24664 <p>Colorado at Philadelphia - I am tempted to go with the Rockies, however with the news of De La Rosa being possibly out for the whole series, I see it as a negation of the pitching advantage. Phillies offense is WAY too strong and they win in 4.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />St. Louis at LA Dodgers - I really want to get a World Series of Dodgers - Yankees but this is the WORST possible 1st Rd matchup for Torre's crew. Cardinals might be the most complete team in the National League. Cards win in 4.<br /><br />Minnesota at NY Yankees - Congrats Twins on the comeback and making it into the Playoffs. However your present for that is a loaded Yankees team that is motivated. Keep an eye on the Burnett / Posada debate...ESPECIALLY if the Yanks somehow lose game 1. You think you heard sports talk bickering before? Yanks in 4<br />&nbsp;<br />Boston at LA Angels - Can the Angels slay the Red Sox dragon? Can they overcome the Sox pitching and stop making the mistakes that have plagued them in October at Fenway? Um...no..but I see the series going a full 5 games before they fall.<br /><br />LCS<br /><br />Philadelphia vs St. Louis - You know the adage of good hitting gets beat by good pitching? Well this will be the series to buck that trend. This will go an epic 7 games with the Phils bats somehow surviving those power arms.<br /><br />Boston vs NY Yankees - Everyone will be happy with the drama surrounding this series. All the sports stations will get juicy tidbits, Fox will enjoy fanning the flames of this as long as they are broadcasting it and in the end, what else is new? This will go a full 7 games with Rivera facing Big Papi in the top of the ninth with a runner on, Yanks up by 1 and the drama reaching its zenith. Yanks get back to the World Series but heck, I am going to go gray watching this one.<br /><br />WS<br /><br />Phillies vs Yankees - Too much pitching and power on the Yankees side for the Phillies to handle but gosh...the prospect of Pedro facing the Yanks again is going to be fun. Yanks win in 6<br /><br />There ya go folks...my playoff picks...Have fun watching the games all!</p> true 2009-10-07T06:23:22Z 96091 0 2009-10-07T06:23:22Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/orionben666/blog/posts/96091 2008-04-18T18:33:22Z 24664 2008-04-18T18:33:22Z 64184 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/orionben666/blog orionben666 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/orionben666 665113 <p>So I felt compelled to address this farce of a playoff for what some still call "America's Game."</p> <p>First of all, this is one of the things I absolutely hate about MLB.&nbsp; You have 162 games to play out a division winner and yet, here we are tied for the AL Central?&nbsp; 162 games after which one team, the Twins, are no better or worse than the other, the Tigers.&nbsp; At least that's what MLB and Bud "I'm still trying to ruin the game" Selig would like for you to believe.</p> <p>Remember last season when the Twins forced a "play-in" game against the Chicago White Sox.&nbsp; Remember how there was a coin toss to determine who got to host said play-in game.&nbsp; I remember how stupid it was from the standpoint that a 1 game "playoff" is supposed to decide who the better team is again after that couldn't be determined by playing a complete 162 game schedule?&nbsp; Am I alone in seeing this as merely what it is?&nbsp; If after 162 games you are tied, don't try to sell me on the idea that 1 game for all the marbles has any real significance other than who is better on that 1 day.</p> <p>If you want to call it a playoff then set it up as one, which in my opinion, would need to be at least a 3 game series in order to even qualify as a "playoff."</p> <p>Last seasons coin toss B.S., that awarded the White Sox the opportunity to host a 1 game playoff against the Twins was addressed by a rule change that actually recognized head-to-head matchups to determine which team would host the "play-in" game as it should have last season when the Twins were better than the White Sox in that head-to-head format.&nbsp; However, why not just use that head-to-head format to determine the division winner?&nbsp; This year the Twins are 7-2 against the Tigers!&nbsp; Twins + 7 wins &gt; Tigers + 2 wins!&nbsp; Now you are telling me that if the Tigers win the "1 game playoff" and improve their head-to-head record to 3-7 vs. the Twins that it clearly points to them being the better team?&nbsp; More MLB B.S.</p> <p>The Twins are clearly getting jobbed again by Bud and MLB!</p> <p>It's beyond time for MLB to pull its collective head out of its butt and come up with a better playoff format, which for me is a 6 team playoff for both leagues.&nbsp; MLB should have a playoff with the 3 division winners and 3 wild card teams again for each league.&nbsp; The result, is more playoff games = more revenue = more teams make the playoffs = more cities host playoff games = fans get to see their teams make the playoffs more often = more opportunity for the dramatic playoff series upset = a better MLB product!&nbsp; MLB is too busy living in the days of Ruth and Gehrig and that's why they can't hold a candle to the NFL!