NBA Playoffs = Boredom

So I find myself these days really craving Indians baseball games. Yeah, they're losing an awful lot and many times, in the last 3 innings, but I still miss them. And of course, I miss the Blue Jackets. The playoff run was short but exciting nonetheless. Oh, and my Pacers, well, they're still a joke.

So what's there to watch? Well, I could watch the NHL playoffs but I tend not to really get into them until the Stanley Cup Finals. Plus, the hurt of not seeing the Jackets still playing is still there. So I've been watching the NBA Playoffs. And through 2 weeks, I have one word to describe them: BOREDOM.

Besides the Celtics-Bulls series, this has been the most boring first round of games ever. Every team that was expected to win did win. The Cavs disposed of the Pistons in 4 games, further proving my proposal of not allowing teams with under .500 records in. The Sixers gave the Magic a scare but as bad teams do, they folded in Game 6 when the Magic were without their best player. The Hawks/Heat series did go 7 games but seriously, every game was terrible. Trust me, I had to report on it.

The West was no better. The Lakers were never really challenged by the Jazz, who just seemed happy to make the playoffs. The Spurs are old and injured, so there was really no surprise to see them run out of the gym by a faster, younger and frankly better Dallas team. The Rockets/Blazers series had the potential to be good but that didn't pan out either. and the same can be said for the Hornets/Nuggets series that I'm pretty sure every Hornets players slept through.

Now, we're on to Round 2 and that should mean more intensity, better games and tons more action right? WRONG. Just look at these matchups. Cleveland vs. Atlanta is just laughable. The Cavs are healthy, rested and have the best player in the NBA. The Hawks are tired, injured and have a cast of role players. If this series goes longer than 5 games, it's just because the Cavs want to play more games. Orlando vs. Boston on paper should be good but think about it. Boston needed 7 games to beat a young Chicago team that had no business competing with the defending champs. As long as Dwight Howard keeps his elbows to himself, this series won't get past Game 6. With KG, Boston would have a chance but alas, he's not there.

Same goes for Houston and Tracy McGrady. With him, I give them a fighting chance against the Lakers. But without him, fuhgeddaboutit. The Lakers are on a mission and the Rockets are not going to slow them down. I'll be surprised if they win one game. And then the Denver-Dallas series. Really, does anyone care? Both teams will lose to L.A. in the conference finals. This series could go 7 and be won on a buzzer-beater by Chauncey Billups from 60 ft and I wouldn't care. It's just a formality.

Let's all be honest. The finals will be Cavs-Lakers. It's like the Eastern Conference playoffs in the 90's. It was never who was going to win the East. The only question was who were the Bulls going to beat in the conference finals. That's how it feels right now. All of us sports fans are stuck watching series that are just downright boring and melodramatic. They have no real meaning because the only one that matters in the last one, when the two truly dominant teams in the league will ultimately meet up.

So for the love of all that is right in this world, can we cut these playoffs down from 16 teams to 8? Or at least start playing games back-to-back to speed this process up? Extending the NBA playoffs into this 3-month marathon is not good for anyone, especially the fans who just want to be entertained. Maybe one day David Stern will wake up and figure that out. for now, just wake me up when the Cavs-Lakers NBA Finals start...IN JUNE! What a joke.

MLB Month In Review: April 2009

Well, the 162-game season that is the MLB season is 1/6 over. As expected, we have plenty of surprises in the first month of play. We also have a few disappointments. But you have to be careful in reading too much into the month of April. Last year, Arizona jumped out to a 20-8 start in April and were heralded by some to be the NL champion come October. Yet, by the end of September, they weren't in the postseason.

