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How was your week?

Posted: May 28, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, basketball, football, sports
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The Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team to lock down a spot in the NBA Finals with a 113-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors. This was the first time in  the series that a home tam had lost a game. The Cavaliers won Game 1, 2 and 4 in Cleveland while Toronto had surprisingly held serve winning Games 3 and 4 in Toronto. The Cavaliers built a 6-point lead 31-25 after the 1st quarter and just continued to add to it. They extended the lead to 55-41 going into halftime and that was pretty much the end of it for Toronto. The Raptors where able to cut into the Cavaliers lead in the 3rd quarter, but the 2 points they knocked off the lead wasn’t enough to get them back in the game. The Raptors outscored the Cavaliers 33-31 in the 3rd quarter, but that cut the Cleveland lead to 12 points at 86-74. The Cavaliers where able to pull away in the 4th quarter as they outscored the Raptors 27-13 to get the game to it’s final score of 113-87.

LeBron James led the way with 33 points for the Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving scored 30 points and had a team high 9 assists while Kevin Love scored 20 points and grabbed a team high 12 rebounds. J.R. Smith also scored in double figures adding 15 points as four of the five Cavaliers starters scored in double figures. The Cavaliers where an impressive 17 of 31 (54.8%) from behind the 3-point line in the game.

It seems for the raptors when Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan play well they win those game. Well both Lowry and DeRozan shot 50% from the floor. Lowry had 35 points while DeRozan added 20 points. Lowry shoot 11 of 22 from the field and was 6 of 12 from behind the 3-point line and 7 for 7 from the free throw line. DeRozan was 9 of 18 from the floor and made both free throws he shot; he did miss his only 3-point attempt of the game. Lowry and DeRozan also tied for the team lead in assists with 3 apiece while Bismack Biyombo grabbed a team high 9 rebounds.

This is the second straight season that Cleveland will represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, but this is the 6th consecutive trip to the NBA Finals for LeBron James. He went four seasons in a row with the Miami Heat and then of course these last two seasons with the Cavaliers. The other seven players to accomplish this feat where all members of the 1950’s and 1960’s Boston Celtics dynasties. Those seven other players are Bill Russell, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders, Tommy Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey, and Bob Cousy.

The last year James did not play in an NBA Finals was 2010 – which marked Kobe Bryant’s last title with the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron played in another Finals in 2007 with Cleveland, and sports a record of 2-4 so far – both titles coming with the Heat.

In the 6th round of the NFL draft the Baltimore Ravens took Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds. The Ravens will look to use Reynolds as a return man and wide receiver. Of course the issue when you draft any player from a service academy is they have a commitment to that branch of the service. Of Friday at his graduation speech at the Naval Academy  Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said Reynolds can defer his military service to play in the NFL. This was considered the final step in allowing Reynolds to play for the Ravens.  It was two weeks ago when Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus submitted a request where he “strongly recommended” that Reynolds be cleared to join the NFL after a standout college career. Mabus recently said he couldn’t think of “a better ambassador for the United States Navy or for the United States military than Keenan Reynolds.” Reynolds finished his college career as the FBS’ all-time leader in total touchdowns (88), rushing yards by a quarterback (4,559) and points scored (530).

While the Ravens got some good news with Reynolds they also had an issue this week as the NFL forced Baltimore to cancel one week of organized team activities and fined both the team and coach John Harbaugh on Thursday for violating off season rules. The Ravens acknowledged the punishment by releasing a statement on Thursday. It’s being reported that the Ravens were fined $343,057 and Harbaugh was fined $137,223. Apparently the rule that was broken was when the Ravens put rookies and first-year players in pads for a five-minute period at a recent rookie mini-camp. This is the second time in six years that the NFL has punished the Ravens for violating off-season rules. In 2010, Baltimore had to cancel the final week of OTA’s, after six players complained to the players’ union about late meetings and two others reported being held too long on the field after practice. I honestly didn’t know that either of these things would be a violation. I thought that it was just part of your job as an NFL player, but what do I know. This punishment was similar to what the Seattle Seahawks  received in 2014. The team was fined $200,000 and Carroll was hit with a $100,000 fine. The Seahawks also lost two days of mandatory mini-camp for violating non-contact rules in the off-season.

