World Series Game 1

Tonight is game 1 of the 2013 World Series. We have the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Boston Red Sox. This is a very even matchup. Both teams have the best record in their respective leagues and it should McKee for one exciting series. The Cardinals have a lot of good young strong arms both in the rotation and the bullpen led by Adam Wainwright who has done this twice before, once as a starter and as a closer. Boston is very good at taking pitches and raising the pitcher's pitch count up to get to the bullpen. While that method did work very well against the Tigers, I can't say I would be excited to hit against the Cards bullpen. They have so many young arms that throw 95+ anytime it may be difficult for the BoSox. Boston has the home field advantage but a big disadvantage when on the road. Jim Farrel will have to decide what he is going to do about 1st base. Does he leave in Napoli or put in Ortiz at first base. Either way you look at it they will be losing a great hitter in their lineup. I expect this series to go at least 6 games or more and I think the Cardinals will pull it off in 6. It is a difficult decision because Boston is such a relentless team and I don't like it when there is a chance they can win because I am not a Red Sox fan. I will be rooting for the Cards but dont be surprised if the Sox win this series. 

Is 1-0 Baseball game boring?

So I hear it all over the radio this morning about people tweeting how boring the Red Sox vs. Tigers was because only 1 run was scored. Really? I can understand how a lack of offense may not be what some fans prefer. That want hitting, home runs, plays at the plate, etc. I love all that as well. For me though, I love a great pitchers dual. Especially when it is against two potent offenses like the Red Sox and Tigers. A pitchers dual is one of the best games I love to watch. It keeps the game close. 1-2 runs can feel like it is 10-0. Watching a couple pitchers make great pitches in a tight ball game is very exciting. It keeps me curious because I want to see which pitcher will last longer. Who is going to be the first to make a mistake. Because in a game like that, only 1 mistake could cost a team the whole game. This postseason has already been pretty exciting. We have a great shot at seeing a rematch of the '06 World Series with the Cardinals vs. Tigers if they can defeat their counterparts. Boston is primed and ready to get back to the World Series and they are an exciting ball club to watch. It's almost as if they can throw out any starter and they have the potential to throw a complete game. Today we have both games scheduled and they should be exciting to see. More on the postseason later....

Yasiel Puig's controversial triple

Last night Yasiel Puig hits a triple in right field and he received a lot of criticism for how he tossed the bat up in the air with his hands held high and started walking to first base. Why??? Why is there so much criticism against the Dodgers right fielder. The man thought he hit a home run. How many times have we not seen this happen with other players. Why does he get all of the criticism. I say to leave the man alone. He has never been to the post season before. He knows he has at least a base hit. It's not like it a fly out to right field. He legged out a triple in that. That's the amazing part. Do you know how hard it is to hit a triple? You must have great speed, and be able to hit the ball in specific areas of the ball park unless an outfielder bobbles the ball. Yasiel Puig is not the only player who thought it was a home run. Look at how Carlos Beltran fields this ball. As good as an outfielder as Beltran is he could have cought that ball had he ran it all the through. I saw leave Puig alone and let him help his team win. Cut all the criticism. 

