Rangers Playoff Push: 5 points in 4 days

The New York Rangers have scored standing points in all five games of this fine New Year. The line of Dubinsky-Christensen-Gaborik is rolling like no line the Rangers have had all season, the team may have finally found a back-up goalie they can depend on in Chad Johnson, and they’re actually playing defense in front of the King’s net. The Atlanta OTL was one where the team’s effort was questioned a bit, but after today’s victory, they’re right back on track.

The Boston Bruins are not the dominant power they were a season ago. The loss of Kessle has a bit to do with it, but I also think a lot of their team was playing above their heads last season. Right now, Lucic is a non-factor, Savard is injured, and their top forward is basically David Krejci, this is not an elite team at this current stage of the 09-10 season. They seem to only get interested once they’re losing, and against teams with reliable goaltending, they have very little chance at making comebacks night in and night out. They’ll be battling for the bottom two playoff spots come Spring. Point being, this isn’t exactly a win to throw a party over, but the pure dominance of the Rangers is a good sign against a struggling (2-3 in 2010) team.

Brandon Dubinsky has been on fire since he returned from his injury. I still think he can score 20 goals this campaign. This guy is a gamer, and I’d hate for the Rangers to ever let him get away. He’s clicked on lines with Jaromir Jagr and Marian Gaborik, dude can play with the best there is in the world. He has tons more upside on offense than Ryan Callahan, and is about just as good defensively (especially on the PK). The first line is still the only line producing for the Rangers, and Dubinsky’s presence is what keeps teams from being able to key on Gaborik, and shut the entire team down.

Is it just me, or have the Rangers been more physical (especially in their defensive zone) lately? Guys like Rozival and Gaborik have been throwing the body like they’re grinders, and that’s something I like to see from a team that has lacked grit all season. It seems this kind of play has gotten teams a little less goalie-running happy, as the ratio of shots faced compared to forwards dodged is becoming more reasonable in the new year for our King. I sincerely hope the goaltending situation isn’t a factor post-Olympics as it was the year Lundqvist carried Sweden in the World Championships (Rangers swept in first round). Chad Johnson needs to play a little more before he can be crowned the Prince to Lundqvist’s King, and hopefully he’ll step up big.

Rangers haven’t given up a Power Play goal in 2010…

Rangers Playoff Push: Avery Scores Career High Against Former Team

The sweet taste of vengeance.

After the first two periods the Rangers could have let this game slip away. Earlier in the season, or perhaps against a team that Sean Avery doesn’t want to personally destroy, it would have slipped away. I don’t know if we can expect to see Avery playing on the top line much in the future, nor do I expect him to play this well every single game, but he’s been quite through the first half of the NHL season, and now is as good as ever to turn it on. Ales Kotalik also played a great game as quietly as possible, I’m really not sure how this guy was able to get so far under Paul Mara’s skin (injuring him), he seems so harmless. It was just another great night for the Rangers, as the past couple weeks have been full of, the question is, will the be able to maintain anything like this throughout the remainder of the year.

King Henrik Lundqvist, my favorite for Olympic MVP, did what I like to call the damn thing, by thwarting a good number of chances a point blank range, and not allowing the thugs on Dallas to impose their will in his crease. The defense was sharp tonight, and the Penalty Kill was a major factor in this score being lopsided (not to mention a Ryan Callahan empty netter), keeping the stars at bay for all six Power Play opportunities. Despite my least favorite Ranger of all-time, Wade Redden, the defense was sharp all night. Matt Gilroy finally found his way back onto the score sheet, which is nice to see. Del Zotto really defines the term Power Play Quarterback, I love how he uses every passing lane that exists to move the puck forward. I really can’t say enough about how much he helps this team’s PP, and how great he can still possibly become. He’s got the moves.

The Youth is developing, just like Torts/Slats hoped, and the future looks brighter every game. This team wasn’t great the first half, but that’s because no one knew their roles, which I think will completely change during the second half. I’m not sure about the back-up goal-tending situation (Chad Ochocinco), but I’m starting to believe in the ability of these kids to play hard every night, and if Drury keeps up his high energy play, anything can happen with this team. Management doesn’t need to get crazy, and shake up this team, but the fourth line could use some improving. I still think Higgins will pan out. Did I mention that Sean Avery is my favorite hockey player ever, and I probably just witnessed his all-time best performance, and it was sans ten whole minutes because the refs dislike his style, and he almost had a fifth point on an empty net? All true.

