MLB – League Championship Series – The Skinny

It’s League Championship Series time and, boy, did I get it wrong.  Before the divisional series started I thought Minnesota, Tampa, Philadelphia and San Francisco would all go through.  Well, I got half of it right.  I though the Giants had too much pitching for the Braves and the same went for Philadelphia against the Reds.  I was right about that part.  The other two games, not so much.

The Twins finished the season playing .620 baseball over the last two months while the Yankees limped in going 29-30 in August and September.  Maybe the loss of Justin Morneau was too much for 3^rd best hitting team in the majors.  Having Joe Mauer bat .250 with no extra-base hits didn’t help either.

 

Joe Mauer will OWN baseball someday, just not this year

 

Cliff Lee and Texas were too much for the Rays.  When you’re 26^th in batting during the regular season, like the Rays were, it’s hard to score runs when you fall behind.  A team like the Rangers can get hot in a hurry, Tampa can’t.

ALCS

New York Yankees v Texas Rangers

Pitching Matchups:

Game 1 @ Texas – CC Sabathia v C.J Wilson

Game 2 @ Texas – Phil Hughes v Colby Lewis

Game 3 @ NY – Cliff Lee v Andy Petitte

Game 4 @ NY – Tommy Hunter v A.J. Burnett

The rest of the games are TBD.  Game 5 is also in New York and the final two games are in Texas, if necessary.

Sabathia and Hughes are probably the better pitchers in the first two games.  A win by either or both would be huge for New York.  Game three is where it gets tricky.  Andy Petitte has been money whenever the Yanks have needed him in the postseason but he’s no Cliff Lee.  Lee is 6-0 with a 1.44 ERA lifetime in the postseason.  He went 2-0 with 21 strikeouts in two starts against the Rays.  Texas is paying the price for not closing out Tampa in the ALDS.  I’m sure the Rangers would’ve wanted Lee and/or Tommy Hunter in those first two games in Texas.

 

Can he stay hot?

 

Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz tore it up for Texas against Tampa but they will need Josh Hamilton and Michael Young to find their swings if they want to beat New York.  Kinsler batted .444 (8/18) with 3 homers and 6 RBI.  Cruz went 8/20 (.400) with 3 homers but struck out six times.  That might be a problem against the Yankees.  Hamilton and Young went a combined .132 (5/38) with six strikeouts each.

Curtis Granderson is batted .455 (5/11) against the Twins.  He only batted .247 in the regular season.  Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have seven hits between them but they’re all singles and that won’t be enough for the Yankees to get by.  As a team Texas is batting .254 while the Yankees come in at .314.  Can the Yankees keep up this pace?

I saw on ESPN where they have the team matchups and they gave the edge to Texas in coaching.  How do you figure?  Am I wrong or did Joe Girardi win the World Series last year?

NLDS

San Francisco Giants v Philadelphia Phillies

Pitching Matchups:

Game 1 @ Philadelphia – Tim Lincecum v Roy Halladay

Game 2 @ Philadelphia – Jonathan Sanchez v Cole Hamels

Game 3 @ San Francisco – Roy Oswalt v Matt Cain

Game 4 @ San Francisco – TBD v TBD

Joe Blanton (Philadelphia) and Madison Bumgarner (SF) are the other starting pitchers but either or both teams might opt for a three-man rotation.  Game 5 is also in San Francisco and the final two games are in Philadelphia, if necessary.

Make sure to watch game one of this series.  Even if your team is not playing right now and you have no interest in this game, this is a must see game.  Lincecum and Halladay are two of the top pitchers in the game over the last three seasons.  If you like baseball, you’ll love this game.  Tim Lincecum threw a complete game one-hit shutout against the Braves in game one of their series.  Roy Halladay did him one better by throwing the second no-hitter in postseason history against the Reds in game one of that series.  I can’t say it enough, watch this game.

 

You usually don't want to bet against this guy

 

Jonathan Sanchez and Cole Hamels are similar in regular season stats.  Hamels threw a complete game shutout with 9 strikeouts to clinch the series against Cincinnati.  Sanchez gave up 1 earned run with 11 strikeouts in a no-decision against Atlanta.

Roy Oswalt and Matt Cain are also similar in stats but Oswalt has a lower ERA.  Cain went 6.2 innings with 0 earned runs in a no-decision against the Braves.  Oswalt only lasted 5 innings in his only outing, giving up 3 earned runs and 2 home runs.  This matchup could determine who wins this series.

Neither team is hitting particularly well.  Both teams hit .212 in their divisional series.  Don’t expect that number to get any higher in the first game.

