PIGSKIN 2018: Divisional Playoffs

PIGSKIN

DIVISIONAL 

PLAYOFFS

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine
Week Ten

Week Eleven
Thanksgiving Day
Week Twelve
Week Thirteen
Week Fourteen
Week Fifteen
Week Sixteen
Week Seventeen
Wild Card Round

SCOREBOARD

Wild Card Weekend Record:  1-2-1

Overall Record:  96-124-11
Bagels in the Basket:  -45
*Playoffs: three bagels per game.

SATURDAY

Friday Line NYDN

Colts +5 1/2 (CHIEFS)

There's the Chiefs who started the season 9-2, and then there's the Chiefs post Kareem Hunt.  Kansas City's offense has not been the same since releasing their miscreant running back.  They finished 3-2 over their final five, twice defeating the moribund Raiders, and barely overcoming the Ravens.  Their two losses came against the Chargers and Seahawks (both playoff contenders).  With one less thing to worry about, how then do the Colts stop Patrick Mahomes?  Answer: their defensive front must be disciplined; the edge rushers must maintain their lane.  They don't have to sack Mahomes, they merely need to contain him; turn him into a pocket passer; make him play by the book; force him to read and react.  Just don't let him create plays on the run.  That's when the best laid plans go awry.  On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs this season have allowed an average of 26.3 points per game.  If Andrew Luck was able to generate 21-points last week against the Texans, how do you suppose he'll do against the worst defense among this weekend's contestants?  The Colts are arguably the hottest team in football.  They enter Saturday's game on a five game win streak, and winners of 10 of their last 11 games.  And unlike the Chiefs (minus Kareem Hunt), Marlon Mack brings balance to the the Colts offense.  Therefore, it is with great confidence I take the points.
Loss; 31-13 Chiefs

RAMS -7 (Cowboys)

On the heels of their victory over Seattle, the past week has been filled with talk of Dallas having finally figured things out; how Jason Garrett is proving Jerry Jones correct insofar as being a good coach; and Dak Prescott evolving into a more effective game leader.  I don't buy it.  My unhealthy bias aside, they are 8-1 over their last nine, which includes two victories over the Eagles, and a classic smash-mouth beat down of the Saints.  The Cowboys were second behind only the Bears in the NFC in fewest points allowed.  Back in Week Fourteen, the Rams were humbled by the Bears, limited to just two field goals in a 15-6 loss.  Jarred Goff threw four INT's that game.  Question is, can the Cowboys defense treat the Rams similarly?  Like I said, they did it to Drew Brees and the Saints - smash mouth all the way.  However, Goff doesn't seem likely to throw four INT's, and Todd Gurley appears ready for full time duty again.  L.A.'s defense is good, not great.  With the addition of Amari Cooper, Dallas could potentially hang with L.A. if this turns into a shootout.  But that's when it gets sketchy.  Who makes the mistakes?  If anyone, I believe Dak Prescott would be the one throwing an untimely pick (eh hem .. Tony Romo).  A seven point spread is the best repellent against even the strongest conviction.  Yet, somehow, someway, I still believe the Rams figure this out.  But, yes, this has upset written all over it.
WIN; 30-22 Rams

SUNDAY

Friday Line NYDN

PATRIOTS -4 (Chargers)

All season long I've been calling the Chargers a paper tiger.  They've been making me eat my words of late, but I'm not about to back down now.  If you wanna be the man, you gotta beat the man.  Philip Rivers, this means you ... Wooo!  Vegas seems to be a little skittish regarding this game, and perhaps for good reason.  These teams appear fairly equal ... on paper.  But until someone finally knocks the Patriots off the mountain top, I'm sticking with Tom Brady at Foxboro.  No team comes off bye weeks better than New England.  This is Bill Belichick's ideal post-season scenario: two weeks of healing and preparation, and home field advantage.  The Chargers are 7-1 on the road this season, but the Patriots are undefeated at Foxboro.  Maybe this is the year a team finally comes into Gillette Stadium and kicks New England's ass up and down the field.  The Chargers appear poised to do just that.  They're a legitimately good team and are well coached.  But the onus remains on them to prove the NFL pundits wrong.  I happen to think the Patriots defense is underrated, and I'm betting Sunday they prove me right.  Four points is a very friendly spread.
WIN; 41-28 Patriots

