Cliff Lee absolutely dominated the Yankees in Game 1 last night. There is just not much else to say about last night's game. He had the Yankees confused and kept them on their heels all night long. Kudos to Jeter to had three hits off Lee.
Sabbathia pitched well. Not as sharp as he had been in the previous three starts but battled throughout the whole game. Was able to get out of a big jam in the 1st inning but never really settled down. The two runs he gave up were on the two worst pitches he threw the entire night. Twice he had 2 strikes on Utley and twice he served him a fastball over the middle of the plate and Utley crushed them both, especially the second one.
Tonight bids the son of the Yankees, Pedro Martinez against A.J. Burnett. Burnett needs to be at the top of his game tonight, much like the his last start minus the first inning. Hinske should be starting in right field tonight, Nick Swisher can get hit by a car for all I care. Knowing Girardi though, it would not surprise me to see Swisher in right, Girardi has some kind of boner for the guy.
Pedro was solid in last outing against the Dodgers however he does not have nearly the same stuff as Lee. The Yankees should be able to pound on Martinez and get him out of the game early. Of course Molina will be in the lineup so it does kind of give Pedro an NL lineup to face with the automatic out at the end. All the more reason that Swisher should ride the pine for this one.
Let's hope that the Yankees even this one up before heading to Philly. Go Yanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
WEEK 4 in the NFL & PICKS
So in Week 4 the bye weeks begin, we can start to separate the pretenders and contenders, and it is the last hope for any team who has started off poorly to correct the ship and start making a run. Some tougher games to call so I imagine that following my 14-2 week will not go smoothly... we'll make a run at it anyway...
Giants at Chiefs
Giants are still in the "cupcake" part of their schedule. They beat the holy hell out of the Bucs without 8 or so regulars. This week they should be getting Dockery and Nicks back, and Justin Tuck will probably start. Look for Brandon Jacobs to run over a soft Chiefs defense after all the criticsm the guy faced last week in running for 92 yards and a TD. This could be a classic trap game but Tom Coughlin has this team focused after the wat things ended last year. Giants in a route 44-14.
Jets at Saints
This matchup pits the leagues 3rd best defense against the best offense. Should be a shitload of fun watching Drew Brees and the Saints passing offense against the blitzing Jets defense. Look for Greg Williams to harass Mark Sanchez with varied blitzes from everywhere. This marks Jonathan Vilma's first game against the Jets since they traded him so look for him to have a big game. The Jets are away and might have a thin secondary with Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland both likely out. That does not bode well going up against the Saints wideouts, Saints win 31-17.
Raiders at Texans
Both of these teams have been hard to figure out. Overall the Texans have played better and they are home. Should a tough defensive game. Texans win 20-17.
Titans at Jaguars
I can't imagine a Jeff Fisher team going 0-4, however if they do it might be time to reassert Vince Young at starting QB. Jaguars played well in a win last week but they are a re-building team and the Titans should be angry because they have given away 3 wins by beating themselves. Titans win 21-10.
Ravens at Patriots
This game does not hold the same interest as it did 2 years ago. Brady is still not himself, the status if Wes Welker is uncertain, and the Patriots defense is patchwork. The Ravens defense not as dominant as they once were but they do not have to be thanks to a prolific offense led by Joe Flacco. Ravens win a close game 26-23.
Bengals at Browns
Browns are horrible. Eric Mangini is an idiot. Bengals actually resemble a football team and are playing well. This team is still young and a win over the Steelers last week may have gone to their heads. Nonetheless, they are playing the Browns who named Derek Anderson the starter after he entered last week's game and threw 3 INT's. Smart move. Bengals win 30-21.
Lions at Bears
Yes Detroit actually won a game. But its not going to result in a streak. They go into Chicago and keep it close the entire game. Bears win 27-21.
Bucs at Redskins
I picked the Lions to upset the Redskins last week because of how poorly the Redskins played the week before against the Rams. Clinton Portis is banged up, $100 million dollar man Haynesworth has not made their defense better, and Jim Zorn is a pubic hair away from being fired. The Bucs change at QB should provide some spark to their offense. My upset pick Bucs over Redskins 10-7.
Seahawks at Colts
This game is not even fair. Seahawks have a ton of injuries on both sides of the ball and Peyton Manning looks as good as he's ever been. Colts in a blowout 49-19.
Bills at Dolphins
Dolphins lost Chad Pennington for the year. The Bills are getting Marshawn Lynch back an should be able to have some kind of running game which will open things up downfield for Owens and Evans, if Trent Edwards is upright long enough to get it to them. Bills win 20-10.
Rams at 49ers
Despite Frank Gore being out, the 49ers showed last week that they are a good team and still probably have a bitter taste in their mouths after that last-second loss to the Vikings. Rams are still searching for answers everywhere. 49ers win 28-13.
Cowboys at Broncos
Conventional wisdom says to pick the Cowboys because the Broncos have not really beaten anybody, the Browns, the Raiders and the Bengals by fluke. But, they are 3-0, they are playing good defense and Kyle Orton does not turn the ball over. The Cowboys will porbably be thin at RB which means Romo throwing more which means the greater possibility of INT's. Broncos upset the Cowboys 21-20.
