Final Week Picks

I had another winning week last week at 9-7, bringing my season standing to 114-118-8. I have an outside chance at finishing .500 with a great week. It will be hard to figure out with all the starters that will be playing limited time (and most the playoff teams being underdogs), but here it goes.

Week 17
NE -13.5
BUF +7.5
TB +3
CIN -2.5
WAS -8
DET +5
JAC +6.5
CHI +2
PIT -3
SEA +1.5
SF +12
TEN -4.5
MIN -3
SD -8
ARI -6
KC +6

Week 15 Recap, Week 16 Picks

A nice week last week ending at 10-6. Season stands at 105-111-8. I didn't get a chance to enter this in last night but I was taking the Steelers and giving the points. So mark that down as a win.

PIT -9.5
DAL -10
CIN +3
HOU +7
DET -4.5
MIA +22
BUF +3
JAC -13
NO -3
WAS +6.5
ARI -10
SEA -10
TEN -9
TB -6
SD -8.5

Week 14 Recap, Week 15 Picks

An average week, finishing 7-9 and bringing my season record to 95-105-8.

Week 15 Picks

**I missed out on picking the Den and Hou game, but I will count it as a loss as I would have gone with Denver.

DEN - MISSED IT
SF +9.5
NO -3.5
TB -13
MIA +3.5
CLE -5.5
GB -8
JAC +3.5
NE -21
SEA -7
TEN -3.5
IND -10
SD -9.5
DAL -10
NYG -4.5
CHI +10.5

Week 13 Recap, Week 14 Picks

Finally a solid week. I went 10-5-1 in Week 13. My season standing is now approaching .500 again at 88-96-8. I look to keep the rally going for more than 1 week.

Week 14 Picks

CHI +3
JAC -10
DAL -10.5
MIA +7
PHI -2.5
GB -10
NE -10
SD pick em
STL +7
TB -3
ARI +7
MIN -7.5
CLE -3
KC +7
BAL +10
NO -4

Week 12 Recap, Week 13 Picks

8-8 last week to finish at .500. Still down on the year at 78-91-7. It's been a long time since a winning week.

Week 13 Picks:

DAL -7
STL -3
BUF +6
MIN -3.5
TEN -3.5
IND -6.5
NYJ +2
SD -5.5
PHI -2.5
CAR -3
TB +4
CLE +1
DEN -3
CHI +2.5
PIT -7
BAL +21

I've been out of it for a while

Well if you have been checking back here often, the only thing you have been seeing is my pathetic experiment on what it would be like to pick the winner of every NFL game all year long against the spread. My experiment has been extremely disappointing, but I guess this is why millions of people lose money betting on sports.

Work has been extremely busy for me the last few months. And with the Cubs disappointment in the NLDS, I kind of lost some motivation to write. I've had some ideas lately, but just haven't found the time to write them down. Please check back again if you want, as I am hoping to get something out here as my free time hopefully comes back. In the meantime, go read one of my blog links on the lower right. There is plenty of other funny stuff out there.

Week 11 Recap, Week 12 Picks

Another sub .500 week....its getting to be a routine. I finished 7-8-1 after having changed 3 games just before kick-offs and having changed them to all losers. But we move on. Season record stands at 70-83-7. I need a 16-0 week!

Week 12 Picks

Thanksgiving Day
GB -3
DAL -14
IND -11

DEN +2.5
TEN -1.5
BUF +8.5
KC -5
CLE -3
SEA -3
NYG -7
NO -3
WAS +3
ARI -10
SD -9
PHI +24
PIT -15.5

Week 10 Recap, Week 11 Picks

Another dreadful week at 5-9. Season now sits at a dismal 63-75-6. It's looking like a failed experiment. Maybe I can muster a +.500 week sometime soon.

Week 11 Picks

SD +3
IND -14.5
MIN -4.5
BAL +3
PIT -9.5
TB -3
ARI +3
PHI -9.5
BUF +16
DAL -11
NO +1.5 **
GB -10
NYG +3
STL -3
CHI +5.5
TEN +3

Week 9 Recap and Week 10 Picks

In at the last minute....

Week 9 will be the week to end this season as I went a catastrophic 3-11 on the week. That is pathetic. I missed 3 of games by .5 or 1 pt. I stand at 58-66-6 on the season.

But we move on.

Week 10

Ten -4.5
KC -3
Buf -2.5
Pit -9.5
NO -10
Car -3
Phi +3
GB -5.5
Bal -3
Chi +3.5**
NYG +1.5
Det +2**
SD +4
SF +10

** Week 10 Locks

Week 8 Recap...Week 9 Picks

A sub .500 week last week with a 6-7 mark....although I started the early games 1-6, so I fought back in the afternoon. Season to date, I am a steady .500 at 55-55-6.

Now to Week 9, including the biggest regular season NFL game of all time.

WAS -3.5
KC -2
TB -3.5
CAR +4.5
SF +3.5
JAC +3.5
DEN +3
BUF pk
SD -7
SEA +1
IND +6
OAK -3
PHI +3.5
BAL +9.5

Week 7 Recap and Week 8 Picks

Freshly back from a weeks vacation in burning San Diego, just in time for this week's picks. I finished week 7 at .500, going 7-7. My winners last week included Buf, Dal, NE, Ten, KC, Cin, and Den, including both my lock picks (NE and Dal).

I sit at 49-48-6 on the season.

Week 8 picks:

STL +3
CHI -5
CAR +7.5
NYG -9.5
TEN -6.5
PHI -1
CIN +4
BUF +3
SD -9 **
JAC +4
NO -2 **
NE -15.5
DEN -3

** Two-team parlay locks.

Week 6 Recap and Week 7 Picks

A solid Week 6 for me (7-4-2). Puts me above .500 for the season at 42-41-6.
CIN -3
JAC -6.5
CLE -4
CHI -4
PHI -3
STL +10
TEN +3
WAS +3
ARI -4
NE -6 **
SD -9.5 **
NO +7
NYG -3

** Two-team parlay locks

Let's keep the solid picks going with Week 7:
WAS -7.5
NO -7.5
BUF +3
DAL -9.5**
NE -16.5**
SF +9.5
TB +2.5
TEN -1
KC +3
CIN -6
PHI -6
STL +8.5
DEN +4
JAC +3.5

** Two-team parlay locks

How I feel about sports right now...

Baseball - sucks
Nobody wants to watch expansion teams in the playoffs....not even residents of those cities (I'm looking at you Phoenix). Boston and Cleveland...well, it could be worse or better. I am indifferent.

Football - blah
Middle of the season, very little excitement in the league unless you are a Dallas or New England fan (both of whom I despise). Sure, the Colts are undefeated, but with as good as they've been, we're spoiled here in Indy and are simply awaiting playoff time until things get interesting again.
Potential fun teams such as New Orleans, Chicago, Philadelphia have all been disappointing. There is an identity crisis among young potential superstars (where is Reggie Bush, LT, Carson Palmer?) I know everyone is a little tired of Manning on every commericial, even some of us Colts fans.

Hockey - are you kidding me? It's interesting in HD for about 30 seconds

Basketball - first of all I hate the NBA and don't even enjoy the regular season, why would I care about the preseason. I do enjoy College Basketball, so I am holding out for those preseason tourneys and then counting the days until March Madness and Spring Training, at which point I will be in a better mood.

I have been at a loss as to what to do with my free time at night this past week. Its been a while since I had to be so in tune with the Cubs so late in the season...so I am in the adjustment phase right now that I am normally in during August.

Anyway, don't expect tons of blogs from me upcoming...maybe I'll muster up one a week.

