Showing posts with label pirates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pirates. Show all posts

Monday, August 6, 2012

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.

Friday, August 3, 2012

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.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Pocket Pair 7/16/12

This was a fun weekend for baseball fans.  The season is now headed toward the playoffs, we are two weeks away from the trade deadline and teams are on a 14 day sprint to establish themselves as playoff contenders or pretenders.  I highlighted five series from this weekend that were very important for this time of year, so lets take a look at them and see what transpired.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers

This was an entertaining series where both teams held a lead in each of the three games.  The Brewers took two of three despite Andrew McCutchen blistering the ball by going 7-12 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI while hitting a home run in each of the three games.  Friday nights pitching match up of McDonald vs Greinke  fizzled out, but Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo dominated on Sunday striking out 14 Pirates while walking none in 7 near perfect innings.  Each team seems to be short a piece or two for contending.  The Pirates need another bat to protect McCutchen while the Brewers have the Leagues third worst bullpen ERA.

4. Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles

I think we might be seeing the beginning of the end for the Orioles strong run this year.  What little pitching depth they had in the rotation took yet another hit with Jason Hammel exiting his start early with an injured knee.  Baltimore is now 3-4 starters short of a true rotation and they are running out of steam fast.  The Tigers on the other hand are finally playing like they should have from day one.  By winning 2 of 3 this weekend (only losing in 13 innings) they have vaulted the Cleveland Indians into second place and now can squarely shift their focus to the Chicago White Sox.  Justin Verlander erased his memory from his disastrous All-Star game appearance to dominate the Orioles striking out eight over 8 scoreless innings Sunday.

3. St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds

On Friday I wrote: "Both teams are just waiting to pounce on the the Pirates at the first sign of trouble and a series win this weekend could find that team in first place by Monday."  Apparently the Reds were paying attention as they swept away their bitter rivals thanks in large part to a couple of ex-Cardinals and a Cuban missile.  Ryan Ludwick had the game winning hit on Saturday and Scott Rolen did the same on Sunday to help vault Cincinnati into first place in the N.L. Central.  Aroldis Chapman struck out 8 batters in his 3 innings of work this weekend touching 100 MPH on the final pitch of the series.  The Cardinals did get Lance Berkman back from injury, but this weekend belonged to the Reds.

2. Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins

As a rare wraparound series, the Nationals and Marlins still have one game to play tonight to finish their 4 game set, but the drama is already boiling over.  Ozzie Guillen couldn't resist getting himself into the spotlight by challenging the amount of pine tar on Bryce Harpers' bat yesterday.  He unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade towards the 19 year old overshadowing another dominant performance by Stephen Strasburg.  The Nationals were also able to finally solve Josh Johnson, giving him a loss for the first time in franchise history.  Mark Buehrle out dueled Gio Gonzalez on Saturday to give the fish a chance at splitting the series tonight.  There have been 13 total runs scored in the series so far, but we may see that many tonight with the unpredictable entities that are Carlos Zambrano and Edwin Jackson.

1. LA Angels of Anaheim at New York Yankees

The trio of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo combined for 16 hits for the Angels while Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano had 12 hits for the Yankees.  There is so much star power up and the down the rosters for these teams that fans of baseball would be treated to excellent post season play if they met up in October.  Angels reliever Scott Downs had given up only 1 ER this season until the Yankees roughed him up for 4 on Friday night for the loss and he nearly blew a 3 run ninth inning lead having to be relieved with the bases loaded.  At this point in the season I think both teams are virtual locks to play in the postseason although the Angels will have to climb past the Rangers to avoid a 1 game play-in game.

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I didn't highlight the series between the Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins for a reason.  I didn't know the reason would be that my beloved A's would trounce the home team by hitting moon shots after moon shots.  They hit 9 home runs in the series and none of them were cheap shots.  Target field is not the easiest place to hit a home run in, but Oakland made it look like Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.  The Athletics are one of the hottest teams in baseball winning 9 of their last 10 games climbing to a season high 3 games over .500.  This could all come crashing down this week as they have six games at home against the Rangers and Yankees.  

The two series should be a battle of the immovable object (Oakland's pitching in the Coliseum at a 2.81 ERA) vs the unstoppable force (the hitting of Texas and New York, ranked 1&2 in road OPS).  I never thought this years version of the Athletics would contend for any sort of playoff spot, but they sit only 0.5 game out of the newly minted 2nd Wild Card spot.

If the Athletics can somehow manage a 4-2 record this week I will be in full 'buy' mode for this team making a run this season even if they still unload Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon for more young prospects.  If only they could get a new stadium and keep some of this young talent for more than a three year stretch.


Friday, July 13, 2012

Pocket Pair 7/13/12

Unless you are a baseball fan, this is the worst time of the year for a sports fan.  Football is a couple of a weeks away from being relevant.  They Olympics will start around then as well.  The NHL is headed for labor issues that could cause the start of the season to be in jeopardy.  The NBA can't seem to eliminate the Dwight Howard saga from its headlines and looks to be under the control of the Miami Heat for the foreseeable future.  College football still is over a month away from beginning so that leads us back to baseball.

