Sox/Tigers trade backlash

Back at the trade deadline three team deal between the Red Sox, Tigers, and White Sox had mixed reaction to it.   I was of the opinion that trading a Defensive phenom at shortstop in Jose Iglesias for an aging injury vulnerable starting pitcher in Jake Peavy.  Peavy is under the Red Sox control for another season.  When the trade happened the reasoning was to have a solid veteran starter that can perform well in the playoffs. SO they traded a 22 year old shortstop ( a position the Sox haven't had consistency at since Nomar departed)  good contract that they had control of for several years for Jake Peavy.   Fast forward to tonight and the reason I am writing this.  In his only post season start if this season thus far, Jake Peavy proceeds to allow 7 that's right 7 earned runs in only 3 innings pitched.  As if that wasn't bad enough, one of those runs was driven in by Iglesias and another was by him scoring from 1st base with two outs on a line drive that barely left the infield and took an awkward bounce off of a wall down the third base line.  The Sox rallied in the ninth but were unable to score enough runs to tie or take the lead.  I just can't stand the fact that the Tigers will have Iglesias as their shortstop for the foreseeable future when just a few months ago that was the Red Sox situation. 
The way I saw it was Bogaerts could have played third, move Middlebrooks to 1st base and utilize Iglesias' exceptional defense the most important defensive position, other than catcher.   Don't get me wrong, I still think the Red Sox will pull this out and win the World Series BUT I don't see the point of messing with the future for someone Peavy especially when Stephen Drew could have replaced Iglesias in the trade.  The Tigers were desperate for a shortstop as soon as the found out their current one was being suspended for P.E.D. use.  They found out just before the deadline and for that reason I think Drew would have worked.  It would have made more sense on a Red Sox stand point because Drew is only on a one year deal where as Iglesias was signed long term...

That's my thoughts on the matter, what does everyone else think? feel free to comment. 

Something in the Water

The magic started when the New England Patriots lead by Tom Brady executed an incredible 70 yard game winning drive with only 1:16 on the clock.  The drive was capped off by Brady throwing a touchdown in the back of the end zone to Undrafted Rookie wide receiver Kenbrell Thomkins with just 5 seconds remaining.   Then just hours later and near by in Boston the Red Sox come back from being down 5-0 to the Detroit Tigers ad break up Max Scherzer's  no no bid.   David Ortiz launched a game tying grand slam just beyond the right field wall, and Saltalamacchia walks off with an RBI single scoring Jonny Gomes to end the game and send the series to Detroit tied 1 to 1.  What an UNBELIEVABLE day in Boston!

MLB PLAYOFFS: American League

The American League Divisional Series are starting today.  The Rays travel to Boston to take on the Red Sox in the first game. The two AL East teams have formed a rivalry beginning at the start of the century and and heated up during the 2008 season when Tampa Bay became relevant. That season Tampa Bay went from being the worst team in baseball when they were the Devil Rays to winning the division after they drop the Devil and gained a new team chemistry. That season the Rays defeated the Red Sox in the ALCS and went on to come up just short of winning the World Series. Since then the Rays have been at the toward the top of the division making the playoffs in 4 of the last 6 seasons.

The Red Sox had a big bounce back season. Winning only 69 games last season (worst in the east) they found a way to have the best record in the American League therefore earned home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Much credit is due to the underrated free agent signings over the offseason.  Players like Johnny Gomes, Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, and the most underrated, relief pitcher Koji Uehara. Midseason Koji took over the closer role when injury struck the pen. Since becoming the closer he's been as close to perfection as a human can be. He is not the prototypical power closer but his splitter is just straight up nasty. Opposing hitters can't seem to put the bat on it when it dips at the last second out of the zone.   

The Rays strength is their pitching. David Price Matt Moore and Alex Cobb are three of the top pitchers in the league and have each had outstanding seasons.  Lead by Even Longoria and rookie phenom Will Myers, the Rays bats should give the Sox a tough series. 

All season the Sox resiliency has been their best asset. No matter how much they are down, they never give up. Something last years team could have used. 