Week6 NFL Picks

I have to admit, I am tired of making these pick things, but I committed to seeing how good I could do during an entire season, so here it goes, week 6 picks, a little more streamlined....Now you only get my pick and the line....not the opponent. Do your own research.

CIN -3
JAC -6.5
CLE -4
CHI -4
PHI -3
STL +10
TEN +3
WAS +3
ARI -4
NE -6 **
SD -9.5 **
NO +7
NYG -3

** Two-team parlay locks

Week 5 Recap

My first WINNING Week, going 9-5 and also snagging the two team parlay pick.
On the season, I am nearing .500 at 35-37-4.

NO (-3) vs CAR
KC (+2.5) vs JAC
WAS (-3)** vs DET
TEN (-8) vs ATL
MIA (+5.5) @ HOU
PIT (-6) vs SEA
NE (-16)** vs CLE
STL (+3.5) vs ARI
NYG (-3) vs NYJ
TB (+10) @ IND
SD (+1) @ DEN
BAL (-3) @ SF
CHI (+3.5) @ GB
BUF (+10) vs DAL

**Two-team parlay pick

Week 5 NFL Picks

I feel it this week...I am feeling a winning record. I have to have a winning record in some week don't I?

NO (-3) vs CAR
KC (+2.5) vs JAC
WAS (-3)** vs DET
TEN (-8) vs ATL
MIA (+5.5) @ HOU
PIT (-6) vs SEA
NE (-16)** vs CLE
STL (+3.5) vs ARI
NYG (-3) vs NYJ
TB (+10) @ IND
SD (+1) @ DEN
BAL (-3) @ SF
CHI (+3.5) @ GB
BUF (+10) vs DAL

**Two-team parlay pick

Sorry Lou, I disagreed

Yes Lou, you are awesome, but I disagreed the minute you made the decision last night.

Carlos Zambrano, game 1 NLDS, as locked in as I have seen him all year. 85 pitches through 6 innings and Sweet Lou pulls him. Not for a pinch hitter, not for a pinch runner, flat out pulls him. Here is a list of Z's pitch count in every game this season...do you notice something really odd. Only once did he throw less than 85 pitches and it was in a 12-1 blowout win against the Giants.

I immediately disagreed. The TBS analysts said it was because Z is scheduled to pitch in Game 4 on short rest. Lou reiterated that in the post game press conference. I am sorry, but this is the playoffs. If you don't play to win the current game you are in, then are you not playing playoff baseball. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Just worry about today. Maybe Lou should watch this.

I know Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, and the rest of the bullpen has been outstanding, but honestly, I don't think I would have pulled Zambrano for anyone after only 85 pitches the way he was going....not even Josh Beckett. And I said that before Marmol gave up any runs. I am not just being a cynic with hindsight. Why mess with a good thing? Can you really sit there and tell me that 85 pitches versus 105 pitches is going to make a difference in his short rest start on Sunday? Cause I don't buy it. Either Z will be good on short rest or not. I think he only did it once this year, and the results weren't great. It's the playoffs, you don't hold back. Let's just hope we have a game 4.

Nonetheless, I am done ranting about the decision. I disagreed with it, but I'll move on. Let's get them tonight. It's as important of a game as we'll have. Have no fear, Ted Lilly is primed and ready.

GO CUBS GO!

2007 NLDS Predictions

Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies



Theme: Runs Wild!
Season Series: COL won 4 - 3
Key Player(s): The Mashers (Rollins, Utley, Burrell, Howard vs Tulowitzki, Helton, Holliday, Atkins)

Analysis:

Who really knows in this series? Probably the most difficult for me to predict of the 4 DS series. Here are two teams that absolutely mash the ball in ballparks that see incredible amounts of offense. I know the humidor "reduces offense" in Coors but I don't buy it. I think its more of the fact that Colorado has finally staffed their rotation with guys who can pitch well in that environment. Philadelphia? Well, Citizen's Bank Park is just not fair. So its the obvious thing to say that this series will be decided by offense or lack there of. Both teams have been known to go into dry spells, but I can not think of two hotter teams in baseball over the past 30 days. Both are extremely scary and capable of winning it all. When it's all said and done, I think the slight edge in this series goes to the Phillies and here is why:

1. They have 3 home games. The Phillies are 47-34 at home while the Rockies are 39-42 on the road.

2. Jeff Francis is awful against the Phillies and he could face them in Game 1 and Game 5. Francis was a stellar 17-9 with 4.22 ERA in 2007. But he is 0-1 vs the Phillies this year with a 15.12 ERA in 8+ innings. The single game he pitched at Citizen's Bank Park, he was lit up for a 21.60 ERA. Active Phillies players bat a combined .451 against Francis in their careers, including Rollins at .556, Rowand at .750, and Howard at .400. The only significant player Francis has had success against is Chase Utley (.200 BA).

3. Cole Hamels. This kid is electric and he appears to be healthy again. He did not face the Rockies this year and I think that will benefit him. His changeup is among the best in the league and could even give left handed hitters like Helton and Hawpe trouble.

4. Starting Rotations - Francis and Hamels could be considered equal (although we've laid out Francis' struggles in #2. After the game 1 the pitching matchups will likely be: Jimenez vs Kendrick, Fogg vs Moyer, and Morales vs Lohse...or some combination thereof. I think I would take the 3 Phillies starters over the 3 Rockie starters. But watch Ubaldo Jimenez, that kid is nasty. If the Rockies are down 2-1, I'd bet Francis comes out for Game 4 on short rest.

5. I like the Phillies bullpen currently. Brett Myers and Tom Gordon have been worked really hard in September, but they have been brilliant. The Rockies bullpen is strong as well, but I like the veterans in the Phillies bullpen to get it down. However, in their careers, Todd Helton (.444 BA) and Garrett Atkins (.429 BA) have had a ton of success against Brett Myers. So maybe the Rockies can steal a game late. They proved it against Hoffman, they can surely get to Myers.

Prediction: Phillies win in 5 games





Chicago Cubs vs Arizona Diamondbacks




Theme: The Mirage Disappears
Season Series: ARI won 4 - 2
Key Player(s): Alfonso Soriano

Analysis:

And finally to the series that I will be glued to at every minute. There is no hiding that I am a die hard Cubs fan and therefore perhaps my prediction will be biased in their favor...but there are all kinds of numbers we have to look at.

The DBacks were outscored this year, yet somehow they are 18 games over .500. The only team that was ever outscored in a season and actually won a playoff game was the 1987 Twins, and they won the World Series. The DBacks have done it with solid pitching and close games all year. Then they occasionally get blown out to hurt their run differential. Well I think the mask is coming off, the mirage is disappearing, these DBacks are going down. The DBacks have the worst offense in the playoffs, sporting a .250 BA and 712 runs scored. The Cubs in comparison batted .271 and scored 752 runs. Both teams roll out phenomenal pitching staffs, both starters and bullpens. The Cubs have a 4.04 ERA compared to the DBacks at 4.13 ERA. Marmol, Howry, Wood, and Dempster are quite formidable as is Pena, Lyon, and Valverde.

Game 1 will start tonight with Carlos Zambrano vs Brandon Webb. Really is a toss up. Which Zambrano will show up? Will Webb be the extremely dominant pitcher that he showed in July and August with that incredible scoreless inning streak? Or will he be hittable as he was in the last few weeks. I think he is tired and the Cubs bats will get to him. Cubs players hit a combined .235 vs Webb but that should increase. Carlos Zambrano? Well thankfully he is on the road in which he displayed a 12-4 mark this year with a 3.06 ERA. Compare that with a 6-9, 4.96 ERA at home and its obvious he is more comfortable away from Wrigley. The DBacks do have a combined .281 BA against Carlos, but that is mostly due to Chad Tracy hitting .800 against him (and he is on the DL).

