Must See Sports – Second Weekend of August 2012

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record: 13-2

Must See Sports 2012 record (excluding series): 68-39

Advantage/disadvantage record in series, 2012: 8-7-1 

Pennant races are heating up, the Olympics are winding to a close, and we have the return of FOOTBALL!!!

Friday, August 10

Games of the XXX Olympiad

Men’s Basketball – Semifinal Round

USA vs Argentina

Manu Ginobli and Luis Scola get another chance to show their American NBA counterparts what they’re made of. Argentina was spanked pretty badly (29 points) in Group A play. I expect no different this afternoon.

Advantage: USA

Russell Westbrook: "there's more where this came from!" 2

Sunday, August 12

Games of the XXX Olympiad

Men’s Basketball – Final

USA vs Spain

“But wait? The U.S. hasn’t even played Argentina yet. How can you be so sure they’ll win?” Psst…child please!

Spain has some ballers, including Team USA guard Kobe Bryant’s teammate Pau Gasol. Other Spanish NBA players include Pau’s brother, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, Toronto Raptors guard Jose Calderon, Portland Trailblazers forward Victor Claver, and forward Serge Ibaka of the defending Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Guard Rudy Fernandez played for the Denver Nuggets last season.

This, essentially, is a matchup of NBA All-Stars and future Hall of Famers against NBA All-Stars and future All-Stars. I expect team USA to win, but in professional sports, anyone can beat anyone on a given day if one team plays its best and the more talented team is not prepared. The odds of Mike Krzyzewski not having Team USA prepared for a gold medal game are almost…ZERO, but much stranger things have happened in sports.

Advantage: USA



BOOM, BOOM, PAU! 1

MLB
Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox
Jarrod Parker (7-6, 3.55 ERA) – Athletics vs Chris Sale (13-3, 2.59 ERA, 121 Ks) – White Sox

The A’s have a razor-thin lead in the Wild Card race while the White Sox are clinging to a one game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the A.L. Central division race. Jarrod Parker has been a solid, quality starter this season, but Chris Sale has been lights out and he’s facing an Oakland team that struggles to flip the lights on at the plate.

Oakland could still win this series if Gavin Floyd goes “Gavin Floyd” tonight and the Jekyll and Hyde Francisco Liriano goes “Hyde” tomorrow. But the ChiSox are at home and their bats are sturdy.

Advantages: Game – White Sox, Series – White Sox


Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Ben Sheets (4-1, 1.41 ERA, 23 Ks, 32.0 IP) – Braves vs Jonathon Niese (8-6, 3.82 ERA, 116 Ks)

Ben Sheets has been in beast mode since returning to the rotation in mid July. The Mets have been in choke mode since the same time. The biggest problem for the Mets? The pop in their bats has vanished. That doesn’t bode well when facing a red hot pitcher.

Advantages: Game – Braves, Series – Braves


Monday, August 13

Texas Rangers at New York Yankees
Ryan Dempster (6-5, 2.65 ERA, 95 Ks) – Rangers vs C.C. Sabathina (12-3, 3.56 ERA, 140 Ks) – Yankees

Four words: “Game of the Week”. The two best teams in the American League and two of the best pitchers in the major leagues face off. If you like baseball, you wait and wait and wait for a game like this.

On paper, this game and this series are a toss up. There are a couple of factors that tip the scales in the Yankees’ favor. First, the Yankees are at home. Second, Dempster appears to be having a little discomfort adjusting to American League hitting, which is often more powerful and more emphasized in a manager’s gameplan than National League batting.

This is probably a preview of the American League Championship Series, so get your popcorn ready!

Advantages: Game – Yankees, Series – Yankees

Note: Sabathia was placed on the 15 day disabled list with elbow inflammation after the publication of this Must See Sports. Rookie relief pitcher David Phelps (2-3, 2.42 ERA, 56 Ks, 52.0 IP) will make his fourth start of the season in place of Sabathia. The Hat Trick is not changing its advantage/disadvantage projection for this game or series.

Ryan Dempster vs C.C. Sabathia: It's on like Donkey Kong! I mean the game is like Donkey Kong, not C.C. 3

NFL

Monday Night Football – Preseason Special

Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders

If you aren’t into Major League Baseball, your alternative offering is as good as it gets for a game that doesn’t count. The NFL’s renegade franchise against America’s Team…. Tony Romo vs Carson Palmer…. Sit back, crack open a cold one and enjoy! Only four weeks until the start of the regular season!

