NCAA Finals, Opening Night, UConn Women, etc.

Well folks...it's opening day...a landmark of the sports year and the only time you can watch baseball (without the baseball package I mean) ALLLLL day long if you want to.....enjoy.....BUT!
The biggest event on the radar is the National title game tonight...9:21 tip....be there

• UNC/Michigan State....contrasting styles (UNC runs, Michigan State dominates the glass and defends)....2 big-time coaches....2 big-time point guards....If there is anyone who can take this Spartan roster and match them up to the Heels, it's Tom Izzo.....but I don't see it.... It won't be a blowout by any means, too much fight in MSU, but I see a 8-10 point win for UNC...just too many athletes on the wing BUT the x-factor for Michigan State (if they indeed have one) is that UNC can be beaten on the offensive glass...undersized Villanova plucked 19 offensive boards....and Michigan State is the best rebounding team in the land....that could keep them around longer than we think...
• Derek Lowe dominates the Champs.....8 IP, 2 hits, 0 walks, 0 ER.....dominant, dominant line from Mr. Lowe...and 3 homers in the first 2 innings? Don't get used to that...but it can't be a bad thing....I take from this a renewed confidence in Lowe, but I don't really get too excited about the HRs from Schafer and Francoeur...it's one game...but I still hope it continues....Brett Myers was semi-awful early but rebounded, so that's a good sign for the Phillies.....1 of 162 though Braves fans....
• Sean Miller turns down Arizona....I loved this fit for Zona so this one hurts....The once-storied job has taken a Kentucky-like hit when people openly turn it down to stay at...Xavier? I don't get that one to be honest....but it's getting to crunch time in that coaching search....
• Portland and Utah clinch playoff berths.... 2 different stories here...the up and coming Blazers and the stalwart, consistent Jazz....I just thought their was some symmetry there....and they have a similar personality...neither can win on the road....at all.....
• Jason Kidd passes Magic Johnson for 3rd all time in assists....and became the oldest player to notch 20 of them in one game.....Well, put an asterisk by the 2nd one b/c they played Phoenix and scored 140(!)...but the first one? Wow....Seems pretty crazy....but then you realize Mark Jackson is in 2nd and it loses a little luster...lol
• UConn Women roll....again.....and face Louisville for the marbles.... Oh btw....They have won the 2 meetings previous by a total of 33.5 points a game.....good luck to the Cards...
• One baseball note....if there is one pitching matchup on opening day I'd pay to see.....it's definitely Felix Hernandez vs. Francisco Liriano....just keep that one in mind for me

The Final Four, Maya Moore, etc.

The big story...obviously the Final Four...

• My suspicions on UConn were confirmed in a big spot....Michigan State out-toughed them and UConn just couldn't put the ball in the basket in big spots and the closest thing they have to a go-to-guy in 23 year old AJ Price? 5-20 shooting and only 1 assist from the PG spot... I was very impressed with Izzo's gameplan defensively, and they were able to hang evenly (41-40) on the boards with a team that was much, much bigger....Hasheem Thabeet must have had the quietest 17 points I've ever seen, he was an offensive non-factor throughout, I just don't see how anybody thinks he'll be even average on the next level offensively.... UConn basically played 6 guys and I think that hurt them down the stretch....Kalin Lucas was great again....no real surprise there from a top 5-6 PG nationally...and they get?
• UNC....who trounced Villanova (with some help from bad shot selection/connection by Nova in the 2nd half)....If Wayne Ellington shoots like that, they won't lose....Corey Fisher of Villanova came off the bench and played 25 minutes.....and took 19 shots....19! Doesn't help when he went 5-19 either....Weird line from Danny Green too....4-11 FG....4-10 threes....jeez Danny I thought Wayne Ellington was the spot shooter....and I'll never understand how Bobby Frasor gets 7 rebounds (5 offensive!) in 19 minutes....but in the end, too much UNC offense and if they play their B game they shouldn't lose to Sparty either...

Other things....

