NLCS Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Posted by Charles Mitri Categories: Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Editorials, Post Season,
Hard fought series? Check. Scratching out runs? You bet. Clutch hitting and smart pitching? No question. The Philadelphia Phillies’ Cole Hamels goes tonight against Los Angeles Dodgers veteran pitcher Derek Lowe. Both posted 14 wins. Lowe chalked up 11 losses while Hamels had 10. Both hurlers were pretty even in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk ratio. Look for a real pitchers duel. Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will probably break out of their NLDS slumps with timely hits while the Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez will be swinging a mighty bat throughout the series.
Click to continue reading NLCS Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Philadelphia Phillies
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Just when you thought it was safe to take the mound again….
The Milwaukee Brewers are in a very deep 0-2 hole following a 5-2 shellacking at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark. The Philadelphia Phillies roughed up C.C. Sabathia for five runs in the second frame, spearheaded by centerfielder Shane Victorino who knocked a couple of two-baggers and a round-tripper, for four RBIs and even chipped in a couple of base swipes. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-4 with a walk. Phillies closer Brad Lidge recorded his second save in as many days by pitching a scoreless ninth. Milwaukee scratched out single runs in the first and seventh innings, but somehow couldn’t get to Phils’ starter Brett Myers who spun seven masterful innings for two runs on two hits and three free-passes.
Click to continue reading National League Championship Predictions
Gear Live Gives Back 2008: Education Charity Drive
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements,
Alright, let’s take a break for just a moment away from the standard news fare. We know that you guys love the gadgets, gizmos, and consumer electronics just as much as we do. These expensive and cool toys are often a marvel when you break them down to the technology that drives them. That’s what makes what we do fun, and why we love the interaction we have with our readers. However, we want to focus a bit of attention on the young ones in our country who would be happy to have a calculator for use in class, and the teachers who work for districts that can’t afford things like projectors for use in their schools.
Gear Live has joined the 2008 DonorsChoose Blogger Challenge, and we have chosen eight great causes that are centered around getting some basic technology and literature into classrooms located in our local area, as well as some of the hardest areas still suffering the affects of Hurricanes Ike and Katrina. We’ve chosen eight causes that we thought touched on what we believed in, and you can take a look at them and choose which one(s) you want to help. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for the children of our nation. Just know that the money you donate will go directly to that specific teacher request - not into some big pot of money that is then doled out by the organization.
Some of the most expensive purchases for schools are consumer electronics. We believe that all children need to get acquainted with the tools of the future as they learn so they when they are ready to hit the workforce, they can succeed alongside their peers. Please, help us in assisting teachers, children, and schools in low-income areas get the tools they need to help their children excel.
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| Gear Live Gives Back 2008
Gear Live custom iPhone contest winners
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
We wanted to shout out the winners of the customized Gear Live iPhone giveaway that we held a couple of weeks ago. We let three winners walk away with a piece of the action, with the grand prize, of course, winning our orange painted iPhone.
The grand prize went to Kat
So there you have it, the end to another Gear Live contest. Stay tuned though, we still have a bunch of stuff that we plan on giving away to your readers. You know, like Wii Fit, Microsoft Zune, etc. In the meantime, be sure you are a Gear Live member.
Before we talk about the World Series winner, take a look at whom I think will win the various divisions and wildcard for the American League and National League. When you’re done, come on back…
Welcome back! And the winners are:
World Series - Arizona Diamondbacks over the Cleveland Indians
I am totally picking the Diamondbacks because a former A’s pitcher will lead them! I’m kidding. Although I do think that Dan Haren is going to make a big difference for the D-Backs, as well as a healthy Randy Johnson who does a Curt Schilling and wins one more World Series in his old age (sans bloody sock). I like the young talent here with Upton, Drew, Young, Jackson, mixed with the veterans Byrnes, Orlando Hudson, and Chad Tracy. Plus, part of this pick is gut instinct. I could be totally wrong, but really, in November will anyone remember me picking the D-Backs all the way in March? Doubt it… however, I will tell you this much… if the D-Backs do win it all, I WILL be mentioning this blog post and proclaim myself a GENIUS!
And now, we move on to the individual awards for 2008.
AL MVP - Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox
Yes, everyone’s favorite enigma of a ballplayer is my choice for being the A.L.’s best in 2008. ManRam had an off-year last season due to injuries, but it’s a contract year and what better way to comeback than in a contract year, right? Either way, Ramirez is one of the better hitters in the game (1.003 career OPS as of this writing allows you to claim that title) and he actually worked out during the offseason. Yes, the guy is looking trim… for him anyway. I’m sensing a .330/45/140 type of season.
