Sports Jam Session / Descarga Deportiva: May 2014

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs will meet in the NBA finals that tipoff on Thursday. The Heat, of course, put a beat-down on the Indiana Pacers to win the series in six games, and the Spurs beat the OkC Thunder in overtime to also end that series in six games. Arguably, the two best teams will square off in the finals, and it will be a rematch of last year’s thrilling series that the Heat won in dramatic fashion in seven games, coming back from a 3-2 deficit. My two favorite teams in the NBA. The Spurs are a classy team and will give the Heat everything they can handle in order to to go for the three-peat. It will not be easy, but I definitely don’t anticipate the same type of series the Heat had with the Pacers. Two great teams with future hall of fame players, two top-notch organizations.

Let’s begin the finals coverage with an analysis and breakdown from the folks at NBA.com. SPOILER ALERT: Most of you are not going to like their pick to win it all:

HEAT - SPURS finals preview from nba.com

The USA TODAY chimes in with their preview and their pick. SPOILER ALERT: You probably won’t like this one either:

HEAT - SPURS finals preview from USA TODAY

What are the South Florida newspapers saying:

HEAT - SPURS from the Herald

HEAT - SPURS from the Sun Sentinel

I will tell you definitively who will win the series on Thursday.

Here is the complete series schedule:

GAME 1 Thursday June 5 Heat @ Spurs 9:00 pm ABC

GAME 2 Sunday June 8 Heat @ Spurs 8:00 pm ABC

GAME 3 Tuesday June 10 Spurs @ Heat 9:00 pm ABC

GAME 4 Thursday June 12 Spurs @ Heat 9:00 pm ABC

GAME 5 Sunday June 15 Heat @ Spurs 8:00 pm ABC *

GAME 6 Tuesday June 17 Spurs @ Heat 9:00 pm ABC *

GAME 7 Friday June 20 Heat @ Spurs 9:00 pm ABC *

* if necessary

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Heat joined two other teams as the only ones to go to the NBA finals four years in a row. Who are the others? The answer comes later, alligator.

Let’s go to MLB:

The home magic for the Marlins disappeared this weekend, as Fredi Gonzalez brought the Braves into Miami for a three-game series. The teams started the weekend tied for first place in the NL east, and the Braves would have none of that. They swept the series with the Fish, beating them three straight. Earlier in May, the Marlins swept a three-game set in Miami, so the Bravos managed a little bit of payback in this series. The Fish will now face the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game, home and home series. Two games in Miami, two games in St. Pete.

Here are the projected starters for the rest of the series with the Rays:

Monday Alex Cobb vs Randy Wolf 7:10 pm

Tuesday Chris Archer vs Henderson Alvarez 7:10 pm

Wednesday Tom Koehler vs David Price 7:10 pm

Thursday Jacob Turner vs Jake Odorizzi 4:10 pm

After the Rays series, the Fish will travel to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs for a weekend series. They will then head down to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers in a brief two-game series next Tuesday and Wednesday, before returning home for a 10-game home stand, when they welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Chicago Cubs, and the New York Metropolitans.

Click below for yesterday’s recaps and results in the major leagues:

National League

American League

Here are the standings in MLB:

MLB standings

Today’s complete schedule in the major leagues:

Today's games in MLB

Here are the individual leaders in the majors:

Individual batting and pitching leaders

Some other things I’m keeping my eye on around the diamonds:

The Marlins made a move yesterday as they traded a draft pick to the Pirates for relief pitcher Bryan Morris. Morris, a former first-round pick of the Dodgers, is 4-0 with a 3.80 ERA in 21 games this season. He is 9-7 with a 3.46 ERA in his career. I don’t know if Morris is the answer, but this year’s edition of the Marlins’ bullpen has been a real problem. Hopefully, this is the first step in trying to fix it.

The Yankees lost a game yesterday against the Twins, when closer David Robertson blew the save opportunity in the ninth inning, giving up a total of five runs in the top of the ninth inning. I don’t expect Robertson to convert every save opportunity, so I’m not going to lose any sleep over this one. However, what bothers me about the Yankees is that they are playing an old and ineffective Ichiro Suzuki in their outfield on a regular basis, and their DH is someone named Zoilo Almonte, who is hitting a woeful .158 this season. They have Kelly Johnson, who is hitting a crisp .212, alternating at first base, since Mark Teixeira has been battling a wrist injury all season. Why has this team not gone after someone like Kendrys Morales, who is sitting out there as a free agent? He can’t do any worse than Almonte or Johnson.

All is not bad news from New York, as the Yankees’ rookie starter Masahiro Tanaka continues to impress.