It should be a great series and it could go either way. Personally as a life long Sox fan I don't think it comes as a shock for me to predict them to win. However I will not be shocked if the Rays advance.

The other ALDS is between the the Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers.  The Athletics have been a great story in baseball for the past two seasons. Winning the division two years straight, they quickly have become the power house team of the AL West. Their lineup can hit anyone but it may have trouble hitting pitchers of the likes of arguably the best pitcher in baseball in Justin Verlander, the current probable Cy Young award winner in Max Scherzer and crafty big free agent signing Anibal Sanchez.  The stacked line up lead by Last years  triple crown and AL MVP winner and this years probable AL MVP, Miguel Cabrera. However Cabrera has been plagued with a nagging hip injury that has kept him out of several games and debilitated his defensive ability. All they really need is his bat but its no guarantee that he'll have the pop he normally has.  

my picks are the Red Sox over Rays. Athletics over the Tigers. In the NL the Dodgers over the Braves and the the Pirates over the Cardinals. 

For the World Series I am licking the Red Sox over the Dodgers in a greatly ironic series considering the Sox Dodgers Blockbuster Waiver Claim Trade last season. 

That being said there's no better time than October. Everyone enjoy the show! 

MLB Playoffs: National League

                    Today marks the first day of the National League Divisional Series.   The Dodgers play the Braves which should be interesting.  The two teams both won their divisions easily in the regular season.  Although the divisions are on the weak side, both teams have legit offenses and pitching.  Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will start it off tonight.  The 25 year old former Cy Young Award winner is on the short list of the most feared pitchers to face.   The lefty has a nasty curveball that is nearly unhittable to left handed batters.  Supporting pitchers Zach Grenkie and Hyun-jin Ryu shouldn't make it any easier for the Braves.   Offensive players like Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig and others should be enough to handle the Braves pitching staff.  Meanwhile the Braves will send Kris Medlen to the mound.  Medlen who shined towards the end of the season last year, struggled this season but picked up stream as the season went on.   It should be very interesting to see which pitcher gets the better of the opposing line up.  Braves line up consists of Power and speed.  Brian Mccan among others will provide the power and BJ Upton and Jason Heyward supply the speed among others.  The series should be a great matchup but time will tell.
                    
                    The other NLDS tonight is the Pittsburgh Pirates facing the St. Louis Cardinals.   Pittsburgh earned the right to play by defeating the Cincinnati Reds in a one game wild card playoff.   the Pirates ended a 21 year drought of not making the playoffs this season and aren't showing any signs of slowing down.   Lead by one of the best pitching staffs in the league the Pirates were the best in the NL for the majority of the season. Young Outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte look to get the better or Adam Wainwright and the rest of Cards pitching.  The series will be filled with rivalry between the two National League central teams and emotion especially when the Pirates are at home.  21 years of heartbreak for Pirates fans came out in the wild card game in the form of a deafening crowd.  I expect the Pittsburgh crowd to play a big roll for the Pirates.

More bad new for the Mets

As if the Mets weren't in enough trouble already, their bright spot of the future, Matt Harvey is facing the possibility of undergoing Tommy John surgery. The 24 year old started this year's All-Star game for the National League. The Mets, who have been in a rebuilding stage for a few years now, were banking on Harvey to be their ace for years to come. Harvey is the face of young pitching in the Major Leagues. He's already considered one of the best pitchers in the entire league. Harvey is expected to miss the remainder of this season due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow (right handed). If he elects to have TJ he will miss the entire 2014 season. The immediate future of Harvey and the Mets drastically changed this weekend...

