This past Tuesday, gamers rejoiced at the release of the eagerly-anticipated Battlefield 3. Its release marked the beginning of the fall frenzy as a plethora of much-anticipated games like Uncharted 3, Modern Warfare 3, Halo Anniversary, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, and Skyrim are all slated to come out in the coming weeks.
Most gamers are looking to purchase several of these titles, and that can quickly add up and take a toll on the ol’ wallet, especially in the current economic climate.
One way to gain some relief is through trade-in programs. GameStop/EB Games has been doing this for years, but Best Buy has recently joined the fray and started its own trade-in program. If you have yet to check it out, I suggest you do so.
I have rarely traded in my old games. It seems like a betrayal to me, for some reason. On the rare occasions I did undertake such an endeavor, I went to the local EB Games and generally received very little. Now, that is not a knock on EB Games at all. The games I traded in were old and not in demand, and they just were not worth much.
The other night I went to the nearest Best Buy to check out their trade-in program and turn in some of my old games. I am running out of room on my shelf and figured I could part with a few games that just never really caught my fancy *cough*HAWX 2*cough* or that I had beaten and do not play anymore.
I brought in four games: Mirror’s Edge, The Bourne Conspiracy, Red Dead Redemption, and the aforementioned lamentable entity known as HAWX 2. Red Dead Redemption was the most notable of the quartet, and HAWX 2 was the newest, having been released in September of last year.
I was not expecting to get much for these games, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was informed that they were worth $31. What’s more, Best Buy is running some promotions for trade-ins. If you pre-order a game, you will receive an extra percentage amount on top of the value of your trade. Since I pre-ordered Modern Warfare 3, I received an extra 50 percent, meaning Best Buy was giving me an extra $15.50.
All told, I received a Best Buy gift card worth $46.50 for my four games, only one of which was a AAA title (and a year-and-a-half-old one at that). That amount is considerably higher than what I thought I would get, and it is almost the price of a new game.
Plus, the credit you earn does not have to be applied solely towards games. It can be used on anything Best Buy sells.
If you want to knock down the price of a new flat screen or perhaps that Dyson Ball vacuum you have had your eye on for quite some time, then take a gander at your game collection and turn in a few games that have been collecting dust.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Author's Note: The following is a piece I wrote for guysgirl.com.
This Saturday, Boise State hosts Air Force in its first-ever Mountain West conference home game.
By the following Saturday, there is a chance that neither school will be a member of the Mountain West.
Conference realignment has finally trickled down to the non-BCS conferences in college football, and its effects will not be pleasant.
Just a little over a year ago, the Mountain West was flying high and on the cusp of finally breaking through and joining the ranks of BCS conferences. The future had never looked more promising. Utah had run the table in 2008, blasting mighty Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and finishing the year #2 in the country. TCU was coming off a 12-1 season in which it earned its first BCS bowl invite (a 17-10 loss to Boise State) and was a stadium rail away from possibly playing for the national title. BYU had upset #3 Oklahoma to start the season, and Boise State, with its history of big victories and BCS bowl berths, had accepted an invitation to join the conference.
Since then, Utah has joined the Pac-12, BYU has gone independent, TCU is leaving for the Big 12 next year, and Boise State and Air Force are contemplating heading east. The cream of the Mountain West will be gone.
Conference realignment has dominated many of the headlines in college football the last two years, but the attention has mainly been focused on the big conferences. While that focus is understandable, little attention has been paid to the smaller schools and conferences that make up the bulk of Division I football (note: I refuse to use the new designations). The ramifications for them are much greater.
The non-BCS leagues are being torn apart, all because of realignment and the quest for more money. To counteract the departures of Utah and BYU, the Mountain West grabbed Fresno State, Nevada, and Hawai’i from the WAC. The Big East initially grabbed TCU before the Horned Frogs, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse departed for other leagues. In response, there have been reports that the Big East plans to send invitations to Houston Central Florida, and SMU from Conference USA as well as Boise State and Air Force.
What happens to these leagues if that happens? The WAC is all but irrelevant now, and the Mountain West may be on its way. The leftover schools will fall further and further behind as the disparity in college football grows wider. Fan support and resources will decrease because there is nothing to play for.
Why spend millions on new facilities or to renovate a stadium when there is no hope of a national championship or anything better than a berth in a lower-tier bowl game?
In an effort to stave-off future departures and survive, the Mountain West and Conference USA announced an alliance in football, creating a 22-team uber-conference. The irony is that the Mountain West was formed when eight schools left the 16-team WAC, feeling it was too large and cumbersome.
The hypocrisy in all this would be funny if it wasn’t so exasperating. Air Force AD Hans Mueh told The Denver Post that the move to the Big East was “in the best interest of my cadets. I need money to allow them to compete. For us, competition is a mission.”
Air Force has never won a Mountain West title in football. In fact, they have only won one conference title in any sport. If the Falcons cannot even compete in the Mountain West, how are they going to fare any better in the Big East? Plus, the rest of Air Force’s sports programs will play in the Missouri Valley Conference, which is a step down in competition.
Money cannot even really be blamed. Mueh later says that he turned down an invite to the Big 12. He admitted the geography and economics made sense, but went on to add, “I can’t do that to my kids because they’ll get beat up. I’d love the extra $12 million or whatever it would be per year from the TV money.” He would have used that money to build new soccer and baseball facilities but says he “can’t do that.”
If Air Force is in such dire need of money that it is leaving a conference it helped found, then why turn down more money from a league that is a better geographic and economic fit? How does sending student-athletes on 2,000-mile road trips help the bottom line? Besides, wouldn’t being able to build new facilities for non-revenue sports be helping the cadets compete?
If competition is a vital part of the academy’s mission and crucial to training better officers, then why leave a league in which you’ve had trouble competing for one with even tougher competition?
It makes no sense.
Unfortunately, everyone wants a seat at the BCS table, and nobody wants out. Schools like Iowa State, South Florida, and Baylor need their conferences to stay afloat so that they don’t lose relevancy. They depend on the BCS payouts they receive despite having never played in a BCS bowl. In order to do that, they need their conferences to raid smaller ones whose schools are eager to finally be allowed into the BCS buddy club.
Why are those schools any more deserving than say Tulsa, Hawai’i, San Diego State, or Northern Illinois?
