Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.
The 2012 CFL season is almost getting closer – players are prepping themselves and coaches are getting ready for training camps that start in less than a month. So what can we expect this season?
The PGA TOUR moves to Florida for the biggest event since the Masters this week when the world’s best minus Bubba Watson chase their share of the $9.5 million in the PLAYERS Championship.
The Washington Capitals hope to continue their surprising but strong play in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semi-final against the overwhelming favorite New York Rangers on Monday night. The Caps are proving to be a handful that not many saw coming.
With their season on the line the Nashville Predators will welcome Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn back to the lineup in hopes that they will spark an offense that was silenced in Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-final.
The Philadelphia Flyers will try to rebound from arguably their worst effort of the playoffs so far when they head to the Prudential Center to take on the rejuvenated New Jersey Devils. The Flyers were the best road team in the league during the regular season and they should be motivated after getting utterly run over by the Devils in Game 2.
The St. Louis Blues – the best home team in the NHL during the regular season head out on the road Thursday after losing the first two games of their semi-finals series on home ice. The daunting task ahead – trying to slow an uber-confident Kings squad in front of what is sure to be an amped up Staples Center crowd in Game 3.
Two weeks have passed since my last Power Rankings and although the MLB season remains fluid, the Top 3 spaces on the Rankings have remained the same. As always there are some interesting surprises and some absolute disappointments in the Rankings – that’s why they play the games!
Take a look at Dave B’s bi-weekly MLB Power Rankings and let me know what you think.
Surely there is somebody that disagrees with me!
1. Texas Rangers (1) – They have the best record in baseball and along with a very strong offense – the pitching staff has also looked very, very good. They are the most complete team and for the second time in a row occupy Top Spot in the Rankings!
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (2) – The Dodgers keep getting it done – 7-3 in their last 10 games and an incredible 10-2 at home this season. Matt Kemp has been sensational and the Dodgers’ pitching has been one of the surprises of the season so far. LA leads the NL and reclaims their #2 rank.
3. St. Louis Cardinals (3) – The Cards are hanging around with the NL’s second best record. They are just 5-5 in their last 10 games but when the team needs a win, they seem to get it.
4. Baltimore Orioles (17) – The Orioles – leading the AL East? Don’t get used to it but enjoy it now if you are a Baltimore fan. They swept Toronto last week and based on their 14-8 record deserve their Top 5 spot – for now!
5. Atlanta Braves (12) – The Braves have been great so far this year and now look like they will get Tim Hudson back in the very near future. They are tough as usual and are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
6. Tampa Bay Rays (11) – still have James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson, Jeff Niemann and Matt Moore throwing for them. In other words, you can’t count the out! They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and are within a whisker of Top 5.
7. New York Yankees (6) – The injury to Michael Pineda certainly hurts but help in on the way in the form of Andy Petite. The Yankees are hitting the ball extremely well and are starting to find their groove.
8. Washington Nationals (5) – The Nationals have lost four straight but are still tied for the NL East lead. Bryce Harper has been called up to make a decent offense that much better. The pitching has been solid all season but needs to pick back up.
9. Toronto Blue Jays (9) – starting pitching has been good – the bullpen and the offense have sputtered. Jose Bautista is hitting .190 – imagine what this team will do when he finally wakes up!
10. New York Mets (10) – The Mets have won two straight and are 12-9 on the season. This team may be short on payroll but they have proven that they have a ton of heart. How long will the Mets hold onto the Top 10? Who knows?
11. Cleveland Indians (19) – sit atop the AL Central despite a 4-7 home record! If they can solve their closer issues and start winning some games at home, the Indians could be Top 10 on the next Rankings. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
12. San Francisco Giants (20) – they lost Brian Wilson but Tim Lincecum is starting to round into form, Matt Cain has been good and the rest of the starting pitching looks scary once again. They have a struggling Miami team up next which helps their cause.
13. Cincinnati Reds (16) – are 7-3 in their last 10 games and finally look like a team that could challenge St. Louis in the Central. The starting pitching has been better and Joey Votto is heating up!
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (7) – The Diamondbacks are scuffling a bit at the moment – 4-6 in their last 10 games. But the makeup of this team ensures that they won’t quit at any point this season!
15. Detroit Tigers (4) – Detroit has gone an ugly 2-8 in their last 10 games but with the talent on the roster, you’d think they should get it together. They still have some guy named Justin Verlander who gives them a Top 15 nod – just barely!