I really didn't see this one coming, but Mark Buehrle is leading the Major Leagues with 10 wins this season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten very little production so far this season from their leadoff man. Look for the best minor league prospect in baseball, outfielder Gregory Polanco, to make the jump to the big show very soon. He is now batting leadoff in AAA, and his numbers so far this year include a .412 on-base percentage, with 26 extra-base hits and 12 stolen bases. Polanco looks like the real deal.

The Cardinals brought up their prized prospect, Oscar Taveras, and he homered in his first game. He looks like a ballplayer.

People in Los Angeles are saying that Yasiel Puig has turned into a better player, a better person, and a better teammate so far this year. The reality that he is hitting .340 probably helps, as well. The Dodgers are, understandably, very happy with his progress, both on and off the field.

After losing ten games in a row, the Boston Red Sox have now won seven consecutive games. Talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The Tampa Bay Rays have lost six games in a row, and have apparently forgotten how to hit the baseball, only scoring four runs in the last five games. They have fallen to last place in the AL East.

Friday, May 23, 2014

The NBA playoffs took a couple of days off as the teams traveled to new venues.

On Saturday, the Heat and the Pacers will be back at it at the AAA at 8:30 pm for game three of their series. Game four will be on Monday, also at 8:30 pm. In case you've been sleeping, the series is tied at one game apiece.

Click below for the latest from the local media:

Coach Spoelstra receptive to inout from his players during games

Dwyane Wade is still D-Wade

The San Antonio Spurs, on the other hand, have a 2-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder as the series continues in OkC on Sunday at 8:30 pm with game three. Game four will be played on Tuesday at 9:00 pm.

Click below for ESPN’s continuing coverage of both playoff match ups:

Let’s go to MLB:

After losing the opener against the Phillies, the Marlins rebounded nicely and took the next two from the Phils. Yesterday, it was a walk off win, as Christian Yelich drove in the winning run in with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Fish now take on the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game weekend series, before heading out to Washington, DC to take on the Nationals in a three-game set. After a day off next Thursday, the Marlins return to Marlins Park for a weekend series against the Atlanta Braves, and for two games against cross-state rivals Tampa Bay in their yearly home/away series.

Here are the projected starters for the Brewers series:

Friday Marco Estrada vs Tom Koehler 7:10 pm

Saturday Wily Peralta vs Jacob Turner 4:10 pm

Sunday Yovani Gallardo vs Randy Wolf 1:10 pm

Click below for yesterday’s recaps and results in the major leagues:

National League

American League

Here are the standings in MLB:

MLB standings

Today’s complete schedule in the major leagues:

Today's games in MLB

Here are the individual leaders in the majors:

Individual batting and pitching leaders

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Remember Mark Buehrle and his brief one-year Marlins career? Buehrle leads the American League (and all of MLB) with eight wins this season so far. Who was the last Blue Jay to lead the league in wins? The answer comes later, alligator.

Some other things I’m keeping my eye on around the diamonds:

Dodgers minor league infielder Alex Guerrero is out indefinitely, and there are questions as to whether his ear will be ok after the dugout fight with Miguel Olivo. The Dodgers released Olivo after the incident in which he bit Guerrero’s ear.

Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija continues to dominate, leading the majors with a 1.46 ERA. However, in a total of 10 starts, he is still winless this season. That is totally freaky.

Prince Fielder will undergo season-ending neck surgery. He is suffering from a disk injury in his neck, and it has been causing him weakness in his left arm. Fielder had played in 547 consecutive games.

The Mets beat the Dodgers on Thursday, 5-3. The big news is that Zack Greinke’s streak of 21 consecutive starts allowing two runs or less is over.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

I told you not to lose any sleep over it. The Eastern Conference Finals series is now tied at a game apiece, after the Heat took back the home court advantage last night, beating the Indiana Pacers by the score of 87-83. Miami has now won 11 consecutive playoff games after a loss. The Heat played much better on the defensive side of the court, but it was a fourth quarter domination by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade that gave the Heat the win. LeBron and D-Wade combined for 22 points in the quarter, outscoring the Pacers as a team, 22-20. James finished with 22 points, Wade led the Heat with 23.

A good effort yesterday by the bench as well, as Chris Andersen and Norris Cole stepped it up as well. The Birdman continues to do good things when he is on the court, and Cole found his shot and was a nuisance guarding Lance Stephenson in the fourth quarter. Andersen dominated on the boards, taking down 12 rebounds, and Cole scored 11 points with no turnovers in his 27 minutes of action.