Who Wins:

Philadelphia has too much pitching not to win this series.  Roy Oswalt only needs an above average game to beat the Giants.

Same goes for New York, too much pitching.  Sabathia and Hughes are better than Wilson and Lewis.  Lee should be able to handle Petitte.  It’s game four that will be huge.  A.J. Burnett was terrible in the regular season.  He went 10-15 with a 5.26 ERA.  Tommy Hunter went 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA in the regular season but lasted only 4 innings against the Rays.  Is A.J. Burnett better than a 10-15 pitcher?  Yes.  Can he show it against the Rangers?  That remains to be seen.

 

Which A.J. Burnett will show up?

 

Get ready for a Philly – New York World Series.  I’m sure the rest of the country can’t wait for that.

 

I'd watch this, again.

 

Guy Who (Sort Of) Works For ESPN Rips ESPN For Not Acting Like ESPN

LeBron James’ ill conceived “The Decison”  happened  on July 8th but the bad taste it left in everyone’s mouth is still here.  To be honest, I am not an LBJ fan and couldn’t care less where he decided to go unless it was to my beloved Clippers.  If that had happened, he would have automatically been my favorite player.  That didn’t happen but what did happen left most sports fans disillusioned with LeBron, ESPN and the state of sports in general.

The people of Cleveland beg to differ

I will tell you what I think about “The Decision” in a minute but if you want to get it from a pro please go to ESPN’s Ombudsman, Don Ohlmeyer, and read his magnificent piece on “The Decision”.  Ohlmeyer’s article is probably one of my favorite pieces of sports writing in a long, long time.  The only thing I would’ve added is that this wasn’t the first time ESPN blurred the line between being a news organization and self promotion.  The Adam James/Mike Leach saga last December showed that ESPN had trouble being truthful and objective when the story concerned one of their own.  Here’s Ohlmeyer’s take on that too.  Another good read.

But even before that there was ESPN’s promotion of baseball’s Home Run Derby between 1995 and 2006 and the Sosa-McGwire saga of 1998.  I have no problem with the Derby but I did have a problem with ESPN being outraged to learn that baseball players were on the juice.  I wrote a little about it here.  ESPN had specials on the Sosa-McGuire home run battle and they would even cut in on all Sosa and McGwire at bats late in the season but no one ever thought to question if these guys were clean.  Later, they felt betrayed by both Sosa and McGwire after the whole congressional hearings thing played out.  That’s an insult to all sports fans because we all had an idea it was happening but wondered why it wasn’t investigated more.  When Selig made his big announcement that MLB would be cleaning up the game of PED’s, the only people surprised to hear that players were on the juice were ESPN and MLB.  I could write a World Cup length piece on it but I’m on vacation and can’t be bothered right now.  I’ll wait until some big name star gets outed for using to write that.

Note to ESPN: A lot of people feel this way

Back to “The Decision”.  ESPN had to know that having an hour-long, prime-time show was overkill and wouldn’t go over well with anyone not living in South Beach.  If they didn’t, then they don’t know their audience and are out of touch with todays ever cynical sports fans.  Truthfully, I didn’t watch it but already hated the idea when I heard it.  I didn’t know all the details until I read the Ombudsman’s piece on it.  How did ESPN allow itself to be taken over by LeBron and his posse for one night?  What was the reward?  Sure they did mad numbers but at what cost?  They didn’t make any money because LeBron pretty much made them pay for the privilege of allowing him to be on their airwaves that night.  Plus, ESPN should’ve known that something was up when LeBron decided that he wanted the loathsome Jim Gray to conduct the interview of him on a show LeBron and Co. conceived.  My favorite quote from the Ohlmeyer piece has to do with Gray’s involvement.  Ohlmeyer writes, “if the interviewee also brings along his own interviewer, you cannot protect the integrity of the broadcast”.  Word!!!

Jim Gray? What, wasn't Stephen A. Smith available?

Not only was ESPN at fault but how did LeBron not realize what the backlash was going to be?  He went from a loveable man-child to probably one the most hated guys in the NBA.  He’s right up there with Kobe now.  I hate Kobe Bryant and now LeBron but I can’t deny these guys are talented as hell.  Oddly, I think Kobe benefits from this short-sightedness by LeBron.  I immediately wished Kobe was in the gym at the time of the broadcast and thinking to himself, “I’m gonna turn it up this year and there ain’t nothing 6-3-1 can do about it.”  Kobe somehow was more tolerable to me and another Lakers championship wouldn’t be as hard to swallow as a Miami Heat triumph.

