Philly Sports Today

Boston Red Sox v. Los Angeles Angels
If Boston still had Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox would clearly be favored to win this series. However, since Manny is playing 3000 miles away, I’m giving the slight edge to the Angels. Los Angeles blatantly has the more fearsome line-up with Vladimir “The Impaler” Guerrero, Torii “Spider Man” Hunter, and Mark “It’s difficult to pronounce my last name, but I am awesome at baseball” Teixeira at the heart of the offense. The Angels also do a very good job at setting the table in front of their big bats and are excellent at manufacturing runs. The Red Sox can manufacture runs too, but “Big Papi” David Ortiz is their only real power threat. Boston has also been battling the injury bug. On the other hand, I think Boston has the pitching advantage if Josh Beckett is healthy for Game 3. Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka should have the slim edge over John Lackey and Ervin Santana, and a healthy Beckett is much better than Joe Saunders. The bullpens are pretty much a wash.
Prediction: Angels over Red Sox in five games. LA owned the Red Sox in the regular season and this is the year they make it happen in the playoffs. However, Boston could steal this series if their pitching dominates.

Chicago White Sox v. Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay has been the Cinderella of 2008. They don’t have anyone with gaudy numbers, but they play the right way. The Rays also just seem to come up with clutch hits on a nightly basis. My only concern with them is that they’re so young. It will be interesting to see how they respond on the big stage. However, their style of play and solid defense give them the components of a World Series contender. On the other hand, I’m not a really big fan of the White Sox. I think their offense is old and they don’t seem to have an ace that will be able to carry them in the post-season. At least the Rays have Kazmir. Home field advantage in kooky Tropicana Field should make a big difference for Tampa.
Prediction: Rays over White Sox in four. It hasn’t struck midnight yet for this Cinderella. They’re a young and exciting team that just isn’t ready to get eliminated this soon.

Milwaukee Brewers v. Philadelphia Phillies
Game one will decide this series. If Cole Hamels pitches like the ace he is supposed to be, the Phillies should be able to win this series. If the Brewers are able to steal game one, the Phils will most likely be heading for an early exit. I think the Phillies are better in every facet of the game and will be motivated by last year’s early exit. Unless the Brewers can win both at Citizens Bank Park, I can’t see the Phillies losing this again. As long as the starting pitchers perform to their potential, the bullpen should be able to finish the game off. It was a great run for the Brewers and hopefully they’re content with just making the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
Prediction: Phillies over Brewers in four games. The Phightins have had an entire year to think about last season’s debacle against the Rockies. All the Phillies have to do is take advantage of Milwaukee’s suspect rotation, excluding CC Sabathia, and hand a lead to the bullpen. CC could be the X-factor though.

Los Angeles Dodgers v. Chicago Cubs
Everything has been going the Cubs’ way this year. This year’s team is probably Chicago’s best since the 1945 NL pennant winner. They also have a stacked rotation with Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and Rich Harden. The Cubbies also boast an All-Star line-up with Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and rookie Geovany Soto. Oh yeah, they have the ultimate home field advantage since they never lose at Wrigley Field. For the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez is certainly capable of carrying a team through a five-game series. The big unknown is if he will get any help from his offense. I think the Dodgers have an underrated starting rotation with Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley, and Hiroki Kuroda. If they can all perform at their peak, LA will certainly have a chance for an upset.
Prediction: Cubs over Dodgers in three games. This looks like the year where the Billy Goat curse is finally broken. LA may have a chance if Manny keeps being Manny.

How ’bout those Cowboys!? So much for them dominating the rest of the NFL for 16 consecutive weeks. I still think that Dallas is the best team in the NFL and this loss will probably serve as a wake-up call. I was very impressed with the way the Redskins completely controlled the game in Big D. They’re very much in the NFC playoff race at this point. On the other hand, the Eagles totally bombed out on Sunday night in Chicago. It was a very winnable game, but they came up small. I see the NFC East pecking order so far as Dallas, New York Giants, Washington, all lumped together at the top and then the Eagles. However, there’s a long way to go. By the way, the Giants had a bye this week.

