On Season's Final Day, Henderson Alvarez Steals the Show from Justin Verlander

What a game! What a pitchers' duel! Verlander was dominant, and it seemed early on very similar to that playoff game from last year against the A's. It felt like nobody had a chance off Verlander. He was using all 5 of his pitches and was just plain filthy. Painting 97 on the outside black, going up and in with fastballs for swings and misses, dropping the big breaking ball for called third strikes ,etc. I really enjoyed getting a chance to watch him pitch live. I liked the clear excitement he shows and the desire he has to be on the mound. Immediately after the Tigers made their 3rd out of an inning, Verlander was already headed out to the mound with some bounce in his step. I hope every Marlins pitcher was watching him today b/c that is exactly what you want anyone to emulate. He carries himself so well, and he exudes greatness.

Still, at the end of the day, Henderson Alvarez was AWESOME today! I was worried we were gonna "Pedro Martinez" him. Thankfully that 9th inning went the way it did. I heard a lot of hype about Henderson Alvarez when he was coming up in the Blue Jays' minor league system. Everyone knew about his electric fastball and the nasty movement on his 2 seamer that he throws at 93-96. I watched him when he came up as much as I could and got a chance to see him dominate the Yankees in a meaningful game last September. I was really happy to hear his name as part of that trade last November. There has always been questions about whether or not Henderson Alvarez can remain a starter, as he hasnt shown much in secondary offerings, but I saw him show a good changeup at times in Toronto, and he has shown it a bit this year. Today he threw a couple of slow breaking balls, that I'm pretty sure I never saw him throw before, and they were both good, with 1 helping him record a nasty strikeout. For all of the people that said he cant be a starting pitcher, including myself, he threw it in our face today, and I couldnt be happier. Today there was some real electricity in the ballpark, and it was an awesome atmosphere. Dont usually get a chance to say that about games down here, and since I average 70 games a season, I know what I'm talking about there. Regardless of what has happened this season, the team has played hard, and we have seen the development of some of these young players, especially the pitching staff. There are more on the way, and the future feels bright (ignoring Loria for now). Winning 5 of the last 6 games and sweeping the Tigers to end the season, with THAT performance really makes the rest of the season feel a lot better. I dont know about anyone else, but I'm pumped for 2014!!!

NBA Playoffs 2nd Round Predictions

East
(1) Miami Heat def (5) Chicago Bulls (4-1)
(3) Indiana Pacers def (2) New York Knicks (4-2)

West
(5) Memphis Grizzlies def (1) OKC Thunder (4-2)
(2) San Antonio Spurs def (6) Golden State Warriors (4-1)


When I get the chance, I will write up a wrap up of the first round and explain my predictions for the 2nd round. I still am not counting out the Thunder in my own mind, even though I am picking the Grizzlies to win here. The Thunder are definitely capable of winning. Its just a matter of if they play to the best of their ability.

Westbrook Done for the Season

Tough to hear about Russel Westbrook. Should make things interesting in the Western Conference. Clippers, Grizzlies, Denver, Golden State, San Antonio could all come out of the West, and I'm not counting out OKC either. They have Reggie Jackson to step in, allowing Jeremy Lamb, Deandre Liggins, or maybe Ronnie Brewer to probably step in and provide help, especially defensively. It also allows Kevin Durant to take more shots, so lets see how that goes. Westbrook had never missed a game in his life. That streak is over

2012-2013 NBA Playoffs predictions

East                                                                              
(1) Miami Heat def (8) Milwaukee Bucks (4 games)        (1) Miami Heat def (5) Chicago Bulls (4-1)
(5) Chicago Bulls def (4) Brooklyn Nets (6 games)         (3) Indiana Pacers def (2) NY Knicks (4-2)
(2) New York Knicks def (7) Boston Celtics (6 games)
(3) Indiana Pacers def (6) Atlanta Hawks (6 games)

                                                                               (1) Miami Heat def (3) Indiana Pacers (4-2)


West
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder def (8) Houston Rockets (5 games)            
(4) Los Angeles Clippers def (5) Memphis Grizzlies (6 games)
(2) San Antonio Spurs def (7) Los Angeles Lakers (5 games)
(3) Denver Nuggets def (6) Golden State Warriors (7 games)


(1) OKC Thunder def (4) LA Clippers (6 games)
(2) San Antonio Spurs def (3) Denver Nuggets (6 games)

(1) OKC Thunder def (2) San Antonio Spurs (6 games)

                                                                                    
                                                                                 NBA FINALS
                                                        (1) Miami Heat def (2) OKC Thunder (6 games)