Go ahead and win another title. As long as 6-3-1 doesn't I'm cool with it

LeBron James, for all his business acumen, seems like an insecure child sometimes.  He’s already defined his career and legacy as a failure is he doesn’t win a ring.  He needs that ring to be Michael Jordan or better.  The only thing is that Michael would never have gone to another team to get what he wanted.  Michael was going to make things happen on his terms.  People would have to join him and not the other way around.  Kobe is the same.  Magic and Larry Bird were also the same.  LeBron just wants to be part of something and if that gets him the ring, nothing else matters.  That’s why he’ll never be like Mike.

Jordan would've never joined The Bad Boys. It was his way or no way

Was it worth it LeBron?

Does Dwyane Wade realize that he’s gonna be LBJ’s lackey in Miami and not the other way around?

Be careful what you wish for Dwyane

Baseball Is Just Fine The Way It Is

Yes, Armando Galarraga got jobbed out of a perfect game.  No, that doesn’t mean baseball needs to start thinking about installing instant replay for every single play.  The worst thing MLB could do is have instant replay.  It would be a knee-jerk reaction that would damage the game that hasn’t quite recovered from labor strife in the mid-90’s.

Perfect games aren't that special anymore anyway. There's already been two this year.

Baseball is no longer America’s favorite pastime.  The NFL is king and baseball will never be able to touch football when it comes to fan interest and the amount of money it generates.  The 1994 strike damaged the game and you could say it never really came all the way back.  Sure, the long ball brought fans back but not everyone.  Baseball and baseball writers looked the other way when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were launching cartoonish bombs out of every stadium they went to in 1998.  Remember the jacks Sosa and Jason Giambi were hitting at Miller Park during the All Star game in 2002?  MLB and ESPN were eating it up and now they’re both disgusted with the players of that time and all the reports of PEDs.  Sometimes how we remember things and how they actually happened aren’t the same.

You let it happen Bud because baseball needed them

Now, Armando Galarraga is about to throw the 21st perfect game in baseball history, the 19th of the modern era, but a horrible call by first base umpire Jim Joyce spoiled the party.  Immediately the guys at the Worldwide Leader jumped on it and instant replay was all the rage with the talking heads.  Bud Selig, who seldom gets things right said it best when he said, “the human element has always been an integral part of baseball.”  The thing that makes baseball great, in my opinion, is that humans are in charge.  And, as we all know, humans make mistakes.  Sometimes the ball that outfielder dove for was a trap, sometimes that called third strike was a bit low and sometimes the runner is out when the umpire calls him safe.

I F'd up, it happens

As much as Selig has always opposed instant replay, he may have no choice but to give in on this one because you know the owners will be breathing down his neck.  The owners would be making a big mistake getting replay involved in every game.  The games are already long enough and kids aren’t flocking to the game like they used to.  Do you think more stoppages and longer games will help?  World Series games already end at close to 12 a.m. on the east coast.  I can envision games lasting until 1 a.m if replay is involved.

I was talking to a guy, let’s call him Tom, and he liked the idea of instant replay.  On a side note, this conversation really happened.  It wasn’t someone else’s conversation that I heard or read and made my own.  You’d be surprised how often this happens, even in Korea. Back to replay.  Tom thinks that because someone is already at the stadium watching the replays then why not have him do it officially.  The replay guy could butt in between pitches if he thinks a play should go the other way.  No challenges or anything.  He can just call down whenever he feels like it to change the game.  Sounds easy but what about the managers getting pissed and coming out to argue the overturned call?  That won’t make the game any faster.  Calls on the bases, catches, stolen bases, etc….  When does it stop?  Soon people will be clamoring for pitches to be reviewed and that will add to the nightmare.

I hope we don't see this in Major League Baseball

Don’t fix baseball ’cause it’s not really broken.  The players might be bigger, faster, stronger but the game is still the same as it’s always been.  Sometimes the guys in blue get it wrong but hey, it happens.  Don’t give in Bud, you’ve hurt the game enough.

It's the same game Stan "The Man" played

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come. ”  -James Earl Jones, Field of Dreams”

Not Sports But Something Important

Wasn’t really feeling sports this week.  My White Sox still suck, Lance Armstrong was accused of doping (again), Hanley Ramirez has been doggin’ it on the field, I think something is happening in hockey and the inevitable Lakers – Celtics NBA Finals is gonna happen.  I don’t really give a shit, right now.

Something did pique my interest this week.  I’ve been in Korea for about nine months now and I’ve gotten used to the way things are around here.  I’m no Korean culture expert but I think I know what’s up.  But, I read something this week that made me question something about this place, something that every Korean loves and has to have.  I thought I knew quite a bit on this subject but then someone came along and blew my mind and I’ve had to rethink what I (thought I) knew.