The Bears were the only NFC North team to win this week, picking up an impressive W over the Eagles. We’ll have to see if that momentum from their amazing goal line stand carries over to the next game. The Packers were flat once again against Tampa Bay and may be in big trouble if Aaron Rodgers is out for any significant period of time. Even with him under center, he’s not exactly playing well. The Vikings were just outplayed by a superior Tennessee team. Minny is going nowhere fast. Detroit, who fired Matt Millen, had a bye.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored a big win over the Packers this week. The Bucs always seem to have a strong defense and Brian Griese has played well so far. They could have enough to win the division. Carolina easily discarded Atlanta as the Panthers share first place. I still can’t get a read on the Cats though. Their defense can be dominant, but their offense is inconsistent. New Orleans easily claimed a win over the 49ers. Not a big surprise there. However, they clearly do not have the defense to win this division. The Falcons are a non-entity.

The NFC West continues to be a laughingstock. The Arizona Cardinals, clearly the class of the division, lost 56-35 to the freakin’ New York Jets. If the Cards are the best team in the division and cannot win a road game to save their lives, it’s definitely a down year for the NFC West. The 49ers were easily defeated by Nawlins. The Rams fell apart in the second half against Buffalo. The Seahawks, who had a bye, clearly had the best week in this putrid division.

The New York Jets scored 56 points against the Cards and only have 115 on the year. In fact, they’ve actually been outscored on the season despite the offensive outburst. Who cares if they’ve only been outscored 116-115, that’s still getting outscored. The Bills continued to dominate 4th quarters, which has been the key to their success. I’ve been saying they’re the team to beat in the AFC East, and so far I’ve been right. The Patriots and Dolphins took the week off.

Someone finally had to win a game between Cleveland and Cincinnati, and the Browns took advantage of Carson Palmer’s injury to get their first win. Both of these teams still suck. A lot. The Steelers and Ravens are the two top teams in the AFC North. If Pittsburgh can somehow get healthy, they should be able to win the division. At this point, it looks like that is a big “if.”

The Titans have probably been the most impressive team in the NFL this year. That’s a major surprise to me as I only expected them to be a third-place team. In my defense, I thought Vince Young would’ve been the starting QB all year. I had no idea that he would go completely insane/suffer an injury and be replaced by Kerry Collins or that their defense would be so good. Very impressed. The Jaguars edged a Houston team that has yet to play a home game, but is getting very frisky. They’re a team to keep an eye on as the season progresses as I expect them to improve in the coming weeks. Luckily for the Colts, their old and brittle players had a bye week.

In the AFC West, Denver came back to earth with a shocking loss in Kansas City. Definitely didn’t see that coming. I don’t think the Broncos are as bad as they played this week, not do I think that the Chiefs are as good as they played. Denver will definitely be in the race for the division title while I am 100% certain that Kansas City will do their best doormat impression for most weeks. On the flip side, San Diego has gotten going against average (i.e. NY Jets) and awful (i.e. Oakland Raiders) teams. I still don’t think they can beat a team with a really good defense. Luckily for them, the only games that could give them problems the rest of the season are Week 7 @ Buffalo, Week 11 @ Pittsburgh, Week 12 v. Indianapolis, Week 16 @ Tampa Bay, and Week 17 @ Denver. Every other week should be slam dunk wins. They’ll probably win three of those five tough games too. That means around 12 wins or so. The Oakland Raiders seem to be better than the Chiefs, but they’re clearly not a good team.

Projected AFC Playoff teams through Week 4: Buffalo (AFC East); Pittsburgh (AFC North); Tennessee (AFC South); San Diego (AFC West); Denver (Wild Card); Jacksonville (Wild Card)

Projected NFC Playoff teams through Week 4: Dallas (NFC East); Green Bay (NFC North); Tampa Bay (NFC South); Arizona (NFC West); New York Giants (Wild Card); Washington (Wild Card)

The Philadelphia Phillies did it again! The Phightins erased a 3.5 game lead by the New York Mets to win the NL East by a comfortable three game margin. The Phillies finished with a 92-70 record. Not too shabby.

The Phils didn’t make it easy in the clincher on Saturday as Brad “Lights Out” Lidge walked the tight rope and escaped a one out, bases-loaded jam by forcing a 6-4-3 division-clinching double play. “Old Man” Jamie Moyer once again won the division-clinching game. He is definitely the best big game pitcher on the roster, and that is kind of frightening heading into the playoffs. However, winning the division is absolutely fantastic! Now it’s on to the playoffs for the second year in a row!

