On paper they were under dogs but in a fans view they had the better team. Now they stunned the experts who had them out in the first rounds.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels sweep their respective series' and are now in their respective league's championship series.
The Dodgers who overcame two CY Young candidates; Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright and had a lucky brake in Game 2 when left fielder Matt Holliday dropped the game winning out for the St. Louis Cardinals that should have had the series going back to St. Louis 1-1.
Experts had the Dodgers losing in four games because of the Cardinals starting pitchers, but the Dodgers picked a part Carpenter in Game 1 and was patient to battle off Wainwright's strong pitching until the eighth and ninth innings when they started their comeback and took both games in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers did not stop the roll on the Cardinals as they didn't want to press their luck facing Carpenter and Wainwright again in Games 4 and 5, as they beat the Cardinals 5-1 in Game 3 to take the series in three.
They now await the winner of the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies series.
The Angels had so much against them as they faced the Boston Red Sox once again in the first round. The past was not on the Angels side as they had lost three times to the Red Sox in the first round.
They did not let that stop them as they shut out the Red Sox in Game 1 and won Game 2 to take both in Anaheim.
As the Red Sox had a 5-2 lead in Game 3, it look as if the Red Sox will comeback in the series. But will a rally by the Angels they came back in the eighth inning with three runs and another two in the ninth to sweep the Red Sox.
They now will face the talented New York Yankees, as the Yanks sweep the Minnesota Twins after the Twins rallied back to win their division against the Detroit Tigers a week earlier.
The idea of a freeway World Series against the Dodgers and Angels begin to become a reality every day now.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Mexico shoots into the World Cup
The Mexican National soccer team qualifies a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa in a easy 4-1 victory over El Savador.
Players excited for the success that has led them to the big soccer tournament, fans excited and proud of the quick turn around and coach Javier Aguirre applaud for his great coaching to lead the team back to success.
Those were the sights and sounds seen and heard after Mexico qualifies for a the World Cup and beats their rivals El Savador at Estadio Aztec on Oct. 10.
With a 1-0 lead in the second half after El Savador scored an own goal for Mexico in the first half, Mexican forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco scores off a cross from Guillermo Franco and celebrates the goal by hugging coach Aguirre.
Later Blanco was substituted for Francisco 'Paco' Palencia, the former soccer player who returned from retirement after Aguirre asked him to return to the team.
Palencia got the chance to join the success as he blasted in the third goal for Mexico and later thanked coach for giving him a chance to play again.
El Salvador did not let Mexico shut them out, as they scored off a free kick from outside the penalty box.
With a spot secured for South Africa and a party starting, Mexico finished the game with a spectacular play.
As goal keeper Guillermo Ochoa kicked a goal kick near the El Salvador's penalty box, an Salvadorian defender headed the ball toward Mexican forward Carlos Vela as he kicked in the ball past the Salvadorian goalie for the Mexicans fourth goal of the match.
The four qualifying wins to bring the Mexicans back to the World Cup and the Gold Cup 5-0 victory over the United States back in July were all won by the great coaching of Aguirre.
Brought back after coach Hugo Sanchez disappointed Mexico, he has turned the team around dramatically.
He gave the young players like Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos the confidence they needed and has given the whole team new life.
Loved by the Mexican people and players, he is definitely one of the greatest soccer coaches in Mexico and could be in the world.
With the impressive victories the Mexicans have had in the last four months; they are seen to possibly making some noise next year in the World Cup.
Mexico finishes the qualifying matches Wendesday as they play Trindad and Tobago, as they will try to finish first in their division if the U.S. does not win their final game against Costa Rica.
Players excited for the success that has led them to the big soccer tournament, fans excited and proud of the quick turn around and coach Javier Aguirre applaud for his great coaching to lead the team back to success.
Those were the sights and sounds seen and heard after Mexico qualifies for a the World Cup and beats their rivals El Savador at Estadio Aztec on Oct. 10.
With a 1-0 lead in the second half after El Savador scored an own goal for Mexico in the first half, Mexican forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco scores off a cross from Guillermo Franco and celebrates the goal by hugging coach Aguirre.
Later Blanco was substituted for Francisco 'Paco' Palencia, the former soccer player who returned from retirement after Aguirre asked him to return to the team.