Luckily, common sense prevailed and I realized I was right all along.  I like it when that happens.

The point here:

Never take what people think they know at face value.

Always do your research.

It’s ok to laugh at people who pretend to know it all.

Inside jokes are fun.

Thanks for indulging me.  Here’s a little something for your enjoyment.

Kimchi Recipe

Napa cabbage – approximately one pound
4 cups of cold water
3 tablespoons of sea salt
1 tablespoon of fresh garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh green onions (scallions), finely chopped
1 teaspoon of dried red chili pepper flakes (more if you like things spicy, less if you don’t)
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of sugar

Directions:

Separate and wash cabbage leaves. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sea or kosher salt evenly on cabbage leaves. Place salted cabbage leaves in a large bowl, add 4 cups of cold water, cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator overnight. Be sure that water covers all cabbage leaves – place a plate or other heavy object on top of leaves to ensure that they stay covered with water.

The next day, pour off water and thoroughly rinse cabbage leaves. You can shake them gently in the sink to remove excess moisture.

Place cabbage leaves back into large bowl and add garlic, green onion or scallions, ginger, dried red chili flakes, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Use your hands to rub seasoning evenly into all cabbage leaves. Be sure to use gloves to do this, otherwise, your hands will burn from the chili flakes. If you are pressed for time, mix seasoning ingredients with about a cup of warm water before adding them to cabbage to allow for easier distribution on cabbage leaves.

Transfer seasoned cabbage leaves into a large glass bottle. Be sure to use firm pressure with your hands to push down on cabbage leaves as they stack up inside the bottle. Transfer any liquid that accumulated during the mixing process into the bottle as well – it will become kim chi brine. Some liquid will also come out of the cabbage leaves as you press down on them as they are stacked in the bottle.

Leave about 2 inches of room at the top of the bottle before capping it tightly with a lid. Allow bottle of kim chi to sit at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Your kim chi is now ready to eat. Use scissors or a knife and cutting board to cut cabbage leaves into 2 inch pieces before serving as a side dish to a bowl of rice, soup, and perhaps a piece of fish. Refrigerate remaining kim chi and take out small portions right before meals. The refrigerated kim chi will continue to ferment slowly in the refrigerator over time, becoming more sour and flavorful with each passing day. So long as you use clean utensils to take out small portions, it will keep for up to a month in your refrigerator.

MLB Minute: Griffey!

Don’t Call it a comeback, as ESPN said he, “awakened from his slumber” to deliver a walk off hit today to beat the Blue Jays.  In this month the Blue Jays have been on a tear, while the Mariners, well, have not.  Yet, the Blue Jays are still the third best team in the division, and last time I checked that did not mean jack.  On the other hand, Griffey proves that he doesn’t belong in a home watching TV Land episodes of Golden Girls, at least not yet, despite his loss of power, his perfect swing can still produce results in the clutch.  So in the end, this game might not mean anything, but it’s nice to see Griffey convert the opportunity and get his name out there for something other than his recent naps.

All Smiles, No Yawns

Look for a perspective on Floyd Landis coming soon

The Bearded Guy

Ernie Harwell – RIP – A Legend Is Silenced

Last week, baseball broadcasting legend Ernie Harwell passed away from cancer at the age of 92.  We’re in an age where baseball on the radio isn’t as important as it used to be and that’s a shame.  Baseball works on the radio better than any other sport.

I grew up in Michigan as a big fan of the Detroit Tigers and I was lucky enough to be able to listen to Ernie Harwell.  I was treated to so many great stories spun by Harwell.  I preferred listening to the games on the radio than hearing the television broadcasters.  We had some pretty good television guys too but George Kell and Al Kaline couldn’t hold a candle to Ernie.  I would sometimes put the game on TV with the sound off and listen to Harwell call the game.

The best ever!

Ernie Harwell knew the game.  He knew the history of the game.  He knew the characters of the game.  He was real, genuine, authentic.  Calling baseball games wasn’t his job, it was his life.

So much of baseball broadcasts today, whether on TV or radio, are guys talking the game to death.  Harwell knew when to talk, when to shut up and never felt the need to explain everything.  He didn’t talk down to us like Tim McCarver does.  McCarver acts as if we know nothing about the game and he’s there to enlighten us.  Don’t get me started on Joe Buck and his superiority complex.

I'm better than you

There are still some legendary voices of baseball left but eventually we’ll be left with the constant chatter, spewing of stats and name dropping of today’s current crop of announcers.  If you get a chance, try to listen to a game called by Vin Scully (Dodgers), Jon Miller (Giants), Bob Uecker (Brewers) and Marty Brennaman (Reds).  You won’t be disappointed.

