imatreat's Blog

As the World Series shifts to Colorado for Game 3 tonight (right here on FOX 26), the advantage clearly shifts to the Colorado Rockies for the next three games, as one of the Boston Red Sox regulars will have to take a seat (No DH in the NL).  Manager Terry Francona has decided to play David Ortiz (the normal DH) at first base.  Kevin Youklis, who's been red hot in the playoffs and could have been the ALCS MVP, will sit for at least Game 3.  He normally plays first base, but can play third base as well.  Mike Lowell, who normally plays third base, will also start.  Youklis no doubt will be the big bat off the bench, when the Red Sox need it.  The Red Sox are up 2-0, but I look for the capacity Colorado crowd to be a major factor in the game.  "Dice-K" Matsusaka will get the start for the Red Sox, and he's been shaky at best.  The longer season has clearly taken its toll on the Japanese right-hander.  He's 1-1, with an ERA of 5.68 in the playoffs.  Josh Fogg will get the start for the Rockies, he's 2-0 with an ERA of 1.14 in the playoffs.  Clearly in all factors, the Rockies have no excuse for losing this game tonight.  However, the Rockies are very familiar with streaks.  The Red Sox are 6-0 in their last six World Series games.  We have heard all too well in the race for the White House, that "experience matters".  If that's the case, the advantage is clearly Red Sox.  While I am definitely for the Red Sox, I'm hoping Colorado wins at least one game at home.  They have been a great story and their fans deserve it.  Especially since some of them have paid Super Bowl/Hannah Montana prices for their tickets.

Eastern Conference, BEWARE!  The Celtics are back!  Yes, I'm talking about the Boston Celtics.  The 16-Time Champions, who haven't won much since the Bird/McHale/Parrish era.  Not to mention, Danny Ainge was playing Guard for them.  These days, he's been the much-maligned General Manager for the team.  However, this off-season the Celtics brought in a couple of big names, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to help Paul Pierce and bring Boston Basketball back to the forefront in New England.  Well, if you missed it last night, Kevin Garnett had a Triple-Double with 21 Points, 13 Rebounds, and 10 Assists.  Former UConn standout Ray Allen felt right at home, as he poured-in 20 points, and Pierce added 12 points, as the Celtics routed last year's Eastern Conference Champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-89.  If these Celtics are able to stay healthy through the lengthy NBA season, they are going to be tough to deal with in the weaker Eastern Conference.  We'll see if the 'Irish Luck' is back in 'Bean Town'.  They certainly looked good last night.  The NBA season starts this coming Tuesday.

Bad news for Sacramento Kings fans (as if you know any other kind of news), Star Point-Guard Mike Bibby, tore a ligament in his thumb, and will be sidelined for approximately 10 weeks.  Not exactly the news you want to hear as the season is about to start, and you are about to start the season and you play in an already very tough Western Conference.  

It's Official, the San Diego Chargers and your Houston Texans will play at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday.  The devastating California Wildfires have had all of Southern California in a state of uncertainty.  Qualcomm Stadium had become a shelter for families who lost their homes or were evacuated due to the fires.  The Chargers had been practicing this week at Sun-Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona all week.  What concerns me is the Air Quality there in San Diego.  The Stadium might be ready to go.  However, how will the air quaiity outside be during the game?  If you remember a few years back, when Mexico had many wildfires, the smoke made it all the way up here to Houston and our air was much more polluted than usual.  Qualcomm is an open-air stadium.  The smoke will not clear by Sunday.  It's going to be extremely unhealthy for the players and fans.  I hope the Chargers organization and the city has plenty of oxygen on-hand for those who need it, because I think while their hearts were in the right place (to have the game at Qualcomm), their heads were not.  This game should have been moved to the Los Angeles area, played in Tempe, and I know it's not the most popular move, but maybe here to Texas.  If I were a Charger, I'd rather play in a place where it is easier to breathe clear air and not smoke, even if it is in front of a bunch of Texans fans. 

The New York Yankees have not found the man to replace Joe Torre yet, but have interviewed former Yank first baseman and Torre's Bench Coach, Don Mattingly.  They have also interviewed former 2006 NL Manager Of The Year and current FOX and Yankee Broadcaster Joe Girardi and Yankee Coach and 2003 AL Manager Of The Year, Tony Pena.  The Yankees have not made a decision.  However, most reports have Mattingly, the only one without Managerial experience as the front-runner.  There have been many reports that have Girardi linked with the Dodgers.  However, they still have Grady Little at the helm there and the Dodgers have 'no comment' on the situation.  While they shop for a new manager, they also are in discussions with Alex Rodriguez for an extension on his contract.  He has three years left on his 10-Year $252 Million Dollar Deal.  He's owed $24 Million for this season, however $21.5 Million is being paid by the Texas Rangers, who traded A-Rod to the Yanks three years ago.  A-Rod can opt out of his current deal, ten games after the World Series is over and become a Free Agent.  If he does, the Steinbrenner Family has said they will not negotiate any further with him or his agent, Scott Boras.  That's why the Yankees are working feverishly to get an extension done.  Also, the Yankees are trying to hold on to ace closer Mariano Rivera, Catcher Jorge Posada, and Right Fielder Bobby Abreu, amongst others who are Free Agents and can bolt from the Yankees when the Free Agent period begins after the World Series.  

The Breeders Cup weekend got underway yesterday, with the big race beginning today.  However, if you plan on betting, make sure you read the Racing Form on how the horses do in the mud.  The continuous rainfall in the New York City area,  has made the track extremely 'Sloppy'.  So keep that in mind while wagering.  And, being I just gave you that tip, I'll expect a small fee in return.  Here's the field for the $5,000,000 Breeder's Cup... 1-Lawyer Run, 2-Street Sense, 3-Any Given Saturday, 4-Curlin, 5-George Washington (IRE), 6-Awesome Gem, 7-Diamond Stripes, 8-Hard Spun, and 9-Tiago. 

And finally, there are some tremendous matchups in College Football today...

#1 Ohio State at #25 Penn State

#12 USC at #5 Oregon

#21 California at #4 Arizona State

#7 West Virginia at Rutgers

#9 Kansas at Texas A&M

#10 South Florida at #23 Connecticut

#11 Florida at #18 Georgia

#16 South Carolina at Tennessee

Let's see how many upsets we have today.  If you missed the #2 Boston College at #8 Virginia Tech game on Thursday (because you were watching the World Series), you missed an 'almost upset'.  BC was trailing almost the entire game.  With 2:11 left in the 4th Quarter, the Golden Eagles scored their first touchdown to make it 10-7 Hokies.  BC then went for the on-side kick, and got it.  Heisman candidate, QB-Matt Ryan, drove Boston College down the field and with :11 seconds left, on a 3rd Down and 20 yards to go play, threw a TD pass to put Boston College up and the extra point gave them a 14-10 win.  That means if THE Ohio State Buckeyes get upset today, that BC will probably take over that number one spot.  That's a big "If" though.