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      BoSox roll, Rockies win in 11

      October 13, 2007 /

      Red Sox 10, Indians 3
      Boston hammered Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia for seven hits and eight runs in route to a 10-3 victory in Game 1 of the ALCS. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis all had multiple hits, while Mike Lowell had a key two-run double in the third inning. Not to be forgotten in Boston’s romp, however, is the pitching performance by Josh Beckett, who limited the Indians to only two runs on four hits. While The Boston Globe lauded yet another big-game outing by Beckett, Bud Shaw of The Cleveland Plain Dealer hopes that Sabathia’s dud performance will finally make people realize that the Tribe still needs an ace.

      Rockies 3, Diamondbacks 2
      Willy Taveras was the hero in Colorado’s 3-2 victory over Arizona in Game 2 of the NLCS. Taveras made a diving catch in the 7th inning to halt a Diamondbacks’ rally and then in the top of the 11th, he drew a walk with the bases loaded to put the Rockies ahead for good. While Taveras starred in Colorado’s win, The Denver Post felt the need to note how much rookie Troy Tulowitzki has blossomed into a leader…Even through defeat, The Arizona Republic focused on the positive in Game 2, which was pitcher Doug Davis.

      MLB

      Lakers’ Buss will consider trading Kobe

      October 12, 2007 /

      Jerry Buss has said all along that he wasn’t interested in trading Kobe Bryant, but softened his stance in an interview with three newspaper reporters at the team’s training camp in Hawaii.

      Buss [told] three Los Angeles-area beat writers covering training camp in Honolulu on Wednesday that he “would certainly listen” to trade offers for the two-time NBA scoring champion.

      “At any time, I think you have to do that with anybody,” Buss said, discussing Bryant publicly for the first time since the often-frustrated Lakers’ star asked to be traded at the end of last season. “It’s just part of the game, to listen to somebody who has a dissatisfied player that you think is going to fit.

      “You can’t keep too many loyalties. You’ve got to look at it as a business. He looks at it the same way I look at it.”

      This development probably stems from the fact the Lakers have done little to improve their team in the offseason (or the last few years, for that matter). Had they played their cards right, they could have Caron Butler and Jason Kidd on the roster, sacrificing Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown in the process. Looking back at those decisions has to make Kobe wonder what could have been. A starting lineup consisting of Kidd, Kobe, Butler and Odom would have been nice.

      More recently, the inability to swing a deal for Kevin Garnett really stings, though it would have been difficult to come to terms considering the pieces the Lakers were willing to move. Odom isn’t as valuable to a team like the T-Wolves, who are in full rebuilding mode. Trading for Jermaine O’Neal remains a possibility, but the clock is ticking. Kobe is signed through the summer of 2009, but it is doubtful that he’ll stay quiet through another disappointing year. If the Lakers are struggling by the time 2008 rolls around, expect the Kobe trade rumors to really heat up.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Rockies take NLCS opener

      October 12, 2007 /

      Rockies 5, Diamondbacks 1
      The Colorado Rockies may be new to the postseason scene, but they’re certainly not showing it. In Game 1 of the NLCS, Colorado topped Arizona 5-1 thanks in large part to the pitching performance from starter Jeff Francis. In 6.2 innings of work, Francis allowed seven hits, but only one run and struck out four. Offensively, the Rockies got a huge contribution from outfielder Brad Hawpe, who hit a two-RBI single in a three run third inning. The Denver Post marvels at Hawpe’s continued mastery of D’Backs ace Brandon Webb.

      In Arizona, the talk was about Justin Upton’s take down of Kaz Matsui during a double-play breakup at second base. Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki didn’t appreciate Upton’s slide and had words for the young outfielder, although Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic notes that Upton was just doing what he was taught.

      MLB

      Week 6 Preview

      October 11, 2007 /

      Every week, I highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t tell you about how Carson Palmer or LaDainian Tomlinson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and start them. I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Ben Roethlisberger, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

      START ‘EM

      QB: For those in need of a bye week fill in, Damon Huard has a terrific matchup at home against the Bengals, who have been brutal against he pass. There was some talk about Brodie Croyle starting, but Huard is practicing and is off the injury report…Cleo Lemon also has a great matchup against a suspect Browns pass defense that has allowed 267 yards and 3 TD per game through the air…Brian Griese (vs. MIN), Phillip Rivers (vs. OAK), Kurt Warner (vs. CAR) and Gus Frerotte (@ BAL) also have good matchups and can be used if you’re in a pinch.

      RB: It’s tough to know who to start, but LenDale White and Chris Brown have a very good matchup this week against a Bucs defense that is surprisingly bad against the run (124 ypg)…Willis McGahee has a great matchup against the Rams, who have allowed 146 yards and 1.6 rush TD per game this season…Adrian Peterson is a decent start against the Bears, who haven’t been themselves against the run this season.

      WR: Dwayne Bowe should have a nice game against the Bengals, who have given up the most fantasy points to WRs thus far…Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson are compelling starts for owners in need of help at WR. They face a bad Saints defense that has yielded 218 passing yards and 2.0 TD pass TD per game…Chris Chambers faces a porous Browns defense that has given up a ton of points to opposing WRs…Wes Welker (@ DAL) and Vincent Jackson (vs. OAK) are also good starts.

      SIT ‘EM

      QB: Jeff Garcia should be avoided. The Titans have allowed only two pass TD all year…It might be time for owners with Drew Brees on their roster to start looking somewhere else. He’s really struggling and he has a tough test this week in Seattle. The Seahawks have allowed just three pass TD in five games…Vince Young has a bad matchup against a Bucs defense that has been pretty stingy (189 yards, 1 TD per game) against the pass…Matt Schaub (@ JAX) and David Garrard (vs. HOU) have tough matchups as well.

      RB: It’s tough to bench Clinton Portis, but RBs have struggled to score against Green Bay this season. The Packers have allowed just one rush TD thus far…Brian Leonard should be avoided against the perennially stout Ravens rush defense…Cedric Benson is in for a tough day against the Vikings, who have allowed just 62 yards per game and zero scores on the ground…Marion Barber and Julius Jones may find the going tough against the Pats, who are 5th in the league against the run…LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes face a Chargers team that is difficult to run against. San Diego has allowed just 93 yards and 0.4 TD per game on the ground this season.

      WR: The Redskins have been particularly tough against wideouts, so if you have a good alternative, it might be wise to sit Greg Jennings and James Jones…Joey Galloway has been spotty, so it’s a good idea to bench him against a solid Titans pass defense…The Giants’ DT is (surprisingly) playing well, so Roddy White should be avoided if possible.

      THINKING DEFENSIVELY

      If your defense is on bye or has a bad matchup, you may want to look to the waiver wire and try to find a mediocre or good defense with a good matchup. The following teams are available in 50% or more of ESPN leagues and have a nice matchup this week in the order that I’d pick them up: ARI. NYG, ARI, TB, KC and NYJ.

      SLEEPER OF THE WEEK

      Bobby Engram (vs. NO)
      The 34 year-old wideout just won’t quit. Thus far, he’s averaging 3.8 catches for 55 yards and 0.4 TD, which isn’t bad for a third or fourth option in the passing game. He should see his targets increase, however, now that Deion Branch is out for two games. Plus, he’s got a great matchup against the Saints, who are pretty awful against the pass and the run.

      TOUGH SLEDDING

      Carson Palmer (@ KC) and Brett Favre (vs. WAS)
      I don’t advocate benching these hot QBs, but they have difficult matchups this week against two of the better pass defenses in the league. They are still worth a start, but don’t expect their normal output this week.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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