What’s funny is that for years, all of these non-BCS schools were deemed unworthy of the BCS. Now, a school like SMU, that had one winning season between 1989-2008, is suddenly an acceptable BCS conference school. Meanwhile, Fresno State, a school that regularly upset BCS teams on the road and consistently made bowl games, is on the outside looking in.
This whole thing is like high school, where kids are all desperate to join the popular clique. The "cool" BCS kids used to snubbed the "nerdy" non-BCS schools, but now that they need the nerds' help to pass final exams in order to graduate, they are all chummy and inviting them to the big dance.
It’s also rather upsetting to fans of schools and leagues that have a lower profile and face the prospect of being left behind.
This Saturday, Boise State hosts Air Force in its first-ever Mountain West conference home game.
By the following Saturday, there is a chance that neither school will be a member of the Mountain West.
Conference realignment has finally trickled down to the non-BCS conferences in college football, and its effects will not be pleasant.
Just a little over a year ago, the Mountain West was flying high and on the cusp of finally breaking through and joining the ranks of BCS conferences. The future had never looked more promising. Utah had run the table in 2008, blasting mighty Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and finishing the year #2 in the country. TCU was coming off a 12-1 season in which it earned its first BCS bowl invite (a 17-10 loss to Boise State) and was a stadium rail away from possibly playing for the national title. BYU had upset #3 Oklahoma to start the season, and Boise State, with its history of big victories and BCS bowl berths, had accepted an invitation to join the conference.
Since then, Utah has joined the Pac-12, BYU has gone independent, TCU is leaving for the Big 12 next year, and Boise State and Air Force are contemplating heading east. The cream of the Mountain West will be gone.
Conference realignment has dominated many of the headlines in college football the last two years, but the attention has mainly been focused on the big conferences. While that focus is understandable, little attention has been paid to the smaller schools and conferences that make up the bulk of Division I football (note: I refuse to use the new designations). The ramifications for them are much greater.
The non-BCS leagues are being torn apart, all because of realignment and the quest for more money. To counteract the departures of Utah and BYU, the Mountain West grabbed Fresno State, Nevada, and Hawai’i from the WAC. The Big East initially grabbed TCU before the Horned Frogs, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse departed for other leagues. In response, there have been reports that the Big East plans to send invitations to Houston Central Florida, and SMU from Conference USA as well as Boise State and Air Force.
What happens to these leagues if that happens? The WAC is all but irrelevant now, and the Mountain West may be on its way. The leftover schools will fall further and further behind as the disparity in college football grows wider. Fan support and resources will decrease because there is nothing to play for.
Why spend millions on new facilities or to renovate a stadium when there is no hope of a national championship or anything better than a berth in a lower-tier bowl game?
In an effort to stave-off future departures and survive, the Mountain West and Conference USA announced an alliance in football, creating a 22-team uber-conference. The irony is that the Mountain West was formed when eight schools left the 16-team WAC, feeling it was too large and cumbersome.
The hypocrisy in all this would be funny if it wasn’t so exasperating. Air Force AD Hans Mueh told The Denver Post that the move to the Big East was “in the best interest of my cadets. I need money to allow them to compete. For us, competition is a mission.”
Air Force has never won a Mountain West title in football. In fact, they have only won one conference title in any sport. If the Falcons cannot even compete in the Mountain West, how are they going to fare any better in the Big East? Plus, the rest of Air Force’s sports programs will play in the Missouri Valley Conference, which is a step down in competition.
Money cannot even really be blamed. Mueh later says that he turned down an invite to the Big 12. He admitted the geography and economics made sense, but went on to add, “I can’t do that to my kids because they’ll get beat up. I’d love the extra $12 million or whatever it would be per year from the TV money.” He would have used that money to build new soccer and baseball facilities but says he “can’t do that.”
If Air Force is in such dire need of money that it is leaving a conference it helped found, then why turn down more money from a league that is a better geographic and economic fit? How does sending student-athletes on 2,000-mile road trips help the bottom line? Besides, wouldn’t being able to build new facilities for non-revenue sports be helping the cadets compete?
If competition is a vital part of the academy’s mission and crucial to training better officers, then why leave a league in which you’ve had trouble competing for one with even tougher competition?
It makes no sense.
Unfortunately, everyone wants a seat at the BCS table, and nobody wants out. Schools like Iowa State, South Florida, and Baylor need their conferences to stay afloat so that they don’t lose relevancy. They depend on the BCS payouts they receive despite having never played in a BCS bowl. In order to do that, they need their conferences to raid smaller ones whose schools are eager to finally be allowed into the BCS buddy club.
Why are those schools any more deserving than say Tulsa, Hawai’i, San Diego State, or Northern Illinois?
What’s funny is that for years, all of these non-BCS schools were deemed unworthy of the BCS. Now, a school like SMU, that had one winning season between 1989-2008, is suddenly an acceptable BCS conference school. Meanwhile, Fresno State, a school that regularly upset BCS teams on the road and consistently made bowl games, is on the outside looking in.
This whole thing is like high school, where kids are all desperate to join the popular clique. The "cool" BCS kids used to snubbed the "nerdy" non-BCS schools, but now that they need the nerds' help to pass final exams in order to graduate, they are all chummy and inviting them to the big dance.
It’s also rather upsetting to fans of schools and leagues that have a lower profile and face the prospect of being left behind.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
World Series Preview
Well the folks at Fox and MLB are probably weeping about this year's World Series matchup since Philadelphia, New York, and Boston are all absent. Since I'm not a fan of the big-market behemoths and prefer underdogs, I'm ecstatic.
A World Series pitting the Texas Rangers against the St. Louis Cardinals may not be the most glamorous matchup (although that is debatable since St. Louis has the most World Series titles of any team not named "Yankees" and has a national following), but it could very well be one of the most exciting Fall Classics we've had in years.
The teams are practically mirror images of each other: lousy starting pitching in the playoffs, outstanding bullpens, and deep, powerful lineups that put runs on the board in a hurry. In fact, both teams blew out their respective LCS opponents with big innings to reach the World Series. For the record, I would like to point out that I was almost spot on with my LCS picks: Texas overwhelmed Detroit in 6 games, and Verlander was ordinary. I did pick the Cardinals to win, albeit in a 7 game series.
Offense
As I mentioned earlier, both teams can rake. While stars such as Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Josh Hamilton, and Michael Young get most of the attention, both the Cardinals and Rangers boast deep lineups. The ALCS MVP was Nelson Cruz, who is Texas' 7-hole hitter. The NLCS MVP, David Freese, bats in the 6-spot.
