Maple Leafs @ Bruins Game 5 Preview

Game 4 was probably the best hockey game I have seen this year. Not that the Bruins played awesome, but in terms of excitement it was off the charts. One thing that has bothered me is that I keep hearing these whispers of not liking Rask. I thought he played unreal in that game. Yea, he let up 3 goals, but he also made some incredible saves and kept them in it while the Bruins played a lot of flat footed hockey.

The Bruins don't like to make things easy on themselves, which has been worried about tonight. Logic would say that going home after beating them in overtime on their ice, that the Bruins should roll over them. Yet, it's just as likely that the Bruins play uninspired hockey, and get blown out.

So, why am I picking the Bruins. Well because Seguin is do for a big game, and I think it's happening tonight. He has been flat out terrible in my eyes in this series, but I have faith in him. I think he comes through big tonight (2 goals), and the Bruins win.

Bruins win 4-1
Player of the Game: Seguin
Game starts at 7pm

Blue Jays @ Red Sox Preview

Things aren't going well for the Red Sox. They re losing guys left and right, and are losing games. One could blame the injuries, and it certainly isn't helping, but more than that they are playing really sloppy baseball.

Yet, I think this series against the Blue Jays is going to go really well. Toronto sucks, they spent a ton of money on a bunch of guys that can't stay on the field and are paying for it. Tonight we get Ramon Ortiz (hahahaha), vs Jon Lester.

Lester started out really hot, but has cooled off over his last two starts letting up 8 runs. That being said he is still 4-0 and has an ERA of 3.30, so bitching needs to be kept to a minimum. What does have to worry you is that the last time Lester played the Blue Jays at home he let up 11 runs.

Ortiz is 1-2 with a 5.58 ERA in five career starts at Fenway, he is pitching tonight because Morrow has a stiff neck and had his start pushed back.

Red Sox win 11-4
Player of the Game: Ortiz
Game starts at 7:10pm

Twins @ Red Sox Preview

The Twins suck. They really do. There isn't much I like about their team, I hate the way they wait forever for their prospects to get to the majors, I'm sick of their endless supply of shitty pitchers.

Sorry, it's just I used to kind of like/respect the Twins and I just don't anymore.

A guy I am gaining respect for is Ryan Dempster. I'll be honest when the Red Sox got him I was not excited at all. He got lit up in the AL last year, he isn't young, and really there was just not much to think he was anything better than a 4/5 starter. Yet, he really has settled in nicely in the middle of the Red Sox rotation. Sure, he is no #1 starter, but he is right where he should be, a #3. Dempster is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, and has 47 Ks in 36 innings. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five starts. He hasn't been good against the Twins in his career (2-1 6.16 ERA), but was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA against them last year.

Going against him Scott Diamond. He has had a nice start to the season (2-2 with a 3.97 ERA), but he is yet another shitty Twins pitcher. The Red Sox should light him up, and Dempster should be able to easily control this crappy Twins lineup.

Red Sox win 12-3
Player of the Game: Dempster/Pedroia
Game starts at 7:10pm

Who Is The Red Sox Closer?

Bailey is on the DL, and Hanrahan had to leave the game last night, so there is a serious question about who will be the Red Sox closer until one of those guys return. Most people think it'll be Koji Uehara, which I'm fine with. He has been playing well, and I like the way he is always way overexcited. 

Yet, I have a feeling I agree with DP here that I would rather see Tazawa. It's not that I don't think Uehara can do it, because I think he can, it's more about changing roles on a team. I like Uehara in that 7th/8th inning spot, and Tazawa has done nothing wrong over the last two year to make me think he can't handle thing. 

Going forward is going to be really interesting for the Red Sox. I like Bailey a lot, but he never stays healthy. It's hard to be impressed by anything Hanrahan has done. Even if Tazawa or Uehara take over the closer role and do well the Red Sox are going to have some bullpen problems if Bailey and Hanrahan can't be healthy and effective. Going into the season I thought the Sox bullpen was actually the strongest part of their team, now it looks like it could be the one part they made need to improve through trade.

I say trade because there doesn't seem to be a ton of internal options if these guys end up not being able to stay on the field. Bard seems to be a lost cause. I guess if the season was coming to a close you could call up young starter and have them do it, but they have all been doing well and I don't want to fuck with their progress. I hate flip flopping starters to relief roles, way to many cautionary tales to go down that road again.