Chargers at Steelers
Chargers are banged up on defense, particularly on the front seven. This should allow the Steelers to find their running game. However, without the long-haired missile Troy Polamalu, Rivers should have a field day throwing to Gates, Chambers, and Jackson. Chargers win 27-17.
Packers at Vikings
Easily the most interesting game of the week. Probably will be the most watched game of the week, no need for me to tell you why. If this one is close as it winds down, expect to see what you saw last week with Favre working last second magic. I don't think it will be that close in the 4th quarter. Green Bay wins 28-20.
Bye Week: Cardinals, Eagles, Falcons, Panthers
Cheers!!!!!
Giants at Chiefs
Giants are still in the "cupcake" part of their schedule. They beat the holy hell out of the Bucs without 8 or so regulars. This week they should be getting Dockery and Nicks back, and Justin Tuck will probably start. Look for Brandon Jacobs to run over a soft Chiefs defense after all the criticsm the guy faced last week in running for 92 yards and a TD. This could be a classic trap game but Tom Coughlin has this team focused after the wat things ended last year. Giants in a route 44-14.
Jets at Saints
This matchup pits the leagues 3rd best defense against the best offense. Should be a shitload of fun watching Drew Brees and the Saints passing offense against the blitzing Jets defense. Look for Greg Williams to harass Mark Sanchez with varied blitzes from everywhere. This marks Jonathan Vilma's first game against the Jets since they traded him so look for him to have a big game. The Jets are away and might have a thin secondary with Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland both likely out. That does not bode well going up against the Saints wideouts, Saints win 31-17.
Raiders at Texans
Both of these teams have been hard to figure out. Overall the Texans have played better and they are home. Should a tough defensive game. Texans win 20-17.
Titans at Jaguars
I can't imagine a Jeff Fisher team going 0-4, however if they do it might be time to reassert Vince Young at starting QB. Jaguars played well in a win last week but they are a re-building team and the Titans should be angry because they have given away 3 wins by beating themselves. Titans win 21-10.
Ravens at Patriots
This game does not hold the same interest as it did 2 years ago. Brady is still not himself, the status if Wes Welker is uncertain, and the Patriots defense is patchwork. The Ravens defense not as dominant as they once were but they do not have to be thanks to a prolific offense led by Joe Flacco. Ravens win a close game 26-23.
Bengals at Browns
Browns are horrible. Eric Mangini is an idiot. Bengals actually resemble a football team and are playing well. This team is still young and a win over the Steelers last week may have gone to their heads. Nonetheless, they are playing the Browns who named Derek Anderson the starter after he entered last week's game and threw 3 INT's. Smart move. Bengals win 30-21.
Lions at Bears
Yes Detroit actually won a game. But its not going to result in a streak. They go into Chicago and keep it close the entire game. Bears win 27-21.
Bucs at Redskins
I picked the Lions to upset the Redskins last week because of how poorly the Redskins played the week before against the Rams. Clinton Portis is banged up, $100 million dollar man Haynesworth has not made their defense better, and Jim Zorn is a pubic hair away from being fired. The Bucs change at QB should provide some spark to their offense. My upset pick Bucs over Redskins 10-7.
Seahawks at Colts
This game is not even fair. Seahawks have a ton of injuries on both sides of the ball and Peyton Manning looks as good as he's ever been. Colts in a blowout 49-19.
Bills at Dolphins
Dolphins lost Chad Pennington for the year. The Bills are getting Marshawn Lynch back an should be able to have some kind of running game which will open things up downfield for Owens and Evans, if Trent Edwards is upright long enough to get it to them. Bills win 20-10.
Rams at 49ers
Despite Frank Gore being out, the 49ers showed last week that they are a good team and still probably have a bitter taste in their mouths after that last-second loss to the Vikings. Rams are still searching for answers everywhere. 49ers win 28-13.
Cowboys at Broncos
Conventional wisdom says to pick the Cowboys because the Broncos have not really beaten anybody, the Browns, the Raiders and the Bengals by fluke. But, they are 3-0, they are playing good defense and Kyle Orton does not turn the ball over. The Cowboys will porbably be thin at RB which means Romo throwing more which means the greater possibility of INT's. Broncos upset the Cowboys 21-20.
Chargers at Steelers
Chargers are banged up on defense, particularly on the front seven. This should allow the Steelers to find their running game. However, without the long-haired missile Troy Polamalu, Rivers should have a field day throwing to Gates, Chambers, and Jackson. Chargers win 27-17.
Packers at Vikings
Easily the most interesting game of the week. Probably will be the most watched game of the week, no need for me to tell you why. If this one is close as it winds down, expect to see what you saw last week with Favre working last second magic. I don't think it will be that close in the 4th quarter. Green Bay wins 28-20.
Bye Week: Cardinals, Eagles, Falcons, Panthers
Cheers!!!!!
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