The American League, with its utilization of the DH, has a reputation for offense, and Texas certainly fits the bill. The Rangers led the AL in batting average, were 3rd in runs scored, and had five players with 25 or more home runs, and that doesn't include Young, who drove in 106 runs. Texas put up 39 runs in the ALCs against Detroit for an average of 6.5 a game.
However, if there is one team from the National League that can play an AL-style game, it's the Cardinals. St. Louis is no offensive slouch, leading the NL in both batting average and runs scored. The Cardinals scored 43 runs in their series for an average of just over 7 runs a game. They can go toe-to-toe with the Rangers and will not be intimidated or panic if a game turns into a slugfest.
Pitching
Again, these two teams are mirror images of each other. Both teams' starting pitchers struggled in the LCS. The Cardinals became the first team to win a postseason series without having a starting pitcher reach the sixth inning. Ace Chris Carpenter was the only starter to pitch 5 full innings, and the St. Louis rotation finished the LCS with an ERA of 7.03. The Cardinals' saving grace was their outstanding bullpen, which compiled a 3-0 record with a 1.88 ERA in 28 2/3 innings. Manager Tony La Russa made 28 pitching changes, and his bullpen actually threw more innings than his starters. That is not a recipe for success, so it is critical for St. Louis starters, especially Carpenter, to get deeper into games and take some of the load off the bullpen.
Texas' starters have struggled as well. Ace CJ Wilson has an ERA of 8.04 this postseason, and Colby Lewis is the only starting pitcher with an ERA under 4.00. Like St. Louis, the Rangers have been bailed out by their bullpen. Texas relievers recorded all four Ranger wins in the ALCS, allowing just 4 runs in 27 1/3 innings with a 1.32 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and 6 walks. Alexi Ogando has been Texas' secret weapon coming out of the bullpen. Ogando, a reliever-turned-starter-turned-reliever, has the endurance to pitch multiple innings with the lights-out stuff of a late-inning guy. Throw in top setup men Mike Adams, Mike Gonzalez, Scott Feldman, and Darren Oliver, and the Rangers have a formidable stable of relievers to protect a lead until they can hand it over to fireballing closer Neftali Feliz.
Defense
Both teams have been solid defensively, with Texas boasting a .989 fielding percentage and only 4 errors. St. Louis has also committed 4 errors but has a slightly better fielding percentage at .990.
Bottom Line
This series has the potential to go the distance. Texas is a team on a mission to atone for last year's defeat in the World Series. The Rangers have breezed through the opposition and have yet to really be tested. They squashed Tampa Bay, a team that was riding a huge wave of momentum after overcoming the largest September deficit in history to clinch a playoff berth and trounced a Detroit team that knocked off the favored Yankees and boasted the best pitcher in the league this year.
St. Louis has that "Team of Destiny" look about them after rallying from 10.5 games back in August to overtake Atlanta on the last day of the season and clinch a playoff berth. They then stunned heavy favorite Philadelphia in the NLDS and managed to defeat division champ Milwaukee, holder of the best home record in baseball, on its own turf.
The Cardinals are reminiscent of the 2007 Rockies, another team that rode a late surge to the World Series. Like those Rockies, the Cardinals have a suspect rotation, stellar bullpen, and a deep lineup. Unlike those Rockies, who fell short in the World Series, the Cardinals have been here before. St. Louis won the World Series in 2006 and made the playoffs in 2009. Tony La Russa has managed five World Series teams, winning twice. The Cardinals will not be wide-eyed on the bright stage of the Fall Classic. Also, they will not have much a break between series to halt their momentum.
Texas is a younger, more powerful team. The Rangers are more talented than St. Louis. They have a deeper, less-questionable rotation, and their bullpen has been outstanding. Between Ogando and Feliz, it's hard to imagine any leads slipping away. Texas is also experienced, having made it this far last year. They fell just short and are determined to win the last game of the year this time.
However, St. Louis is a veteran, savvy team. They've been here before and know how to handle the pressure. Tony La Russa is one of the best managers in history, and his moves thus far have all paid off. St. Louis can hit with Texas, and while the Cardinals relievers may have the pure stuff that Texas' relievers have, they have been just as good this postseason. St. Louis also has the one thing that Texas does not: a legitimate ace.
Chris Carpenter has won a Cy Young and a World Series. His career postseason record is 7-2; one more win, and he becomes the leader in postseason victories among active pitchers. His lone World Series start consisted of 8 shutout innings. In the winner-take-all Game 5 in the NLDS, Carpenter was brilliant, tossing a complete-game shutout in a 1-0 victory against Roy Halladay and the Phillies in Philadelphia.
In a series where the two teams are so equal, having a proven pitcher like Carpenter can make all the difference.
Cardinals in 7
A World Series pitting the Texas Rangers against the St. Louis Cardinals may not be the most glamorous matchup (although that is debatable since St. Louis has the most World Series titles of any team not named "Yankees" and has a national following), but it could very well be one of the most exciting Fall Classics we've had in years.
The teams are practically mirror images of each other: lousy starting pitching in the playoffs, outstanding bullpens, and deep, powerful lineups that put runs on the board in a hurry. In fact, both teams blew out their respective LCS opponents with big innings to reach the World Series. For the record, I would like to point out that I was almost spot on with my LCS picks: Texas overwhelmed Detroit in 6 games, and Verlander was ordinary. I did pick the Cardinals to win, albeit in a 7 game series.
Offense
As I mentioned earlier, both teams can rake. While stars such as Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Josh Hamilton, and Michael Young get most of the attention, both the Cardinals and Rangers boast deep lineups. The ALCS MVP was Nelson Cruz, who is Texas' 7-hole hitter. The NLCS MVP, David Freese, bats in the 6-spot.
The American League, with its utilization of the DH, has a reputation for offense, and Texas certainly fits the bill. The Rangers led the AL in batting average, were 3rd in runs scored, and had five players with 25 or more home runs, and that doesn't include Young, who drove in 106 runs. Texas put up 39 runs in the ALCs against Detroit for an average of 6.5 a game.
However, if there is one team from the National League that can play an AL-style game, it's the Cardinals. St. Louis is no offensive slouch, leading the NL in both batting average and runs scored. The Cardinals scored 43 runs in their series for an average of just over 7 runs a game. They can go toe-to-toe with the Rangers and will not be intimidated or panic if a game turns into a slugfest.