Making the Phillies’ win even sweeter is the fact that the Mets once again choked away a playoff spot. You can’t make that type of stuff up. Missing the playoffs two years in a row by losing the season finale at home could not have happened to a nicer fan base. Sucks to be a Mets fan today. Wait, it sucks to be a Mets fan every day!

I am a little concerned about facing the Brewers though. They’re a dangerous young team and CC Sabathia will be extremely tough to face. However, I am drinking the Phillies’ Kool-Aid right now, so I think they can move on to the NLCS. They have last year’s experience as motivation, so they better get it done this season. I know this is a somewhat incoherent post, but I am just too excited about the fact that the Phils are going to be playing October baseball!

It’s World Series or bust!

GO PHILLIES!!!

Week 3 was not particularly kind to my picks. I smell a bounce-back in Week 4. As always, home teams are in CAPS:

TENNESSEE (-3) over Minnesota
Rationale: The Vikings are terribly overrated and the Titans are terribly underrated. Tennessee’s defense has been outstanding and Chris Johnson has been “The Truth.” It’s also pretty scary that Jeff Fisher has been holding him back somewhat. Imagine what he will do when he is completely unleashed on the league. Also, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor are both questionable. If neither is 100%, the forecast for the Vikings will be little to no offense with a chance of blowout.

CINCINNATI (-3.5) over Cleveland
Rationale: The Battle of Ohio will determine which team gets its first win of the year. Cleveland hasn’t exhibited any signs of life in their three losses. At least the Bengals were able to force OT against the Giants on the road last week. I think that this game will be a high scoring affair with Cincy taking it by a touchdown or so.

Denver (-9.5) over KANSAS CITY
Rationale: The number may be a little high, but Denver has been putting on an offensive show this season. I really don’t see any way that the Chiefs will be able to stop Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and that rushing attack. I also don’t know how Kansas City will be able to score points. Even though the Broncos have forgotten the defensive part of their game plan this year, the Chiefs’ offense is putrid.

San Francisco (+5) over NEW ORLEANS
Rationale: This has the potential to be a very high-scoring game since both teams can put up points and neither is that great defensively. The Saints are also ravaged with injuries on offense, especially now that Jeremy Shockey will be out for a few weeks. I think New Orleans should be able to pull this one out, but the 49ers should certainly be in this game at the end. J.T. O’Sullivan may have an upset brewing for Nawlins.

Arizona (+1.5) over NEW YORK JETS
Rationale: I think the Jets are extremely overrated and the Cardinals are only somewhat overrated. I don’t think New York has played particularly well any week this season and they are running a very plain offense. Brett Favre will also not be 100% and he hasn’t been that fantastic when he was healthy. I think the Cards’ high-powered offense should be able to put up enough points to steal a win.

TAMPA BAY (-1) over Green Bay
Rationale: I don’t like the way that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense have played since the second half of their game against the Lions. Green Bay’s offense has only scored two touchdowns in their last six quarters. Now they’re going on the road to face a stingy Bucs D. Tampa is another team that has flown under the radar a bit, and they should be good enough to beat the Packers at home. Rodgers better get ready for a media firestorm in Green Bay if he takes one on the chin.

CAROLINA (-7) over Atlanta
Rationale: This game looks like a slam dunk. I expect Carolina’s D to wreak havoc on Matt Ryan and the Falcons. This game shouldn’t be close. If the Falcons keep it under double-digits, that should be a moral victory.

JACKSONVILLE (-7) over Houston
Rationale: The Jaguars should be able to ride the momentum from their last-second win over the Colts for at least this game. I don’t think Houston is as good as they were hyped up to be and I don’t think that Jacksonville has played as well as they should be. I expect another big day on the ground for Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. However, if Houston can get Steve Slaton going, they may have a shot to steal a win or at least cover.

ST. LOUIS (+8) over Buffalo
Rationale: The Rams have not come close to covering a single game this season. On the other hand, I don’t like the way that the Bills have played down or up to the level of their competition. That’s not a good sign for trying to cover 8 points on the road. I think this could be the week that Steven Jackson finally gets it going. The Bills very well could win in a blowout if Marshawn Lynch is able to carve up the Rams’ D. Not having Roscoe Parrish is going to hurt Trent Edwards.