AL Team of the Month: Seattle Mariners
What a great month for the Mariners. Last year, the team finished 61-101, the worst record in baseball. But so far, out of the gate, they are 13-9 and look like a completely different team. Felix Hernandez has been amazing, with 4 wins, 36 K and a 2.38 ERA. But he's getting a lot of help from the rest of the pitching staff. Overall, the team ranks first in ERA (3.47), batting average against (.244), saves (8) and quality starts (12). The bats haven't been lighting it up but they haven't needed too yet. 1st year manager Don Wakamatsu has to be given some credit for the great start, especially since expectations were so low for this team.
Runner-Up: Boston Red Sox

NL Team of the Month: St. Louis Cardinals
Not many people (if anyone) is picking the Cardinals to win the NL Central. Well, you may want to re-think that. This team is playing some great baseball. They lead the league in runs scored (133) and are 2nd in batting average (.285) and OPS (.810). But it's the starting pitching that is carrying this team. Joel Piniero, Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright are pitching like veterans though all three are younger than 30. And don't forget about Chris Carpenter, who in his 2 starts, gave up just 5 hits and no runs. If he can stay healthy, expect the Cardinals to make this 16-7 start not look like a fluke.
Runner-Up: Florida Marlins

AL Most Disappointing Team: Cleveland Indians
Pains me to write that but it's the truth. There are a lot of expectations for this team, especially after the furious finish they had in the 2008 season to finish at .500. So far this year though, they are 8-14 and look just as bad as last year's first half. The hitting though is not the problem this year (5th in the AL in runs scores). So far, it's the pitching. In the month of April, Cleveland pitchers have an ERA of 5.81 and a WHIP of 1.62. Oh, and opposing batters are averaging a healthy .287 against it. The bullpen was supposed to be the strong suit of this team. It's been the exact opposite in fact, blowing at least 5 late leads so far. So far, injuries have missed the team for the most part so a turnaround can happen but if the bullpen doesn't improve, neither will this team.
Runner-Up: Tampa Bay Rays

NL Most Disappointing Team: New York Mets
New ballpark should signal a new beginning. But the 2009 Mets of 2009 look like the Mets of old, as in 2008. The Mets finished April at 9-12, not terrible but not the way they would've liked to begin the season. They're hitting the ball just fine (team batting avg. of .282). The problem is they aren't scoring runs (9th in the NL with 96). And that's proving to be a problem, especially as their pitching staff struggles. Besides Santana, the Mets do not have a reliable starting pitcher. John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez and Livan Hernandez are a combined 6-5 and each has an ERA higher than 5.40. They may have the best closer in baseball in Francisco Rodriguez but that doesn't matter too much when you never have the lead to get him the ball.
Runner-Up: Chicago Cubs

AL MVP of the Month: Carlos Pena, TB
The first baseman had a year to remember last season. Some thought he would fizzle this year but that hasn't been the case. Pena hit 9 HR and led the league in RBI with 24. His .256 batting average has also been steadily on the rise after a slow start. The Rays may be struggling but Pena is obviously not.

NL MVP of the Month: Albert Pujols, STL
When you bat .356, hit 9 HR and drive in 29 runs, odds are you're going to win this award. Pujols is turning into a machine. He has been a productive player ever since he arrived in this league and showed no signs of slowing down this year. The best player in baseball leading the best team in baseball in the month of April.

AL Cy Young of the Month: Zack Grienke, KC
No surprise here. Grienke is finally living up to the potential that was given him 5 years ago. the 25-year old has come out of the gates on fire. 5 starts and 5 wins. 2 complete games, including one shutout. And that's not all. In those 5 starts, he's given up just 2 ER, 8 BB and struck out 44. There's no guarantee he'll keep this crazy pace up but odds are, he'll at least finish with 15 wins and have a lot more confidence in himself, something that has defied the youngster his entire career.

NL Cy Young of the Month: Johan Santana, NYM
It's nice to see a pitcher that is being paid to be an ace and dominant pitcher actually do that. Johan Santana is single-handedly carrying the Mets rotation right now. In the month of April, he went 3-1 with an ERA of 1.10, leading the NL. His stuff has been outstanding too, as seen by his 44 K and WHIP of 0.95. He's being paid $18 million this season and I think it's fair to say that with numbers like that, he's been worth every penny.