Let’s go Rangers! 47 points through 43 games…

NFL Playoff Predictions: Wild Card Round

The Giants aren’t in the playoffs, and since I don’t have any personal stake in the upcoming events of the NFL season, I’ll give my predictions on the outcome of what’s left…

New York Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)

The Jets are riding a crazy kind of momentum that they picked up playing the b-sides of good teams. Another New York team picked up a similar kind of momentum earlier in the season (5-0?), and we all know how that turned out. On the flip side, the Bengals have been an emotional wreck since the loss of fellow player Chris Henry. Ochocinco injured himself in the final game of the season against these same Jets, and that may be the deciding factor overall. Both defenses are a wash, and it will come down to an offense run by a rookie, and an offense bogged down with terrible feelings. Earlier in the season I posted on my twitter that I thought the Bengals could be on their way to the Super Bowl, but after the aforementioned death, I can’t see this team pulling it off.

Prediction: Jets (+2.5) over Bengals

Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys (-4)

The Dallas Cowboys just obliterated the Eagles in Dallas on Sunday. The Cowboys also beat them in Philly earlier in the season. These same Cowboys beat an NFC East rival twice once upon a time, only to lose to that team in the third, and most meaningful meeting. They played that game close, but in the end, Wade Phillips and Tony Romo’s Cowboys just couldn’t pull it off. The Eagles, their coach, and their QB, are semi-annual contestants in NFC Championship games, and they’ve not lost a wild card match up (3-0) in this era. The Eagles offense is more explosive from what I’ve seen, and I think that’s what’s going to determine the outcome. Again both defenses are pretty even. Tony Romo has never won a playoff game, and I doubt he starts here.

Prediction: Eagles (+4) over Cowboys

Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots (-3.5)

Wes Welker is injured, and will not be a factor in the outcome of any game the Patriots play for a while. Despite that fact, the Patriots will prevail. Edleman has an advantage filling in for Welker with his past as a QB, as I believe knowing how to read defenses is the most important role for a WR. This game seems like the biggest no-brainer, as the Ravens do not belong in the playoffs this season, and will be ushered out quite rapidly. Tom Brady will be enough for the Patriots to come out big here, as the Ravens defense hasn’t beaten a playoff team since week 2 (1-6 this season against PO teams), and this isn’t the week they do. Flacco vs Brady doesn’t seem fair, and the defenses are even yet again.

Prediction: Patriots (-3.5) over Ravens

Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)

This is the game with the least balance in the defense department. The Packers have a world class defense, and the Cardinals will have to counter with world class offense. Boldin is another of the week 17 WR injuries, and I imagine that will play out negatively for the Red Birds. The Packers may be my sleeper pick for a Super Bowl run, if I could only trust their running game, which I don’t. I think Aaron Rodgers will be able to out throw Kurt Warner here, but I don’t know if that kind of philosophy is going to be able to carry the Packers passed better defenses in future rounds.

Prediction: Packers (+2.5) over Cardinals

Giants Blown Out Again, Allow 3rd Most Points in NFL Season, Sheridan Fired

You won’t be missed

Source: Giants.com

Coughlin has announced that his defensive coordinator is no longer with the team. Sheridan, who ignored his players near the end of the 1st half on Sunday, just could not get anything done the way he’d envisioned. I would have thought that Coughlin may have had the pull to get his guy a second chance (year), but instead the Giants are in the market for a defensive coordinator that actually relates to his players. Hopefully the new DC won’t have the same bad luck with injuries, and having to follow some of the worst special teams I’ve ever seen. Here’s to a more successful 2010 season.

New York Football Giants: Done

The New York Giants were undefeated after five games. Five regular season games. They went on to never win consecutive games at any other point this season. The weak early season schedule helped hide some of the deficiencies the Giants were outfitted with, and Eli Manning’s arm carried the team to as many wins as it could, but this team was not playoff quality for many reasons. Last season everyone screamed that the loss of a certain clumsy gun handler (#17) was the cause of the Giants failing to repeat as champions, but this year there’s no one explanation to console the Big Blue fanbase after such a failure in the final season of Giants Stadium.

