Saturday Night Live: 5 College Football & 5 Non-College Football Thoughts

Okay, so technically I'm staring at my computer's clock and it's 12:52am. I know that makes it Sunday morning and SNL (which I haven't watched since Kevin Nealon was doing the Weekend Update) is over anyways.

Nevertheless, I like to set up barriers just so I can knock them down!

I missed out on tonight's USC/OSU (live, at least) to play tennis with a bitter rival. A terrible start put me in a 6-3, 6-3 hole and throwing my racket two more times than anyone else at the 16-court park. My bad! However, I dug deep down after trailing 5-3 and ended up taking the next three sets successively 7-5, 6-4, and 7-5. Two words sum up my night: boo ya.

Boo no was watching USC/OSU on fast forward (x2) with my DVR.

One word there: OUCH!

Let's get into the meat and potatoes (boy would that be good now) of my late-night rambling...

...5 College Football "Quick Hit" Thoughts...

1) USC is good. Real good. Scary good. Insanely good. While OSU was down Beanie Wells and lacked a true offensive identity, the Trojans went up and down the field at will. Honestly, this team is so talented it deserves the #1 and #2 spot in the rankings next week.

2) Georgia won on the road in South Carolina...who cares if it wasn't pretty. Moreno's TD was still a work of art and Stafford made enough NFL-quality throws. It's good to have a defense that can hold a competent team to 7 points (on the road, no less) and anytime you win at an SEC opponent, you take it.

3) 3-2? Seriously? That was the score between Auburn and Mississippi State. I remember a spectacular NFC Title game that might've ended 6-5 if it wasn't for Bert Emanuel's "non-catch" and a guy named Ricky Proehl. What a score. Who cares about analyzing the game? That's National League baseball at its best!

4) Wisconsin has Fresno State 13-7 right now, but there is a TON of time left. If they can return to Camp Randall without an L, they may be in the driver's seat (for now) in the Big Ten. Especially when considering long-term health issues for the aformentioned Beanie Wells.

5) My Red Raiders and my Tigers (of Missouri) keep beating down opponents they should. While WVU choked on me early (good win btw for ECU @ Tulane), I'm sticking with my guns on two of the "shakiest" of Big XII title contenders. Watch out haters!

...and now for the rest...

...5 College Football "Quick Hit" Thoughts...

1) K-Rod breaks Bobby Thigpen's mark. Good for him. He's uber-talented and soon to become even richer this offseason. Will his arm be tired in October, does this mark really equal some of the greats, is he better than Rivera/Papelbon...that can all wait. Let him enjoy a record-smashing season.

2) UFC and MMA has dwarfed boxing. Please, don't be afraid of this high-octane, amazing sport. Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock actually has cache. More important, I'm on the lookout for two HUGE fights (Rashad Evans v. Forrest Griffin & BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre). Come on Dana White...DO IT!

3) Ike delays Houston/Baltimore. How many fantasy owners will be reeling late tonight or early tomorrow? Biggest losers have to be AJ owners. Right behind them, McGahee owners. While there are others who COULD start (Schaub, Clayton, Heap, etc.) it's those two who might hurt the most. Bye weeks later will be softened, but I could see a loss or two (by me!) because of this cancellation.

4) Charlie Weis hurt on the sideline. I am not a huge fan of Weis, but I feel for his pain. As a coach, I'll have to protect my knees (already each has been surgically repaired) from plays that extend beyond the field. I don't want to be mean, but Weis's weight is a turnoff to the point where I won't watch "entertaining" Notre Dame games (when are those again?). As a bigger guy myself, even I realize that Weis needs to quit the quick-fix surgery route and get on a routine that is much more proven and less taxing on one's heart. He's a moment away by the looks of it.

5) Wild-Card race. Wake me up in two weeks. Maybe it's my Yankee-moaning or the fact that I can't get behind some of these teams. I just am not interested one bit right now. Sorry.

That's that. Two more words: Good Night!

Until tomorrow morning...

The Sunday Docket: MLB

Quite a bit on today’s docket:

1) Major League Baseball ends its 2007 regular season with four teams struggling to secure the final two spots in the National League Playoffs.
2) Week 4 of NFL action kicks off with several marquee matchups and fantasy showdowns to drool over.
3) The fallout from Look-Ahead Saturday (aka Demolition Saturday) continues.
4) The President’s Cup finishes. Okay, it’s golf. Nevermind.

MVP Candidate Matt Holliday and the Rockies are making a push for the playoffs.
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

First on that list may be the best viewing you’re going to see all season long. And wouldn’t you know it, the schedule makers won’t let us enjoy any of it.

Several questions, ala 60 Minutes-style, must be asked. **Tick, tick, tick**

Why aren’t the Mets and Phils playing each other this weekend? Anyone who thought Florida or Washington would be better last-weekend matchups for the two NL East perennial favs is a lunatic.

Why aren’t the Padres clashing with an NL West opponent instead of the Brew Crew?

