Soccer should be in your hearts, too

By Jorge Bannister
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

What’s a sports Web site without futbol? Excuse me — soccer.

The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup — the second biggest soccer tournament in the world, behind only the World Cup — has been relatively nondescript.

Brazil has done what it’s supposed to in Pool B — namely, a 3-0 record with a goal differential of plus-7 in its pool. The South American powerhouse blew past two opponents (it defeated both the United States and Italy, 3-0), but that was after struggling with Egypt. (A Kaka penalty-kick goal in injury time lifted the Brazilians in a tough match.) Clearly, Brazil overlooked its first opponent and clearly it didn’t make the same mistake twice in pool play.

The United States lucked out that Italy was blanked by the Brazilians on the last day of pool play. That same day, the U.S. defeated Egypt, 3-0. By virtue of a goals-for tiebreaker, the U.S. (four) advanced while Italy (three) packed its bags.

Actually, the only surprise of this tournament, at least to many casual fans, has been South Africa in Pool A. Being the host country, RSA had an automatic bid and it has not disappointed its local faithful. After going 1-1-1 in pool play, RSA is the No. 2 team in Pool A, behind undefeated Spain (3-0-0).

Speaking of Spain, Fernando Torres has been on a tear. He had a hat trick against New Zealand, and David Villa scored one goal in each of the next two games in this tear. Spain’s goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, has been one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament. He’s made eight saves, including five against New Zealand in the opening match.

When Spain won UEFA Euro 2008, Casillas was one of three goalkeepers on the Team of the Tournament (which is what they called their All-Tournament team), while Villa (four goals) won the Golden Boot (given to the person who scored the most goals) and Xavi (a midfielder) won Player of the Tournament.

All four of those players are still on the club and carry with them more international experience.

Semifinals
Wednesday, the United States will face off against Spain, while on Thursday Brazil will go against South Africa.

Spain’s 2-4-5 tactical lineup (two strikers, four midfielders and five defensemen) has been its staple and many teams have had a difficult time stopping them. The U.S. had a difficult time stopping Brazil’s 2-4-5 attack, and could be in trouble stopping the Spaniards, too.

The U.S. may be able to stymie the Spaniards for a bit, however offensive powers Torres and Villa, and stellar defense and goalkeeping puts Spain in the final.

Brazil should continue its steamrolling ways past RSA setting up a Spain-Brazil final.

Finals
Brazil-Spain should be one for the ages. The Spaniards are still young and may get caught up in the moment. However, if Spain plays its game — as it’s done this whole tournament — we’re in for one great final.

Spain could win this thing, but you certainly cannot count out Brazil. The Brazilians are probably the favorites at this stage of the tournament, especially the way they’re playing.

So, what’s my prediction? Spain. It’s going to be a rock fight, but the Spaniards take it.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Everyone knows the fantasy season is like a roller coaster ride, featuring many ups and downs. One week a player is hot, the other he's as cold as an ex-wife. 

But when he's on, there's nothing better to watch. It's also pretty sweet to see how quickly you move up in the pitching standings, while others just keep on slipping.

In the last month, many pitchers have risen to the challenge and if you have them on your roster, enjoy these stats because we all know they won't last ... well, maybe a few of these guys will.

Nobody can hit Boston's Josh Beckett right now -- nobody. The Red Sox ace has 4 wins, 1.44 ERA and an 0.82 ERA in the last month and is ranked No. 1 overall in standard Yahoo 5x5 leagues. He's also nearly averaged a strikeout an inning (42 Ks in 43 2/3 innings).

While Beckett has been nasty, so has Mr. Injury Chris Carpenter (3 wins, 2.06 ERA, 0.69 ERA) and is ranked No. 4. While Carpenter hasn't been injury free in some time, he's sure paying off for whoever drafted him late -- we all know nobody took a shot really early with the injury concerns so don't try to fool me or anyone else.

KEEP ON WINNING

The wins just keep piling up for these arms in the last month with Matt Cain and Kevin Slowey locking down five wins in that span. Can you say impressive? While Cain and Slowey headline the five-win list, four isn't too shabby either, led by Marlins' Josh Johnson and Angels' Jered Weaver.

ERA KING

While he's been forgotten since he plays in Seattle, it's hard to ignore what Felix Hernandez has done in the last month with a mind-boggling 0.72 ERA. In his last four starts, the King has yielded only two earned runs in 29 2/3 innings, winning two games and getting two no-decisions. In is last start on June 16, Felix fired a complete-game two-hit shutout with four walks and six strikeouts in a win over the San Diego Padres.

For the season, Hernandez is 7-3 with 2.77 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He's fanned 90 and walked 29. If he wasn't in Seattle, would just about everyone appreciate him?

FROM HERO TO ZERO

How can you not be mad at Detroit's Armando Galarraga? Well, I'm still fuming. And to think I had him as a top-25 guy. If you listened to me and actually got someone to trade for him for a REAL top-25 guy, great job. I'm glad I could help you. Once he hit his skid --and he hasn't recovered, mind you -- I dropped him like a sack of potatoes. If you took a flyer on him, thinking he'd recover, think again and thank him for killing your pitching statistics. Through the month, Galarraga hasn't got a win and is boasting --rather, hiding from his 5.63 ERA and 1.72 WHIP. And to think he's still in the Tigers' rotation with an overall line of 3-7 record, 5.62 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. 

So what have I learned? Answer: I'll never have Galarraga on any one of my four fantasy teams ...ever. I sure was a zero with that pick.