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Dealing To The Dish: American League 6.23.06
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, Injuries, MLB,
Interleague games on American League soil:
Washington Nationals @ Baltimore Orioles
J. Patterson (1-0, 3.86) vs. R. López (4-8, 6.85)
- John Patterson last pitched on April 21st and has since been on the shelf due to a strained right forearm. He comes back tonight against cross-district rival, the Baltimore Orioles. Patterson will try to end the Nats three-game losing streak. Rodrigo Lopez and the rest of the Orioles starting staff, for the most part have not fully seen the effects of pitching coach, Leo Mazzone, who succeeded so much for the Atlanta Braves. Maybe the O’s rotation just doesn’t have the talent?
St. Louis Cardinals @ Detroit Tigers
C. Carpenter (6-3, 2.46) vs. J. Verlander (8-4, 3.21)
- Chris Carpenter is in his prime right now, while Justin Verlander is only a rookie. Tonight’s matchup between the Central division’s best, both in the A.L. and N.L., should be a great pitching contest. Enjoy the show.
Philadelphia Phillies @ Boston Red Sox
R. Madson (7-4, 5.79) vs. J. Beckett (8-3, 5.09)
- Josh Beckett hopes to build off of his last performance and extend the Red Sox winning ways to seven games in a row. Beckett has pretty much been inconsistent his last four starts, but it talented and competitive enough to right his ship. There won’t be a Matt Clement-type meltdown. The Phillies just continue to eat the dust of the N.L. East leading New York Mets who are starting to put more and more distance between themselves and the rest of the division.
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Dealing To The Dish: American League 6.18.06
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Injuries, MLB, News,
The following interleague games will be played in an American League Ballpark.
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Texas Rangers
E. Gonzalez (2-0, 1.64) vs. K. Loe (3-6, 5.57)
- Gonzalez has been a nice surprise for the N.L. West contending Diamondbacks, but it’ll be tough to keep that ERA down against the Rangers who not only have Michael Young, Mark Teixiera, and Hank Blalock as the de riguer threats, but Brad Wilkerson, Gary Matthews, Jr., and Ian Kinsler have been turning it up lately.
San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Angels
C. Park (4-3, 4.15) vs. B. Colon (0-2, 7.07)
- Colon makes his first start coming off the DL after a two-month stint. He probably couldn’t have asked for a better team to pitch against considering that there is no real power threat on the Padres. All respect due to Brian Giles, Mike Cameron, and Mike Piazza, but they’re getting a bit long in the tooth. And a sad farewell to Jered Weaver who was optioned down to the minors to make room for Colon. Trust me, Weaver will be back up at some point and with more seasoning in the minors could actually be better when he returns to the big show.
Los Angeles Dodgers @ Oakland Athletics
A. Sele (3-1, 2.32) vs. J. Blanton (6-6, 5.04)
- I personally love to watch Blanton pitch. He’s quick, he doesn’t waste time between pitches and tries to dictate his tempo and get the hitter out of his rhythm. I bet the guys on the field with Blanton must love that he doesn’t waste time. For the season, Blanton has been inconsistent, but as last season showed, he can get on a very good roll for a very long time. Just wait for it.
San Francisco Giants @ Seattle Mariners
J. Wright (5-6, 4.48) vs. J. Moyer (3-6, 3.80)
- Moyer just keeps on doing his thing. The 137-year-old has been pitching well for the most part, but just has been playing with, generally speaking, a disappointing offense. The Giants continue to dwell in the cell, but still get a lot of coverage because of Barry Bonds and his chase to be the all-time homerun king. Have you seen Bonds out in the field? He makes Moyer look like a spry 20-year-old. Bonds is hurting and I just don’t think he’ll pass Hammerin’ Hank Aaron.
Enjoy the games! To all the fathers out there like me – HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Dealing To The Dish: National League 6.18.06
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Injuries, MLB, News,
The following interleague games will be played on National League turf.
New York Yankees @ Washington Nationals
C. Wang (7-2, 4.15) vs. M. O’Connor (3-4, 3.70)
- The Nationals may not go anywhere as far as the playoffs go, thanks to a very strong New York Mets team, but at least they’re playing better than the Atlanta Braves. Plus, yesterday’s 11-9 come-from-behind win over the New York Yankees must have been sweet, especially for former Yankees, Alfonso Soriano and Nick Johnson. Wang has once again displayed that magic he had last season… okay, maybe not magic per se, but he is still surprising me that he’s doing as well as he is.