SAINTS -8 (Eagles)

I have no doubt the Saints win this game.  They're on to something big.  I think they jump out to an early lead, and ultimately outlast the Eagles, just not in the same convincing 48-7 manner as Week Ten.  But like the Rams/Cowboys game, this is another law abiding recreational gambler's nightmare ... if not worse.  The force is strong with Nick Foles.  He somehow compels the Eagles to achieve greatness.  The Saints playing at dome sweet dome is all nice and well, but in all my decades watching this game the darnedest things imaginable to transpire on a football field often involve the Eagles.  This week should be no different.  This is also an interesting clash between head coaches.  They're gonna throw everything in the book at each other.  That Sean Payton is a vicious competitor.  Should be fun ... less so for Eagles fans.  Vegas is begging people to bet on Philly, but I'm not biting.
Loss; 20-14 Saints

Post Game
Division Round Record:  2-2
Overall Record:  98-126-11
Bagels in the Basket:  -45

The Rivalry: Islanders vs. Rangers III

From the desks of:

NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

The Rivalry

Islanders lead season series 2-1

I - NYI 7; NYR 5

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

Thursday

Islanders   4

Rangers    3

FINAL

S'up!  Guess who's finally paying attention ...

Baseball withdrawal effects me differently from season to season.  This year hit me especially hard, and took a little longer to shake.  But for good reason, I was compounded with Red Sox hangover.  To that affect, I'll only say it's a family matter ... and man(!) was it a lot of fun.  Otherwise, it usually takes me about three weeks during a normal year to start shaking my pom-poms over football.  This year for a change I was actually engaged by Week One.  As the days go by I tend to slip into a hockey frame of mind somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving, with basketball not far behind.  This year, no such thing.  Basketball was first to regain my attention, I'd say about a month ago.  Halfway through the hockey season and only now am I joining the fray.  I can not explain it, that's just me.  As the state or condition of my respective teams of interests have no bearing on when I mentally check in.  I any event, here I am ...


N.Y. ISLANDERS: Hot to Trotz.

Imagine what could have been in 2012-2013; imagine winning that first round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Imagine following up in 2013-2014 with another upwards leap in the standings, as opposed to falling flat on their ass and failing to make the playoffs.  Then imagine back-to-back 100-point seasons and actually advancing beyond the second round.  Such were the best years under former coach Jack Capuano, whom was fired midway through the 2016-2017 season.  The Islanders predominant deficiencies throughout this era lay in net and along the blue line, which invariably meant Garth Snow, with head coach coming in a not too distant third.

Enter Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz.  While on the one hand Lamoriello has yet to dramatically impact the active roster, Barry Trotz has taken essentially the same personnel Doug Weight coached last season and transformed them into the one of the top defensive teams in the league.  For the moment, the Islanders are tied with the Boston Bruins for fewest goals allowed.  With Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Rangers, the Islanders move up two notches into seventh place of the Eastern Conference standings.  They improve their record to 24-14-4, which is only slightly better than last year's 21-18-4 with John Tavares still in uniform.

And there's the rub ...

While Tavares gets to don his Maple Leaf pajamas every night, the arrival of Barry Trotz is a perfect instance where coaching and structure are making a world of difference.  Puts both Weight and Capuano in different perspective, to say the least.


N.Y. RANGERS: You Can Not Be Disappointed With What You Do Not Expect.

The Rangers last year issued a statement saying they were going into full rebuild mode.  So why is everyone treating this season like some apocalypse?  Did some not get the message?  That being said, I will be utterly disappointed if Jeff Gorton does not continue the purge he initiated last season.  As Mats Zuccarello said on MSG channel after Thursday night's game, "This sucks!"