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again." -James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams


There is really only baseball to watch this weekend, save for seeing if Steve Stricker can win his 4th consecutive John Deere Classic.  I'll give you the top 5 series to watch and there should be some good ones as the playoff chase officially begins now that the All-Star Game is behind us.


5. Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers


Right now the Brewers are in sellers mode.  Pitcher Zack Greinke will be making his 3rd consecutive start for Milwaukee tonight which is something baseball hasn't seen since Red Faber did this for the Chicago White Sox back in 1917.  He needs to get the Brewers a win against first place Pittsburgh to get them off on the right foot and try to salvage a so far sub-par season.  On the other side Pittsburgh sits in rarefied air alone in first place at the midway point of the season.  Just being above .500 is something the good people of the Steel City aren't used to with their baseball team.  I can only assume there is a lot of nervous confidence in Pittsburgh who are expecting the best, but fearing the worst.  A winning series against the Brewers would really help, but if they stumble out of the gates, it could mark the beginning of the end for their dream season.


4. Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles


The American League version of the series above is taking place in Charm City.  The Orioles are hanging tough in a tightly contested Wild Card race.  The Tigers who were expected to run away and hide in the Central have muddled around average all season long and currently sit 3rd in a very underwhelming division. I would say that Baltimore needs a better showing this weekend than Detroit, but the longer Detroit plays average baseball, the more confidence they will feed the Indians and White Sox.  Without a solid start to the second half, the Orioles might not be buyers and aim for pitching help like Greinke or Cole Hamels, but rather be sellers and continue to build upon their successes for next season.


3.  St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds


This series is usually fun, not matter the time of year.  It lost a little luster when Tony LaRussa retired because of the built up animosity between him and Dusty Baker, but I still can foresee some post 4th of July fireworks.  Both teams are just waiting to pounce on the the Pirates at the first sign of trouble and a series win this weekend could find that team in first place by Monday.  Tonight has two pitchers who didn't pitch for their respective team last season in Adam Wainwright and Mat Latos.  Wainwright who missed last season due to injury has been consistently inconsistent this year alternating wins and losses in his last seven decisions.  Latos was brought over from San Diego and hasn't lost a decision, while lowering his ERA over 4 points, since April 18th when he was pummeled by the Cardinals.


2. Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins


When the Nationals were last in Miami they were flying high coming off a series sweep in Atlanta and then were promptly swept away by the Marlins.  Washington has never fared well against the fighting fish whether in Miami or in D.C..  Josh Johnson downright owns the Nationals has he has gone 8-0 in 16 career starts against them.  I guess its only fitting that Jordan Zimmermann will be toeing the slab for Washington tonight as he is famous (infamous??) for not getting any run support.  That will certainly not change tonight...first one to score wins.  Miami is without slugger Giancarlo Stanton for the next month and might be looking to unload some of their high priced, not performing talent come trade deadline time if things don't turn around quickly.  The Nationals will continue to play hard and ignore the elephant in the room of the innings limit of Stephen Strasburg for as long as they can.  With 21 of their next 25 games against the N.L. East they had better stay focused on issues that they can control.


1. L.A. Angels of Anaheim via Disneyland off the PCH at New York Yankees


When the regular season is all said and done, I feel that these two teams will be the best in the American League (apologies to Texas).  The Yankees are already there because they can hit like no other team and are built to hit home runs in their bandbox of a stadium.  The have pitched well enough through injuries to keep their scores from looking like a beer league softball game, but the key to their success is hitting the long ball.  The Angels after a wretchedly horrid start have hit their stride with a jolt of energy from rookie phenom Mike Trout.  Along with Mark Trumbo's power and Albert Pujols returning to normal, the Angels can match the Yankees in hitting.  The difference lies on the mound where the Angels are top 9 in the Majors in four top pitching categories (ERA, Quality starts, WHIP and BAA) while the Yankees top out at #9 in one category while they average out to 16th best in the Majors (7th for the Angels).  The axiom has always been, good pitching will be good hitting, and I think the Angels can do that when healthy.


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Today is Friday the 13th, and as a Jason I always enjoy it.  It reminds me of the jokes growing up when the Friday the 13th movies were popular about me being a serial killer.  It's a great time of year to go back and watch a couple of the slasher movies that made my name coincide with the date. 


The first couple are good and then it starts to get silly, but its all fun and games until you get a machete through your spine.  I always preferred the Halloween series with comedian Michael Myers who was great long before the Austin Powers series....j/k folks.  It's summer, the news is slow and I'm trying to have fun.


I suggest camping out this weekend, and use your newfangled technology to stream a slasher movie to your tent while you cuddle with your special someone and I dare you not to get scared.  


Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to look under your bed before laying down to sleep.

Friday, June 29, 2012

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.