NL MVP - David Wright, New York Mets
New York’s other man in the hot corner gets better and better and the numbers the past three seasons prove it. Wright will make last season’s choke job a thing of the past and he will help his team get over the hump and make it back to the playoffs. As you can see I have the D-Backs winning it all, so the Mets don’t get far, but just getting back to the postseason will help people forget about last year. Wright will be a huge part in that happening.
AL Cy Young - Rich Harden, Oakland Athletics
All Harden has to do is stay healthy and I know he’s determined to prove to everyone that he’s a gamer and can bring it for a full season. As my mantra has been - Harden + 30 Starts = Cy Young Award.
NL Cy Young - Johan Santana, New York Mets
Santana will be worth the money… this season at least. It’s a new league and some hitters have never faced a pitcher like Santana, which will give him an advantage. Also giving him an advantage will be the pitcher-friendly homes of N.L. East teams. Johan won’t have to deal with any pesky designated hitters or the superior A.L. offenses as well. Not that Santana needed any help, but he’s going to get some on top of his undeniable pitching ability.
AL Rookie of the Year - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Longoria was sent down to the minors to start the season, but he’ll be back up before long and just rake. Longoria has good command of his hitting zone and has succeeded at every level he’s played in. Longoria should put up some really good homerun numbers and has the potential to hit 30 on the regular. For his rookie season, he should continue the tradition of recent 3B call-ups with pretty good pedigree - the abovementioned Wright and Ryan Zimmerman.
NL Rookie of the Year - Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
As Longoria, Bruce was also sent down to the minors, but should be up soon. Bruce can hit for average and power. He’s one of the top prospects in all of baseball and once he makes it up to the big show, he should do well as he can hit in all directions. Last season in three levels of the minors, Bruce had an OPS close to a thousand. He can hit to all fields and if you’re in a fantasy keeper league, Bruce is one of the top guys to own.
AL Manager of the Year - Jim Leyland, Detroit Tigers
Leyland won the award two years ago in 2006 and with the stacked lineup he has on offense, he should do it again with the Tigers this year. In fact, I believe the Tigers will end up with the best record in baseball and for that, the manager deserves an award.
NL Manager of the Year - Willie Randolph, New York Mets
Willie goes from potential scapgegoat and thisclose from being fired in 2007 to being hailed in 2008. Randolph is the type that should learn from his mistakes and with a disastrous slide in 2007, you have to think that Randolph will be that much more focused in his approach. For example, shut up and leave Jose Reyes alone. That’s easy enough to do. Know how to use your bullpen in-game and in-series. I think he gets it now… so much so that he’ll get the coaching hardware. And, just a note… Randolph’s mentor, Joe Torre, will come close to winning the award himself for his work with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2008 MLB Predictions - N.L. Division and Wildcard Winners
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories:
Continuing on with our series of predictions, let’s take a look at the National League Division and Wildcard (predictive… is this even a word?) winners. You can check out the A.L. division/wildcard winners here.
WHO WILL WIN EACH NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION AND THE WILDCARD?
NL EAST - New York Mets
Yes, we all know about the huge choke job last season, but this time, I don’t think it’s going to go down that way. I expect it to be a dogfight straight through with no one really running away with it as the Mets did last season… til the last 15 games or so, anyway. The Atlanta Braves should be as good as always, and of course you can’t count out the Philadelphia Phillies, the defenders of this here division, but with the acquisition of Johan Santana, the return for hopefully a full season for Pedro Martinez, as well as the continued growth of both John Maine and Oliver Perez, and the Mets actually have a potentially top staff on their hands. Offensively, the Mets are led by David Wright and Jose Reyes, the young cornerstones of the club for the next several years. It’s Reyes in particular that affects the Mets more as he is the one that sets the pace. Towards the end of last season, Reyes seemed to be pressing, whether it be trying to hit more long balls or succumbing to the scrutiny of manager Willie Randolph. If Reyes can sustain his first half .387 OBP and not his second half .316 OBP, the Mets should do some major damage offensively, especially with Carlos Beltran and hopefully a rejuvenated Carlos Delgado. Mets fans can only hope.
NL Central - Chicago Cubs
Expect the Cubbies to do it again and take the Central. They return their top three starters - Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill - with the addition of Ryan Dempster, former closer, to the starting rotation. So, who’s closing? Remember Kerry Wood, he of one of the nastiest fastballs and dude that struck out 20 batters in a game? Yeah, him. Imagine Wood only having to pitch one inning or so effectively. “Because the ninth belongs to Kerry…” Sorry, had a 90’s relapse. In any case, the offense is pretty good with Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, basestealer galore Ryan Theriot, and potential Rookie of the Year, the slugging catcher Geovany Soto and the O is looking good. The x-factor to how much this offense goes to another level will be Japanese import, Kosuke Fukudome.