It seems like there’s been talk of Julio Urias being brought up to the major for quite a while now. Well last night it finally happened as Urias made his major league debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Urias started against the New York Mets and it was quite the debut performance a lot of people expected. The Dodgers had announced that they would keep Urias to 85 pitches in this start and he did get close to that total, but it was in just 2 2/3rd innings. Urias gave up 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned) while walking 4 and striking out 3. Urias pitch count reached 81 in his short outing. Urias wasn’t involved in the decision; a 6-5 win for the Mets.

Dick Calmus was the last teenager to start a game for the Dodgers back in 1963 and he didn’t get out of the 1st inning. I’m sure there are a lot of people out thinking that it was Fernando Valenzuela. While Valenzuela did pitch for the Dodgers as a teenager it was out of the bullpen; he actually didn’t start a game for Los Angeles until he was 20 years old. Felix Hernandez was the last teenager to make a start in the majors. Hernandez started for the Seattle Maruners on August 4th 2005 against the Detroit Tigers. Hernandez pitched 5 innings gave up 1 run, 3 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. With the way starting pitchers are handled now they may be a big gap between Julio Urias and the next teenage starter.

 

You can listen to The Podcast by clicking the link and you can follow me on Twitter @Burketime

An Afternoon W

Posted: May 27, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in sports
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The Cubs are back home after a day off to take on the Philadelphia Phillies and pitcher Adam Morgan.  Jon Lester would make it a quick first half but not Morgan.  He’d give up a one out double to Ben Zobrist who would score the first run of the on Jorge Solers’s two out single to left. The Phills would give Lester a little trouble with two singles in the second but not enough to produce any runs.  Morgan would have a 1-2-3 second.  

Lester would give up give up a leadoff single in the third to Peter Bourjos.  He would move to third on Freddy Galvis’s fly ball to Dexter Fowler that is dropped and scored as an error.  Bourjos would tie the game on Maikel Franco’s sac fly to right.  Ben Zobrist would be the only one to reach a base in the bottom half of the third. 

Lester would give up one hit in the fourth to Tyler Goeddel.  Jorge Soler would lead off the fourth with a solo home run to left center.  With one out Addison Russell would walk and Javier Baez would single.  With a 1-0 count David Ross would get one tossed to him launching his 100th career home run.  With two outs, Dexter Fowler would triple but wouldn’t cross the plate.  Cubs are now up 5-1. 

Lester would give up a single and a walk in the top of the 5th but no runs would cross the plate.  With Morgan still in the game, Kris Bryant would lead off with his 11th single.  Andrew Bailey would enter the game getting the next three batters out.  Cubs up 6-1. 

The sixth inning would see Lester giving up a walk but no hits or runs.  Brett Oberholtz would come in for the Phillies, giving up a lead off single to Baez but after Ross’s strikeout, Lester would end the inning with a 1-6-3 double play.  

The seventh inning would be all for Leater after one out and a double to Odubel Hererra.  Trevor Cahill would come in and give up s single to Galvis then to Franco scoring Herrera.  Colton Murray comes into the game giving up a walk to Bryant but no additional runs.  

The eight inning would go by pretty quickly for both pitchers.  Hector Rondon comes into the 9th giving up a single but ending the game with 3-6-1 double play.  

It was a great outing by Lester sand the bullpen to continue thier winning streak.  Go Cubs Go!

@DanZeeeMan
The Pocast

9-0

Posted: May 25, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, sports, Sports Time Radio
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Wrapping up the series in St Louis, Jake Arrieta up against Carlos Martinez.  Jake seeking his 9th win of the season while Martinez is looking for his 5th.  

Kris Bryant is the only baserunner to reach by getting hit.  Jake the Great gives up a leadoff single to Kolten Wong who would be forced out on Aledymas Diaz’s ground ball to second base but he would reach second on Matt Holiday’s ground out.  With two outs, Jake gives up a single to Stephen Piscotty scoring Diaz for the first run of the game.  Matt Adams ends the inning on a pop out.  Cubs 0, Cards 1.  

The Cubs answer back with a leadoff single by Ben Zobrist.  Tommy La Stella walks.  Miguel Montero grounds into a force out with Ben to third.  Addison Russell with one out lines one to center for a single for the Cubs first run of the game.  Jake would strike out bringing up Fowler, who also lines an RBI single to center.  Jason Heyward would double bringing in two more runs.   Kris Bryant would single and Anthony Rizzo would walk to load the bases.   Ben Zobrist would send a ground ball to right field bringing in two more runs making it a 6-1 ballgame.  The Cardinals would strike back, sort of, with Randal Grichuk’s 7th home run of the year but that would be all.  Cubs are still up 6-2. 