Summer Recap so far

                            It’s been a while since I could write a new post.  Lots have happened in the world of sports since then.  Aaron Hernandez has been arrested and indicted for murder leaving the Patriots with an even bigger hole at the Tight End position than the Gronkowski injuries have made.  Fortunately for the Patriots, it doesn’t look like they will be hurting too much.  Though the offense consists primarily of rookie skilled position players, it seems to be in synch.  With the departure of Wes Welker during free agency The Patriots signed Danny Amendola to fill the vacated slot receiving position.  Amendola has often been compared to Welker aside from durability.  Amendola is 4 years younger than Welker and just so happened to go to the same college as him and break the receiving records that Welker set for Texas Tech University.  Both Welker and Amendola were undrated and had to struggle before making it in the NFL.  Assuming Amendola stays healthy, the loss of Welker should not be as bad as its expectation.  Amendola will lead the receiving corps that has 3 rookies including one whose undrated.  Ironically Kenbrell Thompkins (undrafted) is expected to be the best of the rookies this season.  The two other rookies wideouts are Aaron Dobson out of Marshall and Josh Boyce from TCU.  Both of which are looking good in training camp.  So Welker’s void is should be filled but what about Gronkowski and Hernandez’s TE spots?  Undrafted rookie Tight End Zack Sudfeld out of Nevada looks to be a legit redzone target like Gronkowski is when he is healthy.  Jake Ballard who was out all of last season with a torn ACL should provide blocking and occasional catches once he is completely healthy.  Gronkowski who many believe will open the season on the physically unable to perform list will be back to being a redzone monster and every defensive back’s worst nightmare when he gets back on the gridiron.  Throw in a promising young defense with returning veterans like Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Chandler Jones, and Aqib Talib; the Pats should be on the top of everyone’s list to represent the AFC in the SuperBowl.

                                 The Patriots are not the only Boston team to have an eventful offseason.   The Celtics made headlines when they traded the Captain Paul Pierce and big man Kevin Garnett to the New Jersey Nets.  It looks like the Celtics are going to rebuild and try to get lottery picks in the upcoming drafts.  Personally I think they should have done this instead of creating the big three.   They had one of the worst records in the NBA the season before the big three which gave them the 5th overall pick in that year’s draft.  Jeff Green was drafted but shipped to Seattle for Ray Allen, who was used as incentive for KG to come to Boston. That was successful and they won the NBA Finals that year... Big Deal they mortgaged their future for one title.  So they have the one title but now they have to start all over and rebuild without the luxury of having the worst record in the league and getting lottery picks.  Now at the middle of the draft they have to tank if they want any hope of getting in the top five picks of the draft.  Not only that Former head coach jumped ship and is now coaching the Clippers because I guess it’s too hard for him to coach a young team.  You know what I have to say the that?  Big deal, deal with it! You signed a contract, either retire or coach for the Celtics until its up.  Theres a reason why the NBA is thought of as too much of a diva league but I didn’t think the coaches were included… Guess I was wrong.  The Celtics hired former Butler coach Brad Stevens to replace Rivers.  Given his NCAA coaching background and the fact he lead a small school to the NCAA tournament final two years straight making Butler a powerhouse in college basketball, he should be able to transition into the NBA well since it is a very young team with a few veterans. 

                                The Boston Bruins went to their second Stanley cup finals in 2 years but lost a heart breaker in game 6.  The decided to trade former 2^nd overall pick to Dallas for winger Loui Ericksson.  The Bruins were sick of Seguin’s immaturity and recklessness and decided to cut their losses and oh yeah get a legit young player in return.  They also veteran Winger Jarome Iginla who they tried acquiring at the trade deadline but were unsuccessful.  Add them to returning players like Chara, Marchand, Bergeron, and newly extended goal keeper Tuukka Rask and they should be a favorite in the playoffs.   Unfortunately Defenseman Andrew Ference was not resigned and had parted ways with the team landing in Edmonton.  Ference was a fan favorite in Boston and will be missed!. 