Toronto Blue Jays @ Florida Marlins
R. Halladay (8-1, 2.75) vs. J. Johnson (5-4, 2.05)
- This should be a good pitching duel. We have the old gunslinger, Doc Halladay, versus the new kid in town, Josh Johnson. Halladay, of course, has excellent stuff and will face a group of relatively unknown hitters, save Miguel Cabrera. Meanwhile, Johnson will deal to the likes of Vernon Wells, Troy Glaus, Alexis Rios, and Shea Hillenbrand. It should be noted that the Marlins have won seven in a row and are actually looking to sweep the Jays with a win this afternoon. Who would have thought that at the beginning of the season.
Baltimore Orioles @ New York Mets
A. Loewen (0-1, 7.84) vs. T. Glavine (9-2, 3.31)
- Certainly the Orioles starter yesterday, Kris Benson, must have loved beating his old team. And, he even hit a homer off of Pedro Martinez. However, I’ll tell you who loved the win more – Anna Benson, Kris’ wife. She is notorious for being a bloviator (don’t think dirty, kids, it’s basically it’s someone who talks a lot of crap) and allegedly ran her welcome out so much, the Mets had to trade Kris Benson. Here is another matchup of the vet versus the rook. However, Loewen hasn’t had the time up in the majors as the Marlins’ Johnson has, but hasn’t looked good thus far. Glavine on the other hand has looked like he did in the second half of last season when he absolutely killed it.
Click to continue reading Dealing To The Dish: National League 6.18.06
The Miami Heat must be praying that Dwyane Wade’s knee is good enough, in fact better, to play in tonight’s Game Four against the Dallas Mavericks. In Game Three, despite colliding with teammate Shaquille O’Neal that caused Wade’s knee to be injured, Wade put on a dribbling and penetrating to the rack display for a final tally of 42 points. That explosion from Wade and a missed free-throw from the Mavs’ Dirk Nowitzki that could have tied the game with just over three seconds left in regulation, brings us to tonight’s game with the Mavs owning a 2-1 lead in the series.
For the Heat, they really must get O’Neal going. In fact, the Diesel needs to get himself going as he’s looked tentative with teh ball in his hands. O’Neal isn’t attacking the basket with the fervor he should have to win another title. In fact, you can argue that Erick Dampier has been just as good as Shaq. I can’t believe I just wrote that. Either O’Neal needs to establish himself down in the box and dominate or the perimater shooters that are open, namely Jason Williams and Antoine Walker, need to hit the open shots.
Of course, Wade will still be relied upon, but with his knee injury, it wouldn’t be wise to expect another performance that has Wade taking his team on his shoulders and to a win. Wade is a tough player, but he isn’t Superman. That role is supposed to fall on O’Neal. However, O’Neal will need to take more than nine shots in a game to do that.
As far as the Mavericks go, they don’t have to change anything about their game plan. They played bad enough to win Game Three and have basically dictated the series with their offense and defensive play, as evidenced by containing the force that is Shaquille O’Neal. If they should do anything, they might want to establish themselves early in the contest to play the tempo they want and take the Miami faithful out of the game.
The game tips off tonight at 9pm.
Ben Roethlisberger: Idiocy, Sadness, and Redemption?
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Editorial, Injuries, News, NFL,
Before I really begin, let me say that I know a few hardcore Pittsburgh Stillers fans… no, that’s not a misspelling of the team name, but what the fanatical natives call their team. After talking with them, I found out they feel the same way I do about their Super Bowl Champion QB, Ben Roethlisberger - what an idiot.
“Big Ben” Roethlisberger got into a motorcycle accident in downtown Pittsburgh yesterday. Riding his 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa, Roethlisberger collided with a Chrysler New Yorker from the opposite direction driven by a 62-year-old woman. The car was making a left turn at the intersection where the impact happened. Okay, understandably, accidents happen and this one was very much one that is believable to happen. But what is unbelievable is this…
Roethlisberger wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Click to continue reading Ben Roethlisberger: Idiocy, Sadness, and Redemption?