Game 2 will feature Ted Lilly vs Doug Davis. At first glance I sigh cause it feels like Doug Davis has been a Cub killer. But the numbers don't really support that. Alfonso Soriano bats .357 against Davis, Matt Murton .400, and Ryan Theriot .667. Lee and Ramirez have not had as much success and perhaps that will hurt us. Meanwhile, Ted Lilly has perhaps been the Cubs MVP this year. He is about as steady as it comes sporting almost identical numbers at home and on the road. DBacks hitters only muster a .217 BA against him in their careers. Eric Byrnes is the only one with decent numbers at .286 and 1 HR.

Game 3 is where I actually think this series will ultimately be decided. Its most likely Rich Hill vs. Livan Hernandez. Livan is a big game pitcher and that is concerning, but lets run through his numbers for this series. In his career against current Cub hitters in their careers, the Cubs bat .309 against him (and that includes our pitching staff as hitters). Floyd (.341), Kendall (.355), Ramirez (.385), DeRosa (.385), Ward (.462) have all lit Livan up. Look for him to make an early exit in Game 3. Rich Hill has been good of late and I hope that continues. DBack hitters are hitting him for only .226 but Jackson, Byrnes, and Hudson all post +.300 BAs against him. If Hill falters, watch for a quick hook with Jason Marquis in the wings. If for nothing else, the DBacks will have some righties in the lineup that Marquis will be able to take advantage of. Marquis has really been faltering down the stretch, but he came up huge all year in tough situations. DBack hitters fare really poorly against Marquis in their careers at a dismal .189 mark.

Game 4 currently lists Zambrano vs Owings. The Cubs win that game as long as they don't pitch to Owings - .333 BA in 60 ABs with 4 HRs. Zambrano vs Owings...now that could be a hitting pitcher's clinic. Webb could go on short rest and surely will if the DBacks find themselves down 2-1. I could also see the Cubs going with Jason Marquis in Game 4 if they are up 2-1 with a quick hook. If Marquis were to do well, the Cubs could be setup nicely for the NLCS with Zambrano and Lilly starting it off.

Ultimately, I can not really find any numbers to support the DBacks having an edge with the exception that they were the best team in the NL in 2007 and they have home field advantage....if you want to call it that. The Cubs get more support in Arizona than anywhere not named Milwaukee or Cincinnati. I picked Alfonso Soriano to be a key player. There are not any specific numbers, but the guy is smoking hot right now and looking fully healthy. Also don't be surprised if he is off running again...and he is for sure good for at least 1-2 OF Assists. Note to DBacks - don't run on him!

Prediction: Cubs win in 4





NLCS Prediction: I'm sticking with my Cubbies to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in 7 games


WORLD SERIES PREDICTION: This is the year folks. There is not as much mystique with Cubs/Sox as there could have been in 2003, but nonetheless, the historic ballparks will be on full display as the Chicago Cubs defeat the Boston Red Sox in 6 games, finishing it all at Wrigley Field!

2007 ALDS Playoff Predictions

Here it goes folks, my 2007 AL Playoff Predictions:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Boston Red Sox



Theme: Past Performance Really Matters
Season Series: BOS won 6 - 4 (7 @ Fenway, 3 @ Anaheim)
Key Player: John Lackey (LAA SP)

Analysis:

In this series, I really do think that the history between these 2 teams in 2007 will matter. But I do think the history I am talking about goes even deeper than just the 6-4 record that the Red Sox own vs the Angels this year.

John Lackey is downright awful against the Red Sox, especially at Fenway. Lackey is 1-4 lifetime at Fenway. In his last 11 innings at Fenway he has given up 19 ERs (15.5 ERA). Lackey is set to pitch game 1 at Fenway and quite possibly game 5 if necessary at Fenway. That spells disaster for the Angels. On top of the Fenway problems, look at these statistics of some Red Sox hitters vs Lackey:

Manny Ramirez: .435 BA, 4HR, 11RBI, in 23 ABs
David Ortiz: .385 BA
JD Drew: .455 BA
Kevin Youkilis: .300 BA
Dustin Pedroia: .333 BA

John Lackey will be pitching 2 games vs BOS in this series, and I think they will both be losses...especially since his opponent in both is likely Josh Beckett. Let's look at his splits vs the Angels. Beckett is a career 2-0 vs the Angels with a 2.16 ERA. He has done well against the big LAA batters:

Vlad Guererro: .217 BA
Orlando Cabrera: .281 BA
Garrett Anderson: .400 BA (limited ABs)
Gary Matthews Jr: .167 BA
Chone Figgins: .125 BA

Josh Beckett will easily defeat John Lackey in 1 or more games and the Red Sox will not have a problem winning at least one other game. Analysts love to mention how tough the starting rotation is for the Angels but I don't see it. Lackey is solid but we've mentioned his problems against Boston. Kelvim Escobar, I don't see him doing well here. I just don't care for him much. Jered Weaver? No experience, I again, don't put much faith in him. The Red Sox can roll out any combination of Beckett, DiceK, Schilling, Wakefield, Lester, and the list keeps going. Whomever does not start is sure to be a big part of middle relief when needed. I think Boston has a huge advantage with their pitching. But the Angels are scrappy and have a lot of speed. The only way the Angels compete is to get superman performances from Lackey, Escobar, and Weaver and to get guys on base early and terrorize the base paths. It could happen, but I say it won't.

Prediction: Red Sox win in 4 games.







New York Yankess vs Cleveland Indians




Theme: Ignore the Numbers
Season Series: NYY won 6 - 0
Key Player: Fausto Carmona (CLE SP)

Analysis:

In a complete 180 degree turn from my first playoff matchup, I am going to tell you to look away from the numbers here. There is a lot of information pointing to the Yankees to win easily. This series with the extra rest is going to be decided based on the performances of Chien Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, C.C. Sabathia, and Fausto Carmona. Let's look at some numbers.

First of all, the Yankees won all 6 regular season matchups, but did not face Sabathia this year. That is an advantage for the Indians. Chien Ming Wang is 1-1 in his career vs. the Indians. He had one poor outing and one dominant outing. Among active Indians players, they combine for a .228 BA against Wang. The Yankees are 10-4 on the road this year when Wang starts the game. Wang will start Game 1 on the road and likely Game 4 at Yankee Stadium.

Andy Pettitte is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA against the Indians this year. Active Indian players bat .233 vs Pettitte in their careers. In 135 plate appearances, only 5 times have active Indian players gotten an extra base hit off him with no homeruns. Johnny Peralta is the only Indian to have shown any remote success off of Pettitte. The Yankees are 10-9 on the road in games Pettitte has started.

Wang and Pettitte will pitch 4 of the 5 games if necessary and the numbers look dominant.

On the other side of the field, C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona will be trying to take down the Evil Empire. Sabathia posts a .277 BA against active Yankees in his career with Jeter hitting .545 and A-Rod hitting .412. The Indians are 14-5 at home when C.C. takes the mound.

Carmona is 0-2 against the Yankees this year with a 4.15 ERA in the two outings. He was 19-8 on the season, 2 of those losses to the Yankees. The Yankee active players post a .268 BA against Carmona and again Jeter has done the best with Melky Cabrera also showing good numbers. A-Rod however has hit a measley .143 vs Carmona. The Indians are 13-4 at home when Carmona pitches. It is quite possible Carmona will pitch both Game 2 and Game 5 at home.

