Celtics losing their Magic dust?

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

OK, so we're in for a rough series here, fellas.

Yes, the Celtics climbed back late to make a game of it, but that 93-90 final score will veil the ugly stuff to the unassuming. Don't be fooled, this was a tough one to watch.

Maybe I'm just cranky. I hope it's just me. But I don't see the Celtics pulling it out this round.

Don't get it twisted. That fourth quarter was encouraging, despite Paul Pierce's lack of urgency in the final 30 seconds. Ray Allen cannot have these kind of nights anymore in the playoffs (nine points), or this is what happens (a 20-point halftime deficit).

It's not just that they had a great game plan for neutralizing Allen. Orlando is too overwhelming to deal with if you don't have a long stopper like Kevin Garnett, and the Magic frontcourt has proven as much tonight. Dwight Howard (6 for 12) and Rashard Lewis (8 for 13) had their way with the C's from two-point range, while the likes of Hedo Turkoglu, JJ Redick and Mickael Pietrus (17 points) had a little downtown party (seven combined 3-pointers).

Don't expect the Magic to stay this cold from long-range. The Magic jack it up more than anyone else in the league, and have been hitting them at a very respectable rate. We all know Hedo Turkoglu is a Celtics killer, and we all know what a freak of nature Dwight Howard is; but the two biggest keys in this series are the most unheralded.

In what has turned out to be a great move in the wake of Jameer Nelson's season-ending injury, the Magic traded away Brian Cook to the Rockets and a first-round pick to the Grizzlies in exchange for Rafer "Skip to my Lou" Alston. Set aside his legal troubles and his streetball antics, and he's a pretty steady player. Since his first full 82-game season in 2003-04, he's averaged roughly 13.5 points, 6.7 assists and shot at around a 40 percent clip. In these playoffs alone, he's got a 4 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and is averaging 15.2 points.

He's no Rondo in regulated games, despite what those And1 highlights may convince, but he's not turnover-prone.

As for Lewis, Orlando management took alot of criticism for giving an $82 million contract to a guy that, for all intents and purposes, didn't deserve it. But now we see why. The guy is averaging 19 points per game for the playoffs, can step out and shoot (37 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs), and he can slash. Not to mention, he's 6-foot-10.

Combine that with Howard and Turkoglu, and that's a tall task to topple without KG, no matter how many overachievers you've got on the floor.

Ortiz Continues Futility As Sox Drop Yet Another In Tampa

By Erik Pesta

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Earth to Terry Francona: It just might be time to move Big Papi down in the order.

I wrote in this space a couple weeks ago that Tito would stick by David Ortiz, because that's how he operates. I commend him for that approach…to a point. Baseball is a game of peaks and valleys, and good hitters almost always come around. However, it is becoming painfully obvious for all those involved, including Ortiz himself, that something is wrong with the (former) slugger. In an uncharacteristic show of frustration, Ortiz slammed his helmet on the bullpen steps after a pop-up during yesterday's game. It was a fastball over the middle of the plate, a pitch that the Papi of old would usually either deposit into the rightfield seats or into the gap for extra bases.

Ortiz is still homerless for the year in 96 at bats over 25 games. He has a .208 batting average and just 12 RBI. He isn't driving the ball whatsoever. How long are we going to watch possible runs go by the wayside as Francona continues to pencil Papi into the 3-hole in the lineup, night after night? Why not take some pressure off, by sliding him down to sixth and giving Jason Bay a shot at the coveted third spot? This is no aberration, no fluke due to small sample size. We're in the second month of the season and a guy who used to be one of baseball's most feared hitters is floundering. On Saturday night, the Rays pitched around Dustin Pedroia (albeit, the MVP) to get to Ortiz. Ask yourself if that would EVER happen at any time over the previous six years. Other teams can see it. Ortiz can see it. Fans can see it. Why can't Francona see it's hurting his team?

The Majors' worst shortstop didn't help things yesterday, either. Julio "The Hijacker" Lugo dropped a transfer from Pedroia on a possible double play ball that would have gotten Brad Penny and the Sox out of the inning. Of course, the miscue led to runs. He didn't stop there. He made a bad throw in the eighth inning on a Carl Crawford grounder that was ruled an infield hit, but upon further review from yours truly, would have been an out had a good, strong throw been made. So, instead, he allows a guy who had already stolen five bases on the day to reach once again. Crawford promptly stole a record-tying sixth base on his way to providing the Rays with a much-needed insurance run. Bravo, Julio, you have once again managed to draw the ire of Sox fans everywhere.

Brad Penny pitched fairly well in the loss. He went six innings, giving up three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts, in falling to 2-1 on the year. James Shields took the ball for the Rays and went 7.1 innings, giving up two earned on six hits with six strikeouts, in improving his record to 3-2. Kevin Youkilis hit his sixth homer of the year in the eighth inning off of Rays reliever J.P. Howell to bring the Sox within one run. That would be all they would get, as Rays closer Troy Percival came on to pitch a perfect ninth to earn his third save of the season.

Tonight, Boston begins it's first-ever series at the New Yankee Stadium. Jon Lester (1-2, 5.40 ERA) faces Phil Hughes (1-0, 0.00 ERA), with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 from the Bronx.

Fantasy Baseball: Garner's Greatest Top 25

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

(Garner's Greatest Top 25 combines past and current performance and projections throughout the season to create the top 25 best players that will help lead your team to a fantasy baseball championship. The top 25 will change from week to week so be prepared for some surprise picks and players you just might no agree should be on the elite list.)