Germany VS. Costa Rica
Germany isn’t being a very nice host. Just ask Costa Rica. Today, the host country beat Costa Rica by the score of 4-2, the highest-scoring opener in the history of the World Cup. Costa Rica had little else besides Paulo Wanchope, who scored the two goals for them. The German team is young, but a win like this can catapult them far.
The German team was without captain Michael Ballack, who is one of the better players in the world. Before the game, Ballack did want to play through his calf injury, but was talked out of it by his coach, Juergen Klinsmann. If Ballack can come back and play up to par, the German team becomes even stronger. Miroslav Klose scored two goals for the host country, while Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings each scored one goal.
Ecuador VS. Poland
Ecuador was highly criticized regarding their credentials to play in the World Cup because a lot of their qualifying matches were played in the high altitude of Quito, Ecuador, which gave them an advantage versus their opponents - the Ecuadoreans were used to the thin air, while their opponents were not and would theoretically tire quicker.
However, playing in front of a hostile crowd cheering for Poland, Ecuador beat Poland 2-0… near sea level! The win is a big win and talks well of the Ecuadorean team and the validity of them being at the World Cup. Augustin Delgado played a hand in both scores as he scored one and assisted on the other to Carlos Tenorio.
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Fantasy, Injuries, MLB, News,
LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
Mike Napoli is beginning to take over at catcher for the ineffective Jose Molina, starting 4 of the last 6 games. Based on his minor league record, the .323 average will come in, but the power that has generated 4 home runs in just 62 AB is real.
Jered Weaver is looking like the real deal. In his first three major league starts, he has a 3-0 record, a very impressive 17 K’s and just 3 walks. As a 23-year rookie, there will be some inconsistency, but he appears to be a solid play in all fantasy formats.
Bartolo Colon should be back to start Sunday’s game against Seattle. That will give the Angels six starters. For some bizarre reason, Manager Mike Scioscia said that he would rather have Jered Weaver start in the minors than relieve in the majors. It is unclear if he means that the young Weaver would be the one to lose a rotation spot. It seems like he is talking about the wrong Weaver, as older brother, Jeff Weaver should be the one going to the bullpen.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
Carolina Hurricanes Win Game Two Of The Stanley Cup Finals
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, Injuries, NHL, Playoffs,
Not so surprisingly to me, anyway, the Hurricanes took Game Two of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers and whomever the backup goaltender was going to be after Dwayne Roloson went down in Game One. So, who was that goalie? It was Jussi Markkanen, who was making his first playoff start in only the most important playoff series in the NHL. How badly did he do? Well, the Oilers lost 5-0. Nuff said.
But, honestly, Roloson could have felt the “spirit” within him, thrown his crutches to the floor and start running AND THEN take the net for the Oilers tonight and it wouldn’t have mattered. Why? Because rookie and playoff revelation, Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward was getting busy turning away Oilers’ shots on goal (25) the way Paris Hilton turns away guys without video cameras.
During the regular season, Ward had a very pedestrian 3.68 GAA (goals against average) and a .882 SV% (saves percentage). However, during the playoffs, he’s kicked it up a notch and is averaging a 2.19 GAA and a .917 SV%. Now, I’m not saying he’s Patrick Roy, but Ward sure is doing a pretty good impersonation of him right now.
Scoring goals for the Hurricanes were LW Andrew Ladd, D Frantisek Kaberle, LW Cory Stillman, C Doug Weight, and RW Mark Recchi. The Oilers find themselves down 2-0 in the series as they head back home for Game Three of the Stanley Cup finals and with inexperienced goalies tending net, it’s going to be a long… make that short… series for the Oilers. All of Alberta, Canada just cursed me right now.
The puck drops for Game Three on Saturday at 8PM and will actually be nationally televised on network television here in the United States on NBC. Props to them for bringing one of the most historic championships to the U.S. general public.
Carolina Hurricanes Take Game One Of The Stanley Cup Finals
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Injuries, NHL, Playoffs,
In a word - wow. That would describe the third period for the Carolina Hurricanes who scored four goals in the final period to eek out a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. And with the Oilers anchor this playoff series, G Dwayne Roloson going down and probably out the rest of the way, there may be more wins in the Hurricanes future.