Pitching
Again, these two teams are mirror images of each other. Both teams' starting pitchers struggled in the LCS. The Cardinals became the first team to win a postseason series without having a starting pitcher reach the sixth inning. Ace Chris Carpenter was the only starter to pitch 5 full innings, and the St. Louis rotation finished the LCS with an ERA of 7.03. The Cardinals' saving grace was their outstanding bullpen, which compiled a 3-0 record with a 1.88 ERA in 28 2/3 innings. Manager Tony La Russa made 28 pitching changes, and his bullpen actually threw more innings than his starters. That is not a recipe for success, so it is critical for St. Louis starters, especially Carpenter, to get deeper into games and take some of the load off the bullpen.
Texas' starters have struggled as well. Ace CJ Wilson has an ERA of 8.04 this postseason, and Colby Lewis is the only starting pitcher with an ERA under 4.00. Like St. Louis, the Rangers have been bailed out by their bullpen. Texas relievers recorded all four Ranger wins in the ALCS, allowing just 4 runs in 27 1/3 innings with a 1.32 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and 6 walks. Alexi Ogando has been Texas' secret weapon coming out of the bullpen. Ogando, a reliever-turned-starter-turned-reliever, has the endurance to pitch multiple innings with the lights-out stuff of a late-inning guy. Throw in top setup men Mike Adams, Mike Gonzalez, Scott Feldman, and Darren Oliver, and the Rangers have a formidable stable of relievers to protect a lead until they can hand it over to fireballing closer Neftali Feliz.
Defense
Both teams have been solid defensively, with Texas boasting a .989 fielding percentage and only 4 errors. St. Louis has also committed 4 errors but has a slightly better fielding percentage at .990.
Bottom Line
This series has the potential to go the distance. Texas is a team on a mission to atone for last year's defeat in the World Series. The Rangers have breezed through the opposition and have yet to really be tested. They squashed Tampa Bay, a team that was riding a huge wave of momentum after overcoming the largest September deficit in history to clinch a playoff berth and trounced a Detroit team that knocked off the favored Yankees and boasted the best pitcher in the league this year.
St. Louis has that "Team of Destiny" look about them after rallying from 10.5 games back in August to overtake Atlanta on the last day of the season and clinch a playoff berth. They then stunned heavy favorite Philadelphia in the NLDS and managed to defeat division champ Milwaukee, holder of the best home record in baseball, on its own turf.
The Cardinals are reminiscent of the 2007 Rockies, another team that rode a late surge to the World Series. Like those Rockies, the Cardinals have a suspect rotation, stellar bullpen, and a deep lineup. Unlike those Rockies, who fell short in the World Series, the Cardinals have been here before. St. Louis won the World Series in 2006 and made the playoffs in 2009. Tony La Russa has managed five World Series teams, winning twice. The Cardinals will not be wide-eyed on the bright stage of the Fall Classic. Also, they will not have much a break between series to halt their momentum.
Texas is a younger, more powerful team. The Rangers are more talented than St. Louis. They have a deeper, less-questionable rotation, and their bullpen has been outstanding. Between Ogando and Feliz, it's hard to imagine any leads slipping away. Texas is also experienced, having made it this far last year. They fell just short and are determined to win the last game of the year this time.
However, St. Louis is a veteran, savvy team. They've been here before and know how to handle the pressure. Tony La Russa is one of the best managers in history, and his moves thus far have all paid off. St. Louis can hit with Texas, and while the Cardinals relievers may have the pure stuff that Texas' relievers have, they have been just as good this postseason. St. Louis also has the one thing that Texas does not: a legitimate ace.
Chris Carpenter has won a Cy Young and a World Series. His career postseason record is 7-2; one more win, and he becomes the leader in postseason victories among active pitchers. His lone World Series start consisted of 8 shutout innings. In the winner-take-all Game 5 in the NLDS, Carpenter was brilliant, tossing a complete-game shutout in a 1-0 victory against Roy Halladay and the Phillies in Philadelphia.
In a series where the two teams are so equal, having a proven pitcher like Carpenter can make all the difference.
Cardinals in 7
Sunday, October 16, 2011
They Came. They Saw. They Conquered.
News flash: Boise State is good. Scary good.
Playing in their inaugural Mountain West conference game, the Broncos came into Fort Collins as the fifth-ranked team in the nation, and they certainly lived up to their lofty ranking in a brutally efficient 63-13 victory over Colorado State. Led by their Heisman Trophy candidate, quarterback Kellen Moore, the Broncos completely dismantled the Ram defense, racking up a school-record 742 yards of total offense. Boise State ran out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and was up 35-0 before CSU recorded a first down.
Kellen Moore completed his first 18 passes, finally throwing his first incompletion with 2:59 remaining in the second quarter, en route to a 26-of-30 performance for 338 yards and 4 touchdowns. His favorite target was Tyler Shoemaker, who caught 9 passes for a career-high 180 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown reception. Shoemaker also stopped the little momentum Colorado State had going into halftime with a 37-yard run on a fake punt that led to one of Doug Martin's 3 rushing touchdowns on the day. The senior running back finished with a career-high 200 yards rushing on 20 carries and 3 touchdowns, scoring on runs of 26-, 65-, and 14-yards.
Boise State's offense gets much of the attention, but the Broncos' defense is just as dominant. The Rams went only 1-of-12 on third down and mustered only 231 yards of total offense (147 passing, 84 rushing). Quarterback Pete Thomas completed 10-of-24 passes for only 100 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception. Both of CSU's touchdowns came on trick plays; tight end Crocket Gillmore threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to full back Joe Brown, and wide receiver Charles Lovett threw a 20-yard pass to fellow wideout Matt Yemm.
What Does it Mean?
Boise State is clearly the class of the Mountain West, especially with TCU struggling to reload after so many members from last year's undefeated Rose Bowl team graduated. While they gained acclaim from the variety of trick plays they used to come back and defeat Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, they are not a finesse, gimmicky team. Boise State is a tough, physical team full of smart, disciplined players. Unlike other high-powered offenses, theirs is more of a pro-style offense built around a power run game. They use a variety of formations and shifts to confuse opposing defense and then take advantage of the resulting mismatches. If they need seven yards, they inevitably get eight. It is a diverse offense that can attack in a multitude of ways. Plus, they are stout on the other side of the ball, ranking 8th in the country in points against. About their only weakness is at placekicker. Even that may not help the Broncos' opponents, since the kicking struggles have led Head Coach Chris Petersen to leave his dynamic offense on the field and go for it more often on fourth down.