Here’s hoping Bill Cowher takes the Carolina job out from under John Fox, and he can be brought back to the Giants. Coughlin could use the help.

The defense, from the coordinator (Bill Sheridan) down to the inconsistent defensive line, was atrocious. There were certainly other bad points to this Giants season, but the defense stands out as the absolute worst part of the team. There were certainly some key injuries to the secondary, and to defensive captain Antonio Pierce, but this team just could not cover their assignments. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a Giants defense that routinely gave up as many plays of over 30 yards. Every week that a quarterback dropped back named anything other than Jason Campbell, he was treated to great fields of green grass to find his wide receivers galloping upon. I seriously will be haunted by the Eagles unflinching ability to find their way into the Giants end zone this season. Justin Tuck brought up that the Giants were on a three game winning streak against Philly up until the recent streak the Eagles have started. He said no one brought up the previous streak, and if he truly watches the game film like I remember it in my head, then he should know exactly why. McNabb has felt zero pressure in any game against the G-men this season. The Giants D-line was good enough to hide a shady secondary two seasons ago, but this cast is no longer able to produce such a pass rush.

The Giants special teams were almost equally disgraceful. A kicker who doesn’t know what a touchback is, or when he’s actually supposed to be attempting field goals for that matter. A coverage team that was rarely interested in making the first few tackles attempted on returns. The worst part was possibly the inconsistency of Domenik Hixon, who seemed equally capable of breaking a big return as he was turning the ball over. Who knew losing David Tyree would make such a big difference. I don’t remember the Giants downing too many balls within the ten, unless Feagles put them out of bounds. Sometimes you take for granted how simple it seems to get a touchback on a kickoff, but Lawrence Tynes has proven to be useless at such a task. The Giants must field a new kicker in 2010.

The offense was the most successful part of this season. Eli certainly threw away the Arizona (and Panthers) game in the end, but pretty much anything positive that the Giants did this year was based on Eli Manning putting them in a position to overcome whatever it was. Brandon Jacobs was more interested in fighting the opposing team, Ahmad Bradshaw completely outplayed the big man, and he should be embarrassed with his performance. The offensive line allowed way too many hits on Eli. They also did a less-than impressive job at run blocking. Perhaps some changes need to be made in 2010. Mario Manningham is not clutch. Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Kevin Boss are. Madison Hedgecock, also not clutch. The offense still put up a lot of points and yardage, despite being inefficient in the redzone, and on opening drives (after week 5). Play calling on the offensive side of the ball lost multiple games for the Giants, the Chargers game specifically stands as evidence. Kevin Gilbride should be let go of in my eyes.

I’m happy with this pick

Top 3 offensive players

1. Eli Manning: Career offensive year, despite the w/l record. Clearly has a great grasp of the offense, and opposing defenses. He also has the ability to share his knowledge, and connect with young players at a fast rate. Still one of the most underrated players in the league.

2. Steve Smith: Breaking Giants all-time receiving records, and probably going to be the Big Blue’s first Pro Bowl selection at wide receiver. He scored a phantom touchdown to start the Carolina game, and nothing went right after that. I look forward to seeing his on-field chemistry with Eli Manning progress even further next season.

3. Kevin Boss: A guy who was hurt on what seemed like his first 10 catches this season, Kevin Boss is a great tight end, and team player. He’s a blocker, a receiver, and everything a football player is supposed to be. I wish I could say Brandon Jacobs was a top three offensive player this year, but he wasn’t even close.

Top 3 Defensive Players:

1. Justin Tuck: Triple teamed every play, constantly receiving cheap shots (from Flozell Adams), and always mixing it up for the better of the defense. The rest of this team just couldn’t keep up the intensity like JT, and that’s why most of these players won’t return.

2. Mike Boley: As a stand in for Antonio Pierce, Boley showed me that he can play solid MLB. I don’t think he’s anyone to invite to a Pro Bowl, but I’d trust him as a starter for a full season.

3. Antonio Pierce: The D was real bad pretty much all season, but the second Pierce was listed as disabled, this defensive unit was lost in a vast abyss.

This team won a Super Bowl two seasons ago, so it’s hard to be too angry or disappointed with this performance, but I sure hope they learn something from this season. On the bright side I was able to see the last ever Giants home victory live, and for New York fans, at least Derek Jeter won us a World Series!

