NFL Predictions Week 6

Chicago 28, Atlanta 21
Miami 21, Houston 17
Indianapolis 24, Baltimore 17
Minnesota 35, Detroit 13
New Orleans 28, Oakland 20
New York Jets 42, Cincinnati 21
Carolina 24, Tampa Bay 20
Washington 35, St. Louis 3
Denver 24, Jacksonville 20
Dallas 31, Arizona 20
Philadelphia 28, San Francisco 20
Green Bay 27, Seattle 24
San Diego 35, New England 28
New York Giants 31, Cleveland 17

Phillies vs. Dodgers Series Preview

NLCS: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Coaching: Joe Torre (LAD)-Charlie Manuel (PHI)
Joe Torre has won four rings and made the post season each of the past 13 seasons, including this season with a young team. Charlie Manuel makes peculiar decisions, but has led his team to the NL East two years straight.
Advantage: Joe Torre (LAD)

First Base: James Loney (LAD) (.289,13,90) PS (.214,1,6)-Ryan Howard (PHI) (.251,48,146) PS (.182,0,1)
Loney delivered the grand slam that propelled the Dodgers in game one, but did not do much else in the series, going 2-for-13 outside that hit. Howard did not fare much better, but worked five walks in 16 plate appearances, including one with two outs that set up Pat Burrell's homerun. With the way Howard has been swinging the bat lately, the Dodgers would be smart to not face him.
Advantage: Ryan Howard (PHI)

Second Base: Blake DeWitt (LAD) (.264,9,52) PS (.273,0,1)-Chase Utley (PHI) (.292,33,104) PS (.133,0,2)
DeWitt is filling in for the injured Jeff Kent. Utley IS the best second baseman in baseball. This one goes to Philly, but Utley needs to hit better. He is 4-of-26 in the post season, which means Ryan Howard often is coming to the plate with no men on base.
Advantage: Chase Utley (PHI)

Shortstop: Rafael Furcal (LAD) (.357,5,16) PS (.333,0,2)-Jimmy Rollins (PHI) (.277,11,59) PS (.375,0,1)
Perhaps the most intriguing position matchup. Furcal has returned from the disabled list and his drag bunt set up the Dodger's big inning against Carlos Zambrano in game two. J-Rol is raking the ball, going 6-for-16. Both have speed and cause havoc on the basepath. I'm going to go with Furcal on this one just because he is more vital to his team's success I believe than Rollins and can change the game. Furcal needs to get on to set things off for the Dodgers, who have some good players and one great one (Manny). Jimmy has so mch protection in that lineup and others who can pick up the slack.
Advantage: Rafael Furcal (LAD)

Third Base: Casey Blake (LAD) (.274,21,81) PS (.273,0,2)-Pedro Feliz (.249,14,58) PS (.231,0,1)
Feliz is known more for his glove than his bat, as evident by his low batting average. this season. Blake had a nice season overall, but his numbers were worse with the Dodgers. Considering Blake had an overall better season, the edge goes to him.
Advantage: Casey Blake (LAD)

Left Field: Manny Ramirez (LAD) (.332,37,121) PS (.500,2,3)-Pat Burrell (.250,33,86) PS (.250,2,4)
Manny Ramirez has the most homeruns in post season history. End of story.
Advantage: Manny Ramirez (LAD)

Centerfield: Matt Kemp (LAD) (.290,18,76) PS (.154,0,1)-Shane Victorino (.293,14,58) PS (.357,1,5)
I believe Kemp is a better player, but Victorino's speed is such an asset. He covers great ground in center and provides speed at the bottom of the lineup. He also had the big grand slam off C.C. Sabathia that gave the Phillies game two. Kemp is a great player, but Victorino has the advantage.
Advantage: Shane Victorino (PHI)

Right field: Andre Eithier (.305,20,77) PS (.100,0,0)-Jayson Werth (.273,24,67) PS (.313,1,1)
Eithier has greater promise, but I like the way Werth is swinging the bat, especially against lefty pitching. With Utley and Howard's problems against lefties, Werth provides the needed bat to counter that. He also seems to come up with big hit after big hit
Advantage: Jayson Werth (PHI)

