By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
A slow start and early season injuries could have buried this team, but they are finding a way to stay afloat and are showing signs of improvement.
Since starting the season at 3-4, the Bruins have gone 2-0-1, scoring three goals or more in each game. Sure, the two wins came against some pretty terrible teams in Nashville and Ottawa. But the Nashville game convinced fans, and perhaps the Bruins themselves they could win without some of their top talent.
Philadelphia dealt the B's a shootout loss proved that the team can still hang with a team some considered a favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
But the he Ottawa game was one that could be a defining moment for the team. The Senators are not a powerhouse by any means (don't let the fast start fool you), but overcoming a 3-1 deficit with 1:28 remaining against any team, then beat them in a shootout is something that can give a team a huge lift.
Over this stretch, the Bruins have done an outstanding job of distributing the wealth in terms of goal scoring in the absence of two of last year's top-5 goal scorers (Chuck Kobasew, who was traded and Marc Savard, who broke his left foot.) Really, they're doing it without three of their top goal scorers from last season if you include No. 1 Phil Kessel, but even if he was still with the team he wouldn't be available until November. Blake Wheeler, Mark Recchi, David Krejci, Derek Morris, Matt Hunwick, Steve Begin, Michael Ryder and Patrice Bergeron all have scored over the last three games.
Now the B's have to do something they haven't done yet this year - win back-to-back games.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Why the Phillies will Win
By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The curtain goes up on the 105th Fall Classic tonight that to the surprise of few, finds the Yankees as the American League representative. Of course, $202 million can buy you a lot of things. So, will it be enough for the Yanks to hoist the World Series trophy over their heads for the 27th time in their storied history? I say no, and here are five reasons why the Phillies and their $113 million payroll will beat the Yankees.
1. Experience. The Phillies were just here and with many of the same players back from last season’s championship team, they know what to expect. The newness and awe of getting to the World Series has worn off, so this time around it’s all business for Philly. The Yankees haven’t been here since 2003, when they spit the bit against the Florida Marlins. Six years is a long time and though it’s true, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Hideki Matsui were all around for the last rodeo, a few of them probably can’t help but feel like that it’s now or never, so the pressure will be on for the Yanks to win. Matsui, whose four-year deal is up this season, and Pettitte, who signed a one-and-done deal this season, won’t be in New York next season. The Phils are the defending champs — the pressure is off.
2. Pedro Martinez. Junior’s back to exact some revenge on the Yanks, whose fans let Martinez have it in 2004 with chants of “Who’s your daddy?!” in his return to Yankee Stadium with the Red Sox after he — with help from manager Grady Little — allowed the Yanks to come back and win Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Proclaiming that the Yankees must be his “daddy” before a 2004 match-up due to their recent successes against the right-hander, Yankee fans came up with the memorable line. This time around, however, will be different. While the chant is sure reign down from the stadium’s infamous Bleacher Creatures when Martinez toes the rubber for Game 2 tomorrow night, he will quickly make them shut up. Martinez thrives in the face of doubters and adversaries, and relishes the big stage that is undoubtedly Yankee Stadium. And with him entering fresh off a scoreless, six-innings effort over the Dodgers in the NLCS, Martinez will transform the chants into whimpers.
3. Alex Rodriguez. The Curse of A-Rod lives. Admittedly, the two-handed bum-grabbing bandit (watch out Derek Jeter!) Rodriguez has done much in the previous two series’ to shed his image as a postseason choke artist at the plate. The being said, Rodriguez is due for a slump. Unlike Minnesota and Anaheim, the Phillies possess the pitching that will keep the big guy off balance. Cliff Lee is dominant right now, and the aforementioned Martinez has faced Rodriguez enough to know what works. Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton probably won’t be too effective, but at least they’ll have the home crowd behind them for Games 3 and 4 in Philly.
4. Ryan Howard. Like Rodriguez, Howard has been mashing the ball this postseason (11-for-31 (.355) with seven extra-base hits and 14 RBI). Look for that to continue against the Yankees, who if they’re going to have a shot at thwarting the Phillies, must shut down Howard at the plate. Yanks starter CC Sabathia will get the first crack at Howard tonight in a lefty vs. lefty match-up.
5. Joe Girardi. The Yankees manager likes to tempt fate. He made some questionable calls with his bullpen against the Angels in the ALCS, one of which cost the Yankees Game 3 after he elected to lift reliever Dave Robertson with Alfredo Aceves with two-out in the 11th inning. The Angels responded with two straight hits and won the game. Then in Game 5, after the Yankees rallied to take a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning, Girardi’s decision to send starter A.J. Burnett back out to the mound led to the Angels copping three runs and an eventual 7-6 win to force Game 6.
My pick: Phillies in 5.
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The curtain goes up on the 105th Fall Classic tonight that to the surprise of few, finds the Yankees as the American League representative. Of course, $202 million can buy you a lot of things. So, will it be enough for the Yanks to hoist the World Series trophy over their heads for the 27th time in their storied history? I say no, and here are five reasons why the Phillies and their $113 million payroll will beat the Yankees.