Beat Minnesota, Jeter always does!

The New York Yankees Offseason (as of 12/22)

Can these New Yankees help bring a repeat?

The Yankees, like all good Americans, have been busy shopping for Christmas again this year. They haven’t been spending the money in big contract signings like they did in the winter of 2008, instead getting in the spirt of gift giving, and making moves with other teams. Here’s what I think of the additions and subtractions of the New York Yankees just before Christmas…

1.) Curtis Granderson for Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy, and Austin Jackson: This is the type of player I enjoy. He’s got power with the bat, speed on the base paths, and range in the outfield. The guy is an All-star, and just further solidifies one of the most impressive defenses in the majors. I wouldn’t be interested in batting him anywhere near the top half of the order, but as a fifth/sixth place batter, I’m interested in what he’ll bring to Yankee Stadium. There have been comparisons to Granderson’s stas, and Paul O’Neil’s when he was brought to New York, especially against lefties, and if this outcome is anything like that, the Yankees will be considered a winner in this deal. Coke was a throwaway, Kennedy never showed me anything that said big league pitcher, and Austin Jackson may just be another Brett Gardner. Granderson may be the only name in this deal that even sticks out in ten years.

Bye! Bye! Godzilla!

2.) Replacing Hideki Matsui with Nick Johnson: Unlike Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui is already officially not going to be a Yankee next season. The man is also never going to play the field again, so it isn’t a crazy big loss, and before his outburst in the final series of his Yankees tenure, I was asking for him to be let go of. All that being said, I will still enjoy Godzilla no matter what team he bats for. Nick Johnson is another guy I don’t expect to see playing the field anytime soon, but he’s a former Yankee, and one I was never happy with trading. In his first tour of duty as a Yankee I thought Johnson was going to be the first baseman of the Yankee future, but that didn’t work out, and the Yankees ended up with the most machine-like baseball player this side of Mariano Rivera to field the first bag. Now, Nick Johnson has a chance to be a part of a New Yankee dynasty, and with his great patience at the plate, I imagine the Yankees have brought in a piece similar to Bobby Abreu, but without the downside of shady defensive hustle. He may bat second behind Jeter, especially if Damon isn’t brought back, and I imagine with protection (which he didn’t have the last few years) his numbers will only rise.

You again?

3.) Javier Vazquez for Melky Cabrera and Mike Dunn: No matter how you look at it, the Yankees need starting pitching. Had Andy Pettitte not won game six of the World Series, their rotation was completely depleted, and they probably wouldn’t have been able to withstand a game seven. With Vazquez the Yankees can still audition Joba Chamberlin and Phil Hughes in the fifth starter slot, but now they don’t have to worry about either actually panning out for the playoffs. Melky Cabrera has pretty much peaked in every way, his arm isn’t getting any stronger, his batting average isn’t going any higher, and his clutch hits cannot come at any higher of a rate than they did this past season. It was fun while it lasted, but I’m much more interested in Gardner’s upside, and the Yankees needed a proven starter, and they’re getting one for cheap here. At least now when I visit Atlanta, I have a reason to go see the Braves.

4>) Resigning Andy Pettitte: Great move. Class player, and a proven Yankee. He wins in the playoffs, which is really all that matters in this world.

5.) Johnny Damon… MIA: Damon corrected the Yankees/Red Sox championship paths, and that’s all I wanted him to do when he signed with New York. He can ride into the sunset, and play with some AL West team just like every other Yankee that leaves New York, and I’ll still be happy he was in pinstripes for 2009. Still think we should bring him back, but not for an extended amount of time, and that’s what he wants, so I can appreciate the standstill.

UFC 107 Predictions… And Dan Henderson Signs W/Strikeforce

This Saturday looks like one of the deepest cards the UFC has put on in a long while. Whether you love them or hate them, you have some of the biggest personalities of the sport clashing. Frank Mir and B.J. Penn polarize a lot of the fighting fan base, but they’re both proven champions with exciting bouts on their records. The undercard looks to outshine the main bouts with fights from guys like Johnny Hendricks and his awesome beard, and big Paul Buentello whose fights end in KO’s more than not. This is the first time The Couch P.O.V has featured UFC predictions, but I feel like now would be a great time to start covering one of my favorite sports with the respect it deserves.