Why is Cleveland playing KC, the Yanks hosting Baltimore and the Red Sox playing Minnesota? At least, Anaheim drew Oakland. Score one for the schedule makers.

As we enter Sunday, the American League playoff pairings are set. In fact, Boston was even friendly enough to secure homefield advantage with a 4-2 victory over the Twins.

Here’s your ALDS matchups:
#1. Boston vs. #3. Los Angeles
#2. Cleveland vs. #4. New York
[Note: Boston cannot host the Yankees as they are both in the AL East.]

As for the National League, that’s where things get mighty interesting.

Over in the NL East, New York and Philadelphia are tied for first place (both at 88-73). Even though the Phils have dominated the season series, the two would play a tie-breaker,on Monday evening if they ended up with the same record (for the NL East title only, the wild-card will be discussed later).

New York hosts Florida, with the game starting around 1:10 pm, with 300-game winner Tom Glavine dueling with Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis. After Saturday’s 13-0 victory, which included a near all-out brawl between the teams, you had better believe Florida is playing for more than pride.

Philadelphia hosts Washington, with the game starting around 1:35, as 78-year old lefty Jamie Moyer clashes against Nats pitcher Jason Bergmann. Taking only one day to relinquish their newly earned NL East lead, the Phils fans will definitely be doing some scoreboard watching before the first pitch.

Odds: Both teams should win. However, it’ll be interesting to see if it’s the Mets snaking their ways back into the playoffs OR falling face-first into the record books with an unprecedented September choke (up 7 games on September 12^th in the division).

In the NL Central, the Cubbies are your champs. However, they don’t know exactly who they’re playing yet. Odds are it’s Arizona. Although former Central contenders, now relegated to being spoilers, Milwaukee can spoil the Pads season with a victory.

In the NL West, Arizona has locked up the divisional crown. Nevertheless, they’re not exactly sure who their opponents will be just yet. As for the rest of the West? Two teams and one wild-card spot. That scenario is only more clouded when you add in the Mets and Phils potentially.

San Diego concludes its four-game set in Milwaukee at 2:05 pm. After a brutal loss on Saturday evening, much of which came from the bat from Tony Gwynn Jr., the Pads appear ready to replace scheduled starter Brett Tomko with Cy Young favorite Jake Peavy. Jeff Suppan will take the mound for the Brewers. Win and you’re in, Pads fans. It doesn’t get much easier than that

Colorado: Just when you thought they were dead on Friday night after having their 11-game winning streak snapped against Arizona, the Rockies spanked the division champs 11-1 on Saturday afternoon. While they trail the Pads by one game, the math is simple. Beat Arizona, hope for the Padres to lose and you have yourselves locked into a tie-breaker. The game is the latest meaningful launch, with the first pitch starting around 3:05 pm.

Odds: As much as I want to see the Rockies defy all odds, the Padres will spoil their fun.

The scenarios can’t be stopped. Here’s the official explanation. Admit it though; you’d love to see a four-way tie. SAY IT!

More than just the playoff race is up for debate on Sunday (and potentially Monday) as well. The Cy Young race may have a lot to do with what Jake Peavy does on Sunday. He is the likely starter for San Diego.

Also on the radar has to be the NL MVP Race has yet to be decided. Enter the key players:

Brewers 1B Prince Fielder, Mets 3B David Wright, Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins, and Rockies OF Matt Holliday (my selection, by the way). Who will make the play that wins them the award? Better yet…who won’t?

Until next time…

MLB Hot Stove: AL Playoff Chase is on!

Even though football, via college and the professionals, have been recently dominant the current of sport’s talk these days…MLB pennant races are hotter than ever.

Actually, as many as eighteen teams remain in contention for a playoff birth this season (whether it be via divisional or wild-card means).

While some (Boston) seem more likely than others (Colorado), there remains a little under a month of baseball until we are given our ‘dirty dozen’ of playoff entrants.

With that being said, it’s time to take a look at the final stretch, as best as we can attempt to. With most teams staring at around twenty-five games remaining, there’s plenty of drama left to unfold.

Let’s take a dive…

American League
AL East

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Division Leader – (82-55) Boston Red Sox [6 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-59) New York Yankees [trail by 6 games]
No other viable division contenders.

Comments: The Yanks swept the series in the Bronx against their hated rivals; however, Boston has maintained a rather comfortable lead, easily the largest in baseball, for quite some time now. However, this is the Yanks and the Sox. With 3 more games remaining head-to-head, the Bronx Bombers have to be thinking a road-sweep at Fenway to have any chance at closing this formidable gap. Boston (with a pair of series with Tor, Bal, and TB each), a game up for the best record in baseball, seems as close as a mortal lock as anyone to return to the playoffs this year (after missing out last season).

AL Central

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Division leader – (78-58) Cleveland Indians [5 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-63) Detroit Tigers [trail by 5 games]
No other viable division contenders.

