Life and Stuff

The leaves are falling from the trees, acorns are all over my yard, and I'm just starting to drink cider again. It must be October, and the start of October means one thing for baseball fans, it's playoff time. I must say that this is probably the most anticipated playoff year I have ever witnessed. We have three teams that made incredible comebacks to make the post-season, and every match-up should be a good one. Now then, how do I see each series turning out? Well, you're just going to have to find out and see. We shall begin with my hometown team!

Angels Vs. Red Sox
This is one of those series in which both teams play a style of baseball that is drastically different than their opponent's. The Angels beat you with speed and defense, and the Red Sox beat you with power and strong pitching. Vladimir Guererro has had an off season, so has Manny Ramirez, but when you look closely, Boston has a lot more offensive weapons than Los Angeles and they therefore have the edge there. The Red Sox also have a better starting pitching staff, give me Beckett and Schlling any day over Lackey and Jared Weaver. They have experience. Both teams have good bullpens, but LA's is a little bit deeper with Shields and Rodriguez. This should be a good one, but it is clear to me that the Red Sox have a deeper team.
My Pick: Red Sox in 4.

Yankees and Indians.
While it is true the Yanks made a great comeback to take the wild card, one must look a the caliber of teams they played during that stretch. In my estimation, they only had about 15-20 really tough games during the second half of the season, and this is truly why they were able to make such a great comeback. The Indians have played consistent ball all year, and have proven they deserve to be in the post-season by virtue of their strong play. Both teams have strong lineups and shaky bullpens, but the real difference here is the fact that the Indians have a strong one two punch in Sabathia and Carmona. The Yankees don't have a strong starter after Wang and that will ultimately do them in.
My Pick: Tribe in 5.

Phillies and Rockies
This one is too close to call. These two teams have just completed improbable comebacks against division foes to punch their tickets to the playoffs. I believe Philly has the better offense, but Colorado has more fight in them than any team in the league. Proof of that occurred Monday night when they erased a two-run deficit deficit in the bottom of the 13th inning to rally and beat the Padres. Both teams have less than stellar starting pitching, aside from the Phils Cole Hamels. However, I except most if not all of these games to be close and I'll take Manny Corpas any day of the week over Brett Myers.

My Pick: Rockies in 5

Diamondbacks and Cubs
Simply put, this is an even match-up. Both teams have solid hitting, and one ace starter. The difference here is that Arizona has Jose Valverde, one of the hardest throwing closers in the game, and the national league leader in saves. Ryan Dempster is decent, but lacks the heat to put the Cubs in the NLCS.

My Pick: Diamondbacks in 5.

When you're a kid growing up in Mississippi, you're probably not going to be able to live out your dream of playing NFL football. I say this because the state of Mississippi is not exactly a hotbed of football that scouts from NFL teams flock to. However, there is always the one situation in life in which someone defies the odds. In this case, a young man named Brett Favre was able to branch out of the shadow of the Mississippi River and turn pro. What we did not realize at first was how much talent the kid actually had. The geniuses that ran the "Atlanta Falcons" at the time, saw him as a brash young kid who would never pan out and traded him to the legendary 'Green Bay Packers" upon the conclusion of his rookie season for a number one draft pick. The draft pick turned out to be a running back named Tony Smith, who never made an impact in Atlanta and was out of football within 3 years. Favre on the other hand won a couple of MVP awards, and was a consistent model of excellence for the Packers for years. He also proved to be quite durable as he has never missed a game since he was named the Packers starting QB back in 1992. That includes games after he has suffered concussions, or lost family members such as his Father, and Father-in-Law. Brett always felt in those situations that playing football would relieve his grief, and he was proven right. So this past Sunday, this mark of consistenc, fired his 421 career touchdown pass, breaking Dan Marino's all time record. There is no doubt in my mind that he deserved it because he put his time in. Congratulations Brett, and here's to many more touchdown throws in the future. Among other topics of discussions this week are, why does Norv Turner have a head coaching job? Why Tony Kornheiser has created an angry mob? and why are Jets fans beginning to sob? Now then, on with the bullet points

• Memo to Tony Kornheiser, I know you're trying to create national interest in the Pats, but please realize two things. First of all, it is unlikely for a team to go undefeated in a sixteen game schedule because it has never happened before. Secondly, why in the hell would you be so brazen to say in week 4 of the NFL season that the Patriots could run the table? It's still early Tony, even rumors of the Colts going undefeated didn't start this early. Here's another word of advice, get a rug, the comb over looks goofy.

