AL East Fireworks

This weekend all of New York and Boston will be glued to their TV Sets. Thats right this weekend is Yankees vs Red Sox. Earlier this week the Yankees lost the Series to the Rangers and the Sox got SWEPT by guess who my rockin Rays. So now heres how the standings sit at 8:20 AM on 7/3/08

1. Tampa bay Rays 52 -32
   
2. Boston Red Sox 5O- 37
3. New York Yankees 45 - 40
4. Baltimore Orioles 43- 40
5. Toronto Blue Jays 41- 44

As I have said in my previous posts the Rays are on the Rise and as you saw Yesterday on ESPN against the Red Sox yesterday I wasn’t trying to hate the Red Sox in that post I was trying to embrace the Rays. But anyway back to the greatest rivalry in Sports. The pitching matchups are as follows

Game 1. Jon Lester- (6-3) 3.48 era, 68k

Andy Pettitte - (9-5) 3.98 era,78k

Game 2.Josh Beckett-(7-5) 3.65era, 101k

Darrel Rasner-( 4-6)4.42 era, 38k

Game 3. Justin Masterson- (4-2)3.75 era, 37 k

Mike Mussina- (10-6) 3.87 era, 58k

Game 4. Tim Wakefield-(5-6) 3.72 era,73k

Joba Chamberlain-(2-2) 2.22 era,62k

These pitching matchups should make this series interesting like it usually is. I think that since the Red Sox and Yankees both had such a bad previous series they are both due for some good pitching and some power slugging. I also m gonna predict a split in the series the Sox take 2,3 and the Yankees take 1,4. So everyone keep your TV Sets tuned on to to game and GO YANKEES!!!

Rockin Rays

Usually when you think of the AL East division you think of the Yankees and the Red Sox right.. But now most of that has changed the Sox are still up there @ a 1/2 game back but the Tampa Bay Rays are in 1st place. The Rays are an expansion team who came in to the league in 1998 as the Devil Rays. Up until this Year the Rays have not had a single winning season. But now the Rays have come from a practice squad to a 3 headed monster. Those 3 weapons that they posses are Speed, Hitting to the gaps and, A tough pitching rotation.Almost all of the Rays roster is rookies or 2nd-4th year players. Players such as the Speedy Carl Crawford , B.J. Upton and, their top prospect Evan Longoria. The Rays have unlike Tampa Bay stats such as a 2.34 team ERA , a 2.71 BA and 88 SB. Last year these numbers wouldn’t even be in the minds of the Rays and the rest of baseball. This week the Rays are squaring off against the newly rivaled Red Sox. I m using the term newly rivaled with the Sox because the last game that they played resulted in Coco Crisp charging the mound after being hit by a 89 mph fastball by James Shields of the Rays. Last week Sox closer Johnathon Papalbon told ESPN that” We haven’t gotten over this yet revenge is in are minds.” That if you ask me sounds like fighting words so we’ll have to see how that turns out. My main point in this post is to inform both Yankee and Red Sox fans that the Rays are on the rise and I personally do not see them slowing down any time soon.

Subway Showdown

Today the two New York baseball teams the Yankees and the Mets will be squaring off.It is a double header which happens a lot but the unusual part of this double header is that this is a two ballpark double header. As you all know I have been heavily criticizing the Mets by calling them the Mess. By the end of this weekend all of that for the Mets could change for better or for worst. The Mets have Mike Pelfrey pitching in game one against the dude that I have been raving about Dan Giese. I have the privileged of sitting 10 rows behind the dugout today. (Thank god for NO SCHOOL today) Mike Pelfrey’s numbers against the cross town Yanks are  7k’s, 4.02 era, 8 BB and 1-2. Dan Giese has never pitched against the Mets. My prediction is that Manuel gets tossed at least once this weekend and that the Mets become the MESS . I am also predicting that Dan Giese pitch an amazing game like say, 7ip, 9k’s,1BB and 0 er.

GO YANKEES!!!!!

Nice Giese

Who would of thought that Dan Giese would be a major part of the Yankees starting rotation. But all that matters now is that he is. Dan Giese has 1 game under his belt and held this century’s Big Red Machine to a 0.46 era , 6 K, 1BB, and 5 hits. With those kinda numbers I would have Giese pitch against the New York Mess this weekend. The Mets (Mess) as you all know from my last post have been in one of their worst funks in the teams history. Believe it or not Giese is actually 31 so he is kinda to old to be one of the young guns and to young to be one of the old veterans. The thing that really impresses me about Giese is that he knows where to pitch the baseball. But then again I am only a die-hard 13 year old Yankee fan from NY so what do I know. Giese throw more on the slower side like say 85-89mph with is 4-seamer and 80-84mph with is wicked slider. I’m gonna say this and probably get some tough critics on me but I think that the Sox will go on a slump and the Bronx Bombers will rise out of the ashes and win the division and the pennant and maybe even the WORLD SERIES. But lets not get to much ahead of ourselves now there is still a whole 3 months left of the season.