NL West - Colorado Rockies
Last season, the Rockies made it all the way to the World Series only to lose to the Boston Red Sox. Still, last season’s run in the postseason was impressive and it wouldn’t be surprising if they did it again. They will be led by N.L. MVP runner-up, Matt Holliday, as well as star-on-the-rise, Troy Tulowitzski. And don’t forget about Garrett Atkins and the underappreciated by the general fan, Brad Hawpe. Actually, speaking of underappreciated, how about the Rockies very solid pitching. Jeff Francis, former Minor League Player of the Year is starting to come into his own, winning 17 games last season. Francis will lead the way with young gunners, Ubaldo Jiménez and Franklin Morales, two pitchers who can really deal. Closer Manny Corpas looks to be the stopper many expect him to be over a full season. So, while young like the Diamondbacks, the Rockies have the experience of getting to the World Series on their side, which adds a lot confidence to a team.
NL Wildcard - Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks traded away highly regarded prospects to the Oakland A’s in order to get pitcher Dan Haren. Good move? You bet. The combination of Brandon Webb and Haren will be as good as any one-two punch out there. Add a healthy (?) Randy Johnson, a promising Micah Owings, and the rotation will be strong. And while the offense is young, there is no doubting their talent. Who wouldn’t want a Chris Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, or Conor Jackson in their lineup? And they all have one year of a successful season and playoff experience under their belts. And just imagine that this group is led by firebrand, Eric Byrnes who had a legit argument going for him to be the N.L. MVP.
2008 MLB Predictions - A.L. Division and Wildcard Winners
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories:
The 2008 Major League Baseball season gets underway on 3.31.08, a mere two days away. What excellent timing for this blog right here. So, to jump on the bandwagon practice of making predictions, myself and Greg will go on the record and let you know whom we think will succeed and those who will fail. My predictions will go first on the record with Greg’s coming in a bit later. You must excuse the old-timer… in his old age, he can only go so fast. But, hang tight as I’m sure Greg will prove worthy of you reading his take on the upcoming MLB season!
I’ll break down my predictions in a series of posts since I tend to write a lot.
WHO WILL WIN EACH AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION AND THE WILDCARD?
AL East - Boston Red Sox
It’s hard to go against the defending World Series champions here, although you know the New York Yankees will compete until the end. However, with too many questions about their pitching, I just can’t have much faith in the men in pinstripes. The Red Sox have a very good rotation anchored by Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka should improve on his relatively impressive numbers last season, and the two young pups Jon Lester and Clay Bucholz get to show their stuff for a whole season. And, of course, I’ll continue the tradition of Tim Wakefield getting overlooked. Offensively, any team with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez as your three and four hitters are going to be dangerous. Kevin Youkilis, the Greek God of Walks is underrated by most. Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia get to prove that their respective performances weren’t flukes last season. How about Mike Lowell? If he repeats his ridiculous production from last season, it’s over… a done deal… indubitably finished… give the Sawx the division.
AL Central - Detroit Tigers
Have you seen the Tigers offense? Add Edgar Renteria and most importantly, Miguel Cabrera, and last season’s strong offense just got a whole lot stronger. Imagine having Curtis Granderson (starting off the season on the DL with a broken finger), Placido Polanco, Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, Gary Sheffield, Renteria, Ivan Rodriguez and you just have to look at the lineup card with your mouth open. If there is anything for the Tigers to worry about (besides a very good Cleveland Indians squad), it will be their bullpen, especially with Joel Zumaya out for an extended period of time. However, the starting pitching isn’t so bad with special pitcher Justin Verlander leading the way. If Jeremy Bonderman can find his way again and deal consistently, and Dontrelle Willils can adjust to the American League, the Tigers staff will be almost as dynamic as the offense. Okay, not really, but you know what I mean.
AL West - Seattle Mariners
Yeah, I really wish I could say the Oakland A’s here, but I’m realistic. And for those of you that say, “If you’re so realistic, why didn’t you choose the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?” Well, because their pitching is broken down right now for starters? John Lackey will be sitting out the beginning of the season with a strained triceps and arguably the Angels best pitcher last season, Kelvim Escobar, could not only have his season ended, but his career because of a bum shoulder. Of course, Jered Weaver is nothing to sneeze at, and the Angels DID add Torii Hunter to Vladimir Guerrero in the outfield, but in the end, I just like the Mariners to take the division. I think Erik Bedard will at the very least match his incredible numbers from 2007 with more wins. But, on the pitching side of things, I don’t think it’s Bedard that makes more of a difference than the continued development of Felix Hernandez. The King is going to have a special season and when you take into account Bedard and the bullpen, as well as a decent offense with Ichiro, Adrian Beltre, Raul Ibanez (seriously, look at what Ibanez has done since joining the Mariners), potential 2006 production from Jose Lopez, solid numbers from Yuniesky Betancourt, and the Mariners can take the division. Especially if Jarrod Washburn or the newly acquired Carlos Silva steps up and Richie Sexson’s bat actually becomes productive, the Mariners could surprise the League.
