Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff


Chicago vs. Vancouver

The Blackhawks' last game against the Canucks featured a third-period brawl that had everything from WWE-style body slams to hair pulling. Clearly they won't have to wait for the hatred to build when their second-round playoff series starts Thursday night in Vancouver.

Physical play will be nothing new for the young Blackhawks, who saw plenty of intimidation attempts from the more experienced but injury-riddled Calgary in the first round. The Canucks will have to continue the intense, hard-nosed style that marked their four-game sweep of St. Louis in the first round to get by the youthful Hawks. They need to stop taking as many penalties as in the prior round, although Vancouver did killed off 23 of 24 of those.

Chicago's youth will come through to beat Vancouver in 7 games.

Detroit vs. Anaheim

The Ducks used the same formula they used in winning the 2007 Stanley Cup -- clutch goaltending, timely scoring and one of the deepest blue lines in flawless fashion to neutralize the top threats from the Sharks. With the Shark series in the rear view mirror, the Ducks must find a way to neutralize the defending Cup champion, a team that seems to be hitting its stride. The Wings dispatched a game Columbus Blue Jackets club in the first round with a champion-like display of overall team hockey and good goaltending from Chris Osgood, who had a pedestrian regular season.

Detriot has an assortment of perennial All-Stars and NHL award winners. Their coach has led the team to four straight 50-plus win seasons, they can play a speed game or exhibit some muscle in the trenches, and they are the defending Stanley Cup champion.

Even with the great defensive hockey that the Ducks play, Detroit will be too much to handle and will win the series in 5.


Washington vs. Pittsburgh

This is the matchup NHL fans has been waiting for all season. This series brings together the NHL's top three scorers during the regular season -- Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, plus two of the three Hart Trophy finalists in Malkin and Ovechkin. Now factor in some harsh words between Crosby and Ovechkin during the regular season and this series becomes must-see TV. What I think the real story of this series will become is goaltending.

After Jose Theodore allowed four goals in Game 1 against the Rangers, a 20-year-old rookie from Russia named Simeon Varlamov was called upon in Game 2. He wound up winning four games for the Caps, including two shutouts, and limited the Rangers to just seven goals in six games. He turned 21 Monday -- he looks it -- but he doesn't play like it.

Marc-Andre Fleury stole Game 4 with a 45-save effort and kept the Penguins in Game 6 once the team fell into a 3-0 hole. He wasn't spectacular, but he gives his teammates the confidence that he'll make all the important plays.

Varlamov's young skills won't be enough to stop the extremely deep offensive Pens after 6 games.


Boston vs Carolina series preview coming soon...

How much do you hate Julio Lugo?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Julio Lugo only needed one game before Red Sox nation was reminded how much they dislike him. Despite going 2 for 3 with with an RBI last night, he earned the ire of Sox fans with his botched double play in the bottom of the 3rd inning.  You can never assume a double play, but the ball was hit hard, and Youkilis delivered a spot on throw to second.  Lugo just couldn't handle the throw. There are no excuses.  It was a simple catch and throw to double up the runner at first.  

The next thing you know, The Red Sox allowed 4 runs and the game was tied 7-7.  Ouch.  

I have never understood Theo's man crush on Lugo since his days in Tampa Bay.  At his peak, Lugo was an average shortstop at best.  For some reason the Red Sox brass get a brain fart every time they need to fill that position.  Edgar Renteria was a debacle. Orlando Cabrera was a good fit, but allegedly had clubhouse problems, and Jed Lowrie can't stay healthy.  I actually like Lowrie, but his wrist injury will most likely keep him out most of the year.  

Let us know what your thoughts on Lugo are?

Fantasy Baseball: Between the White Lines

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Welcome back to BTWL, the fantasy baseball article that takes a closer look at the transaction trends from the past week of baseball.  

Top 5 Added:

1. Mike Lowell - 3B Boston Red Sox (.319, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 9 R)

Mike Lowell leads the AL in RBI and is still available in nearly 23% of leagues.  If you live in New England, I am pretty sure he's already taken though.  Lowell has certainly surprised me with his production coming off his hip injury.  He's done nothing but produce in Boston, so as long as he stays healthy, he'll continue to drive in runs. 

2. Ryan Franklin - RP St. Louis Cardinals (0-0, 6 S, 0.00 ERA, 0.52 WHIP)

Ryan Franklin has taken over the closers role for the Red Birds and has pitched phenomenal after taking over for Jason Motte.  He's available in nearly 30% of leagues.  If you need saves, pick him up.  He may not last very long as the closer, but had 4 saves this past week.  Ride em' while he's hot and get ready to drop him for the next sensation

3. Asdrubal Cabrera - 2B, SS Cleveland Indians (.317, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 14 R)

Has Cabrera settle down and found himself again.  He was a huge disappointment last season coming off a great playoff performance in 2007, but seems to be comfortable now.  He's eligible at both middle infield positions so he offers more versatility.  I am not sold on him yet, and many others aren't as he's only owned on 40% of ESPN leagues.  I would suggest holding off and seeing if he's for real.

4. Scott Downs - RP Toronto Blue Jays (0-0, 2 S, 0.84 ERA, 0.47 WHIP)

Until BJ Ryan returns from the DL, it looks like Downs will be the closer.  He's notched 2 saves this past week and has pitched extremely well in that role.  Make sure you have him if BJ was on your team, or if you need to add saves, but understand he's only a temporary pickup. He should be still out there in most leagues.  Go and grab him as insurance for now.