One thing to look at as the series heads back to Miami for game three on Saturday: when the Heat has opted to have both Andersen and Chris Bosh on the court at the same time against the Pacers, Miami has outscored the Pacers by 25 points in 80 minutes over the last two seasons, including during the playoffs. Last night, in the 29 minutes that Andersen was on the court, Miami outscored the Pacers by 25 points, holding them to a 29% shooting percentage from the floor. Birdman’s presence has definitely been felt.

Mark your calendars . . . Game Three is on Saturday, at 8:30 pm, and game four will be on Monday, also at 8:30. Saturday’s game will be broadcast on ABC, while Monday’s encounter will be televised by ESPN.

Out west, the San Antonio Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in game two of their Western Conference Final series. San Antonio leads that series 1-0, after beating the Thunder 122-105, thanks mostly to Tim Duncan, who scored 27 points to lead five players in double figures. Manu Ginobili came off the bench to score 18, Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard each tallied 16, and Tony Parker scored 14 and dished out 12 assists. The Spurs and the Thunder take the court tonight is at 9:00 pm, and you can catch the game on TNT on your cable or satellite system.

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The San Antonio Spurs entered this year’s conference finals without a single player averaging over 20 points a game. Over the last 20 years, no team without a 20-point scorer has won an NBA championship. Who was the last team to accomplish this feat? The answer comes later, alligator.

NBA game summaries

Playoff Schedule

Let’s go to MLB:

The Marlins opened up their series against the Phillies last night on the wrong foot, falling 6-5. AJ Burnett struggled but managed to last 5 innings to notch the win against his former team. The Fish, who lost for the first time since May 3rd at Marlins Park, made it interesting in the ninth inning against closer Jonathan Papelbon, but fell just short. Their home record is still the best in the major leagues, at 17-6.

Miami will send Nathan Eovaldi to the hill tonight against Kyle Kendrick as they try to get back to their winning ways at home.

Here are the projected starters for the rest of the Phillies series:

Wednesday Kyle Kendrick vs Nathan Eovaldi 7:10 pm

Thursday Cole Hamels vs Henderson Alvarez 7:10 pm

Click below for yesterday’s recaps and results in the major leagues:

National League

American League

Here are the standings in MLB:

MLB standings

Today’s complete schedule in the major leagues:

Today's games in MLB

Some things I’m keeping my eye on around the diamonds:

Jose Fernandez admitted that he was pitching in pain and keeping it from the Marlins. The Sentinel and the Herald are all over this:

From the Miami Herald

From the Sentinel

We know now that Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is human. Tanaka lost his first game in the majors last night, falling to the lowly Chicago Cubs, 6-1. Tanaka lost for the first time in 42 regular season games, having gone 34-0 in Japan and in the majors the last two season.

The Braves got another outstanding pitching performance, last night it came from Julio Teheran, who shut out the Brewers, 5-0. Teheran allowed only three hits and struck out eight.

In a “kids will be kids” moment, there was a dugout fight between Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero and catcher Miguel Olivo during a game for the Dodgers AAA team in Albuquerque. Guerrero lost part of his ear during the scuffle. Here’s the story from Fox Sports, along with some video:

A Mike Tyson / Evander Holyfield moment in Albuquerque

The Red Sox continue to struggle, losing five in a row. They really miss Jacoby Ellsbury and Jarod Saltalamachia. After going from last to first last year, 2014 may be the opposite.

The Yankees aren’t exactly lighting it up out there themselves. Two of their three top starters (CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda) are on the DL, with no timetable for their return in sight. They need Hiroki Kuroda to get back to his usual level of effectiveness, and their youngsters (David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, and Chase Whitley) need to come through on a consistent level. The bullpen needs to kick it up a notch as well. Kudos, however, to new closer David Robertson. D-Rob has done a terrific job so far this year in filling the huge shoes of Mariano Rivera. Robertson is 8-8 in save opportunities in 2014, including a couple of games in which he had to enter the game in the eighth inning. In 11 ⅔ innings, he has 15 strikeouts vs only two walks, and has held opposing batters to a .128 average.

The best team you never hear or talk about? The Oakland A’s. The A’s have won 9 out of their last 10, and have outscored their opposition so far this season by a whopping 98 runs.

Tony LaRussa is back in baseball, joining the Arizona Diamondbacks as chief baseball officer. The D-backs are a franchise in disarray, as their 18-29 record will attest. Their front office has made some awful trades recently, and they have the worst pitching staff ERA in the majors (4.79).

LaRussa is totally against today’s philosophies of computer metrics, business school graduates, and “Moneyball”. It will be interesting to see how he fares. As history has shown us, LaRussa has been successful at every stop during his baseball career.