• Maya Moore wins Women's player of the year nationally....I saw this girl play as a freshman in high school and predicted as such....she's the most impressive high school athlete I've ever seen other than maybe Jeff Francoeur on the baseball field....and she hasn't lost a step in her progression...big ups....
• Dwight Howard's 21-23-5-4-3 game beats the Hawks....What do you say? He's the beast of the league at this point....
• Gary Sheffield signs with....the Mets? Yikes...Well, that's probably not good for the Braves simply b/c he turns into a cheap flier and if he hits, it can only help them....
• Andre Miller had 21 points, 12 dimes, and 10 boards last night....bet you didn't even hear about it...
• In the last 2 months, Mike Conley is averaging 16 and 7....welcome back to my crushdom Mike...We missed you....

Alright, that'll do it for today.....Opening day tonight! Let's go Derek Lowe...earn that paper...

Final 4, Plax, etc.

EXTREMELY low on time today....

• Final 4 picks you ask? I'll take UNC and Michigan State...the Heels look like a gauntlet with a healthy Lawson and Michigan State (playing at home no less) matches up extremely well with UConn in matchups and coaching...
• Plax released by NYG....I say he goes to Chicago..why not?
• Vick to file bankruptcy? umm....this is a given right?

Sorry for the brevity...more later

MLB Preview: Playoff/Award Predictions

For the record, the other 6 parts of this MLB preview can be found on the right side of the page in the archives....Hit em up!

NL First....

• Cubs over Dodgers (Wild Card)


• Diamondbacks over Mets


• D-Backs over Cubs for the Pennant


• MVP: Albert Pujols (Unless Hanley gets dealt to a contender)


• Cy Young: Dan Haren


• ROY: Cameron Maybin, OF Marlins

AL

• Red Sox over Indians


• Angels over Yankees (WC)


• Red Sox over Angels for the Pennant


• MVP: Miggy Cabrera (or Josh Hamilton depending on who's team is better)


• Cy Young: Francisco Liriano


• ROY: Elvis Andrus, SS Rangers

World Series pick? Red Sox over Diamondbacks in 6......Take it for what it is folks, it's April

Cutler to the Bears, etc.

Let's get it...

• Jay Cutler dealt to the Bears for Kyle Orton, 2009 1st rounder (#18) and 2010 first rounder.....Hmm...I'm a bit confused by this deal for Denver...In theory, they get 2 first rounders, an '09 3rd and a starting QB....then you realize it's a below the middle 1st rounder this year and the QB is KYLE ORTON! You just dealt a young, top-10 in the league QB for Kyle Orton...I understand you got the picks....but for this year? you're basically writing the year off at the QB spot and you're forced to try to either trade up for Sanchez, or try to hit on Josh Freeman or something....and as a sidebar, how mad are Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal today? lol On the other end....I love this move for Chicago...your defensive window is closing if not already closed and he gives you an infinitely better chance to win now....if only he had someone to throw to?....
• But at least the Bears blocked his blind side..... Orlando Pace signs...if healthy? still a near-top-level LT....I love that move....
• Tim Floyd passes on the Arizona job....First of all Ryan Wilson pumps his fist....2nd of all...makes no sense if I'm Floyd.... 2nd best job in the Western US (behind UCLA)? Arizona and it isn't close to be honest....he must love LA
• BJ Raji fails combine drug test....the #1 DT on the board....will that hurt him a la Warren Sapp? I have no idea

All for now...

MLB Preview: NL West

To the last division....

