TGIF! Happy Mothers Day weekend!
The Miami Heat took a 2-0 lead in their conference semifinal series against the Brooklyn Nets last night, with a 94-82 win. So much for thinking that the regular season results were going to have an impact in this series. The series now moves to Brooklyn. Game three is on Saturday at 8:00 pm, and it will be broadcast on ABC. Game four will be on Monday, again at 8:00 pm, on TNT. The series is not over, by any means, but . . . .
In the other Eastern conference semifinal series, the Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards play tonight in Washington, with that series knotted up 1-1. That game will be on ESPN tonight at 8:00 pm.
In the west semifinals, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trailblazers last night, 114-97 to take a 2-0 lead in their series. Tonight, the LA Clippers host the OkC Thunder in the third game of their semifinal clash, with the series tied at one game apiece. Game time tonight on ESPN is 10:30 pm.
Let’s go to MLB:
The first-place Marlins (yes, they are in first place in the NL East), started their eleven-game California road trip on a winning note last night, beating the San Diego Padres 3-1 in 11 innings. The hero last night was Giancarlo Stanton, who blasted a two-run homer into the beach area in center field. Trust me when I tell you he hit it off the end of the bat and it still left the park in impressive fashion. The man-child leads the majors with 40 RBI and leads the National League with 11 dingers. Here are the pitching match-ups for the rest of the series against the Padres:
Friday Jose Fernandez vs Tyson Ross 10:10 pm
Saturday Nathan Eovaldi vs Eric Stults 8:40 pm
Sunday Henderson Alvarez vs Robbie Erlin 4:10 pm
The Tampa Bay Rays were swept by the Baltimore Orioles, and will now take on the Cleveland Indians at the Trop. Here are the probable starting pitchers for the series:
Friday Corey Kluber vs Jake Odorizzi 7:10 pm
Saturday Zach McAllister vs Erik Bedard 7:10 pm
Sunday Josh Tomlin vs Chris Archer 1:40 pm
Click below for yesterday’s recaps and results in the major leagues:
Here are the standings in MLB:
Today’s complete schedule in the major leagues:
Some little things I’m keeping my eye on around the diamonds:
The Atlanta Braves continue to struggle offensively. After leading the NL last year with 1,384 strikeouts, the Bravos are tied for fourth this year in the majors with 297 K’s so far. The problem this season has been the lack of walks. Last year, they drew 542 walks, the second most in MLB, and that helped them finish fourth in runs scored in 2013. This season, they are 12th in walks, and are next to last in the major leagues in runs scored. On a related note, how long can they afford to keep putting Dan Uggla in their day-to-day lineup?
How good is Dave Dombrowski? Probably, the best GM in baseball. If I was a general manager, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to listen to Dombrowski if he calls me to suggest a trade. The guy just doesn't miss.
The Yankees have now officially run out of single-digit numbers. They will retire Joe Torre’s number 6 in July. Derek Jeter will be the last player in Yankee history to wear a single digit (#2). His number will most definitely be retired after he calls it a career at the end of this season.
Congratulations once again to Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies. The young Cuban-American has a 28-game hitting streak going and is rapidly opening some eyes around the baseball world. If you have the chance to watch a Rockies game, check him out on the field. He will win many gold gloves during his career.
Speaking of the Rockies, I know it is early, but you can’t help but be impressed by Troy Tulowitzki, who is leading the world in hitting with a blistering .407 average. How about Justin Morneau (.331), Charlie Blackmon (.348), and Arenado (.322) ? If they ever figure out how to pitch up there, look out.
More from MLB:
From the minor leagues, the Clinton Lumberkings beat the Burlington Bees 20-17 in twelve innings. The reason this game is noteworthy is that Clinton was losing 17-1 after 5 innings. Here’s the full story:
By the way, the Lumberkings also overcame an eight-run deficit last Saturday, scoring five times in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Wisconsin, 16-13.
What’s up from the gridiron? The NFL Draft, of course.
As expected, Jadeveon Clowney, the monster defensive end from South Carolina, was the first pick of the NFL draft on Thursday, selected by the Houston Texans. Tough to pass up. OT Greg Robinson of Auburn went second to the St. Louis Rams, and, in the first true surprise of the evening, the Jacksonville Jaguars stayed close to home and selected Central Florida QB Blake Bortles. The Jags needed a face for the franchise and they desperately need to get some fans into their stadium. The fourth pick of the night brought us the first trade, as the Buffalo Bills traded up to get the very talented WR from Clemson, Sammy Watkins. This guy will be a stud in the NFL, if he can stay out of trouble. The Minnesota Vikings also made a move, trading up to get the last pick in the first-round to draft Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater. The Houston Texans, who pick first in the second round, were ready to pick up Bridgewater. Look for the Texans to still select a QB with their first pick on Saturday, probably Jimmy Garoppolo from Eastern Illinois. I don't think they would pick Derek Carr from Fresno State, after the Texans took his older brother, David Carr, with the first pick in the 2002 draft. Guilty by association? Probably. Derek Carr will end up being a better QB than his older brother was. I'm just saying . . .
Here’s the rest of the first round, including analysis from the ESPN draft gurus:
The Miami Dolphins stayed with the number 19 selection in the first round, and chose Ju’Wuan James, offensive tackle from Tennessee. James was a four-year starter at Tennessee, all at right tackle, where he is projected to play with the Fins. The team was DESPERATE to repair an offensive line that allowed QB Ryan Tannehill to be sacked a total of 58 times last season. That cannot happen again.
My only reason to second-guess this pick is simple: As I posted on Facebook yesterday, the Fins could have probably traded down and get an additional lower round pick. They would have still been able to get James, or any one of the best remaining tackles in the draft - Morgan Moses, Joel Bitonio, or Cyrus Kounadjio, or guard Xavier Su’a-Filo,for example. In all fairness, it takes two to tango, and the Fins may have tried but weren't able to complete a trade-down deal. I can’t argue too loudly about getting much-needed help in the offensive line, however.
What to do in the second and third rounds? Maybe one of the offensive linemen above, or . . .
TE Jace Amaro Texas Tech
CB Stan Jean-Baptiste Nebraska
WR Davante Adams Fresno State
WR Jordan Matthews Vanderbilt
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Four Miami Dolphin draft picks have ended up in the hall of fame. Who are they?
Here’s the latest on the Miami Dolphins from Armando Salguero:
2014 MIAMI DOLPHINS Home schedule: Buffalo, New England, NY Jets, Kansas City, San Diego, Green Bay, Minnesota and Baltimore.
2014 MIAMI DOLPHINS Road schedule: Buffalo, New England, NY Jets, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, Oakland (in London), and Jacksonville.
For more from around the NFL, here is NFL NATION, with more on what to expect on day two of the draft:
The NFL Draft continues tonight, and concludes on Saturday. Here is the draft order. The Houston Texans are once again on the clock.
Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have more from the University of Miami.
From FIU, David J. Neal of the Herald has the latest in his blog:
Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and the Seminoles:
From Gainesville and the University of Florida:
The Central Florida Knights are in the house:
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Four Miami Dolphin draft picks have ended up in the hall of fame. Who are they?
Bob Griese Round 1 1967
Larry Csonka Round 1 1968
Dwight Stephenson Round 2 1980
Dan Marino Round 1 1983
Of course, there are other Dolphins in the Hall of Fame, but they were not drafted by the team:
Paul Warfield Jim Langer
Larry Little Don Shula
Nick Buoniconti Thurman Thomas
Cris Carter Bill Parcells
Larry Little Don Shula
Nick Buoniconti Thurman Thomas
Cris Carter Bill Parcells
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
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