</p> <p>Imagine if the 6 team playoff format were used this season:</p> <p>National League</p> <p>1. Los Angeles Dodgers</p> <p>2. Philadelphia Phillies</p> <p>3. St. Louis Cardinals</p> <p>4. Colorado Rockies</p> <p>5. San Francisco Giants</p> <p>6. Florida Marlins</p> <p>American League</p> <p>1. New York Yankees</p> <p>2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim</p> <p>3. Minnesota Twins/Detroit Tigers</p> <p>4. Boston Red Sox</p> <p>5. Texas Rangers</p> <p>6. Minnesota Twins/Detroit Tigers</p> <p>You set it up similar to the NFL.&nbsp; The #1 and #2 seeds get a first round bye and so the winner of #3 vs. #6 plays #1 and the winner of #4 vs. #5 would play #2.</p> <p>The real benefit with this format is how you open it up for more marketing of some really great marquee stars to play in the playoffs.&nbsp; Tim Lincecum, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, not to mention all the stars on the Twins AND the Tigers that would be represented.</p> <p>IT'S TIME FOR MLB TO STOP ACTING LIKE THE BCS AND HAVE A "REAL PLAYOFF!"</p> <p>By the way, the 1 game playoff isn't even a playoff, it's actually a 163rd regular season game!?</p> <p>One last comment, Miguel Cabrera was arrested for domestic battery over the weekend and he's now getting ready for the playoffs. Clearly he should be suspended by MLB for his misconduct!&nbsp; Hey Miguel, I guess in a season where you can't beat the Twins you'll just beat your wife!</p> true 2009-10-05T17:36:46Z 95935 1 2009-10-05T17:37:57Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/the8pink/blog/posts/95935 2008-08-03T08:27:17Z 665113 2008-08-03T08:27:17Z 74499 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/the8pink/blog the8pink http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/the8pink 740210 <p>The bottom line right now is that the Yankees have the best record in baseball.&nbsp; This fuels the fire and sparks hate from the millions of anti-Yankee fans out there.&nbsp; But it still begs the question, "Can they be beat?"&nbsp; The answer of course is, "Yes."&nbsp; They are not the juggernaut team that the media is making them out to be.&nbsp; Their pitching which has been a staple to their success this year is shaky.&nbsp; Outside of Sabathia, who has been a horse, compiling 230 innings and 19 wins with just under 200 strikeouts, the Yankee pitching staff is questionable.&nbsp; A.J. Burnett has taken a rocky road down the stretch and Andy Pettitte, who has been very stable no doubt, is aging and could at any time revert to his disasterous end to last season.&nbsp; After those top three starters, the Yankees may be pitching Chad Gaudin as their fourth.&nbsp; With the controversy of Joba Chamberlain being left off of the playoff roster swirling, the Yankees pitching staff is still stable, but like a house of cards it could fall apart.&nbsp; The bullpen is solidly anchored by Mariano Rivera and Phil Hughes.&nbsp; If a team can get to the cushy part of middle relief, they will be facing guys like Brian Bruney, Phil Coke, Damaso Marte and others.&nbsp; The question I pose is why can't the Yankees put Joba Chamberlain in that role, so at least he's on the post-season roster.&nbsp; If he's needed, he's there.&nbsp; How can anyone forget the dominant Joba, brimming with confidence, come out of the bullpen gates and overpower opposing hitters?&nbsp; Why shouldn't the Yankees try to recapture that lightning?&nbsp; The bullpen would be a force, something feared by opponents.&nbsp; Joba, Hughes, then Rivera.&nbsp; The 7th, 8th, and 9th would be a breeze.&nbsp; Still, the most powerful force on this team is the offense.&nbsp; The backbone of the team for the past several&nbsp;years has undergone a change.&nbsp; The familiar occupancy of the number 2 hole by Derek Jeter has been shaken up.&nbsp; Jeter is hitting leadoff with Johnny Damon hitting two.&nbsp; Jeter is not the prototypical leadoff hitter as he is aggressive early in the count, swinging often.&nbsp; Damon works the count more and takes pitches.&nbsp; The reason this has been so successful is it limits the amount of double plays that Jeter is notorious for hitting into, and it keeps many first inning rallies alive.&nbsp; The true reasons that this offense has worked come from the three and four spots.&nbsp; The greatness of Alex Rodriguez as a player has truly been on display this season.&nbsp; Not because of his statistics, but what he did for Mark Teixeira.&nbsp; Since A-Rod's return on May 8th, when Teixeira was hitting .192, Teixeira has been on a tear, putting up MVP type numbers, leading the American League in home runs and RBI with a batting average of around .295.&nbsp; Rodriguez has had an equally impressive season, considering he missed about a month of action, posting just under 100 RBI.&nbsp; Still the offense's depth continues with players like Nick Swisher and Hideki Matsui putting up 25+ homer seasons, and Jorge Posada having his usual solid season.&nbsp; Robinson Cano is hittin .330 and the speed of players like Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera adds another dimension to the team.&nbsp; The clutch heroics are undeniable.&nbsp; They've won countless walk-off games and proved that they can hang with anybody.&nbsp; C.C. Sabathia is a Cy Young candidate and Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira are possible MVPs.&nbsp; The list of great things to say about this team goes on and on.&nbsp; Still, every Yankee fan will tell you that he does not want to play the Angels.&nbsp; I am no different.&nbsp; But, I feel that the first round matchup could pose just as big of a problem.&nbsp; The Tigers or Twins both have disadvantages of having to battle to the end of the season.