6-0.  This race is...how do you say it Hawk???? O-vah!!!  You can put that on the board.  Detroit will be up by 3 come Monday.




7. Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals

Two teams that have all but wrapped up their playoff seeding meet.  This will be fun to see if the Nationals clinch the N.L. East crown on the same day that the Cardinals clinch the 2nd Wild Card.  Dual celebrations!!  This is a potential NLDS match up so the advanced scouts will be out in full force trying to pick up on any trends that either team might be showing.  Rookie Bryce Harper has found his stroke again and is getting hot just at the right time.  The Cardinals welcomed back starting pitcher Chris Carpenter who has missed the entire season since pitching in Game 7 of the World Series in last October.  Saturday features the marquee match up with Kyle Lohse who is still an astounding 16-3 against Jordan Zimmermann who has been elevated to the #2 man in the rotation with the absence of Stephen Strasburg.  I think Washington wins two of three clinching the N.L. East on Sunday.  St. Louis must wait a day for their celebration.


6. #25 Baylor Bears at #9 West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia is in the Big 12.  West Virginia is in the Big 12.  It will take time to remember that one and Saturday they make their debut hosting the Baylor Bears.  Geno Smith is a star and on the young season he has 1072 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.  Baylor has replaced RGIII with Nick Florence and he has responded in kind with 1004 yards passing, 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions over his first three games.  There was a memo sent out to the city of Morgantown where WVU is located reminding fans and students to not burn any couches.  Yeah, that will work.  Let the couches burn!!  West Virginia 38 Baylor 27


5.  New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

 The Bills have done this recently, the Patriots have not.  Last year Buffalo jumped out to a 3-0 record after beating these same Patriots at home.  They eventually climbed to 5-2 before injuries took hold and Buffalo dropped seven straight in route to a 6-10 season.  The last time the New England Patriots who are 1-2 were below .500 at any point in the season was 2003 when they lost the opening game to the Buffalo Bills.  It all comes full circle friends.  Buffalo can not only stay atop the AFC East standings with a win, but they can also put two full games between them and New England.  I realize that the Patriots aren't worried.  After all, when they started 0-1 in 2003 they still won the Super Bowl.  But if they lose on Sunday and fall to 1-3 they will be 2 games below .500 for the first time since week 2 of 2001 and that year...oh crap...yeah they won the Super Bowl that year too.  New England 27 Buffalo 20

4. New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

Now this is an intriguing game.  Both teams stand at 2-1, but only the Giants have looked halfway decent doing so.  The Eagles have been using smoke and mirrors to offset their 12 turnovers, which is the worst in the NFL, but that won't work this week.  The Giants will take full advantage of any sloppy play by Philadelphia which in lies the key to the game.  If Michael Vick can play smart and if Andy Reid relies heavily on their best player, LeSean McCoy, the Eagles will win.  If not the Giants will roll out of Philadelphia victorious.  New York might have found their newest incarnation of Thunder and Lightning with what Andre Brown did last week and with the return of Ahmad Bradshaw.  Add that to what we know Eli Manning can do with Victor Cruz and a healthy(ish) Hakeem Nicks and mix in the emergence of Martellus Bennett and this team has the potential to even be better than the Super Bowl winning squad of last year. Final Score: Philadelphia 27 New York 26

3. A.L. West Race/Wild Card (Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics & Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers)

The two races very near and dear to my heart.  Oakland missed out on a glorious chance yesterday to put the fear of God into Texas.  With a win they would have closed the gap in the A.L. West to two games, but instead sit four back.  With three head to head games left in Oakland, nothing is wrapped up just yet for the Rangers but they are getting close.  It won't be easy as the red hot Angels stroll into town with Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Zack Greinke pitching.  Both teams are in dire need of victories (obviously LA more so) and if the Angels win two of three, the door may be wide open for Oakland to control their own destiny come Monday.  The Athletics welcome the Mariners to town which may sound good, but Seattle has been playing with heart.  Justin Smoak is on a torrid hot streak, but without Felix Hernandez pitching, I don't see them winning more than a game this weekend.  I say both the Angels and Athletics win two of three and the Athletics stay two up on Los Angeles and Tampa Bay while closing the gap in the West to three games.


2. A.L. East Race (Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles & New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays)

Six games left and the surprising Baltimore Orioles refuse to go away.  Not only are they leading the first Wild Card by a game over the equally surprising Oakland Athletics, but they trail the mighty Yankees but just a single game.  I could make a case for either team winning the East because what I have seen all season long doesn't make sense.  Baltimore has roughly used 79 different starting pitchers this season while the future Hall of Fame lineup that New York rolls out every night continues to be hot and cold.  Both teams have had devastating injuries, but that is not any different than the rest of MLB.  All I know is that the emotion in Charm City this weekend will be palpable.  Fans of the Orioles haven't been treated to this since 1997 and they will definitely turn out in droves to sweep away the Red Sox.  The atmosphere in Toronto will be a bit more subdued, but it shouldn't stop the Yankees from winning two of three this weekend.  Give me a tie atop the standings come Monday morning!


1.  The Ryder Cup


If you know anything about me, you know I'm a sucker for high level golf.  If you know anything else about me, you know I'm a glutton for country versus country sporting events.  The Ryder Cup gets me.  USA versus Europe in 72 hours of day long golf with three different formats.  The best golfers playing not only for personal pride, but for their country.  Yes Rory, Tiger and Phil are all there.  So is the FexEx Cup winner Brandt Snedeker.  In fact 9 of the top 10 golfers in the world rankings will be partaking in this weekends event.  Only Australian Adam Scott is missing.  This tournament is only played once every other year and as it rotates between the Unites States and Europe, its only here once every four years.  In 2010, Europe held serve by winning 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 so it is imperative for the States to respond on home soil.  On paper the United States has the edge, they have home field advantage and I think they win this one with a bit of a cushion 16-12. 

Weekend Viewing Recap 9/24/12

Even though I had a rare full weekend off from work, I found myself doing more work at home than I ever do for my actual job.  Isn't that always the way?  Saturday was community yard sale day so we lugged out half of our house and tried our very best to give away some junk.  Six hours and a bunch of bartering later we made barely enough to cover our efforts, but the house was cleaner and that was what we were aiming for.  My wife and I both let go of our childhood furniture that was being used in the guest bedroom.  We cleared room for the nursery which now needs painting...anybody willing to help?

Sunday was more cleaning.  We started in the kitchen and cleared out the pantry and all the cabinets.  Our house wins for most trash bags out on the curb this weekend.  Of course this is just the beginning.  I'm going to go room by room and gut the house of all the crap that we've acquired in the last five years.  With the baby on the way I am going to need all the room I can get for his toys and diapers and stuff.  This should be fine.

If you were like me and spent your free time doing housework and hawking junk in a yard sale you probably missed some sports.  Here's your recap on the biggest events of the weekend:

10. Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

This was a much better start for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.  They got an early safety and field goal to take a 5-0 lead and things were looking peachy.  Then I blinked and the Texans had responded with 3 consecutive passing touchdowns by Matt Schaub and it was 21-5.  The lead was extended to 31-11 after Schaub fired his 4th touchdown of the game and this one looked to be wrapped up with a pretty little bow.  Peyton was having none of that though as he threw two fourth quarter touchdowns and with three minutes to play it was suddenly a nail biter.  Even though the Texans weren't able to run the clock out they only left Manning 30 seconds and 85 yards to score.  No miracle this time as Houston looks to be for real and continues to be my favorite to be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl.  Denver is going to be okay as Peyton continues to shake off the rust and as they are mired in a season opening gauntlet of tough games.  I guessed 30-24 Houston and got 31-25...I win.

9. Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals

 As predicted this series has been pretty even.  Of the first three games (the fourth being played today) only Friday had final inning fireworks.  The Nationals clung to a 2-1 lead before Ryan Braun and the Brewers hit him around for three runs and Milwaukee won 4-2.  Saturday was all Washington as Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond both hit 3 run, 4th inning home runs.  This was more than enough for Gio Gonzalez who notched his 20th victory of the season, becoming the first pitcher this year to do so and the first Washington pitcher to accomplish the feat since 1933.  That was done by some fringe major league pitcher name Walter Johnson.  Quite a feat Gio, quite a feat.  Sunday lived up to the name thanks to a beautiful, bright sun field that caused Bryce Harper to miss a fly ball leading to the first runs of the game as Milwaukee won to take a 2-1 series lead.  Jordan Zimmermann should even the series up for Washington if my prediction is to come true.

