Dallas Sports, I love you but you’re bringing me down
November 17, 2008
In the last few days I’ve had multiple people ask me what was wrong, there seems to be a an air of gloom hanging over me that people are catching that I seem to be completely ignoring. And, while I try to deny it there’s a smidge of truth to their questions, there obviously has been spotty work done on this site in the last bit of this year, and although I try to chalk it up to my work done during the election season the fact of the matter is I may be suffering from sports exhaustion. [Read more]
Sunday Night Foot…er World Series sorta live blog: chiffarobe edition
October 26, 2008
And, we’re sorta live and sorta watching the World Series! Why is the no football tonight? Well, mainly because the NFL doesn’t want to be a 6 foot 4 black man and attack “America’s favorite past time” while dully carves it’s logo into the wheezing cheek of Major League Baseball. Tonight’s blog is gonna be bullet point style, and be forewarned I’m going to dance over the corpse of the GOP as much as possible. So, sit back, have a beer, and let’s watch some baseball. [Read more]
Phillies vs. Rays - This time, it’s personal!
October 21, 2008
Yes, folks, its that time of the year. The Fall Classic. The World Series. Sweet Lady October. No matter what you call it, this is the time of the season where legends are made. We’ve got two excellent teams squaring off in the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays, although MLB can’t be too excited about the ratings possibilities. However, ratings aside, we are definitely in store for a very exciting series between two very evenly matched teams. Let’s get to the preview!
Philadelphia Phillies:
- How they got here: After winning the NL East, the Phillies took out the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round 3-1 and they were victorious in the NLCS over the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1.
- Key Players: Obviously, you have to look at the big three on offense: Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. All three have struggled so far this postseason, batting .243, .258 and .250 respectively. That being said, they are three very talented players, with two MVP awards between them, so don’t think for a second that you can count them out as factors. On the pitching side, keep an eye out for Cole Hamels. He is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA this postseason, and with him slated as the game 1 starter, he could possibly start three games this series, if it goes the distance. If the games are close, we’re sure to see Brad Lidge come in to seal the deal. Although he has had playoff issues in the past (see Pujols, Albert), he has yet to blow a save this season, including five saves in the playoffs with a 1.23 ERA.
- X Factor: Shane Victorino. The flyin’ Hawaiin has carried the Phillies on his back offensively with the struggles of the big three. He is batting .281 with two home runs and 11 RBI’s. Also, keep an eye on Pat Burrell - he’s batting .300 with 3 big flys and 7 ribeyes!
- Heart Warming Story: The elder statesman, Jamie Moyer, is set to make his first appearance in the World Series when he takes the hill for game three in Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Rays:
- How they got here: After winning the AL East, the Rays defeated the Chicago White Sox 3-1 in the first round and they prevailed in an exciting ALCS over the Boston Red Sox 4-3.
- Key Players: It’s hard to name just a few players in this spot, but the story starts with Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, and Carlos Peña. Combined this postseason they are batting .300 with 16 home runs (7 by Upton, 6 by Longoria) and 34 RBI’s. If the Rays can continue to get on base for these guys, it could be a long series for the Fightin’ Phils (and by long, I mean short). Don’t sleep on this pitching staff either - Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine have both won twice this postseason (including Garza’s game seven masterpiece against the Sox) with ERA’s under 3.50. Scott Kazmir is a strikeout master who will give this team 5-6 quality innings everytime he is on the mound.
- X Factor: David Price. The young man started this season playing Class A ball, and had 14 innings of big league experience under his belt when he took the mound in the bottom of the 8th of game seven with the bases loaded and a red-hot J.D. Drew at the dish. He would strike out Drew to end the threat and finish off the game in the 9th to clinch the pennant for the Rays. This kid has a wicked fastball and a wicked slider, with a change-up that is solid enough to keep any hitter off balance. The confidence he gained with his game seven success can’t be discounted, and we can expect to see him in some big spots this series, possibly as the new closer in place of the ineffective Dan Wheeler.
- Heart Warming Story: Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli have languished with this franchise through most of its first ten years of futility. Now they get to enjoy the thrills of a postseason appearance and a league championship, with the possibility of more champagne showers to come.
One quick side note: The former GM of the Rays, Chuck LaMar, who drafted and traded for a lot of the pieces that have turned this Rays club into a winner, is now the head of pro scouting for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Prediction: As I said earlier, these teams are very evenly matched in all facets of the game, and we are definitely in for a real treat (at least those of us who tune in to watch). With that being said, I’m gonna have to give my nod to the team with the home-field advantage. Tampa Bay Rays in 7.
It’s summer time…
June 22, 2008
which means a few things, the cloths get skimpier, the beach gets packed, baseball is the only game in town, and the music in the clubs get’s hotter. [Read more]
Yankee haters rejoice!
June 16, 2008
Chein-Ming Wang is out till September, so our hope to see the Rays in the playoffs and yankees sitting at home has an even better shot! Woo hoo!
Hamilton vs. Volquez: The Fans Decide
June 3, 2008
The biggest story in the DFW sports world right now is the amazing play of Josh Hamilton. That being said, the pitcher the Rangers traded for Josh Hamilton, Edinson Volquez, is excelling for the Cincinnati Reds. It is no secret that the major need for the Texas Rangers since the franchise came to pass has been pitching. So, should the Rangers have made this trade? Let’s take a look at the stats:
Hamilton: .331 BA, 16 HR, 65 RBI, .977 FPCT, 3 Assists…in addition, Hamilton has established himself as an early MVP candidate, as well as an early contender for the triple crown…Josh also finds himself standing second in Outfield All-Star voting in the American League.
Volquez: 7-2, 1.46 ERA, 68.0 IP, 47 H, 83 SO….so far this season Volquez has established himself as the clear ace of the Reds rotation…He is an early season candidate for the NL Cy Young…if his performance continues he will have a very convincing case to start the all-star game.
We here at The King’s Court want you to sound off on the Hamilton/Volquez deal. Should the trade have been made? Who has benefited the most from the swap? Email your responses to questions@kingscourtradio.com and we will discuss the results on a future show!
- Sean