The Cubs bats would be rather quiet in the third and the fourth. Arrieta would start the bottom of the fourth with a walk to Stephen Piscotty who would score on Matt Adams double to right.  Randall Grichuck would strike again but this time with a single to right bringing in another run.   After 4 innings, it’s a 6-4 game.  

Martinez would be the first one to be pulled from the game for Seung Hwan Oh who gives up back to back singles to Russell & Szczur.  Fowler and Heyward would get two outs but it would be Kris Bryant who drives them both in with his 10th home run of the season making it 9-4.  Adam Warren enters the bottom half giving up a single to Ruben Tejada.  He’d get two men out but Aledmys Diaz would reach on an error.  After a visit to the mound, Matt Holiday would send a line drive to center for his 7th home run of the year.  It’s now 9-7 Cubs.  

The Cubs would get two base runners in the 7th but no one score.  Travis Wood takes Warren’s spot giving a leadoff home run to Matt Adams prompting his removal for Justin Grimm who gets the next three batters out.  It’s a 9-8 ball game.   

That would be all the run scoring but not the end of the excitement at Busch Stadium.  At the end of it all the Cubs would take the series and start a new winning streak.  #GoCubsGo

@DanZeeeMan

Let’s call it Wednesday

Posted: May 25, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in basketball, football, hockey, sports, Uncategorized
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The Pittsburgh Penguins evened up there Eastern Conference finals series with the Tampa Bay Lighting at 3 game apiece with a 5-2 win in Game 6 last night. It looked as tough Pittsburgh was headed for an easy victory. Phil Kessel scored the only goal of the 1st period to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Then in the 2nd period a goal by Kris Letang and then another by Sidney Crosby gave the Penguins a 3-0 lead and it seems as the game was pretty much settled. Then in the 3rd period Brian Boyle scored unassisted for Tampa bay t make it 3-1. Then a second goal by Boyle cut the Penguins lead to just one goal at 3-2. That was as close as the Lighting would get as Bryan Rust and Nick Bonino added 3rd period goals for the Penguins to make the final score 5-3 and send the series to a Game 7 Thursday night in Pittsburgh. The Penguins went back to Matt Murray on goal and he stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced in Game 6. You have to figure he’ll get the call in net for Game 7. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been solid in goal for the Lighting, but you have to wonder if we’ll see Ben Bishop in Game 7 if he’s close to being ready to go.

Over in the Western Conference the San Jose Sharks took a 3 games to 2 lead in there series against the St. Louis Blues with a 6-3 win in St. Louis. San Jose will have a chance to close out the series tonight as they host the Blues in Game 6. With there season on the line tonight the Blues announced that Brian Elliott will be the starting goalie for Game 6 in San Jose. Jake Allen started the previous two games against San Jose. Elliott is undefeated this postseason in elimination games, winning a pair of Game 7’s against the Blackhawks and Stars. Overall, Elliott is 9-8 with a .925 save percentage this postseason. San Jose will stick with Martin Jones in goal. Jones is 11-6 with a goals against average of 2.13 and a save percentage of .918.  Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture are leading San Jose in points this post season with 21 apiece while the Blues are led by Robby Fabbri who has 15 points. If St. Louis wins tonight and forces a Game 7 it will be played back at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Friday night.

Are the Golden State Warriors in trouble? Last night the Oklahoma City Thunder took a 3 games to 1 lead in the Western Conference finals over the Warriors with an easy 118-94 victory. This is the second game in a row that Oklahoma City has won the game by 20 plus points. While it was a 24 point margin of victory last night in Game 4 in Game 3 they won by 28 points 133-105. Oklahoma City got out to a double digit lead early, but by the end of the 1st quarter Golden State had cut the lead to just 4 at 30-26. The 2nd quarter is where the game really swung Oklahoma City’s way as they outscored Golden State 42-27 in the quarter and took a 72-53 lead into the locker room at halftime. Golden State did manage to knock 7 points off the lead by outscoring Oklahoma City 29-22 in the 3rd quarter, but it was already to little too late. With a 94-82 going int the 4th quarter Oklahoma City actually added to there lead outscoring Golden State 24-12 in the final quarter.

All five of the Thunder’s starters scored in double figures led by Russell Westbrook’s 36 points. Those 36 points where part of Westbrook’s triple-double as he added a team high 11 assists and 11 rebounds. Kevin Durant had 26 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds. Serge Ibaka and Andre Roberson each scored 17 points while Roberson grabbed a team high 12 rebounds. Steve Adams chipped in 11 points for Oklahoma City while Dion Waiters scored 10 points off the Thunder bench.