8. #22 Arizona Wildcats at #3 Oregon Ducks

Thanks for showing up Arizona.  Luckily I was far too exhausted to even give this game a chance Saturday night and I didn't miss much.  Matt Scott came into this game on fire and left ice cold.  He threw three interceptions including two that were returned for touchdowns as Oregon thumped the Wildcats 49-0.  Neither Kenjon Barner nor De'Anthony Thomas were able to score for the Ducks, but none of that seemed to matter.  They did have 175 combined total yards on 36 touches which while far lower than the norm were still enough to keep Oregon moving up and down the field.  The big takeaway from this game has to be the Oregon defense.  Posting a shutout in college football is tough to do.  Posting a shutout against a team in your conference is even harder and if they happen to be ranked at the time, well that's a bold statement.  Maybe the Ducks are for real this season.

7. Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees

 This series was not for the faint of heart.  Being an Athletics fan did not help.  Hating the Yankees with every ounce of my soul didn't help either.  Friday was a classic pitcher's duel between C.C. Sabathia and Jarrod Parker.  Down 1-0 in the 9th, Brandon Moss hit a pinch hit home run to tie the score up.  Russell Martin trumped that home run with a walk of home run an inning later for New York.  Saturday was probably the game of the season in MLB.  Oakland started with 3 straight doubles to take a 2-0 lead, New York scored 3 in the bottom of the half of the first.  They trade two runs each as the Yankees led 5-4 heading to the 7th when Oakland tied it up with sac fly.  Then the offenses went into hibernation.  My wife and I walked into Babies R' Us to set up our registry just as Oakland tied it up and two plus hours later we walked out as Jonny Gomes was hitting a go ahead 2 run home run in the...wait for it...13th inning.  That was followed by two more mammoth home runs by Oakland and they had a 9-5 lead.  Unfortunately they had no major league caliber pitchers left.  Three straight singles, a wild pitch, a sac fly and a home run later it was 9-9.  The 14th inning went quietly for Oakland and then they basically conceded the game by sending Tyson Ross out to pitch the bottom half.  That Yankees scored on an error with two outs and the bases loaded giving Ross his 10th loss on the season in only 73 innings pitched.  Sunday was another back and forth with Oakland taking a 3-0 lead only to see New York score 4 to take the lead right back.  Oakland tied it up and then took a one run lead in the 6th and miraculously it held up for their lone victory of the series.  The Yankees stay a game up on the Orioles in the A.L. East who are one game up on Oakland for the 1st Wild Card spot.  Oakland is 2.5 games up on Los Angeles and 3.5 games up on Tampa Bay for the 2nd Wild Card.

6. #18 Michigan Wolverines at #11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

 Notre Dame did everything in their power to lose this game.  Luckily for them, Michigan tried even harder to lose.  It appeared as though both teams were on the take and were trying to shave points before any were even scored.  I had this game pegged as my upset special and if Denard Robinson had played even average, Michigan would have walked out of South Bend with a victory.  He threw four interceptions during the game which kept the Wolverines scoreless until the 4th quarter.  They weren't out of it, though as it was only 10-0.  This game was ugly.  It wasn't LSU vs. Alabama ugly with two pro defenses facing off, but just ugly, ugly.  Notre Dame will continue to rise in the rankings and as long as they keep passing these tests I suppose we have to take them seriously, but they had better play a lot better if they think they are going to beat an SEC team.

5. #15 Kansas St. Wildcats at #6 Oklahoma Sooners

If you were going to tell me that Kansas St. was going to get 149 yards passing and 0 touchdowns from starting quarterback Collin Klein I would have told you Oklahoma won by 30.  This did not happen.  Kansas St. used a stingy defense that kept Landry Jones in check (at least compared to his dissection of the Wildcats a year ago) and a seemingly unstoppable running attack to upset Oklahoma on the road.  John Hubert carried the ball 23 times for 130 yards and a touchdown and while Klein could throw with any significance he did have 79 yards on the ground along with touchdown.  Both of these came in the 4th quarter which had started with Oklahoma leading 13-10.  Oklahoma will now plummet in the rankings and Kansas St. will now shift its focus to staying undefeated until their trip to Morgantown to face West Viriginia in late October.  That will be some couch burning fun.

4. Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels

What a dud of a series this turned out to be.  The streaky Angels have caught fire again behind their pitching staff and swept away the White Sox from southern California.  Los Angeles held the potent Chicago lineup to only 5 runs over the weekend.  This included another stellar start from Cy Young candidate Jered Weaver on Sunday who earned his 19th victory with 6.1 innings giving up just a run.   Dan Haren and Ervin Santana did their part as well giving up only 3 runs over their 13 innings.  With the day off Monday, Los Angeles can even skip the scheduled start of the struggling C.J. Wilson and keep their big guns in turn.  For Chicago things could have been much worse.  After winning the first game of their series, the Detroit Tigers were promptly swept in a Sunday doubleheader by the Minnesota Twins to lose that series.  That leaves Detroit a game behind Chicago even with the White Sox on a current 5 game losing streak. 

3.  New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens

This game will go down in Baltimore Ravens history as the Torrey Smith game.  Playing with a heavy heart from losing his brother just hours earlier Sunday morning, Smith responded with his best game of the year.  He hauled in 127 yards and two touchdowns to help bring the Ravens from behind to upend the New England Patriots 31-30.  Sure this game was not without its share of unneeded controversy thanks to the replacement refs and sure maybe, just maybe, that last second field goal leaked a little right, but when the Ravens look back it will always be remembered for what Torrey Smith was able to do.  After the Patriots scored the first 13 points, it was a Smith touchdown that got the team right and the fans back into it.  Ray Rice then took over through the middle of the game amassing 150 total yards and scoring a touchdown.  For the Patriots it seemed as though the only thing that could slow them down was their tricky play calling or the fact that they refused to run the ball to milk away the clock when they had the lead.  Both Wes Welker and Brandon Llyod eclipsed 100 yards receiving, but when push came to shove, New England couldn't get that final first down that would have iced the game.  Not only that, but their incomplete passes kept stopping the clock giving Baltimore invaluable time and timeouts to keep their hopes alive.  They took full advantage, scraping together one final drive and hitting a game winning 27 yard field goal as time expired.

2. PGA Tour Championship

Yeah about the Tiger, Phil and Rory Sunday I was hoping for...that didn't happen.  The three mega stars of the Tour combined for a +2 weekend and were not a factor at all.  Maybe that's why I didn't watch too much golf.  Instead American Brandt Snedeker came out of nowhere to capture the Tour Championship and in turn he won the FedEx title.  He's not the sexiest of names and the poor performances of the 'Big 3' certainly cost the PGA some viewers, but what it does is give another American some good feelings heading into the Ryder Cup in Chicago.  Instead of man versus man it becomes USA vs. Europe.  Yippee!  

1. #10 Clemson Tigers at #4 Florida St. Seminoles

This was fun.  This was college football of the past.  Forget suffocating defenses and playing for field position.  I wanted a Tecmo Bowl like atmosphere and by God I got it.  Twelve touchdowns and just one lonely field goal later, Florida St. emerged as true championship contender.  Sure their defense might need to be shored up a bit, but Clemson has a dynamic offense so giving up some points was to be expected.  I came in to the game watching what Tajh Boyd was going to do, but it was Florida St. quarterback EJ Manuel that left me with my jaw on the floor.  He had 482 total yards, eclipsing 300 in the air and 100 on the ground.  That's a good day at the office.  As for the game itself, Clemson held a 31-21 advantage midway through the 3rd quarter until the Seminoles reeled off 28 straight points in just under a quarter of play.  That was all she wrote and now Florida St. looks at a schedule where they have only one currently ranked team left to play and that isn't until Thanksgiving.  In between they have a tough test at Virginia Tech, but this is a very manageable schedule to weave through to get to a possible BCS championship game.  Better luck next year at becoming big time Clemson.  I had predicted a 13 point FSU win and they won by 12 so not too shabby.

