Tonight begins the 106th World Series. The Texas Rangers look for redemption after a loss in last year's Fall Classic, and the St Louis Cardinals vie for their 2nd World Series Title in five years.
This is the first time since 1972 (when the A's beat the Reds in 7 games) that a team from the NL Central faces a team from the AL West (based off who is in what division currently). The Rangers have only made it to two World Series, both of them in the past two seasons. The Cardinals made the World Series twice in the past decade, losing in four to the Red Sox in 2004 and beating the Tigers in five in 2006. Both teams entered the playoffs with the best combined record in September in all of the majors.
The Rangers had little trouble winning the four-team AL West. The Angels had shown some life in late-July, but Texas plowed through them in series in August and September to soundly win the division by 10 games. The Rangers ended the regular season at 96-66, only a game behind the Yankees for the best record in the AL. They dropped the first game of the ALDS against the surging Rays, but promptly won the next three to win the series. They then defeated the Tigers in six games in the ALCS to make it here.
The Cardinals battled in two races in 2011: while trying to win the NL Central over the Brewers, they also struggled against the Braves for the NL Wild Card. The Cards flew by the Braves in September, clinching a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season. St Louis went 90-72, and defeated the 102-win Phillies in a tough five-game series. The Cardinals then beat the Brewers in six in the NLCS, making it to their third World Series in seven years.
Both the Cardinals and Rangers have similar teams and paths to the Fall Classic. They were both hot in September, have explosive offenses, underrated defenses, and have plenty of under-the-radar stars shrouded behind the hype of two bigger players (Texas's Josh Hamilton and St Louis's Albert Pujols). Expect a long a tough battle to crown this year's champions of baseball.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Cam Newton - More than Hype
Let me set the record straight: I absolutely HATED Cam Newton at Auburn. I couldn't stand those War Eagles win. Now that Newton left college and was drafted by the Panthers, I have jumped the Cameron Jurell Newton National Bandwagon (I'm a charter member).
Cam Newton came into the NFL shrouded with hype. People critisized him, saying he couldn't play under center, and that he couldn't adapt to the NFL play-calling. But he shut those critics up on September 11, in the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Newton threw for 422 yards in a loss to the Cardinals, setting the NFL record for most passing yards by a rookie QB in his debut game. He surpassed that mark the next week, throwing for 432 yards in a home loss against defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay.
Cam Newton currently has thrown for 1,847 yards (roughly 308 per game) and 7 passing touchdowns. He leads the NFL in rushing TDs by a non-running back. He is also the marquee player on my 3-2-1 fantasy team (lets go Tropics!). Newton has shown some signs of immaturity and areas of improvement. His passes aren't as accurate as they could, and he has thrown his fair share of interceptions. But Newton has brightly displayed his athletic ability through his first 5 professional games.
Could Cam Newton be a legend, or is he going to be a bust? I already penciled him in as the 2015 MVP. Big expectations I cannot back up. Be sure to check out my other blog, SouthBeachDPV Uniforms, and keep viewing this one.
Cam Newton came into the NFL shrouded with hype. People critisized him, saying he couldn't play under center, and that he couldn't adapt to the NFL play-calling. But he shut those critics up on September 11, in the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Newton threw for 422 yards in a loss to the Cardinals, setting the NFL record for most passing yards by a rookie QB in his debut game. He surpassed that mark the next week, throwing for 432 yards in a home loss against defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay.
Cam Newton currently has thrown for 1,847 yards (roughly 308 per game) and 7 passing touchdowns. He leads the NFL in rushing TDs by a non-running back. He is also the marquee player on my 3-2-1 fantasy team (lets go Tropics!). Newton has shown some signs of immaturity and areas of improvement. His passes aren't as accurate as they could, and he has thrown his fair share of interceptions. But Newton has brightly displayed his athletic ability through his first 5 professional games.
Could Cam Newton be a legend, or is he going to be a bust? I already penciled him in as the 2015 MVP. Big expectations I cannot back up. Be sure to check out my other blog, SouthBeachDPV Uniforms, and keep viewing this one.
Friday, October 14, 2011
College Hoops - Like X-Mas to Jocks
Ah, the greatest twenty-four hours of the day are upon us. Tonight is college basketball's annual Midnight Madness, where 15 teams across the country ask their parents to stay up late and get their fans pumped up for the upcoming season. As a basketball fan myself, I couldn't be more thrilled.
And this year, Midnight Madness is being hosted by my 2012 National Championship pick. I used five Tournament brackets on NCAA.com last year picking them, only to be severely disappointed.
Could it be Creighton? Obviously not.
Louisville? Try again.
Duke? Wow, you must not know me.
Need a hint? What if I told you we're the only school that plays football AND basketball in the same place? What about the school with their school color as their nickname? Give up?
I am picking the Syracuse Orange yet again to win the National Champioinship.