Washington (+11) over DALLAS
Rationale: This number is too big for a rivalry that always seems to produce close games. All the Redskins need to do is keep the game close in order to send a message to the rest of the NFL that they are a solid football team. Dallas should prevail in this one mainly because they just ooze with talent all over the field, but I expect the ‘Skins to be competitive.

San Diego (-7.5) over OAKLAND
Rationale: I think the Chargers are finally back. Oakland is still one of the worst teams in the league despite keeping the game close at Buffalo last week. LaDainian Tomlinson always has big games against the porous Oakland defense and this game should be no different. San Diego should win easily.

Philadelphia (-3) over CHICAGO
Rationale: Did you see how the Eagles’ D absolutely mauled Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers last week? Imagine what they’re capable of against a mediocre QB and very average offense. Even with a banged up Donovan McNabb and with Brian Westbrook probably not going to play, this is the Birds’ game to lose. Donny Mac also doesn’t lose in Chicago. As long as the defense plays like they did last week, Philly will roll.

BALTIMORE (+5.5) over PITTSBURGH
Rationale: The Steelers are very banged up and the Ravens’ D has been playing very well. I expect a low-scoring defensive struggle similar to the Steelers/Browns game in Week 2. The Steelers should be able to pull this one out, but it’s going to be a nail-biter that really could go either way.

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 24-22-1

Tonight’s game against the Washington Nationals was pretty much over before it began. The future 2008 NL MVP Ryan Howard absolutely crushed Colin Balester’s offering to deep right-centerfield and it was outta here as Harry Kalas likes to say. Just like that it was 3-0 Phils after one inning. The Nats got one back in the top of the second, but Chase Utley broke the game open with a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the inning and the RynHo brought Utley home with a double of his own as the Phillies jumped out to a 7-1 lead. From that point forward, the game was never really in doubt, even though Washington did chip into the lead, but they never really got that close. The Phillies bullpen did its job in the final three innings as the Phightins prevailed 8-4.

Let’s talk about Ryan Howard for a bit. The man has simply been incredible in September. He’s hitting .349 with 11 HRs and 32 RBIs in 23 games this month. His 32 RBIs this month are also a team record for September, passing “The Sarge” Gary Matthews (31 RBIs in September 1981). That type of production is off the charts. In addition, nobody in all of baseball is even close to his HR and RBI totals. It’s pretty amazing at how much more productive he is than every other major leaguer. If another offensive player besides Howard, who has 48 HRs and 146 RBIs, wins the NL MVP, it will be a tragedy. His performance in September has definitely warranted another MVP award for the Big Man.

I was also impressed with how Joe Blanton handled himself. 6 IP and one earned run (4 runs total because Howard is a butcher at first) while scattering five hits. That is the type of performance you need when you’re trying to nail down a playoff spot and a division title. Somehow the Phillies are 9-4 in Blanton’s starts this year. That’s reminiscent of how the Phillies won most of Kyle Lohse’s starts after trading for him last year.

Brad “Lights Out” Lidge also needs to be commended for his performance this season. 40-for-40 in save opportunities is pretty amazing. He also has a 0.90 ERA in save situations. Not only does Mr. Perfect deserve consideration for the NL Cy Young, but he also should be in the discussion for NL MVP. Lidge is arguably the MVP of the Phillies. Actually, the Philadelphia chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America voted Lidge the team MVP. It’s kind of tough to argue with their vote since he has been ridiculously good all season and truly unhittable in save situations. When his slider is on, like it was tonight, it is straight-up pornographic in terms of how filthy it is. I’m really glad he’s going to be closing games for the Phillies for the next few years.

Finally, the night was topped off by the fact that the Marlins soundly defeated the Mets. Now the Phillies’ magic number to clinch the NL East is one game. In addition, the Brewers beat the Cubs, so Milwaukee now leads the Wild Card standings. There is a very real possibility that the Mets could be eliminated from playoff contention tomorrow. That possibility is known in many circles as “fantastic.” On the other hand, it may be better in the long run if the Phillies clinch and the Mets and Brewers end up tied and need to play a one-game playoff. However, all that I am concerned about now is the Phillies winning tomorrow and clinching the NL East for the second year in a row. With Jamie Moyer on the mound, it should be a done deal.

Go Phillies.