SB Nation User Blog: bucknellbruin

Could the Dodgers Make a Run at Brandon Phillips?

bucknellbruin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:30:33 -0000

Could the Dodgers Make a Run at Brandon Phillips?

An intriguing possibility, considering we're unlikely to retain Hudson and Phillips is an upgrade over Belliard (since I doubt he repeats last September over a full year). We have a SS (DeJesus) and a catcher (May) that fit the Reds' needs.

Sports Illustrated FAIL 4) Red-hot Redbirds These are two teams that have been moving in opposite...

bucknellbruin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:56:46 -0000

Sports Illustrated FAIL

4) Red-hot Redbirds

These are two teams that have been moving in opposite directions. The Dodgers successfully weathered Ramirez's 50-game suspension and on July 22 were 61-34 (.642), the best record in baseball by 3 1/2 games. Since then, however, they've barely been above .500, going just 34-33 down the stretch. Conversely, the Cardinals were only 51-46 on that date but went an NL-best 40-25 (.615) to finish the season, including a torrid 20-6 August.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_lemire/10/06/dodgers.cardinals/index.html?eref=sihpT1

Playoff Thoughts - Is it in our best interest to LOSE these 2 games?

bucknellbruin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:51:47 -0000

Some members of TBLA, along with Dodger fans everywhere, are in a state of full panic over the struggles the team has gone though lately. With a 6.5 game lead with 7 to go, only a choke of epic proportions would've lost us the division. Yet here we are, only 2 losses away from being stuck with the wild card and the #4 seed in what's looking like the toughest NL postseason in some time. Which brings up my point: Would we be better served for the playoffs if we lost these games?

Here's my reasoning. If we do end up winning a game, and the division, we most likely get St. Louis (with home field). If we fall to the wild card, we get Philly (without home field). To me, the Phillies match-up sounds much more appealing. The Phillies are the worst home team in the league of all playoff teams, and the best road team overall. They have a lefty-filled lineup, and our pitching staff's 1-2 punch are both lefties - both of whom are death to left handed hitters. Not to mention the bullpen trio of Kuo, Sherrill, and Brox, all of whom have better stats against lefties.

Meanwhile, as much pub as the Phillies have gotten over the Cliff Lee ~~signing~~ trade, the Cardinals rotation (and bullpen) are much better. We all know what the Cards pitching can do. Carpenter, Wainright, Piniero and co. have been dominant in the 2nd half especially, and the bullpen (with the exception of last night) has been lights out. Meanwhile, to say that the Phillies pen is a mess would be an understatement. They have no closer, their setup man is trying to close and failing, and the rest of the pen is mediocre at best. The only major problem with facing the Phillies is that Ethier would be going against lefties in games 1 and 2 on the road. Ouch.

After the NLDS (assuming we win) is where this theory gets dicey. Obviously we don't want to play the Cardinals in St. Louis 4 times. But check out the Colorado-St. Louis season series. Colorado leads 6-1, including a 4 game sweep in St. Louis in June. Sure, the Cards are playing a lot better now. But that thought of the sweep will still be there. It's a different Cardinal team, but the Rox should still have all the confidence in the world that they can beat them.

So if that does happen and we get the Rockies in the NLCS, we all know our record against them. Even if we do get swept here, we'll take the season series 12-6 - including 7-2 at Coors. To me, the Rockies don't have an advantage at home against us, because the huge park plays into the hands of our gap power. I think we would easily take the Rockies in a playoff series (provided we start playing better, obviously)

So there you have it. It's a bit hopeful, as the Rockies will definitely be the underdog against St. Louis. But to be honest, I don't want to play the Cards, and I think the Rockies have the best chance to beat them. Meanwhile, I think we'd be favored over Philly even on the road (maybe not in Vegas, but I personally think we'd win), along with against Colorado. Every team wants to win the division, and no one wants to be remembered for such a huge choke. But instead of panicking, Dodger fans, think about it: Do we help our world series hopes by losing these games?

Mandel of SI.com picks UW over SC

bucknellbruin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:08:29 -0000

Mandel of SI.com picks UW over SC

Last pick - his upset special. I'm actually starting to think UW has a chance in that game...how great would that upset be?

NCAA President Myles Brand dies at 67

bucknellbruin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:20:45 -0000

ESPN.com has a short blurb on his passing (more will coming I'm sure)

NCAA president Myles Brand died Wednesday after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Brand, 67, was diagnosed with the disease in January.

Personally, this news came as a shock to me - I had no idea Brand had cancer. So first off, condolences are necessary to all of his family and friends, along with everyone he affected as NCAA president. I think he did a lot of really great things for the NCAA, and it's a sad day for college sports as a whole.

We all had our issues with Brand in terms of what he did (or hasn't done) with the JC across town. There will be a time for going over all that and talking about what the next president may or may not do differently regarding that situation. But for now, let me just be the first here at BN to wish Myles' family well.

Also, check out Pat Forde's story linked to on the main ESPN story. It's a good read, and says a lot more about him than I would be able to.

RIP Myles.

Kiper gives ATV some love: At 5-11, 180 pounds, Verner isn't nearly as imposing, but he's not...

bucknellbruin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:02:12 -0000

Kiper gives ATV some love:

At 5-11, 180 pounds, Verner isn't nearly as imposing, but he's not afraid to come up and make a tackle -- and showed as much on several occasions against Tennessee. He's smooth in his backpedal and blessed with very good anticipation (he had an interception against the Vols), and I like his chances for success at the next level.

The rest is under ESPN insider so I don't know what else he says. If you have an insider account take a look at the rest of the article

ATV Talk - Insider

CFN.com tells it like it is

bucknellbruin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:47:08 -0000

CFN.com tells it like it is

Finally some real analysis in the world. These guys all have the idea...it was ugly and the offense didn't do much, but WE WON the game. UT did not give it to us. Glad someone else finally sees it that way

MLB.com uses the mystical "a word" referring to Kershaw (emphasis mine). Division leaders will be...

bucknellbruin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:25:40 -0000

MLB.com uses the mystical "a word" referring to Kershaw (emphasis mine).

Division leaders will be hoping to add on to their leads with several aces taking the mound on Friday with many new crucial weekend series starting up.

The Tigers' Justin Verlander will try to tame the Rays, the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw will aim to top the Padres, the Cardinals' Adam Wainwright will look to beat the Pirates and the Phillies' Cliff Lee will try to continue his run of dominance in the NL against Astros.

MLB.com weekend preview

CRN appears on Dan Patrick Radio

bucknellbruin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:34:14 -0000

CRN appears on Dan Patrick Radio

The hightlights are printed; click on the red bar to listen to the entire segment

Tom Cable Punches Out His Assistant...

bucknellbruin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:10:01 -0000

Tom Cable Punches Out His Assistant...

Must've been a pretty hard punch to fracture the guy's jaw...