Golden State was led by Klay Thompson with 26 points. Stephen Curry scored 19 points, but was just 2 of 10 from behind the 3-point line. Curry did hand out a team high 5 assists. Harrison Barnes was the only other Golden State player to reach double figures had 11 points. Draymond Green who let’s face it shouldn’t even of been playing in this game led the Warriors in rebounds with 11. Golden State shot 9 of 30 (30.0%) from behind the 3-point line in the game. Golden State does head home for Game 5 facing elimination, but as we know they’re very good at home.

In the Eastern Conference finals; who had the Toronto Raptors winning both of there games at home and evening the series at 2 games apiece. There where people who thought that the Raptors wouldn’t win a game in this series and now they’ve won two. Are they a real threat to win this series? Game 5 is tonight in Cleveland and it’s going to be tough for the Raptors to win there as the Cavaliers get a large disparity in fouls called. I did get a chuckle out of the huge flop LeBron James took when he git hit in the face in I think Game 3. The referees being incredibly stupid called a technical foul on one of the three Toronto players standing there when as it turned out it was LeBron’s own teammate Tristan Thompson who hit him in the face. Does the NBA still fine players for flopping? and would there dare try and fine LeBron for his terrible flop?

The NFL handed out the Super Bowl for the 2019, 2020 and the 2021 seasons. For 2017 the game will be held in Houston’s NRG Stadium. The other Super Bowl that was already on the books was 2018 and that will be played in the Minnesota Vikings new U.S. Bank stadium. For 2019 the Super Bowl goes to Atlanta and will be played at the Mercedes-Benz stadium. The 2020 game will be at the New Miami stadium, Miami Gardens home of the Dolphins. I’m not sure why, but for some reason the NFL listed this game as being played in South Florida with no details of which city it would be in. Then finally the 2021 Super Bowl will be played at the home of the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California as long as the stadium is ready; which hopefully it will be by 2021.

 

 

You can listen to The Podcast by clicking the link and you can follow me on Twitter @Burketime

Cubs Hammel the Cards

Posted: May 24, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in sports
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Game 2 of one the top rivalries in baseball and the Cubs hope to break thier 3 game losing streak with Jason Hammel facing Michael Wacha (who I should not have started on my fantasy team).  

Dexter Fowler leads off the game with his 15th double of the season and would move to third as Jason Heyward grounds out.  Fowler would cross the plate for the first run of the evening when Kris Bryant smacks one into left field.  Anthony Rizzo singles the Wacha loads the bases unintentionally walking Ben Zobrist.  Then Jorge Soler reaches first for an RBI walk. After Rizzo is forced out at home on Addison Russell’s ground ball to first base, David Ross would double bringing in two more runs. Then Jason Hammel helps his own cause doubling to center bringing in two more runs.  Batting around the order, Fowler lines out to end the inning.  Cubs score 6 to start the game. 

It would appear Wacha would curb the Cubs, until the 5th inning when Ben Zobrist leads off with a double, then Soler takes him deep to center field for his 4th home run of the year.  Wacha would be pulled for Tyler Lyons, who would get into trouble but would get out of the inning.  

Jason Hammel would prove tonight that he is for real and a deserved pitcher in this rotation. In 7 1/3 innings he would strikeout 4, walk 3 and give up only 4 hits.  Two of the hits would be doubles in the 8th allowing his only earned run of the night.  That’s when Maddon would take him out for Justin Grimm to end the 8th. 

Dean Kiekhefer would come into the 9th to hold the Cubs from adding to thier total. He’d hit Baez but get Soler to fly out. Russell would ground out on a very close call at first that Maddon would challenge to be overturned for a single.  Tim Federowicz pinch hits for Ross hit a soft fly ball to center scoring Baez.  Matt Szczur pinch hits for Grimm belting a stand up triple deep into center adding two more runs.  Then Fowler singles making it a 12-1 game.  Bryant would go down swinging to end the inning.  

Clayton Richard enters the bottom of the ninth.  He would load the bases on three straight hits, the first reaches on an error.  Ruben Tejada scores an RBI on a sac fly to right then Randal Grichuck singles to center adding another run.  He gets Kolten Wong to ground out but then hits Brandon Moss to prompt Maddon to bring in Trevor Cahill to end the game.   Great win tonight for the Cubs!!