Yes it does, and that's why Gorton needs to continue full bore into this rebuild.  In the meantime, I'll bide my time concerning myself with what will become of last year's blue line acquisitions: Rob O'Gara, Yegor Rykov, Ryan Lindgren, and Libor Hajek.

I'll say this much about David Quinn: the Rangers temperament is much improved.  Despite a 17-19-7 record, I find the post-Alain Vigneault Rangers quite refreshing.  Their improved level of physicality and overall grittiness has not gone unnoticed.

Brooklyn Nets: The Joy of Sixth

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

WEDNESDAY

Hawks  100

NETS   116

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Playing .764 Ball Since Snapping Eight Game Skid Back on Dec. 7 Against Toronto.

Brooklyn's hard work is going under-spoken.  Very simply, the local media is generally ignoring what is presently the better story in town.

But I'll save that for another day ...

In my humble opinion, Kenny's Kids have earned enough credibility this season to at least have last Monday's lopsided loss at Boston expunged from of our collective short-term memories.  Both teams entered that game tied for the the best record against Atlantic Division opponents.

The Nets season was off to an 8-10 start when on Nov. 13 Caris Levert sustained a foot injury.  Yet, the players remained committed to each other, exhibiting commendable resiliency throughout their ensuing eight-game losing streak.  After which, their continuing perseverance in the face of more recent and mounting injuries should likewise be applauded.  Already playing minus Caris LeVert, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Allen Crabbe, the Nets now lose Jared Dudley during Wednesday night's 116-100 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays.

Their victory over the Hawks gives them 21 for the season (21-22), to date, which presently ranks them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the Heat and Hornets.  This season in particular has been an education in finishing and closing out games.  That being said, the Nets are now closer to the end of the season than its start.  In the aftermath of LeVert's injury and their ensuing eight-game slide, the Nets are 13-4 over their last 17 games.

In Kenny Atkinson's first ever season (2016-2017) as a head coach, the Nets finished with a 20-62 record.  Last season, the Nets did not win their 21st game until Mar. 8 (against 45 losses), en route to a 28-52 season.  This season, the Nets win their 21st game on Jan. 9, which by the way evens the Nets record (11-11) at home, finally.

However, they're still -0.4 in point differential.

They've nevertheless set themselves up for what should be a interesting, if not very entertaining second-half of the season (trade deadline, included).

I'll simply leave off by reaffirming my belief that Flatbush is absolutely going about this the right way.

Winter League Updates: Wild Night in Mexico; Cuban Final Four

Winter League Beisbol

ROUND ONE

MEXICO

Round One:

1/8/2019 - In a bid to force game seven, former NYM Oliver Perez joins five other Culiacan Tomateros pitchers in throwing a combined no-hitter through eight full innings.  Entering the top of the ninth inning in a scoreless game, Jalisco outfielder Stephen Cardullo draws a two-out walk.  Catcher Gabriel Gutierrez then breaks up the no-hitter and ruins the shutout with an RBI double, giving the Charros the lead, an eventual 1-0 victory, and a series upset over the top seed Tomateros.

1/8/2019 - Los Yaquis de Obregon break a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the ninth to force a game seven against Mazatlan.

• (#5) Caneros de Los Mochis win series vs. (#2) Naranjeros de Hermosillo; 4-2.
• (#6) Charros de Jalisco win series vs. (#1) Culiacan Tomateros; 4-2.
• (#3) Yaquis de Obregon vs. (#4) Venados de Mazatlan series tied 3-3.
• 1/9 UPDATE: (#4) Venados de Mazatlan win series vs. Yaquis de Obregon; 4-3

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Round Robin Standings: games run through Jan. 14

1. Estrellas de Orientales   7-5
2. Leones de Escogito        7-5
3. Toros de Este                 7-5
4. Tigres de Licey               3-9

Player Affiliations:

• Orientales:  40 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Matt Pobereyko); 7 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Escogito:  41 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Arquimedess; Carlos Hernandez); 12 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Toros de Estes:  40 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Jenrry Mejia; Tim Peterson; Dominic Smith); 16 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Licey:  38 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Dilson Herrera; Rymer Liriano); 13 listed on 40-man rosters.