16. Chicago White Sox (8)
17. Philadelphia Phillies (13)
18. Boston Red Sox (14)
19. Milwaukee Brewers (21)
20. Colorado Rockies (22)
21. Oakland Athletics (25)
22. Seattle Mariners (15)
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (26)
24. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (18)
25. Houston Astros (23)
26. Miami Marlins (24)
27. Chicago Cubs (28)
28. Kansas City Royals (27)
29. San Diego Padres (29)
30. Minnesota Twins (30)
Another MLB gambling season. It’s time to NOW bring your best baseball betting hat to the table for gambling on baseball. Cappers Picks all season long provides MLB baseball gambling predictions, so check back often.
A stacked field heads to North Carolina this week to use the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte as a tune-up for next week’s Players Championship and the year’s highest purse.
The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers hope to put on a better show in Game 2 of their Easter Conference semi-final. Game 1 produces a total of 32 shots on goal in what was one of the most defensive games witnessed so far in the playoffs.
The top two defensive teams in the NHL do battle once again in Game 2 of their Western Conference semi-final on Monday night. The difference maker in Game 1 – no other than Jonathan Quick.
The UFC will make its third appearance on free network TV this Saturday with what appears to be a superb schedule of important fights. A few title contenders could emerge from Saturday night’s action in both the Lightweight and Middleweight divisions – tune in, it should be another fun night of UFC action!
UFC on FOX 3: “Diaz vs. Miller”
Date/Time: Sat., May 5, 2012, at 8 p.m. ET
Location: IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Broadcast: FOX
Nate Diaz (15-7): +175
Jim Miller (21-3): -225
In what is likely a #1 contender match for in the Benson Henderson’s Lightweight strap stud wrestler Jim Miller takes on the well rounded and notoriously tough TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz. It wasn’t that long ago that Miller was knocking on the door of a title shot and lost to Ben Henderson to interrupt his climb up the ladder. Miller has two recent losses – one to Henderson and one to another Lightweight standout Gray Meynard.
On the flip side, Nate Diaz had a rough 2011 with losses to Takanori Gomi and Donald Cerrone before bouncing back with two straight wins ahead of this fight. Diaz’ best chance is to keep this fight standing and use his incredible boxing chops and only rely on his slick submission game is absolutely necessary.
But Miller is a crafty veteran – there is nothing that he hasn’t seen. Look for Miller to drag this fight to the mat, out of the danger zones and to use his wrestling edge to control the unorthodox Diaz. Miller is a Stud – Diaz is just a “B level” fighter at the moment.
Pick: Jim Miller -225
Josh Koscheck (17-5): -120
Johny Hendricks (12-1): -110
This should be a good one! Former Welterweight contender Josh Koscheck takes on a fighter that many view as the future of the division – up-and-comer Johny Hendricks. Koscheck is a former collegiate wrestler who has refined his game to become one of the more well rounded fighters in the Welterweight division while Hendricks is also a wrestler whose punching power was on display in his last win – an uber-impressive knockout of Jon Fitch.
While Hendricks is an intriguing prospect, Koscheck is still viewed as a top 10 Welterweight in the world. He is on a two fight win streak and looking to get back into title consideration. The well rounded and extremely motivated Koscheck takes this one!
Pick: Josh Koscheck -120
Alan Belcher (17-6): +240
Rousimar Palhares (14-3): -310
A pair of three fight win streaks is on the line when Welterweight submission ace Rousimar Palhares takes on the well rounded jiu-jitsu Black Belt Alan Belcher. Belcher has been on quite a role with three impressive wins – his last loss in the Octagon was 2 ½ years ago. Palhares owns the best leg lock in the business and has the strength and emerging striking game to give Belcher fits.
In this fight, look for Belcher to try to keep the fight standing but eventually this battle will hit the mat. Once there, Palhares has proven virtually unstoppable. The winner of this fight may face Anderson Silva down the line – take his countryman to be that man!
Pick: Rousimar Palhares -310
Pat Barry (7-4): -205
Lavar Johnson (16-5): +175
If there is one thing that we know about this fight – it is that somebody is going to get knocked out! In a classic striker vs. striker match former WEC and Strikeforce Heavyweight Lavar Johnson takes on former kick boxer Pat Barry. Barry has been less than impressive as of late losing three of his last four fights while Johnson looked good in his UFC debut first round knockout win versus Joey Beltran. Barry is the more technical striker – Johnson the more powerful. Take the power over the technique in this one!