@DanZeeeMan

Walk off without a W

Posted: May 23, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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The Cubs continue thier road trip in St Louis, where John Lackey takes on Adam Wainwright at Busch Stadium.  The only hit in the first is credited to Ben Zobrist for a single.  Lackey would get Matt Carpenter to ground out but then he’d go on to strike out the next 5 batters in a row. 

In the bottom of the third, Lackey would give up a single to Randal Grichuck, then he’d hit Kolten Wong. Wainwright would move them up with a sac bunt. Then he’d load the bases with another walk to Carpenter.  Aledmys Diaz would send a fly ball to Soler but the run still scores.  Matt Holiday would strike out to end the inning.  Cubs down by 1. 

Top of 4, Zobrist leads it off with a single.  Rizzo grounds out and Soler gets hit by a pitch.  Miguel Montero sends a line drive to center to score Ben.  Baez throws down a suprise bunt and reaches with no one covering 1st.  Russell would send a sharp ground ball to short scoring Soler but forcing out Baez.  Lackey would ground out but the Cubs are up by 1.  

Lackey would start the bottom half with a walk but turns it around when Brandon Moss lines out to Rizzo who touches 1st base for an unassisted double play. Lackey gets out of the inning after Molina reaches on an error.  

The Cubs add to their lead after 1 out when Bryant and Zobrist walk and Rizzo gets an RBI single.  That would be the end of the scoring but the Cubs are now up by 2, 3-1 after 5 and a half.  Lackey makes it a quick 1-2-3 bottom half.  Cubs up 3-1 after 5.   

Cubs would challenge Wainwright with a couple base runners but he would finish the inning despite Mike Matheny making a trip to the mound.  Lackey would give up a single to Holiday  but close out the 6th.  

Seung Hwan Oh comes into the seventh for a 1-2-3 to stop the Cubs from adding to the scoreboard.  After 7, 3 hits and 80 pitches, Lackey gives up a 2 run homer to Matt Adams to tie it all up at 3.  He’d get out of the inning but we’ve got a new ballgame.  

Kevin Siegrist enters the 8th inning to hold the Cubs puts Montero on by a walk, Russell reaches on a force out but no one would cross the plate.  Adam Warren replaces Lackey for a solid 1-2-3 inning.  Still tied at 3.  

Trevor Rosenthal, the Cardinals closer allows a lead off single to Fowler to start the ninth.  Kris Bryant would strike out but Fowler makes it all the way to third on a single up the middle by Zobrist.  Rizzo would smack a soft blooper to third, diving, Carpentar would make the grab and almost simultaneously tag third for the Cards unassisted double play.  Adam Warren stays in the game getting the first two outs no problem.  Two outs, Randal Grichuk takes Warren deep for a walk off home run.  

I’d just like you, would love for the Cubs to win but I hope it just happens now and not in October, this slump of course.  #ItsJustMay

@DanZeeeMan
The Podcast

NLCS Preview?

Posted: May 22, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, Minor League Baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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Game 3 puts Kyle Hendricks up against Madison Baumgardner who gets the first two batters out, Fowler and Rizzo but then hits Kris Bryant. Then gives up a single to Ben Zobrist and loads the bases by walking Jorge Soler. With Addison Russell up to bat, I noticed the Marlins fan sitting behind home plate. Back to the game, Russell gets a hitters count and fowls off a couple but ends up watching strike 3 at the knees. Hendricks would have a similar bottom half but only puts two men on and gets out of the inning with out any damage. From the second through the fourth both men would only give up a hit a piece keeping this pitchers duel going.  
The Cubs would go down in order in the top of 5.  Kyle would start the bottom half by walking Gregor Polanco with the pitcher spot up next.  At first it would appear that he is pitching around Baumgardner as if he’s a power hitter but at this moment he sends a line drive just out of reach for Soler for a double scoring the first run of the night and his first double.  Kyle would finsh the inning but Giants are up 1-0.  He would come back out for the sixth but after a walk and a pop out, Kyle is replaced by Travis Wood.  After giving up a walk, he’d close out the inning and pitch a perfect seventh.  

The Cubs would only get a hit in the seventh by Matt Szczur.  In the top of the eighth, Baez would pinch hit for Wood and hit a soft bouncer to Brandon Belt who would be out of position and run back forcing Baez to step out of the runners box for an automatic out which didn’t really appear that way.  Immediately, Maddon would be out there livid and yelling at the first base umpire telling him he’s f*^%ing better than that.  I thought he was going to be tossed. Mad Baum would get one more out and then walk Rizzo prompting Bruce Bochy to pull him for Cory Gearrin who gets Bryant to line out.   