The Oilers came out hard and took a 3-0 lead on goals by RW Fernando Pisani (8:18, 1st period), D Chris Pronger (10:36, 2nd period, penalty shot), and LW Ethan Moreau (16:23, 2nd period). Carolina C Rob Brind’Amour kept it respectable and scored his tenth goal of the playoffs (17:17, 2nd period). Down 3-1, it was going to be tough for the Hurricanes considering Roloson’s 2.22 GAA.
However, in the third period, LW Ray Whitney came out like a man possessed scoring a goal with 1:40 elapsed in the period, and another goal three minutes and 29 seconds later, which tied the game at 3-3. Less than five minutes later (10:02), RW Justin Williams scored a shorthanded goal that put the Hurricanes up 4-3. Oilers RW Ales Hemsky put a stop to Carolina’s four goal barrage by scoring on a power play goal (13:31) that tied it up once again, this time at four goals apiece.
But then disaster struck for the Oilers. Carolina’s LW Andrew Ladd brought the puck into the Oilers zone, cut in front of the net and was met by a huge hit from Oilers D Marc-Andre Bergeron that sent Ladd into Roloson. The collision caused Roloson to injure his right knee and sent him packing, possibly for good in this series.
That’s when Ty Conklin came in to replace the playoff star goalie. Conklin only played in 18 regular season games for the Oilers, so the following befuddlement can be excused. Actually, no… no it can’t. With the period ending and seeming about to go into overtime, Conklin went behind the net to play the puck and passed it off to D Jason Smith. However, Smith didn’t play it right, seeming to have been crossed up by Conklin, and the puck deflected off his stick in front of an empty goal.
So, with 31.1 seconds left in the game, a free and wide-open Brind’amour scored the 11th goal of this playoff run for the Hurricanes, but most importantly, the winning goal for Carolina. It’s unfortunate that the game ended on a fluke-type goal, but sometimes that just the way things break. Losing Game One of the Stanley Cup and possibly your goalie that carried you in the playoffs, the Oilers’ spirit must be starting to break.
Game Two takes place in Carolina once again when they drop the puck on Wednesday at 8:00pm EST.
Tap The Schedule And Twist The Cap: 6.5.06
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Fantasy, Injuries, MLB, News, NHL, Playoffs,
MLB: Updating the Albert Pujols strained oblique injury, it is now said that he will be out indefinitely and will have an MRI today. It is said from the mild to severe spectrum, the tear of the right oblique is severe. For all of you fantasy baseball geeks (as I am), hopefully you have some depth at 1B, especially considering its one of the deeper positions in the game. Naturally, it’s little consolation for having Pujols’ lethal bat our of your lineup… oh, and the St. Louis Cardinals’.
*One of the best sports rivalries in history starts up again when the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox begin a four-game series tonight in the bowels of the Bronx. Tonight’s pitching duel pits the Red Sox’s Josh Beckett (7-2; 4.46 ERA; 1.18 WHIP) against the Yankees’ Mike Mussina (7-1; 2.42 ERA; 0.96 WHIP). Both pitchers have started strong this season, but when it’s Sox/Yanks everything is thrown out the window since there’s always some type of drama of the melodramatic and/or on-the-edge-of-your-seat type.
*Making his first start since coming off the DL, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, Daniel Cabrera takes the hill for the Birds against the other birds of the A.L. East, the Toronto Blue Jays. There were high expectations for Cabrera coming into the season when pitching coach, Leo Mazzone, came over to the O’s from the Atlanta Braves because many thought Mazzone could reign in Cabrera’s control issues. Well, at this point… not so much. Cabrera will try to get back on track to being one of the better pitchers in the game tonight against a loaded Jays offense.
*Once again, Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks will once again go for the title of “First MLB Pitcher to Win Number Nine.” In his first attempt, the other guy pitching was Pedro Martinez and the D’backs couldn’t hit him worth a lick, so Webb’s 7.0 IP, four hit, one walk, zero runs performance was for naught. Tonight Webb will deal to the Philadelphia Phillies who come into town splitting a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
NHL: Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals begins tonight with the Edmonton Oilers visiting the Carolina Hurricanes. The Oilers are coming off a long layoff since they beat the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in five games of the Western Conference Finals, opposed to the Hurricanes who went all the way to Game Seven with the Buffalo Sabres to win the Eastern Conference crown.
Enjoy the games!
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