&nbsp; If the Tigers get in, Verlander would pitch the first game against Sabathia, and he has the potential to outduel Sabathia.&nbsp; In this scenario Burnett could pitch game 2 and get shelled.&nbsp; This would put the Yankees in a down 0-2 hole.&nbsp; While this is a worst-case scenario, it is still possible.&nbsp; Then, assuming they get past the ever-elusive ALDS crown, the fun really begins, playing either the Angels or Red Sox.&nbsp; So, yeah, the Yankees can be beat.&nbsp; I'm not saying don't believe Yankee fans, because I do.&nbsp; I think this is our year.&nbsp; Be confident, maybe even a little cocky, but don't believe that this year is all wrapped up, because it is far from it.&nbsp; As evidenced by their past couple of playoff appearances, the playoffs are a completely different animal for the Yankees.&nbsp; Let's just hope this year they can tame that animal and bring home the gold.</p> true 2009-10-03T07:38:03Z 95806 0 2009-10-03T08:00:50Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/sportsfandan3210/blog/posts/95806 2008-08-07T21:50:56Z 740210 2008-08-07T21:50:56Z 3266589 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/sportsfandan3210/blog sportsfandan3210 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/sportsfandan3210 1222454 National Leauge~ East~ PHI Central~ STL West~ LAD Wildcard~ COL American Leauge~ East~ NYY Central~ DET West~ LAA Wildcard~ TEX NLCS: COL vs. LAD ALCS: NYY vs. LAA World series: Dodgers vs. Yankees World series champions: Dodgers. true 2009-09-07T16:30:01Z 93500 0 2009-09-07T16:30:01Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pieman12347/blog/posts/93500 2009-04-13T17:26:55Z 1222454 2009-04-13T17:26:55Z 5328034 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pieman12347/blog pieman12347 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pieman12347 1307481 <p>AFC</p> <p>1. Patriots (15-1)</p> <p>2. Colts (11-5)</p> <p>3. Steelers (11-5)</p> <p>4. Chargers (10-6)</p> <p>5. Bills (10-6)</p> <p>6. Texans (10-6)</p> <p>NFC</p> <p>1. Saints (12-4)</p> <p>2. Vikings (10-6)</p> <p>3. Eagles (10-6)</p> <p>4. Panthers (10-6)</p> <p>5. Seahawks (9-7)</p> <p>6. Giants (9-7)</p> <p>PLAYOFFS!?</p> <p>AFC:</p> <p>WILD CARD</p> <p>Texans def. steelers; Bills def. Chargers</p> <p>DIVISION</p> <p>Patriots def. Bills; Texans def. Colts</p> <p>CONFERENCE</p> <p>Patriots def. Texans</p> <p>NFC:</p> <p>WILD CARD</p> <p>Eagles def. Giants; Panthers def. Seahawks</p> <p>DIVISION</p> <p>Eagles def. Vikings; Saints def. Panthers</p> <p>CONFERENCE</p> <p>Eagles def. Saints</p> <p>SUPERBOWL XLIV</p> <p>PATRIOTS VS. EAGLES II:REMEMBER EAGLES PHANS; WE ARE THE AMERICANS, AND THEY ARE THE ENEMY. SO WE HAVE TO FIGHT! THEY WILL NEVER BULLY US! NEVER AGAIN!</p> <p>EAGLES def. PATRIOTS 30-24 (OT)</p> true 2009-08-25T14:13:48Z 92455 2 2009-08-25T21:03:48Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Tvtech9/blog/posts/92455 2009-08-12T21:41:51Z Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1307481 2009-08-12T21:41:51Z 7749709 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Tvtech9/blog Tvtech9 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Tvtech9 1114273 <p>The first week of the college football playoff is over, and now the bracket is down to 16 teams.&nbsp; Here's how the "Sweet 16" week's schedule looks.</p> <p>Sunday:&nbsp; Nothing</p> <p>Monday:&nbsp; Group A 1-8 winner vs. 4-5 winner, Group B 1-8 winner vs. 4-5 winner</p> <p>Tuesday:&nbsp; Nothing</p> <p>Wednesday:&nbsp; Group A 2-7 winner vs. 3-6 winner, Group B 2-7 winner vs. 3-6 winner</p> <p>Thursday:&nbsp; Group C 1-8 winner vs. 4-5 winner, Group D 1-8 winner vs. 4-5 winner</p> <p>Friday:&nbsp; Nothing</p> <p>Saturday:&nbsp; Group C 2-7 winner vs. 3-6 winner, Group D 2-7 winner vs. 3-6 winner</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>So here's how the second round plays out.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP A</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>1.&nbsp; <strong>Florida Gators 34</strong></p> <p>AutoZone Liberty Bowl</p> <p>5.&nbsp; BYU Cougars 24</p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; Tim Tebow throws for 150 yards and runs for 100, continuing his dominance over Florida opponents.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>3.&nbsp; Utah Utes 27</p> <p>AT&amp;T Cotton Bowl</p> <p><strong>2.&nbsp; Texas Longhorns 30</strong></p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; Texas kicker Hunter Lawrence kicks the game-winning field goal in overtime to lift the Horns over the challenging Utes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP B</p> <p><strong>1.&nbsp; Oklahoma Sooners 34</strong></p> <p>Capitol One Bowl</p> <p>4.&nbsp; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 24</p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; Oklahoma CB Lendy Holmes picks off 2 passes on the way to a Sooner victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>3.&nbsp; Boise State Broncos 30</p> <p>Konica Minolta Gator Bowl</p> <p><strong>7</strong><strong>.&nbsp; Tulsa Golden Hurricane 34</strong></p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; Tulsa HB Tarrion Adams rushes for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Golden Hurricane continue their Cinderalla run in the college playoff.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP C</p> <p>1.&nbsp; USC Trojans 25</p> <p>Outback Bowl</p> <p><strong>4.