Catcher: Russell Martin (LAD) (.280,13,69) PS (.308,1,5)-Carlos Ruiz (PHI) (.231,4,19) PS (.071,0,0)
Perhaps the greatest mismatch in the series. Martin is an emerging star in the game. Ruiz can barely hit his weight.
Advantage: Russell Martin (LAD)

Core players advantage: Tie 4-4

Bench: LAD (Angel Berroa, Juan Pierre, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent)-PHI (Geoff Jenkins, Chris Coste, Greg Dobbs, Eric Bruntlett, Matt Stairs)
The Phillies have better talent on the bench due to Garciaparra's and Kent's health. The only real difference maker is Pierre who can steal. Overall, though, the Phillies have some boppers in Genkins and Stairs.
Advantage: Philadelphia Phillies

Starting Pitching: Los Angeles Dodgers 1) Derek Lowe, 14-11 3.24; 1-0 3.00); 2)Chad Billingsley (16-10, 3.14; 1-0, 1.35); Hiroki Kuroda (9-10, 3.73; 1-0, .00) ;4) Clayton Kerhaw (5-5, 4.26; NA)------Philadelphia Phillies 1) Cole Hamels (14-10, 3.09; 1-0, .000); 2) Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55; 1-0, 2.57) 3)Jamie Moyer (16-7, 3.71; 0-1, 4.50) 4)Joe Blanton (9-12, 4.96; 1-0, 1.50)
When it comes to pithing, the Phillies have the edge. Lowe is the only Dodgers pitcher (outside Greg Maddux, who is not in the rotation) with experience. Hamels and Myers are a good duo at the top, and Moyer slides in nicely in the three hold. The Dodgers, though, as Billingsley is a good up and coming pitcher as is Kershaw. Overall, though, I believe the Phillies have stronger pitching in terms of quality and experience.
Advantage: Philadelphia Phillies

Bullpen: LAD (Takashi Saito, Joe Beimel, John Broxton, Hong Chih-Kuo)-PHI (Brad Lidge, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson)
The Phillies have the advantage in closing with Lidge, who has yet to blow a save, but the feeling that he will blow a big game lurks in my mind. There middle relief is suspect as well. The Dodgers on the other hand, have great arms coming constantly out of the pen pumping fire. Kuo, who will be used to get out Utley and Howard, struck out 96 in 80 innings.
Advantage: Los Angeles Dodgers

Synopsis: The Phillies are the better team. No doubt about that. But there is something about a Joe Torre team with Manny Ramirez that just seems to have a swagger. The Phillies will not go down without a fight, but that bullpen is suspect and Myers and Blanton could come up soft. I don't think Howard will have a big series either, puting more pressure on Pat the Bat and the rest of the lineup. The Dodgers are firing on all cylinders and advanced to the world series.

Prediction: Dodgers in Six

NFL Power Rankings Week 5

Here they are

1. New York Giants (4-0)
2. Tennessee Titans (5-0)
3. Washington Redskins (4-1)
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-1)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)
6. Carolina Panthers (4-1)
7. Denver Broncos (4-1)
8. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
9. New England Patriots (3-1)
10. Chicago Bears (3-2)
11. Tampa Bay Buccanneers (3-2)
12. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3)
13. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
14. Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
15. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
16. Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
17. San Diego Chargers (2-3)
18. Minnesota Vikings (2-3)
19. Green Bay Packers (2-3)
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3)
21. New York Jets (2-2)
22. New Orleans Saints (2-3)
23. Miami Dolphins (2-2)
24. San Francisco (2-3)
25. Cleveland Browns (1-3)
26. Seattle Seahawks (1-3)
27. Houston Texans (0-4)
28. Oakland Raiders (1-3)
29. Cincinnati Bengals (0-5)
30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)
31. Detroit Lions (0-4)
32. St. Louis Rams (0-4)

Quick hits about every NFL Team

Here's my thoughts after Week 5:

NYG-Best team in football

Washington-Clinton Portis is a beast and is a main reason they are 4-1

Dallas-That defense is not intimidating

Philadelphia-If they lose Brian Westbrook, season over

Chicago-Matt Forte is the best running back drafted this season

Green Bay-This team would be 3-2 or 4-1 with Brett Favre

Minnesota-After beating New Orleans without AP showing up, do they go on a run and win the division like many expected

Detroit-Fire Matt Millen! Ooh, that happened and they still lost.