Ernie Harwell was the voice of Tiger baseball but I don’t ever remember him openly rooting for them.  He never said “we” when mentioning the Tigers.  Sure, there was a touch of excitement when Kirk Gibson would hit a home run but it wasn’t that much more than when Reggie Jackson would hit one.  I don’t regret switching allegiances to the White Sox but their broadcasters get under my skin sometimes.  Ed Farmer is fun to listen to but he can be too much of a homer.  Luckily, I’m not a Cub fan because listening to Ron Santo absolutely drives me nuts.

Hot summer nights, a lawn chair in the backyard, a cold drink and listening to Tiger baseball on the radio.  That was America.  That was my youth and my twenties.  If you’re not too busy with your daily life, take a moment and listen to your favorite team on the radio.  You’ll thank me.  If we stop listening to games on the radio then the terrorists have won.

Dreaming Of Bobby Valentine

A month ago I told you how the Chicago White Sox would win the AL Central.  I also to you not to get too happy or too bummed out with what happens in April because the baseball season is long.  Forget both those things.

The Chicago White Sox are terrible!  They are last in hitting in all of baseball.  The White Sox are batting .223 as a team.  That’s 30^th out of 30 teams.  Embarrassing!  The next best (worst) team, the Toronto Blue Jays, are batting ten points higher than the White Sox.  How can this team be hitting so poorly?  Check out these pathetic averages:

J. Pierre          .204

G. Beckham    .207

C. Quentin      .173

AJ. Pierzynski  .208

A. Ramirez      .229

That’s terrible!  Only Rios (.299), Konerko (.286) and Andruw Jones (.288) are the only Sox flirting with .300.  (We) The White Sox had the same problem last year and I think the year before that.  Who’s responsible?

Maybe Beckham isn't ready quite yet

Greg Walker is in his sixth season as the White Sox hitting coach and it seems his job has been in question ever since Chicago won the World Series.  Ozzie doesn’t always seem to have his back but Walker has always been able to keep his job.  Is it finally time?  How much influence does the hitting coach have anyway?  How do players who could hit last year suddenly forget how to hit?

Sox pitching isn’t doing much better.  They’re 25^th in ERA at 4.91 and their relievers have blown four out of nine save opportunities.  John Danks is the only pitcher proving his worth.  He’s 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA. Bobby Jenks, as bad as the bullpen is, hasn’t blown a save but does have a 4.50 ERA even though he hasn’t given up a home run in ten games.  Now check out these terrible ERA’s:

M. Buehrle      5.30

J. Peavy          6.31

G. Floyd          6.49

F. Garcia         5.87

Disgraceful!!!  Jake Peavy is missing something.  He’s been throwing way too many pitches.  In his first five starts he threw 534 pitches in 28.2 innings.  He’s only reached the seventh inning once in those starts.

John Danks - your new White Sox ace

The pitching will come around but I wonder if the hitting will?  There are too many big names not producing.  Who’s responsible?  What needs to change?

Is it time for Ozzie Guillen to go?  I love Ozzie.  He’s good for the game because he’s real and doesn’t pull any punches.  But, has his act gotten old on this team?  Are his rants and tantrums having the same effect on the players?  I say fire Ozzie ONLY IF someone good is available.  Getting a retread to take over this team would be a step back for a team who should be contending for the division.  The only person I’d fire Guillen for is Bobby Valentine.  He would/could light a fire and would be a huge fan favorite but would he come?  It seems he only wants the Mets job and is willing to wait around for it to become available.

I still hate Jay Mariotti

Bobby, this job would be great for you and you’d own this town if you could turn this team around.  Think about it.  White Sox fans can bring it game in and game out, if they’re winning, and you’d love the atmosphere and passion.

My favorite Bobby Valentine moment

Can you imagine Bobby Valentine and Lou Pinella in the same town?  Awesome!

Whatever happens, Detroit and Minnesota are tearing up the league right now and the White Sox can’t afford to lose any more ground in the standings (6 games back).  C’mon Sox, you’re killing me!!  Clippers – suck, Browns – suck, Irish – suck, White Sox – suck.  God, I hate sports!!!

I still love you wrestling

MLB – A Totally Biased Look At The AL Central From A White Sox Fan

I know this is about a week late but I still stand behind what I say.  It’s too early to win the AL Central and it’s also too early to write someone off.  I don’t like everything I’m seeing from the Chicago White Sox but nothing has changed my mind on this season.   