PUERTO RICO

Round Robin Standings: games run through Jan. 21

1. Indios de Mayaguez          4-0
2. Cangrejeros de Santurce  2-2
3. Gigantes de Carolina        0-4

Player Affiliations:

• Mayaguez:  28 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Thomas Nido TJ Rivera; Joshua Torres); 7 listed on 40-man rosters.  
• Santurce:  9 MLB affiliated players; 2 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Carolina:  15 MLB affiliated players; 1 listed on 40-man roster.

VENEZUELA

Round One: games runs through Jan. 11

• (#5) Cardenales de Lara win series vs. (#2) Bravos de Margarita; 4-1
• (#6) Caribes de Anzoategui lead series vs. (#1) Navegantes de Magallanes; 3-2.
• (#3) Leones de Caracas lead series vs. (#4) Tigres de Aragua; 3-2
• Game Six: Jan. 10
• Game Seven (if necessary): Jan. 11

Player Affiliations:

• Magallanes:  18 MLB affiliated players; 3 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Margarita:  24 MLB affiliated players; 3 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Caracas:  16 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Luis Carpio); 2 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Aragua:  19 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Jose Garcia); 6 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Lara:  30 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Roberts Colina; Boris Sanchez; Edward Paredes); 1 listed on 40-man roster.
• Anzoategui:  20 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Yeizo Campos); 3 listed on 40-man rosters.

CUBA: BeisbolCUBA

(#1-Wild Card Round/Field of Sixteen/45 Game Schedule) Villa Clara finish first with 28-17 record.
(#2-Second Stage/Top Six/60 Game Schedule) Las Tunas finish first with 34-26 record.

Round Three/Semi-Finals: best of seven

• (#1) Las Tunas lead series vs. (#4) Ciego de Avila; 3-0.
• (#2) Villa Clara leads series vs. (#3) Santi Spiritus; 3-1.

Winners advance to Grand Final Series.

* NOTE: no distinction made between active/reserve affiliated players.

Another Metsian Podcast: Bringing in the New Year with Metstradamus

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with Sam, Rich, and Mike

Season Two; Episode One

Feature guest: John Coppinger, aka

Metstradamus of the Sports Daily

76-Minutes

Happy New Year Stuff

The Continuing Adventures of Brodie Van Wagenen

Parting with prospects; is BVW draining the system?

Trades ~ Waivers ~ Free Agent Signings ~ Minor League Deals

Keon Broxton ~ Walker Lockett ~ JD Davis

Kevin Plawecki ~ Edwin Diaz' elbow ~ Ross Adolph

Mets money; bad contracts; the predictable economy; no Bryce Harper

Jorday Valdespin, "I'm the man right now!"

Lance Johnson ~ Amed Rosario ~ Juan Lagares

Collin Cowgill ~ Michael Cuddyer

and so much more.

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Open Conference Schedule With Mixed Results

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Foiled by Sacred Heart, Flatbush bows to Pioneers in Northeast Conference opener. 

NEC OPENER

LIU Brooklyn  75

SHU Pioneers  79

Raiquan Clark leads all players with 38-minutes and 28-points scored; Julian Batts leads all players with ten rebounds; even Jashaun Agosto leads the floor with seven assists; albeit all in a losing effort.  SHU's three-point shooting and 19-points from the charity line would ultimately prove the difference in this game.  LIU falls behind by fifteen midway through the first session, and trails by eighteen with five minutes left, before reducing their deficit to eight by halftime.  The Blackbirds finally knot things up in the second session on Raiquain Clark's 3-pointer at the 13:49 mark, then build a five point lead on another 3-pointer by Raul Frias with 11:01 remaining.  Sacred Heart would regroup.  In the meantime, a layup by Julian Batts would keep LIU staked to a one point lead with just 1:25 left on the clock.  But it's the Pioneers who would eventually close out the game on a 4-0 run to secure victory by a 79-75 final.