Palencia got the chance to join the success as he blasted in the third goal for Mexico and later thanked coach for giving him a chance to play again.
El Salvador did not let Mexico shut them out, as they scored off a free kick from outside the penalty box.
With a spot secured for South Africa and a party starting, Mexico finished the game with a spectacular play.
As goal keeper Guillermo Ochoa kicked a goal kick near the El Salvador's penalty box, an Salvadorian defender headed the ball toward Mexican forward Carlos Vela as he kicked in the ball past the Salvadorian goalie for the Mexicans fourth goal of the match.
The four qualifying wins to bring the Mexicans back to the World Cup and the Gold Cup 5-0 victory over the United States back in July were all won by the great coaching of Aguirre.
Brought back after coach Hugo Sanchez disappointed Mexico, he has turned the team around dramatically.
He gave the young players like Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos the confidence they needed and has given the whole team new life.
Loved by the Mexican people and players, he is definitely one of the greatest soccer coaches in Mexico and could be in the world.
With the impressive victories the Mexicans have had in the last four months; they are seen to possibly making some noise next year in the World Cup.
Mexico finishes the qualifying matches Wendesday as they play Trindad and Tobago, as they will try to finish first in their division if the U.S. does not win their final game against Costa Rica.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Too soon to decide quailifiers
It's that time again, the FIFA qualifiers to continue.
With two games left in the North, Central America and Caribbean group, the group is tight for now as the United States leads Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica all within four points.
As U.S has the hardest remaining schedule as their two games are against Honduras and Costa Rica, who are desperate for points, well playing the first game in Honduras.
Mexico will be without young all-star Giovanni Dos Santos for their remaining two games as they will host El Salvador in Mexico and add to the brutal rivalry these countries have with each other.
Costa Rica will have a chance to bounce back with a game against last place Trinidad and Tobago.
Anything can happen as these teams can change their chances of making the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa at any second of their remaining two games.
Current standings:
1- U.S.A: 5-1-2, 16 points
2- Mexico: 5-0-3, 15 points
3- Honduras: 4-1-3, 13 points
4- Costa Rica: 4-0-4, 12 points
5- El Salvador; 2-2-4, 8 points
6- Trinidad and Tobago; 1-2-5. 5 points
With two games left in the North, Central America and Caribbean group, the group is tight for now as the United States leads Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica all within four points.
As U.S has the hardest remaining schedule as their two games are against Honduras and Costa Rica, who are desperate for points, well playing the first game in Honduras.
Mexico will be without young all-star Giovanni Dos Santos for their remaining two games as they will host El Salvador in Mexico and add to the brutal rivalry these countries have with each other.
Costa Rica will have a chance to bounce back with a game against last place Trinidad and Tobago.
Anything can happen as these teams can change their chances of making the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa at any second of their remaining two games.
Current standings:
1- U.S.A: 5-1-2, 16 points
2- Mexico: 5-0-3, 15 points
3- Honduras: 4-1-3, 13 points
4- Costa Rica: 4-0-4, 12 points
5- El Salvador; 2-2-4, 8 points
6- Trinidad and Tobago; 1-2-5. 5 points
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Fun being in LA
The Los Angeles Lakers win their first preseason game easily 118-101.
Andrew Bynum had 24 points, Ron Artest could have had a triple double, but these guys were not the talk of the night.
Youngster Shannon Brown took the spotlight with his spectacular play in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 7 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
With a defensive steal, Brown brought up the ball with no one stopping him. With Lamar Odom giving him the heads up about no one stopping him.
Brown exhilarated towards the rim, with what happen next was beauty!
Brown jumped high in the air with his hip aliened with Mikki Moore's head, finishes with a strong one-handed dunk.
The 'human highlight' strikes again as he made millions of Lakers' fans jump out of their seats in amazed.
The kid has hops and claimed he could reach the top of the back board, that no one could argue against him, since he can have half of his body above the rim each time he is in the air.
Along with the human highlight's play, the Lakers had a solid 'pick-up game' as they toyed around with the Warriors as they led as many as 30 at one point.
With no center by the Warriors, Bynum had a field day inside the paint.
Great production by the young point guards; Brown and Jordan Farmar both had 11 points each as Farmar added seven assists.
