Quick pick divisional series winners

Per my earlier post about the importance of streaks:
Rays run all over rangers, take series 3-1
Yankees sweep struggling and injured Twins

Giants over braves 3-2
Phillies 3-1 over Reds, with dominant wins (4+ runs)

Thoughts?

Going Streaking...

One of my biggest beliefs is that streaks are AS IMPORTANT in baseball as any other stat. I don't really care what a pitcher's era is if they run into a team that's won 5-6 in a row or more. Any team can get hot at any time, and even though it's not "fair" to the teams on the playoff bubble, it happens every year. Teams with nothing to play for knock off the Playoff hopefuls. 2 examples this year:

The Cubs are 16 games back in their division and just took 2-3 from San Diego, and may take 3/4. They are 3/5 over their last 5, but more importantly they held the Pads to 5 runs over 3 games, including a shutout. Effectively this took any chance of the Padres making the playoffs away.

Toronto has won 6/7 and took 2/3 from the Yankees

P.S.
In 2004, the Red Sox came back from 0-3 to the Yankees in the ALCS, and ended up winning 7 Straight, THROUGH the World series. Similar story in 2007.

Anyways, All this to say I think teams going in Hot/Cold to the playoffs DOES MATTER. With that, my predictions:

Minnesota loses in the first round to the Rays (Minnesota lost 5 of their last 6)

Texas beats the Yankees, (Yankees are 8-12 over their last 20, including getting swept by Texas over a 3 game set)

Giants beat Atlanta if they play (Giants have won 4 straight)

Phillies beat Cincinatti (Phillies are a ridiculous 16-4 over their last 20)

So There you have it, my predictions.

Rays, Texas, Giants and Phillies in the Championship Series'

Thoughts?

NFL Week 1 review... Actually this is more about Hot Wings

There were a few things that I want to touch on following the first week of football

I'm going to get the obvious ones out of the way first:
Calvin Johnson scored a touchdown, and I don't care if "the rule" was applied correctly or not. It's a bs rule. You're going to tell me that a running back can dive down the sidelines, touch the Pylon with the ball and that's a touchdown? And Calvin Johnson's isn't?

The Bills still suck. They almost covered the +3 spread Vegas put on them... until they snapped the ball out of the endzone for a safety with like a minute left. The Greatest thing in Buffalo, NY is still the wings.

Speaking of, are Wings and Football a better match than Hotdogs and Baseball?

Are Hot Wings and Football a better duo than Hot Dogs and Baseball? Yes, Wings are WAY MORE bomb during a game No way, Dogs and Baseball are CLASSIC! view results

Speaking Honestly, I love Wings and Football. I think with all of football's stoppages, it lends itself to the fan having time to select a new wing, dunk it in ranch, and look back towards the tv. 4 downs, 4 wings. This is why Superbowl parties are centered around food... You've got time to eat every time the punting unit comes on the field, followed by the defensive unit.

Baseball on the other hand is 220 pitches (if it's a fast game), and you down't have a lot of time to look away. May 2, 2006 I took one pitch off at an Angels game to grab a cheeto, and missed Eric Chavez's HR landing 2 EMPTY ROWS in front of me. Some Cholo ran over and grabbed the ball. I haven't eaten a cheeto since. Box Score= HERE

Hotdogs can be eaten with one hand, and eyes up. They don't require as much discipline as a Wing.

Here's a list of things you can do while eating a Dog (but not wings): You can drive, play wii (if it's a non-nunchuk game), give the Dodgers the finger, Curl weights, talk on the phone, hail a taxi, write a post it note, beat it, delete emails etc.

A dog is a convenience food, LOWER common denominator. You don't need any heat tolerance, time or beer to wash it down. Wings are a gentlemen's food, gentlemen who would go out into the street and have an old fashioned duel with their colt .45's

Ah, the Colts. They Lost their 5th game this season (4 straight preseason games). That's what Manning gets for not playing Preseason. They also gave up 230 Yards to the Arian, Arian Foster. I think they, like the Chargers, still go on sick runs and each win their divisions. You can't tell me that QB isn't the most deciding factor in football. I mean, I don't think the Colts even have running backs, they just throw people out there in the RB position, and they go out for passes too.

Here's a short list of Who's Overrated this season

Vikings
Jets
Eagles
Steelers
Seahawks (now)

What's the problem with each of these teams? QB. I think Favre regresses to his Jets-year play, Mark Sanchez won't throw a pass more than 10 yards downfield. Kevin Kolb/Michael Vick haven't proven anything (and their rushing game is immature as well). Big Ben doesn't have Santanio Holmes to throw to, and Hines Ward will get more coverage. Pete Carroll, seems nice, but his team is old old old. The Niners made them look good... but I'm thinking Julius Jones isn't good enough to carry a team which may have an injured QB sometime soon.

Thoughts?

NFL Team Win Totals

Ok Guys, now that football is back I feel like writing weekly again about things that are interesting/hilarious and sometimes I'm just gonna come on and beat up on a player or a team.