Stoudemire Return For Knicks In Game 3

So Amar'e is going to be back Game 3 for the Knicks barring any setbacks. You can argue either way if that is a good or bad thing, but I think it's a good thing. The Knicks have done very well when Melo is playing PF, but this is a series that I really think they need another big body. The Pacers are a big team, that can play post defense. The Knicks tried to go small and got their ass kicked. If Stoudemire is healthy he could as least help limit the damage underneath.

The bottom line is that the series is over if the Knicks aren't draining 3's. JR Smith is really the key, he needs to be a sharp shooter, and he hasn't been good since mid way through the Celtics series.

It's so aggravating watching the Knicks, because if the Celtics had Rondo they would've beaten them. I'm not saying the Celtics would've won it all or anything, because they had some serious flaw even with Rondo, but they are better than the Knicks.

Bruins @ Maple Leafs Game 3 Preview

The Bruins were tough to watch in Game 3. They were flat footed, and other than some small flashes really didn't do anything right, which was their problem during the end of the season they are just too inconsistent.

I really don't think the Maple Leafs are that good. They have some good offensive players, but the Bruins have a good enough defensive team to shut them down. They question with the Bruins seems to be energy. They go through these lulls that ruin them. I agree with Rob, it's starts with Lucic. When he is hitting and player hard, the Bruins are a much better team. When he disappears, I feel it kills that line and makes life a lot harder.

I think the Bruins bounce back tonight. They are going to need to get through the first 5 minutes, as I think the Maple Leafs will come out with a lot of energy.

Bruins win 3-1
Player of the Game: Rask
Game starts at 7pm

So Is Rose Just A Huge Pussy?

The Bulls roster is a mess. They are all banged up, but yet here they are going against the Heat and maybe the healthiest person on the roster is Rose and he refuses to play. You never like to call a guy out when he is hurt, but when is this going to become too much. It's been over a month now that he has been cleared to play. Reports say he looks amazing in practice, and yet he still in wearing a suit on the bench.

Rose has a serious image problem going right now. We see guys like AP come back and less time and tear it up. We know Rondo would be out there if he was even 70%, and Rose is supposed to be one of the best players in the league, and he isn't out there.

Like I said, you hate to call a guy out when he is hurt. We don't know how he feels or what he is going through his head, but it would be tough to be a teammate of his, see him practicing and playing well, and not think "Why the fuck isn't he playing, when I am out there". Noah is playing on one leg, Where ya at Rose?

Celtics @ Knicks Game 5 Preview

So we are once again at that emotional game where it could be the Celtics last. Paul Pierce's contract next year is non guaranteed, and you never know when KG could walk away (I think both will be back). Yet, the Celtics have always been a tough out.

The Knicks won the first three games of this series, holding the Celtics to 75 ppg. In game 3 the Celtics scored 54 points in the first half and led by 20 early in the third quarter before they once again hit the offensive wall, and they were limited to just 30 points in the third and fourth quarters.

There is a ton of things going against the Celtics in this game. As I just stated their offense overall has been horrid. They have to go to NY, and JR Smith is back.

I am sure everyone and their mother are expecting this series to be over tonight. What have I learned from being a Celtics fan? Never count out Pierce and KG. I know there isn't much reason for hope, and the Knicks are favored by 8, but I still the Celtics win tonight.

Celtics win 94-92 (OT)
Tommy Award: KG
Game starts at 7:05pm

Maple Leafs @ Bruins Game 1 Preview

The NHL playoffs are finally here. Yet, I think you'll notice that most Bruins fans are pretty nervous. The Bruins haven't been playing well. They are just 3-5-2 in their last 10 games, and really haven't looked sharp in awhile.

Peverley and Hamilton are expected to be scratched for tonight. I get Hamilton getting scratched, but I am shocked with Peverley. I know he had a tough year, but he was their leading scorer in last year's playoffs.

Anyways, it will be interesting to see if the Bruins can play a complete game. Also, it'll be interesting to see how Jagr plays since he is said to be really sick. The Bruins have had very good luck against the Maple Leafs winning 11 of their last 13 at TD Garden, but Boston has to find a way to put the puck in the net. They have scored just 8 in their last nine games.

I don't believe in Toronto at all, and I think the Bruins will play inspired hockey now that the playoffs are finally here.

Bruins win 4-2
Player of the Game: Seguin
Game starts at 7pm