Weekend Viewing Guide 9/21/12

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller

 Last night I got to witness some mini-history as the Washington Nationals clinched a playoff spot.  The crowd was quite electric in watching a DC based baseball team punch its ticket to the post season for the first time since 1933.  Of course last night's win only guarantees one extra game at this point, but its a start.  When you go to a sporting event, or even watch it at home, you never know what type of history you'll see.  Not every game will produce a memorable result, but every once in a while you will get to say "I was there" and those memories might just last forever.

This weekend might just produce one of those jaw dropping, wish I was watching, tell all your friends moments.  Those moments that are etched in the hearts and souls of the die hard fans.  They will make you weep with sorrow and cry in ecstasy.  To this day every time I see Kirk Gibson limp around the bases after hitting the game winning home run off of Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, I well up in anger and fling the remote across the room.  I was 10 years old.  It was the first time I cried while watching sports.  I was hooked for life.

Here's what you should be watching this weekend in the hopes that you catch one of those indelible moments:

10.  Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

The incredibly tough schedule that faces Denver to start the season continues this week as they host my Super Bowl winner Houston.  After already facing Pittsburgh and Atlanta, the Broncos still have New England and San Diego on the road before their bye week (with Oakland as well) and then New Orleans coming out of the break.  Peyton Manning looked downright awful to start on Monday night, but rebounded to give the Broncos a sporting chance.  There have been very little issues for the Texans so far this season.  They have handled both the mediocre Dolphins and inept Jaguars with relative ease for their 2-0 start.  Behind the two headed monster of Arian Foster and Ben Tate (184 yards, 3 TD's) and a very good defense, it has been just like early 2011 before all the injuries hit when the Texans were the breakout team of the season.  Final Score: Houston 30 Denver 24

9. Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals

Fresh off of clinching a playoff spot, the Washington Nationals will now turn their focus into wrapping up the N.L. East crown.  They host the surging Milwaukee Brewers who have come out of nowhere to threaten for a playoff spot.  They have leapfrogged practically the entire National League in the last 30 days with a 22-6 record since August 19th when they were 12.5 games out of the 2nd Wild Card spot.  Today they have passed six teams and are only 2.5 games out from making the playoffs.  The turnaround has been quite remarkable and has been spearheaded by reigning MVP Ryan Braun who has put together yet another MVP season with 40 home runs, 105 RBI and a current 6.6 WAR for you SABR nerds out there.  For Washington, their magic number is 7 meaning they could theoretically wrap up the division as early as Monday with some help from Philadelphia.  Realistically these two teams split the four game and Washington clinches on the road.

8. #22 Arizona Wildcats at  #3 Oregon Ducks

More west coast football taking the big stage.  After last weekends shocking Stanford upset of #2 ranked USC, the Oregon Ducks now have a chance to stake their claim as BCS Championship contenders.  Sure the talk will be all about what horrific concoction Oregon rolls out for their jersey of choice, but after we get past that it will be all about their high powered offense.  They are currently averaging 54 points a game against inferior competition, but I don't think Arizona will want to do much to slow the pace of the game down.  In their only competitive game, the Wildcats won a shootout against then #18 ranked Oklahoma St. 59-38.  That is the type of scoring I'm hoping for in this game.  Arizona will do their damage in the air behind Matt Scott who has nearly 1000 yards passing already while Oregon will run the ball early and often with Kenjon Barner and do everything athlete De'Anthony Thomas.  Thomas leads the Ducks in receiving with 11 receptions and 3 touchdowns, but he also has 13 rushes at 17.5 yards per carry and 4 more scores.  That's some silly production to start the season.  Final Score:  Oregon 55 Arizona 34

7. Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees

So we meet again...unfortunately not for the last time.  The team that can't spend enough versus the team that doesn't have any money to spend.  The Bronx Bombers versus Moneyball.  The future Yankees versus the current Yankees.  $197 million payroll vs. $55 million payroll.  East coast bias versus a team that is trying to leave its home city.  All the differences and yet these two teams come into the final two weeks of play separated by a single game.  The Yankees lead the A.L. East by 1 game over the Baltimore Orioles who are tied for the Wild Card lead with the Athletics.  Oakland has lost their only 3 veteran starters within the last month and are now completely reliant on a bunch of rookies and castoffs in their rotation.  New York on the other hand has recently re-added veteran Andy Pettitte to the rotation which already has former Cy Young award winner C.C. Sabathia.  Oakland is hanging together with bubble gum and fishing line, but this weekend could be a disaster if the pitching doesn't hold up.  I see the Yankees winning at least two with a real chance at a sweep.

6. #18 Michigan Wolverines at #11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Is it time to take Notre Dame seriously?  This would normally be the type of game where the Irish would fall flat after a huge win, but maybe this year version is different.  Michigan has picked themselves up off the mat after being throttled by Alabama with wins over Air Force and Massachusetts who aren't quite at the same level as the defending champion, #1 ranked Crimson Tide.  Frankly I don't know what to make of Michigan just yet, and that makes me think maybe they can win this one.  The key will be how Denard Robinson handles another good defensive unit.  We saw him struggle mightily against Alabama, but Notre Dame is no Alabama.  Classic trap game here: Michigan 26 Notre Dame 23

5. #15 Kansas St. Wildcats at #6 Oklahoma Sooners

Quick story: Kansas St. always makes me remember a quarterback they once had, Chad May who wore #5.  May 5...my birthday, I always liked him for that reason.  This Wildcats team is much more competitive than they were with May at the helm, but this week they head to Norman, OK to face a much better Sooners team.  Fans will be hoping for a more competitive game than last seasons that ended in a 58-17 blowout in favor of Oklahoma.  The scary thought is that game was in Manhattan, KS and it might be even uglier this year around.  If anything at least we will get to watch stud quarterback Landry Jones try and carve apart the Wildcats secondary (505 yards passing last year) once again.  It will be a bit closer this go around but the story will remain the same Oklahoma 42 Kansas St. 24

4. Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels

That loud sound you hear in southern California is the clock ticking away on the Angels season.  Every time they make a mini surge they drop a series that they have to win.  After winning the first game at home against Texas, they dropped the final two of the key series.  With only 12 games remaining the Angels now face the arduous task of making up 5 games on either the Orioles or the Athletics to attempt to salvage a disappointing season.  Their opponent, the Chicago White Sox have everything to play for.  They have a slim two game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the A.L. Central and will give the Angels fits.  I think Chicago wins two of three (okay...I really really really hope they do) and puts a near virtual end to the Angles season...YOU CAN PUT THAT ON THE BOARD....YESSSSS!!!!

3.  New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens

I know NBC was hoping for a 2-0 vs. 2-0 battle between these two Super Bowl contenders when the schedule was release.  I definitely know that nobody foresaw the loser of this game dropping to 1-2 on the early season.  Both teams lost games last week that they should have won.  The Patriots with Tom Brady at quarterback had only lost once at home and never in a home opener until last week.  They looked awful and lost starting TE Aaron Hernandez for at least a month with an ankle injury.  The Ravens had a 10 point halftime lead and a six point fourth quarter lead, both of which they blew losing by a single point.  This will be their second prime time, nationally televised game and the schedulers at the NFL will do them no favors as they have to play again four nights after this game.  I think Baltimore responds at home with a 27-23 victory.


2. PGA Tour Championship

So it all comes down to this.  Can Rory run away with the title by winning his 3rd straight event?  Can Tiger come all the way back and hoist the trophy again?  Will he quit mid stream because he is too intimidated by Rory?  Will Phil come out of nowhere to get back to the top of the mountain?  All we can hope for all three of them to be with a shot or two of each other on Sunday afternoon.  The NFL season is still early enough that you can miss out on a couple games and settle in for some top notch golf with abundant story lines.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, fans must savor weekends like this where the generational gap will be crossing paths.  There will only be a small window where we get Tiger and Phil playing top notch golf along with the newest wunderkind in Rory.  Just the fact that I can write this entire preview and not use a single last name says all you need to know about the popularity of these three golfers.  For the record I have to go with Rory to put a cherry on top of his stellar run here at the end of the season with another victory.