While the Broncos are criticized for the lack of strength in their schedule, they are a bona fide top-five team and legitimate national championship contender. They are arguably the most disciplined and well-coached team in college football, and they can match up and play with anybody.
For the Rams, it was a painful reminder of how far they have to go as a program. This game was a measuring stick, and they were found to be woefully lacking. Much was made of Pete Thomas being the first returning quarterback CSU as had under Steve Fairchild and how the offense would be much improved, but that has yet to materialize. The offense has yet to really click this season, and the passing game has especially struggled. Thomas overthrew several open receivers yesterday for what would have been sure touchdowns. Had he connected on those throws, the complexion of the game would have been much different. The defense has been a bright spot this season and had shown marked improvement prior to yesterday's shellacking. While Boise State's offense is one of the best in the country, poor tackling and blown assignments made it much easier for the Broncos. Shoemaker was wide open on his big touchdown run, and whenever a Bronco player got into open space, he was gone.
The Rams were 3-1 going into October, but a tough loss to San Jose State followed by the massacre yesterday has left CSU at 3-3. The Rams have struggled the past few years, so one must wonder how much losing by 50 points has damaged the team's psyche and confidence. Recruiting has improved under Fairchild, but it has yet to translate into on-field performance. This is a very young team, so next week's game against UTEP is critical. A win stops the bleeding and buoys the team's confidence heading into the meat of their MWC schedule. A loss threatens to send the team into a tailspin reminiscent of 2009 when they started 3-0 but finished 3-9.
Playing in their inaugural Mountain West conference game, the Broncos came into Fort Collins as the fifth-ranked team in the nation, and they certainly lived up to their lofty ranking in a brutally efficient 63-13 victory over Colorado State. Led by their Heisman Trophy candidate, quarterback Kellen Moore, the Broncos completely dismantled the Ram defense, racking up a school-record 742 yards of total offense. Boise State ran out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and was up 35-0 before CSU recorded a first down.
Kellen Moore completed his first 18 passes, finally throwing his first incompletion with 2:59 remaining in the second quarter, en route to a 26-of-30 performance for 338 yards and 4 touchdowns. His favorite target was Tyler Shoemaker, who caught 9 passes for a career-high 180 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown reception. Shoemaker also stopped the little momentum Colorado State had going into halftime with a 37-yard run on a fake punt that led to one of Doug Martin's 3 rushing touchdowns on the day. The senior running back finished with a career-high 200 yards rushing on 20 carries and 3 touchdowns, scoring on runs of 26-, 65-, and 14-yards.
Boise State's offense gets much of the attention, but the Broncos' defense is just as dominant. The Rams went only 1-of-12 on third down and mustered only 231 yards of total offense (147 passing, 84 rushing). Quarterback Pete Thomas completed 10-of-24 passes for only 100 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception. Both of CSU's touchdowns came on trick plays; tight end Crocket Gillmore threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to full back Joe Brown, and wide receiver Charles Lovett threw a 20-yard pass to fellow wideout Matt Yemm.
What Does it Mean?
Boise State is clearly the class of the Mountain West, especially with TCU struggling to reload after so many members from last year's undefeated Rose Bowl team graduated. While they gained acclaim from the variety of trick plays they used to come back and defeat Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, they are not a finesse, gimmicky team. Boise State is a tough, physical team full of smart, disciplined players. Unlike other high-powered offenses, theirs is more of a pro-style offense built around a power run game. They use a variety of formations and shifts to confuse opposing defense and then take advantage of the resulting mismatches. If they need seven yards, they inevitably get eight. It is a diverse offense that can attack in a multitude of ways. Plus, they are stout on the other side of the ball, ranking 8th in the country in points against. About their only weakness is at placekicker. Even that may not help the Broncos' opponents, since the kicking struggles have led Head Coach Chris Petersen to leave his dynamic offense on the field and go for it more often on fourth down.
While the Broncos are criticized for the lack of strength in their schedule, they are a bona fide top-five team and legitimate national championship contender. They are arguably the most disciplined and well-coached team in college football, and they can match up and play with anybody.
For the Rams, it was a painful reminder of how far they have to go as a program. This game was a measuring stick, and they were found to be woefully lacking. Much was made of Pete Thomas being the first returning quarterback CSU as had under Steve Fairchild and how the offense would be much improved, but that has yet to materialize. The offense has yet to really click this season, and the passing game has especially struggled. Thomas overthrew several open receivers yesterday for what would have been sure touchdowns. Had he connected on those throws, the complexion of the game would have been much different. The defense has been a bright spot this season and had shown marked improvement prior to yesterday's shellacking. While Boise State's offense is one of the best in the country, poor tackling and blown assignments made it much easier for the Broncos. Shoemaker was wide open on his big touchdown run, and whenever a Bronco player got into open space, he was gone.
The Rams were 3-1 going into October, but a tough loss to San Jose State followed by the massacre yesterday has left CSU at 3-3. The Rams have struggled the past few years, so one must wonder how much losing by 50 points has damaged the team's psyche and confidence. Recruiting has improved under Fairchild, but it has yet to translate into on-field performance. This is a very young team, so next week's game against UTEP is critical. A win stops the bleeding and buoys the team's confidence heading into the meat of their MWC schedule. A loss threatens to send the team into a tailspin reminiscent of 2009 when they started 3-0 but finished 3-9.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Is it Finally Tebow Time?
It is indeed Tebow Time... well at least for the time being. The Broncos' backup quarterback replaced an ineffective Kyle Orton after halftime and rallied Denver to within a failed two-point conversion of tying the game against the visiting Chargers. Denver ultimately wound up falling to San Diego 29-24 and is now 1-4 on the year.