Cue the Monday Night Football Theme!!!

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

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Must See Sports - First Week of August 2012

1

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record: 3-3

Must See Sports 2012 record (excluding series): 55-37

Advantage/disadvantage record in series, 2012: 6-7 

Last week was “slim pickings” in Must See Sports. This week, I doubt you’ll be able to watch half of my suggestions, if you’re among the half-dozen people who actually listen to them. The Olympics are in full swing, Major League Baseball is approaching the stretch of its regular season and we have the return of FOOTBALL!

Thursday, August 2

Games of the XXX Olympiad - London 2012 Summer Olympic Games 

Swimming

Men's 100 meter Butterfly
Michael Phelps, USA - Heat 6

Women's 200 meter Backstroke
Missy Franklin, USA - Heat 5

Men's 200 meter Backstroke - FINAL
Ryan Lochte, USA

Men's 200 meter Individual Medley - FINAL
Michael Phelps, USA
Ryan Lochte, USA

Women's 100 meter Freestyle - FINAL
Missy Franklin, USA

I won’t pretend to have an in depth, analytical knowledge of Olympic swimming. But I have seen enough of Phelps, Lochte, Franklin, and other Americans to expect the USA to bring home gold in today’s medal competitions.

Phelps (left) and Franklin (right). 2

Men's Basketball

Group A Preliminary Round
United States vs Nigeria


As much of a fan as I am of New Orleans Hornets forward Al-Farouq Aminu, he is the only NBA player on Nigeria’s roster. This will not be a competition, though I’ll be rooting for him to succeed individually.

Advantage: USA

This is what Team USA did to France back in the 2000 Games in Sydney. The 2012 team is three times as good. Will that mean three times as many "American packages" in a opponent's faces? 3



Yep.... 4

Men's Singles Tennis

Quarterfinal Round


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France vs Novak Djokovic, Serbia & Montenegro

An upset is not completely out of the question. It isn’t likely, either. Djoko rolls….

Advantage: Djokovic


Nicolas Almagro, Spain vs Andy Murray, Great Britain

I expect Murray to pick up the pieces of his pride that he wept onto the court at Wimbledon last month, losing to Roger Federer in the finals.

Advantage: Murray


Kei Nishikori, Japan vs Juan Martin Del Potro, Argentina

The winner gets to become cannon fodder in the medal rounds.

Advantage: Del Potro


Roger Federer, Switzerland vs John Isner, USA

There’s a reason you have not heard much about American men in Olympic tennis after Andy Roddick was eliminated. I’ll wish Isner the best of luck and an upset is not physically impossible (if Federer is sick).

Advantage: Federer

Get used to it, Andy. 5

Women's Tennis Singles

Quarterfinal Round

Petra Kvitová, Czech Republic vs Maria Kirilenko, Russia

I think this match is a toss up, but I will defer to the chalk in my expectation. This match should be as pleasing to the (male) viewer for its competition as much as its visual aesthetics.

Advantage: Kvitová

 
Kim Clijsters, Belgium vs Maria Sharapova, Russia

Both of these ladies are also lovely to look at. Citizens of Russia and fans of Sharapova will enjoy looking at the scoreboard, too.

Advantage: Sharapova



Serena Williams, USA vs Carolina Wozniacki, Denmark

Wozniacki is eye candy, too, but I expect Serena to chew up and spit out a “Danish” in this round.

Advantage: Williams


Victoria Azarenka, Belarus vs Angelique Kerber, Germany

And, a recurring theme in women’s tennis…. Guys, this match will be pleasing to the eyes because of Victoria Azarenka. Whether or not Azarenka makes it appealing to the ears depends on your preferences. On the court, this should be swift and decisive. Azarenka is the #1 WTP ranked player in the world.

Advantage: Azarenka

Sharapova (left) and Cjlisters (right). Cjlisters pulled off a major upset back in 2010 here at the Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Cincinnati, Ohio. I think Sharapova is going to rain some cold, hard facts on Cjlisters with every serve and every return. 6

Friday, August 3

MLB

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers

Justin Masterson (7-9, 4.47 ERA, 107 Ks) - Indians vs Anibal Sanchez (5-8, 4.11 ERA, 113 Ks)

Cleveland is most likely competing for one of the American League Wild Card spots, but their fate had not been sealed in the American League Central Race. I expect the Tigers to further seal it for them, but the games are played for a reason. Cleveland has quietly been playing good, consistent baseball and an Indians series win can truly turn the Central race into a three way competition.