Pick: Lavar Johnson +175
John Hathaway (15-1):
Pascal Krauss (10-0):
Welterweight prospect John Hathaway looks to rebound after getting derailed by Mike Pyle in his last fight when he takes on another up-and-comer, West German Pascal Krauss. Hathaway is by far the more experienced of the two and he does hold wins over names like Diego Sanchez and Kris McCray while Krauss, although looking good in his Fight of the Night debut against Mark Scanlon hasn’t faced the same level of competition in his career. Take the Brit to prevail and to throw his name back in the Welterweight title conversation.
Pick: John Hathaway
Tony Ferguson (13-2): -270
Michael Johnson (10-6): +210
TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson takes on TUF 12 finalist Michael Johnson on Saturday in a battle of two fighters on decent streaks. Johnson has won two straight fights and Ferguson has three straight. Two facts make me lean Ferguson in this one – Johnson steps in on very short notice and the fact that Ferguson has posted wins over some very tough competition – Yves Edwards, Aaron Riley and Ramsey Nijem. Take the TUF 13 winner to continue his streak in this one.
Pick: Tony Ferguson -270
John Dodson (12-5): lines not available
Darren Uyenoyama (7-3): lines not available
TUF 14 bantamweight winner John Dodson steps back into the Octagon against submission grappler Darren Uyenoyama on Saturday. Both fighters are coming off wins – Uyenoyama’s came against the very tough Norifumi Yamamoto and Dodson’s against TJ Dillashaw. Dodson certainly has skills and his decision to train with the famed Greg Jackson should serve him well. Dodson takes this one in possible the closest fight of the night.
Pick: John Dodson
Danny Castillo (13-4): lines not available
John Cholish (8-1): lines not available
In a battle of possible Lightweight future contenders WEC veteran Danny Castillo takes on submission specialist John Cholish. Castillo has fought some tough guys – losses to Joe Stevenson and Jacob Volkmann were followed up by impressive wins over Shamar Bailey and Anthony Njokuani. Cholish has some terrific skills but it won’t be enough to overcome the experience of Mr. Castillo in this one.
Pick: Danny Castillo
Pablo Garza (11-2): +145
Dennis Bermudez (7-3): -175
TUF 14 finalist Dennis Bermudez takes on super-tough Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner Pablo Garza in what should be a very good scarp at UFC on FOX 3. Bermudez is a wrestler who looked OK on the show but proved that he still has a ways to go while Garza already owns a Knockout and Submission of the Night in his career. Garza’s only career loss was to a very good Dustin Poirier. It is clear who the better fighter in this one is.
Pick: Pablo Garza +145
Nick Denis (11-2): lines not available
Johnny Bedford (18-9-1): lines not available
Another TUF 14 alum, grappler Johnny Bedford takes on striking machine Nick Denis this weekend. While Bedford’s grappling is decent, it will be the knockout power of Denis that will steal the show. In a possible Knockout of the Night (like the one in his debut versus Joseph Sandoval) take Denis to emerge victorious.
Pick: Nick Denis
Mike Massenzio (13-6): lines not available
Karlos Vemola (8-2): lines not available
Czech brawler Karlos Vemola will look to rebound from a loss in his last fight when he takes on Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black Belt and loser of two of his last three fights, Mike Massenzio. Vemola, as a Middleweight will certainly have the strength advantage in this one – he has fought at Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight in the past. Massenzio hasn’t impressed me – look for Vemola to exploit a weak defense and end this one early!
Pick: Karlos Vemola
Louis Gaudinot (5-2): lines not available
John Lineker (19-5): lines not available
TUF 14 alum Louis Gaudinot welcomes newcomer Brazilian John Lineker to the UFC in Flyweight action. Gaudinot is a decent grappler who lost his most recent fight by TKO to Johnny Bedford while Lineker has won an impressive 13 straight fights in Brazil. Lineker is a tough guy – his streak continues!
Pick: John Lineker
The New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers square off in Game 7 of what has been a most intriguing series on Thursday night, with both looking to end long playoff droughts. How close has this series been?
The PGA TOUR heads to New Orleans this week where the TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Some of the best golfers in the world will tee up in the first really competitive field since the Masters.
On Monday night, the Ottawa Senators will try to do what most was thought to have been impossible – eliminate the top seeded New York Rangers from the Stanley Cup playoffs. In a series dominated by goaltending, no one could have expected that it would be the Senators goaltender that would have been the one stealing games.
What had been one of the least nasty series’ in this year’s playoffs has suddenly turned a little testy after Raffi Torres introduced himself to Marion Hossa in what of the hits of the playoffs so far.
The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals renew hostilities in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final on Thursday night with the Bruins looking to take a stranglehold on the series.
