Thursday, October 31, 2013

The blog is again coming to you from the beautiful North Georgia mountains:

For the last time this year, lets go to the ballpark:

Fenway Park was definitely rocking last night, and the curse of the Bambino is now definitely and officially over and done with.  The Boston Red Sox are World Series champions again, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 yesterday to take the series in six games.  Last night, it was a little more of the same for the Sox, as John Lackey dominated and the bullpen again closed out any hopes for a rally that the Cards may have had.  Shane Victorino drove in four runs in the game six win.  David Ortiz took home the World Series MVP trophy, hitting a cool .688, and reached base on 10 of his 25 plate appearances in the series.  Even with Ortiz’ lofty batting average, the Sox won the series despite a team batting average of only .211, the lowest by a WS winner since the Oakland A’s in 1972, who hit .209.  Boston’s pitching staff finished with a team ERA of 1.84 in the series, lowest in a single series since the 1983 Baltimore Orioles (1.60).  The Duck Dynasty lookalikes completed a season in which they went from worst to first and clinched the title in the shadow of the green monster for the first time since 1918. 

Some reports from Boston:




To quote Babe Ruth one last time this season:  “Baseball was, is, and always will be, the best game in the world.” 

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  The Big Papi, David Ortiz, became the third oldest player to win the World Series MVP.  Who are the two oldest?   The answer comes later, alligator.  

Let’s go to the gridiron:

The Dolphins will host the Cincinnati Bengals here at the Seven Names Stadium tonight, and you can watch the game on NFL Network, starting at 8:30 pm.

All is definitely not well with the Dolphins.

Starting offensive tackle Jonathan Martin has left the team after an altercation in the lunch room with teammates.  Here are a couple of reports from the local media trying to figure out what happened and what is going on:




Isn’t it just a tad embarrassing that it took the three local area newspapers, the Miami Herald, the Sun Sentinel, and the Palm Beach Post two days to figure out that Martin had left the team?  I’m glad they all have a slew of writers covering this team.

My take:  Unless the Fins can find a way to turn this around immediately, and that means winning tonight against the Bengals, head coach Joe Philbin is going to shoulder the blame on losing his team.  Reports out of the team’s training facility are that Martin was the butt of jokes and ribbing from his teammates, and there is a huge divide among the players inside the locker room.  Sources are also saying that there have been issues among the coaching staff, including a public argument between Philbin and one of his top assistants.  The offense run by Mike Sherman looks a bit old and stale, and if Ryan Tannehill is going to grow as a QB, they need to take advantage of his strengths, not magnify his shortcomings.  This team is beginning to show signs of a total breakdown.  

More from Armando Salguero:


In my NFL picks, much better results last week.  I finished 4-2-1 against the spread, and 6-1 straight up.  My record so far this season:  28-25-3 against the spread, and 36-20 straight up.  

Here is this week’s NFL schedule, along with today’s pick and opening odds:

THURSDAY

Cincinnati @ Miami +3 8:25 pm NFL Network

I guess we will find out tonight how strong and resilient this Dolphin team is.  The eternal optimist inside me tells me that the defense shows up tonight, and the offense explodes against the Bengals.  The realist inside me says that the Bengals will take advantage of a team in shambles and beat the Dolphins at the Seven Names Stadium.  Guess I’ll go with the Bengals and give the three points.  That spread may grow as kickoff time approaches. 

I’ll have the picks for Sunday in tomorrow’s blog.

SUNDAY

Kansas City @ Buffalo +4         1:00 pm CBS

Tennessee @ St. Louis +3         1:00 pm CBS

San Diego @ Washington +1 1:00 pm CBS

Minnesota @ Dallas -9 1:00 pm FOX

New Orleans @ NY Jets +6       1:00 pm FOX

Atlanta @ Carolina -9             1:00 pm FOX

Philadelphia @ Oakland -1       4:05 pm FOX

Tampa @ Seattle -18              4:05 pm FOX

Baltimore @ Cleveland +3       4:25 pm CBS

Pittsburgh @ New England -8 4:25 pm CBS

Indianapolis @ Houston -1       8:30 pm NBC

MONDAY

Chicago @ Green Bay -11         8:30 pm ESPN

Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:


Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.  

In college football, the #7 University of Miami Hurricanes will be in Tallahassee to take on the #3 Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.  Game time is 8:00 pm and you can watch it on ABC.  This is the first time that the Canes and Seminoles have been matched up as top-ten teams since 2003.  FSU is more than a three-touchdown favorite over the Canes.    

Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan ave all the latest from Coral Gables:


The FIU Panthers host East Carolina at the Cage on Saturday.  East Carolina has scored 50 points or more three times this season, and comes into the game as a 21 1/2 point favorite over FIU.  

Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:


Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #3-ranked FSU:


From Gainesville and the University of Florida, who fell from the top-25 after losing to Missouri on Saturday:


Strange and disturbing news out of Boca Raton and Florida Atlantic University.  Head football coach Carl Pelini was forced to resign after accusations of illegal drug use.  Not by the players, but by the coach and one of his assistants.  


Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:  


Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 10, including TV listings:


Moving to the hardwood,

The Heat lost to the Philadelphia 76ers last night, 114-110.  The Heat spotted the 76ers a 22-point lead in the first quarter, and came back to take a nine-point lead in the third quarter.  They could’t hold that lead, and got outscored 29-16 in the fourth quarter.    



Next game for the Heat is tomorrow, in Brooklyn, against the Nets.




Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:


On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers:



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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock.  Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions: 


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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  The Big Papi, David Ortiz, became the third oldest player to win the World Series MVP.  Who are the two oldest? 

Willie Stargell was 39 years and 225 days old when he won it with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979.  Randy Johnson was 38 years and 55 days old when he took home the trophy in 2001 with Arizona.         

Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. 

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The blog is again coming to you from the beautiful North Georgia mountains:

Lets go to the ballpark:

The Cardinals have their backs against the wall in game six of the world series tonight, as they need a win to stay alive and force a game seven.  The Cards will have Michael Wacha on the hill, and he has nothing short of outstanding during this post season.  John Lackey will take the mound for the Red Sox as they try to win their third world series championship in the last ten years, and their first at Fenway Park since 1918.  First pitch tonight will be at 8:07 pm, and you can watch the game on your local FOX affiliate. 

Some reports from Boston as we await game six:




To again quote the legendary Babe Ruth:  “Baseball was, is, and always will be, the best game in the world.” 

World Series Schedule:

WEDNESDAY GAME 6

Cards @ Red Sox Michael Wacha vs John Lackey 8:07  pm FOX

THURSDAY GAME 7 if necessary

Cards @ Red Sox TBA vs TBA 8:07  pm FOX

In other news around baseball,



Gold Glove winners were announced in MLB:


TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  Cuban-American rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies captured a Gold Glove award yesterday.  Who was the last rookie to win a Gold Glove?   The answer comes later, alligator.  

In the story that just refuses to go away,



Let’s go to the gridiron:

The Dolphins will host the Cincinnati Bengals here at the Seven Names Stadium this Thursday.  Catch the game on NFL Network, starting at 8:30 pm.


More Dolphin news:

The Fins are looking for a replacement for Brandon Gibson, who was placed on injured reserve:


Rishard Matthews is ready for his opportunity:


Unlike Dolphin fans, the team is not ready to panic:


More from Armando Salguero:


In my NFL picks, much better results last week.  I finished 4-2-1 against the spread, and 6-1 straight up.  My record so far this season:  28-25-3 against the spread, and 36-20 straight up.  

Here is this week’s NFL schedule and opening odds:

THURSDAY

Cincinnati @ Miami +4 8:25 pm NFL Network

SUNDAY

Kansas City @ Buffalo +4         1:00 pm CBS

Tennessee @ St. Louis +3         1:00 pm CBS

San Diego @ Washington +1 1:00 pm CBS

Minnesota @ Dallas -9 1:00 pm FOX

New Orleans @ NY Jets +6       1:00 pm FOX

Atlanta @ Carolina -9             1:00 pm FOX

Philadelphia @ Oakland -1        4:05 pm FOX

Tampa @ Seattle -18               4:05 pm FOX

Baltimore @ Cleveland +3         4:25 pm CBS

Pittsburgh @ New England -8 4:25 pm CBS

Indianapolis @ Houston -1         8:30 pm NBC

MONDAY

Chicago @ Green Bay -11          8:30 pm ESPN

Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:


Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.  

In college football, the #7 University of Miami Hurricanes will be in Tallahassee to take on the #3 Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.  Game time is 8:00 pm and you can watch it on ABC.  This is the first time that the Canes and Seminoles have been matched up as top-ten teams since 2003, even though FSU is more than a three-touchdown favorite over the Canes.    


