Rant #1
Oh man, where do I start?
I played golf yesterday at the Newport Beach Golf course. It's a crappy little course but I like it. I don't lose too many balls and I can walk it. I must have used 9 different balls, including three I found while playing mostly in the Rough. But I have a point, I honestly almost got hit three different times. Probably three shots landed within ten yards of me. Not once did anyone ever say 'Four' or even 'Watch out'. All three times I pointed to the ball and told them that their ball was right next to me. I didn't even get one 'Thank you' or 'Sorry'. I was truly amazed!
I was almost as amazed as I watched the Brewers/Cubs game last night. The Brewers scored three runs and left 8 runners on base in the first four innings to go up 3-0. The Cubs committed three errors and issued five walks in the first six innings. Brewers ace pitcher, Yovani Gallardo, threw seven innings striking out a season high 10 batters while allowing just three hits including a solo-homerun in the seventh inning. For some reason, rookie manager Ron Roenicke pulled Gallardo and put in journeyman reliever Marco Estrada (1-3, 4.65 ERA). Estrada, who started the season as the Brewers emergency fifth starter and had been pounded in his last three relief appearances, promptly allowed three extra-base hits (two doubles off the wall and the tying HR). The last of those lasers was a Aramis Ramirez bomb to tie the game at 4-4. Exit Estrada and the lead. The Brewers would put runners in scoring position in the next two innings with only one out, but would fail to score again. After rookie defensive replacement Tony Campana hit a bloop double to lead off the tenth inning, the Cubs bunted him to third with one out. Genius manager Roenicke decides to pitch to the Cubs top hitter, Starlin Castro--who hits a shot deep into the right center gap to score Campana. Why not walk Castro? If you are scared of Ramirez hitting behind him--then walk him too. Pena follows Ramirez and is hitting .216 and strikes out a ton (including twice already). Better yet--why are you throwing scrub Tim Dillard and not closer John Axford, who has 40 strikeouts in 30 innings this year.
They could have played this game ten more times and the Brewers never would have lost one of them. Roenicke is an idiot--I was aware of that. The Brewers are a putrid 14-21 on the road this season. But allowing Estrada to blow the game was insane. I guess he was saving Latroy Hawkins (0.55 ERA) for later. Thank you Roenicke!
NBA Finals Recap
The Mavs won because Dirk Nowitzki was the best player in the series...by far!
LeChoke James looked scared. Dwayne Wade had his moments but never shot consistently. Chris Bosh will always be their third option. Mike Miller and Joel Anthony completely disappeared. Mike Bibby is worthless. Eddie House should have gotten more PT...but didn't. Spoletra got outcoached. The Heat got outplayed.
Jason Terry was the KEY (as we predicted). He played sensational. He carried the Mavs when Dirk couldn't hit his shots.Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea were huge in this series. I was disappointed by Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion, but they still were alright.
Our Results:
2 Miami Heat Wins---both UNDER the Total in games 1 & 3 = Our Winners
3 Mavs Wins with the OVER = Our Philosophy came through
The Game 4 Mav Win/Under combo was the only game that our Parlay Philosophy (Mavs&Over or Heat&Under) was wrong on, but I still liked the Mavs in Game 4 at home being down 2-1 in the series.