                                The Red Sox continue their miraculous season and are currently a game up on the Rays for first place in the American League East.  The Sox traded their defensive stud shortstop Jose Iglesias to the Tigers and received Former White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy in return.  I didn’t like the trade at all.  Peavy is a pitcher who’s past his prime and injury prone.   Jose Iglesias is a game changer with the glove who could prove great value in the playoffs. I guess we’ll have to wait and see in the playoffs.  Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster made headlines when unsuccessfully throwing at Alex Rodriguez with the first pitch of the At bat Sunday night, but when you don’t succeed try try again.  That’s exactly what Dempster did.  He continued to throw inside and on the fourth pitch of the at bat he drilled A-Rod between the numbers.  This occurrence has since sparked controversy and debate.   Some may argue that the beaning woke up the Yankees which allowed them to win the game.  I’d have to agree with them.  I’m not against the act of throwing at A-Rod, I’m against the situation it was in.  As many of you know A-Rod is the face of this decades’ steroid era in baseball.   He’s currently appealing a 211 game suspension for his involvement in Biogenesis scandal.  Who wouldn’t want to drill A-Rod?  It’s part of the sport and it is how players police each other.  Dempster did not target the head he only threw at his leg and back.  So in my opinion the act is called for.  However he did it in the 2^nd inning with his team up 2-0.   By the middle of the inning the Yankees had tied it up at 2.   A-Rod went on to hit a bomb into  the center field bleachers and the Yankees stole a game they had no business winning.  With the division being so close, no game should be put in jeopardy and that is exactly what Dempster did.  Come September we’ll see how big of an affect it will have.    

That’s all I have for now folks, thanks for reading!

VOTE NAVA

 Nava running the bases after hitting go head 3 run blast in April 20th Game at fenway

How on earth are Jeter, Granderson, and Reyes on the all star ballot when they've basically been on the DL all season?  Daniel Nava has like no shot of being voted cause he's not even on the ballot.  Johnny Gomes is and Nava plays more than him. Nava has easily been the best positional player for the Sox this season.  And arguably one of the best on the American League.   The fact that I've written in him an voted close to a hundred times so far and it most likely will mean nothing is just straight up balderdash.  Another thing.. Pablo Sandoval should not have started last year over Wright. Wright was on fire the whole year.  With the fan voting the way it is, players who are popular get voted it.  It doesn't seem like performance is a factor in voting.  It's a shame really.  Major League Baseball want to make it more interesting so they added incentives like making it count for the winning league.  Wright is having a better season the Pablo again but yet again Giants fans dominate the voting.  I doubt I'm the only one upset about this. 

Bruins comeback!

                            I thought game 7 was going to be exciting and my goodness it has not disappointed.  Early on it looked grim for the Bruins.  Down 4-1 in the 3rd period advancing looking unlikely.  Bruins kept fighting and scored.  With the score being 4-2 and only 2 minutes left, Bruins pull Rask for the extra attacker and somehow find a way to score not one but two goals to tie it up and force overtime.  They have the momentum and the garden is deafening.  This is what game 7's are meant to be like.  I love it! LET'S GO BRUINS!!!!!

Why I wrote my blog

              Many of you may be wondering why I created this blog.  I'm a communications major in college and for one of my classes my assignment was to write a blog about whatever I want.  Naturally being the sports fanatic I am, the choice was easy.  I live and breath sports. It's kind of an obsession of mine.  Having said that please comment and follow as my grade depends on it.  I'd love to hear your feedback as to how I can improve my blog and what you think of my posts.  Although this is a class assignment, I do plan on continuing my blog well after this semester ends.  So please feel free to comment and whatnot, and most of all thank you to anyone who checked it out!

Dh or pitchers with a bat?

Former Cubs Pitcher Victor Zambrano up at the plate.

                I keep hearing that Major League baseball is considering eliminating National League Pitchers hitting and going strictly to a all DH league.  For me I'd rather get rid of Designated Hitting and have all pitchers hit.  It adds a different element to the game and makes it more interesting in my opinion.  Sure most pitchers aren't good hitters, but why not just teach them how to hit growing up and stress it more instead of just having them pitch.  Playing in little league and Babe Ruth, I know that some of the best youth Pitchers are also good hitters.  What could have changed between then and the big leagues?  It must be the lack of time they are taught hitting.  I'm sure if they stick with hitting while they pitch, pitchers can be good hitters in the majors.  Just ask the guy pictured above.  Zambrano is known as one of the best hitting pitchers in the Majors with a sizable amount of homeruns.   Or maybe a better known name how about Babe Ruth?... I rest my case

Bulls/Heat

                

                     

Bulls Taj Gibson and Miami's Chris (Birdman) Anderson exchanging words among other actions.