The numbers are over whelmingly in the Yankees favor. I think the Yankees have the better bullpen, more experience, and have been blazing hot in the second half. But deep down inside I feel the Indians to get this done. If for nothing else because the numbers look so stacked against them. I like Sabathia a lot in this series and if Carmona can shake the jitters of the prime time matchup, I see the Indians squeaking out a 5 game win.

Prediction: Indians win in 5 games.




ALCS Early Prediction: I'll take the Red Sox to beat the Indians in 6 games. If that matchup occurs I'll break down the specific reasons later....and if that matchup doesn't occur, I'll break down whatever the matchup is.

Week 4 NFL Recap - Bloodbath

I was feeling good about myself early on as I got a few upsets correct....I just didn't realize how many upsets there would be. Just plain awful. This again is why I am very glad that no actual money is involved with this fun test. I went 5-9 on the week, reaching a season to date record of: 26-32-4 AWFUL!

OAK (+4) @ MIA
ATL (+4) vs HOU
BAL (-6)** @ CLE
CHI (-3) @ DET
MIN (+3) vs GB
STL (+14) @ DAL
BUF (+4) vs NYJ
CAR (-3) vs TB
SF (+3) vs SEA
PIT (-7) @ ARI
SD (-11) vs KC
IND (-9.5) vs DEN
PHI (-3.5) @ NYG
NE (-7.5)** @ CIN

**Two-team parlay pick

MLB Playoff Predictions

I plan to deliver my MLB Playoff Predictions as soon as the play-in game is complete so look for those sometime before Wednesday. But until then let me give my thoughts on tonight...

My pick is the Padres. I know the game is in Coors Field, giving the Rockies a slight offensive edge, but Jake Peavy is downright disgusting this year. He carried my fantasy team to another championship this year and he'll be going for win #20. He has won the NL Pitching Triple Crown and is a lock for the Cy Young. I expect him to cool down the Rockie's hitters and win in a close game. My call is 3-1 Padres. Check back in for the rest later.


GO CUBS GO!

1969 Redemption!

Ha Ha New York Mets. You had this one coming! While the Chicago Cubs held one of the worst end of season collapses that I am aware of (8.5 game lead on August 14) in 1969, eventually losing out to the New York Mets....the 2007 Mets blew that record out of the water. A 7 game lead with 17 games to play. CHOKE CITY.

Now that we have reversed the 1969 Curse, its time to reverse all the curses.

GO CUBS GO!

Week 4 NFL Picks

OAK (+4) @ MIA
ATL (+4) vs HOU
BAL (-6)** @ CLE
CHI (-3) @ DET
MIN (+3) vs GB
STL (+14) @ DAL
BUF (+4) vs NYJ
CAR (-3) vs TB
SF (+3) vs SEA
PIT (-7) @ ARI
SD (-11) vs KC
IND (-9.5) vs DEN
PHI (-3.5) @ NYG
NE (-7.5)** @ CIN

**Two-team parlay pick

Brilliant!

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070924/LOCAL/709240389

I am really jealous...

My wife would never let me go for this.

Week 3 Recap

A dreaded 7-8-1 in Week 3 moving my season record even lower to 21-23-4 and 0-3 in my two-team parlay locks. Looks like a failed experiment. My goal is to get one week above .500

IND (-7) @ HOU
SD (-5) @ GB
KC (-2.5) vs MIN
PHI (-6.5) vs DET
BUF (+17) @ NE
NYJ (-3) vs MIA - PUSH
PIT (-9) vs SF
ARI (+8) @ BAL
STL (+4)** @ TB
DEN (-3.5) vs JAC
CIN (+3.5) @ SEA
OAK (-3) vs CLE
CAR (-4.5) @ ATL
WAS (-3.5) vs NYG
DAL (+3)** @ CHI
NO (-4) vs TEN

**Two-team parlay pick

Week 3 NFL Picks

This is looking to be a failed experiment as I am 14-15-3 on the season so far. Oh well, here it goes again.

Week 3 Picks:

IND (-7) @ HOU
SD (-5) @ GB
KC (-2.5) vs MIN
PHI (-6.5) vs DET
BUF (+17) @ NE
NYJ (-3) vs MIA
PIT (-9) vs SF
ARI (+8) @ BAL
STL (+4)** @ TB
DEN (-3.5) vs JAC
CIN (+3.5) @ SEA
OAK (-3) vs CLE
CAR (-4.5) @ ATL
WAS (-3.5) vs NYG
DAL (+3)** @ CHI
NO (-4) vs TEN

**Two-team parlay pick

Ryan Theriot's Hustle Wins Game for Cubs!

Details...

www.turning-two.com

Hey Rex Grossman....

I've got something you'll never have....

Week 2 Recap

Week 2 Pick Recap:

I went 7-8-1 and I missed both the games in my 2-team parlay...go figure.

Season Record: 14-15-3 (.482)

PIT (-10) vs BUF
TEN (+8.5) vs IND
CAR (-7) vs HOU
NYG (pk) vs GB
ATL (+10) @ JAC
NO (-4.5)** @ TB
MIN (+3) @ DET - PUSH
DAL (-4.5) @ MIA
DEN (-10) vs OAK
KC (+13) @ CHI
NE (-4) vs SD
PHI (-6.5) vs WAS
CIN (-8) @ CLE
STL (-3.5)** SF
SEA (-4) @ ARI
NYJ (+10) @ BAL

**Two-team parlay pick

Week 2 NFL Picks

Week 2 Picks:

PIT (-10) vs BUF
TEN (+8.5) vs IND
CAR (-7) vs HOU
NYG (pk) vs GB
ATL (+10) @ JAC
NO (-4.5)** @ TB
MIN (+3) @ DET
DAL (-4.5) @ MIA
DEN (-10) vs OAK
KC (+13) @ CHI
NE (-4) vs SD
PHI (-6.5) vs WAS
CIN (-8) @ CLE
STL (-3.5)** SF
SEA (-4) @ ARI
NYJ (+10) @ BAL

**Two-team parlay pick

RIP Cardinals

Bye Bye Cardinals!



Carlos Zambrano just ended your season. What a relief to see such a dominant outing. Better luck next year.

Week 1 NFL Picks Recap

So week 1 is in the books, and my little experiment is sitting at a flat .500 so far. I ended the week 7-7-2. My 2-team parlay lock was incorrect and sits at 0-1 for the season. Look for my week 2 picks a little later in the week.

Here was the week 1 review...obviously greens are correct, reds are incorrect, and white is a push.

IND (-6) vs NO
KC (+3) @ HOU
DEN (-3.5) @ BUF
PIT (-4.5) @ CLE
TEN (+6.5) @ JAC
STL (-1) vs CAR
PHI (-4)** @ GB
MIN (-3) vs ATL
WAS (-3) vs MIA - PUSH
NYJ (+7) vs NE
SEA (-7) vs TB
CHI (+6.5) @ SD
DET (+2.5) @ OAK
DAL (-6.5)** vs NYG
BAL (+2.5) @ CIN
SF (-3) vs ARI - PUSH

**Two-team parlay pick

New Address for Ryan Theriot Project

We've officially secured:

WWW.TURNING-TWO.COM

for our blog dedicated to Ryan Theriot. Please check us out.

I said it....Jason David is Toast!

As quoted from my blog earlier today in my NFL Predictions...

"I have this feeling that New Orleans really is not that good and that they will struggle being the hunted team rather than the under dog. Brees will put up great numbers. Bush will be a highlight reel. But defense will let them down. They are relying on Jason David assisting in the secondary. As a Colts fan, I say good luck to that."