&nbsp; Oregon Ducks 33</strong></p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; The Ducks stun everyone, including the Trojans, led by QB Jeremiah Masoli, who throws for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>6.&nbsp; Oregon State Beavers 31</p> <p>Chick-Fil A-Bowl</p> <p><strong>2.&nbsp; Texas Tech Red Raiders 34</strong></p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; Oregon State kicker Justin Kahut misses a last-sedond field goal to tie the game as the Red Raiders escape with a slim victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP D</p> <p><strong>1.&nbsp; Penn State Nittany Lions 33</strong></p> <p>Insight Bowl</p> <p>4.&nbsp; Georgia Bulldogs 22</p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; Matt Stafford throws for 200 yards, even though the Bulldogs lose to Penn State.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>6.&nbsp; Missouri Tigers 30</strong></p> <p>Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl</p> <p>2.&nbsp; TCU Horned Frogs 26</p> <p>Highlight:&nbsp; Missouri QB Chase Daniel and WR Jeremy Maclin hook up three times for touchdowns, leading the way for the surprising Tigers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Sweet 16 is over, so let's see how the Elite 8 will look like.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP A</p> <p>1.&nbsp; Florida Gators</p> <p>FedEx Orange Bowl</p> <p>2.&nbsp; Texas Longhorns</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP B</p> <p>1.&nbsp; Oklahoma Sooners</p> <p>Allstate Sugar Bowl</p> <p>7.&nbsp; Tulsa Golden Hurricane</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP C</p> <p>4.&nbsp; Oregon Ducks</p> <p>GMAC Bowl</p> <p>2.&nbsp; Texas Tech Red Raiders</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>GROUP D</p> <p>1.&nbsp; Penn State Nittany Lions</p> <p>International Bowl</p> <p>6.&nbsp; Missouri Tigers</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Check back tomorrow for results of the Elite 8.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> true 2009-08-16T19:23:27Z 91702 0 2009-08-16T19:23:27Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eflemingo17/blog/posts/91702 2008-11-22T11:19:30Z 1114273 2008-11-22T11:19:30Z 4421252 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eflemingo17/blog eflemingo17 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eflemingo17 1114273 Yesterday, I gave you the bracket, now I'll explain how I think it should work, plus the results of the first round. *Every round of the tournament will take exactly one week. The first week will look like this: Sunday: Nothing Monday: Group A 1 vs. 8 matchup, Group B 1 vs. 8 matchup Tuesday: Group A 2 vs. 7 matchup, Group B 2 vs. 7 matchup, Group A 3 vs. 6 matchup Wednesday: Group B 3 vs. 6 matchup, Group A 4 vs. 5 matchup, Group B 4 vs. 5 matchup Thursday: Group C 1 vs. 8 matchup, Group D 1 vs. 8 matchup Friday: Group C 2 vs. 7 matchup, Group D 2 vs. 7 matchup, Group C 3 vs. 6 matchup Saturday: Group D 3 vs. 6 matchup, Group C 4 vs. 5 matchup, Group D 4 vs. 5 matchup Here's the results of the first round. GROUP A 1. Florida Gators 32 Brut Sun Bowl 8. Boston College Eagles 20 Highlight: Tim Tebow throws for over 200 yards in a shootout. 4. Oklahoma State Cowboys 31 Bell Helicopters Armed Forces Bowl 5. BYU Cougars 38 Highlight: The Cougars escape in a shootout, led by Max Hall's 300 passing yards. 3. Utah Utes 27 Texas Bowl 6. Virginia Tech Hokies 19 Highlight: Utah QB Brian Johnson and WR Freddie Brown hook up for two passing touchdowns as the Utes lay it on the Hokies. 2. Texas Longhorns 31 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl 7. Northwestern Wildcats 21 Highlight: Texas QB Colt McCoy throws for 2 TDs and runs for 2 TDs on the way to an impressive Longhorns victory. GROUP B 1. Oklahoma Sooners 35 Roady's Humanitarian Bowl 8. East Carolina Pirates 24 Highlight: Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford does what he does best, by throwing for 250 yards. 4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 32 Valero Alamo Bowl 5. Pittsburgh Panthers 25 Highlight: Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer rushes for 2 touchdowns and over 150 yards. 3. Boise State Broncos 28 Papajohns.com Bowl 6. Ball State Cardinals 25 Highlight: Boise State RB Ian Johnson breaks free and runs for a 55 yard rushing touchdown, yet it was QB Kellen Moore that led the Broncs to victory. 2. Alabama Crimson Tide 28 Independence Bowl 7. Tulsa Golden Hurricane 29 Highlight: Tulsa QB David Johnson hooks up with WR Damaris Johnson at the back of the endzone for the game-winning 2-point conversion. GROUP C 1. USC Trojans 33 Emerald Bowl 8. Florida International Golden Panthers 17 Highlight: USC QB Mark Sanchez dominates, throwing for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. 4. Oregon Ducks 32 Champs Sports Bowl 5. Michigan State Spartans 27 Highlight: Even in a loss, Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer throws for 200 yards. 3. Ohio State Buckeyes 23 Meineke Car Care Bowl 6. Oregon State Beavers 26 Highlight: The Beavers upset the buckeyes, led by Jacquizz Rodgers' 100 rushing yards. 2. Texas Tech Red Raiders 33 Motor City Bowl 7. Troy Trojans 30 Highlight: Texas Tech kicker Donnie Carona kicks a last-second field goal to overcome the surprising Trojans. GROUP D 1. Penn State Nittany Lions 31 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl 8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 17 Highlight: Penn State CB Lydell Sargeant returns an INT 60 yds on the way to a Penn State win. 4. Georgia Bulldogs 28 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl 5. Ole Miss Rebels 25 Highlight: In a game of in-conference rivals, Matt Stafford throws for 270 yards as the Bulldogs escape the Rebels. 