• Because of potential howls of protest by the Jewish anti-defamation league, I will now call the schmuck of the week award the moron of the week award. This week it goes to that idiot Jet fan who's suing the Patriots for $184 million dollars for violating the integrity of the game by using a video camera to videotape the Jets plays. This lawsuit is the equivalent of me suing one of my professors because I did not like the way they taught. Or, if I sued "Burger King" because they did not live up to the integrity of their profession by making my hamburger my way. I hope the guy's a Mets fan too so he'll have something else to cry about if you know what I mean.
  

• I'm almost certain that last night Donovan McNabb had visions of linebackers dancing in his head last night while he slept. By the way Donovan, I'm benching you next week for Favre, don't I didn't warn you.
  

• Did you happen to see the semi angry look on Lawrence Taylor's face once Michael Strahan broke his sack record? It almost seemed like he wanted to go back onto the field and reclaim it. Let it also be known that Michael Strahan at his best was nowhere near the caliber of linebacker LT was, nor is or was anyone else!

• Week 4 is the first bye week in the NFL which means two things. Number one, this column will most likely be shorter than in previous weeks. Number two, four teams were at home this week watching the games and cleaning the potato chip crumbs off their laps with a "Dust Buster."

• An odd thing happened before the Dolphins Raiders game on Sunday, they actually had a rain delay. League sources have told me was because the grounds crew mistakingly thought they were working a Marlins game.

• In rushing for 3 scores and passing for two more, Daunte Culpepper did more in one game than he did for the Dolphins last season, proving once again that revenge is always sweet!

• Here's a quick question for you, a young lady was seen in the "Georgia Dome" holding a sign that said "Thank you Atlanta for Matt Schaub." My question is, after she saw the Texans lose and Schaub have a less than stellar day, does she still feel that way?

• Jamal Lewis did not get revenge on his former mates in Cleveland on Sunday, but I'm sure he'll take the victory.

• Memo to Brian Billick, you're supposed to throw the challenge flag after the touchdown, not the extra point, you moron.

• It's now time for the obligatory shot at Eric Mangini. How is this guy considered a defensive genius when he loses to teams like Buffalo? Buffalo's at best a 7-9 team. I'm beginning to wonder how the Jets even made the playoffs last year.

• I know the Rams are pretty much banged up on all sides of the ball, but allowing Tony Romo to run for a first down when it appeared you had him for a huge loss is downright inexcusable at any level of football.

• From the people who brought you duh, Rams coach Scott Linehan says that he's looking for solutions to alleviate the Rams poor start.

• Like Terrell Owens said, Tony Romo's running play may end up on blooper reels, but his quick thinking turned a big loss into a huge gain. That's why Tony is this week's winner of the hustle award.

• Speaking of teams looking for solutions, the Bears are in dire need of a quarterback. Just think of how many points the Bears would score if they didn't have Devin Hester scoring touchdowns on special teams.

• Brett Favre not only set the record for career TD passes, but he always set the record for career passing attempts in the same game. He must have one tired arm!

• Maybe I'm wrong about Jeff Garcia being too old to play this game. He's led his team to three victories in a row, and has not yet thrown an interception on the year. However, a hurt Cadillac Williams could mean a big hole in the offense.

• I think Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is a lunatic for using the 2 QB system in an NFL game. Yes he did win the game, but it was because of some poorly thrown passes by Ben Roethlisberger and a strong special teams unit. I think he should just stick to Leinart personally.

• 4 turnovers, 16 points, no defense, and an embarrassing loss to the Chiefs? Ladies and Gentlemen the most overrated team in the NFL, your San Diego Chargers!

• No football team toys with their opponents better than the Colts. For the Broncos had a strong first half, but Peyton and company took control in the second half and dominated the rest of the game. This is why they're the champs folks.

• Until next week, Pieroni out!
  

I thought it would be a good idea to provide you, my loyal readers, a list of the playoff matchups that will take place beginning on Wednesday as a public service because I love you all so much. I will also provide the potential implications of the one race in baseball still going on as I write this because I'm that nice of a guy.

• The Phillies have clinched the NL East, and will host the winner of the NL Wild Card whether it be the Padres or the Rockies

• The Cubs will travel to Arizona and play the Diamondbacks.

• The Red Sox will host the Angels on Wednesday.
  

• The Indians will play the Yankees in Cleveland on Thursday
• Now to the implications surrounding the NL Wild Card

• If the Rockies win and the Padres win, San Diego will win the Wild Card by virtue of a better head-to-head record against Colorado this season.

• If the Padres win and the Rockies lose, the Padres will win the Wild Card outright.

• If the Pads lose and the Rocks win, there will be a one game playoff tomorrow in Denver.

• If the NL Wild Card is settled by tonight, look for my prediction column on Monday. If it is not, then I will hold off until Wednesday due to my commitment to the NFL piece on Tuesday.

• If your head is not spinning right now, you are truly a phenomenon of medical science.