SATURDAY FINAL

LIU Blackbirds   79

SHU Pioneers     70

Brooklyn closes out their three game road trip at Rhode Island, with a 79-70 victory over the Bryant University Bulldogs on Saturday.  Julian Batts leads all scorers with an even 20-points, with Raiquan Clark adding 19-points, four boards, and a team leading three blocks.  Ty Flowers notches a double-double with ten points and a game high 12 rebounds.  The Bulldogs finish with five players scoring in double-digits, but as a team only shoot (23/58) 39.7% from the field.  Flatbush in turn oppresses Bryant with 10/23 from beyond the arc, and 21-points from the line.

The victory is Brooklyn's first against a conference opponent, and brings their overall record back up to par, including a 5-5 mark on the road.  They return home to the Ashland Place gym on Jan. 10 where they'll host the Red Flash of Saint Francis University.


NEC NOTES

• Sacred Heart and Robert Morris lead the pack early on with 2-0 records.  Central Connecticut and Mount St. Mary's bookend the conference with 0-2 records.  The rest of the field is 1-1, to date.  St. Francis/Brooklyn leads with nine overall victories, and are so far undefeated (5-0) at home.  LIU Brooklyn is the only team playing at least .500 on the road.

Winter League Baseball: Venezuela Opens First Round Playoffs

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

VENEZUELA

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

est. 1945

ROUND ONE

(through Jan. 11)

Magallanes lead series 2-0

Caribes de Anzoategui

vs.

Navegantes de Magallanes

Series tied 1-1

Bravos de Margarita

vs.

Cardenales de Lara

Leones lead series 2-0

Tigres de Aragua

vs.

Leones de Caracas

Scoreboard, Boxscores, Gameday

ICYMI:

• Puerto Rico 
• Mexico 
• Dominican Republic

PIGSKIN 2018: Wild Card Weekend

PIGSKIN

NATIONAL  FOOTBALL  LEAGUE

WILD CARD WEEKEND

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine
Week Ten

Week Eleven
Thanksgiving Day
Week Twelve
Week Thirteen
Week Fourteen
Week Fifteen
Week Sixteen
Week Seventeen

Scoreboard:

Week Seventeen Record:  7-9

Overall Record:  95-122-10

Schmear of the Week:  9-7

Bagels in the Basket:  -39

*Starting this week and through Championship Sunday, each game is now worth three Bagels apiece.

WILD SATURDAY

Friday Line ~ NYP

Colts +1 1/2 (TEXANS)

I hate going against the Texans whom started the season 0-3, then steamrolled to an 11-2 record in their final 13 games.  However, they enter the playoffs just 2-2 over their last four games.  And despite fielding one of the better defensive units in the league, the Colts have tightened up their defense as well.  After starting the season just 1-5, Indy finished the season winning 9 of their last 10 games.  In the final analysis, who do you trust more: Andrew Luck or Deshaun Watson?  Las Vegas doesn't seem to be giving the Texans much respect as the home team.  I think they're right.  These teams faced-off just four short weeks ago at Houston where the Colts won by three.  Back in Week Four, Houston won by three points at Indy.  I see no reason to go against this trend; Luck looks sharp as ever; take the road dog and the points.
WIN; 21-7 Colts  

Seahawks +2 (COWBOYS)

Let me just come right out and say it: this is when Jerry's World comes crashing down, again. Winning the NFC East does not impress me the slightest bit.  I'd even argue it was gifted to them, as the Cowboys were met with little resistance within their division, evidenced by a 5-1 record. Both these teams finished the season with identical 10-6 records, but Seattle's season strikes me as the greater achievement.  Like the Houston Texas, Las Vegas seems to agree.  This spread suggests that if the Seahawks were home they'd be favored by five.  Both teams rush the ball well.  Therefore the onus is on head coach Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson vs. Jason Garrett and Dak Prescott.  Which pair is likely to mismanage a particular situation or the game itself?  My money is on the Cowboy combo.  Russell Wilson has been through this before, and as a former Super Bowl winner he's been carrying the team like leaders can, and do.  Dak Prescott is still the grasshopper.  One mistake from him is all Seattle needs.
PUSH; 24-22 Cowboys