Player rising; Players falling

1. Albert Pujols, 1B, STL (previous 1)

2. Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX (2)

3. Evan Longoria, 3B, TB (6)

4. Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA (4)

5. Jose Reyes, SS, NYM (3)

6. Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (7)

7. Miguel Cabrera, 1B, DET (8)

8. Grady Sizemore, OF, CLE (5)

9. David Wright, 3B, NYM (9)

10. Alfonso Soriano, OF, CHI (12)

11. Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (14)

12. Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS (13)

13. Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI (11)

14. Johan Santana, SP, NYM (14)

15. Nick Markakis, OF, BAL (18)

16. Roy Halladay, SP, TOR (16)

17. Tim Lincecum, SP, SF (19)

18. Carlos Beltran, OF, NYM (17)

19.  Tori Hunter, OF, LAA (24)

20. Victor Martinez, C-1B, CLE (25)

21. Manny Ramirez, OF, LAD (23)

22. Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (22)

23. Curtis Granderson, OF, DET (NR)

24. Jason Bay, OF, BOS (NR)

25. Carl Crawford, OF, TB (NR)

Dropped out: Josh Hamilton, Jimmy Rollins, Mark Teixeira

ALIVE

Raul Ibanez, OF, PHI -- Ibanez has never been appreciated in Fantasy circles, but he's always a consistent, but never spectacular player considering how many outfielders there are in the game. But Ibanez, who is hitting .360 with 8 home runs and 21 RBIs with a bonus of 3 stolen bases, has been awesome this year so far. Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise as Ibanez has hit over 20 HRs the last four years and driven in more than 100 runs three of those years. He's a poor man's elite outfielder, and I bet you got him pretty late in the draft. 

Jorge Cantu, 1B-3B, FLA -- I'll be the first to admit I've never really been solid on Cantu. I can't even tell you why, some guys you root for and other guys you hope to see fail. Cantu is a guy that continues to prove me wrong. He's a Jim Ingram-type of guy, and maybe I'm finally buying, well, I do own him in my NL-only  League. Cantu is on fire right now, hitting .352 with 7 bombs and 24 RBIs. He's ranked 17 overall in standard 5x5 Yahoo! leagues.

Robinson Cano, 2B, NYY -- Cano was a big bust last year with a .271 average and 14 HRs and 72 RBIs, but this year's performance is turing heads (.363, 5 HRs, 17 RBIs, 20 runs).

DEAD

Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX -- Hamilton was a stud last year, but now he's a complete dud. The Texas star, a sure first-round pick in the preseason drafts, has frustrated owners to a tune of .242 BA, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs. He's ranked a robust -- just joking -- 279th overall. If healthy, we know what he can do. But if you can get a sure-fire, top-notch quality star in a trade, unload him pronto.

Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI -- Just like Hamilton, Rollins was once on this Top 25 list, now he's on a Dead list. Maybe last year's sub-par .277 BA, 11 HRs, 59 RBIs, but awesome 47 steals, wasn't a fluke. Rollins better wake up fast or he won't even come close to last year's lackluster stats. He's been in a season-long slump with a .200 average, 1 HR, 7 RBIs and 1 SB. And he's suppose to be a top-5 shortstop. Strike 3 Rollins, you're out.

Francisco Liriano, SP, MIN -- I know he's still recovering from Tommy John surgery, but come on. Liriano, after coming back last last season and showing signs of a great recovery, is taking steps back in each and every start. Boy, I loved this lefty when he was first in the majors, but now he's a liability. Liriano isn't the dominant starter he once was. Here's the evidence: 6.04 ERA, 0-4 record, 1.38 WHIP, 20 Ks. I'm not going to completely cover his grave with gravel, but tonight's start vs. Detroit will go a long way as to whether I'm completely giving up on him or not.

(Coming Wednesday: Between the White Lines by Jim Ingram)

Hot Goalie alert!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Bruins fans beware of a hot goalie.  The old saying is a hot goalie can steal a series.  The Boston Bruins got flat out beat last night, but Cam Ward was the real reason behind the loss. Ward looked shaky during the Carolina Hurricanes' Game 1 loss, but was reminiscent of the 2006 Ward, when the Hurricanes took home the Cup.  This doesn't mean that Bruins fans should hit the panic button.  It was only one game after all, but the Hurricanes did steal the momentum and are returning to home ice for the next two games.  

We'll have to wait until Wednesday night to see if Ward remains hot, but he did look fantastic last night shutting out the beleaguered Bruins.  Despite not playing all that well, The Bruins did have a ton of good scoring chances, but the 26-year-old goalie stopped all 36 shots.  He would've faced even more scoring chances, but the Carolina defense did a good job of clogging the passing lanes for most of the night.  I did predict the Bruins to win this series in 6 games, so it's not like I expected them to sweep.  

They do need to play better and not look so flat in Game 3. I expect Claude Julien to have his team prepared for Wednesday night and come out swinging like they did in Game 1 of this series.  

Hey KG. Suck it up and play

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

According the Boston Celtics, there is no structural damage to Kevin Garnett's knee.  Until the Celtics either win it all, or get bounced from the playoffs, fans and media will not know the full extent of the injury.  That uncertainty has led to some rampant rumors of his return to the court or his inability to play through the pain.  

KG has a sterling reputation for giving all he can on the court, so many people believe that he's just too injured to play and he'll have off season surgery.  That may be the case, but why don't the Celtics just come out and let everyone know?  Personally, I think he's injured, may need surgery to clean a few things up in the knee, but could step on the court and play with the pain. So, KG, get your shorts on and get out there and play.  If he could contribute 12-15 minutes, it would give the Celtics bench the big man they need.  

Odds are the Celtics wouldn't be able to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 7 games series anyway, but you need to make every effort to get there.  

Kevin Garnett, the Boston Celtics need you.  Will you answer the call?