No Power

Sure I only got four picks correct last week -- but I was making them in the dark, literally. Having not had power since last Thursday night (and it is still out in my house) it was pretty random. Apparently I am a visual learner, needing to see the lines in front of me to make picks. Or maybe, like my fantasy football team -- 0-4 after starting 2-0 -- and the Arizona Cardinals, I just suck. Not sure how I can blame not having power on A-Rod, but I will try. It's really amazing living in a community largely w/o power. Very little beyond your immediate community matters and all of the local news outlets are focused on the storm and clean-up. Here in Buffalo we expect major snowstorms: -- 22 inches of snow is a lot, 6th biggest storm in the city's history but it would be manageable -- just not in October when the leaves are still on trees, turning limbs into artillery -- you could hear the cracking and booms all night. I have had branches more then 6 inches deep into the ground. We have power at the college, where classes have resumed today and where I am writing to you from.

I'll try and add some pictures later.

But enough about me.

Props go to Lindsey Lyman who won the week with 8 picks correct. She secured her one pt victory by taking the Cards, along with Jeff and I, on Monday night. Funny things always happen down in the desert.

All but Flood and James took the Atlanta Vick's over the G-men, incorrectly and only those in the group's top half took the Titans over Hal of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.

Overall it was a tough week with most of us not getting the memo about Tampa or the Rams and many not giving the defending champ Steelers credit against the Chiefs.

We can also now officially move Carolina back into the list of good teams -- at least as long as Steve Smith stays healthy.

In the overall, Craig failed to get his picks in, so Walt takes the lead, three wins clear of Chuck Lyman down there in sunny Miami.

LotW was right the previous week and had to take last week off. This week we will take the Panthers getting 3.5 at Cincinnati. Lots of Home Gods this week including the Raiders giving 3.5 to the Cardinals at home. When was the last time the Cards were favored on the road?

It's A-rod's Fault

I've decided to blame everything on A-Rod. The reason why Andrew is messy -- A-Rod. Why were my picks last week so bad -- A-Rod.

In my baseball picks I had almost everything right. Tigers dominate with pitching. Sheffield struggles at 1B and both he and Matsui are less then their best with the bat. I just didn't listen to myself. And congrats to the As as well who got it done with pitching a few bonehead plays by Twins on D. Just goes to show what Billy Beane has been saying for years -- in a short series anything is possible and small things that will even out over 162 games get magnified in a a best of 5 or even 7. Tigers-As doesn't have the cache that a Yankee-Twin matchup would, but it should be an entertaining and pitching dominated series.

Even more shocking then the Yankees early exit -- England held to a 0-0 draw by Macedonia. At home. Macedonia has contributed anything to the world (Athletic or otherwise) since Alexander the Great.


It's more of the Miami Mafia as Otero wins the week with 10 wins. Walt's failure to take his Eagles cost him the tie for the week. Craig gives up one point in his lead over Walt for the overall crown. We won't pick on Lindsay Lyman the only woman I believe in the competition for getting only 4 right. Not that gender is an excuse.

St. Louis over hapless Detroit (fortunately for Matt Millen the Tigers will keep attention off his team for a few more weeks) and da Bears proved to be the easiest pick while Miami's continued ineptitude and the Bills home victory over the Vikes as well as KC blowing out the Niners proved to be missed most often.

I had planned to say what a nice week Flood had. 8 correct picks. Bears blowing out the Seahawks on Sunday Night followed by Green Bay getting pounded on MNF. And, best of all, his Illini spoiling homecoming for Michigan State. Then Illinois go and lose at home to Indiana and much of the fun is spoiled.

LotW falls to 2-1 after Indy could only squeak past the Jets. This week we'll take Minnesota to rebound from two tough losses giving 6.5 to Motown. Although the Broncos by 4.5 on MNF is also attractive.

Colts by 18.5 -- those of you in survivor pools must be salivating and sure the Colts could blow them out by Indy could win by two touchdowns and a field goal and not cover -- that is asking a lot.

Make it a good week

Baseball Playoffs

This space is usually reserved for football, but as most of you know I consider football to be a mistress to my baseball wife. Sure, football is a nice weekend treat, something a little different, less effort to watch; but baseball is what I am married to. Paying attention nearly everyday over the long season and watching as much playoffs as I can stay awake for (Thank you Fox for the 8:30pm start times). Then again this is the time of year I'm especially glad to be home one day a week with Andrew -- I'll be watching Santana against Zito live, not on game channel or some other internet coverage.

So here are some thoughts:

I keep trying to come up with ways for the Yankees not to win. I've come close -- the Tigers regain their early season form and dominate with pitching. Not likely. The Twins (who I think would have been better off facing the Yanks in 5 not 7 games) get two wins from Santana and a couple of late wins with their solid bullpen. Tough. The A's -- with the best 1-4 starters in the playoffs -- win with their quality lefties against whom the Yanks are less effective. Rivera will be limited to only one inning -- forcing Torre to actually have to manage his shaky bullpen more frequently this postseason. Sheffield and Matsui are still coming back from injury, Shef at a new position as well. I will root for any and all of those scenarios, but I don't see a team that can score enough runs in enough games to put the Yankees away. Good pitching beats good pitching, especially in October. Now we will see what REALLY good hitting can do.

I'll go with the Yanks in 3 against Detroit and Twins in 4 over Oakland (their only hope to get to the Series is to win in less then 5, saving Santana for more of the ALCS). Yanks over the Twins in 6 -- their win one game that Santana starts, though not necessarily be leading when he leaves the game -- and to the World Series. Again.

I have followed the NL much less closely this season -- a function of playing in two fantasy leagues, both AL only. Still the Cardinals may have the best starter and the best player in the NL playoffs, but they can't post up Pujols who I would give the Bonds treatment too until the rest of the team shows something. Padres with probably the next best two starters win in 4.

Mets-Dodgers is the best of the Division matchups. Without Pedro the Mets look very different but I think they will have enough offense to get through the Dodgers, probably will take them five games, however.

Then the Padres pitching will assert itself -- Peavy will pitch like the Peavy who was supposed to dominate last year for the Pads Padres advance in 6 (sorry Glenn).

So we are left with Yankees-Padres. I think any of the 4 AL teams would be favored over most of the NL teams. Certainly that is the case in this matchup. Even with the pitching questions and losing the DH on the West Coast the Yankees will have more then enough offense to punish the Padres. Yankees in 5.

As I pointed out -- NY has plenty of questions and issues, but so do the other 7 teams, and none of them have enough pitching to make the Yankees pay for the shortcomings on the mound.

Happy October to everyone.