Must See Sports - Fourth Week of July 2012

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record: 1-3
Must See Sports 2012 record (excluding series): 52-34
Advantage/disadvantage record in series, 2012: 5-4 

There is a lot going on to pacify all of us before the start of the NFL preseason, which will be previewed in Must See Sports next week! Sit tight!

Friday, July 27

MLB

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
Red Sox - Aaron Cook (2-2, 3.34 ERA) vs Phil Hughes (9-7, 4.22 ERA, 96 Ks)

Aaron Cook's activity has been relatively limited, but he has looked consistently good during his innings of work. That is more than I can say for the rest of the Red Sox rotation. Phil Hughes has been...Phil Hughes. You don't know which one you are going to get, though he has generally been pitching quality innings of late. Against the potent Red Sox lineup, however, that task could prove to be more challenging in this game.

Advantages - Game: Red Sox, Series: Yankees

It's been a while since the Yanks and BoSox have treated us to a nice, family, afternoon brawl. With all of the tension in the Red Sox's clubhouse this year, a fight could be just what the doctor ordered to bring them closer together. Not that I condone it.... 3

Satrurday, July 28

MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants
Dodgers - Stephen Fife (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs Giants - Barry Zito (8-6, 3.75 ERA)

It looks like the slugfest that is the National League West race may come down to the final week of September. That makes this series critical. While the Dodgers pitchers have generally been lock-down and the Giants hitters have generally been locked up, I know very little of what Stephen Fife is capable of as a starter. Barry Zito, on the other hand, is as tough to hit on as any National League pitcher.

Advantages - Game: Giants Series: Dodgers

Zito has owned the Dodgers so far in 2012. 2

Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers
White Sox - Phillip Humber (4-4, 5.77 ERA) vs Colby Lewis (6-6, 3.43 ERA, 93 Ks)

You have to go with what you've got. That's why Phillip Humber is still in the White Sox's rotation. Against the limitless bats of the Texas Rangers, even if Josh Hamilton remains in his prolonged slump, I doubt that Colby Lewis will have to spin a gem to win the pitching matchup. As smart as Robin Ventura has been and as potent has the White Sox batting order has been, especially of late, the only way to beat the Rangers is to win the pitching battle and I don't think that is likely.

Advantages - Game: Rangers, Series: Rangers



Sunday, July 29

2012 London Olympics

Men's Basketball

Group A Preliminary Round
United States vs France

Kobe, LeBron, CP3 and a list of NBA All-Stars as long as the day against possibly a one-eyed Tony Parker, an aging Boris Diaw, reserve center and NBA journeyman Ronny Turiaf and a bunch of guys whose names I have either never heard of and/or cannot pronounce.

Advantage: USA

Do you think the Black Mamba is going to forget  how Turiaf punked him on the way to the basket? 1

Monday, July 30

MLB

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers

Angels - Garrett Richards (3-2, 3.91 ERA) vs Rangers - Scott Feldman (4-6, 5.37 ERA)
These are two teams with very good pitching staffs starting two pitchers who probably would not get the ball in a playoff game. Neither has been consistent this season. Feldman, however, has been better of late after a horrendous first half of the season.

The Angels have hit the ball well in July. Albert Pujols (.277, 18 HR, 61 RBI) has been on fire, with 6 homeruns in the month. This matchup is a tough one to call because the pitching matchup is not easy to foresee. I think the Angels have the slightest edge in the first game of this critical four game American League West series. It would be a bold statement to assume they would be swept, right?

Advantages - Game: Angels, Series: Rangers

Tuesday, July 31

2012 London Olympics

Men's Basketball

Group A Preliminary Round
United States vs Tunisia

Do you guys really want my analysis of this? C'mon man!

Advantage: USA

I'm sure the Tunisia National Team is used to this feeling. If not, they will be. 4

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1) Image from http://www.yougotdunkedon.com/
2) Image from http://www.zimbio.com/
3) Image from http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/
4) Image from http://www.dimemag.com/