Struggling Teams And October Dreams

The gates to the Nation's HQ in the Mid-Atlantic.
(CEB II)

Just came back from the Baltimore/D.C. area after witnessing part of another Sox sweep over the O's, concluding a 16-2 mark against the team that is about 8 to 10 pitchers away from contending. And that showed this whole weekend. I attended the Saturday game, surprisingly surrounded by mostly Oriole fans in my section, but still felt the presence of the New England all over the park. If I were blind, I would have thought I was in Fenway from the noise Big Papi received just from stretching. If I was deaf, I would have thought the Sox moved into a new stadium from the Pedroia shirts they were selling in front of the Eutaw Street gate. The game was actually close through the 1st six innings. However, the Oriole bullpen came to save the day, allowing 8 runs in 2 innings which was capped off with a Brian Anderson homer. As you can probably picture, the mass exodus began. The 23-9 showing in the three game series was about as dominant as the 9-3 steamrolling Barcelona has dished out to their opponents in the last two fixtures. Other than the Delcarmen nuclear meltdowns on Saturday night and yesterday against the Royals (errrrrrrrrrrgh), the Sox have all but clinched a playoff spot as their Wild Card magic number is down to 7. However, with the Royals in our radar and the Angels in the Yankees' radar, I can't help but think of another shot at the division. I need something to think about, and to strive for in a season where the playoff destinies are pretty much set in stone right now. But imagine a Sox divisional comeback. We're starting to win those magical games, like the one last Wednesday where Nick Green should have struck out on two occasions before drawing a game-tying walk before a Gonzalez game-winning single, all with 2 outs. On the other end, Burnett hasn't set the world on fire lately, Joba has an 8.31 ERA this month and Pettitte's 37 year old arm is showing some wear and tear. Even C.C. Sabathia's postseason woes have me thinking the Yanks aren't as much of a lock as the ESPN Power Rankings make them out to be. That's why last night's loss to the Royals was frustrating in that the Sox could have crept up another game in the standings, making the series in the Bronx this weekend possibly more interesting. Tonight's Greinke-Byrd matchup doesn't give me warm fuzzy feelings either, but the sounds and sights of October baseball heals most of these current quandaries.

Best thing since Joe Wily?
(espn.com)

We'll I've been ready for some football, but it has looked as if the Pats have been a little under-prepared since the starting gun. This was the game I was most afraid of in this young season. Especially when it took a miracle to beat the Bills at home. On the same token, this was a game which I really wanted, considering that everyone including the Jets equipment manger had been talking trash before the game. Unfortunately, a 3-time Super Bowl champion could not outduel a quarterback making only his 2nd start in the pros. The victory was the 1st by the Jets at home against the Pats since 2000, and the 1st time the Patriots were held without a TD since December of 2006. I have been back in the New England area for only a day, and yet it feels like the Patriots season has come to an apocalyptic end in Week 2. I admit, when Stephen Gostkowski is your team's best fantasy performer on a team with a faceless defense, a troubling outcome is all but imminent. As frustrating as the first 2 games have played out, the Falcons, Ravens, the surprising Broncos and the Titans follow in a schedule that was supposed to be lax at best. But I still feel like there is too much talent on the Patriots offense (which was without Welker against the Jets) as well as all the time in the world to establish a rhythm on defense. We all knew that Brady was coming off a serious knee injury and would take a few regular season games to get into the flow of things, or at least I hope you thought exactly that. Even the defense was a bad 3rd quarter away from bringing the team a win, and only allowed 16 points for the whole game. I'll say this: If we are 2-5 at the bye week in Week 8, then and only then will I whip out the blueprint on my concrete bunker.

Mochaman's Fantasy Baseball Report
Congrats to the Mocha Sox (I guess), who made it to the consolation bracket finals in their league. Unfortunately, the tie goes to the one with the better record as the Firehawks have to settle for the "extremely hyped" 9th place game. But the big story is that my Bubba Gump Shrimpz have made it to the big dance, making me closer to a $200 prize, a championship and bragging rights in only my second year in this league. Looks like I will only get 2 appearances from each of my starters, so every quality inning will be much appreciated. Some of my offense will have to over achieve as well after the Morneau injury. Let's get ready to rumble.


Mochaman's Fantasy Football Report

- Boston Beersquad - 2-0 (3rd, Plax's Got a Gun, 2nd in Division 2, 252.54 Pts.)
Giants' defense came through despite allowing those 31 points against the Cowboys. Kurt Warner, Ronnie Brown and Ochocinco also put up some solid performances. Need Fitzgerald and Portis to have some quality games if I am to maintain a superior position in the league.

- Killa' Beavaz - 2-0 (2nd, Yahoo Public 179914, 235.86 Pts.)
Monster performances by Chris Johnson and Ronnie Brown really helped propel this team to victory with the help of Eli Manning on my McNabb-less team. Also survived a horrible showing by the Titans' defense against Houston this weekend. Team should remain strong as long as the RB committee is up to the task every week, especially with the unknown consistency of the QB position.

Bonus: Sox - Orioles Montage

Day 'N' Nite Remix - Kid Cudi vs. The Crookers, 2008

In Memoriam To One Who Created A Stronger NCAA
Myles Brand (May 17, 1942 – September 16, 2009)
(newsinfo.iu.edu)