Pictures of FSU-Miami through the years:


More UM news:



Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have all the latest from Coral Gables:


The FIU Panthers host East Carolina at the Cage on Saturday.  East Carolina has scored 50 points or more three times this season, and comes into the game as a 21 1/2 point favorite over FIU.  


Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:


Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #3-ranked FSU:


From Gainesville and the University of Florida, who fell from the top-25 after losing to Missouri on Saturday:


Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:  


Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 10, including TV listings:


Moving to the hardwood,

The Heat raised the championship banner and received the championship rings last night, then proceeded to blow out the Chicago Bulls 107-95 in the regular season opener last night at the AAA.  Miami had a 25-point lead after the third quarter, and coasted home.  Seven Heat players scored in double figures, led by LeBron James’ 17 points.  






The Heat are in Philadelphia to take on the Sixers tonight.  Miami has defeated Philadelphia 15 consecutive times in the regular season, including the last seven games in Philly.  Tonight is the first set of back-to-back games - Miami went 15-1 on the second night of back-to-back sets last season. Game time is 7:00 pm and you can watch the game on Sun Sports on your cable or satellite system.


Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:


In case you missed them yesterday, here are my fearless picks and predictions for the NBA this season.

We’ll make it real simple on my picks.  Here are the eight playoff teams from each conference, and where they will finish:

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   LA Clippers - With new coach Doc Rivers, look for the Clips to take over ownership of the City of Angels and the Western Conference of the NBA.

2. San Antonio Spurs - Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Kawhi Leonard are still a force.  They also have the best coach in the league in Gregg Popovich.  Very difficult to pick against these guys.

3.  Houston Rockets - Dwight Howard will make a difference with this team, just not enough to win the West.

4. Golden State Warriors - This will be a really fun team to watch this season.  They can finish even higher than fourth in the conference.

5.  Oklahoma City Thunder - The injury to Russell Westbrook and the possible lack of motivation of Kevin Durant could be negatives for this team.

6.  Minnesota Timberwolves - The longest active playoff drought in the NBA will end this year.

7.  Portland Trailblazers - Watch out for this team.  They added center Robin Lopez and their bench is much better this year. 

8.  LA Lakers - Can’t bet against Kobe making it to the playoffs, but his injury and Steve Nash’s age and Pau Gasol’s health issues will make it difficult. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Miami Heat - No doubt.  This is the year Erik Spolstra gets recognized as one of the best coaches in the NBA.

2. Indiana Pacers - This team is scary good.

3. Brooklyn Nets - Old and talented, and they play in the very weak Atlantic division.

4.  Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose is back.  Is he a one-man show?

5.  New York Knicks - Carmelo Anthony in a contract year.  

6. Detroit Pistons - Young, talented team.  

7.  Toronto Raptors - Will be better than anyone expects.

8.  Cleveland Cavaliers - Somebody has to play the Heat in round 1.  Kyrie Irving is the real deal.

Miami will beat the Clippers to win their third straight NBA title.  Easy enough for you?

On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers:



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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock.  Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions: 


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  Cuban-American rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies captured a Gold Glove award yesterday.  Who was the last rookie to win a Gold Glove?

Ichiro Suzuki in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners.       

Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The blog coming to you from the beautiful North Georgia mountains:

NOTE TO ALL:  My fearless NBA predictions later in the blog.

Lets go to the ballpark:

The Red Sox are on the verge of capturing their third world series championship in the last ten years, and their first at Fenway Park since 1918, after defeating the Cardinals last night in game five of the series by a 3-1 score.  Jon Lester again quieted the Cardinals’ bats, going 7 2/3 innings, and allowing only four hits, including a solo homer by Matt Holliday.  David Ortiz went 4-3 and drove in a run, and is now hitting .733 in the series.  He has 11 hits in the series, one-third of his team’s hits.  The series returns to Boston for game 6 on Wednesday, and game 7, if necessary, on Thursday.  John Lackey will start for Boston on Wednesday, Michael Wacha will be on the hill for the Cardinals in the do-or-die game for them. 

Games 5 Recap and Box Score:


To again quote the legendary Babe Ruth:  “Baseball was, is, and always will be, the best game in the world.” 