Carolina-Mushin Muhammed is shining this season, just as he did previously

Tampa Bay-Ernest Graham should be the every down back, but Warrick Dunn is playing too good not to take carries

Atlanta-This team is two years away and needs a corner back

New Orleans-Probably the biggest disappointment in the NFL right now

Arizona-Edge James and Tim Hightower have 8 touchdowns combined...wow

San Francisco-Isaac Bruce is doing a good job under Mike Martz

Seattle-Well, they atleast can score at home

St. Louis-This is an awful team

Buffalo-I saw this game coming from a mile away and Trent Edwards' health is cause for concern

New England-They have beaten three bad teams...Don't get too excited

New York Jets-Thomas Jones is not going to have the breakout year i expected

Miami-Great story this season beating NE and SD

Pit-Scary they have beaten Jax and Balt despite being banged up

Balt-No offense will hurt them

Cle-Overrated. Overrated.

Cin-To think they won the division two years ago

Tenn-Mad props to being 5-0 because they have earned it

Ind-That win is the type you build your season around

Jax-Not the power everyone expected them to be

Hou-They find ways to lose

Den-Won despite only scoring 16 points! shocker

SD-You can't lose at Miami and expect to be taken seriously

Oak-Michael Bush needs more playing time

KC-Well, they play to win the game atleast

The Suicide squeeze that doomed the Angels

With a runner on third and one out in game four of the ALDS, Angels manager Mike Scioscia made a critcal decision. His ninth hitter Erick Aybar stood at the plate with Reggie Willits on third. He was ahead in the count 2-0 on Red Sox pitcher Manny DelCarmen.

Scioscia could have let Aybar try and swing away and possibly get a pop fly to center or right. He instead opted for the suicide squeez, Aybar missed the bunt, Willits was tagged out and the inning ended with an Aybar strikeout.

The Red Sox (unfortunately, much to my dismay (I am in a much more mild-mannered mood then I was before)) went on to win 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth.

So the debate is raised: should Scioscia have called for the suicide squeeze?

I'm going to go with No.

Although Aybar is a good bunter and led his team with sacrifice bunts this year, you have to let him try and drive in the runner. The infield was drawn in. A slash single could have gotten the job done. A pop to center would have done it as well. He just had to make contact. Who's to say that DelCarmen does not fall behind 3-0 in the count and put two runners on base for Chone Figgins? Then the double play is almost out of the question and any ground ball puts ahead the game-winning run.

I understand that had it worked a suicide squeeze would have been the perfect thing to do, but I am against a suicide squeeze. There is too much that can go wrong as shown by Aybar missing the pitch completely. Aybar needs to do whatever he can do to get the ball down and he couldn't. What if the pitcher throws up and in and the batter has to duck. The runner is an easy out, as was Willits.

The Angels again just did not show up to play the Red Sox. They got out-hit, out-pitched and just looked like dogs again for the third straight time against Boston.

That's why the Yankees need to get into the playoffs next year: to knock the damn Red Sox off their high perch.

LET'S GO YANKEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!!

Beasts of the East

I haven't posted in awhile and I figured I would start again. While I was watching TV today, the debate came up about whether the Redskins or the Giants were the best team in the NFL. The fact this is even a question makes me want to laugh.

In the classic movie Rocky IV, the great Apollo Creed says: "I've been with the best and I've beaten the best."

To be the best team in the NFL, you have to beat the best. The Giants BEAT the Redskins. Let me repeat that. The Giants BEAT the Redskins, 16-7. The Giants held the Redskins to 209 yards and 11 first downs. They dominated them in every aspect of the football game.

The Giants are the Super Bowl Champions. They have eight straight games. They are one of two undefeated teams in the NFL. They are the champs.

Yes, I will admit, Washington's wins have been more impressive. Defeated Arizona, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Dallas are great wins. But when you played the defending champs, the New York Football Giants, you got beat. You cannot be the best team when you got beat by another team in your division who is undefeated.

This shouldn't be a conversation. The Giants are the best team in the NFL, and they have beaten the Redskins at home quite convincingly. Until the champs get beat, they are the best team in the NFL in my estimation.

It doesn't matter if you beat better teams. When you lose head-to-head, you cannot claim you are a better team in a sport like football at this point in the season. The Redskins should just enjoy being the second-best team in football, behind the SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS AND UNDEFEATED NEW YORK GIANTS.