The Dugout - October 15
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The Royal Road (to the World Series?)
The Kansas City Royals are on a trip for the ages. A 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles today gave them a 3-0 series lead, just a single win from the World Series and still unbeaten this postseason. This for a team whose last playoff win was in 1985 (granted, that clinched them a Championship). They came in as the underdogs and they’re carrying on as the feel-good story of the 2014 MLB season. Just wait a few years for the 30 for 30 special.
Baseball is a game run on statistics. From the base stats to sabermetrics to the Money Ball applications for them all, the numbers decide who lives and dies. Yet come the playoffs, there never seems to be any rhyme or reason. Do small ball teams do better, or is it suited for the home run hitters? Is pitching the dominant factor or is it hitting? Will the best team over the season be the best team in October? Yes and no for everything. It always changes and there’s no predicting anything.
The Royals are finding success with late hitting and a lights out bullpen. They trust their relievers and it’s working, keeping them close enough in games that the batters can step up and get them over the line. And it’s not one or two guys either, six different players have hit go-ahead RBI in the sixth inning or later this postseason – tied for second most ever. Five of those lads came through their farm system.
Oh, and they also have some wicked good defence. The outfield gets most of the highlight reels, as guys like Nori Aoki and Lorenzo Cain have magnets in their gloves or something. But check out this beauty from third baseman Mike Moustakas:
Over in the National League, you’ve got a real dogfight between the St Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants, two sides who between them have represented the NL in each of the last 4 World Series. So, frankly, it’s a little boring to have them there again, though at least we’re getting some quality baseball outta them. The Giants are up 2-1 in the best of 7 series after an error on a sacrifice bunt got them home in extras in game 3.
NFL Week 6
How about them Cowboys, as they say? They went to Seattle and came back with a victory – just the second team in 3 seasons to do so (Cards last year). DeMarco Murray is on pace to smash the NFL record for rushing yards after another 100+ day, while the offensive line is arguably the best in the NFL. Tony Romo, you are a brilliant man. I’ve apologised for you so often, and now things are working out. He connected with Terrence Williams on a 3rd and 20 on what proved to be the game winning drive, and it was sublime.
The ‘Boys are 5-1 and are 100% legitimate. Seattle, they could use some work in the passing game by the looks. Dallas managed to limit the run game and Russell Wilson had trouble throwing it around. The Seahawks always excel with the defensive side of things, though Dallas has had a great offence for a while now, this year it’s truly elite. The battle between Richard Sherman and Dez Bryant was something else, all respect and nothing left in the tank.
The 49ers beat the Rams despite falling a couple TDs behind early. Eventually they managed to shut up the Rams entirely to take the win though it came at a cost with even more injuries to an already stretched roster. Patrick Willis was the biggest loss. Colin Kaepernick had a really good game though.
Joe Flacco was superb as the Baltimore Ravens blew out the Buccs inside two quarters. Flacco had 4 TDs in the first! While Aaron Rodgers showed his class as well, helping the Packers to a late drive for victory against the Miami Dolphins. He faked a snap with time running out to get the final first down then nailed the winning TD with a short pass to Andrew Quarless with 3 ticks on the clock. The man is a genius.
Peyton Manning and Tom Brady had pretty clinical days, as the Broncos beat the Jets and the Pats took care of Buffalo. No such luck for Oakland and Jacksonville, each after their first win, as the both played much better than in recent weeks, only to lose as the Jags failed on a late drive (after recovering an onside kick) against the Titans and the Raiders couldn’t hold on vs Phil Rivers and the Chargers.
We saw a much better showing from Detroit, built mostly on their defence as they beat Minnesota 17-3 without Calvin Johnson. Still missing field goals though, even without Alex Henery. Indy took the biscuits on TNF against Houston, Andy Luck winning the battle with JJ Watt (who did grab a return TD). Cleveland ran away with it at home to Pittsburgh, reminding us all that there’s a good football team in there somewhere. Also, Chicago beat Atlanta nicely. The Arizona Cardinals were too good for Washington, Kirk Cousins still throwing too many interceptions for anyone’s liking. The Giants were pathetic, losing 27-0 to Philly. Sometimes it’s like Eli Manning has zero peripheral vision. Oh, and the Bengals and Panthers tied. Seriously. Cincy had the chance to win with a 37 yard field goal shanked as time expired. Oops.
Talking The Talk Before Walking The Walk
Week 6 Power Rankings
- Denver Broncos
- Seattle Seahawks
- Dallas Cowboys
- San Diego Chargers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- San Francisco 49ers
- Green Bay Packers
NBA Dominoes
Stack ‘em up, let’s have a game.
Free agency. LeBron James leaves the Miami Heat to sign with Cleveland. Chris Bosh was expected to follow his trail out with his plane stopping in Houston, except he decides to stay. Chandler Parsons, a restricted free agent, was passed on by Houston in a complicated situation, finding himself in Dallas, while Lance Stephenson signed a three year contract with the Charlotte Hornets. Since then, some interesting situational factors have emerged:
- Cleveland had told Chandler Parsons that if LeBron stayed in Miami, he was their man.
- Dallas had a ‘handshake agreement’ with Lance Stephenson should Houston match their offer for Chandler Parsons.
- The Rockets had planned on keeping Parsons, but gambled with salary things when they went after Bosh. What it meant is that they got neither and Trevor Ariza signed instead (not a bad third choice).
So imagine a world in which neither Bosh nor James opted out. You’d have Parsons still a Rocket or possibly a Cav, Stephenson a Mav, and who knows where Ariza would be. Wouldn’t mind watching a few games in that alternate NBA universe.
Rick Carlise Calls Chandler Parsons Fat, He Responds
Carlisle, Parsons’ new coach at the Mavs, actually apologised in a statement the next day, saying that he’s been impressed with his new recruit’s work ethic and he didn’t deserve to be singled out like that. As for Parsons’ instagramm-ery? A quote of the week candidate:
I’m Not Racist, Honest! Some of My Best Friends are Native Americans…
So says embattled Washington R**Skins owner Dan Snyder. Here he is ‘enjoying’ the Washington Pro Football Team’s loss to Arizona with a buddy, Ben Shelly – President of the Navajo Nation. At least he is for now, he just got slaughtered in the latest elections. Slaughtered metaphorically, not in the way that the original Americans literally slaughtered the Natives when they invaded the land and claimed it for their own.
Onside Kick Recovery 101 with the Indy Colts
Good Week:
Cowboys Fans – It’s been a hard decade or so, let’s be honest.
Kansas City Royals Fans – Ditto, times 2.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) - There are no words...
Bad Week:
Mike Napoli (Boston Red Sox) – One of the heroes of the Red Sox World Series win last season, last seen stumbling drunk and shirtless somewhere in Massachusetts, is off for surgery with the season over. Not for any baseball injury, but for sleep apnea. Fair play, hope it all works out fine.
Mike Nugent (Cincinnati Bengals) – Missed the winning kick at the death of overtime. He’d better hope his side don’t miss the playoffs by a game.
Victor Cruz (New York Giants) – He’s out for the season after tearing a muscle reaching for a touchdown catch. It woulda been funny had I not seen him breaking down on the medical cart afterwards…
Player of the Week:
Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) – As Fat Tony would say, Flacco was soo-poib. The fastest man to 5 TD passes in a game, doing it inside 16 minutes. A nice way to give the metaphorical pie in the face to the haters.
Upcoming Dates (NZ Time):
October 22 - MLB World Series Begins
October 29 - NBA Regular Season Begins
January 4 - NFL Playoffs Begin