The game was a tale of two halves. The Broncos, behind a Cassius Vaughn 55-yard pick-six, built a 10-6 lead before Philip Rivers and the Chargers answered with a 17-point second quarter to head into the locker room at halftime up 23-10. Denver starter Kyle Orton was largely ineffective, completing 6-of-13 passes for only 34 yards with 1 interception for a rating of 21.0. Denver coach John Fox benched Orton and inserted the aforementioned Tebow to start the second half, but the offense still sputtered, punting on its next three possessions. Tebow scored on a 12-yard touchdown run, and the subsequent two-point conversion made the score 26-18. A fumble on San Diego's next possession gave the ball back to Denver, and Knowshon Moreno took a screen pass 28-yards for a touchdown to make it 26-24 San Diego. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt was no good, and San Diego remained ahead by two. With the crowd jazzed up and bringing down the Rocky Mountain Thunder, Rivers calmly drove the Chargers down the field, converting a big third down pass and aided by a questionable personal foul call on Denver linebacker D.J. Williams. A Nick Novak field goal with 24 seconds left made it 29-24 Chargers, but Tebow managed to complete passes of 20 and 31 yards to give Denver one last chance at the San Diego 29-yard-line with one second left. After scrambling around and buying time, Tebow's desperation heave into the end zone fell incomplete, giving the Chargers the victory.
So Now What?
Indeed that is the question surrounding the Broncos. Ever since former coach Josh McDaniels traded up to draft the Florida star, Denver fans have clamored for Tebow to get the starting job. Coach Fox held an open competition for the starting quarterback job back in training camp, and Kyle Orton was the clear winner. In fact, Tebow struggled so much that it appeared for awhile that Brady Quinn had surpassed him for the #2 job. That didn't quiet the calls for Tebow, however. The furor has only increased as Orton has struggled so far this season, posting a quarterback rating of 75.7 and a league-high 7 interceptions. There was speculation that if the Broncos entered their upcoming bye week with a record of 1-4 that they would have no choice but to turn to Tebow.
Fox has been adamant that Orton was his guy, even going so far as saying that Tebow wasn't a fit for the offense. Even when the offense struggled, Fox never wavered in his support of Orton.
Until now.
The biggest knock on Tebow is his passing, and his performance today will do nothing to quiet critics in that regard. Tebow finished 4-of-10 for 79 yards with 1 touchdown, and that was a short screen pass that Moreno took 28 yards to the end zone. Tebow had a couple of nice throws that didn't connect, but for the most part, his misses were awful. He short-hopped several open receivers.
On the other hand, there is no denying that Tebow is a leader and can will a team to perform at a higher level. The Broncos are a different team when he's in the game. He's a gamer and brings a surge of energy when he plays. It may not look pretty, but he'll scratch and claw until the clock reads all zeroes. Plus, his running ability is really an asset. Tebow finished with 38 yards on 6 carries and a touchdown. People often say that running quarterbacks cannot succeed in the NFL because of the pounding they will take, but there has never been a running quarterback like Tim Tebow. Most running quarterbacks coming out of college are smaller, faster guys who are often converted to wide receiver. Tebow is 6'3", 240 lbs. Draft gurus said he should be converted to a tight end. If they felt he could handle the rigors of playing tight end and could withstand blocking defensive linemen and linebackers, then why do they think he would not be able to handle running the ball a few times a game?
The Broncos have a tough decision to make. By all accounts, Orton has the support of the locker room, especially the veterans. They want to win, and Orton is the most qualified quarterback on the roster. However, he is a free agent at season's end and is not the long-term solution for Denver. It is unlikely he will be back. The fan base is vociferously clamoring for Tebow. Stick with Orton, and the team risks alienating its fans. Go with Tebow, and John Fox might lose the locker room.
Ultimately, the Broncos need to figure out what they have in Tim Tebow. Coming off a 4-12 season, Denver is in rebuilding mode and has multiple holes to fill. At 1-4, the Broncos are already in last place in the AFC West. The current players won't like it, but the team needs to look to the future and make decisions based on what will improve the franchise for the long-term. With so many pressing needs, it is imperative that the Broncos' front office determine whether or not they need to use what will likely by a high draft pick on a quarterback. If Tebow shows promise, then the team can go in another direction and address deficiencies at positions like defensive tackle or cornerback. If Tebow is a bust, well then the Broncos can go ahead and draft a quarterback such as Stanford's Andrew Luck, USC's Matt Barkley, or Oklahoma's Landry Jones. If Fox decides to stick with Kyle Orton, then the Broncos won't know if Tebow can handle being a starting quarterback. If not, then they will be in for another lost season. Quarterback is the most crucial position in the NFL, and it is vital that Denver discover who is going to be its franchise quarterback, whether it's Tebow or someone else.
The game was a tale of two halves. The Broncos, behind a Cassius Vaughn 55-yard pick-six, built a 10-6 lead before Philip Rivers and the Chargers answered with a 17-point second quarter to head into the locker room at halftime up 23-10. Denver starter Kyle Orton was largely ineffective, completing 6-of-13 passes for only 34 yards with 1 interception for a rating of 21.0. Denver coach John Fox benched Orton and inserted the aforementioned Tebow to start the second half, but the offense still sputtered, punting on its next three possessions. Tebow scored on a 12-yard touchdown run, and the subsequent two-point conversion made the score 26-18. A fumble on San Diego's next possession gave the ball back to Denver, and Knowshon Moreno took a screen pass 28-yards for a touchdown to make it 26-24 San Diego. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt was no good, and San Diego remained ahead by two. With the crowd jazzed up and bringing down the Rocky Mountain Thunder, Rivers calmly drove the Chargers down the field, converting a big third down pass and aided by a questionable personal foul call on Denver linebacker D.J. Williams. A Nick Novak field goal with 24 seconds left made it 29-24 Chargers, but Tebow managed to complete passes of 20 and 31 yards to give Denver one last chance at the San Diego 29-yard-line with one second left. After scrambling around and buying time, Tebow's desperation heave into the end zone fell incomplete, giving the Chargers the victory.
So Now What?
Indeed that is the question surrounding the Broncos. Ever since former coach Josh McDaniels traded up to draft the Florida star, Denver fans have clamored for Tebow to get the starting job. Coach Fox held an open competition for the starting quarterback job back in training camp, and Kyle Orton was the clear winner. In fact, Tebow struggled so much that it appeared for awhile that Brady Quinn had surpassed him for the #2 job. That didn't quiet the calls for Tebow, however. The furor has only increased as Orton has struggled so far this season, posting a quarterback rating of 75.7 and a league-high 7 interceptions. There was speculation that if the Broncos entered their upcoming bye week with a record of 1-4 that they would have no choice but to turn to Tebow.
Fox has been adamant that Orton was his guy, even going so far as saying that Tebow wasn't a fit for the offense. Even when the offense struggled, Fox never wavered in his support of Orton.
Until now.