Pedro Strop would enter the bottom half getting the first out.  With the shift on for Duffy he would knock one down the line just out of Rizzo’s reach. He’d get Posey to watch the third strike and get Brandon Belt to send a grounder right into Rizzo’s glove coincidently touching first base to end the inning.  

The Cubs have one more half of an inning to take the series.  Santiago Casilla comes in to face Ben Zobrist who would take him deep to the center field warning track roughly 395 feet that Denard Spsn would hop to snag out of the air for the first out.  Jorge Soler showing patience would get a full count but would swing at one just below the knees for a strikeout.  Addison Russell is 0-3 looking to get his first hit and keep the Cubs alive but would strike out for the fourth time in a row. 

Cubs bats seem to have cooled off in May but the pitching has been solid especially in the pen.  It’s the Cardinals tomorrow, they need to turn it around.

@DanZeeeMan

It Only Takes One Weak Link

Posted: May 22, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in sports
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The San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs have split the first two games of their May series, with the rubber match set for Sunday at AT&T Park. Madison Bumgarner will oppose Kyle Hendricks for the series win and bragging rights for the next three months, until the two teams meet again the first three days of September.

The series thus far represents the best argument that the National League can present for avoiding the designated hitter. Not only did Jake Arrieta single in the first run of the Cubs’ 8-1 win on Friday night, Matt Cain doubled in the first two runs on Saturday night, en route to a 5-3 Giants win.
Cain’s hit was the first for him in 46 plate appearances, but Giants pitchers overall have thirteen runs batted in, leading the Cubs in this department by four runs. In comparison the last-place Atlanta Braves have had two RBIs contributed by pitchers.

That helps explain why both the Cubs and Giants occupy first place in their respective divisions, and is not so much a diss on Atlanta. The reality is that pitchers are not traditionally expected to do anything beyond pitch; some managers will not even allow their pitchers to either swing a bat, or run out a ground ball.

In assessing the upcoming series Friday afternoon, prior to the start of the first game, I pointed out to Big Jack on SportsTimeRadio that the pitching matchups that were in place would never be duplicated during a playoff run. Jake Peavy versus Jake Arrieta? I don’t think so.
Matt Cain versus Jon Lester? This is not much better but the Giants were able to rise to the occasion and get to Lester early. These lopsided pairings do provide some entertaining outcomes, but there is simply too much on the table during the playoffs to allow them.

To a certain extent, Kyle Hendricks opposing Madison Bumgarner is a similar David/Goliath confrontation, with MadBum having won his last four starts, while Hendricks is 1-3 in his last six. To his credit Hendricks has a 2.74 ERA during the stretch and has allowed only two home runs all season.
Because I have been promoting the notion that the Cubs and Giants are destined to meet in October, I am more apt to think in terms of the big picture. Realistically, Arrieta is on another plane, with his string of 22 consecutive [regular season] starts, allowing three runs or less.

The run is impressive from so many different perspectives, it boggles the mind. That being said, it must also be pointed out that the playoffs cannot be compared to the regular season, because Jake the Great will not face Jake the Terrible, as he did Friday night.

No, Jake the Great will oppose MadBum, if there is any possible way that Bruce Bochy can make it happen. Johnny Cueto will face Jon Lester and oh yeah, there’s that Jeff Samardzija guy probably going up against Jason Hammel. That way, with the pitching more equitable, other components of the game will have to determine the outcome.

Both Chicago and San Francisco have impressive defensive numbers, with the Giants having committed a total of 19 errors for the season, while the Cubs have racked up 23. Neither team has been assessed an error during the current series.

Everything being magnified during October, it could be a Brandon Crawford/Addison Russell gem, or a player-yet-to-be-determined’s error that hands the victory to Arrieta or Bumgarner.

There is no way to quantify experience, except to count the number of championship rings that the individual players wear. Those who have spent more time under the magnifying glass that is October, will be better prepared to handle the pressure.
I am not one to make bold predictions; I told Dan that I did not see a sweep in store for the current series but that on paper the Cubs were clear favorites. They have an astonishing road record of 15-6.

I said that if the Giants could bag one of the first two games, by any means possible, they would stand a good chance of being able to take the series. I would not have thought that Lester would prove to be the weak link, but it is immaterial. It only takes one.  Jake Peavy is the Giants’ weak link.

