Rapidly rising as one of my favorite sports, I sit here to discuss the Conference Semis, or the Quarterfinals. Many people don't care about hockey, that's fine, you don't have to. However, people throw it on the chopping block before giving it a chance. I've watched on TV, and attended a game, each of the four major sporting events. Hockey is by far, the best for both of these. Even if you are sitting at home, you feel the energy in the building. I'm not saying hockey is my favorite sport, because it's not, but it is on a rapid rise. Just give it a chance, look to see if there are any games in your network. Let's break down these games.
Western Conference:
(2) Detroit vs. (8) Anaheim
Detroit is experienced. So is Anaheim. These teams have combined for the last two Stanley Cups. Expect a game or two go into overtime. I think penalties late will be a teams downfall. The teams have good defenses, but not great offense, which would look like a highly defensive series. However, both goalies have been struggling as of late. It could be a high scoring series, or a low one. Bottom Line, the Red Wings are too good, winning in six.
(3) Vancouver vs. (4) Chicago
Can you hear it? Me neither. This serious doesn't look to exciting, even though it might be a long one. Chicago wants a championship, they don't seem to get them anymore, after all, the Cubs seem hopeless, the Bears don't look great, and the Bulls face elimination tonight. I honestly find this the least interesting of the four series. The team with home ice is going to be thankful for it in the end. Bottom Line, the Canucks get lucky for the home ice, win in seven.
Eastern Conference
(2) Washington vs. (4) Pittsburgh
Great series. Period. It is always exciting to see Ovechking, Crosby, and Malkin go at it. This is going to be a highly offensive series. This will be the best of the bunch. Washington will have a lot of fire power after rebounding from what looked like a dismal end to a great season, being down 3-1 to the Rangers. Pittsburgh took care of Philly handily, even though it went six. The rest should be key for the Penguins. Bottom Line, Penguins take it in six.
(1) Boston vs. (6) Carolina
The series I will pay most attention to, solely because I'm a Bruins fan. In all honesty, it will be pretty boring. The Bruins were 4-0-0 against the Canes. They outscored them 4 1/2 to 1 1/2 goals a game in the regular season. The Bruins have the penalty kill going for them. Tim Thomas is on fire, and Carolina is lucky to be alive. Offensive fire power is sure to happen between Krejci, Kessel, and Ryder. I would love to take them in a sweep, but it is a little to bias. Bottom Line, the Bruins are rolling on all cylinders, and roll into the Conference Finals, winning in five games.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Baseball Picks (Made late March, published late April...)
As I sat down and made my MLB predictions for the '09 season, I thought to my self "Self, these better live up to your prediction of the Rays making the playoffs this year." So far they have, my surprise teams are off to well, surprising starts. My dissapointments...well that is dissapointing to me. Let's start with the division breakdown.
American League:
East:
I like Boston to sneek out of this division, in a close four way battle. In the end, the experience, power, and pitching are what will get the Sox through in my opinion (and a little bias.) Then I see the Yankees and the Rays to both be one game back when it is all said and done. Surprisingly, the Blue Jays will finish only six games back (this is holding up well so far). And then the Orioles are just going to be the Orioles.
Central:
Cleveland seemed like a good choice to me in this below average division. It took some guesswork to try and predict this one. Cleveland has been there, and I think this is a good year for them. Then the Twinkies are my second place team, followed by a distant Chicago and Detroit respectively. Finally the Royals finish last...again.
West:
A division that looks to be more promising than in years past, I still think the Angels will come out on top, and take the Best Record in the AL. Then Oakland behind a solid team will be close runner-ups in the division, which may go down to the last day. Texas finishes third, and the Mariners are last again.
National League:
East:
You never know what's gonna happen in this division that use to be dominated by the Braves. This year I like them to win the division behind Cy Young candidate Derek Lowe. The Mets finish second, narrowly missing the playoffs again. Philly comes off the World Series with a dissapointing year. The Nats move up to fourth, and a pick that isn't looking good right now, the Marlins finish last.
Central:
The Cubbies take the division for another year. Then my surprise team, the Pittsburgh Pirates end up second in the six team division. St. Louis and Milwaukee end up in the middle of the group. The Reds loss of Adam Dunn will hurt them, and they end up fifth in the divisional race. Houston rounds out the group.
West:
On to the NL West where anything can happen. Here I like Manny and the Dodgers to win the divisional crown. The Diamondbacks finish second, closely followed by the Fathers. The Rockies, just two years removed from an NL Crown, finish forth, and the Giants go dead last in a terrible division.
