Not all of these fight are possible, but these are the boxing matches I'd like to see.
Heavyweight
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Vitali Klitschko
The brothers can decide which is the true heavyweight champion.
Light Heavyweight
Adonis Stevenson vs. Sergey Kovalev
Both are explosive power punchers, but true light heavyweight champ Stevenson showed slick boxing moves last fight and Kovalev is a pressure fighter. Should be far more exciting than your average power punchers' snoozefest. Winner can take on super middleweight kingpin Andre Ward.
Middleweight
Gennady Golovkin vs. Peter Quillin
Golovkin is a power puncher who can box; Quillin is a boxer with power. Quillin is underrated. Winner faces Sergio Martinez for the true middleweight title.
Welterweight
Floyd Mayweather vs. Tim Bradley
Bradley's relentless will should be a rare test for Mayweather. I wish that Golden Boy-Top Rank cold war would end.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Danny Garcia
I don't think Garcia can compete yet with Mayweather, but his power should pose a good test for Pacquiao (if the latter gets by Rios). The cold war gets int he way of this one.
Junior Welterweight
Danny Garcia vs. Ruslan Provodnikov
The win over Alvarado and performance against Bradley makes Ruslan a viable contender against Garcia. Both guys have power, will, and are hittable. Should be an all action, fight of the year candidate.
Monday, November 04, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Game 5 - Ortiz Shines Again
David Ortiz has had a legendary World Series. Ortiz is hitting an unconscionable .733 against St. Louis with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. His OPS for the five games is over 2.000. In the first, he doubled home Dustin Pedroia to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright settled down and pitched five straight shutout innings. Meanwhile Matt Holliday homered off of Jon Lester in the bottom of the third to tie the game. But int eh seventh, Xander Bogaerts and Stephen Drew began a rally which ended with two runs plated when it was all over. Boston had a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Koji Uehara struck out two to solidify the victory. Boston take sa 3-2 lead heading into Game Six back east.
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright settled down and pitched five straight shutout innings. Meanwhile Matt Holliday homered off of Jon Lester in the bottom of the third to tie the game. But int eh seventh, Xander Bogaerts and Stephen Drew began a rally which ended with two runs plated when it was all over. Boston had a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Koji Uehara struck out two to solidify the victory. Boston take sa 3-2 lead heading into Game Six back east.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
2013-2014 NBA Predictions
Check out the preview on Amazon. Only $1.49.
East
Just missing the playoffs: Atlanta
Out in first round: Boston, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit.
Out in East Semis: Miami*, Chicago*
East Finals: Indiana defeats New York*
West
Just missing the playoffs:
Out in first round: Denver, Golden State, Houston, LA Lakers.
Out in West Semis: Oklahoma City*, LA Clippers*.
West Finals: San Antonio* over Memphis.
* Division winner
2014 NBA Finals: San Antonio over Indiana 4-2.
East
Just missing the playoffs: Atlanta
Out in first round: Boston, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit.
Out in East Semis: Miami*, Chicago*
East Finals: Indiana defeats New York*
West
Just missing the playoffs:
Out in first round: Denver, Golden State, Houston, LA Lakers.
Out in West Semis: Oklahoma City*, LA Clippers*.
West Finals: San Antonio* over Memphis.
* Division winner
2014 NBA Finals: San Antonio over Indiana 4-2.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Game 4 - Going Going Gomes
The Cardinals go on the board first when Carlos Beltran singled home Matt Carpenter. The Sox's Clay Buckhholtz only pitched one more inning, but Felix Doubront pitched another 2 and 2/3 innings giving up only one run.
With the score 1-1 in the top of the sixth, Jonny Gomes homered in Dustin Pedoia and David Ortiz. That ended Lance Lynn's day.
In the bottom of the ninth, a banged up Allen Craig pinch hit and laced what normally would be a double off the wall. Instead, he limped to first. Kolten Wong pinch ran. One batter later and with Carlos Beltran up, Wong jumped off first. Boston's closer Koji Uehara picked off Wong and for the second consecutive night, the game ended on a bizarre play.