The Chicago White Sox will win the American League Central.  And, as Billy Packer used to say, “Let me tell you why.”  Unlike Packer, I will try not to be (too much of) an a-hole and condescending.  Plus, unlike our old friend Billy Packer, you will not hear me say, “Do you know who I am?”  

The White Sox are stacked. They have the best starting pitching in the division and their lineup is strong.  Sure the Detroit Tigers will score more runs but they’ll need to in order to win with that suspect pitching.  The Minnesota Twins were picked to win the division, then Joe Nathan went down and that’s a huge blow for them.  The guy’s almost automatic.  Cleveland is far from being a contender and Kansas City is, well, Kansas City.   

Pitching:  

Starters  

White Sox: Buehrle, Peavy, Floyd, Danks, Garcia  

Detroit: Verlander, Porcello, Scherzer, Bonderman, Willis  

Cleveland: Westbrook, Carmona, Masterson, Huff, Talbot  

Minnesota: Baker, Blackburn, Pavano, Slowey, Liriano  

Kansas City: Greinke, Hochevar, Davies, Bannister, TBD  

The White Sox have four solid starters.  If Garcia can pitch at least six innings in his starts it will be a plus.  Peavy threw a lot of pitches in his first start but when he’s on he’s unstoppable.   

I'll take Buehrle in a big game any day of the week.

After Verlander and Porcello, the Tigers don’t look good.  Scherzer has a losing career record, Bonderman hasn’t been the same since his surgery and Dontrelle Willis hasn’t been relevant in three years.  I would be surprised if Willis is still in the starting lineup at the All-Star break.     

I used to be somebody. The D-Train is off the tracks.

I like Jake Westbrook for the Indians but let’s not forget that Carmona was so bad last year that he was sent to single-A to get his stuff back.  Masterson came over in the Victor Martinez trade and I don’t think Boston’s missing him.   

Minnesota has Baker, Blackburn and Slowey and they’re solid but I’m not sold on Pavano and Liriano.  I’ll be surprised if Pavano doesn’t get hurt.  He can pitch but he has to be on the mound to be effective.  I bet the Yankees wish they hadn’t spent all that money on him.  Francisco Liriano was supposed to be the “it” guy a few years ago and then he went south.  He just made the starting lineup because Minnesota had no other options and nowhere else to put him.   

Remeber this guy Yankee fans?

This may surprise you but I really like Kansas City’s starting pitching.  They don’t have a #5 but those four are going to be good.  Greinke was on fire last year and Hochevar is coming around and will live up to being the number one pick.  These four pitchers are all young and have a great future.  They will get paid very well in the future.  Unfortunately for Royals fans it won’t be in a KC uniform.   

Greinke will look good in a Yankee uniform

 Closers  

White Sox: Jenks  

Detroit: Valverde  

Cleveland: C. Perez  

Minnesota: Closer by committee  

Kansas City: Soria  

This is close but I give a slight edge to Kansas City and Detroit in the closer role.  Bobby Jenks is good but when he’s off, he’s way off.  He had a bit of a shaky end to last season and he’s got a slight calf strain but that should heal up very soon.  He lost some weight and maybe that helps him.  Joakim Soria was injured for part of last year but he should be fine this year.  He throws hard and strikes people out which is what you want from a closer.  Jose Valverde is unstoppable at times but is known to blow a save here and there.  He already has one blown save in this early season.  Chris Perez is listed as the Indians closer but Cleveland is waiting for Kerry Wood to come back from (another) injury.  Don’t get too attached to Wood Indian fans, he’s a china doll.  

 If Joe Nathan doesn’t hurt his elbow we’re not even having this conversation.  He’s about as automatic as you can get.  As soon as Nathan would come into the game you knew it was over.  Now, Minnesota is still looking for a closer and none of the guys on their roster looks promising.   

Automatic. Just not this year.

Hitting:  

Check out this lineup:  Juan Pierre, Gordon Beckham, Carlos Quentin, Paul Konerko, AJ Pierzynski, Mark Kotsay/Andruw Jones, Alex Rios, Mark Teahan, Alexei Ramirez  

Juan Pierre has gotten off to a slow start but he can turn it around and be a terror on the base paths.  Gordon Beckham is going to be a stud in this league and he’s gonna be better at the plate than last year.  He’s got star written all over him.  If Alex Rios can go back to his old form, this lineup will be hard to pitch around.  It’s pretty nice being able to platoon Kotsay and Jones at DH.  Jones is getting up there in years (and weight) but he still has a little life left in his bat.  Plus, Kotsay can pretty much play anywhere on the field.   

The next big thing?