Sunday night, once more on national television, we will get to see the finale. I might be inclined to give the nod to San Francisco but recent history suggests I not.

Kyle Hendricks is said to have gathered up a whole slew of stones to go with his sling, so maybe I’ll just hold off on the prediction and say,
…nothing.

@bellspringsmark

Cubs get Cain’ed

Posted: May 21, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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Game 2 in San Fran puts the 4 and 2, Jon Lester against the winless Matt Cain and the best in the west, Giants.  Dexter Fowler would lead off his third game with a single but would be thrown out trying to steal second base.  Kris Bryant would single also but Cain would get out of the inning.  Lester would put Denard Span on with a base on balls, but he would get out of the inning.  Cain would put two men on but neither would cross the plate.  Lester would get the first two batters in the bottom half of the second but would give up a single to Brandon Crawford.  Then he walks Gregor Blanco.  Two men on with the Cain at the plate.  With a 3-2 count, Matt sends a long fly ball just out of reach for Fowler sending both men across the plate giving Cain a double.  Span K’s to end the inning but the Giants are up by 2.  

With one out in the top of 3, Kris Bryant on a 3 and 2 count would send a long fly ball over Span’s head for his ninth homer of the year.  Zobrist would single and Soler would walk but with two outs Javier Baez would fly out.  Joe Panik would lead off the bottom half with a double to left field.  He would move to third on Kelby Tomlinson’s sac bunt that Bryant would pick up and throw to Rizzo.  Buster Posey who at the moment is 1 and 25 takes Lester deep to left center breaking his slump and getting his 5th home run of the year.  Matt Duffy sends a line grounder to Addison Russell that bounces off him to left field.  He would then steal second base.  Trevor Brown would double to left scoring Duffy.  Maddon challenges the tag and it’s overturned giving Brown an RBI single.  Crawford would walk prompting Maddon to visit the mound replacing Lester with Trevor Cahill who gets out of the inning.  Giants up 5 to 1.  Matt Cain would continue to hold the Cubs to 1 run through 6.  

Trevor Cahill would put two runners on in the fourth but would get through the fourth and the fifth.  Clayton Richard would come into the bottom of the sixth for a 1-2-3 inning. Hunter Strickland enters the top of the seventh getting the first two batters out but gives up a single to Fowler and walks Bryant.  Josh Osich would come into the game and strikes out Rizzo to end the inning.  Justin Grimm enters the bottom half and puts Tomlinson and Posey on but after a visit to the mound, gets out of the inning.  

Osich still in gets an out but gives up a double to Soler.  Bruce Bochy decides to go with Cory Gearrin, who gives up an RBI single to Baez.  Russell grounds out.  With two outs Tommy La Stella comes into the game pinch hitting for David Ross and reaches first on a walk.  Bochy makes another change bringing in Javier Lopez to face Tim Federowicz to end the inning. Cubs 2, Giants 5.  

Travis Wood comes into the game giving up a single to Crawford but gets out of the inning unscathed.  Dexter Fowler leads off the top of the ninth against Santiago Casilla sending his 5th home run of the season to right.  Casilla would thrn it around and get Bryant, Rizzo and Zobrist to go down in order to end the game, 5-3 Giants.  

The Podcast
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How was your week?

Posted: May 21, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, hockey, horse racing, sports, Uncategorized
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While it is just May as we like to say on the podcast May is coming to an end next week. When the calendar turns to June will you worry about your favorite baseball team then? I’m think if you’re a fan of the New York Mets you might want to get started a little early. The Mets are currently 23-18 and in 3rd place in the National League East just 2 1/2 games behind the division leading Washington Nationals.