 1. #10 Clemson Tigers at #4 Florida St. Seminoles

It's been a while since Florida St. has been this good.  Even though they have not played any quality opponents, they have done exactly what has been asked out of them by stomping the living crap out of them.  Through their first three games they have outscored their opponents 176-3.  That is not a misprint.  Clemson vows to be a bit more of a test with the likes of Tajh Boyd, Andre Ellington, Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins all a threat to score every time they get their hands on the ball.  If the offense of Clemson can find a way to penetrate the stout Florida St. offense this game could get really exciting.  Last season with very similar rosters, Clemson won 35-30 at home, this year it will be the other way around as Florida St. will hold serve and win a shootout 37-24.

Weekend In Review 9/10/12

...and I'm spent.

Thursday night: Burger grand opening at ZBurger w/ Philly cheese steaks, custard, fries, hot dogs, onion rings and some milkshakes (not necessarily in that order).

Friday night: Burger grand opening at Kraze: w/ fries and a milkshake

Saturday: College Football, work, survived a mini hurricane, dodged a tornado and got some pizza (must find veggies this week)

Sunday:  Football, Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Fantasy Football (and still no veggies...do Doritos count?)

If your weekend was like that or maybe you went on Burger Days VI (www.burgerdays.com) you may have missed something...let me catch you up.

10. BMW Championship

I went out on a limb on Thursday and called that Tiger Woods would win this week.   Well that didn't happen as Rory McIlroy continued his recent dominance winning for the second week in a row.  Tiger finished T-4th, three shots behind.  Phil Mickelson remembered that he was once good and came on strong over the weekend tying for second place.  With next weeks Tour Championship starting on Thursday, the golf world will be all abuzz with the three biggest draws finally playing well at the same time.  McIlroy has put his early season distractions aside and is proving to be the prodigy that everyone thought he was going to be.  It will be difficult to go against him winning a third straight and the FedEx Cup in Atlanta.

9.  College Football - Upset Alert

Behind six touchdown passes from Matt Barkley, USC eased by Syracuse in New Jersey (although they didn't cover...sorry Luis, I warned you).  Florida St. was a 70.5 point favorite over Savannah 'thanks for the $' St. and led 28-0 seven minutes into the game.  Then the weather took over.  A couple of rain delays and 27 more points later, the game was mercifully called in the 3rd quarter canceling the spread and saving a lot of people some money because it would have been 80-0 easy.  As for the games I figured were going to be close.  Missouri played a good three quarters, but Georgia played all four quarters, ruining the Tigers first SEC game, losing 41-20.  My upset pick at work (trust me) was Wisconsin losing to Oregon St. outright and they did 10-7, scoring their only points with less than 2 minutes left in the game.  Nebraska went out west to play UCLA and got upended in a great game 36-30.  Of course I can't forget to point out the embarrassment that was Arkansas who got caught looking ahead to #1 Alabama next week by getting utterly shocked by Louisiana-Monroe (who??) 34-31 in OT.  Yikes!

8. Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints

Control yourself Jason...settle down...SUPER BOWL HERE WE COME!!! Stop that...sorry for the outburst, but did you see RGIII? He looked good, real good.  Of course so did Cam Newton last season after a week and Carolina finished 6-10 and looked pitiful Sunday.  All the gadgets, the speed, the offense that was hidden during preseason was unleashed as #10 led the Redskins to 10 points in each quarter to upend the Saints 40-32.  I give credit to Drew Brees on never giving in and keeping me on the edge of my seat down to the final play of the game, but his brilliance wasn't enough this weekend.  Is it the Super Bowl host city curse?? Maybe, but I'm thrilled to see the Redskins finally show some excitement on the offensive side of the ball. RGIII FOR MVP...NO WAIT HALL OF FAME!!!! Agghhh I can't stop myself.

7. San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers

It appears that the Packers have found their Kryptonite...a really good defense.  Two straight games now (dating back to the playoffs against the Giants) the vaunted Green Bay offense was held in check in a loss.  Both times at home and in relatively similar fashion this time falling by a score of 30-22 (37-20 vs. New York in the playoffs).  The 49ers stuffed the non existent running game of the Packers and pressured Aaron Rodgers just enough to keep him off balance.  Green Bay needs to find some offensive balance or one of two things is bound to happen: either they will lose again in the playoffs or Rodgers arm will fall off by Thanksgiving.  San Francisco is going to be the real deal again this season.  Their offense is leaps and bounds better with Randy Moss and great depth at running back. 

6. Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays

4, 6 and 6.  The total runs scored in each game.  Good pitching won this weekend as it is apt to do come September and October.  Tampa Bay took two of three games keeping themselves close in the Wild Card and the A.L. East races.  The Rangers saw their lead in the A.L. West shrink to 3.5 games over Oakland as the Athletics swept the Seattle Mariners.  Saturday was a great pitchers duel between Yu Darvish and David Price Chris Archer (who stepped in for the injured ace) as they combined for 15 in, 6 H, 4 BB, 3 ER and 19 K's.  Neither received a decision as Texas won their lone game of the series in extra innings.  James Shields lived up to his moniker of 'Big Game James' as he utterly dominated a strong Rangers lineup throwing a complete game 2 hit shutout and was aided by a three home run game from B.J. Upton.

5. U.S. Open Tennis

The weather was the big winner of the weekend as rain caused havoc on the schedule.  The Men's Final has been pushed to 4pm today and it will be...drum roll please...Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic.  I am as shocked as you are folks.  As soon as Roger Federer lost, we knew it would come down to the last of the Big 4 and it did.  The women's side was much more tightly contested even though it ended as was expected.  Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka played a wonderful three set match in which the #1 seed Azaranka pulled out winning the last two sets.  Serena Williams continued to cruise through the Open as she crushed Sara Errani in straight sets.  This set up a dream match up for fans and they were treated to some high level, high intensity tennis.  Serena won the first set with ease again and I thought the tournament was over.  Azarenka had other thoughts as she turned the tables, thumping Williams to force a winner take all third set.  Serena was broken early and then broke back.  At 3-3 her serve was broken again giving Azarenka a 4-3 lead which she stretched to 5-3.  Serena fought back, cutting it to 5-4 and then broke Azarenka who was serving for the match to even the third set at 5 games apiece.  Serena held serve and broke Azarenka again to win the championship.  It was enthralling and I'm so happy I brought the small television to the man cave and didn't have to miss it.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants

The Dodgers had a great chance to make the N.L. West a true race with a strong weekend, but things got worse for them as the days went by.  On Friday, Giants starter Tim Lincecum tried everything in his power to let the Dodgers win.  He walked 7 batters in 6.1 innings, but Los Angeles couldn't get the big hit stranding 11 runners in a 5-2 loss where San Francisco scored 4 runs in their final three at bats.   Saturday came and the Dodgers were without Matt Kemp who is suffering from a sore shoulder.  They had to face Matt Cain and fared as expected as they were trailing 2-1 going to the 8th inning.  They tied the score and chased Cain and then got the go ahead and eventual winning run in the 9th.  Knowing they had Clayton Kershaw going on Sunday, the Dodgers had to feel excited about taking the series.  Then word came Sunday afternoon that Kershaw was scratched with an injury.  That must have deflated the locker room as Barry Zito (yes, him) dominated Los Angeles with 6.1 shutout innings as the Giants won 4-0 to extend their lead to 5.5 games.

3. Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels

Somebody in the Detroit locker room better send the Kansas City Royals a thank you card.  The Tigers rolled into Los Angeles to face the scorching hot Angels and got swept right out of town.  They only lost a game in the standings to the White Sox thanks to Kansas City winning two of three, but have practically fallen out of the Wild Card race.  The Angels, on the other hand, have won 6 in a row and 11 of 12 as they welcome Oakland to southern California for a four game series after just taking three straight in Oakland.  They are 2.5 games behind the Athletics and 6 behind Texas.  Detroit had best lick their wounds quickly as they fly to Chicago to battle the White Sox in their own four game mega-series. Oh about the Verlander-Trout match up...yeah Trout hit a bomb off of Justin in the 1st inning...statement made.