5. Yadier Molina - C St. Louis Cardinals (.338, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 9 R)

Yadier is all grown up and become a pretty good hitter, especially for a catcher.  It seems his .304 average in 2008 is not a fluke.  He'll never be a power hitter, but has shown to be a clutch performer who can drive in runs.  He's hitting .391 this past week and drove in 5 RBI and owned in only 64% of leagues.  Catcher is always a lean position so make sure to get him because he's for real.  

Top 5 Dropped:

1. Emilio Bonifacio - 2B, 3B Florida Marlins (.226, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 14 R, 5 SB)

What did I tell you during the first edition of BTWL?  Emilio is a fluke, a pretender.  I hope you were able to trade him back then because he's practically worthless now.  He hit only .133 this past week with only 1 run and 1 stolen base.  He's an effective fantasy player if he can get on base and steal, but you can't steal first base (cliche warning!!).  Drop him now if you have him.  

2. Ryan Doumit - C, OF Pittsburgh Pirates (.244, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R)

Doumit is being dropped because of his time on the DL, and looks like he won't return until June. What worries me most is the fact that it's a wrist injury.  Even when he returns, it's likely his wrist will not return to normal strength until after this season.  He was a very good fantasy catcher last year, but I don't see him returning to form until 2010.  

3. Ubaldo Jiminez - SP Colorado Rockies (1-3, 6 S, 7.58 ERA, 2.11 WHIP)

Jimenez has allowed 16 earned runs in his last 12 innings pitched.  Ouch! That is not good for the youngster.  13 of those runs did come against the Dodgers, but two out of the 3 starts were on the road, so you can't blame it on Coors Field.  He has been inconsistent at best since the Rockies run to the World Series in 07, so stay away from him unless you're desperate for starters.

4. Mike Aviles - 2B, SS Kansas City Royals (.182, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R)

I seriously believe the shortstop position for the Kansas City Royals has become a black hole. Angel Berroa won the ROY a few years ago and then went into the tank.  Tony Pena started off hot and went into the tank.  Mike Aviles had a great 2nd half last season and seems to be going right into the tank.  Aviles is in a 2-22 slump and only hitting .182 for the season.  If you have him and can stash him for a few weeks to see if he comes out of the slump, then do so.

5. Huston Street - RP Colorado Rockies (0-1, 1 S, 7.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP)

The opening day closer for the Rockies has the distinction of making this list two weeks in a row. He's been terrible to start the season and is now a mop up reliever for the Rox.  He has pitched better this past week not allowing any runs in 4 out of his last 5 appearances.  I think he'll get another shot at closing games for the Rockies, so he may be a good long term pick up.  He's out there in 52% of leagues.  His WHIP was a very good .92 this week which is encouraging.  

Players who need to be on your radar:

Nyjer Morgan is off to a tremendous start hitting .338 with 10 RBI, 16 runs and 6 stolen bases. He is coming into his own and doing what a leadoff hitter needs to do.  Get on base, steal bases and score runs.  He's still out there 43% of leagues so go get him if you need stolen bases.  Dexter Fowler is another player to pick up.  He's owned in only 23% of leagues and already has 9 stolen bases.  He's been so good and has worked himself into the top of the Rockies lineup.  His power numbers should be better than normal playing half of his games in Colorado.  If you need a catcher, don't worry about picking up Kurt Suzuki.  He can hit for average, .337 on the season, but that's pretty much it.  I have an absolute void at the position in one of my leagues and picked him up this past week.  He's hit over .500 this week and helped me pick up several points in my roto league.  Jordan Zimmerman is quickly becoming the better Zimmerman on the Nationals. He won his 2nd game of the season on Sunday and has put up very good stats (2-0 2.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP).  I know the WHIP is not great, but he's young and get get people out.  Due to his age, the Nationals may choose to limit his innings pitched towards the end of the season, but jump on the bandwagon while you can.  Has anyone else noticed that Wandy Rodriguez has a 1.82 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP in 4 starts this season? He's still available in 29% of leagues and has been a solid starter all season.  He's only 1-2 on the season, but will provide you with good strikeout and innings this season.  

Well, I am done for this week, but make sure to keep checking back for the latest in fantasy baseball.

(Coming Friday: Frozen Ropes by Jim Ingram & Chin Music by Chad Garner)

Sloppy Play Spells End To Sox Streak

By the time Javier Lopez dropped the relay from Kevin Youkilis in the ninth inning, many Sox fans were probably counting how many times this game could have been won. A substantial early inning lead went out the window as Brad Penny and shoddy defense allowed the Indians to take a game that should have been in the books.

Staked to a 5-1 second inning lead, it looked as though the Red Sox were easily on their way to extending their winning streak to 12. However, errors by Mike Lowell in the second, Julio Lugo in the third, and the aforementioned Lopez all led to Cleveland runs, spelling the demise of the Sox. Lowell threw the ball into right field, Lugo and Lopez couldn't handle easy throws, and the Boston lead was gone.

Penny didn't help, giving up seven runs (four earned), in just 2.2 innings. His ERA is now 8.66 for the year, a season in which Theo and the Sox hoped to bring a former All Star back to prominence. It's looking much clearer who the odd man out will be when it comes time for John Smoltz to join the rotation.

The offense continued to roll. Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury drove in two runs apiece, as Dustin Pedroia, Jason Varitek and Julio Lugo had multiple hits. The rubber game starts tonight at 7:05, as Jon Lester (1-2, 4.88 ERA) faces Fausto Carmona (1-3, 7.36 ERA).