Is there possible an issue with the Mets starting rotation? The team is being built around it’s young pitching and those young pitchers did get the Mets into the World Series last season. There have been some cracks in that young pitching foundation that the Mets need to keep their eye on. Steven Matz made his 7th start last night after being skipped in the rotation because of elbow soreness. Even with 11 days off Matz pitched 7 innings giving up 3 hits, 2 earned runs and striking out 8 while picking up the win in the Mets 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Matz made 9 starts for the Mets last season and 3 of those where in the post season. Matz is 6-1 this season with an ERA of 2.81 in his 7 starts, but at 241 years old will the Mets have to watch his innings as the season moves along. While there doesn’t seem to be any injury concerns with Jacob deGrom his velocity seems to be a little down in his last couple of starts; which where no decisions. deGrom did miss a couple of starts earlier this season as he left the team to attend to a medical issue with his newborn son. He’s made 3 starts since returning to the Mets and is 0-1 after winning his first 3 starts of the season. deGrom’s ERA is 2.50 on the season and you have to wonder if it’s just a case of him building up his arm strength again, but it is something the Mets have to watch. Then there’s Mat Harvey. Harvey started on Thursday night against the division leading Nationals. He lasted just 2 2/3rd of an inning, gave up 8 hits, 9 runs 6 of them earned while walking 2 and striking out 2. Harvey was boo’d off the field when Mets manager Terry Collins came out to remove him from the game. Harvey hasn’t last more than 6 innings in any of his 9 starts this season. Harvey is 3-6 and his ERA is 5.77 in his 9 starts this season. There have been no reports about any injuries, but if you remember just a few weeks back Harvey himself said he felt a little off was the term he used. Harvey had that terrible outing against the Nationals, but his start before that wasn’t much either. He pitched 5 2/3rd innings while giving up 5 earned runs on 11 hits, but struck out 6 against the Colorado Rockies. I don;t think that anyone noticed that start because it was in Coors Field and many pitchers have had trouble there. According to reports that came out on Friday Harvey will not be skipped in the rotation and is due t make his next start against the Nationals again on Tuesday, May 24th; this time the game is in Washington’s Nationals Park.Bartolo Colon and Noah Syndergaard are the other two pitchers holding down the Mets rotation. Colon has made 8 starts and is 3-3 with an ERA of 3.75, There’s nothing wrong with those numbers out of a 5th starter especially when you find out that pitcher is 42 years old. Is Syndergarrd the ace of this staff? He’s 4-2 in 8 starts, but has the lowest ERA among the starers at 2.19. 7 of his 8 starts have been quality starts and he’s struck out 65 batters while walking just 9 on the season. Syndergaard has a WHIP of 0.99 and his K/9 or strikeouts per 9 innings ratio is 10.97 this season. You’d think that talent like tis can easily get the Mets back into the playoffs and don;t forget that Zack Wheeler is due to return in a couple of weeks. Wheeler had Tommy John surgery last season and is finishing up his recovery. I am wondering if some of the struggles this young Mets staff has had reminded any long time fans of the team of the Jason Isringhausen, Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher pitching trio that the Mets where going to be built around in the late 90’s.

The Tampa Bay Lighting jumped out to a 4-0 lead last night and looked as though they’d easily even up there Eastern Conference Finals series with the Pittsburgh Penguins at 2 games apiece. While the Lighting did even up the series with the Penguins there was nothing easy about it. Tampa bay got goals from Ryan Callahan and Andrew Sustr in the 1st period t take a 2-0 lead. Callahan’s goal came 27 seconds into the game. Tampa Bay added 2 more goals in the 2nd period as Jonathan Drouin and Tyler Johnson put the puck in the net and effectively ended the night of Pittsburgh starting goaltender Matt Murray. With Marc-Andre Fleury back in goal the Penguins seem to get a little lift even down 4-0. Phil Kessel got the Penguins on the scoreboard at 1:18 of the 3rd period with a goal. Play settled down for about 10 minutes and then Evgeni Malkin scored the Penguins 2nd goal of the period. It’s still 4-2 Lighting; so there was no need for their fans to panic; yet. When Chris Kunitz scored just after the 13 minute mark of the period to make it a 1-goal game at 4-3 I’m sure Lighting fans where worried. Fleury was pulled for the extra skater with about 4 minutes left in the game, but Andrei Vasilevskiy held on in goal for Tampa Bay and they took Game 4.

Game 5 is Sunday night as the series heads back to Pittsburgh’s Consol Energy Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

The second leg of horse racing Triple-Crown The Preakness Stakes is today. Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist is the favorite at 3 to 5. Can Nyquist win here? There is another horse that while not the betting favorite is close. Exaggerator is going off at 3 to 1. I believe I heard that these 2 horses have matched up 4 times and Nyquist has won all 4 of those races. Will today be the day Exaggerator finally beats Nyquist or will Nyquist move on to the Belmont Stakes with a chance t win the Triple-Crown. I know everyone is just waiting for my pick since I know so much about horse racing. I decided that I’m going with Cherry Wine at 20 to 1 to win the Preakness. That of course menas stay as far away from that horse as possible.

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You can find me on Twitter @Burketime

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