Now to my superlatives:
In the American League, I like the Angels to get the best record. The Wild Card goes to the Yankees in a one game playoff over the Rays. My Surprise Team is the Toronto Blue Jays, coincedentally off to a great start. The Dissapointment is the Chicago White Sox. In the National League, the Braves take the Best Record. My Wild Card, also my Surprise Team, is the Pittsburgh Pirates out of the NL Central. The Dissapointment is the Phillies after winning the World Series. The American League wins the All-Star Game again, and the World Series home field, eight to five.
Playoffs:
American League Divisional Series
The Angels survive a scare from the Yankees and win in five.
The Sox win the '07 ALCS rematch over the Indians in four games.
American League Championship Series
The Angels finally get over the hump against the Red Sox, winning four games to two.
National League Divisional Series
Atlanta ends the feel-good story of Pittsburgh three games to one.
The Cubs sweep Manny and the Dodgers.
.
National League Championship Series
The Cubs advance to the World Series, winning in six games over the Braves.
World Series
The Angels win for the second time this decade, beating the crestfallen Cubs in six games, in the Windy City. Vladimir Guerrero takes home MVP honors.
Those are my picks, hold me to them. Check out my cousin Mike's picks and other odd blogs at "The Leprechauns Must Pay For Our Sins"
American League:
East:
I like Boston to sneek out of this division, in a close four way battle. In the end, the experience, power, and pitching are what will get the Sox through in my opinion (and a little bias.) Then I see the Yankees and the Rays to both be one game back when it is all said and done. Surprisingly, the Blue Jays will finish only six games back (this is holding up well so far). And then the Orioles are just going to be the Orioles.
Central:
Cleveland seemed like a good choice to me in this below average division. It took some guesswork to try and predict this one. Cleveland has been there, and I think this is a good year for them. Then the Twinkies are my second place team, followed by a distant Chicago and Detroit respectively. Finally the Royals finish last...again.
West:
A division that looks to be more promising than in years past, I still think the Angels will come out on top, and take the Best Record in the AL. Then Oakland behind a solid team will be close runner-ups in the division, which may go down to the last day. Texas finishes third, and the Mariners are last again.
National League:
East:
You never know what's gonna happen in this division that use to be dominated by the Braves. This year I like them to win the division behind Cy Young candidate Derek Lowe. The Mets finish second, narrowly missing the playoffs again. Philly comes off the World Series with a dissapointing year. The Nats move up to fourth, and a pick that isn't looking good right now, the Marlins finish last.
Central:
The Cubbies take the division for another year. Then my surprise team, the Pittsburgh Pirates end up second in the six team division. St. Louis and Milwaukee end up in the middle of the group. The Reds loss of Adam Dunn will hurt them, and they end up fifth in the divisional race. Houston rounds out the group.
West:
On to the NL West where anything can happen. Here I like Manny and the Dodgers to win the divisional crown. The Diamondbacks finish second, closely followed by the Fathers. The Rockies, just two years removed from an NL Crown, finish forth, and the Giants go dead last in a terrible division.
Now to my superlatives:
In the American League, I like the Angels to get the best record. The Wild Card goes to the Yankees in a one game playoff over the Rays. My Surprise Team is the Toronto Blue Jays, coincedentally off to a great start. The Dissapointment is the Chicago White Sox. In the National League, the Braves take the Best Record. My Wild Card, also my Surprise Team, is the Pittsburgh Pirates out of the NL Central. The Dissapointment is the Phillies after winning the World Series. The American League wins the All-Star Game again, and the World Series home field, eight to five.
Playoffs:
American League Divisional Series
The Angels survive a scare from the Yankees and win in five.
The Sox win the '07 ALCS rematch over the Indians in four games.
American League Championship Series
The Angels finally get over the hump against the Red Sox, winning four games to two.
National League Divisional Series
Atlanta ends the feel-good story of Pittsburgh three games to one.
The Cubs sweep Manny and the Dodgers.
.
National League Championship Series
The Cubs advance to the World Series, winning in six games over the Braves.
World Series
The Angels win for the second time this decade, beating the crestfallen Cubs in six games, in the Windy City. Vladimir Guerrero takes home MVP honors.
Those are my picks, hold me to them. Check out my cousin Mike's picks and other odd blogs at "The Leprechauns Must Pay For Our Sins"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