WILD SUNDAY
Saturday Line ~ NYP

RAVENS -3 (Chargers)

I've been calling the Los Angeles Chargers a paper tiger all season.  Now we'll see how right or dead wrong I've been.  Two of the AFC's top defensive teams (Jaguars, Titans) didn't even make the playoffs, while another top defensive team (Texans) just got eliminated by the Colts.  The Chargers defense may be on par with still relevant New England's, but they're no where near as good as the AFC best Ravens - the only AFC team to allow less than 300-points this season (only the Bears have allowed fewer, and not by much).  The Ravens have been a run intensive team ever since the benching Joe Flacco in favor of Lamar Jackson.  If they continue creating daylight with effectiveness and thereby control of the clock, Philip Rivers stays put on the sidelines.  However, easier said than done.  Lamar Jackson must reward what should be a supreme defensive effort his defense.  The Ravens defeated the Bolts in Week Sixteen, limiting them to just ten points at Los Angeles.  Now the Bolts come east for an early game, or should I say 10:00am California time.
Loss; 23-17 Chargers

BEARS -6 1/2 (Eagles)

Nick Foles throws a monkey wrench into this whole equation.  Once considered a fluke, the Eagles are proven winners when he's in the game.  Were it not for him, Eagles perhaps do not make the playoffs.  Now what?  For starters, the Bears field the best defense in football, and were one of five NFC teams to eclipse 400-points scored this season.  The Bears are also 7-1 at home.  This is Mitch Trubisky's time to shine.  Lets see what he can do.  Otherwise, Philly getting this far is a nice story, but it ends at Chicago.
Loss; 16-15 Eagles


Wild Card Weekend Record:  1-2-1
Overall Record:  96-124-11
Bagels in the Basket:  -45

Winter League Baseball: Dominican Republic Awaiting Arrival of Robinson Cano

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Republica Dominicana

est. 1951

ROUND ROBIN

(Through Jan. 14)

TOROS de ESTE

LEONES de ESCOGITO

TIGRES de LICEY

ESTRELLAS de ORIENTALES

Scoreboard, Boxscores, Gameday

N.Y. Mets: Winter League Roundup

• Robinson Cano is awaiting permission from the New York Mets to participate in the Dominican League postseason round robin tournament, according to LIDOM.com.  While still a member of the Seattle Mariners, the article says Cano promised los Estrellas de Orientales he would join the club should they qualify for round robin play.  The Stars held up their end of the deal by clinching a first place regular season finish with a league best 29-21 record.  Round robin play is already nine games into the tourney, with los Estrellas trailing the first place Toros by two games.  Cano, 36-years old, appeared in 80 games last season for the Mariners, slashing .303/.374.471, with 10 home runs and 50 RBI.

• Dilson Herrera, traded to Cincinnati in the Jay Bruce deal and since reacquired, is playing with los Tigres de Licey.  He perfectly exemplifies the unpredictability of prospects: to trade, or not trade away the future.  The Jay Bruce trade never sat well with me, due to my want for Herrera playing alongside Amed Rosario, and being defensively strong up the middle.  Suffice it to say Herrera has thus far proven himself to be somewhat of a bust.

• Juan Lagares appeared in seven games with los Aguilas de Cibaenas, going 6 for 20, with three extra-base hits.  The Eagles did not qualify for round robin play.  The oft injured Lagares, who turns 30-years old in March, finds himself square in the Mets center field mix again after  appearing in just 30 games last season, and averaging just 67 games played over his last three seasons.

• Old friend Jenrry Mejia is pitching for los Toros.  After eight starts, he owns a 2.22 ERA and 1.06 WHiP, allowing 24 hits through 28.1 innings pitched with 19 strikeouts.

• Beleaguered first baseman Dom Smith is also playing with los Toros, batting just .133 after seven games and 30 at-bats.