2013 Boston Red Sox

2013 Boston Red Sox

As much as I hate to say it, we may very well see the Boston Red Sox make it to the World Series, not only do I think they will make it to the World Series but they may very well win the World Series. As I have watch the Red Sox so far this post season I have noticed one thing the BoSox have done that no other team does has done as well as them. Half of these players on this starting roster I have barely seen but evidently that does not matter because all of these hitters are so disciplined at the plate. It is extremely rare for them to attach the first pitch, even if they know that chances are it will be a strike. The Boston Red Sox are ranked number 1 in most pitches seen on average per game and they are ranked first in pitches taken per at bat. Considering this plus the unnecessary attention managers give to pitch counts, they do a great job at getting to the starting pitcher early by taking pitches, fouling off pitches and extending at bats. Most managers are very conservative when it comes to pitch counts. Once that pitcher hits 100+ pitches, the leash the manager gives their starter is now very short. For instance, Max Scherzer threw a spectacular game but Leland took him out far too early and that is why they lost this game. When you play the Red Sox, on their diamond, you can't give them one breath of air. You must do everything you can to squeeze the very life out of that stadium including the fans, that their chances of winning that game is miniscule. Scherzer threw 108 pitches last night and with those 108 pitches he gave Jim Leyland 7.0 IP with 2 Hits, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 13 K's. Scherzer has been a work horse this season, not to mention he will more than likely win the AL Cy Young Award and deservedly so. But Leyland never gave Scherzer a chance to show fans and sports writers why he truly deserves the Cy Young award. As much as I hate to say this, Jim Leyland lost that ball game for the Detroit Tigers last night. Anytime the Tigers can go in to Boston and win a game without using Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer then they have a pretty great chance at winning that series. But instead the series is tied and the Detroit Tigers have lost an entire start with their Cy Young candidate Max Scherzer. Boston knows how to get to and opponents bullpen. They take their pitches, get on base and manufacture runs. I can't tell you how many times I have seen guys like Jacoby Ellsbury and veteran Shane Victorino get on base, steal and score from 2nd on a base hit. They are all disciplined hitters. They know what and when to swing and maybe the best thing they do as a team is communicate with each other. I guarantee you the minute the first Red Sox hitter go back into the dugout after their 1st at bat is communicate to everyone in that dugout what pitches they saw and the type of movement for each pitch. Now there is something you must know, I am a Yankee fan. So the last thing I want to see through out the duration of this post season is see the Boston Red Sox squirting champagne in the locker room. But to me, they have the best chance at winning the 2013 World Series. I hope I am wrong.

Anything and everything

I realize no one is probably reading this right now but I just want to make it clear. From now on this site will publish anything and everything. From sports to health to technology and news. Whatever I think is interesting. Read up!

NBA Finals Game 4

Mike Miller has earned himself a starting position in place of Udonis Haslem for game 4 tonight. 

NBA Finals Game 3

The Spurs continue to do a great job at containing LeBron James. The Spurs are forcing James to make outside shots and keep him from driving the ball to the basket. Manu Ginoboli started out strong offensively. Chris Bosh needs to take advantage of going to the free throw line is the Spurs continue to contain James outside of the lane. Both Leonard and Green of the Spurs have done an exceptional job at guarding James. As of 7:00 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Danny Green hit 6 of 7 3-pointers dating back to game 2. The Miami Heat cannot continue to allow Green open in the perimeter or they will have a hard time winning this ball game. Dwayne Wade has started the first half out strong with making 8 of the Heats first 16 points but had cooled off in the second quarter. Spoelstra has tested LeBron James at around the 9 minute mark and decided to put him back into the game @ 5:57, the Spurs were up by 5 at that point. Popovich's decision to bring in Gary Neal has most certainly payed off.  So far Neal is 4-4 in 3pt field goals with 14 points. Heat's Mike Miller has responded Neal with 3-3 in the 3 point FG and 6-6 dating back to game 2. James is only 2-8 with 4 points in the first half of game 3. Both game 1 and game 2 James has had record lows in points scored. Spurs continue to the fight in the 3rd with Danny Green hitting a 3 and forces Spolestra to take a timeout with a game high 13 point deficit. Halfway through the 3 quarter this game has turned into who can hit more 3's, the Spurs or Mike Miller. So far he is 5-5 in 3 pt FG. This game has been back and forth with the Spurs with all the momentum. The only momentum the Hear have is Mike Miller knocking down 3's. I can't recall the last time I've seen Manu Ginoboli throw down a dunk. With 3:36 left in the 3rd Q both James and Wade are 0-7 FG combined. James got a going in the last 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter scoring 9 points and cutting the lead to 15. The San Antonio Spurs start the 4th with 8 unanswered points to extend the lead to 23, including Gary Neal throwing down 2 more 3 pointers. At this point this game is looking much like game 2 with the Spurs taking command. 6 minutes left in the 4th and Danny Green is 7-9 from the 3 point range and Gary Neal is 6-10 respectively. The Spurs have set a new record fro most 3's made in a game. This makes game 4 very exciting to see.