Anyways, you know I believe Vegas knows sports better than anyone... Here is their over/under win total for each team. Comment below if you think they got your your favorite team or rival's total wrong:

Arizona Cardinals – Over 7.5

Atlanta Falcons – Over 9 

Baltimore Ravens Over 10 

Buffalo Bills – Over 5.5 

Carolina Panthers – Over 7.5 

Chicago Bears – Over 8 

Cincinnati Bengals – Over 7.5

Cleveland Browns – Over 5.5 

Dallas Cowboys – Over 9.5 

Denver Broncos – Over 7.5

Detroit Lions – Over 5

Green Bay Packers – Over 9.5 

Houston Texans – Over 8 

Indianapolis Colts – Over 11 

Jacksonville Jaguars – Over 7 

Kansas City Chiefs –Over 6.5 

Miami Dolphins – Over 8.5

Minnesota Vikings – Over 9.5 

New England Patriots -Over 9.5 

New Orleans Saints – Over 10.5 

New York Giants – Over 8.5 

New York Jets – Over 9.5

Oakland Raiders – Over 6 

Philadelphia Eagles – Over 8.5

Pittsburgh Steelers – Over 9 

San Diego Chargers – Over 11

San Francisco 49ers – Over 8.5 

Seattle Seahawks – Over 7.5

St Louis Rams – Over 5 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Over 5.5 

Tennessee Titans – Over 8.5 

Washington Redskins – Over 7.5

Personally I like the Niners and Titans both to win 9-10 games, and the Jets to win 6 MAYBE 7. I'll also take the Lions under 5.

Thoughts?

Let's Talk WORD CUP

Ok, looks like we're getting down to the nitty gritty with the world cup. America has been eliminated, as usual, but a country roughly 1/10 their size. England shit the bed and gave up 4 goals to Germany, and Brazil Just got upset by Holland (+330)! Argentina is making their coach look like a genius, but can they beat Germany Saturday morning at 10?

There are plenty of ways to bet this World Cup if you think you know who's gonna win it.
Playersonly even takes simple Visa Deposits, simply follow this link

Hiatus Over

Well it's been a turbulent few months between moving back to Chico, CA and starting a new Job. It's easy to forget to do things like, post about the love of sports/gambling and both! I'm back now though!

Lets start dissecting the NL West Division of Baseball.

as of 6/3 2010, the Padres hold the lead in the NL west, which is incredible considering they have no recognizable names in their lineup. BUT they have a pitching staff which has been absolutely killer. Someone must have taugt them how to unlock the power of petco, because they have been winning games 2-1 and 1-0 all season long. Maybe it's like when you play softball in a league without a fence. pitchers are happy to settle for a 500 foot fly ball as long as there's an outfielder underneath it?

Here's the rest of the west, summarized by their order in the standings:
The Dodgers are rolling into second place slightly behind the Padres. They have the best offense in the division, but their pitching has been spotty behind Kershaw and newcomer John Ely. Billingsly has been very hit and miss. the #4 and #5 starter spots have been shaky, and that's what may hold them back from playoffs this year.

The Giants are the Padres with an ERA of 2 runs higher, and awful bullpen. They score about the same amount, have a large ballpark, but just can't have a consistent offense. They need Pablo Sandoval, Huff and new aquisition Burrell to harness their power potential if this team wants to make playoffs. Lincecum, Cain and their #5 starters have been spotty lately. I think they'll eventually move Cain for a left handed bat with power...

Colorado continues to be streakier than your dad's underwear. This team can rip off 15 wins in a row, or can be shutout for an entire series. Ubaldo Jimenez has been killer, but can their #2-5 pitchers carry the team through the tough series? You really never know how this team will come out to play, but that always makes them a threat down the stretch.

Arizona has the worst bullpen in the majors, and Dan Haren hasn't been too consistent. Brandon Webb is hurt, again. The Diamonbacks are great for one thing: young fantasy baseball players. Some of these guys will lead the league in categories (upton, reynolds), but their team chemistry isn;t there, and neither is the pitching. Bet against Arizona every game and you may get rich quick!

Oscar Odds

Let's cut to the chase, here's who the sportsbooks expect to win, and odds to win

(-200 means bet 200 to win 100, -1000 means bet 1000 to win 100 etc)

These are who the books are picking. most of the other nominees are good longshots, up in the air is 80-1 to win best picture...)
Best picture-Hurt locker= -200 (avatar is 2nd and even money)
Best Actor-Jeff Bridges= -1000!
Best Actress- Sandra bullock= -250
Director- Kathryn Bigelow= -700
Supporting Actor-Christoph Waltz= -2500!
Supporting Cctress- Mo'Nique= -2000! (never thought I would see this day! Would have thought she would be a bet $5 to win $1,000,000 situation)
Foreign Film- White Ribbon

Most Awards= Avatar -400 (hurt locker second at +200)

have fun guys, hopefully this will hep your brackets if you have some going!