Artest ends the night saying, "this year is going to be fun".
Andrew Bynum had 24 points, Ron Artest could have had a triple double, but these guys were not the talk of the night.
Youngster Shannon Brown took the spotlight with his spectacular play in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 7 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
With a defensive steal, Brown brought up the ball with no one stopping him. With Lamar Odom giving him the heads up about no one stopping him.
Brown exhilarated towards the rim, with what happen next was beauty!
Brown jumped high in the air with his hip aliened with Mikki Moore's head, finishes with a strong one-handed dunk.
The 'human highlight' strikes again as he made millions of Lakers' fans jump out of their seats in amazed.
The kid has hops and claimed he could reach the top of the back board, that no one could argue against him, since he can have half of his body above the rim each time he is in the air.
Along with the human highlight's play, the Lakers had a solid 'pick-up game' as they toyed around with the Warriors as they led as many as 30 at one point.
With no center by the Warriors, Bynum had a field day inside the paint.
Great production by the young point guards; Brown and Jordan Farmar both had 11 points each as Farmar added seven assists.
Artest ends the night saying, "this year is going to be fun".
Sunday, October 4, 2009
October baseball is here
The Major League Baseball 2009 regular season is over, but their is still a division to be decided.
As the season whined down to the finish, the Minnesota Twins caught up to the Detroit Tigers and both are tied for the American League Central division title.
It was an exciting race to watch and now the final showdown between the two to decide who will go on to face the New York Yankees is scheduled for Tuesday October 6.
What a exciting position for the Yankees as they can now decide when do they want to begin their playoff series.
If they were smart they can pick to start it on Wednesday, the day after the Twins and Tigers kill each other to death for the division title.
Either way the Yankees should have no problem beating their first round opponents easily. Prediction: Yankees win 3-0.
As for the other three playoff series's.
The other American League series is between the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.
In the past Boston has beaten the Angels in the first round three times in the past five years. But this year things look a lot better for the Angels, as the Red Sox are struggling with their new catcher Victor Martinez as well as their pitchers who have given up lots of stolen bases which most came from the Angels. Prediction: Angels win 3-2.
St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers,
The only thing the Cardinals have on the Dodgers is the regular season series and the best hitter in the game today, Albert Pujols. What the Dodgers need to do is control Cardinals' hitters and take full advantage of the Cardinals reliever pitchers. Prediction: Dodgers win 3-1.
Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies,
With the Rockies on a good momentum heading into the playoffs and knowing anything can happen once you are playing October baseball. And the Phillies having the hardest task of trying to repeat as champions. This is the only series I can see an upset. Prediction: Rockies win 3-2.
As the season whined down to the finish, the Minnesota Twins caught up to the Detroit Tigers and both are tied for the American League Central division title.
It was an exciting race to watch and now the final showdown between the two to decide who will go on to face the New York Yankees is scheduled for Tuesday October 6.
What a exciting position for the Yankees as they can now decide when do they want to begin their playoff series.
If they were smart they can pick to start it on Wednesday, the day after the Twins and Tigers kill each other to death for the division title.
Either way the Yankees should have no problem beating their first round opponents easily. Prediction: Yankees win 3-0.
As for the other three playoff series's.
The other American League series is between the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.
In the past Boston has beaten the Angels in the first round three times in the past five years. But this year things look a lot better for the Angels, as the Red Sox are struggling with their new catcher Victor Martinez as well as their pitchers who have given up lots of stolen bases which most came from the Angels. Prediction: Angels win 3-2.
St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers,
The only thing the Cardinals have on the Dodgers is the regular season series and the best hitter in the game today, Albert Pujols. What the Dodgers need to do is control Cardinals' hitters and take full advantage of the Cardinals reliever pitchers. Prediction: Dodgers win 3-1.
Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies,
With the Rockies on a good momentum heading into the playoffs and knowing anything can happen once you are playing October baseball. And the Phillies having the hardest task of trying to repeat as champions. This is the only series I can see an upset. Prediction: Rockies win 3-2.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Dodgers fading away fast
I am guessing that one win will never come as the Dodgers tried to get that one win in five attempts and failed on all five.