The New York Mess

The New York Mets ( A.K.A Mess) are just out of control right now. I mean seriously who fires their manager at 3:04 AM ? Now you have Jerry Manuel calling the his fans crap. Why would he even say that I mean come on the Mets fan population is already a fraction of the Yankees. I really don’t see much happening for the Mets. They cant keep their players fighting with each other and you have Reyes basically the star of the team getting benched. I also think that the Mets famous nickname the Amazins will soon be the Terribles! Also the Mets honestly have nothing really going for them. Please leave a comment on something that the Mess have going for them. I am very interested to read your guys excuses for The New York Mess! Check out the link below great for Mets Haters!!! www.meetthemess.com/

Joba as a STARTER????

Joba Chamberlain as a starter? Just the question itself seems slightly strange. This bizarre statement may become a reality by mid June of this year. I like many other bloggers have an opinion on this. My opinion is that with Joba up to the rotation the Yankees are solving 1 weakness but at the same time creating another. What I mean when I say this is that you now have a possible Ace for the rotation or you have a unstoppable force in the bullpen. What is gonna happen say if Yankees are up 5-3 over the Sox in the top 8th inning. What guy would every Yankee fan on this earth want in there. Exactly Joba Chamberlain. But if Joba ain’t in there who do they have thats gonna do a Joba like job. I think that Joba is the only “Eighth Wonder” that the Yanks are gonna have for a while. What the Yankees should strongly consider is bringing up some of the talent thats in the Minors right now. I mean really they brought up Darrell Rasner and look how he turned out. The two guys that should about right now be called up are Danny Giese (4-2, 1.01era, 53.2 inn, 44 SO) and Steven White( 4-2, 3.55 era, 50.2 inn, 35 SO). If you can get those two up even if you can use them as long relievers that would help. One of the main reasons that I think Joba is better off in the pen is that Mariano Rivera isn’t gonna be around for that much longer and you’ll someone who you can rely on for that role. The guys who I actually trust in the pen (Besides Rivera) are well…. NO ONE!!                

The greatest rivalries in all of sports

Well when you ask the question “What do you think of that rivalry” the immediate response that you will get is “Which one?.” Over the years many rivalries have been born. I am gonna tell you all my top 10 greatest rivalries of all time. The reason that I am only doing 10 is because I have a lot of homework to get done and because the list could go on forever. so I will start out with number  10 on my list.

10. Duke Bluedevils vs UNC Tarheels

This rivalry is always a great game to watch. I think whats so great about this rivalry is that its broadcasted all around the nation. Also many people who don’t even like either one of these two schools will still tune in and watch it.

Series lead Duke 128-97

9.New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts

This game is always a tough matchup for both teams. The reason this has become such a big rivalry is that the two best QB’s in the NFL are playing against each other. Also in the last 7 years this seem to always be the AFC championship game. I don’t like either one of these teams and I’ll still end up on the couch with a bowl of chips watching it.

Series lead Patriots 44-27

8.New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles

This game might not be up there in many peoples rivalry list,but being a Giants fan I always sit on the couch to watch this game. What I think is so great about this rivalry is that every time they play there is always a brawl on the field. They play and hit each other much harder when the other one comes into their house.

Series lead Giants 80-68-2

7.Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers

Another NFL rivalry this one goes way back. The city of “Cheese vs the city of “Wind” always a fun one to see. I think that now the Bears will have a chance to dominate the rivalry because now they don’t have to deal with Brett Favre . Also this is alwys a hard hitting and trash talking fiesta for players on both teams.

Series lead Chicago 90-79-6

6.Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

This rivalry was born and dead about 13 or 14 years before I was even born. All I remember hearing about was the battle between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Also that they squared off in almost every single NBA championship during the 80’s. Now still both teams are dominate with Kobe for the Lakers and “The Boston three party” for the Celtics.

Series lead  Celtics 8-5

5. Pittsburgh Panthers vs West Virginia Mountaineers

This rivalry known as the “Backyard Brawl” for a reason. In this rivalry you’ll almost always see a good game. Also in the 07 edition of the rivalry Pittsburgh upset West Virginia and took away their National championship hopes. This rivalry like most NCAA sports this rivalry takes place in almost every sport.