2. New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles

This was the exact opposite series than that of the Rangers/Rays series.  16, 13, 9, 16.  That's a lot of runs by two good hitting, average pitching teams.  The Orioles won the first game behind 6 home runs, but the Yankees struck back in game two with 3 home runs of their own (as did the Orioles...remember pitching optional) to win.  Game three was the 'pitchers duel' of the series between C.C. Sabathia, who is clearly pitching injured, and Joe Saunders.  Yup, grasping at straws here.  The Orioles hit three more home runs to win another one run game.  They tied the Yankees for 1st again, but lost lead off hitter Nick Markakis to a broken hand.  This must have stung the Baltimore clubhouse because they got thrashed on Sunday 13-3, failing again at their chance to stand alone atop the A.L. East.  Life doesn't getting any easier for Baltimore as Tampa Bay strolls into town with a chance to knock the Orioles to third place.


1. Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Welcome back Peyton Manning.  The NFL missed you while you were gone.  After sitting out a year with a neck injury and switching teams, Manning didn't skip a beat.  After each team started slowly, things got going in the second quarter when Knoshown Moreno scampered in for a score.  Big Ben took the Steelers right down the field and hit Heath Miller for a touchdown as the 1st half ended.  Pittsburgh got the ball back to start the 3rd quarter and used 9 minutes to score 3 points.  In real time, Peyton Manning didn't run an actual play from scrimmage (kneel down doesn't count to me) in an hour and now trailed 13-7.  Two plays and 36 seconds later, it was 14-13 Broncos as Manning connected with Demaryius Thomas on a 71 yard score.  Pittsburgh then controlled the ball for the remainder of the 3rd quarter, but still trailed by 1 point.  That didn't last long as the Steelers scored in the first minute to go up 19-14.  Then Peyton took over.  He led the Broncos on back to back scoring drives for 10 points giving them a 25-19 lead and Tracy Porter sealed the deal for Denver with a pick-six touchdown (as he is known to do).

Weekend Viewing Guide 9/6/12

Last week welcomed College Football back and this weekend it is all about the NFL.  Wednesday night got it all started as the Dallas Cowboys went into New York and stunned the Giants.  I predicted the Cowboys to make the playoffs and the Giants not to, so good start through one game!!

The week in baseball has been a crazy one with the Orioles and Rays continuing to inch closer to the New York Yankees in the A.L. East.  The Detroit Tigers stumbled a bit against the lowly Cleveland Indians as the Chicago White Sox regained a one game advantage in the A.L. Central.  The Texas Rangers took advantage of playing the Kansas City Royals by extending their lead out west to 5 games as the Los Angeles Angels swept away the once hot Oakland Athletics in Oakland.  Not only did the Athletics lose, but they also lost starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy after he took a ball off the head hit back at him.  There are now five teams within 3 games of the two Wild Card spots in the American League.

In the National League, the Washington Nationals are in total cruise control even with the impending shutdown of Stephen Strasburg.  Their lead is 7.5 games and a divisional crown is only a matter of time now.  The same can be said in the Central where the Cincinnati Reds continue to maintain a sizable advantage over both the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.  Needless to say, both of those divisions are sewed up, but that can't be said about the N.L. West.  The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to hang in the race with the San Francisco Giants with their new $8 billion roster.  The Wild Card has four teams within 1.5 games and two others on the fringes at 6.5 games back.

This weekend will continue to paint the playoff picture for baseball fans, but all of that will get overshadowed by the first weekend of the NFL.  Mix in some PGA playoffs, the end of the U.S. Open and the second weekend of College Football and boy do we have a fun 72 hours ahead in the world of sports.

Here's what you should be watching:

10. BMW Championship

Last weekend Rory McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship for his 3rd victory of the season and tied Tiger Woods for top spot in that category.  He also took the lead in the FedEx Cup standings with this weekend and next weekend as the final two events.  I am predicting that Tiger Woods answers back and finally puts together a complete tournament to win this weekend.  That should set up a glorious final weekend in Atlanta to decide the Cup winner.  Take advantage of this moment in time with both McIlroy and Woods playing high level golf because the window could close anytime as Woods hands the torch to McIlroy as the World's greatest active golfer.

9. College Football-Upset Alert

No marquee games this weekend with the NFL starting, but there are a couple of teams that should be on high alert for an upset.  No, I am not talking about Florida St. who is a scant 70.5 point favorite to beat Savannah St. (not that I was looking or anything).  Southern Cal might be traveling cross country, but they should handle Syracuse with ease.  Missouri is welcomed to the SEC by hosting #7 Georgia and it should be a good test for the Bulldogs.  #13 Wisconsin struggled to beat Northern Iowa and now has to go west to face Oregon St. who has yet to play this season.  The final game that could bring an upset is #16 Nebraska who heads to Los Angeles to take on UCLA.  Not the greatest slate of games, but its still better than nothing.

8. Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints

Okay I admit this was has a bit of personal backing to it, but I think everyone is eager to see what RGIII can do in the NFL.  With apologies to Andrew Luck, Indianapolis is not Washington D.C. and a match up against New Orleans who is wrought with dramatic story lines themselves is too tasty to pass up.  Washington kept the playbook for Griffin under wraps during the preseason which just adds to the intrigue.  On the other side of the ball, the Saints will be without head coach Sean Payton and linebacker Jonathan Vilma for the season due to 'Bountygate'.   They are also the host city for the Super Bowl and all the curses that go along with that so it will be interesting to track each team this season for two totally different reasons.

7. San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers

The defensive stalwart of 2011 versus the offensive juggernaut of 2011 who both came up short last season thanks to the New York Giants.  Both teams expect to be in the hunt for this years Super Bowl with the same formula that got them to the playoffs last season.  San Francisco did add Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in an attempt to solidify some of their offensive woes, but it will be their defense that wins them games this season again.  The Packers will continue to air the ball out and play just enough defense to win, but they had better try and find a running attack for when the weather turns cold or else it could be another early exit for them in the playoffs.

6. Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays

The league's best offense against the league's best pitching staff.  Yes this is playoff baseball in September.  Yu Darvish who has regained his dominant form will face David Price on Saturday and on Sunday 'Big Game' James Shields will face underrated Matt Harrison.  This will be a tough series for hitters and pitchers alike and excellent for fans to watch.  If only they could find a better stadium than the dump that is dubbed 'The Trop' for it to take place.  Speaking of showing up...where are you Tampa fans?  Your team tries so hard and you don't give a damn.  (Now if this is not the pot calling the kettle black, as my Athletics constantly play in front of small crowds).  Common denominator: crap stadiums. 

 5.  U.S. Open Tennis

Yes it was sad to see the career of Andy Roddick come to an end.  Mardy Fish had to withdraw and thus no American male made a run to the title once again.  Instead, outside of the unending rain, the story shifted to which of the 'Big 3' would win the seasons final Grand Slam event.  But a funny thing happened on the way to glory for Roger Federer.  He was upended by Tomas Berdych in the Quarterfinals.  That left just Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic left as expected finalists.  On the Women's side of the draw three of the top four seeds are still alive in the Semifinals.  Maria Sharapova is playing the best tennis of her career and she will face #1 seed Victoria Azarenka while nobody seems to be able to stop Serena Williams on the bottom half of the draw.  She has yet to drop a set and will face 10th seeded Sara Errani with a trip to the Finals on the line.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants

The lone notable series in the National League deals with the only division that has yet to be decided.  Of course all that could change if the Giants, who have a 4.5 game lead, sweep away their rivals from the south.  It all starts with two pitchers who have had their share of controversy this season as new arrival Josh Beckett goes for LA and Tim Lincecum starts for San Francisco.  Nobody knows what to expect from either pitcher, but they have both pitched big games and it should be a treat...a San Francisco treat (groan).  The other two games appear to be mismatches with Matt Cain toeing the slab for the Giants on Saturday against Chris Capuano, while Sunday the tables are turned with Clayton Kershaw having the obvious advantage against Barry Zito.


3. Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels

With the White Sox hosting the Kansas City Royals, this could be a very bad weekend for the Tigers.  The Angels have found their groove again as they push back into playoff contention.  With a half game separating the two and 3 teams to climb over to secure a playoff spot, neither team can afford to have a bad series.  Detroit does have Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander going while the Angels will be without the services of All-Star Jered Weaver who is nursing a bruised shoulder which gives Detroit a much needed advantage on the mound.  The Angels can play small ball with their team speed and long ball with the likes of Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo.  Oh and don't forget Mike Trout.  Verlander vs. Trout...yes please.

2. New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles

In what can only be described as the biggest series at Camden Yards since 1997, the Baltimore Orioles could conceivably be all alone in 1st place in the A.L. East by Sunday night.  Going into the huge four game series, Baltimore stands only 1 game back of the Bronx Bombers.  I only hope fans of Baltimore can forgive Peter Angelos for just one weekend and turn out at the best ballpark in the land and give the Orioles a true home field advantage.  If they don't, I'm sure there are plenty of Yankees fans that will flood into Baltimore and turn the city into New York south...show up or shut up Orioles fans.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

The game that everyone is interested to see is on prime time Sunday night.  The return of NFL spokesman Peyton Manning, this time in a Broncos jersey, is here.  The NFL didn't do him any favors as he tests his oft surgically repaired neck against the always dangerous Pittsburgh defense.  The Broncos are trendy favorites to come out of the AFC to be in the Super Bowl, but fans realize that Peyton Manning's career could be over with one James Harrison hit on the first series of the game.  Everyone will be holding their breath each time Manning steps back to pass.  For Pittsburgh, they have plenty of question marks with the health of Big Ben, the multiple injuries at running back, a new offensive coordinator and a disgruntled diva wide receiver in Mike Wallace.

Pocket Pair 8/6/12

It's a dreary Monday here outside D.C. with overcast clouds a light drizzle and yet its still overbearingly humid.  The day will get better and I'm hoping to head downtown tonight with the wife for the Screen on the Green presentation of Psycho.  Outdoor Hitchcock..nighttime, shower scene, evil mom...perfect.  That would be a great ending to a Monday.  As for the last 72 hours...let's look back at the Weekend that was.

5. Hall of Fame Game


I'll be honest, I watched the 1st two series of this game and that was it.  I know, I know you're saying 'Jason you were touting that the NFL is back!!'.  That's correct, but since I was out and about all day being a good DC tourist I missed the Olympics so that is what I watched.  The Saints drove down the field for a touchdown behind Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram which signified the end of the night for Drew Brees.  It wasn't that pretty for the Cardinals as Kevin Kolb threw a wounded duck of a pass that got intercepted on his 1st drive.  He also bruised/cracked some ribs last night so there's that as well.  Full slate of games start on Thursday as everyone in Washington will be glued to see RGIII.

4. Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays


7 runs.  That's all that was scored in this series.  By both teams.  Combined.  Each game was a shutout with the Orioles much maligned staff winning the series with two of the shutouts.  I guess the old axiom that bad pitching beats horrible hitting is true.  Baltimore and Tampa Bay continue their game of leap frog as the Orioles are now a game ahead of the Rays in the standings, but still 6.5 out in the A.L. East and a game out of the Wild Card behind Oakland and Detroit.  With the Yankees and Detroit playing each other and the Angels and Athletics playing each other the Rays (vs. Toronto) and Orioles (vs. Seattle) have a chance to make up ground against bad teams.

3.   Los Angeles Angels at Chicago White Sox


No worries about a lack of scoring when you involve to really good offenses and no aces are pitching.  The White Sox out slugged the Angels in a very competitive series.  The Angels are in the middle of a very difficult stretch of games (13 straight against Tampa Bay, Texas, Chicago and Oakland) and are 4-6 in their last 10.  Each week I have become more and more of a believer in the White Sox.  They can hit with anyone and their pitching has been remarkably better than I thought it would.  Chris Sale has had back to back bad starts and that is worrisome as he has entered uncharted territory in innings pitched and I don't know how reliable he'll be down the stretch.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds


I guess it took Clint Hurdle getting ejected on Saturday night to wake the Pirates up in this series.  After dropping the first two games in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh was saved with another stellar outing by Cy Young candidate (favorite even??) A.J. Burnett.  The series opened with the Reds shutting out the Pirates behind Mat Latos throwing 7 1/3 innings and hitting a two run home run to help his cause.  Saturday saw the drama that comes with a pennant chase as the Reds hit Josh Harrison (without intent it seems), but the home plate umpire felt the need to warn both benches, eliminating the chance for the Pirates to respond if they wanted to.  Clint Hurdle (the Pirates manager) took exception and tried to fire his team up by arguing, but they still fell a run short.  The lead for the Reds may sit at 4.5 games and they may have the easier schedule on paper, but the Pirates have 32 home games left to the Reds 25 home games so it still may get tight again.

1. The Summer Olympics


It was another great weekend of competition.  Michael Phelps stole most of the headlines with him winning gold in his final race and subsequent retirement announcement, but the U.S. as a whole did really well in the numerous swimming events.  Andy Murray did what he couldn't do in Wimbledon by winning on his home court against Roger Federer for gold.  Track and Field started and Jamaica was the big winners as they swept the 'fastest woman' and 'fastest men' titles in the 100m race.  This means Usain Bolt joined American Carl Lewis as the only repeat winner of gold in the 100m in Olympic history.  That in itself is impressive.  That he has done it rather easily is another feat all into itself.  The United States is looking to take gold in women's soccer and beach volleyball and the men's basketball team survived a scare as it inches closer to playing for medals.

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I can't make it through the weekend without mentioning the Washington Nationals can I?  They once again dipped into their AAA farm system, the Oakland Athletics, and traded for Kurt Suzuki.  As the longest tenured member of my favorite team it was sad to see him go, but his offensive skill level had diminished vastly over the last two years that it just didn't make sense for Oakland to keep paying him $6.5 million a year.  They had already acquired a younger, better hitting, not nearly as good defensive catcher in Derek Norris from Washington (in the Gio Gonzalez trade).  So why not keep with the plan of shedding salary and getting younger?  The Nationals have used about 36 catchers this season and while he may not hit, Kurt Suzuki immediately solidifies the position, gives veteran leadership and will continue to mold the Nationals young pitching staff as he did with countless young pitchers in Oakland.

This is another win/win trade between my two favorite teams.  I'm very happy that they continue to shuffle talent back and forth to help each franchise.  It's much better than losing players to Boston (oh BTW how's Andrew Bailey doing for you, you Boston douches?) and New York.

World Series 2014 Washington vs Oakland San Jose...I can't wait.

Pocket Pair 8/3/12

The weekend is here, time to kick back relax and enjoy yourself.  For those not heading to the beach or on some fantastic vacation, I offer up your weekend viewing guide in the world of sports.

5. Hall of Fame Game


Preseason football is here!!  It may not count, but it is football and I know you will watch.  This was the only game that was canceled last season during the lockout, but this year you get Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints versus Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals.  When it comes to thinking about the Hall of Fame, the Cardinals and Saints are two teams that don't come to mind.  Dan Dierdorf was the last player to be inducted from the Cardinals franchise and he retired in 1983.  The Saints have had a checkered history and have only seen three players inducted from their franchise.  The game is Sunday night so watch the Olympics live on Sunday so that you don't have go back and forth...NFL!!!!!!

4. Baltimore at Tampa Bay


Just when you thought both of these franchises were dead in the water they right the ship.  The Orioles have won 3 of 4 including 2 of 3 in New York while the Rays went 6-3 on a very difficult road trip to Baltimore, Los Angeles and Oakland.  Each team stands only 6.5 games behind the Yankees after being more the double digits behind just two weeks ago.  Do I think either will catch New York? No.  In all actuality they have their sights focused on the two Wild Card spots where they are only 1.5 games out.  Neither team made any key additions or subtractions at the trade deadline so the Orioles will continue to piece together a pitching staff, while the Rays will try and eke out enough runs to support their pitchers.