Boston won 4-2 and tied the series at two.
With the score 1-1 in the top of the sixth, Jonny Gomes homered in Dustin Pedoia and David Ortiz. That ended Lance Lynn's day.
In the bottom of the ninth, a banged up Allen Craig pinch hit and laced what normally would be a double off the wall. Instead, he limped to first. Kolten Wong pinch ran. One batter later and with Carlos Beltran up, Wong jumped off first. Boston's closer Koji Uehara picked off Wong and for the second consecutive night, the game ended on a bizarre play.
Boston won 4-2 and tied the series at two.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Game 3 - An Obstruction of Justice?
Boston's Jake Peavy struggled in the first inning. Everything he threw seemed to be over the plate. He may have been fortunate to get out of the inning only giving up two runs. Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina grabbed the two RBIs that inning.
In the fourth, Peavy had loaded the bases with no one out. Pete Kozma, who has been having a nightmarish World Series came to the plate in hope of redeeming himself. Instead, he struck out looking. The pitcher Joe Kelly popped out next and then so did Matt Carpenter.
After Xander Bogaerts tripled off of Kelly in the fifth, he scored on a ground out. In the top of the sixth, Daniel Nava knocked in Shane Victorino to tie the game at two.
Craig Breslow let two men on in the seventh, even though one reached on a dribbler and the other reached on a dubious hit by pitch. Junichi Tazawa gave up the go-ahead single to Matt Holliday which plated two Cards.
Red Sox Manager John Farrell can be questioned for pinch hitting for Felix Doubrant in the seventh with none on and two out. Doubrant had pitched two dominating innings and the Sox didn't have much going offensively in the inning. The top of the order was due up in the top of the eighth and perhaps it would have made more sense to save Gomes for later. That became especially true when relief pitcher Brandon Workman made his major league debut at the plate in the ninth.
Carlos Martinez gave up two runs in the eighth when Nava hit into a ground out and when Bogaerts singled. The game was tied at four heading into the ninth.
With runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth, Workman faced John Jay. Jay grounded to second when Dustin Pedroia snatched the ball and fired home. Yadier Molina was out. Then, catcher Jared Saltalamacchia fired down to the third. Will Middlebrooks couldn't get the ball. He was positioned about a foot away from third place in fair territory. When the runner, Allen Craig tried to scamper home, Middlebrooks lifted his legs. Though Craig was gunned out at home, obstruction was called.
The Cardinals won 5-4 in walk off fashion in one of the most bizarre endings to a World Series game. St. Louis is now up 2-1 in the series.
In the fourth, Peavy had loaded the bases with no one out. Pete Kozma, who has been having a nightmarish World Series came to the plate in hope of redeeming himself. Instead, he struck out looking. The pitcher Joe Kelly popped out next and then so did Matt Carpenter.
After Xander Bogaerts tripled off of Kelly in the fifth, he scored on a ground out. In the top of the sixth, Daniel Nava knocked in Shane Victorino to tie the game at two.
Craig Breslow let two men on in the seventh, even though one reached on a dribbler and the other reached on a dubious hit by pitch. Junichi Tazawa gave up the go-ahead single to Matt Holliday which plated two Cards.
Red Sox Manager John Farrell can be questioned for pinch hitting for Felix Doubrant in the seventh with none on and two out. Doubrant had pitched two dominating innings and the Sox didn't have much going offensively in the inning. The top of the order was due up in the top of the eighth and perhaps it would have made more sense to save Gomes for later. That became especially true when relief pitcher Brandon Workman made his major league debut at the plate in the ninth.
Carlos Martinez gave up two runs in the eighth when Nava hit into a ground out and when Bogaerts singled. The game was tied at four heading into the ninth.
With runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth, Workman faced John Jay. Jay grounded to second when Dustin Pedroia snatched the ball and fired home. Yadier Molina was out. Then, catcher Jared Saltalamacchia fired down to the third. Will Middlebrooks couldn't get the ball. He was positioned about a foot away from third place in fair territory. When the runner, Allen Craig tried to scamper home, Middlebrooks lifted his legs. Though Craig was gunned out at home, obstruction was called.
The Cardinals won 5-4 in walk off fashion in one of the most bizarre endings to a World Series game. St. Louis is now up 2-1 in the series.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Game 2 - Cards Tie it Up
After a pitchers' duel between Michael Wacha of St. Louis and Jon Lackey of Boston through the first three innings, Matt Holliday tripled to lead off the fourth and later scored. A David Ortiz two-run homer int he sixth gave the Sox the lead.
Only Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia have been hitting well for the Sox thus far in the World Series, despite the eight run outburst in Game 1. As it would turn out, the two runs off of Ortiz's bat weren't enough for Boston to win.
An errant throw the next half inning by Boston's Craig Breslow began a chain that would allow three Cardinal runners to cross the plate in the top of the 7th. Carlos Beltran, playing in spite of aching ribs, went 2 for 4 with an RBI. After two strong innings by Carlos Martinez, Trevor Rosenthal got the save. The Cardnials won 4-2 to tie the series at one.
Only Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia have been hitting well for the Sox thus far in the World Series, despite the eight run outburst in Game 1. As it would turn out, the two runs off of Ortiz's bat weren't enough for Boston to win.
An errant throw the next half inning by Boston's Craig Breslow began a chain that would allow three Cardinal runners to cross the plate in the top of the 7th. Carlos Beltran, playing in spite of aching ribs, went 2 for 4 with an RBI. After two strong innings by Carlos Martinez, Trevor Rosenthal got the save. The Cardnials won 4-2 to tie the series at one.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Game 1 - Sox Blowout Cards
In the first inning, Pete Kozma wasn't able to grab a throw headed towards him, but umpire Dana DeMuth incorrectly called the Dustin Pedroia out. Manager John Farrell raced out to argue and asked DeMuth to get help from his fellow umpire. DeMuth demurred and the call was reversed. That gave the Sox the bases loaded. Mike Napoli cleared the bases with a three-run double.
Things got worse for the Cardinals in the second. Pitcher Adam Wainwright spaced on a little pop up right to him. Kozma committed another error. And though Carlos Beltran saved a David Ortiz grand slam with a catch near the wall in right, he hurt his ribs crashing into the padding and left the game.
Up 5-0 in the second, Jon Lester pitched into the eighth giving up no runs, five hits, and striking out 8. Ortiz hit a two-run homer in the seventh and the Sox added one more in eighth to win 8-1.
Things got worse for the Cardinals in the second. Pitcher Adam Wainwright spaced on a little pop up right to him. Kozma committed another error. And though Carlos Beltran saved a David Ortiz grand slam with a catch near the wall in right, he hurt his ribs crashing into the padding and left the game.
Up 5-0 in the second, Jon Lester pitched into the eighth giving up no runs, five hits, and striking out 8. Ortiz hit a two-run homer in the seventh and the Sox added one more in eighth to win 8-1.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
2013 MLB Playoff Precitions
NL
Reds over Pirates
Dodgers over Braves
Reds over Cardinals
Dodgers over Reds
AL
Tampa Bay over Cleveland
Detroit over Oakland
Boston over Tampa Bay
Detroit over Boston
World Series
Detroit over Dodgers
Reds over Pirates
Dodgers over Braves
Reds over Cardinals
Dodgers over Reds
AL
Tampa Bay over Cleveland
Detroit over Oakland
Boston over Tampa Bay
Detroit over Boston
World Series
Detroit over Dodgers
Monday, September 30, 2013
The 2013 Nats
Many believe this season was disappointing for the Nats. But the Nats finished ten games over .500. Only ten teams make the playoffs, including the bizarre play-in game in each league. The problem for the Nats this season was inconsistent hitting. It wasn't until August that the Nats' bats woke up. The pitching was great all season long.