The biggest knock on Tebow is his passing, and his performance today will do nothing to quiet critics in that regard. Tebow finished 4-of-10 for 79 yards with 1 touchdown, and that was a short screen pass that Moreno took 28 yards to the end zone. Tebow had a couple of nice throws that didn't connect, but for the most part, his misses were awful. He short-hopped several open receivers.
On the other hand, there is no denying that Tebow is a leader and can will a team to perform at a higher level. The Broncos are a different team when he's in the game. He's a gamer and brings a surge of energy when he plays. It may not look pretty, but he'll scratch and claw until the clock reads all zeroes. Plus, his running ability is really an asset. Tebow finished with 38 yards on 6 carries and a touchdown. People often say that running quarterbacks cannot succeed in the NFL because of the pounding they will take, but there has never been a running quarterback like Tim Tebow. Most running quarterbacks coming out of college are smaller, faster guys who are often converted to wide receiver. Tebow is 6'3", 240 lbs. Draft gurus said he should be converted to a tight end. If they felt he could handle the rigors of playing tight end and could withstand blocking defensive linemen and linebackers, then why do they think he would not be able to handle running the ball a few times a game?
The Broncos have a tough decision to make. By all accounts, Orton has the support of the locker room, especially the veterans. They want to win, and Orton is the most qualified quarterback on the roster. However, he is a free agent at season's end and is not the long-term solution for Denver. It is unlikely he will be back. The fan base is vociferously clamoring for Tebow. Stick with Orton, and the team risks alienating its fans. Go with Tebow, and John Fox might lose the locker room.
Ultimately, the Broncos need to figure out what they have in Tim Tebow. Coming off a 4-12 season, Denver is in rebuilding mode and has multiple holes to fill. At 1-4, the Broncos are already in last place in the AFC West. The current players won't like it, but the team needs to look to the future and make decisions based on what will improve the franchise for the long-term. With so many pressing needs, it is imperative that the Broncos' front office determine whether or not they need to use what will likely by a high draft pick on a quarterback. If Tebow shows promise, then the team can go in another direction and address deficiencies at positions like defensive tackle or cornerback. If Tebow is a bust, well then the Broncos can go ahead and draft a quarterback such as Stanford's Andrew Luck, USC's Matt Barkley, or Oklahoma's Landry Jones. If Fox decides to stick with Kyle Orton, then the Broncos won't know if Tebow can handle being a starting quarterback. If not, then they will be in for another lost season. Quarterback is the most crucial position in the NFL, and it is vital that Denver discover who is going to be its franchise quarterback, whether it's Tebow or someone else.
LCS Extravaganza
Okay, so I realize that I'm a little late to the party with my LCS picks. It's usually a good idea to make a pick before the first two games have been played, I know. Anyway, these are the same picks I'd have made going into the series. Also, can I just say that the postseason chase and the division series have been the best I've ever seen? The Rockies' run to the pennant in 2007 was awesome, but this has been ever better. The drama of the last day was incredible, and the Game 5s were a fine display of baseball. Chris Carpenter turned in a performance for the ages with a complete game, 1-0 gem to knock off the Phillies, the Brewers blew a lead in the 9th yet came back to win 3-2 in extra innings, and the Tigers-Yankees game was so intense, even through the radio. Plus, the fact that Boston had the worst choke in history combined with Philly and New York losing in the first round at home makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. (Did I mention Boston choked?)
American League Championship Series
The ALCS pits the defending AL champion Texas Rangers against the Detroit Tigers. Texas lost Game 1 of the division series to Tampa only to reel off three straight wins in the only first round series that did not go the distance. Detroit had to weather the weather (pun most definitely intended) and hang on to defeat the American League's best regular season team, the aforementioned Yankees.
Detroit boasts arguably the best pitcher in the league this year, AL Cy Young frontrunner and MVP candidate Justin Verlander. Verlander became the first pitcher in 33 years to record 24 wins and 240 strikeouts in the same year. He regularly hits 100 mph on the radar gun and can sustain that velocity deep into games. Manager Jim Leyland elected not to use him in Game 5, meaning he can (and did) start Game 1 for the Tigers and is in line to start Game 4 and a potential Game 7. With Max Scherzer, midseason acquisition Doug Fister, and Rick Porcello behind Verlander, the Tigers have a good, solid rotation, and closer Jose Valverde has been perfect in save situations on the season. The Tigers are a good offensive team, ranking 3rd in the AL in batting average and 4th in runs. Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez anchor the middle of their lineup.
Texas' strength is its lineup. The Rangers were 3rd in runs and led the league in batting average. Five Rangers had 25 home runs or more, and that doesn't include Michael Young, who still drove in 106 runs. Texas' starters, led by CJ Wilson, are a solid group who are unfazed by pitching in the hitters' park that is the Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers boast a stout bullpen with lockdown relievers in Mike Adams, Alexi Ogando, and closer Neftali Feliz. If the Rangers get a lead late, they like their chances.
Detroit enters the series banged up. Brennan Boesch was already out, and Delmon Young hurt his oblique. Since then, Magglio Ordonez injured his ankle and is out for the series, meaning Young is going to try and play through the pain. Detroit has some depth, and Jim Leyland has not been afraid to shuffle his lineup. Also, as good as Verlander is, he has been awful in the postseason, compiling a 5.71 ERA in 7 starts. Detroit is going to need him to come up big to win this series, especially with their injury problems, but he has yet to give a commanding postseason performance. Texas is experienced after their World Series appearance last year, and they have a deeper lineup and a strong back-end in their bullpen. It is going to be too much for Detroit to overcome.
Prediction: Rangers in 6
National League Championship Series
The 2011 NLCS features two teams from the NL Central: the division-winning Milwaukee Brewers and Wild Card St. Louis Cardinals. It is safe to say that these two teams do not like each other, so this figures to be a heated, intense series. The two teams are a study in contrast. Milwaukee is a younger, fun-loving team that shows its emotions and is not afraid to ruffle some feathers whereas the Cardinals take a more stoic, business-like approach. Both teams had to win a deciding Game 5 to reach the NLCS.
Milwaukee defeated Arizona in the divisional series and has a tremendous home field advantage. They had the best home record in all of baseball, and their fans have been electric. Behind MVP candidates Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, the Brewers finished the season 3rd in the NL in batting average and 5th in runs. They have a deep, talented rotation with ace Yovanni Gallardo, former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, and Shaun Marcum, and the back-end of their bullpen is formidable with setup man Francisco Rodriguez and closer John Axford.