1. Experience. The Phillies were just here and with many of the same players back from last season’s championship team, they know what to expect. The newness and awe of getting to the World Series has worn off, so this time around it’s all business for Philly. The Yankees haven’t been here since 2003, when they spit the bit against the Florida Marlins. Six years is a long time and though it’s true, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Hideki Matsui were all around for the last rodeo, a few of them probably can’t help but feel like that it’s now or never, so the pressure will be on for the Yanks to win. Matsui, whose four-year deal is up this season, and Pettitte, who signed a one-and-done deal this season, won’t be in New York next season. The Phils are the defending champs — the pressure is off.
2. Pedro Martinez. Junior’s back to exact some revenge on the Yanks, whose fans let Martinez have it in 2004 with chants of “Who’s your daddy?!” in his return to Yankee Stadium with the Red Sox after he — with help from manager Grady Little — allowed the Yanks to come back and win Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Proclaiming that the Yankees must be his “daddy” before a 2004 match-up due to their recent successes against the right-hander, Yankee fans came up with the memorable line. This time around, however, will be different. While the chant is sure reign down from the stadium’s infamous Bleacher Creatures when Martinez toes the rubber for Game 2 tomorrow night, he will quickly make them shut up. Martinez thrives in the face of doubters and adversaries, and relishes the big stage that is undoubtedly Yankee Stadium. And with him entering fresh off a scoreless, six-innings effort over the Dodgers in the NLCS, Martinez will transform the chants into whimpers.
3. Alex Rodriguez. The Curse of A-Rod lives. Admittedly, the two-handed bum-grabbing bandit (watch out Derek Jeter!) Rodriguez has done much in the previous two series’ to shed his image as a postseason choke artist at the plate. The being said, Rodriguez is due for a slump. Unlike Minnesota and Anaheim, the Phillies possess the pitching that will keep the big guy off balance. Cliff Lee is dominant right now, and the aforementioned Martinez has faced Rodriguez enough to know what works. Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton probably won’t be too effective, but at least they’ll have the home crowd behind them for Games 3 and 4 in Philly.
4. Ryan Howard. Like Rodriguez, Howard has been mashing the ball this postseason (11-for-31 (.355) with seven extra-base hits and 14 RBI). Look for that to continue against the Yankees, who if they’re going to have a shot at thwarting the Phillies, must shut down Howard at the plate. Yanks starter CC Sabathia will get the first crack at Howard tonight in a lefty vs. lefty match-up.
5. Joe Girardi. The Yankees manager likes to tempt fate. He made some questionable calls with his bullpen against the Angels in the ALCS, one of which cost the Yankees Game 3 after he elected to lift reliever Dave Robertson with Alfredo Aceves with two-out in the 11th inning. The Angels responded with two straight hits and won the game. Then in Game 5, after the Yankees rallied to take a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning, Girardi’s decision to send starter A.J. Burnett back out to the mound led to the Angels copping three runs and an eventual 7-6 win to force Game 6.
My pick: Phillies in 5.
Celtics look like the real deal
By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Great start to hopefully another memorable season for the Boston Celtics.
In the season opener in Cleveland, a team slated to compete for the world championship, Boston showed will, toughness and poise under pressure late in the game to claim a 95-89 victory over LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
When you think of Paul Pierce, you have to think about a clutch performer in crunch time. Pierce, who carried the Celtics late in games in the playoffs two years ago and right to the championship, delivered once again last night.
Pierce didn't have a great night overall (23 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 11 rebounds), but late in the game "The Truth" canned two jump shots and then two free throws, including scoring 10 points in the last four minutes, to propel the C's.
Is it a surprise that Boston goes to Pierce when games are on the line? And you think the Cavs would have figured that out, but I guess not.
Also, how nice was it to see Kevin Garnett back on the court after knee surgery derailed his season last year. Garnett is so intense, he plays defense and can change games in the paint offensively and defensively. While he only had 13 points and 10 rebounds, we all know KG is shaking off rust and it's going to take some time to be in midseason form. But a double-double is just fine with me, carry on KG you the man!
Ray Allen had 16 points and was 4 of 5 from 3-point range, and point guard Rajon Rondo had 8 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds.
I like Rondo, but with those numbers it's hard to believe the Celtics will pony up approximately $11-12 million per season to keep him in the green after his contract is up after the year.
How many C's fans hated Rasheed Wallace for so many years (everyone raise their hands)? But now how many like him (put those hands up again). Wallace's debut with the C's was a success. He's physical down low, loves playing defense and can score from anywhere on the floor. Wallace had 12 points and canned three treys in 24 minutes off the bench. No doubt he's got to be one of, if not, the best sixth men in the league.
Although James got his complimentary 38 points, every other Cleveland player was held in check, including Shaquille O'Neal who had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
At least for one night, all signs point to the Celtics being able to contend for another NBA championship.
But we all know Boston will have to stay relatively healthy in order to rise to the top.
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