Kenny “Ken Flo” Florian vs Clay Guida

I’ve become a supporter of Ken-Flo after initially not enjoying his work, but I see Guida becoming the third lightweight on this card to beat Florian. Much in the way Sean Sherk was too much for Kenny, Guida will be two times as much. This will probably be the biggest win of Guida’s career, and I imagine it puts him in line for a title shot with the main event winner. Florian’s greatest hope is to catch Guida in his trademark rear-naked choke, which is a move that’s stopped Guida multiple times in his career.

Prediction: Guida TKO(3:25) 2nd round

Cheick Kongo vs Frank Mir

It’s hard to pick a guy to win with a sub over a guy who has never been subbed, but it’s also hard to pick a guy who’s lost to Heath Herring. Kongo has heavy hands, and Frank has had some trouble with guys who sported such a trait, but I’m not going to be able to pick against the guy who banks at the same place that I do. Frank has gained a lot of confidence in his stand up, but he’s more interested in getting a sure win, and will do his best to catch Kongo on the mat, perhaps while on his back. This is going to be a great challenge for Frank, but champions overcome adversity, and I imagine that’s what’s going to happen here.

Prediction: Frank Mir Submission(4:04) 1st Round

Main Event Light Heavyweight Championship: Diego Sanchez vs B.J. Penn(C)

This is one of those dream match ups. While B.J. Penn was trying to conquer a whole other weight class, Diego Sanchez was down dominating the one he was the champion of. Saturday they will finally meet, and settle any dispute over who the true Lightweight Champion is. Baby J hasn’t been the distance in a bout since his original loss to George St. Pierre in 2006, but I have a feeling this one will end up in the judges hands. Unlike Florian, The Nightmare is on the same level as Penn, and he will push the champ the entire way. I don’t see the title changing hands, but when a fight goes to the judges, anything can (and usually does) happen. Here’s hoping for a hard hitting match, and not just a stand-off due to both being extremely talented.

Prediction: BJ Penn by Unanimous Decision

Hendo Leaves the UFC for a 3 fight deal with Strike Force*: This is sort of stunning to me, but I can’t say I was following the negotiations. I just took for granted that Dana White respected the greatness that is Dan Henderson, but apparently that’s not the case. Henderson apparently wants to fight Jake Shields and Fedor, which would be two super bouts I’m very interested in seeing. I also would like to have seen Henderson get a rematch with Anderson Silva, but I guess that’s never going to happen. Henderson claims Dana White didn’t even know Henderson already beat Vitor Belfort (who jumped an entire division in line for a title shot), which says a lot about how much he cares about his fighters, if true. Somehow, I hope this leads to Henderson versus Cung Le.

*Source: Sherdog

27 Outs Away From Number 27

The only reason the Yankees are even in this situation

The Yankees have found a way to succeed in every way in 2009. They’ve blown teams out, they’ve come from behind, they’ve walked off, and they’ve done it both on the road and at home (well, maybe not the walking off part). In an attempt to put the perfect cap on the perfect season,the Yankees have come into the home of the defending world champions, and come away with two huge victories. In one of the greatest managerial decisions in the history of my Yankee watching life, Joe Girardi has stood by his 3-man postseason rotation, and so far it’s given him the tactical edge going into the final game(s) of the year.

Some things to still be concerned about, if you believe in that kind of thing…

1.) Strikeouts… All but one starter struck out on Sunday. Against Joe Blanton and the Phillies bullpen. The Yankees have been uncharacteristically aggressive all post season, and that is never a bad thing for an inconsistent pitcher.

2.) A. J. Burnett will be pitching on 3 days rest against a well rested Cliff Lee. The Same Cliff Lee who had a complete game in a hostile, rainy New York atmosphere.

3.) The Yankees will be batting with a seven man lineup. Jose Molina has less RBI than Andy Pettitte this postseason.

Hit Hit Jose!

Onto the good stuff…

Johnny Damon stole two bases in one steal attempt. The man has come through in a big way in the last two series, and he has certainly become a true Yankee with his clutch performance.

Derek Jeter, hits in all but one game this postseason, and on base in all. The Philly fans were quoted as chanting, “Jeter sucks,” so I suppose they were referring to the way he sucks at sucking.

Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher have been a big part of the offense in Philly, 4 hits, 3 walks, 4 rbi, and both with a game winning RBI (Swisher on Saturday, A-rod on Sunday).

To quote my father… “There may not be another pitcher like Mo for another hundred years.”

Joe Girardi may be in the market for a new jersey number. Let’s go Yankees! 1 more win! Cliff Lee is human! Mariano Rivera isn’t! Get him the ball!

Yankees tie World Series or How I learned to Mute Joe Buck and Still Enjoy the Game on FOX

They should put Artie in the booth with Buck, then I’d listen.

I know the number one focus after a game like that should be how great the New York Yankees are, and how A. J. Burnett pitched the best game of his career, but I can’t get past how annoying the broadcast team for FOX network is. I muted the game in the 8th inning of game one, and watched the five innings to start this game with Buck and Co. on mute. I must say I enjoy my IPod a lot more than the ramblings of Buck and McCarver. The major downside was not being able to hear the crowd, so I hope someday, there will just be a crowd mic that could be listened to instead of the broadcast crew. On to the actual on-field stuff.

I wish A. J. Burnett could have pie’d himself.

Mariano Rivera has not made it look supremely easy, but he has still produced. He’s made four 2+ inning World Series saves in his career. If he does it again, he will have the all-time record.

The New York Yankees are still Pedro Martinez’s daddy. You can say what you want, but the man with the gleaming hair gets the loss.

Rollins, Utley, and Howard combined for 0 hits and 5 strikeouts, four of which were Howard’s.

Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui are the only Yankees with multi-hit games in this series. Matsui showed up in a gigantic way in game 2, and that’s why they call him Godizlla. The pitch Matsui hit for the homerun looked harmless until he launched it. Great piece of hitting.

Alex Rodriguez should have an error (on the Phillies lone run) to go along with his 0-8 and 6 strikeouts. If he’s going to make a play for the series M.V.P, he better do it quick.

Cole Hamels has given up 11 runs in his three starts this postseason, and has not once reached the seventh inning. Andy Pettitte has reached the 7th in all of his starts, and only gave up multiple runs once.

Saturday’s starter

Jerry Hairston Jr. didn’t set the world on fire, but he did get on base, something Nick Swisher used to do every game. I miss that Nick Swisher.

I cannot wait to watch a Yankees game on Halloween. It’s like my favorite thing in the baseball viewing world. Bring on game 3!

Thoughts on Game 1 of the 2009 World Series

Public Enemy Numero Uno

The New York Yankees have lost game one of the 2009 World Series. Do you want to hit your panic button? Maybe. Should you? Definitely not. Here’s a little statistic that may put some minds at ease, Three times before players have homered twice against the New York Yankees in a World Series opener. Davey Lopes (1978), Andruw Jones (1996), and Greg Vaughn (1998), all three years the Yankees won the World Series*.

Derek Jeter, 3 for 4 against Cliff Lee, and the lone run to cross the plate. Jimmy Rollins will always be his backup, at best.

See

Cliff Lee, nonchalant fielding, Jorge-ass patting, and all, won this game single (left) handedly. Hope the Yankees get to him earlier and often when they see him next (prob: gm 4), but now they need to step up against the lesser arms of the Phillies’ staff.

I hear Pedro Martinez has been saying some pretty confident things about his game two start in Yankee Stadium. The same guy who tipped his hat, and called the Yankees his daddy. More on this tomorrow…

Chase Utley had an entire plotline dedicated to him in last week’s It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, so he was due to have a big game following that. Now the Yankees need to get into Green Man mode, and beat the Phillies down.

Ryan Howard meet Alex Rodriguez… Thanks for showing up. Has anyone seen Nick Swisher?

Robinson Cano, can anyone make more harmless solid contact?

Phil(thy) Hughes has lost the faith of at least me. I always preferred Joba for the late inning role, and I imagine next year will see them flip flopping roles. Until then, I’m not expecting to see much more of Hughes in this series. Joe G is crazy though, so he may just pop him right back on the mound.

Hideki Matsui is supposed to play half of a baseball game, and now, even when he gets on he messes up. When someone catches a fly ball, return to your base, that easy.

Positive thoughts, positive thoughts, positive thoughts. Damaso Marte has been owning left handed batting! Bring on tomorrow!

*Stat brought to you by Jesse Spector