• Keep an eye on soon to be 28-year old right-hand reliever Tim Peterson, hurling for los Toros.  He completed his first full season at triple-A Las Vegas last season after two full tours at Binghamton.  At Vegas, he fanned 55 batters in 38.2 innings pitched last season for the 51s.  He has so far appeared in 14 winter games, posting four saves with a 3.07 ERA and 0.75 WHiP through 14.2 innings, and 21 strikeouts.

stats Mets.com


ICYMI:

• Mexican League Playoffs 
• Puerto Rico Playoffs 

Next: Venezuela; Cuba.

Winter League Baseball: Mexican Pacific League Playoffs Underway

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

MEXICO

LigaMexicanaDelPacifico

Founded 1945

LMP FIRST ROUND

(Jan. 1-9)

Series tied 1-1

Charros de Jalisco (28-29)

vs. 

Tomateros de Culiacan (33-25)

Yaquis lead series 2-0

Venados de Mazatlan (27-31)

vs.

Yaquis de Obregon (30-26)

Series tied 1-1

Caneros de Los Mochis (28-30)

vs.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo (33-25)

Liga Mexico Pacifico 
Scoreboard, Boxscores, and Gameday

*Team graphics Wikipedia

Winter League Baseball: Puerto Rico Begins Round Robin Play Minus Defending Champs

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018 ~ 2019

PUERTO RICO

Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

Overwhelming damage and destruction wrought by the dual impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria forced Puerto Rico's professional league into playing an abbreviated 35-game regular season, with just four teams.  Los Indios de Mayguez topped the circuit with a 21-14 record.  The now former back-to-back defending champion Criollos de Caguas - who's home ballpark was deemed damaged beyond repair - tumbled into last place with a 16-20 mark, thus disqualifying them from postseason play.  The three remaining teams will now play a round robin tourney (Jan. 2-21), whereby each club faces one another other six times, with the two best records advancing to the championship series.  The new LBPRC champion will then advance to the Caribbean Series (won last year by Los Criollos de Caguas representing Puerto Rico).

Indios de Mayaguez ~ The Indians

Est. 1938 ~ 18 League Championships

First Place: 21-14

Isidoro Garcia Stadium, IMAGE 

Home of the Mayaguez Indians

Gigantes de Carolina ~ The Giants

Est. 1939 ~ 14 League Championships

Second Place: 17-18

Roberto Clemente Stadium

Home of the Carolina Giants

Cangrejeros de Santurce ~ The Crabbers

Est. 2000 ~ 2 League Championships

Third Place: 17-19

Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Home of the Crabbers

est. 1938

Yldefonso Sola Morales Stadium

Former Home of Los Criollos de Caguas

LBPRC Scoreboards, Boxscores, Gameday

RESULTS
1/2/2019 - Mayaguez 6; Santurce 5

LIU/Blackbirds: Flatbush Hoops Prevail Over Bronx Ballers

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN vs. BRONX

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Flatbush Closes Out Non-Conference Schedule With Victory Over Boogie Down Bronx.

Led by Raiquan Clark's second-half effort, the visiting Blackbirds overcome a 12-point deficit en route to victory over the Fordham Rams.

FINAL

LIU/Brooklyn   60

Fordham          57

Bronx builds a ten-point lead by halftime, and goes up 47-35 with 15:23 left to play.  That's when Brooklyn's big man on campus takes over.  Raiquan Clark's three-pointer at 12:33 brings the Blackbirds within seven, and his layup at 3:06 cuts their deficit to just one.  Clark then converts a pair of free-throws at the 1:07 mark, giving LIU their first lead since scoring on their opening possession.  With only 0:04 showing on the clock, Raiquan again drains two more free-throws giving Brooklyn their largest lead of the game, and a final three-point margin of victory.  Raiquan Clark would score 19 of his game high 23-points in the second half. 