Detroit will lead the Central, if not baseball, in runs scored but they will need to in order to stay in games.  Miguel Cabrera and Magglio (Fagglio to White Sox fans) Ordonez will carry the team.  Cabrera will be flirting with the Triple Crown all season and Maggs will find his form again as long as he’s healthy.  The Tigers will miss Curtis Granderson for sure.  Austin Jackson hasn’t proven anything except that he can strike out a lot and that’s not good for your lead-off man.  Brandon Inge will flirt with .300 for about two months and then fall back to his career average of .234 with a ton of strikeouts.  How many chances does this guy get?  Fan favorite or not, he sucks.  A black player wouldn’t have been given this long to try to make it.  I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.  

Nice tattoos loser! Scott Spiezio is not impressed.

Minnesota has a lot more than Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.  Those two guys alone would be enough to carry most teams but there’s also Delmon Young, Jim Thome, Orlando Hudson and Denard Span.  Jim Thome is not gonna hit for average but he’ll knock in runs when they need him to.  Span is coming off a good year and is a .300 hitter in his first two seasons.  Can this team produce some insurance runs for a suddenly questionable bullpen?  

Mauer OWNS Minnesota

Cleveland was just awful last year.  Grady Sizemore has to bounce back or it will be another long season for the Indians again this year.  Shin-Soo Choo was Mr. Everything for the Tribe last year and I think he’ll have to do more of the same this year.  Travis Haffner hasn’t lived up to they hype and probably never will.  He was supposed to be a poor man’s Jim Thome but now he’s more like a poor man’s poor man’s Jim Thome.  The Indians added Austin Kearns but that’s not much of a boost considering he had two terrible seasons for the Nationals before going to Cleveland.  Maybe a change of scenery will help.   

Breaking hearts instead of getting hits

Kansas City isn’t stacked but they have some bright spots.  Rick Ankiel will probably hit very well for this team.  Jason Kendall should be solid even though he’s on the downside of his career.  David DeJesus is a career .290 hitter and Jose Guillen, as long as he doesn’t do any home surgeries or go ballistic, should provide some punch to the lineup.  The wild card in the lineup is Scott Podsednik.  He revived his career with the White Sox last year and can still get on base.  The speed is still there but defensively, he’s not that great.    

That’s the American League Central in a nutshell.  This race should last the whole season.  There’s no way anyone is running away with this division.  Some teams will drop out sooner than others (Cleveland and Kansas City) but it should be a three team race for the entire season.  Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota will be within striking distance of each other going into September.  A trade or non-trade might make the difference in the end.  If the Tigers falter, they’ll look to unload some of their high-priced guys.  That team is bleeding money and fans will stop going if the teams not contending.  Miguel Cabrera is on the Red Sox wish list and would love nothing more than to have the Tigers fall off the AL Central pace.  Minnesota has a new ballpark and that will be huge for them.  No more baggies in the outfield.   

In the end, the Chicago White Sox have too much pitching and too much depth in the lineup.  This team knows how to fight and win games when the time comes.  I fear an early season slump because that’s what they’ve done lately.  Don’t get too excited or too bummed in April because you can’t really figure out what’s happening until June.  

Fagglio!!!!

AC Milan v Manchester United – My Nightmare

You can’t have two favorite teams.  It just doesn’t work.  When I lived in Chicago, some people would say, “I like the White Sox and the Cubs.”  Not possible.  Eventually these teams will meet and you have to choose.  One day (not anytime soon) the White Sox and the Cubs will be in the World Series and then they will have to pick a side.  If they can’t, then they were never a fan of either team.

Pick a side and live with it

I’m a Cleveland Browns fan and I could care less what the rest of the league is doing.  Sure, I have a man crush on Tom Brady but I’d choose the Browns over the Patriots every time.  I’m a White Sox fan and the rest of the league is none of my business.  I did like seeing the Yankees win the World Series but that was because everyone hates them so much.  Being a Clipper fan isn’t easy but there is never a time when it’s alright for the Clippers to lose.  If you play for the Clippers then I love you but if you left us, screw you.

You're dead to me

I thought soccer was different.  There are so many different leagues to follow that it’s easy to have multiple favorite teams.  In Germany’s Bundesliga it’s Bayern Munich, in Spain’s La Liga it’s Real Madrid, in Scotland’s Premier League it’s Rangers, in Argentina’s Primera Division it’s Boca Juniors and in MLS it’s……I don’t care.  My two favorite teams are AC Milan and Manchester United but if I had to choose, and sometimes I do, it’s AC Milan.

How many people know Gattuso once played for Rangers?

On Tuesday night the two teams met at the San Siro.  I didn’t want this game to happen but it did.  Somehow I just knew that when the draw was happening for the Round of 16 in the Champion’s League that these two teams would face each other.  I also knew that UEFA would find a way for Inter and Chelsea to play each other as well.  Random draw, my ass.