It's early in the 4th quarter and David has been burned for 3 long TDs. He's playing just like he did as a Colt for the last few years. Sure, he did make one nice play that accounted for the only NO TD so far. But, if the Saints are touting Jason David as their key defensive acquisition in the off season, then I still think they are in trouble this year.

GO COLTS!

Week 1 NFL Picks

Each week I will make my NFL Picks against the spread and keep a tally going of the stats. Hopefully I can break .500 or at least beat some NFL Analyst. With the Thursday game this week, here are Week 1 picks. The first team listed is my pick.

Disclaimer: I am not betting money on these picks, neither should you.

IND (-6) vs NO
KC (+3) @ HOU
DEN (-3.5) @ BUF
PIT (-4.5) @ CLE
TEN (+6.5) @ JAC
STL (-1) vs CAR
PHI (-4)** @ GB
MIN (-3) vs ATL
WAS (-3) vs MIA
NYJ (+7) vs NE
SEA (-7) vs TB
CHI (+6.5) @ SD
DET (+2.5) @ OAK
DAL (-6.5)** vs NYG
BAL (+2.5) @ CIN
SF (-3) vs ARI

**Two-team parlay pick

Live! From the kick-off to the NFL

Living in Indianapolis today is a bonus. Don't get me wrong, I love Indy. It's a great town. Traffic isn't too bad, its clean, its in the mid-west (meaning its cheap), and tonight its the home to the kick-off of NFL season.
The city is a little bit crazy. Media from all over the nation is in town and downtown looks like a circus. Indy is used to hosting big sporting events like this. After all, we do get the NCAA Final Four about every 3-5 years. There is a little magic in the air. Even though it might be the fact that we are living in the past with the Colts 2007 Super Bowl victory, today marks a day of freshness. Summer has come and gone, and its time to strap on the pads and get down to the gridiron. In favor of today opening the season, I figured I should make some NFL Picks. But first, a little something for my Chicago Bear buddies:


Disclaimer #1: I am 5'11" and 160 pounds. Other than the fact that I helped take my fraternity to an all-campus flag football championship 7 years ago with my blazing speed and great hands at WR, I really know NOTHING about football. So take this all with a grain of salt.

Disclaimer #2: I'm not here to echo what all the ESPN analysts and radio shows say. That would be worthless...so I hope to have a couple of surprises just to have surprises.

To the picks....

AFC East
1. New England Patriots
2. Buffalo Bills
3. New York Jets
4. Miami Dolphins

No surprises here. Probably the easiest division of all to pick. If Randy Moss were joining any other team, he'd be a cancer and wreck the franchise. But, I just have this feeling that Mr. "Vagrant-Looking" Belichick will have Moss on his best behavior and contributing a ton. The Pats are a can't miss this year with Brady at the healm and solid WRs for the first time in his career. I really expect Stallworth to be great. Maroney will be a top RB although I expect him to wear down as the season progresses. But by that time the division will be wrapped up and he'll be given ample rest for the playoffs.

I hear the analysts liking the Jets and not the Bills. It's just a hunch that the Bills will pretty solid this year. I really like Lee Evans and I hope Marshawn Lynch has a solid rookie season. JP Losman...maybe this is the year he figures it out. I could see the Bills snagging 2nd place in this division as people look past them. This all despite the fact that the Bills have the 2nd hardest schedule in the NFL based on last seasons records.

AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Cleveland Browns

A very tough division to predict. I wanted to pull out one of my surprises and not put Baltimore in first place, but I just can't go against that defense. Cincy seems like the team on my first opinion to swipe the division, but I just can't give that defense a shot. Sure Palmer, Rudi, Chad, and TJ are exciting, but they have too much flash and not enough muscle (this coming from a Colts fan - lol). I expect it to be a close division. I do expect a wild card from this division, so see my playoff predictions below.

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. Tennessee Titans
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Houston Texans

Shocker here. One of these years Indy will not win the South, but I don't see it being this year unless Manning goes down. Tennessee is getting very good again, but the Madden Curse might bite Vince Young in the butt. I don't really need to explain why the Colts will win this division, but it will be closer than years previous. The Colts defense will be shakier than last year.

AFC West
1. Denver Broncos
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Oakland Raiders

I did what? I picked Denver over SD? Yep. I even think I am crazy myself. But, that Denver defense (especially the secondary) will be tough. Its not as tough up front, but Champ Bailey and Dre Bly won't give up any big plays, and if they do, John Lynch will snap the WRs head off. I just know with the NFL, there are always surprises and this is one I am predicting. SD might start slow with an entire new coaching staff. LT can not repeat last year. Just can't. I see SD making it in as a wild card.

AFC Playoffs
Byes: New England and Baltimore
Wildcard: San Diego over Indianapolis
Wildcard: Denver over Cincinnati

AFC Divisional Round
New England over San Diego
Baltimore over Denver

AFC Conference Round
New England over Baltimore



NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Washington Redskins
4. New York Giants

I like the Eagles here with Dallas being close. Neither Washington nor NYG can really compete. I expect the Giants to be downright awful this year. Eli will struggle without Tiki. Philly looks really strong if McNabb and Westbrook are healthy all year and I am going to count on that being true. Dallas will be strong, but expect Romo to have his ups and downs. I see Dallas getting in as a wildcard.

NFC North
1. Chicago Bears
2. Detroit Lions
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Minnesota Vikings

The Bears should take a cupcake walk to this division win, but their overall schedule looks somewhat tough to me although its ranked as the second easiest schedule in the entire NFL. San Diego, Denver, Philly, and Dallas are tough out of division games. But the other teams in the North have those same games. So while the Bears can win a few of those, the other teams can not. And the Bears should beat up on the Lions, Pack, and Vikings. I see this being an easy division once again. Detroit will improve the most with underrated Jon Kitna leading for a second year.

NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Tampa Bay Bucs
4. Atlanta Falcons

Wow how quickly one year can put 99.9% of the nation on the New Orleans Saints bandwagon. Don't get me wrong, I love this team too...but primarily because of Drew Brees. Brees and I graduated in the same class at Purdue and therefore I was able to follow him closely. I was a huge fan at Purdue, then in SD, and now in New Orleans. BUT, I have this feeling that New Orleans really is not that good and that they will struggle being the hunted team rather than the under dog. Brees will put up great numbers. Bush will be a highlight reel. But defense will let them down. They are relying on Jason David assisting in the secondary. As a Colts fan, I say good luck to that. Carolina was the preseason darling the last few years and disappointed each year. Now no one likes them. Watch that be fuel, and watch Delhomme and Steve Smith rekindle their magic and for the defense with Julius Peppers (thats the second UNC defensive player shout-out in this blog) tear though the division. I like the Panthers to take the South. This should be a surprise to "ESPN America".

NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. St. Louis Rams
4. Arizona Cardinals

Wow....the 49ers? Yes I suppose. I wanted a surprise pick here and I went with it. Mike Nolan can coach. I liked what I saw from San Fran in spurts last year and I think they can make a move. Seattle will be awfully hard to dethrone, but I think just maybe SF can do that. It might take another injury to Shaun Alexander or Matt Hasselbeck. That would not surprise me. For no other reasons rather than to be different, I'll take the 49ers. The Rams can be really tough and maybe I should have taken them. There is a lot of MVP hype about Stephen Jackson and expectations are high. Arizona will score and score and score, but there will be more scoring against them. Flashiness will not prevail in the desert.

NFC Playoffs
Byes: Chicago and Philadelphia
Wildcard: New Orleans over San Francisco
Wildcard: Carolina over Dallas

NFC Divisional Round
Philadelphia over Carolina
Chicago over New Orleans

NFC Conference Round
Philadelphia over Chicago

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION
New England over Philadelphia (vomit vomit vomit)






I hate the Patriots. They are too loaded this year and it will take major injuries to derail them.