Brooklyn also converts 14 of 16 free-throw over the final fifteen minutes of play.  For the game, they outscore Fordham 22-10 from the line.  The Blackbirds also dominate the boards, nearly doubling (45-27) Fordham's effort.  Tyrn Flowers adds a double-double with 13-points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

This concludes LIU's non-conference schedule.  They finish with a 6-6 record, and 2-2 mark at home.  Next stop is Fairfield, Connecticut, where this coming Thursday the Blackbirds open their Northeast Conference schedule against the Sacred Heart Pioneers.

Sacred Heart enters their NEC schedule with a 4-9 record, good for eighth place in the ten school circuit.  LIU is in second place, behind (8-5) St. Francis/Brooklyn.  The Pioneers are presently losers of four in a row which includes games against Seton Hall and St. John's University.

N.Y. Jets: Todd Bowles Sacked by Gang Green

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Todd Bowles

2018:  4-12

2017:  5-11

2016:  5-11

2015:  10-6

New York Jets: Todd Bowles Latest Head Coach Infected With Gang Green Disease.

I still say Todd Bowles deserved better support from his general manager.  Mike Maccagnan never sufficiently replenished the talent he himself purged after Todd Bowles' first season as head coach. Nor will Bowles benefit from Maccagnan's substantial, and as yet untapped, salary cap war chest.  It's almost as if cap savings were intentionally designed to come at his head coach's expense.  After all, Bowles was not Maccagnan's hire, something that I previously suggested eerily wreaks of what John Idzik perpetrated against Rex Ryan.

In both instances, I blame the Brothers Johnson.  More on them in a bit ...

In reviewing the Jets roster, an argument can be made that at least 18 of 22-plus starting positions need serious redress.  That's on the general manager whom has been on the job just as long as Bowles.  So, who failed who?  Very simply, a head coach is responsible for the players provided by the general manager.  If said general manager provides pedestrian undisciplined players, then expect any head coach to produce a mediocre penalty riddled season.  I recently heard an NFL analyst/former player say that penalties happen those individuals getting seriously outplayed and physically beaten.  Insofar as the Jets are concerned, this could not ring more true.  I do not disagree with the decision to move on from Todd Bowles.  I'm merely saying the front office did him no favors.

However, Todd Bowles is not free of blame.  Considering he's a former defensive coordinator, the Jets allowed over 400-points this season, which is on par with the NFL's other last place teams.  One  can cycle that back around as being Maccagnan's fault, but one must still agree Bowles in-game management skills left a lot to be desired.  Moreover, an overall failure to clean up habitually maddening mistakes are on him.  Far too often the Jets did more to beat themselves than did the competition which invariably points back to Bowles.

Above all else, the organization must now do right by Sam Darnold.  With a potential franchise quarterback in their possession, they must ensure he receives the utmost support.  That being said, Bowles and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates proved quite the un-dynamic duo.  Aside from surrounding him with much needed complimentary talent, the mentoring and developing of Sam Darnold is where the Jets most need improvement.  If Todd Bowles is gone, Jeremy Bates should be following very close behind.

One of the local radio shows also recently mentioned the last person with previous head coaching experience hired by the Jets was Bill Parcells.  That's something this front office should consider as well.

It is now incumbent upon (not so innocent...) Mike Maccagnan to finally spend some money on quality talent, and do a vastly better job in the draft.  A change in structure is needed as well.  He must be given autonomy in searching out a new head coach; his own head coach; a head coach who will not report directly to Christopher Johnson.  That must stop.  I believe it's in Mr. Johnson's best interest to implement a chain of command, then get the hell out of the way.  The general manager and next head coach become a package deal.  If and when Mr. Johnson decides they're not doing a good job, he can fire them both.  Point being, the system whereby the general manager and head coach share equal footing on the owner's rug doesn't jive, particularly when one doesn't necessarily agree with the other.  Because truth be told, Bowles and Maccagnan have never been on the same page.

Yet, Todd Bowles was fired by Christopher Johnson, not Mike Maccagnan.  I therefore blame much of this mess on the Brothers Johnson, whom have continually put their coaches and general managers in positions to fail.  Thus making Todd Bowles only the latest coach infected by Gang Green disease.