3. Los Angeles Angels at Chicago White Sox


After a grueling four game set in the heat of Texas where pitching was optional, the Angels now head to the mid-west to take on first place Chicago.  The White Sox have feasted off the Minnesota Twins of late winning 5 of 6 games and also took 2 of 3 from the struggling Texas Rangers.  They now begin a nine game home stand with both the Angles and Athletics coming to town.  The only downside of this series is the neither Chris Sale nor Jered Weaver are scheduled to pitch as the Angels are pushing back Weaver to line him up against my Athletics next week...screw you Angels, screw you.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds


A meaningful series for the city of Pittsburgh in August.  For the older generations that must just sound right.  The Reds are blazing hot (and doing so without Joey Votto) and hold a 3.5 game lead over the Pirates.  It's this close because Pittsburgh has yet to play a game against a team over .500 since the All-Star break.  Really! Look it up...Milwaukee, Colorado, Miami, Chicago, Houston and Chicago again.  Five crappy teams that are a combined 97 games BELOW .500.  Yeah that's a cake schedule.  Of course Cincinnati has gone 12-1 against very similar, soft, opponents in Milwaukee, Houston, Colorado and San Diego after starting the 2nd half against St. Louis and Arizona.  We really don't know if either of these teams are really good, but they are good at beating bad teams.

1. The Summer Olympics


Week one is wrapping up meaning short distance swimming and gymnastics are coming to a close and track & field is getting under way.  In between tennis, volleyball, soccer and basketball will start handing out medals as they are all just about finished with group stages.  There have been plenty of great moments for the United States, but there have been some disappointments as well...I'm looking at you Ryan Lochte.  Outside of the tape delay controversy here in the states, the lack of corporate sponsored fans filling the seats and the badminton scandal  the London games have been rather successful.  I still can't believe that baseball is NOT an Olympic sports, but dudes jumping on a trampoline is.  Something is wrong with that, really wrong.

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Yesterday I unplugged from the world at noon so that I could watch the Olympics at night the way were used to...hours late.  Here at work I am afforded the opportunity to watch everything live with multiple televisions and my iPad available at my desk, but I didn't feel like doing it yesterday.  I wanted to sit on my couch with my wife and watch Lochte vs Phelps one last time.  I held my breath every time Gabby Douglas flipped in the air.  I cheered when Rebecca Soni broke her own world record then night after setting it to win gold.

With me going back in time to the days of yore before internet, before Twitter and Facebook, I almost felt like reading a newspaper this morning...almost.  I really can't wait for the 2016 Olympics with live prime time events.  I've gotten used to getting information in real time and I like it that way.  I feel bad for Bob Costas having to fake dramatic speeches to keep the viewer locked in on NBC.  Its such a waste.  He must be so very bored, at least it looks that way.

I don't know if I'll try that experiment again, but it was fun for a night.

Pocket Pair 7/23/12

It may be Monday, but I'm still beaming from what the Oakland Athletics were able to accomplish this weekend.  More on that later.  It was a rainy weekend he in Virginia, but hopefully all of that is past us and we can dry out and play some baseball.  My team, the Falls Church News Hounds are facing elimination tonight, but I can be sure that we won't go down swinging.  We're not ready to give up the crown that easily.

This week also marks the final week of work for my mom.  She is retiring from the U.S. Government after 39 years of service.  20 at the Pentagon and 19 at the U.S.G.S.. It's almost guaranteed she finds new work quickly on a part time basis, because she is not one to sit around.  Sure she can golf, go geocaching, do puzzles and (hopefully) babysit in the near future, but I think she find something to do.  We have a party for her this weekend planned and I can't think of a harder working, more consistent employee than her that deserves a celebration of a career than she does.

As for what went on in the world or sports (and entertainment) this weekend, we look back.

10.  The Dark Knight Rises

The release of the 3rd part of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy was marred Friday night by a psychotic gunman in Colorado at a midnight showing.  Yet another gun related tragedy in the United States and without getting too political it needs to stop.  I am not a gun owner, nor have I ever fired one but that has a lot to do with my upbringing and where I live.  I have never been into hunting or felt unsafe in my house that would necessitate owning a gun, but I understand why they should be allowed to be owned.  I'm not against guns, I just think we have too many of them and they are glorified as accessories rather than what they truly are: killing devices.  Moving on...

I didn't see the movie because I don't like going to crowded theaters to see PG-13 movies.  I get weekdays off from work and I like to cruise into my local theater and hang out with retirees and a bunch of empty seats.  I can wait a week, its no rush.  Due to the tragedy in Colorado, the numbers of dollars that the movie made were not released, but it will be interesting to see how the events Friday night affect the sales.  I doubt it did much because I can only assume that most tickets were already bought by Saturday morning for the weekend.

9. San Francisco Giants at Philadelphia Phillies

This weekend might have been the last relevant weekend for the Phillies.  They dropped two of three to the Giants even as they were getting healthier as a team.  Tim Lincecum shut Philadelphia down as he continues to try and right the worst season of his career.  The pitchers' duel on Saturday fizzled between Cain and Hamels mainly because they decided to homer off each other.  Each pitcher gave up 5 earned runs and the Giants pulled it out in extras.  The home run derby that I expected for Sunday's game actually was the best pitched match up of the series as Barry Zito and Joe Blanton gave up only 3 runs each (although they did give up 4 home runs) over 15 combined innings and luckily for the Phillies they eked out the game in the 12th to avoid the sweep.

8. Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates

This weekend was dedicated to Andrew McCutchen and he did go 5 for 11 with a RBI.  I left realizing that Pittsburgh might not be going away this year like they did last season.  Their starting pitching is far away better and deeper this season and that will keep them in it.  The three starters gave up only 4 runs over 19 2/3 innings against the Marlins.  Even without Giancarlo Staton, Miami still has a decent offense and that is impressive to hold them down so well.  It will be real interesting to see if Pittsburgh can add 1-2 big bats to put around McCutchen for the home stretch.  Maybe they can poach somebody from Miami after sweeping them this weekend because its almost a certainty that the fish will be looking to unload some players to offset their ballooned payroll because of entering a new stadium.



7. New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics

Where do I start?  How do I keep my 'journalistic integrity' without falling into pure unabashed rantings of a die hard fan?  What is going on in Oakland is downright mesmerizing.  As a fan I don't really understand it myself.  The pitching being so good with such green pitchers is nothing new to the franchise.  Being in a cavernous stadium is conducive to a low ERA, but doing it against the Yankees is another thing.  The Athletics gave up only 10 runs to New York in 39 innings while striking out 37 batters and walking only 4.  To the New York (expletive) Yankees.  New York is the most patient team in baseball and the young Athletics staff (and Bartolo Colon) didn't flinch.  They attacked the potent lineup and even despite a couple of potential backbreaking home runs late in the games, they refused to relent.

The offense did just to help out the pitching staff.  Mainly through the use of the long ball with 6 home runs accounting for 7 of the 14 runs scored for Oakland, the Athletics squeaked out four 1 run victories.  The flaws are still obvious.  They can't get on base, they strike out too much and hit way too many fly balls.  Coco Crisp was one of the heroes today, but the fact is he is hitting .248 with a .309 OBP as the primary lead off hitter and their number two hitter, Jemile Weeks is hitting .216 with a measly .301 OBP.  That will not cut it.  Along with almost zero production from the shortstop and catcher positions this season its quite miraculous the Athletics ever score.  They need to address at least two of those holes without disrupting the make and feel of the team.

Kurt Suzuki is toughest decision to make.  He is so revered on that team as a signal caller and team leader, but his offense as fallen off the cliff so suddenly that his defensive skill set is just not good enough to keep him as a regular starter.  He hit his first home run of the season today and as the fourth highest paid player on a low budget team something needs to be done.  He is the primary reason why any young pitcher seems to flourish right way in Oakland, but unlike the Designated Hitter, there isn't a Designated Fielder and his .211 average and .246 OBP is a joke.

I hate to poke holes at the magic carpet ride that is the 2012 Oakland Athletics season, but they are a poor mans New York Yankees (literally) relying so heavily on hitting home runs to survive.  They have so many pitchers to flip for hitting including injured starters Brandon McCarthy, Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson that a pitching starved team like the Blue Jays or Orioles could be a good trading partner.  J.P. Arencibia, Yunel Escobar, Wilson Betimet or J.J. Hardy would fit right in on the low average, moderate power Athletics.  They would certainly be an offensive upgrade over anybody currently wearing green and gold. It also happens to be convenient that this week Oakland will be headed to both Toronto and Baltimore with a chance to put distance between them in the Wild Card standings.  Whether it would help the team is to be seen as they just seem to enjoy each other so much right now.