It's going to be real fun at the end of this season to come back and find how terribly wrong I was on all these picks. If you want a sure thing....maybe pick against me.

Cubs Game Recap 9/4/2007

I attended the game last night with my co-author at turning-two.blogspot.com. For a recap of the game and some nice highlight videos, visit the blog at:

Ryan Theriot - Turning "Two"

My college football season is 2/3 complete!

I didn't know how long it would take me to post my first NCAA Football or NFL posting, but after this weekend, I could not resist any longer. You see, I am a Purdue Boilermaker, which means a few things.

1. I expect high-powered spread offense.
2. I expect to be competing or winning in games vs the "Big Boys" until 2 minutes left at which point some freakish turnover will happen and change the game.
3. I despise Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Michigan.

So while my Boilers are 1-0, the other metric I look for in my college season is the embarrassments of ND, MI, and OSU. Well....so far so good. That metric is 2/3 complete.

Michigan began the weekend trailing a Division I-AA school in Appalachian State (did I spell that right?). I thought to myself....yeah right, seen this before, its only a matter of time before MI takes the lead. Well they eventually did and based on the bottom line I figured the game was all but dead. But somehow, someway, the biggest upset of perhaps all time in College Football came true.

Give it to App State. They blocked a FG with time running out to defeat the mighty Wolverines in the Big House of all places. Truly remarkable. I just wish I could have seen it live on TV....blame the Big 10 and their stupid Big 10 Network for that one.

But I might have taken even more pleasure from Notre Dame's game this weekend. I watched bits and pieces of it but its hard when NBC refuses to use any quality HD Cameras at the "historic" stadium. Seriously. Why is Sunday Night Football so brilliant and Notre Dame football worse than standard def? It drives me nuts. Anyway, back to the game....It was obvious to me that ND is going to really struggle this year. So what if they had a top recruiting year? They are still freshman. There are no game changers. QB, WR, RB....obvious gaping holes. This leaves me hope that maybe, just maybe, Purdue can get back in the win column this year vs the stupid leprachauns. It also makes me wonder how much longer until Charlie Weis loses his job. I tell my ND friends this all the time. Don't forget how much you loved Ty Willingham and how SI posted "Return to Glory" on the cover during Ty's first year. Charlie will be no different and will be wishing he was riding on Tom Brady's coat tails again. ND got smoked 33-3 by a decent Georgia Tech team. Sure it was a pick em game and not an upset like App St over MI....but 33-3....that is complete domination. Take that IRISH!


So now that only leaves Ohio State. When will they take a tough beating? If they do, my season will be complete. Even better, if Purdue can hand them their beating this year at Ross-ade stadium, this may turn out to be my happiest college football season ever....at least since Drew Brees took us to the Rose Bowl in 2001. Man I miss that guy...and...he has made me a Saints fan...I'll be a fan of whoever he plays. Drew, please just don't ever play for NE....PLEASE.

Side Project - Turning "Two"

My buddy and I decided that since we absolutely love Ryan Theriot of the Chicago Cubs that we would create and dedicate a blog to just him. After checking Google, it seems that almost nothing on the web is dedicated to Theriot. So without much further ado, please check it out at:

http://turning-two.blogspot.com

We are looking into registering a more official DNS name for the site and I will update you when we do.

Unfortunately, I may have jinxed Theriot by creating this site yesterday as he had a costly error on a routine double play that led to 4 runs in the 7th inning. Nonetheless, I believe it to be a rare occassion and still fully support our starting shortstop.

That was a tough loss and I am beyond ready to see Zambrano take the mound with some confidence. I really wonder what that Sunday night game vs the Cards could have done for him. He looked to be fully in command of anything and everything he threw that game....too bad it only lasted 3 innings due to rain.

We can still consider this series successful if Ted Lilly leads us to a victory today over newly promoted Manny Parra of the Brewers. All signs point to a Cubs victory, although our track record vs pitchers we know nothing about, probably is not the best.

GO CUBS GO!

Marvelous

The game last night was simply marvelous. I watched the first few innings, saw the Brewers take a lead and then I had to leave for a bit. I came back just in time for the bottom of the 7th inning....and what an inning.

Congrats goes to Jacque Jones. I have a superstition that if I bad mouth JJ when he comes to the plate, he delivers. Its been working great in the 2nd half, and last night was no difference. A huge 2-run double.

Then of course, my boy, Ryan Theriot delivers the clutch one hopper to the pitcher....that only he could jinx. I think it was his blazing speed that caused Linebrink to fumble the ball. I'll take it anyway it comes....and it seems Theriot is always delivering.

GO CUBS GO!

Cards now in 2nd place....watch out.

Where have I been?

Its been quite a while since I had any significant posting on my blog. I apologize. I got a little busy with work and my brain has been in a literal lock of any unique thoughts.

I don't really know what to write about the Cubs. They're in first place. Great. But, I don't feel like we're playing anywhere near first place levels. The Brewers are awful. Anytime the Cards get real close we have been able to hold them off.

Soriano is back tomorrow. Man oh man do I hope he ignites us like he did last time he came off the DL and we went on our amazing run. Lou says he'll be back in the leadoff spot, but I am nervous and disagree. I had a quad injury my sophomore year of high school with soccer. After a few days everything would feel fine, but as soon as you step into the heat of competition and take that first "real" burst of speed or explosion...."POP"! You can not simulate full speed in practice, no matter what you do. I know he won't be stealing any bases....which makes me wonder why put him back at lead-off? Yes, I know he doesn't want to bat anywhere else. But Lou should trump him and say, sorry buddy. You aren't a speed threat right now, so you'll bat 2nd, 3rd, or 5th. Theriot is our speed threat and he should be batting leadoff.

Honestly, I'd like to see the following order: Theriot, Lee, Soriano, Ramirez as our first four. We need to try Lee somewhere other than #3. Maybe Soriano will like #3.

I hope I am wrong and I hope Soriano plays with a fury the last month of the season. Everyone knows we need him. Our offense has been anemic of late but I am quite impressed with our pitching. Still, we have lost a lot of low run scoring games. And that is just not fun. Its fun winning 2-1....not losing 2-1.

Its time to take another series from the Brewers.

Go Cubs Go.

Hallelujah! Z is still a Cub!

Wow did I need some good news. The Cubs have been frustrating me this past week since my last positive posting. All season long I've feared we'd lose Zambrano to the stupid Yankees all because of the impending sale of the Cubs and the uncertainty.

Well today that has all changed!

Big Z is a Cub for at least 5 more years!

5 years, 91.5 Million. I don't care what it cost, we desperately needed his anchor in our rotation!

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7130616

GO CUBS GO!

Pleasant Surprise

The Cubs have won 2 in a row in Coors field which is quite an accomplishment in my mind considering what the Rockies did to the Brewers earlier this week. When I determined the pitching rotation was going to be Lilly, Marquis, Hill, and Marshall, I figured we had to win the Lilly game and then hope for one other. Well that one other already came in the form of a stellar Jason Marquis start. He pitched 6 and 2/3 innings giving up only 1 un-earned run, 5 hits and struck out 5. Quite a dominant performance at Coors with red hot hitters such as Holliday, Hawpe, Tulowitzki, and Atkins.

Everyone knows I was really against the Marquis signing at the beginning of the year, but I finally have to admit he's been a solid addition. He did struggle there for a bit after a great start and I figured he'd continue to decline throughout the season. But he has put in a couple of really good performances lately and we really need that to continue.