Biggest Story of the Month: Nick Adenhart's death
As if the Angels pitching staff wasn't decimated enough due to injuries, the entire team and baseball world was shaken by the sudden death of 22-year old pitcher Nick Adenhart. Just hours after pitching in his first start of the year, he was killed by a drunk driver. I've never dealt with a death of a teammate during a season so I'm no expert on how the Angels have been dealing with it. But it is evident that his death has left a hole in an Angels rotation that needs to get healthy soon. They went 9-12 in the month of April, which isn't bad considering.
Runner-Up: Yankee Stadium = Homer-Happy Ballpark

2009 MLB Predictions

I promise I did these before the season began. Just haven't had time to put them on the blog.

AL East Champ: Rays
AL Central Champ: Indians
AL West Champ: Angels
AL Wild Card: Red Sox

NL East Champ: Mets
NL Central Champ: Cubs
NL West Champ: D'Backs
NL Wild Card: Cardinals

AL Division Series 1: Rays over Indians
AL Division Series 2: Red Sox over Angels


NL Division Series 1: Cubs over D'Backs
NL Division Series 2: Cardinals over Mets

AL Championship Series: Rays over Red Sox
NL Championship Series: Cubs over Cardinals

World Series: Rays over Cubs (in 7)


AL Home Run Leader: Josh Hamilton
NL Home Run Leader: Adam Dunn


AL MVP: Grady Sizemore
NL MVP: Manny Ramirez


AL ROY: David Price
NL ROY: Cameron Maybin


AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana


AL Surprise Team: Royals
NL Surprise Team: Braves

AL Overrated: Yankees
NL Overrated: Phillies

Name one or two candidates for the following:


AL Underrated/Breakout Pitcher: Zack Grienke, Anthony Reyes
NL Underrated/Breakout Pitcher: Jair Jurrjens, Yovani Gallardo

AL Underrated/Breakout Hitter: Shin-Soo Choo, Adam Jones
NL Underrated/Breakout Hitter: Jeff Francouer, Chris Iannetta

AL Not As Good As Advertised Pitcher: Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett
NL Not As Good As Advertised Pitcher: Ryan Dempster, Matt Cain


AL Not As Good As Advertised Hitter: Johnny Damon, Carlos Pena
NL Not As Good As Advertised Hitter: Nate McLouth, Ryan Ludwick


AL Comeback: Travis Hafner, Ken Griffey Jr.
NL Comeback: Jeff Francouer, Edwin Encarnacion


AL 3 Years Out (up and coming team): Royals, Indians
NL 3 Years Out (up and coming team): Giants, Reds

5 Players To Start Your Dynasty: Tim Lincecum, Hanley Ramirez, Grady Sizemore, Ryan Braun, B.J. Upton

5 Players With No Major League Experience To Start Your Team: Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Matt LaPorta, Steven Strasburg, Shannon Wilkerson (outfielder at Augusta State)

2009 MLB Preview - Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals
Manager: Manny Acta (3rd season)
2008 Record: 59-102 (5th NL East)


Added: IF/OF Adam Dunn (CIN), OF Josh Willingham, OF Corey Patterson (CIN), SP Scott Olsen (FLA), SP Daniel Cabrera (BAL)
Lost: 2B Emilio Bonafacio (FLA)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. SS Christian Guzman (.316, 77 R, 9 HR, 55 RBI) 2. CF Lasting Milledge (.268, 65 R, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 24 SB) 3. LF Adam Dunn (.236, 79 R, 40 HR, 100 RBI) 4. 3B Ryan Zimmerman (.283, 51 R, 14 HR, 51 RBI) 5. RF Austin Kearns (.217, 40 R, 7 HR, 32 RBI) 6. 1B Nick Johnson (.220, 15 R, 5 HR, 20 RBI) 7. 2B Ronnie Belliard (.287, 37 R, 11 HR, 46 RBI) 8. C Jesus Flores (.256, 23 R, 8 HR, 59 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. John Lannan (9-15, 3.91 ERA, 117 K) 2. Scott Olsen (8-11, 4.20 ERA, 113 K) 3. Daniel Cabrera (8-10, 5.25 ERA, 95 K) 4. Jordan Zimmermann (Rookie) 5. Shairon Martis (Started 4 games)