Comments: Despite fading miserably in September in the past two seasons, Cleveland appears much more stable in their rotation and bullpen this season. Detroit, impressively rebounding by taking 3 of 4 from the Yanks at home two weekends ago, seems as volatile as anyone this season (especially after losing the first two of three against Kansas City earlier this week). As for the Twins, getting beat down by Cleveland pretty much ruined any and all legit playoff chances for them this season. The Tigers can’t be ruled out of the division race just yet; especially with Kenny Rogers slated to return mid-week. Both the Indians and Tigers will be circling their calendars for their mid-September pivotal series; however, Cleveland may make their playoff beds with their performance against the AL West in the month of September.

AL West

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Division Leader – (80-55) Anaheim Angels [7 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-62) Seattle Mariners [trail by 7 games]
No other viable division contenders.

Comments: You blinked over the week and this divisional race seemed to get turned upside down. On an unrelated note, surprise surprise, Oakland was nowhere to be found in the second-half this season (they can blame their anemic offense for that more than anything). In their place, the major’s biggest surprise by far, are the Seattle Mariners. That may soon be a forgotten cause though, at least out West, as the Mariners have tanked recently to the tune of 9 straight losses. Most damaging was a terrible trip to Anaheim, which included losing a game they lead 5-0 after just 2 innings. An important make-up game this Thursday against Cleveland didn’t help either, only bunking up the Mariner travel schedule with another loss. Despite losing all three in Toronto, instant rejuvenation can come against the Yanks (more below) With remaining series against the aforementioned Yankees, as well as the Tigers, Indians, and those Angels (yet again), the Mariners will have to continue to prove to their detractors, and perhaps themselves, that they are a legit playoff team. As for the Angels, outside of eight games against the Indians and Mariners (all at home), they appear to have the smoothest waters remaining in their schedule, perhaps in all of baseball. That may be important, for better or worse, in dictating whether they match up, as of today, against the wild-card leader (Yankees) or AL Central’s best (Cleveland).

Predictions and Prognostications
1) Boston should be able to lock up the AL East and avoid a late-season meltdown without too much anxiety.
2) Cleveland should hold off Detroit, if only by a game or two down the stretch, and secure the division title.
3) Anaheim, due to a lighter schedule, will widen their gap, if only by another game or two, and secure the AL West.

But wait, there’s still one spot left!

AL Wild Card

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Current Leader – (76-61) New York Yankees [2 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-62) Seattle Mariners [trail by 2 games]
3^rd Place – (73-63) Detroit Tigers [trail by 2.5 games]
4^th Place – (70-66) Toronto Blue Jays [trail by 5.5 games]
No other viable wild-card contenders. [Sorry Toronto.]

Comments: First off, the Twins should be all but crossed off of “being neglected” from this list before the end of Labor Day weekend (they are 7.5 back). The real nitty gritty comes in the form of one team from the AL East (Yanks), two from the Central (Indians & Tigers), and one from the AL West (Mariners). While Boston or Anaheim could slide, as we said before…it isn’t likely. Ditto goes for the Blue Jays making a legit run at the wild-card lead, although they could play a pretty important role as a spoiler (with several games against most of these playoff contenders lingering). Then again, with so many key games, perhaps they do merit at least brief consideration (especially after the Seattle sweep). But in reality, that leaves three teams, as of now, who trail division leaders. Seattle, interestingly enough, controls their destiny more than you may suppose, despite losing 9 in a row. Starting tomorrow, they travel to the Bronx for three games (Sept. 3 through 5) and then return home, with an off-day sandwiched in-between, to host the Tigers for three (Sept. 7 through 9). Pivotal series continue for Seattle’s finest as they are locked up in crucial sets with Anaheim and Cleveland late. The waters appear to be a little easier for the Yankees, or so you might think. Three more games against the major’s best Red Sox and three hosting the aforementioned Mariners make up a tough playoff-laden stretch. However, there is a chance to beat up on AL East foes (Tor, TB, and Balt.) as the Yanks see the teams a collective nineteen times. Unfortunately though, they lost the first two of those three – at home no less – to the lowly Devil Rays. Added to that are their struggles against the Orioles this year, 30-3 losers withstanding. Their inconsistency may catch up with the Bronx Bombers, especially with a suspect back-half of the rotation (Hughes/Mussina/etc.) whether against the top tier (Boston/Seattle) of the AL or the bottom (KC/Baltimore). Finally, we have the Tigers. An enigma to end all enigmas as of late, Detroit, to nobody’s surprise, gets a heavy dose of the AL Central down the stretch. Only visiting Cleveland 3 more times, Detroit must recapture its Yankee-beat down momentum and not simply rely on sneaking into the wild-card race. Two pivotal series against AL West has-beens (Oakland, which they took two of three, and Texas) may go a long way into letting us know if Detroit will make a serious push, or attempt to limp or sneak into, the playoffs (division or wild-card).

If you think the AL is a little crazy, then, my friends, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

In a little under 48 hours, the National League (aka the Senior Circuit) will get its due. By the way, this is where the majority of the eighteen “competitive” playoff teams can be found.

They’ve even had people in Cincinnati, if only for a day or two, talking pennant chase.

Who’d have ever thunk that one???

Until next time…