Jacque Jones and Matt Murton homered.
For Jones he hadn't homered in what seems like forever (June 1). For Murton, it was his 2nd HR in as many days at Coors Field. For his career, he is 7 for 17 (.411) with 3 HRs at Coors in 4 games. Extrapolate that out over 81 games and he'd have 60 HRs at home if he were a Rockie. Maybe Jim Hendry can inform Dan O'Dowd (Rockies GM) of that stat and perhaps we could exchange Murton for Matt Holliday? Just wondering.

Anyway, Jones and Murton basically have to keep starting everyday until they prove us otherwise. They are too hot to bench and with Murton on pace to be the greatest player of all time (as long as he plays at Coors), I am sure Lou will stick with them. Additionally, our best defensive outfield of the season would be Murton in LF, Pie in CF, and Jones in RF. Let's just go with that and hope Soriano is back in a few weeks.

Ryan (my boy) Theriot actually went 0-5....I had to rub my eyes when I saw that. He has now only gone hitless 4 times in his last 22 games. Remarkable. I love the guy and frankly I love him WAY more in the leadoff spot than I do Soriano.

Playing Colorado is just what the doctor ordered. We are playing with more offensive confidence now. Let's keep this streak going. Let's cheer for once for the Astros and for them to beat the Brewers. We are only 1/2 game back....Let's take that lead and not look back.

I've heard before that you need to just win series in baseball. Win all your series and you'll have a .667 winning percentage (pretty stellar). Well I've also heard that if you take the first 2 games of a series, you then have to go for the kill. Don't just be satisfied with the series win. We've won the first 2 of 4 from the Rockies. We now need to win 1 more. And if we win today, let's pull off the 4 game sweep!

GO CUBS GO!

Crunch Time

Well I was starting to formulate my thoughts on the state of the Cubs right now....and then I read this. I think it says just about everything I was thinking and then some. Give it a read. It's at one of my more favorite blogs (Thunder Matts Saloon). Bravo to the author Rich....dead on. Why should I try to write anything else?

http://thundermatt.com/2007/08/crunch-time.html

Barry Bonds was Carlos Beltran

Congratulations to Barry Bonds. He is the all time homerun king in MLB with 756 HRs and now counting. I am so happy and relieved it is all over because now I can hope that ESPN and Sports Talk Radio shows can go back to being normal. I personally don't have a whole lot against Barry Bonds and could care less who owns the record, but on my drive in this morning I couldn't help but question the number of radio hosts and callers that said it did not matter if Bonds took any enhancements because he would have been the greatest baseball player of all time even without performance enhancing drugs....REALLY?

I did hear one host question this statement by stating that Bonds numbers were good but not the best of all time prior to the 1998/1999 time frame of when steroid use supposedly started with Barry. So I started thinking....who exactly would Barry have been compared to today during his first several years. It had to be someone with power and speed. The first name that popped into my mind was Carlos Beltran. I was still in my car and had no idea what the numbers looked like, but I thought they might be similar. So I asked myself...do I consider Carlos Beltran on pace to be the greatest player of all time. My answer was a resounding NO.

So lets look at the facts. I took Carlos Beltran's first full 8 seasons (1999-2006). And then I took a similar 8 year stretch from Barry Bonds (1989-1996). I even did not count Bonds first few years of 1986-1988, of which he had smaller numbers. So, you could say I helped skew the comparison in Bonds' favor. Here is what I found.

Total Games played: Beltran (1162) Bonds (1176) - A Wash
Total ABs: Beltran (4501) Bonds (4035) - Due to Bonds' extra walks and Beltran leading off in KC
Total Hits: Beltran (1264) Bonds (1207) - Advantage Beltran (slight)
Total Runs: Beltran (814) Bonds (853) - Advantage Bonds (slight)
Total Doubles: Beltran (240) Bonds (243) - A Wash
Total Triples: Beltran (52) Bonds (34) - Advantage Beltran
Total Homeruns: Beltran (203) Bonds (269) - Advantage Bonds
Total RBI: Beltran (756) Bonds (828) - Advantage Bonds (slight)
Total SBs: Beltran (224) Bonds (295) - Advantage Bonds
Total Walks: Beltran (519) Bonds (891) - Advantage Bonds (huge)
Total Ks: Beltran (824) Bonds (599) - Advantage Bonds (huge)
8-year BA: Beltran (.281) Bonds (.299) - Advantage Bonds

So you can see after Bonds' first 3 seasons but before the alleged steroid use, I would argue that he was better than Carlos Beltran over Beltran's first 8 seasons thus far. But, I would also argue that the numbers are fairly similar. Sure Bonds' edges him, but does he edge him enough to warrant saying he is greater than Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, or Joe DiMaggio? I don't think so.

My whole argument is to refute those that say Bonds was already going to be the best player even before the alleged steroid use. I think that is crazy. That is like us now saying that Carlos Beltran is on pace to be the greatest player ever. It's a joke. It just so happens that Barry Bonds became an absolute animal from 2000 - 2004. He also has played an incredibly long career (which is worth saluting) and has been pretty steady year in and year out. Perhaps his consistent longevity is more remarkable than anything else. But, if Beltran has another 12 seasons on his current pace would that make him perhaps as good as Ruth, DiMaggio, Williams, or Mays?

As a child growing up in the 80's and 90's, I don't even remember thinking that Bonds was the best player in baseball at the time. Sure I was biased towards Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson, and Mark Grace...but I honestly remember thinking Ken Griffey Jr. was probably the best player. Just look at his 8 year stretch from the link...YIKES! Bonds was listed in my mind with guys like Dawson, Puckett, Gwynn, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr, and others. He was definitely an All-Star, and a top player of his time, and worthy of All-Century status...but I really have to question greatest player of all time. Maybe he's the best I've ever seen....but would he have been the best I've ever seen if his 4 monster years were more similar to his other solid years? I'm not so sure.

Barry Bonds is a remarkable player, definitely First Ballot HOF Worthy. But I have a really hard time ranking him in the top 3 of all time. Maybe he is the best of my lifetime and maybe we just have so few people that actually can testify personally to Babe Ruth's skill with us anymore. Williams, DiMaggio, and Mays were not on TV like Bonds is every night....but I would still put all 4 of them ahead of Bonds purely on word of mouth testimonies. Maybe I'm the idiot.

Coco Crisp meet Mariner Moose

So I saw this on ESPN the other day....while they had better footage than this, I love the crowd reaction....audio is really needed for the full effect.

I don't feel so good right now

While I was in Japan, the Cubs played some decent ball. They took 2 out of 3 against the Reds and split a 4 game series with the Phillies. But upon my return is when I started to not feel so well.

The Mets series opened with 6-2 loss; a game the Cubs did not play well in. I was then able to attend on Saturday and watch Ted Lilly shutdown all but Moises Alou in a 6-2 win. All 6 runs came after a 2 out infield single that Ryan Theriot was called safe at first on. Even in the stands in real time I thought he was out. Nonetheless, the Cubs capitalized with that opportunity and scored 6 runs after it. We did get a hit batter and a walked in run, but who's counting? BUT, the point is that the Cubs did not hit well in that game either. Then came Sunday night, the climax of my sickness. Coming into Sunday night, I didn't necessarily expect to win, but I did expect to play better than we did. Our offense was anemic again. But Alfonso Soriano coming up lame between 2nd and 3rd to make the 3rd out was enough to make me vomit. While I have a lifelong interest in the Cubs and wanting to see them make the playoffs, my fantasy team is also firmly dependent on Soriano. Today's report says a torn quad and now out up to 6 weeks. We are really going to miss his bat.