Stephen Strasburg was victimized by bad luck. His record was 8-9, but his ERA was 3.00, the best of any Nat who started ten or more games. He also led the starters in WHIP. Jordan Zimmermann went 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA. Gio Gonzalez didn't have as good of a year as 2012, but with a 11-8 record and a 3.36 ERA.
After the big three, the Nats didn't have a consistent starter. Dan Haren shook off a bad start and was very effective in spurts, but his final numbers were less than stellar at 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA. Ross Detwiler, who pitched masterfully int he playoffs last season, struggled. He was 2-7 with 4.04 ERA in 13 starts. Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark, and Ross Ohlendorf were the other notable starters. Jordan's ERA was an impressive 3.66 nine starts when he was shut down. Roark showed he knows how to pitch. Vulturing a few wins when he was first called up as a reliever. He had only one bad game in posting a 7-1 record and a 1.51 record.
The bullpen was mostly strong, but was not as good as lack year. The Nats missed left-hander Sean Burnett. Washington hoped Rafael Soriano would add depth to the pen. He had 43 saves and 3.11 ERA. But he blew a couple of important games in August by allowing three-run homers. Tyler Clippard was good, but not as dominant as last season. He was 6-3 with a 2.41 ERA. Crag Stammen was effective, which was needed because Drew Storen had some trouble coming back from his heartbreaking loss in Game 5 in 2012.
Offensively, Jayson Werth led the way with .318 average and .931 OPS. Injured for much of the first half, he played in only 129 games. He nailed 25 homers and 82 RBIs. Ryan Zimmerman had his usual year, although he had fewer RBIs than normal with only 79. He went on a power surge out of the number 2 spot int he order in August and finished with 26. All Star Bryce Harper didn't put up eye popping numbers, but he cleared the 20 homer mark and his OPS was .854. Ian Desmond cooled off late, but had another 20-20 year.
New acquisition Denard Span struggled to hit early, but became more aggressive late. A 29-game hitting streak helped raise his average to .279. Wilson Ramos was given a vote of confidence when Kurt Suzuki was traded. Ramos, who is great at calling a game, in 78 games, he hit 16 homer with 59 RBIs. He hit .272, impressive for a catcher. Danny Espinosa was ineffective and sent down tot he minors where he struggled. In his place, rookie Anthony Rendon thrives for much fo the season, but he didn't hit as well later int he season. Steve Lombardozzi, who played in more games but had fewer at bats than Rendon. had the opposite season.
Adam LaRoche struggled hitting at first, but was his usual strong defensive first baseman. He likely won't win a second Gold Glove award, but Span, a centerfielder, should. He rarely took a false step and read balls off the bat excellently. he also added a few amazing catches.
While the starting hitters were inconsistent, but the bench was subpar.Chad Tracy, Tyler Moore, and Scott Hairston barely cracked the Mendoza line. Roger Bernadina didn't and he was shipped to Philadelphia.
The Nats got hot in mid August and made a valiant run at the second Wild Card. But with a seven days to go int he season, a loss to St. Louis sealed their fate. Still, the Nats had only their second winning season in team history. Outgoing manager Davey Johnson was at the helm for both of them.
Stephen Strasburg was victimized by bad luck. His record was 8-9, but his ERA was 3.00, the best of any Nat who started ten or more games. He also led the starters in WHIP. Jordan Zimmermann went 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA. Gio Gonzalez didn't have as good of a year as 2012, but with a 11-8 record and a 3.36 ERA.