3. Cincinnati Bearcats 27 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl 6. Missouri Tigers 31 Highlight: The Tigers upset the Bearcats, led by Chase Daniel's 2 passing touchdowns. 2. TCU Horned Frogs 28 MAACO Bowl Las Vegas 7. Navy Midshipmen 19 Highlight: TCU RB Joseph Turner rushes for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. So the second round bracket will look like this. GROUP A 1. Florida Gators AutoZone Liberty Bowl 5. BYU Cougars 3. Utah Utes AT&T Cotton Bowl 2. Texas Longhorns GROUP B 1. Oklahoma Sooners Capitol One Bowl 4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 3. Boise State Broncos Konica Minolta Gator Bowl 7. Tulsa Golden Hurricane GROUP C 1. USC Trojans Outback Bowl 4. Oregon Ducks 6. Oregon State Beavers Chick-Fil-A Bowl 2. Texas Tech Red Raiders GROUP D 1. Penn State Nittany Lions Insight Bowl 4. Georgia Bulldogs 6. Missouri Tigers Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl 2. TCU Horned Frogs check back tomorrow for the second round's results. true 2009-08-15T19:50:43Z 91628 0 2009-08-15T19:50:43Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eflemingo17/blog/posts/91628 2008-11-22T11:19:30Z 1114273 2008-11-22T11:19:30Z 4421252 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eflemingo17/blog eflemingo17 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eflemingo17 1290865 The Cubs started off this season horribly. Well, a 43-43 record to end the first half of the season isn't horrible, but for the salaries the Cubs are paying to their players, it is horrible. At that point the Cubs were tied for third with Houston, but after a great second half of July, the Cubs got themselves within a half game of the Cardinals. At that point the Brewers and Astros fell far behind, both 4.5 games behind St. Louis. Now, the Cubs have started to fall behind on the Cardinals as we are two games back. Matt Holliday has contributed in his short time with them, showing he was worth the price. Houston and Milwaukee keep falling behind as now you have to wonder, will the Cubs fall too? The Cubs have seemed to win and lose in streaks all year. They had great moments early in the season, but have also had some horrible losing streaks with almost no offense at all. Guys who have struggled most are Soriano, Bradley, Fontenot, and Soto who has been injured a lot of the season. Now, the Cubs are at risk of losing three games in this four game series against the Rockies. With the Astros and the Brewers four games behind the Cubs, and the Cubs beginning to struggle again, you have to wonder about the possibility of the Cubs falling behind them. Lately this month, the pitching has been the real problem with the team. The Cubs don't have the easiest schedule coming up the rest of the season, but the Cubs can always start showing why they pay their players so much by winning in streaks with both great pitching and hitting. We are very close to the Cardinals and we have the talent to make it to the playoffs, and the Wild Card is in reach for the Cubs too. The only question is, will the Cubs stay healthy and prove themselves, or will they play like they did early in the season and just waste those huge contracts? We could end up in first or even fourth, hopefully Lou can get us where we expect to be at, the playoffs. true 2009-08-11T02:20:13Z 91197 0 2009-08-11T02:20:13Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/cubsforlife94/blog/posts/91197 2009-07-25T04:12:00Z Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1290865 2009-07-25T04:12:00Z 7535051 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/cubsforlife94/blog cubsforlife94 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/cubsforlife94 1279559 <p>In the short term this trade is a huge boost to the Cardinals offense that relies on the man that most consider to be the best hitter in baseball.&nbsp; Holliday will be great protection as he makes his return to the weaker National League (It's a fact the AL is better they went 137-114 in interleague) which should bump his already improving production.</p> <p>Clearly this move stengthens the Cards hold on the division lead, which enturing Friday sat at just 1.5 games over both the Cubs and Astros.&nbsp; The Brewers also pose a threat at 2.5 back.&nbsp; Yet didn't St. Louis give up too much for a player who likely amounts to a rental till the end of the season?&nbsp; Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortenson, and Shane Peterson are top good prospects, and amount to more than the A's gave up this offseason to bring in the left fielder.</p> <p>Since the Cards would have to offer Holliday arrbriatration to collect the compensation draft picks, its not even a guarantee that the Cardinals will recoup my asssumed loss of Holliday to free agency.&nbsp; Also while the move better arms the Cards to hold off any late season charge by the underachieving Cubs, I think it still leaves St. Louis behind the other top NL teams in the Dogers and Phillies.</p> <p>The move could be enough to coax one of the NL contenders to jump into the fray for Toronto ace Roy Halladay, further shaking up the NL pennant chase but possibly leaving the Cardinals in a sittuation were they made a poor investment.