Our OF will likely consist of a platoon of Murton, Jones, Floyd, Pagan, and DeRosa. It could be worse, but still, losing Soriano was like when Lowell left Wings. The show just fell apart.

My sickness continued last night against the Astros. Rich Hill was extremely encouraging giving up just 1 run, but the Cubs offense could not muster more than 1 run themselves. Losing in the 10th inning stung with the Brewers losing yet again.

This offense needs to snap out of the funk or I am afraid we could slip further behind the Brewers. We are lucky they've been losing lately as well.

So come on Ramirez and Lee. Put this team on your back and get hot together. Theriot, DeRosa, Murton, Kendall....time to be the great role players I know you can be. Let's focus on this together, make the playoffs and get Soriano back just in time for it.

GO CUBS GO!

Slurp Shop

Tonight our colleagues in Japan took us to a Ramen Noodles restaurant. When I heard that is where we were going I have to admit I was initially disappointed. Ramen has never really excited me....pretty boring and not very tasty. I know guys that lived off Ramen in my fraternity in college (mostly the Maruchan brand pictured here), but I couldn't do it. It was just not filling nor tasty enough for my liking.

We walked into the restaurant and it was a pleasant atmosphere. 2 very large irregular shaped tables made out of tree trunks filled the entire room. Each table sat about 12 people....so you were sitting next to or across from strangers....but I found that pretty humorous. Here is why.

Directly across from me was a mother and a child of about 6 years old. As most Japanese men do, I am assuming the husband/father was still at work. Here is a nice mother and son dinner together out of the house. They received their ramen before we did. Now I know my wife will be reading this and I apologize to her, but the mother was gorgeous. One of the most beautiful women I've seen so far in Japan. She was very well dressed and proper. But then the eating began. Evidentially as I learned once our food arrived, it is proper to slurp your noodles in such a place. Well this women basically buried her face down near her bowl and start grabbing at the noodles (again with CHOPSTICKS) and loudly slurping them into her mouth. This lasted for a good 15 minutes. I almost laughed out loud 3-4 times. Here was a gorgeous, proper Japanese woman, slurping her food like a 5 year old. But with the chopsticks....you really have no choice.

Now to the ramen...My bowl arrived and I took my first bite. INCREDIBLE! So good I took a picture for remembrance. I am not kidding. If ramen in the U.S. were like this, I probably could have lived off of it in college. The soup had such a great flavor and the strips of pork in it were as tender as any filet I've had. I could not get enough of it.
Then I realized...I was slurping like everyone else. It was so good and you wanted so much of it so quickly, that slurping was the only option. You could only keep the noodles on the chopsticks for a few seconds so you moved them to your mouth as fast as possible and slurped them away. I told my colleague that I wanted to go back to the U.S. and open such a restaurant. He said there is a very similar chain that has a few in the U.S. and he thinks there might be one in Chicago. We are going to follow up on that tomorrow in the office. If there is one in Chicago, I am getting the address and going there next time I'm in the city.

What a far cry from Maruchan Instant Noodles! I can now say that I LOVE authentic ramen.

Japan and Jerry Seinfeld

Ok, so I've been in Japan for 4 days now and I can't help but continue to think about Jerry Seinfeld. Why, you may ask? Well it has to do with a certain utensil....or pair of utensils if you call it that.


Its my second trip to Japan in the last 12 months so I don't know why it hit me more the second time than the first. But seriously...I've had 10 meals so far this time in Japan, and on every single one of them, my only choice was chopsticks. Oh wait, I was given a spatula of sorts to take some food off of a grill in front of me. But everywhere I look its chopsticks, chopsticks, and more chopsticks. And every meal I can't help but remember Jerry Seinfeld. This is from episode 90 and a similar rendidtion is from his standup DVD, "I'm telling you for the last time".

I think the thing I admire most about the Chinese is that they're hanging in there with the chopsticks. Because, if you think about it, you know, they've seen the fork... by now. I'm sure they've seen the spoon, they're going, "Yeah, yeah, they're OK... We're going to stay with the sticks." I mean, I don't know how they've missed it: thousands of years ago, Chinese farmer gets up, has his breakfast with the chopsticks, goes out and works all day in the field with a shovel... Hello?... Shovel! Not going out there ploughing 40 acres with a couple of pool cues.

I know he's referring to the Chinese, but the Japanese are the same way. They refuse to give in to the fork or the spoon. Seriously, I've gotten much better at the sticks but I still struggle a lot. I watch colleagues 40+ years old that have been in Japan their whole life and they continuously drop noodles, rice, vegetables, fish, etc.... I can't help but wonder....fork oh fork where are you?

I have noticed one major positive to the chopsticks. It takes so long to use them that you realize you are full much earlier in Japan. Perhaps this is why their population is so ridiculously skinny. I thought it was from the large amounts of walking, but I think it may be even more related to the slow eating and smaller portions. I mean, it would take 2.5 hours to eat a normal American portion with chopsticks.

Oh well....I'm having a blast, but it takes all that is within me to not start laughing out loud each time Seinfeld's lines run through my head at EVERY meal. I actually started giggling last night at dinner. If so much wasn't lost in translation, I'd recite the lines to my Japanese colleagues....but they probably would not find it funny at all. After all, its tradition.

Heading to the land of Ichiro and the gyro-ball....

So my postings have been few and far between the last week. That's because I have been preparing to fly out to Japan tomorrow for a week of work. So, don't expect much else next week either....especially since I'll miss most of the Cubs games (considering they'll be playing around 8 or 9 am in Japan).

Its been a good couple of days for the Cubbies. Two in a row against our hated rival Cardinals. Zambrano and Lilly continue to dominante. 2-out RBIs are still coming. Soriano even got 3 hits last night to break out of a mini slump. Let's keep it up. A sweep today vs the Cardinals would just about eliminate them for good in 2007. Then we move on to Cincy where anything less than 2 wins will be a major disappointment.

In other news the Reds have taken 2 of 3 so far from the Brewers, but the Brewers just acquired Scott Linebrink from the Padres. That bullpen consisting of Villenueva, Wise, Linebrink, Turnbow, and Cordero is flat out disgusting and filthy. You better get to the Brewer starters (which is not easy either), cause I have a feeling from the 7th inning forward, the Brewers will not lose many games from here on out.

GO CUBS GO!

Take them to the woodshed!

It was quite the disappointing weekend losing 2 of 3 to the Diamondbacks and watching a no name pitcher (Petit?) completely stiffle our hitters. I am SO ready for Derrek Lee to be back in the lineup. We looked lethargic and bored over the weekend. But there is good news.

The Cubs will play 6 games at STL and CIN this week. Now a Cardinals game is never a sure thing, but this Cardinals team is flat out terrible. How they are even remotely close to .500 is beyond me. Kip Wells, Adam Wainwright, and Braden Looper. I look for the Cubs to break out of their mini slump against the Red Birds. Watch for Alfonso Soriano to get hot again on the road and to take Kip Wells deep.

The weekend series at Cincy might actually be slightly more difficult. The reason is because the Cubs will see Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang, and Matt Belisle. Arroyo and Harang are tough on the Cubs, but we have already taken Arroyo down twice this year. Nonetheless, the GAB should showcase at least a handful of HRs for Soriano, Ramirez, and Lee. BUT, Michael Barrett always owned the GAB, and we no longer have him. Time for Koyie Hill to become the new Cubs mashing Catcher at the GAB.

Any chance we could trade Jacque Jones for Junior before Friday? Probably no chance but it's fun to dream.

Let's beat up on the NL Central!

Go Cubs Go!