 

                        Another NBA playoff matchup I've enjoyed is Bulls vs. Heat.  I'm rooting for the Bulls because quite frankly I despise the Heat ever since the "Big Three" was formed... I love the physicality of the games so far.  The Bulls are a clear underdog especially since they're depth is diminished and star point guard Derek Rose has been on the bench all year.  Whether or not he should be playing is debatable.  What isn't in question is the heart the Bulls healthy players have showed.  Lead by one of the shortest players in the league, Nate Robinson,  the Bulls have played well aside from the last game where they were blownout.  They weren't even expected to have a shot, but they shcked everyone when they won game one in Miami.  Don't count them out!

Matt Harvey

                The future of the Mets?

         The baseball season is well underway and rising star pitcher Matt Harvey of the Mets has been putting on a show. Just this week he pitched 9 innings of shut out ball which only pads his season's era.  Harvey is a bright spot in a poor situation for the Mets.  Let's face it the Mets are most likely not going to go far this year, but if Harvey keeps up his high level of pitching I think it is safe to say the Mets have found their ace.  They still have David Wright and some good young hitters so their future could be looking up, it just may take some time.   

Tiger Woods

               Can he return to elite status?

                 So Tiger Woods won a major today.  Maybe his supremacy in the golf world is not completely gone.  He lost his edge over competition with the scandal he went through, but it looks like he's getting back on his game.   I was a big Tiger fan beforehand and although he has the off the course stuff, I want to see him succeed.   The game of golf is just more interesting when he's involved especially when he's on his game.  My most memorable moment of Tiger was the US Open a few years back when he won a playoff even though he was seriously injured.   I remember coming home from school that Monday and being excited that it was on. (I didn't have cable so there was rarely any sports on during the week.) So they play the playoff and end up neck and neck after the 18th hole.  They had to play until a winner was crowned and honestly I never knew golf could be so interesting.  Anyway Tiger pulled it off and ever since I have appreciated golf more.  Tiger the golfer is what the sports needs, Tiger the person on the other hand, maybe not so much. 

NBA Playoffs

          

                 

                           Former championship teammates to possible rivals in chase of a championship?

Maybe next year....

                           

                      Entering this season my picks for the finals were Denver over Indiana.  As a University of North Carolina fan I thought it would be neat to see former Tar Heel teammates Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough to face one another in the biggest games of their careers.  I wanted Denver to win it all because I love watching them play. I watched a bunch of their games this year and each time it was exciting.  I was bummed when they were eliminated in the first round, but I'm happy for Golden State. Stephen Curry has been beasting since his Davidson days and Clay Thompson, Jarret Jack, and of course former Tar Heel Harrison Barnes play their hearts out.  Both Denver and Golden State or exciting to watch.  Since Denver is out I wouldn't mind seeing Stephan Curry and the squad playing in the finals.  Pacers are still alive and likely going to move to the next round.  I like their chances of matching up against Miami Heat, assuming they get past the Bulls lead by the energizer bunny himself, Nate Robinson.  All in all this years playoffs has gotten me excited about the NBA again.  Something I thought was unlikely recently. 

Bruins

                   

 The Garden should be rockin' tonight!

               

                    So the Bruins lost tonight allowing Toronto to force a game 7.  It should be a great game.  Game 7's are the most exciting sports scenario, adding the NHL to it is even better.   The game will be in the Garden so I'm sure the crowd will be electric.  The extra noise should motivate the B's to play their best and win the game.  After that the road doesn't get any easier but then again it's the Stanley Cup playoffs and nothing is ever given to you.  With that being said, LET'S GO B'S!!!!!

Where Will Tebow Land?

Tebow as a Pat?  It could happen.

                               

                                 Tim Tebow has been doubted his whole NFL career.  Josh McDaniels was criticized for drafting Tebow with the 25^th pick in the first round of the 2010 draft.   Many thought he wasn’t good enough to be a 1^st round pick.  Tebow became the back up to Kyle Orton for the Broncos.  In his second season he earned the starting quarterback job from Orton and took a 1-4 team prior to him starting to the playoffs with a record of 8-8.   In the playoffs he lead the Broncos to a wild card weekend win over AFC powerhouse and top defense the Pittsburgh Steelers.  