1. Arizona Diamondbacks- Maybe the best rotation in the National league and what forces me to pick them.... Brandon Webb and Dan Haren is a scary 1-2 punch, Jon Garland is under-rated AND he's moving to the hitting-challenged NL, Max Scherzer is so hyped it's scary, and Doug Davis is ultra-solid...there are no holes there on paper.... The lineup is young and potentially dynamic with respect to Stephen Drew (My favorite Non-hanley young SS), Justin Upton, Chris Young, Conor Jackson and the like (Even the ultra-underrated Chris Snyder at Catcher)...they have issues with strikeouts (hm, Mark Reynolds, hm) but overall....very, very good top-to-bottom....sounds too good to be true so far right? We haven't reached their question mark bullpen....There are some guys you can count on to get outs (Chad Qualls, Jon Rauch, Scott Schoenweis) but who closes? right now the money is on Qualls, but that doesn't inspire confidence....but in the end, I love this team... X-Factors: Scherzer, Upton, What to do with Jackson/Chad Tracy
2. Los Angeles Dodgers- Potentially the best OF in the major leagues is what jumps out to me...You know about Manny...but Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are both extremely talented and will produce....and Juan Pierre is a good 4th outfielder even if he can't throw the ball to the infield... How bout this for underrated pickups? They snatched Orlando Cabrera for next to nothing, and teaming him with James Loney, and a healthy Rafael Furcal....nice double play combo.... oh yea...and they have a top-3 catcher in Russell Martin...basically, easily the best lineup in this division...the problem? Pitching... After Chad Billingsley and Hideki Kuroda...nothing but questions...Clayton Kershaw could be very good, but we don't know yet...Randy Wolf is spotty.... and in the 5 slot? Eric Milton maybe? Yeesh.... and the bullpen isn't set either...Broxton will close and do it well...but their once-reliable bridge is gone (Saito to Boston, etc.)....They'll challenge.... X-Factors: Kershaw!, 3rd base production, Bullpen outside of Broxton


3. San Francisco Giants- Hmmm, I know I'm high on this division this year when I like the 3rd place team.... They can pitch with anybody...Lincecum is dominant, Cain is solid, Randy Johnson and Zito (who pitched decently in the 2nd half) should be consistent.... and Sanchez has upside in the 5 hole... The problem, as always, lies with the lineup...I liked the Renteria pickup (though they overpaid) and they'll get decent production from Rowand, and Randy Winn...but too much of the pop falls on unproven Pablo Sandoval, and Travis Ishikawa....I'll pass.... Brian Wilson anchors a semi-questionable pen...I love pitching first and foremost so I won't sleep on them...but not quite contenders... X-Factors: Zito and Johnson being healthy/productive, The corner IF kids, bullpen


4. Colorado Rockies- As much as I'm down on them, I'm down on San Diego more lol.... Atkins and Hawpe will hit as they always do...and I think Tulowitzki bounces back in a big way...but what else is there? Helton is suspect at this point, and the other 2 OF spots are being manned by guys who have never produced at this level... and the pitching is always a mess... I like Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez...but 3-5.....My god....Jason Marquis could be okay, but Jorge De La Rosa and Company don't do it for me....a brightspot? They have 2 guys that could both close in Huston Street, and Manny Corpas...so that's not bad....and that's the reason I'll keep them out of the basement.... X-Factors: Todd Helton (is he alive?), Tulo's bounceback, Rotation backend


5. San Diego Padres- Wanna know what I'm sure of in San Diego? Jake Peavy can pitch and Adrian Gonzalez can hit....that's all....everything else is ?????? Chase Headley in LF has good reviews but is unproven and Jody Gerut and Brian Giles are...mediocre.... the middle infield provides good defense but no pop, and Kevin Kouzmanoff is nothing above average at 3rd.... Chris Young is a decent #2 in the NL...but 3-5 consists of 4 guys with nothing proven between them battling for 3 spots.... the bullpen? Most indicative of their unwillingness to spend money....there are 4 major leaguers on the roster out of the pen...they need at least 7 guys down there....i.e. guys making the minimum....a total mess....X-Factors: Everything that isn't Peavy and Gonzalez...right?

MLB Preview: NL Central

Part 5 of the 7-part MLB Preview goes to the NL Central....and the winner is?