 6. USA Men's Basketball vs Argentina

I tried to warn you it would be close.  It didn't start that way, but Argentina is good and without a blistering start the USA might have lost.  Tempers got heated with multiple hard fouls and quick dust ups which hopefully kept the team focused.  The game was relatively close throughout the second half thanks to Manu Ginobili who poured in 23 points, but the USA found a way to win.  It was only a six point margin, not the 20-25 I thought it might be so maybe the US squad isn't as good as I thought it was.  Their next game could be even more difficult as they take on Spain on Tuesday.  Obviously they will still be favorites to win gold in London, but it may not be the cakewalk come the medal round that we all hoped it would be.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets

Just as was the demise of the Phillies season this weekend, I think the good mojo that had been running through the Mets locker room this season may have run dry.  Picked to finish way down in the standings by most prognosticators the Mets had been a pleasant surprise behind clutch hitting and R.A. Dickey.  They caught the Dodgers at the wrong time as they are putting the pieces back together after a mid-season battle with injuries.  Los Angeles swept the Mets in New York sending the Mets back under .500 and 8.5 games out of first place in the N.L. East and 5 games out of the Wild Card.  The Dodgers are still on the outside of the playoffs looking in as I type, but their talent and momentum should get them back in rather quickly.

4. Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers


This went as planned for me.  Detroit steamrolled through the White Sox this weekend and in doing so they swapped the 1.5 game lead in the A.L. Central.  Justin Verlander was very effective again in a big spot whereas Chris Sale failed to produce in his biggest start of the season to date.  Behind a solidified starting rotation and their lineup rounding into form (no not at joke about the waistlines of Cabrera and Fielder), the Tigers are finally playing the way they should.  This will be the last time all season that Detroit is out of first place.  You can take that to the bank.  Chicago is still a very good team as they continue to tinker with their overall makeup.  They added Brett Myers this week from Houston to help in the bullpen where they don't have much veteran leadership.  It appears that their focus will be solely on the Wild Card as the calendar turns to August.

3. Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals


Up 9-0 on Friday, the Washington Nationals were in prime position to make a statement against the Braves that the race in the N.L. East was about over.  Then something funny happened on the way to the White House.  The Braves scored 10 unanswered runs, survived a game tying 9th inning home run to complete one of the biggest comebacks in baseball history.  Saturday afternoon wasn't much better for the Nationals as they lost Bryce Harper to injury when he bunted the ball off his ankle.  They were shut out in the first game of the day/night doubleheader and all of a sudden the lead for Washington had been trimmed to 1.5 games.  Harper sat out the night game and the Nationals turned back the clock to John Lannan to try and stop the bleeding.  After 1 inning it was 2-0 Braves and the confidence that the Nationals had shown all season was gone.

But these aren't your older brothers Nationals...no they are not.  They surged back scoring the final five runs of the night game and then scored the first 8 runs on Sunday en route to a 9-2 win and a series split.  Harper returned, but All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond was lost as he re-aggravated his oblique injury and will be disabled for at least a month.

It could have gone all kinds of wrong for Washington, but they survived.  Now they have Zimmerman, Gonazalez and Strasburg lined up for their three game set in New York and if that doesn't make you feel confident, I don't know what will.

Atlanta showed a lot of fight and a very well balanced lineup, but their starting pitching is a huge question mark.  When Ben Sheets is your best pitcher and he has only 2 starts this season, you know you're in trouble.

2. Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim


I think the Texas Rangers are in trouble.  Not only did they look a step slower, pitch a little worse and look lost at the plate at times, but I think the Angels are the team to beat in the A.L. West.  The Athletics may have magic, but they don't have the talent to compete in the long run.  The Rangers have pitched well above expectations and stayed healthier than they usually do, but the holes are there.  Josh Hamilton is mired in a huge slump as he continues to swing at everything.  They are 6-9 in July and about to embark on a suddenly very important 10 game home stand against the Red Sox, White Sox and the very same Angels that they just lost 2 of 3 to.  I do realize that in the first 22 days of July the Angels have gained all of 0.5 game on the Rangers (the Athletics have made up 6.5 games), but the writing is on the wall.

 Dan Haren has returned to bolster the starting rotation and he pitched very well last night.  Ervin Santana still looks like a lost puppy on the mound and I don't see the Angels sticking with him much longer.  They will add a pitcher if possible and that should be enough to chase down Texas.

1. The British Open


The first three days of The Open were played in ideal conditions which made for unusually low scoring.  None of that will ever be remembered after what went down on Sunday.  Adam Scott cruised into the final day with a seemingly insurmountable lead.  The weather became the story of the first half of the day as all of the leaders started handing back shots keeping everyone within arms length of the lead.  If you could string together only pars, you were more than likely headed in the right direction.

Adam Scott then righted the ship and still maintained a 4 stroke lead with 9 holes to go.  After he birdied the 14th hole, the engraver already had 'Adam' done on the Claret Jug.  'The tournament was over' shouted Billy Packer from his retirement home.  I was ready to turn off the television and start reading...I was even, dare I say, bored.

Tiger Woods had faded, as had Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els was playing solid, but couldn't make a putt to save his life and Brandt Snedeker remembered that he wasn't elite.  The coronation was on and Adam Scott was finally ready to win his first Major and it was well deserved.  He played the most consistent golf of anyone this weekend and even helped me reach #1 overall in ESPN's Best Ball Fantasy Golf Challenge for about 30 minutes (I finished T-102).

I guess Scott let himself think about hoisting the Claret Jug, because it all went wrong from then on.  He bogeyed the 15th, 3 putted for a bogey on the relatively easy 16th.  His lead was two over Els.  Up ahead on the 18th green, Ernie Els finally made a birdie putt to cut the lead to 1.  Adam Scott looked shaken.  He knew what was going on, he saw it slipping away.  He bogeyed the 17th and there was a two way tie at the top.  Els and Scott, who could have seen this coming??

Adam Scott shanked his drive on the 18th right into one of the 205 sand traps scattered around the course.  His only option was to hit the ball sideways for his 2nd shot.  He stood 150 yards away needed to get up and down to force a playoff.  30 minutes earlier he the announcers stated 'he had 1 had on the trophy.'  Adam Scott drilled an iron shot to within 7 feet and he looked to have stopped the free fall.  One putt to start all over, 7 feet to stay in line for that 1st ever Major Championship.  He missed and fell to his knees.  It was tough to watch.  If you have ever competed in a sport (individual or team) you've been there.  Hopefully millions of people weren't watching at the time, though.

Congrats to Ernie Els who played the best on Sunday, but you have to feel for Adam Scott, it was a very painful 30 minutes to erase 3 1/2 days of great golf.

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If you didn't notice, I omitted the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony from this weekend's to do list.  In all honesty I completely forgot.  Sorry if Barry Larkin and the late Ron Santo just didn't do it for me.  It's going to be a rough decade ahead for the Hall of Fame committee as they try to find worth entrants while ignoring a near generation full of stars who got caught up in the era of PED's.  Some are downright guilty, some are whispered to have used them and some just played at the wrong time with the wrong people.

Do I think that the best of the best during this era should get in? Yes I do.  With an asterisk.  Mention that they played during this time and whether they ever admitted to using PED's.  Don't say that they were hinted to doing so, that they were investigated or accused, but only if they came clean.  We'll never know the true extent of usage or how well it helped extend careers and improve statistics, but it obviously affected the skill level of the elite athletes in the game.

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were Hall of Fame worthy long before the mid-to-late 90's.  Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were not.  It will be very dicey over the next 10 years to get any big name player into Cooperstown and that is going to hurt the overall popularity of the Hall of Fame.  To not see any players that I grew up watching get in is going to be tough to swallow.  I don't know how I'll explain to the next generation.

Sorry son, the 1990's didn't exist.  Yeah that'll do.