                                Accomplishing all of that would guarantee you a starting quarterback job the next season right?  Wrong, instead the Broncos acquire Peyton Manning and ship Tebow of to the Jets.   This move was completely pointless because the Jets barely involved Tebow and all it did was place more pressure on young and underachieving quarterback Mark Sanchez (Sanchize). 

                                  So the season’s over now and the Jets decided to cut release Tebow.  This begs the question as to where ,if anywhere, will Tebow be playing next season.   It’s publically known that there hasn’t been much interest by NFL teams when it comes to signing Tebow.  In my opinion Tebow is not ready to start now.  He should go to a team that has an established quarterback and learn under him.  Tebow is a young player who loves to learn and gives all he has in preparation.  Teams that make sense are the Packers, Saints, Patriots, and Broncos… Oh wait they burned that bridge didn’t they. Ok well three teams then.   Looking at it Brees and Rodgers’ ages don’t work in terms of the time table for Tebow.  Brady will be 36 years old at the start of the upcoming season.  He’s signed for another 5 years.  Not many quarterbacks produce well past the age of 40 which gives Brady four or five years max to continue to play at an elite level.  The way I see it is Tebow should come in and learn under one of if not the best of all time.  Tebow already studies his game tapes to try to improve.   If Brady is willing to help Tebow grow as a Quarterback, we could have an answer to who will replace Tom Terrific after retirement.  Some may think this is a stupid idea, but really are there any better ideas?

New Look to the Sox

Jonny Gomes, Will Middlebrooks, Mike Napoli and Daniel Nava (Left to Right) celebrating in win of first home game after the marathon bombing. 

As many of you may know, Major League Baseball is past the first month of their 2013 regular season.  The Boston RedSox thus far have gone from being at the bottom of the standing in 2012, to having the best record in the entire league entering tonight’s action.   Quite the 180 if you ask me.  It’s a bit surprising based on how little they seem to have done during the off season.   Like many fans out there, I wanted them to sign Josh Hamilton.  Instead they went the safer route and signed three players who could play that role.  They signed them on team friendly deals compared to acquiring Hamilton with big contract.  So far Hamilton has gotten off to a shaky start, trust me I know He’s on my fantasy team.  Victorino, who I thought may have lost his wheels, has surprised me and is looking good.  Napoli, who had concerns of injury, has gotten off to a tremendous start leading the MLB in RBI and is the big bat in the heart of the order the Sox have been missing since trading Manny Ramirez.  Jonny Gomes adds to the order with his own power and some surprisingly good defense.   All three have been good but in my opinion Daniel Nava has been the most valuable position players.   He went from being projected as a fourth outfield option and possible back up first baseman at the end of spring training to being a starter.  He plays the field well and provides clutch offense in key moments of games.   Pretty good for a former equipment manager for the college team he was cut from wouldn’t you say?

NFL Free agency

                          



                              

 Danny Amendola on the verge of making sick grab for the Rams



So it's NFL free agency time.  So far the big names involved have been burner Mike Wallace to the Dolphins, Dumervil to the Ravens,  and yes Welker to the Broncos.  Like many of my fellow Pats fans, when I heard the news I was pretty upset.  Not just because he won't be playing at Gillete 8 times next season, but because he basically got screwed by the Pats.  He was acquired in 07 on a team friend;y contract.  He exceeded all expectations as side from maybe his own.  He was top 5 WR during his time with New England, and when he wanted to get paid Patriots ownership declined.  They franchised him last year and tried too cut him out of the offense until Edelman and Gronk got injured. Welker stepped in and caught over 100 receptions once again.  So when he he free agency and the New England didn't match his 2 year $12 mil offer from Denver, it was kind of disgusting.  Instead they sign Danny Amendola to a contract bigger than Welker even asked for.   Yes he's 4 years younger, but his durability is always a question mark.  Welker barely missed a game witht he Pats even when he tore his ACL in the last game of the 2009 season.  Many thought he'd be lucky to be able to start the next season, instead he recovered in record time of 4 months and ent on to have another career year.   Amendola is a good player but does that matter when he's on the sidelines?