St. Louis stunned the NL East, first overcoming a 10.5 deficit on August 25 by winning 23 of their last 31 games to overtake the Atlanta Braves on the last day of the season to clinch the NL Wild Card. They then beat the heavily-favored Phillies and their Four Aces in the NLDS in five games to advance to the NLCS. The strength of this Cardinals team is its offense. St. Louis led the NL in both average and runs. Albert Pujols is arguably the best player in the game today, and with Pujols, Matt Holliday, and a rejuvenated Lance Berkman, the Cardinals have as a good a middle-of-the-lineup as anybody. Their pitching staff has been a mess. Staff co-ace Adam Wainwright missed the season with Tommy John surgery, and Ryan Franklin struggled early and was deposed as closer. Jason Motte has taken hold of the closer's role and has pitched well, but he is still a rookie. Chris Carpenter is a legitimate ace but will be limited in this series after pitching in Game 5 against Philadelphia. Edwin Jackson is the only other starter with an ERA of 3.00 or better, and he has been a journeyman throughout his career.
On paper, Milwaukee has all the advantages: deep, talented rotation; raucous home crowd; power relievers to finish off a game; and a lineup that can hit with St. Louis. The Cardinals' are somewhat banged up, with Matt Holliday hindered by a hand injury and Skip Schumaker taken off the LCS roster due to an oblique injury. However, St. Louis is an experienced, veteran team that has been here before. They know how to win and have one of the best managers of all time. They will not be fazed by playing in Milwaukee. They just have that look like this is their year, and I believe they will find a way to get it done.
Prediction: Cardinals in 7
American League Championship Series
The ALCS pits the defending AL champion Texas Rangers against the Detroit Tigers. Texas lost Game 1 of the division series to Tampa only to reel off three straight wins in the only first round series that did not go the distance. Detroit had to weather the weather (pun most definitely intended) and hang on to defeat the American League's best regular season team, the aforementioned Yankees.
Detroit boasts arguably the best pitcher in the league this year, AL Cy Young frontrunner and MVP candidate Justin Verlander. Verlander became the first pitcher in 33 years to record 24 wins and 240 strikeouts in the same year. He regularly hits 100 mph on the radar gun and can sustain that velocity deep into games. Manager Jim Leyland elected not to use him in Game 5, meaning he can (and did) start Game 1 for the Tigers and is in line to start Game 4 and a potential Game 7. With Max Scherzer, midseason acquisition Doug Fister, and Rick Porcello behind Verlander, the Tigers have a good, solid rotation, and closer Jose Valverde has been perfect in save situations on the season. The Tigers are a good offensive team, ranking 3rd in the AL in batting average and 4th in runs. Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez anchor the middle of their lineup.
Texas' strength is its lineup. The Rangers were 3rd in runs and led the league in batting average. Five Rangers had 25 home runs or more, and that doesn't include Michael Young, who still drove in 106 runs. Texas' starters, led by CJ Wilson, are a solid group who are unfazed by pitching in the hitters' park that is the Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers boast a stout bullpen with lockdown relievers in Mike Adams, Alexi Ogando, and closer Neftali Feliz. If the Rangers get a lead late, they like their chances.
Detroit enters the series banged up. Brennan Boesch was already out, and Delmon Young hurt his oblique. Since then, Magglio Ordonez injured his ankle and is out for the series, meaning Young is going to try and play through the pain. Detroit has some depth, and Jim Leyland has not been afraid to shuffle his lineup. Also, as good as Verlander is, he has been awful in the postseason, compiling a 5.71 ERA in 7 starts. Detroit is going to need him to come up big to win this series, especially with their injury problems, but he has yet to give a commanding postseason performance. Texas is experienced after their World Series appearance last year, and they have a deeper lineup and a strong back-end in their bullpen. It is going to be too much for Detroit to overcome.
Prediction: Rangers in 6
National League Championship Series
The 2011 NLCS features two teams from the NL Central: the division-winning Milwaukee Brewers and Wild Card St. Louis Cardinals. It is safe to say that these two teams do not like each other, so this figures to be a heated, intense series. The two teams are a study in contrast. Milwaukee is a younger, fun-loving team that shows its emotions and is not afraid to ruffle some feathers whereas the Cardinals take a more stoic, business-like approach. Both teams had to win a deciding Game 5 to reach the NLCS.
Milwaukee defeated Arizona in the divisional series and has a tremendous home field advantage. They had the best home record in all of baseball, and their fans have been electric. Behind MVP candidates Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, the Brewers finished the season 3rd in the NL in batting average and 5th in runs. They have a deep, talented rotation with ace Yovanni Gallardo, former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, and Shaun Marcum, and the back-end of their bullpen is formidable with setup man Francisco Rodriguez and closer John Axford.
St. Louis stunned the NL East, first overcoming a 10.5 deficit on August 25 by winning 23 of their last 31 games to overtake the Atlanta Braves on the last day of the season to clinch the NL Wild Card. They then beat the heavily-favored Phillies and their Four Aces in the NLDS in five games to advance to the NLCS. The strength of this Cardinals team is its offense. St. Louis led the NL in both average and runs. Albert Pujols is arguably the best player in the game today, and with Pujols, Matt Holliday, and a rejuvenated Lance Berkman, the Cardinals have as a good a middle-of-the-lineup as anybody. Their pitching staff has been a mess. Staff co-ace Adam Wainwright missed the season with Tommy John surgery, and Ryan Franklin struggled early and was deposed as closer. Jason Motte has taken hold of the closer's role and has pitched well, but he is still a rookie. Chris Carpenter is a legitimate ace but will be limited in this series after pitching in Game 5 against Philadelphia. Edwin Jackson is the only other starter with an ERA of 3.00 or better, and he has been a journeyman throughout his career.
On paper, Milwaukee has all the advantages: deep, talented rotation; raucous home crowd; power relievers to finish off a game; and a lineup that can hit with St. Louis. The Cardinals' are somewhat banged up, with Matt Holliday hindered by a hand injury and Skip Schumaker taken off the LCS roster due to an oblique injury. However, St. Louis is an experienced, veteran team that has been here before. They know how to win and have one of the best managers of all time. They will not be fazed by playing in Milwaukee. They just have that look like this is their year, and I believe they will find a way to get it done.
Prediction: Cardinals in 7
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