We really thought that the Heat would win Game 6, but Charles Barkley was right again--Miami didn't deserve it. The Heat weren't ready to win it all. We all weren't ready for those cocky bastards to win it.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
MLB Quick Pick
MLB Pick of the Day
Milwaukee Brewers (-140) at Chicago Cubs
The first place Brewers (38-29) are in Chicago to tangle with the struggling Cubs (26-39).The Brewers have been hot winning seven of their last ten games while the Cubs have been 3-7 and have had a hard time winning when Ryan Dempster hasn't been on the mound. The Brew Crew will send ace Yovani Gallardo (8-3, 3.96 ERA) to the mound against Cubs starter Randy Wells (1-1, 6.50 ERA). Gallardo has owned the Cubs in his last four starts going 2-0 with an ERA under 2. Wells has really had a hard time since returning from the DL, he has allowed 12 earned runs in his last three starts while only lasting a combined 12 innings in those three starts. Ouch! Go with the Brewers to Win!! G*d Damn Shit---another BS Loss up 4-1 in the 8th. G*d Damn it. (Update 8:28 PCT)
**I will analyze the NBA Finals later today or tomorrow
Milwaukee Brewers (-140) at Chicago Cubs
The first place Brewers (38-29) are in Chicago to tangle with the struggling Cubs (26-39).The Brewers have been hot winning seven of their last ten games while the Cubs have been 3-7 and have had a hard time winning when Ryan Dempster hasn't been on the mound. The Brew Crew will send ace Yovani Gallardo (8-3, 3.96 ERA) to the mound against Cubs starter Randy Wells (1-1, 6.50 ERA). Gallardo has owned the Cubs in his last four starts going 2-0 with an ERA under 2. Wells has really had a hard time since returning from the DL, he has allowed 12 earned runs in his last three starts while only lasting a combined 12 innings in those three starts. Ouch! Go with the Brewers to Win!! G*d Damn Shit---another BS Loss up 4-1 in the 8th. G*d Damn it. (Update 8:28 PCT)
**I will analyze the NBA Finals later today or tomorrow
Friday, June 10, 2011
NBA Finals Review and MLB Pick
NBA Finals
The Mavs have gone up 3-2 in the Finals by taking two of three games at home. The Heat have suddenly lost their offensive identity and Lebron looks lost. The Mavs finally got it going in game 5, as Terry and Barea keyed the victory. Yes, Dirk scored 29 points but it's the Dallas role players that made the difference. Miami has gotten little out of their role players in the last four games. One thing that Miami has going for them is that they head back home to finish the series and that their bench has played much better at home over the course of the season. Miami is due for a great game and Game 6 should be that game. I see Wade getting more involved in the offense and the defense altering their approach to Nowitzki. The Heat are a better team when Wade not Lebron, handles the ball. This allows Lebron to rest a little more on offense and focus on scoring without having to worry about the rest of the team. We can only hope that coach Spolestra has the team's confidence and control to make these changes. I still think that the Heat can win in 7, but am now cheering for the Mavericks. The Mavs play with more intensity and desire to win. They are much easier to root for and I would love to see Dirk get a Title. He is the best player in the NBA right now and he deserves the title.
Maybe Charles Barkley was right---the Heat and the city of Miami don't deserve a NBA Championship yet.
MLB Pick for Friday
Cincy Reds at SF Giants (-120)
The third place Reds are visiting the reigning MLB champs. The Giants are 17-11 at home and will be sending righty Ryan Vogelsong (4-1, 1.68 ERA) to the mound to face the Reds and the left-handed starter Travis Wood. Wood has really struggled this season going 4-4 with a 5.72 ERA. Wood has given up five homeruns in his last four starts while not getting past the sixth inning in any of them. The Giants are 12-5 versus lefties and 17-9 in one run games. Vogelsong has not given up more than One run in any of his last five starts and has only given up one earned run all season all season at home. Go with the Giants!!
The Mavs have gone up 3-2 in the Finals by taking two of three games at home. The Heat have suddenly lost their offensive identity and Lebron looks lost. The Mavs finally got it going in game 5, as Terry and Barea keyed the victory. Yes, Dirk scored 29 points but it's the Dallas role players that made the difference. Miami has gotten little out of their role players in the last four games. One thing that Miami has going for them is that they head back home to finish the series and that their bench has played much better at home over the course of the season. Miami is due for a great game and Game 6 should be that game. I see Wade getting more involved in the offense and the defense altering their approach to Nowitzki. The Heat are a better team when Wade not Lebron, handles the ball. This allows Lebron to rest a little more on offense and focus on scoring without having to worry about the rest of the team. We can only hope that coach Spolestra has the team's confidence and control to make these changes. I still think that the Heat can win in 7, but am now cheering for the Mavericks. The Mavs play with more intensity and desire to win. They are much easier to root for and I would love to see Dirk get a Title. He is the best player in the NBA right now and he deserves the title.