With two games left in the regular season and both against the Colorado Rockies who are one back of the Dodgers, things are looking ugly for the blue crew.
As last week began with the Dodgers losing several to the Pittsburgh Pirates, everyone did not panic as they all thought that the Dodgers will eventually win that final game and get ready for the playoffs.
Wrong!
Now they are even lucky if they can get a win. Losing the final week of the season is not a good way you want your team going into the playoffs.
No effort, momentum and winning streak can make the first round appearance a short one as everyone knows once you are playing October ball, it is an all new ball game, as anything can happen.
The Dodgers is just an disaster right now, the offense is so flat, the pitching is not reliable and the defense is up and down.
That magic number one is soon to disappear as the Rockies will surpass the Dodgers with all the momentum that team as caught after former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy took over the team.
With two games left in the regular season and both against the Colorado Rockies who are one back of the Dodgers, things are looking ugly for the blue crew.
As last week began with the Dodgers losing several to the Pittsburgh Pirates, everyone did not panic as they all thought that the Dodgers will eventually win that final game and get ready for the playoffs.
Wrong!
Now they are even lucky if they can get a win. Losing the final week of the season is not a good way you want your team going into the playoffs.
No effort, momentum and winning streak can make the first round appearance a short one as everyone knows once you are playing October ball, it is an all new ball game, as anything can happen.
The Dodgers is just an disaster right now, the offense is so flat, the pitching is not reliable and the defense is up and down.
That magic number one is soon to disappear as the Rockies will surpass the Dodgers with all the momentum that team as caught after former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy took over the team.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Boston 'Cocky' Celtics
Why oh why are the Boston Celtics talking trash in the first week of training camp, just why?
Claiming they are the best just because they have their best player fully healthy again.
And why is Paul Pierce even putting himself into the trash talk? The man couldn't win a championship his whole career without Kevin Garnett and he barely lead the Celtics pass the baby Bulls in the first round last year without Garnett.
Pierce has no damn right claiming they are the favorites to win the title this year and claiming his team is better then the *cough* team he loved when he was a kid.
Then we have the coach, a man who praised coach Phil Jackson back when he was a play by play announcer with ABC. Saying his team is much better the Lakers and gives no credit to them as champions.
They haven't proven nothing yet with their elderly team that features aging Garnett, Pierce, Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace.
They obviously are not going to give the Lakers their credit, which is OK since they are our biggest rivals, but do not go and claim you are this big macho team who is going to roll over everyone after having your first training camp practice.
That just show you are all talk and just too damn cocky.
Don't talk too soon, with two other teams in your league, who knows if you Celtics will be getting the honor of losing to the Lakers, who will be on their way to number 16.
But it's pretty fun having the Celtics talking trash, because it just shows the enemy has us in their head and we are missing with their heads without doing anything.
You just have to love Pierce trying to stir the rivalry more even though there is no way of making it much worse.
Just put your money where your mouth is Celtics and see you at the rematch in June of 2010.
Claiming they are the best just because they have their best player fully healthy again.
And why is Paul Pierce even putting himself into the trash talk? The man couldn't win a championship his whole career without Kevin Garnett and he barely lead the Celtics pass the baby Bulls in the first round last year without Garnett.
Pierce has no damn right claiming they are the favorites to win the title this year and claiming his team is better then the *cough* team he loved when he was a kid.
Then we have the coach, a man who praised coach Phil Jackson back when he was a play by play announcer with ABC. Saying his team is much better the Lakers and gives no credit to them as champions.
They haven't proven nothing yet with their elderly team that features aging Garnett, Pierce, Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace.
They obviously are not going to give the Lakers their credit, which is OK since they are our biggest rivals, but do not go and claim you are this big macho team who is going to roll over everyone after having your first training camp practice.
That just show you are all talk and just too damn cocky.
Don't talk too soon, with two other teams in your league, who knows if you Celtics will be getting the honor of losing to the Lakers, who will be on their way to number 16.
But it's pretty fun having the Celtics talking trash, because it just shows the enemy has us in their head and we are missing with their heads without doing anything.
You just have to love Pierce trying to stir the rivalry more even though there is no way of making it much worse.
Just put your money where your mouth is Celtics and see you at the rematch in June of 2010.
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