After the big three, the Nats didn't have a consistent starter. Dan Haren shook off a bad start and was very effective in spurts, but his final numbers were less than stellar at 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA. Ross Detwiler, who pitched masterfully int he playoffs last season, struggled. He was 2-7 with 4.04 ERA in 13 starts. Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark, and Ross Ohlendorf were the other notable starters. Jordan's ERA was an impressive 3.66 nine starts when he was shut down. Roark showed he knows how to pitch. Vulturing a few wins when he was first called up as a reliever. He had only one bad game in posting a 7-1 record and a 1.51 record.
The bullpen was mostly strong, but was not as good as lack year. The Nats missed left-hander Sean Burnett. Washington hoped Rafael Soriano would add depth to the pen. He had 43 saves and 3.11 ERA. But he blew a couple of important games in August by allowing three-run homers. Tyler Clippard was good, but not as dominant as last season. He was 6-3 with a 2.41 ERA. Crag Stammen was effective, which was needed because Drew Storen had some trouble coming back from his heartbreaking loss in Game 5 in 2012.
Offensively, Jayson Werth led the way with .318 average and .931 OPS. Injured for much of the first half, he played in only 129 games. He nailed 25 homers and 82 RBIs. Ryan Zimmerman had his usual year, although he had fewer RBIs than normal with only 79. He went on a power surge out of the number 2 spot int he order in August and finished with 26. All Star Bryce Harper didn't put up eye popping numbers, but he cleared the 20 homer mark and his OPS was .854. Ian Desmond cooled off late, but had another 20-20 year.
New acquisition Denard Span struggled to hit early, but became more aggressive late. A 29-game hitting streak helped raise his average to .279. Wilson Ramos was given a vote of confidence when Kurt Suzuki was traded. Ramos, who is great at calling a game, in 78 games, he hit 16 homer with 59 RBIs. He hit .272, impressive for a catcher. Danny Espinosa was ineffective and sent down tot he minors where he struggled. In his place, rookie Anthony Rendon thrives for much fo the season, but he didn't hit as well later int he season. Steve Lombardozzi, who played in more games but had fewer at bats than Rendon. had the opposite season.
Adam LaRoche struggled hitting at first, but was his usual strong defensive first baseman. He likely won't win a second Gold Glove award, but Span, a centerfielder, should. He rarely took a false step and read balls off the bat excellently. he also added a few amazing catches.
While the starting hitters were inconsistent, but the bench was subpar.Chad Tracy, Tyler Moore, and Scott Hairston barely cracked the Mendoza line. Roger Bernadina didn't and he was shipped to Philadelphia.
The Nats got hot in mid August and made a valiant run at the second Wild Card. But with a seven days to go int he season, a loss to St. Louis sealed their fate. Still, the Nats had only their second winning season in team history. Outgoing manager Davey Johnson was at the helm for both of them.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Bills are 2-2
The Bills beat the defending champion Baltimore Ravens today. E.J. Manuel has shown a lot of promise in his four games in the NFL.
Manuel is a very accurate passer with a good arm. One issue he has is a mild case of Rob Johnson's disease. For those who don;t know, that means Manuel holds the ball too long and gets sacked too often. He also needs to learn to vary the speed on his passed. Twice in recent weeks, he gunned a fastball at a receiver who was too close to him. One resulted in an interception.
But Manuel does his best to take care of the ball and isn't too antsy to flee the pocket when a receiver isn't open right away. He doesn't try to force things either. So far, I like Manuel's progression. It helps that he has a good, albeit injured, defense and a strong running game.
Manuel is a very accurate passer with a good arm. One issue he has is a mild case of Rob Johnson's disease. For those who don;t know, that means Manuel holds the ball too long and gets sacked too often. He also needs to learn to vary the speed on his passed. Twice in recent weeks, he gunned a fastball at a receiver who was too close to him. One resulted in an interception.
But Manuel does his best to take care of the ball and isn't too antsy to flee the pocket when a receiver isn't open right away. He doesn't try to force things either. So far, I like Manuel's progression. It helps that he has a good, albeit injured, defense and a strong running game.
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