Maybe Charles Barkley was right---the Heat and the city of Miami don't deserve a NBA Championship yet.
MLB Pick for Friday
Cincy Reds at SF Giants (-120)
The third place Reds are visiting the reigning MLB champs. The Giants are 17-11 at home and will be sending righty Ryan Vogelsong (4-1, 1.68 ERA) to the mound to face the Reds and the left-handed starter Travis Wood. Wood has really struggled this season going 4-4 with a 5.72 ERA. Wood has given up five homeruns in his last four starts while not getting past the sixth inning in any of them. The Giants are 12-5 versus lefties and 17-9 in one run games. Vogelsong has not given up more than One run in any of his last five starts and has only given up one earned run all season all season at home. Go with the Giants!!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
MLB Tuesday Plus NBA Action
MLB Play of the Day
Colorado Rockies (-145) at SD Padres - SD Run Line at 3
The Rockies are coming off a 3-0 victory last night in San Diego, and will be sending ace Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound tonight. Jimenez has struggled this season but not on the road where he is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA. Teams have hit .093 against him in those games and struck out 25 times in 28 innings. The Padres lead the majors in being shut out at home--10 times! The Padres are also only 12-22 at home this season, and have lost eight of the last ten games versus the Rockies. Go with the Rockies to Win!!! And the Padres Under 3!!
NBA Action
Miami Heat at Dallas Mavs (-2.5) - Over/Under 187
The Mavs need this game badly and should win it. If they are gonna Win, then look for the OVER because the Mavs need to score 97 to win tonight. Let's go Mavs, because we need more basketball games.
Colorado Rockies (-145) at SD Padres - SD Run Line at 3
The Rockies are coming off a 3-0 victory last night in San Diego, and will be sending ace Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound tonight. Jimenez has struggled this season but not on the road where he is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA. Teams have hit .093 against him in those games and struck out 25 times in 28 innings. The Padres lead the majors in being shut out at home--10 times! The Padres are also only 12-22 at home this season, and have lost eight of the last ten games versus the Rockies. Go with the Rockies to Win!!! And the Padres Under 3!!
NBA Action
Miami Heat at Dallas Mavs (-2.5) - Over/Under 187
The Mavs need this game badly and should win it. If they are gonna Win, then look for the OVER because the Mavs need to score 97 to win tonight. Let's go Mavs, because we need more basketball games.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Saturday MLB
MLB
Toronto Blue Jays (-120) at Baltimore Orioles
The Jays send lefty Ricky Romero (5-4, 2.88 ERA) against the O's righty Jake Arrieta (6-3, 4.97 ERA). The Orioles have lost six of their last seven games and are buried in last place in the AL East. The Jays have won five of their last seven games and welcome back star DH Adam Lind to the lineup tonight. The real story is Romero who is 3-0 in his last four starts and was the ace pitcher last year for the Jays. He has owned the Orioles over the last few years as have the Jays. Making matters worse for the Orioles is their ineptitude against lefties this season, an MLB worst 6-12. Arrieta is coming off his worst start of the season and has given up 12 earned runs in his last three starts (12 innings). Let's go with the Jays to Win!!
Toronto Blue Jays (-120) at Baltimore Orioles
The Jays send lefty Ricky Romero (5-4, 2.88 ERA) against the O's righty Jake Arrieta (6-3, 4.97 ERA). The Orioles have lost six of their last seven games and are buried in last place in the AL East. The Jays have won five of their last seven games and welcome back star DH Adam Lind to the lineup tonight. The real story is Romero who is 3-0 in his last four starts and was the ace pitcher last year for the Jays. He has owned the Orioles over the last few years as have the Jays. Making matters worse for the Orioles is their ineptitude against lefties this season, an MLB worst 6-12. Arrieta is coming off his worst start of the season and has given up 12 earned runs in his last three starts (12 innings). Let's go with the Jays to Win!!