Why Syracuse? What about Kentucky and North Carolina and UCONN, everyone's talking about them? Yeah, and last year everyone was talking about Kansas and Duke and Pitt, and look how those seasons ended. The Big East is the toughest conference in the country, and whoever comes out of there alive should have some confidence going into the Big Dance.
So whoever you root for, whoever you hate, whoever you just don't care about, root for Syracuse and have an enjoyable 2011-12 college basketball season.
And this year, Midnight Madness is being hosted by my 2012 National Championship pick. I used five Tournament brackets on NCAA.com last year picking them, only to be severely disappointed.
Could it be Creighton? Obviously not.
Louisville? Try again.
Duke? Wow, you must not know me.
Need a hint? What if I told you we're the only school that plays football AND basketball in the same place? What about the school with their school color as their nickname? Give up?
I am picking the Syracuse Orange yet again to win the National Champioinship.
Why Syracuse? What about Kentucky and North Carolina and UCONN, everyone's talking about them? Yeah, and last year everyone was talking about Kansas and Duke and Pitt, and look how those seasons ended. The Big East is the toughest conference in the country, and whoever comes out of there alive should have some confidence going into the Big Dance.
So whoever you root for, whoever you hate, whoever you just don't care about, root for Syracuse and have an enjoyable 2011-12 college basketball season.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Oklahoma State - Bedlam could be Key to BCS
Most people (me included) are wondering why Oklahoma is only #3 in the latest polls. The Sooners are the most-talked about school in the Sooner State (who would've guessed?). But a lot of people are overlooking the other relavent Oklahoma school (sorry to all 16 Tulsa fans) - the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Oklahoma State is 5-0, the same record as their rival Sooners. So what if Oklahoma beat the #11 team in the nation in Texas? The Pokes beat the #8 team in Texas A&M. The Sooners beat a Florida State team that's trying to figure out which dumpster they just woke up in. Oklahoma State has played no jokes - either some pretty good under-the-radar teams (Ex. the 4-1 Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns) or overachievers (Ex. the disappointing 1-5 Arizona squad).
The Cowboys have a Top 10 quarterback-wide receiver combo in the nation with Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. They're scoring by the dozens, averaging 51.4 points per game. To put that into perspective, last year's top scoring offense, Oregon, is currently averaging 50.6 a game.
Some cocky people who think I'm wrong may make the case that defense wins championships and Okie State has allowed 27.6 points per game. Well, you arrogant little runt, last year's top 2 scoring teams in the country, #1 Auburn and #2 Oregon, met in the BCS National Championship Game. And it isn't that bad of a thing to allow 28 a game and STILL win by almost 20.
Oklahoma State has a strong enough schedule (4 remaining games vs. Top 25 teams, including Bedlam) to be considered for the BCS Title. It is entirely possible that both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could be 11-0 entering the Bedlam showdown this year. There is a good possibility they will both be in the Top 5 and are destined for some BCS bowl. You could make a good argument for whoever wins Bedlam deserves a spot in the BCS National Championship. Oklahoma State is 8-1 at home since 2010, and the rivalry game is in good ol' Stillwater. A good portion of the country would be surprised to see Oklahoma State playing for the top spot in college football in New Orleans in January. I won't be.
Oklahoma State is 5-0, the same record as their rival Sooners. So what if Oklahoma beat the #11 team in the nation in Texas? The Pokes beat the #8 team in Texas A&M. The Sooners beat a Florida State team that's trying to figure out which dumpster they just woke up in. Oklahoma State has played no jokes - either some pretty good under-the-radar teams (Ex. the 4-1 Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns) or overachievers (Ex. the disappointing 1-5 Arizona squad).
The Cowboys have a Top 10 quarterback-wide receiver combo in the nation with Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. They're scoring by the dozens, averaging 51.4 points per game. To put that into perspective, last year's top scoring offense, Oregon, is currently averaging 50.6 a game.
Some cocky people who think I'm wrong may make the case that defense wins championships and Okie State has allowed 27.6 points per game. Well, you arrogant little runt, last year's top 2 scoring teams in the country, #1 Auburn and #2 Oregon, met in the BCS National Championship Game. And it isn't that bad of a thing to allow 28 a game and STILL win by almost 20.
Oklahoma State has a strong enough schedule (4 remaining games vs. Top 25 teams, including Bedlam) to be considered for the BCS Title. It is entirely possible that both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could be 11-0 entering the Bedlam showdown this year. There is a good possibility they will both be in the Top 5 and are destined for some BCS bowl. You could make a good argument for whoever wins Bedlam deserves a spot in the BCS National Championship. Oklahoma State is 8-1 at home since 2010, and the rivalry game is in good ol' Stillwater. A good portion of the country would be surprised to see Oklahoma State playing for the top spot in college football in New Orleans in January. I won't be.
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