</p> <p>While I appreciate the gusto and go-for-it spirt displayed in this move, the Cards my have been better served staying away from Holliday or putting together a package for Roy Halladay instead.&nbsp; Overall this slightly improves the Cards divison and league standing but doesn't make them the team to beat in the NL and leads me to believe they payed too much for the former Rockie and Athletic.</p> true 2009-07-24T20:16:25Z 89873 0 2009-07-24T20:16:25Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/illiniking07/blog/posts/89873 2009-07-10T04:53:48Z My opions on whatever is happening in the world of sports especially in my home town Chicago. 1279559 2009-07-19T04:01:05Z 7431970 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/illiniking07/blog illiniking07 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/illiniking07 1240593 <p>Thank you ESPN, for giving me some space to rant for a while.&nbsp; I HATE COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S POST-SEASON!</p> <p>Is there anything more meaningless?&nbsp; The only thing in college football that has any actual significance are conference championships.&nbsp;</p> <p>Bowl games are exhibitions and the only thing on the line is pride.&nbsp; Yes, even in the BCS "Title" game.&nbsp; That's not a real championship.&nbsp; We all know it.&nbsp; Some are just in denial about it.&nbsp;</p> <p>I turn off the tv in December.&nbsp; I only watch a bowl game if my favorite team is playing.&nbsp; To watch any others is an insult to my intelligence and I refuse to buy the crappy product that college football is offering.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.wedemandplayoffs.com">GIVE US PLAYOFFS ALREADY</a>!!</p> true 2009-06-03T16:52:53Z 86687 1 2009-06-03T16:53:01Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zkinder/blog/posts/86687 2009-06-03T16:38:47Z Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1240593 2009-06-03T16:38:47Z 7233206 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zkinder/blog zkinder http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zkinder 176189 The NHL is growing in popularity, again. They have young stars that are being talked about such as Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Toews, Richards, Helm, and others. So why is it that the NHL continues to believe that Versus is going to attract a crowd? I mean, isn't it bad enough that they use Versus during the regular season instead of a higher profile station? Is it no wonder that teams south of the Mason Dixon aren't gaining popularity? And now this. Last year was bad having games 1 and 2 on Versus. This year, it's even worse. The Stanley Cup could conceivably be won in four games and end with a hoisting of Lord Stanley's Cup on Versus? Really? Let's think about this a minute. Games 1 and 2 will be on NBC on back to back nights -- something that almost never happens. Then games 3 and 4 will be on Versus? They need to come up with a plan. While the NBA is worrying that Kobe and Lebron won't be together on ABC in their finals, the NHL doesn't even have a national broadcast of games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup. Unbelievable. true 2009-05-29T22:43:35Z 86534 1 2009-05-29T22:43:35Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/spaceman126/blog/posts/86534 2008-04-29T14:05:35Z 176189 2008-04-29T14:05:35Z 441332 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/spaceman126/blog spaceman126 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/spaceman126 1235224 Last night, I was in a conversation with a bunch of people, some Cavs fans, many not, during the Magic-Cavs game. It became increasingly clear as the Magic was chomping away at the lead that many were decreasingly in favor of Mike Brown’s coaching ability. Some say he is a decoy coach, that LeBron really runs the show. The choking of several big leads during this series was his fault. Yada yada yada. It’s funny how a player gets the most credit for turning around a team, and the coach gets blamed for the opposite. All the analysts that don’t analyze for a paycheck needs to see that it is more to it than the player(s) that wins and loses games and championships. If coaching was everything, then they would be paid like the athletes, but they aren’t because sports are predicated on star power. No matter how good Pat Riley was, he didn't fill stadiums to watch him coach. Doc Rivers was part of one of the worst teams in the NBA three seasons ago as the Celtics won only twenty four games. Danny Ainge, who was taking heat, traded what seemed like the whole team and whoever participated in the Tea Party for Kevin Garnett. Ray Allen signed on and voila, instant championship. Two 60-wiin seasons in a row, two division titles, but was it all about Rivers or the Big Three? The same scheme was used with the team from the 24 win club as well as the championship squad. Was it the players making the scheme work, or did the X’s and O’s bring a championship to three players who had never won one? Doc looks like a genius, Ainge a master, and the city of Boston is drunk with power. Phil Jackson is considered a great coach. However, he had His Airness for six rings, and Shaq and Kobe for three. All three are surefire Hall of Famers, so was Phil’s Triangle offense the reason why they were so successful, or was the players he inherited the sole reason. What I am trying to say is Mike Brown