4.St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs

This rivalry is one that the fans and the players of each of these teams cares about a lot. I went to Wrigley Field once. There was a guy there who was wearing a Cardinals jersey and a hat with the logo on it. He was literally put through Hell !!! The security people even gave him a hard time. The Yankees were playing there at the time. but it just goes to show you there is bloody hate in sports.

Series lead Cubs 1137-1702 - ?

3. San Fransisco (NY) Giants vs Los Angeles (Brooklyn) Dodgers

This rivalry dates back to when the Dodgers were known as the “Dem Bums” and the Giants were playing in the Polo Grounds. Now as you all know both teams are out in California. There is always a lot of talk from the old days like Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays,Bob Thompson, and Pewee Reese. Any way that you look at it is probably the 2nd greatest MLB rivalry of all time.

Series lead Giants 1146-1123-17

2. Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines

This rivalry is one of my all time favorite rivalries. I am not a fan of either one of these universities  but I always love to watch it anyway. The thing that makes this rivalry so great is that these are two of the most historic football programs out there.There always seems to be a Heisman trophy candidate on both of there rosters. Also the commercials on ESPN are hilarious when the guy jumps out of the car. Either way I still love the rivalry.

And the #1 Rivalry is the……….

1. New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox

This rivalry is one that will make friends and foes. The big one, the game that makes you just wanna rip the opposing teams fan’s head off. This is by far the Number 1 rivalry in my mind and many other New Yorkers along with the Bastard Bostonians. I have a friend named Colin and we have been best friends since kindergarten. We are almost exactly alike but he is a “Die Heart” Boston fan. So that is like the match that sets the whole friggen “bomb off”.All I have to say to get him to shut up is”26 -7″ that is it. I’ll admit it that the Sox have been on a rule for quite some time now but I have a feeling that pretty soon I’ll be saying to him”27 -7“

Hey you guy’s tell me what you guys think of my list. Also tell me if you all hated it and if you loved. If you hated it explain yourself  and who you think is the real Greatest Rivalry of all time.

The Next Chapter

The New York Yankees are once again projected to be a powerhouse in the AL East division. Me along with many other “Die heart” Yankee fans want to see the next “Chapter”of New York’s finest soar like the 90’s.Seriously the Yankees have one hell of a farm system right. Also I’ll say this, that there is a younger version of almost every player on those 90’s teams. For example Melky Cabrera is like Bernie Williams and Phil Hughes is a lot like Andy Pettitte. And even Robinson Cano is a little bit like Derek Jeter. Shelley Duncan however isn’t like any former Yankees. I like Shelley a lot though because he brings a mentality to the club that hasn’t been their for a long,long time. A mentality that says “If you get in my way I am gonna kick your ass” and with that kind of mentality nothing can really stop them. Joba Chamberlain doesn’t really remind me to much of any Yankee.In a tiny way I guess he could be compared to Roger Clemens. Anyway I really do think that there will definetly be a lot more videos of the Bronx Bombers on You tube this year. Thanks for checkin out “Sports Haven” and also please check out my NFL Draft preview.

Hokies 2008 preview

Well I know its kinda an early look but its time to look into the Hokies starting 08 lineup. I think the the Hokies wont be as strong and motivated as they were in 07. But I think that they will have by far the best offense in the ACC. I think the main key to their offense is going to be the running game. I think between Tyrod Taylor, Brandon Ore, and Sean Glennon the Hokies will be Sticking it in to the other teams throats. The Hokies will have to suffer with the loss of the one and only Brandon Flowers. I am also psyched that Macho Harris has decided to stay in school. I think Macho will be an awesome senior leader because he has seen how great it is to be a senior leader. Another big factor is going to be how they young receiving core will adapt to being the Eddie Royal type players. I also think that 07 was Glennon’s proving year which means that he’ll have high expectations for the 08 season. I also think that the linebackers wont be have as great as 07’s crew and still do a good job. I also think that 08 will not be as of a successful year for the Hokies. Anyway thanks for checking out Sports Haven also please leave a comment on anything. !!!!!!!!!!

Heisman canidates

Well another season of college football has gone by which means there has to be a new Heisman recipient or winner. I think and many people at Festa will probably yell me if I’m wrong with this statement but I think that if Tim Tebow receives the Heisman it will be a very bad mistake because no Sophomore who is on a decent Florida Gators football team. I think that the man tomorrow up on the podium should be none other than the Senior leader QB from the Island of Honolulu Colt Brennan. I think Brennan should get it because he got all those numbers with ok players. For example lets say he went to Ohio State a power house he would be in the NFL by now if he had that kinda talent. Thanks for checking out my blog leave a comment!!!!!!!