Advantages - Game: Tigers, Series - Tigers

Saturday, August 4

Games of the XXX Olympiad - London 2012 Summer Olympic Games 


Men's Basketball


Group A Preliminary Round
United States vs Lithuania


The Lithuanians don’t have a single member playing professional basketball in America…but they two have two members of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors - Jonas Valančiūnas and Linas Kleiza. Lithuania will play the U.S. a little tougher than some of the other Olympic opponents to date. Still, expect a healthy double-digit victory for Team USA.

Advantage: USA


Women's Tennis Singles

Final Round

Expect two things – 1) Some eye candy 2) A very good, competitive tennis match between two world class tennis players.


MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds
James McDonald (10-5, 3.38 ERA, 115 Ks) - Pirates vs Mike Leake (4-7, 4.44 ERA) - Reds

The National League playoff race and the N.L. Central division race is at the point where any game involving the Reds, Pirates, or St. Louis Cardinals counts. Any series involving two of those three is critical. Cincy is on fire. The Big Red Machine rolls on in this series, but I expect James McDonald to continue his (very quiet) excellence he has had on the mound in this season.

Advantages - Game: Pirates, Series: Reds

Sunday, August 5

NFL

Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio
Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints

Hallelujah! It’s the return of FOOTBALL! Come on everyone…FOOTBALL!!!


I cannot wait to see some pre season football, especially with my New Orleans Saints. The game, of course, succeeds the prior day’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which will include former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Willie Roaf (spent four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs). Also being inducted are running back Curtis Martin (Patriots, Jets), defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (Seahawks), center Dermontti Dawson (Steelers), defensive end Chris Doleman (Vikings, Falcons, 49ers), and cornerback Jack Butler (Steelers).

The last time the Saints faced any Cardinal with a connection to the Hall of Fame (Kurt Warner, middle, future HOF-er), it led to some trouble down the line for the Black & Gold. 10 

Games of the XXX Olympiad - London 2012 Summer Olympic Games 

Beach Volleyball


Women's Quarterfinal Round


I am going to go out on a limb and assume that two time gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the Unites States will be in this round. This is yet another example of women’s sports at it best. Good competition to follow…lovely athletic bodies to observe.

This was a picture from the 2008 semifinals. Expect the same in 2012. 7

Men's Tennis Singles

Final Round

Expect this to look like, seemingly, every men’s Grand Slam final – with someone named Federer or Djokovic to be competing in this round.



Monday, August 6

Men's Basketball


Games of the XXX Olympiad - London 2012 Summer Olympic Games 


Group A Preliminary Round
United States vs Argentina


This will be the toughest Group A matchup for Team USA. Argentina has four talented NBA players on its roster, including one possible future Basketball Hall of Fame member in Manu Ginobli (Spurs). Also on Argentina’s roster are Luis Scola (Suns), Carlos Delfino (Bucks), and Pablo Prigioni (Knicks). Argentina could make Team USA sweat and you can count on the Argentinean NBA players to be psyched up for this game.

Advantage: USA

MLB

New York Yankees at Detroit TigersIvan Nova (10-5, 4.53 ERA, 119 Ks) - Yankees vs Justin Verlander (11-7, 2.63 ERA, 152 Ks) - Tigers

The Yankees continue to remain hot while the Tigers appear to be surging at the best possible time, after a so-so start. I think the Yanks are better and have the advantage in this series, but I do not expect them to win a matchup starting Ivan Nova against Justin Verlander, who is in the running for a second consecutive American League Cy Young award.

Advantages - Game: Tigers, Series: Yankees

If you are at the plate and you see this, don't let your seat on the bench get too cold. 8

Wednesday, August 8

Games of the XXX Olympiad - London 2012 Summer Olympic Games 


Men's Basketball


Quarterfinal Round

The Americans will be in it. The Americans will win it. I’m going to take a huge gamble and say that team USA will win this round without even knowing the opponent.


Advantage: USA

Having another man's nuts in your face has to get old. Then again, this dunk was against France. Just sayin'.... 9

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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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