Friday, June 3, 2011
TGIF Fool!
-***Sorry I missed yesterday's column on the basketball game, but it was my only Niece Kayla's 3rd Birthday. She is so sweet and cute that I just couldn't miss it. I however was NOT surprised that Dallas won and the game went OVER. When Dallas wins the game it will usually go Over, and Miami usually wins lower scoring games and they go Under. This Series is gonna be tough, we said Heat in 7 games with no real significant home court advantage (shown in Game 2). Dallas opens at -2.5 and 188 O/U for Game 3. More about that tomorrow. Let's look at today's action....
MLB Run Line Game of the Day
NY Yankees at LA Angels - Yankee Run Line at 3
The Yankees have won four straight games and seem to be heating up right as summer is arriving. The Yanks lead major league baseball in Runs scored and Home Runs. Their lineup has been on fire in the last eleven games, scoring at least 3 runs in every game an averaging almost 6 runs a game. The Yankee lineup is full of lefties with power, something that even Jered Weaver struggles against. Weaver started the season on fire but has cooled down substantially since the end of April. Let's roll with the Yankees OVER 3!!
**They score 3 runs and you get your money refunded on the tie.
Other MLB Action that I like but don't love, include all home favorites with better starters at -125 or -130:
Florida w/Nolasco vs Brewers w/Wolf
Baltimore w/Britton vs Toronto w/ Villanueva
SF Giants w/Cain vs Colorado w/Nicasio
SD Pads w/Moseley vs Houston w/Happ
**Updated 6:51 PST
MLB Run Line Game of the Day
NY Yankees at LA Angels - Yankee Run Line at 3
The Yankees have won four straight games and seem to be heating up right as summer is arriving. The Yanks lead major league baseball in Runs scored and Home Runs. Their lineup has been on fire in the last eleven games, scoring at least 3 runs in every game an averaging almost 6 runs a game. The Yankee lineup is full of lefties with power, something that even Jered Weaver struggles against. Weaver started the season on fire but has cooled down substantially since the end of April. Let's roll with the Yankees OVER 3!!
**They score 3 runs and you get your money refunded on the tie.
Other MLB Action that I like but don't love, include all home favorites with better starters at -125 or -130:
Florida w/Nolasco vs Brewers w/Wolf
Baltimore w/Britton vs Toronto w/ Villanueva
SF Giants w/Cain vs Colorado w/Nicasio
SD Pads w/Moseley vs Houston w/Happ
**Updated 6:51 PST
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
MLB Run Line Pick for Wednesday
Milwaukee Brewers at Cincy Reds - Run Line at 4 for Reds
The Brew Crew will send out Shaun Marcum (6-2, 2.80 ERA) to face the Reds tonight. Marcum has a major league best Road ERA of 0.53 and has only allowed two earned runs in five starts. Equally impressive are Marcum's control numbers, his five walks in those 34 innings limit his pitch count and allow him to throw deep into games.. The Reds have been struggling recently only winning three of their last ten games and have dropped to 28-28 on the season. Take the UNDER 4 Runs for the Reds.
*If they score 4 runs then you push the bet and get a refund.
The Brew Crew will send out Shaun Marcum (6-2, 2.80 ERA) to face the Reds tonight. Marcum has a major league best Road ERA of 0.53 and has only allowed two earned runs in five starts. Equally impressive are Marcum's control numbers, his five walks in those 34 innings limit his pitch count and allow him to throw deep into games.. The Reds have been struggling recently only winning three of their last ten games and have dropped to 28-28 on the season. Take the UNDER 4 Runs for the Reds.
*If they score 4 runs then you push the bet and get a refund.
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