World Series Schedule:

WEDNESDAY GAME 6

Cards @ Red Sox Michael Wacha vs John Lackey 8:07  pm FOX

THURSDAY GAME 7 if necessary

Cards @ Red Sox TBA vs TBA 8:07  pm FOX

Let’s go to the gridiron:

The Dolphins will host the Cincinnati Bengals here at the Seven Names Stadium this Thursday.  Catch the game on NFL Network, starting at 8:30 pm.

More from Armando Salguero:


In my NFL picks, much better results this week.  I finished 4-2-1 against the spread, and 6-1 straight up.  My record so far this season:  28-25-3 against the spread, and 36-20 straight up.  

Here are this week’s NFL results:

Seattle 14 St. Louis 9 DIDN’T COVER

Carolina 31 Tampa Bay 13

New England 27  Miami 17

Kansas City 23 Cleveland 17 PUSH

Cincinnati 49  NY Jets 9 

Oakland 21 Pittsburgh 18

Green Bay 44 Minnesota 31

New Orleans 35 Buffalo 17

Detroit 31 Dallas 30

NY Giants 15 Philadelphia 7

San Francisco 42 Jacksonville 10

Denver 45  Washington 21

Arizona 27 Atlanta 13

NFL game summaries and recaps from week 8:


Complete NFL Week Nine Schedule:


Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:


Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.  

In college football, the #7 University of Miami Hurricanes will be in Tallahassee to take on the #3 Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.  Game time is 8:00 pm and you can watch it on ABC.  This is the first time that the Canes and Seminoles have been matched up as top-ten teams since 2003, even though FSU is more than a three-touchdown favorite over the Canes.    




Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have all the latest from Coral Gables:


The FIU Panthers host East Carolina at the Cage on Saturday.  East Carolina has scored 50 points or more three times this season, and comes into the game as a 21 1/2 point favorite over FIU.  

Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:


Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #3-ranked FSU:


From Gainesville and the University of Florida, who fell from the top-25 after losing to Missouri on Saturday:


Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:  


Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 10, including TV listings:


Let’s talk hoops.  

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Heat kick off the NBA season tonight, looking to win their third consecutive NBA title.  Who was the last team not coached by Phil Jackson to win three consecutive NBA titles?  The answer comes later, alligator.  

Heats and Bulls kick off the NBA season tonight:





Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:


Today’s NBA Games:


As promised, here are my fearless picks and predictions for the NBA this season.

We’ll make it real simple on my picks.  Here are the eight playoff teams from each conference, and where they will finish:

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. LA Clippers - With new coach Doc Rivers, look for the Clips to take over ownership of the City of Angels and the Western Conference of the NBA.

2. San Antonio Spurs - Timmy, Tony Parker, and Kawhi Leonard are still a force.  They also have the best coach in the league in Gregg Popovich.  Very difficult to pick against these guys.

3.  Houston Rockets - Dwight Howard will make a difference with this team, just not enough to win the West.

4. Golden State Warriors - This will be a really fun team to watch this season.  They can finish even higher than fourth in the conference.

5.  Oklahoma City Thunder - The injury to Russell Westbrook and the possible lack of motivation of Kevin Durant could be negatives for this team.

6.  Minnesota Timberwolves - The longest active playoff drought in the NBA will end this year.

7.  Portland Trailblazers - Watch out for this team.  They added center Robin Lopez and their bench is much better this year. 

8.  LA Lakers - Can’t bet against Kobe making it to the playoffs, but his injury and Steve Nash’s age and Pau Gasol’s health issues will make it difficult. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Miami Heat - No doubt.  This is the year Erik Spolstra gets recognized as one of the best coaches in the NBA.

2. Indiana Pacers - This team is scary good.

3. Brooklyn Nets - Old and talented, and they play in the very weak Atlantic division.

4.  Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose is back.  Is he a one-man show?

5.  New York Knicks - Carmelo Anthony in a contract year.  

6. Detroit Pistons - Young, talented team.  

7.  Toronto Raptors - Better than anyone expects.

8.  Cleveland Cavaliers - Somebody has to play the Heat in round one.  Kyrie Irving is the real deal.

Miami will beat the Clippers to win their third straight NBA title.  Easy enough for you?

On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers:



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock.  Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions: 


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  The Heat kick off the NBA season tonight, looking to win their third consecutive NBA title.  Who was the last team not coached by Phil Jackson to win three consecutive NBA titles?      

The Boston Celtics, coached by the legendary Red Auerbach, won an incredible eight championships in a row from 1959-1965.  That’s something to shoot for.       

Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.