AL Wildcard - Cleveland Indians
Oh no, a postseason without the Yankees! Well, their pitching is suspect despite having three potential studs in Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and the seemingly annointed one, Joba Chamberlain. It doesn’t help that Mike Mussina is getting older and showing it, as well as Andy Pettitte. There are too many questions. The Indians on the other hand have C.C. Sabathia and there is no question he is one of the best (and fattest) pitchers in the game. Fausto Carmona surprised last season to the delight to the Tribe and all its fans. Offensively, the Indians can slug it out with the best out there - Grady Sizemore can do it all, Victor Martinez is the best catcher out there (respect to Russell Martin), Travis Hafner had a down 2007 season, but most ballplayers would take his stats without thinking, Ryan Garko is a big-time candidate to break out this season, and Jhonny Peralta and Casey Blake are very solid underrated hitters. If there is one thing I would change, however, I’d put Rafael Betancourt at the closer spot. That guy is straight up nasty!
Well, that’s it for the American League. Do you agree? Disagree? Leave your comments below!
ColorWare features Gear Live iPhone
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Apple, Smartphones, Design, Features, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,
As Gear Live member x1xtomx1x discovered and shared with us on the forums today, the Gear Live iPhone that we are giving away is actually featured in the ColorWare gallery. Very nice find.
Remember, you are eligible to enter to win this customized iPhone. Check out the official rules to find out how.
Contest: Win a custom Gear Live iPhone, LRG cases, and Monster Cable Accessories!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Apple, Smartphones, Features,
Since our last giveaway contest went so well (and the HDX Dragon computer is on its way to our winner!), we thought you guys might be interested in yet another opportunity to win some cool stuff from Gear Live. That’s why we are giving away a one-of-a-kind customized iPhone, along with a bunch of accessories from LRG and Monster Cable. Even better? This time, we will have three winners.
What makes our iPhone so special? Well, we’ve had it customized and done up in Gear Live colors. Heck, we even put our logo on it, so you can rock the fact that you are a fan of what we do here. Also, we will unlock it for you, if you like, prior to sending it over. We are gonna make this one easy too. The contest starts today, and will end on July 2, 2008. Between now and then, we are gonna be monitoring comments left throughout Gear Live, and forum posts. If you are a regular participants in those areas, you will have an opportunity to win. On July 3, we will compile a list of members who have been active during the contest period, and we will then choose our first, second, and third place winners randomly. Here are the full details on the three packages:
Grand Prize:
- Customized orange Gear Live iPhone
- 3 LRG | Monster iPhone cases of your choosing
- LRG Tee Shirt
- iCableLink iPhone headphone jack adapter
- iSoniTalk iPhone microphone
Second Place:
- 2 LRG | Monster iPhone cases of your choosing
- LRG Tee Shirt
- iCableLink iPhone headphone jack adapter
- iSoniTalk iPhone microphone
Third Place:
- 1 LRG | Monster iPhone cases of your choosing
- LRG Tee Shirt
- iCableLink iPhone headphone jack adapter
- iSoniTalk iPhone microphone
Oh, and just to be clear, if you spam, you are eliminated from the contest. We are looking for people who genuinely add to the conversation across our network in blog comment posts, and on the Gear Live Forums. That means you have to be a member of the site to win, so if you aren’t already, go ahead and sign up. One last thing, we can only award the prize to a resident of the USA. If you plan on winning and you don’t live here, you’d better have a cousin or great aunt with an address in the US that we can ship your package to.
A big thank you to LRG and Monster Cable for helping us out with this contest.
Announcing the winner of our HP HDX Dragon computer package…
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Movies, PC / Laptop, Video Games,
Alright, we’ve hyped it for over a month - the 31 Days of the Dragon contest was our second biggest giveaway in the history of Gear Live. The rules were simple - interact with Gear Live and our community, and don’t spam. You earn points for different actions you take on the site, and the person with the most points at the end of the contest would be declared the winner, as long as they didn’t resort to spamming to get there.
We saw a lot of new activity across the board. Comments, forum posts, gallery comments, new members, and the list goes on…but there could only be one winner. Do note, if you didn’t win, we have another contest starting next week where we will be giving away our customized Gear Live iPhone as the grand prize, with a couple of runner up prizes as well.
Okay, we’ve waiting long enough. The winner of the HP HDX Dragon computer package is…
Click to continue reading Announcing the winner of our HP HDX Dragon computer package…
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