is a good coach and all great teams have either one or two superstars. The only team in recent memory that won a championship in the three power leagues without a significant superstar was the 2001 New England Patriots. Most teams that win it all have great teams and they are made up of superstar players. The coach should get credit for making it work, but in Brown’s case, it seems like it is up for debate. For what reason is beyond me. true 2009-05-29T14:12:08Z 86501 1 2009-05-29T14:12:08Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jahowell29/blog/posts/86501 2009-05-22T11:34:42Z 1235224 2009-05-22T11:34:42Z 4783367 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jahowell29/blog jahowell29 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jahowell29 26 Loved last year’s Stanley Cup finals? Well, lucky for you, you can watch them all over again! Except this time, don’t assume the same outcome, for these two teams are not the same ones that met in ’08. Below we will leave our prediction and as always, we encourage you to share yours. Without further ado, our final NHL prediction. *Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins* Here’s the thing. The Red Wings are the better team. They are incredibly deep and even without Datsyuk and Lidstrom, were able to beat a very good Blackhawks team. Then there’s the Penguins. They have two of the best players in the NHL. Not only did they take care of the Caps but they swept the Canes off the ice. So which team wins? The surging superstars or the defending champs? The Penguins have been waiting for this moment ever since the Wings were awarded the trophy last year. They’re more experienced this time around, and most importantly, they have more to play for and less to lose. Hand over the trophy Wings… Pens in 7 true 2009-05-27T23:31:16Z 86398 2 2009-06-14T19:58:55Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/CommunityEds/blog/posts/86398 2008-04-18T18:31:26Z The goings and comings in the ESPN.com community 26 2008-07-25T19:29:02Z 511742 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/CommunityEds/blog CommunityEds http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/CommunityEds 473176 The Cleveland Cavaliers ripped through the regular season while racking up 66 wins, coach of the year, and league MVP. Their first eight playoff games looked like a reprieve. Their last four has them staring at elimination tomorrow night. What happened? And more importantly, how so quickly? It reminds me of the first fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. Tyson, up to that point, was the irresistible force and the immovable object. He destroyed his opponents with pure talent. Evander Holyfield was a tough and determined underdog. He was also the first fighter to make Tyson appear human. With surgeon like precision, Holyfield exposed and attacked weaknesses in Tyson's game. He was not intimidated. Tyson had no counter. The Cavs seem to be the ones on the rope with no counter. If not for a miracle buzzer beater, this would have been the most shocking collapse in NBA history. Swept? Yep, it was a second away from reality. I'm sure ESPN Classic would have had a field day with it. Holyfield went on to beat Tyson in that fight, and I'm not even going there with the rematch. I hope the Cavs, in the next twenty four hours, can develop a counter punch. true 2009-05-27T20:14:10Z 86389 2 2009-06-03T19:23:47Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Lett08/blog/posts/86389 2008-07-07T01:21:34Z 473176 2008-07-07T01:21:34Z 3000455 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Lett08/blog Lett08 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Lett08 1235971 *1.*I just don't understand why the officiating is so bad. I mean it went from looking fixed to looking just plain bad. *2.*Basketball is very easy, inside out is how the game is played. It's about team so tell me why Kobe and Lebron teammates are watching , and are not participating foucused and with passion. true 2009-05-26T01:00:29Z 86308 1 2009-05-26T01:00:29Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/perspective213/blog/posts/86308 2009-05-26T00:30:29Z 1235971 2009-05-26T00:30:29Z 5540018 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/perspective213/blog perspective213 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/perspective213 1124381 The Cleveland Cavaliers, who rolled over Atlanta and Detroit, are now being exposed for what many people initially thought -- they are a one man show. Granted, LeBron James can be a one man wrecking crew when his game is on to the fullest. However, one man can't make up for a team effort in the NBA. While Cleveland has to rely on James nearing a triple double every night and hitting his outside jumper, Orlando has multiple scoring options. Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Dwight Howard, and rookie Courtney Lee represent a four-headed monster for the Magic. Turkoglu made just one field goal and Dwight Howard played approximately 10 minutes in the first half in the Magic's Game 3 victory -- the result -- Orlando wins by 10. James game winning shot may be similar to the 2004 Lakers game winner by Kobe Bryant in Game 2 which eventually saw the Detroit Pistons winning the rest of the games and capturing the NBA Championship. Orlando has badly outplayed the Cavs similar to the Detroit Pistons in 2004 against the Los Angeles Lakers when they let one slip away. This Magic team has far too many weapons to lose to one player. James is starting to look frustrated on the floor. Although he has not got into any of his teammates faces, he is starting to settle for outside jumpers and trying to force the issue on a lot of plays due to the lack of efficiency of his supporting cast. Moe Williams has yet to show up to the series and Dwight Howard along with Marcin Gortat have more than cancelled out the presence of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao. If Howard can maintain a high intensity level, the Magic should be able to continue to dominate the points in the paint and rebounding categories -- the two most significant team statistics in playoff basketball. With Game 3's boxscore showing 5 Magic players in double digit point totals and only three on Cleveland, I don't see how LeBron James is going to have enough depth to pull out this series. Orlando is defending the paint at a high level and the Cavs are simply not knocking down perimeter jump shots. What happens when Dwight Howard gets to play a full game and doesn't get himself into foul trouble? What happens with Turkoglu and Lewis when they get into a shooting rhythm and start stretching the defense? This means more good looks for Magic shooters and more foul trouble for Cleveland. With the NBA Finals right around the corner, it's looking more like Nike is going to have to replace LeBron James in their puppet commercial campaign with the league's newest dominant center, Dwight Howard. true 2009-05-25T15:36:24Z 86285 1 2009-05-25T15:39:45Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/UF-john/blog/posts/86285 2008-12-02T17:04:20Z 1124381 2008-12-02T17:04:20Z 5068049 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/UF-john/blog UF-john http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/UF-john 2054 Well the Red Wings showed the 'wet behind the ear' Blackhawks a thing or two in the win Sunday, to ease to a 3-1 series lead. Even die hards could see a difference in class between the two, at least I could. Better defense, passing and anticipation. Also fewer dumb plays. Well we have to win 3 in a row versus Detroit. We'll see. Doubtful is a understatment. true 2009-05-24T17:48:12Z 86253 1 2009-05-24T17:48:12Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/55mikebacker/blog/posts/86253 2008-04-18T18:31:35Z 2054 2008-04-18T18:31:35Z 1256628 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/55mikebacker/blog 55mikebacker http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/55mikebacker 1215458 Tonight Lebron and company take on Orlando and Howard. I have Cleavland pinned to win this. I see them taking this game by double digits. They should start off slow and come out droppin 3's by the second half. true 2009-05-24T15:17:55Z 86250 1 2009-05-24T15:17:55Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jtatheatathey/blog/posts/86250 2009-04-01T14:45:50Z 1215458 2009-04-01T14:45:50Z 5103275 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jtatheatathey/blog jtatheatathey http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jtatheatathey 2054 This is a must win, of all Blackhawk must wins Sunday's game against the Red Wings. I could go crazy just thinking about game 2, had we won, but as my old man says, '..if cow#@$#%$ was butter we wouldn't churn..'~ That hit by Kronstallthug was frightening. Havlat's head was down, and it (the call) was right. Cheap shot. But that said, tying the series would be huge, and could signal the turning point. Red Wing insiders know it, we know it, the legs are getting heavy, and these youngsters are gaining confidence. I still see 'Hawks winning in seven, as the torch is passed. true 2009-05-23T16:46:26Z 86216 1 2009-05-23T16:46:26Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/55mikebacker/blog/posts/86216 2008-04-18T18:31:35Z 2054 2008-04-18T18:31:35Z 1256628 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/55mikebacker/blog 55mikebacker http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/55mikebacker 473176 Kobe Bryant knows LeBron is watching. Kobe knows that Jerry West, a Hall of Fame Laker, stated publicly that LeBron has passed him as the best player on the planet. Kobe also knows that LeBron put up 49 points last night against Orlando. Message to Kobe...don't take the bait! We know you can score 50, 60, even 80 points in a game. We know you have the capabilities to surpass 50 points tonight, but don't take the bait. You have been longing for a supporting cast that can bring you a championship since Shaq was sent packing, and you have that now. We as fans have watched you mature into a team player, a facilitator who knows when to use your weapons and when to take over a game. You proved that in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets that you can still take over a game....when needed. You have a great team and a very good chance to get to the NBA Finals. Remember your opponent is not LeBron James tonight, it's a tough and talented Denver Nuggets team who's looking to tie the series at a game a piece and take home court advantage. Hey Kobe, just play your game.....don't take the bait! true 2009-05-21T19:48:35Z 86134 1 2009-05-21T22:25:25Z http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Lett08/blog/posts/86134 2008-07-07T01:21:34Z 473176 2008-07-07T01:21:34Z 3000455 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Lett08/blog Lett08 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Lett08