Bench
C Wil Nieves, IF/OF Willie Harris, IF Alberto Gonzalez, OF Elijah

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Joel Hanrahan (9 SV, 84.1 IP, 73 H, 93 K, 3.95 ERA), Saul Rivera, Garrett Mock, Joe Beimel, Julian Tavarez, Steven Shell

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Fantasy Studs: None
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Lasting Milledge

Men In The Minors: 1B Chris Marrero, SS Esmailyn Gonzalez, OF Michael Burgess, SP Ross Detwiler

Home Ballpark: Nationals Stadium (Grade 9/10)

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Team Outlook: Last year, they were the doormat of the National League. This year, they have made some big changes hoping to move from that dubious position. As far as batting goes, Dunn will carry the load with homers. Zimmerman can hit a good amount as well. But the rest of the lineup, except Milledge maybe, really doesn't scare any opposing pitchers. As far the Nationals pitcher, it's better but nowhere near where they need to be to win the division. The additions of Cabrera and Olsen are steps in the right direction even if they are baby steps. Lannan also needs a quality season. The bullpen could be worse. Joel Hanrahan did an admirable job closing once Jon Rauch. All in all, one would hope that the team just has fun this season, because winning a ton of games is probably out of the question.

Next: MLB Predictions!

2009 MLB Preview - Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays
Manager: Cito Gaston (11th season)
2008 Record: 86-76 (3rd NL East)


Added: 1B Kevin Millar (BAL)
Lost: SP A.J. Burnett (NYY)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. SS Marco Scutaro (.267, 76 R, 7 HR 60 RBI) 2. 2B Aaron Hill (.263, 19 R, 2 HR, 20 RBI) 3. RF Alex Rios (.291, 91 R, 15 HR, 79 RBI, 32 SB) 4. CF Vernon Wells (.300, 63 R, 20 HR, 78 RBI) 5. DH Adam Lind (.282, 48 R, 9 HR, 40 RBI) 6. 3B Scott Rolen (.262, 58 R, 11 HR, 50 RBI) 7. 1B Lyle Overbay (.270, 74 R, 15 HR, 69 RBI) 8. C Rod Barajas (.249, 44 R, 11 HR, 49 RBI) 9. LF Travis Snider (Rookie)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Roy Halladay (20-11, 2.78 ERA, 206 K) 2. Jesse Litsch (13-9, 3.58 ERA, 99 K) 3. David Purcey (3-6, 5.54 ERA, 58 K) 4. Ricky Romero (Rookie) 5. Scott Richmond (5 starts)

Bench
C Michael Barrett, 1B Kevin Millar, IF John McDonald, IF Jose Bautista

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
B.J. Ryan (32 SV, 58.0 IP, 46 H, 58 K, 2.95 ERA), Scott Downs, Brian Tallet, Jesse Carlson, Shawn Camp

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Fantasy Studs: OF Alex Rios, SP Roy Halladay
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Travis Snider, SP Jesse Litsch

Men In The Minors: 1B David Cooper, SS Justin Jackson, SP Brad Mills, SP Brett Cecil

Home Ballpark: Rogers Centre (Grade 2/10)

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Team Outlook: They may play in now the toughest division in baseball. Unfortunately for them, they don't really factor into that equation. The Blue Jays have a lot of work to do not only to reach the top 3, but just to finish at .500. Losing Burnett from the rotation hurts more than they think. Halladay is getting older but is still a horse. Litsch is a great young arm. After that though, watch out. The bullpen is good. Ryan did well as the year wore on. The lineup isn't in shambles but it's not amazing either. Rios and Wells are bonafide stars in this league. Snider has the potential to be one down the road. Everyone else is just a mediocre hitter with subpar power. And against the pitching they will see in the division, those bats will be silenced numerous time. Again, there is talent there but not nearly to compete for the AL East title.

Next Preview: Washinton Nationals