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).

Pocket Pair 6/29/12

With temperatures in the low 100's this week in the D.C. area, it looks like the perfect weekend to stay home and watch sports.  Unfortunately it is a slow weekend in sports, but fear not, sports fans, use my guide and you'll find enough to avoid outdoor chores.

10: NHL Free Agency Begins


This counts as sports right?  Sure it does.  By all accounts it is a shallow pool for free agents this season, but that makes the intrigue all the more.  Who will overpay for the likes of Zach Parise and Justin Schultz?  I understand this isn't sexy, but teams have holes to fill including my Washington Capitals.  Per my insiders (Japers Rink @japersrink and Neil Greenberg @ngreenberg) the two players to hope for in Washington are Shane Doan and Mikael Samuelsson who are both right wingers which is the biggest deficiency of talent on the roster.  For more visit Japers Rink and their thoughts on what the Capitals should do here.

9: NBA Free Agency Begins


For fans of a more popular sport, (unfortunate as that is to say) the NBA follows up its draft with Free Agency.  Deron Williams is the prized jewel of the free agent class along with aging superstars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. The New Orleans Hornets revamped their roster through the draft last night, but the key to improving next season is hanging on to their lone star Eric Gordon.

8. New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers


This ship is sinking fast for the Dodgers.  Injuries have taken their toll as now Andre Either has been added to the list of casualties.  The Mets are trending upwards and even though R.A. Dickey has seen his streak of scoreless pitching come to an end, they are playing really well of late.  They also get the nod for the Sunday night national televised game and Dillon Gee will be matched up with Clayton Kershaw.  If I were Kershaw I'd be worried about pulling a muscle or straining a hamstring.


7. AT&T National 

If you are brave enough to sit through the scorching weather here in the area, head on over to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD this weekend.  Tiger Woods and a slew of relative unknowns are playing on a course that was recently seen hosting last years U.S. Open.  According to the people at Congressional, the course will play much harder during this tournament than when Rory McIlroy carved it up last year.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals


Don't look now, but both of these teams are inching towards the Cincinnati Reds for 1st place in the N.L. Central.  The defending champion Cardinals are still hitting minus the services of Albert Pujols who left them for Anaheim and Lance Berkman who is injured.   The Pirates are being buoyed by A.J. Burnett who has won 8 consecutive starts for the first time in franchise history since Dock Ellis in 1974.  It looks as though the move from New York was indeed the perfect thing to reinvigorate his fledgling career.

5. Wimbledon

Usually the first week of a Grand Slam Tournament is rather mundane with the top seeds rolling through qualifiers and youngsters, but this year has already been a shocker.  Yesterday 5 time Wimbledon finalist Rafael Nadal was ousted in jaw dropping, dramatic fashion by 100th ranked unknown Lukas Rosol.  Less stunning, but still surprising was on the Ladies side of the draw where former #1 and current 7th ranked Caroline Wozniaki was dropped in the first round.  Add to the fact that Venus Williams again disappointed losing in the first round and you've got yourself an intriguing tournament for a change during week one.

4. Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees


Two first place teams that I equally don't like, but who are both playing really good baseball right now.  The Yankees have lost 2/5 of its starting rotation this week, but they are the Yankees and we all know they will find a way to survive.  More than likely they will just hit more home runs to make up for the lack of quality outings by their staff.  The White Sox also made noise by acquiring Kevin Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox.  Game one of this 4 game set went to the White Sox on a 9th inning 3 run blast by Dayan Viciedo.

3. Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves


The first place Nationals look to stay that way as the All-Star Break approaches.  They will throw out both of their aces (Strasburg and Gonzalez) this series in hopes to add a cushion to their 3.5 game lead in the division.  The Braves who have lost Brandon Beachy and his 2.00 ERA for this season and probably next year as well with the dreaded, yet all too common Tommy John surgery.  The Braves are good, but I have a feeling this could be a possible last stand of sort if they are to contend this season.

2. Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants


Guess which pitching staff is the hottest in the Majors right now?  They are located in the Bay area and their colors are green and gold...yes the Oakland Athletics.  Over their last 14 game the A's have given up more than 3 runs only three times.  That's nice and all, but its their cross bay rivals the Giants that have thrown 4 consecutive shutouts and vaulted the injured Dodgers into 1st place in the N.L. West.  The Reds are scuffling as of late, but still hold a slim lead in the N.L. Central.  Matt Cain looks to extend the scoreless streak for the Giants tonight.

1. Euro Cup 2012 Final


Spain vs. Italy.  Hopefully we get a game like yesterday when Italy scored early at shook Germany to the core.  All it takes is an early goal to have the coaches throw out the game plan and get their team scrambling.  Mario Balotelli showed all the good that he can bring to a team while leaving all the bad out  Spain hasn't given up a goal in a knockout game since 2006 so we know they will have a great defensive structure and it will be interesting to see how the Italians try and break through.  If Spain falls behind it should be fun, if they score first it could be a mind numbing 1-0 final score.

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I am headed to Texas to get away from the D.C. heat this upcoming week.  The wife and I are headed to visit her sister, but I am looking forward to eating some Texas brisket, some local Mexican food, eating some burgers and gaining 15 pounds.  I better walk around and see the sights or else I may not make it back in one piece.

I will probably not be updating the page too much unless I need a reason to stay out of the heat.  I will be posting pictures of my gluttonous conquests on my Twitter page so enjoy those.

Enjoy the week ahead including the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 4th of July.  I do love me some food.