Pennant Races Winding Down

So, it is 6:50 and the Nats have clinched home field in the NLDS thanks to the Dodgers loss to the Giants. In a 5 game series, not a make-or-break development, but a good morale boost heading into the postseason, when you know that you'll be without Ramos and Strasburg, and possibly nursing Murphy and Harper. The O's are currently trailing the Yankees 7-3 in the bottom of the 8th in New York. The Blue Jays, Tigers (in Atlanta), and Mariners all play tonight, still in the hunt. It looks like tomorrow will have some excitement, as the O's are not likely to pull this one out today. The Red Sox and Indians are still fighting for ALDS home field, with Boston holding the tie-breaker. Oh, and the final NL Wild Card spot will be decided tomorrow between the Giants and Cardinals. Can you say Game 163? Talk to you later!

Nats in Town Tonight!

It's been a while since my last post, but I'm excited because the Nats are in Atlanta for a four game series that started on Thursday! I have club level seats and I'm ready to cheer on my Nats to a sweep. Mad Max is going up against Tyrell Jenkins. I'd really like to see some no hit stuff from Scherzer live and in person. Bring it! I am starting to reach the point where I'm torn between which team to root for. Now that I live only 2 & 1/2 miles from the new stadium in Cobb County, the Braves will be a part of my life next season, as it will be much easier to get to the games (I can even bike to the game!). Plus, I've always been a sucker for a bad team playing well in individual games, as evidenced by my love affair with Nats in the midst of 100 loss seasons. So, I find myself rooting for this group of Braves, what with mainstays such as Freddie and (it looks like) Teheran, and new blood like Dansby Swanson. Got to go, but I'll have more later. Congrats to Jayson Werth for the 46 game on-base streak!

Harper Jersey from Papelbon Fight on Sale

In just another example of 'a fool and his money are soon parted,' an auction is underway for the jersey Bryce Harper wore in his scuffle with Jonathan Papelbon last season. So far, the price has exceed $4,800. Yeah, I'll just leave it at that...

Scherzer Pitches Well Against the Cards

It was great to see Max Scherzer pitching like an ace today against the Cardinals, as the Nationals won 6-1 and swept the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. It was his best start of the season so far: seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts. A lot of his success can be attributed to his fastball, which was clocked at an average speed of 95.2 MPH and an 80% strike rate (44 of 55 fastballs were strikes). Ten of those strikes were swing-and-misses, meaning that his fastball had some great movement as well. He admits to making a small mechanical adjustment that affects his fastball control (a shortening of his arm action), which shows the kind of work he puts into his craft. Hopefully, he can bring that same fastball domination to bear against the Cubs in Chicago next weekend.

Orpik Suspended 3 Games

So, we just received word that Caps defenseman Brooks Orpik has been suspended three games for his hit to the head of Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta in Game 2. To me, this is a ridiculous decision by the NHL. Sure, it was a hard hit and he should have been suspended. But, three games basically takes him out of the series and swings the momentum of the series in the Penguins favor. There have been hits already in the postseason that have been worse than Orpik's, and the most I have seen is a one game suspension (Yes, I'm speaking about Bellemare). I think it's a little much...

February 2, 2016

We're closing in on the Super Bowl, but we have some great matchups today. First, the Caps will play Florida at home in a nationally televised game (NBCSN). Both teams are at the top of their respective divisions, but the Caps will be resting Holtby and will be without Ovie. So, it will be interesting to see the effort against a top-tier club. The Hokies play Syracuse at the Carrier Dome as a 9.5 point underdog. Also in relevant college action, the Hoyas will play Butler in Indianapolis and the Bulldogs will face South Carolina at home (19-2? Really?) All of my college teams' games look like potential losses, but here's hoping that one of them go against common wisdom. On the national stage, only two games really light up the radar, and they are both 9pm EST tips on the ESPN networks. West Virginia plays Iowa State and Indiana faces Michigan at home.

Fortunately, I don't have to put up with another lackluster effort by Les Bullets. They got smacked in the mouth last night versus the Thunder, and now they can look forward to facing the Warriors at home tomorrow night. Yay. National television audience: Don't watch unless you are a Warriors fan. This could get ugly.

While I'm on a bitter note, did you see what Art Briles said about RGIII and a 'dream' scenario of returning to Dallas? Yeah, it would be a dream for the Skins twice a year! Happy Groundhog Day!

January 24, 2016

Great sports day today! Right now, I'm watching some EPL, with a match between Swansea City and Everton. Not a great match, but it is followed up by Chelsea and Arsenal. Great morning sports action! Then, of course, it's Championship Sunday. Who'll be in the Super Bowl? Personally, I'm taking Carolina and New England (though I'd rather have Denver). Finally, on the local front, UNC visits snowy Blacksburg in a hoops matchup at 3pm. I'll have some more updates later. Stay warm!

Update: Great AFC Championship so far. Denver is up 20 to 12 on the Patriots, with the Broncos defense stepping up big so far. VA Tech put in a great effort vs. UNC, but just couldn't get the job done. More after the football game!