They have played each other before, the last time being in 2006/2007, but this game made me realize that AC Milan is my favorite team and always has been and that Manchester United is just a team I like.  I wrote a post saying that Serie A was in decline and that the Premiership was where it’s at.  Sure, that may be the case but I grew up with AC Milan and no other team can get in the way.  I’ve followed United since the days of Hughes, Irwin and Cantona but I’ve been a Milan fan longer.  Sorry United, I tried to fool myself and tell people my favorite teams were Milan and you but I can’t do it anymore.  AC Milan forever.  Forza Milan!!!!

Aways and forever

On to the game:

Manchester United went into the San Siro and beat AC Milan 3-2.  Looking at the score it may seem like it was a good game but it wasn’t.  There were some moments of brilliance but there was also a lot of meaningless and sloppy play.  If you just looked at the stats then the game seemed even and it was for the most part.  The game was ultimately decided on a defensive error between Thiago and Nesta.  Other than that, this game had tie written all over it.

Ronaldinho scored after three minutes with a little help from Evra but the Brazilian wouldn’t have an easy night after that.  Sure, he helped set up Milan’s second goal with a nice pass on Seedorf’s cheeky back-heel but for the most part, United’s Rafael made sure he didn’t have much space to work with.  Rafael did what a lot of defenders fail to do with Ronaldinho and other finesse players, he tried to keep Ronaldinho from putting the ball on the ground.  Ronaldinho did a lot of juggling but Rafael was there when the ball was about to hit the ground.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar looked ok but it looks like he’s trying too hard.  He’s heard the boo’s from the fans and the rumblings that he may be on his way out and I think it’s really affecting him.  Hopefully Milan doesn’t give up on him too quickly because I think he can really help this team when he finally finds his touch.

Don't give up on this guy

Andrea Pirlo was brilliant.  The guy is a magician on the field.  Surrounded by so many big names, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves but Pirlo can put the ball where he wants whenever he wants.

I don’t understand what Pato’s role was in the game.  It looked to me as if he was playing too far back to be effective.  He’s not the playmaker, he should be the finisher.  Pato needed to be up front with Huntelaar instead of trying to get the ball to him.  Pato took a more forward position after Inzaghi replaced Huntelaar but I wonder why Leonardo didn’t just keep him up there the whole time?

David Beckham is puzzling.  I’ve seen him in a few games since his return to Milan and I don’t understand what he’s supposed to be doing.  He takes free kicks but other than that he doesn’t look like he wants to go forward at all.  He’s mostly passing the ball back or sideways.  Beckham doesn’t really make things happen.  Is that what happens to you when you play in MLS?  If I’m the other team, I don’t really have to play him close because he’s not taking the space.

Wayne Rooney continues to have his career season.  I hope this carries on to the World Cup.  He was in the right place at the right time on both his goals.  You make a mistake and you pay.  On the third goal Rooney got between Thiago (gonna be great) and Nesta.  They must of both said “you got him” because neither player went toward him when he got the ball in the area.  That was game over.

It's Rooney's world, we just live in it

Antonio Valencia turned this game around.  He came in 65 minutes into the game and paid instant dividends.  His pass led to the second United goal and he was eating Favalli’s lunch for the last 25 minutes of the game.  The left side of the Milan defense couldn’t control him at all.  A young, energetic defender like Antonini (injured) or Abate might have helped there.  Valencia is having an awesome first season at United and I think he’ll be making a lot of money very soon.

You're gonna be a rich man soon

Park Ji-Sung was a bit disappointing.  He usually gives teams fits with his speed and energy but he didn’t look his normal self in the game.  I thought when Valencia came on that Park would do more but maybe they were playing to close to each other.  I think they need to be on opposite sides.

Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes were solid.  The only negative this is Carrick’s late yellow/red card which will keep him out of the return match.  But, I could’ve swore it was another player who made the late challenge and not Carrick but non one is reporting it so I’m sure it will stand.

The referee for the match was awful.  He missed quite a few calls and at least one United handball in the box.  He looked lost out there.  Here’s hoping Olegário Benquerença doesn’t get anymore big games.

If this guy is doing your team's game, get ready to throw shit at the TV

So these two teams play each other again on March 10 at Old Trafford.  Should be fantastic.  With United’s two away goals, AC Milan is in big trouble.  They have to either win by two goals or win 4-3.  Look for some changes in the lineups.  I expect Gattuso and Borriello to be in the game for Milan and Giggs and Valencia (to start) for United.

I like you but I don't "like you" like you