Should have taken the entire series, but a blunder from Chan Ho Park in the opening day game sent Boston to the top of the division. C.C's debut was less than spectacular, but he showed a few solid innings before being kept in too long by Girardi and giving up some costly hits that become crucial runs for the Scox. Burnett and Pettite showed some class in their first two starts, more Pettite than any other pitcher so far (that collision with Elsberry looked rough). Teixeira as I have predicted will probably end up batting .200 or less for the month since he tends to be a late bloomer, indicated last year when A-Rod returned from surgery and began showing the robot he can become at the plate. As for A-Rod himself, not the best start to the season, but a couple of clutch doubles off the Green Monster (home runs in ANY other ballpahk) helped produce some offense in the first two games. A trip to Tampa this weekend should be tough, though I think taking two of three again seems like a reasonable result.
Jersey's team just lost two points from Florida after being up 1-0, not surprising through since the offense began to break down after the first and the powerplay seemed in slow motion for most of the game. Pens are on rout to tie the division tonight so the final few games will be important for the Devs to try and clinch another division and avoid a tricky first match-up in the playoffs starting next week. I still think of Kovy can become half the offensive force he is with Atlanta (58 points with them this year, only 23 with the Devils the second half) during the playoffs, the Devils cant lose a series. Even Washington. You heard me.
As for the Catalan Giants, a stellar thrashing of Arsenal Tuesday proved they are still the team to beat in the final four of Europe's most prestigious tournament. Lionel Messi seemed to be playing as Diego Maradona described "Jesus Football" with a four goal domination of the Gunner's defense and without Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique in the lineup, the depth of Barca shines for all the Nou Camp to admire (Rafa Marquez was exceptional). Next in line is Inter, who they tied and defeated in the Champion's League group stage this past fall. While Inter have not shown their true potential (Milito has done all the work since Eto'o put them through against Chelsea), they still believe a shock upset of FCB is well within the cross-hair, which makes the first leg at the San Siro all too important for Barcelona. The first leg is schedule for April 20th in Milan.
One last footnote: A dismal exit for United in the Champion's League. Didn't think they would let up two after going up three in the first half(A few spectacular goals from Nani huh?). However, when you live and die by the sword (Rooney), you can't expect to make it to the Bernebeau.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Devils taking the Atlantic lead to the Bell Center...Barca head to Mallorca for the weekend
As I watch Barry Melrose constantly praise the consistency of Marty Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils this season, I still feel as if I'm the only one who feels concern that they have only put three winning steaks of two games or more since a month before the Olympic break. Still, I am not surprised that they still manage to hold on to the Atlantic Division lead through win totals (Pittsburgh also has 91 points) and also have a game in hand. Though the lack of big win streaks has concerned me over the past two months, seeing the powerplay finally come back into top form three nights ago against Columbus in a 6-3 thrashing at The Rock did show some promise in the offense with nine games remaining in the regular season.
Zach Parise continues to emulate the gem of a hockey player he is with another two goals and an assist against Columbus, leading the team with 73 points this season. Superstar Ilya Kovalchuk is finally showing promise as well with a goal and three assists, totally seventeen points in the sixteen games he has played with the Devils this season. And as always, Martin Brodeur continues to break his own records game after game as the numbers keep piling up, now only three wins shy of 600 for his career.
Looking into Saturday's game, the Devils look to answer back after being 16 second from winning Thursday's matchup against the Rangers, who collected a pivotal two points in their quest for a playoff berth, not just three shy of Boston for the eight spot. The Habs now sit in the sixth spot in the East and and looking for a stream of continued consistency, winning seven of their last ten games. The Devils are looking as always to capitalize on early chances, which has led to their many of their 43 wins this season. If Kovalchuk and Parise, who have dominated the first line offense since Kovalchuk's acquisition a month ago, can put in one or two before the first break, consider at least a point for the Devs, since Marty always shows up to play in his hometown.
Bottom line, the Devils need to win about six of their final nine games to take the Atlantic Division from Pittsburgh, who are currently tied for first with 91 points. Last season, an inconsistent finish to the regular season saw the Devils bounced in the first round in their most shocking exit from the playoffs ever to the Carolina Hurricanes. If New Jersey continue to play in solid form until Mid April, we all know that Kovalchuk will only be here a few more months, so a Cup run would seem to be the only way send him out properly.
Across the Atlantic to the East Coast of Spain, The Catalans of FC Barcelona will travel to Mallorca this weekend to try and claim another three points in the La Liga table. Lionel Messi, who has been playing out of his mind the past few weeks (two hat tricks in a row and a total of eight goals in the last four games) will look to continue his white hot form and Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also attempt to find a line of consistency after scoring in last Wednesday's win against Osasuna. Ibrahimovic, who had been under fire from the front office for his lack of productivity the past several weeks, showed fine form throughout the match and will look for improvement tomorrow. Manager Pep Guardiola will also return to the sidelines after serving a one match suspension the previous game. With the highly anticipated El Clasico match against football and political rival Real Madrid approaching in a few weeks, one loss in the table could cost either team the league, who have been deadlocked for almost the entire season.
Zach Parise continues to emulate the gem of a hockey player he is with another two goals and an assist against Columbus, leading the team with 73 points this season. Superstar Ilya Kovalchuk is finally showing promise as well with a goal and three assists, totally seventeen points in the sixteen games he has played with the Devils this season. And as always, Martin Brodeur continues to break his own records game after game as the numbers keep piling up, now only three wins shy of 600 for his career.
Looking into Saturday's game, the Devils look to answer back after being 16 second from winning Thursday's matchup against the Rangers, who collected a pivotal two points in their quest for a playoff berth, not just three shy of Boston for the eight spot. The Habs now sit in the sixth spot in the East and and looking for a stream of continued consistency, winning seven of their last ten games. The Devils are looking as always to capitalize on early chances, which has led to their many of their 43 wins this season. If Kovalchuk and Parise, who have dominated the first line offense since Kovalchuk's acquisition a month ago, can put in one or two before the first break, consider at least a point for the Devs, since Marty always shows up to play in his hometown.
Bottom line, the Devils need to win about six of their final nine games to take the Atlantic Division from Pittsburgh, who are currently tied for first with 91 points. Last season, an inconsistent finish to the regular season saw the Devils bounced in the first round in their most shocking exit from the playoffs ever to the Carolina Hurricanes. If New Jersey continue to play in solid form until Mid April, we all know that Kovalchuk will only be here a few more months, so a Cup run would seem to be the only way send him out properly.
Across the Atlantic to the East Coast of Spain, The Catalans of FC Barcelona will travel to Mallorca this weekend to try and claim another three points in the La Liga table. Lionel Messi, who has been playing out of his mind the past few weeks (two hat tricks in a row and a total of eight goals in the last four games) will look to continue his white hot form and Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also attempt to find a line of consistency after scoring in last Wednesday's win against Osasuna. Ibrahimovic, who had been under fire from the front office for his lack of productivity the past several weeks, showed fine form throughout the match and will look for improvement tomorrow. Manager Pep Guardiola will also return to the sidelines after serving a one match suspension the previous game. With the highly anticipated El Clasico match against football and political rival Real Madrid approaching in a few weeks, one loss in the table could cost either team the league, who have been deadlocked for almost the entire season.
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