2013 MLB Opening Day picks

AL EAST                                  AL CENTRAL                           AL WEST
1. Toronto Blue Jays(92-70)      1.Detroit Tigers  (91-71)             1.Los Angeles Angels (90-72)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (90-72)      2.Kansas City Royals (86-76)     2.Oakland A's (88-74)
3. Baltimore Orioles (88-74)     3.Chicago White Sox (84-78)     3.Texas Rangers (87-75)
4. New York Yankees (87-75)   4.Cleveland Indians (78-84)       4.Seattle Mariners (82-80)
5. Boston Red Sox (83-79)        5.Minnesota Twins  (68-94)        5.Houston Astros  (60-102)

NL EAST                                         NL CENTRAL                         NL WEST
1. Washington Nationals (102-60)   1.Cincinnati Reds  (98-64)        1.San Francisco Giants (92-70)
2. Atlanta Braves      (93-69)           2.St Louis Cardinals (89-73)     2.Los Angeles Dodgers (88-74)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (87-75)      3.Milwaukee Brewers (86-76)   3.Arizona Diamondbacks (84-76)
4. New York Mets      (80-82)         4.Pittsburgh Pirates (82-80)       4.San Diego Padres    (82-80)
5. Miami Marlins    (71-91)            5.Chicago Cubs     (69-93)         5.Colorado Rockies   (72-90)

2012-2013 NBA Predictions (March 8, 2013)

Picks as of March 8, 2013

EAST                                 WEST
1. Miami Heat                     1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. New York Knicks           2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Indiana Pacers                3. LA Clippers
4. Brooklyn Nets                4. Denver Nuggets
5. Atlanta Hawks               5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. Chicago Bulls                6. Golden State Warriors
7. Boston Celtics               7. Houston Rockets
8. Milwalkee Bucks           8, LA Lakers
9. Toronto Raptors             9. Utah Jazz
10.Philadelphia 76ers       10.Portland Trail Blazers
11.Cleveland Cavaliers     11.Dallas Mavericks
12.Detroit Pistons             12.New Orleans Hornets
13.Washington Wizards    13.Minnesota Timberwolves
14.Orlando Magic             14.Sacramento Kings
15.Charlotte Bobcats         15.Phoenix Suns

Eastern Conference Finals              Western Conference Finals
Miami Heat def. Indiana Pacers      Oklahoma City Thunder def. San Antonio Spurs
               
                                             NBA Finals
                         Miami Heat def. Oklahoma City Thunder   
           
                                  2013 NBA CHAMPIONS
                                           MIAMI HEAT   


Obviously, there is not much change from the preseason picks and from the current NBA standings. Barring injury, I dont see anything changing too much from this point forward. I still personally think that the Lakers will miss the playofs, but put them in the 8th seed over the Jazz b/c of their reputation and the fac t that Kobe is having the best year of his career. Injuries have hurt teams this year. Washington is looking more like I thought they would now that John Wall is back. Detroit could probably be a bit better if Andre Drummond didnt get hurt. Boston and the 76ers have their injuries. There are also some teams who have played better than their record, and have some nice young talent. Like I said before the year, I dont see that really bad team in the league this year. The talent pool is unbelievably deep and even the teams that are at the bottom of the standings have things to feel good about. We all know how Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the defending champion Miami Heat have been playing. They are all having career years and barring injuries there is no team in this league that can beat them in a 7 game series. Therefore, the Miami Heat will be repeating and there will be another parade down Biscayne Boulevard

Possible Extensions for Verlander and Kershaw?

With the deal that King Felix made with Seattle, this brings into question the possibilities of extensions for Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander, who will both be free agents after 2014 like King Felix would have if he didnt sign his extension. Kershaw is likely to become the first $200 million pitcher. He will be 2 years younger than Felix would have been if he hits free agency, and teams wont hesitate to make the would be 26 year old free agent the highest paid pitcher ever. Justin Verlander will be 32 when his next contract starts so his earning potential isnt what King Felix or Kershaw's is overall, but in terms of AAV, I'm sure it will be in the same neighborhood if things stay how they are. I wouldnt be surprised to see a possible 4 year/$110 million extension for Verlander. This would make his current 2 year contract at $40 million a 6 year/$150 million contract with $25 million AAV, and it would keep him in Detroit until his age 36 season. Teams seem less skeptical than they ever have to give out long term deals to front line pitchers. The risk isnt as big as it has been in the past, and thats why we are seeing these huge deals. Front line pitching is this hard to come by and these pitchers are taking advantage of that. David Price will be the next to be in this category if things continue for him.