1. Chicago Cubs- This was in a dead-heat with the AL West for "easiest division to pick the winner in"....Clearly the best team....Best lineup (slightly edging the Brewers) AND best starting rotation in the division.... Any offense that sports exactly 1 semi-weakness (Fukudome in Center) and nothing else glaring? Impressive....What about the rotation? Zambrano-Lilly-Dempster-Harden is the best top 4 in the National League when healthy and Sean Marshall could be good in the 5 spot.... throw in Jeff Samardzjia, Aaron Heilman, and Carlos Marmol (who SOMEHOW didn't beat out shaky Kevin Gregg for the closer job) and I'm impressed mightily from top to bottom....they should win 95-97 and have homefield throughout the NL.... X-Factors: Harden/Zambrano health, Fukudome production
   


2. Milwaukee Brewers- They have the bats (Braun, Fielder, Hart, Hardy) to match anybody...we all know that....but it really comes down to the 1-5 pitching....period...I'm actually going to give them more credit than most (for now).... I'm a Yovani Gallardo supporter, Dave Bush is competent, and Manny Parra is talented...but they are suspect as best 1-5.... Trevor Hoffman was brought into close games and is already on the DL.... This team being my #2 is more on skepticism of the rest of the division than confidence in the Brew Crew.... X-Factors: Pitching, Pitching, Pitching, Prince Fielder, Pitching



3. Cincinnati Reds- I really, really like the Reds roster....let me say that now....I just don't trust them fully yet....the rotation is young and promising...Volquez was great last year, Harang can't possibly be that bad again...Arroyo is more than competent in the NL, Cueto/Bailey/Owings have potential if nothing else...I'm high on them....The bats? I love Joey Votto's upside, Brandon Phillips, and Jay Bruce...but there really isn't much else...Willy Taveras provides speed and nothing else, Alex Gonzalez can't hit, left field is a mystery.... Francisco Cordero is lock-down in the 9th, but they have no one proven and/or dependable to bridge the gap in the 7th and 8th....they are a year away.... X-Factors: Jay Bruce's progression, Johnny Cueto/Homer Bailey, Non-closer Bullpen



4. St. Louis Cardinals- I keep seeing articles picking St. Louis and I can't see it....Chris Carpenter is back, but can he be trusted? I know how good Adam Wainwright is (and you should too) but Kyle Lohse and Todd Wellemeyer don't scare anyone... The lineup is good on paper until you realize that Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel are both 1-year wonders at this juncture and outside of Pujols (who is the surest of sure things) the infield is suspect at best....Khalil Greene is in a contract year and away from Petco he is usually productive.... But add in the bullpen questions (no proven closer, etc.) and I can't see them competing for the 2nd spot much less challenging the Cubs... X-Factors: Carpenter's health, Bullpen, the outfield not taking a stepback
5. Pittsburgh Pirates- Not gonna lie....I have no idea how this team isn't last....but it happens...This team, on paper, really isn't as bad as it usually is....the payroll is still strikingly low but there is some young talent...Andy Laroche is highly touted (and his brother will hit 30 HRs), Nate McLouth is all-star caliber, and Ryan Doumit may be the best hitting catcher you've never heard of....There are some definitely holes in the lineup (LF for example) but they have some talent....the rotation is better than you'd think too....Paul Maholm was quite good last year (and noone knew it) and Ian Snell has the talent and the pedigree... after that? Yikes...Zach Duke is the only guy you'd likely recognize and that's probably for the wrong reasons....Bullpen? Matt Capps throws 98 and shuts folks down (when he has the lead) but the bridge is suspect....I like them more than most, so I won't bury them at 60-100....More like...72-90 ish? Unless they firesale....then all bets are off.... X-Factors: Maholm's encore, The Laroche brothers, Brandon Moss in RF


6. Houston Astros- Weird to have them this low...but there is a reason....Quick...name a non-Roy Oswalt starter.....hmmm...there's Mike Hampton.... Wandy Rodriguez....Briah Moehler...Russ Ortiz....what do they have in common? None of them are even competent much less above-average.... Pencil in Berkman, Lee, and Hunter Pence for big years...but there are holes everywhere in the lineup (especially with Tejada's legal stuff)...I just don't trust them..... X-Factors: Anyone that pitches that isn't named Oswalt or Valverde, Miguel Tejada