PIGSKIN 2016: Week Seven

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Seven

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four
No Week Five
Week Six

Week Six Record:  7-7

Overall Record:  29-39-1

Schmear of the Week:  2-3
BAGELS in the Basket:  -14


Sorry, no time for nonsense this week.  I'm road tripping again.  Consider this the PIGSKIN-Lite version.

• I don't like the fact the Rams have been waiting in England all week for the Giants arrival.
• Two words with regards to the New York Jets ... Geno Smith.  Here's two more ... ha ha!
• I don't think Drew Brees will possess the ball long enough to get within spread.
• I know the Dolphins just came off a big win ... I know.
• The Raiders play much better on the road.
• And we will not get to see Tom Brady versus Big Ben < out at least 4 weeks; knee.
• Cardinals versus Seahawks is by far game of the week.

Week Seven ~ London Calling*
Friday Line ~ NYDN

Rams +3 (Giants)*
Loss  17-10 Giants

Ravens +2 (JETS)
Loss  24-16 Jets

Vikings -3 (EAGLES)
Loss  21-10 Eagles

CHIEFS -6 1/2 (Saints)
WIN  27-21 Chiefs

LIONS -1 1/2 (D.C. Hogs)
WIN  20-17 Lions

BENGALS -10 (Browns)
WIN  31-17

Bills -3 (DOLPHINS)
Loss  28-25 Dolphins

Raiders +1 (JAGUARS)
WIN  33-16 Raiders

TITANS -3 (Colts)
Loss  34-26 Colts

FALCONS -6 1/2 (Chargers)
Loss  33-30 Chargers

Bucs -1 1/2 (49ERS)
WIN  34-17 Bucs

Patriots -7 (STEELERS)
WIN  27-16 Patriots

CARDINALS -1 1/2 (Seahawks)
Loss  6-6 TIE

Schmear of the Week:
Titans -3
Loss

Good Luck, and have a great Football Sunday everyone.!


Post Game:
Week Seven Record:  6-7
Overall Record:  35-48-1
Schmear of the Week:  2-4
BAGELS in the Basket:  -18

N.Y. Giants: Three Cheers for Mediocrity

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

New York Football Giants: Jerry Reese's off-season investment upgraded to hold.

The New York Giants achieved par with a close victory over the Baltimore Ravens.  

But is today's 3-3 record tomorrow's 8-8 season?

Think about it...

While it's true, the Giants aerial exploits have been pretty damn astonishing, 35-year old Eli Manning is nevertheless throwing behind an offensive line he has little confidence in, has no tight end to speak of, and is minus backfield outlet Shane Vereen.  

Yet Eli, Victor Cruz, Sterling Shepard, and of course Odell Knucklehead Jr., have the Giants offense ranking 2nd in the NFL in overall passing yards, and 3rd in passing yards per game.

As we've seen, however, the running game is non-existent.  Little Blue ranks 27th in the league in overall rushing, and 30th in rushing yards per game.  

In turn, the Giants rank 21st in overall points scored, and 25th in points scored per game.  Through six games, the Giants have scored 116 points for an average of 19.3 per game, while their opponents have scored 131 points against them, for an average of 21.8 points per game.  That's a 2 1/2 point handicap they must overcome.

Defensively, if last season was rock bottom, then all indications to date at least point towards mediocrity:

• 12th yards allowed.
• 14th yards allowed per game.
• 10th passing yards allowed.
• 11th passing yards allowed per game.
• 15th least rushing yards allowed.
• 12th least rushing yards allowed per game.
• 17th most points allowed.
• 14th least points allowed per game.

Said another way, Jerry Reese is presently breaking even on his off-season investments, but getting killed on fees.  On Wall Street, that's called a dog.

In football, it's called running with the pack.

N.Y. Rangers: Fast Forward

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

TEX'S RANGERS

90th Season

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

1926  ~  MEMBER  ~  2016

NEW YORK RANGERS: Jeff Gorton Spent Off-Season Appeasing Alain Vigneault's Unyielding Need for Speed.

If in any way Monday's effort against a (usually bigger) Western Conference team served as an early indication, then spending yet another off-season trying to increase team speed may yield Lord Stanley's approval yet.

Fans filed out of Madison Square Garden elated their New York Rangers disposed of the visiting San Jose Sharks by a 7-4 final.  A particularly inspired effort from Chris Kreider, and yes, collective speed, that which coach Alain Vigneault values so much, served as the main impetus for victory.

You must know I'm being kind, because there will be no pom-pom waving from me.  I have little faith in Vigneault, his system, and his preferred style of play to begin with, then seethed over the pre-season scuttlebutt regarding a potential trade of Dylan McIlrath.

So what better way to way to join the fray than on the night Dylan made his first start of the 2016-17 regular season.  

As we know, McIlrath only started as a result of Dan Girardi's injury.  And be sure, this will not be Girardi's last injury of the season.  He's put in a lot of hard and much appreciated time manning the blue line, but it started catching up to him last season, if not earlier.

Then I look at Marc Staal.  Fan favorite, right?  Too bad he never comes out of the corners with the puck.  I'm not trying to be intentionally or overly critical, but let's be honest about his situation.  We all realize Staal is one big hit away from another lost season, or worse, a potential end to his career - and he plays that way.

Dylan McIlrath has played well defensively during his limited ice time, while providing a big, strong, physical presence around the net, and passing the puck back up ice as smartly as Alain Vigneault can expect.

Yet, spanning a few years now, Alain Vigneault continues finding little use for him when the blue line required his presence most.  Coach's bias towards McIlrath is clear.  But the man is a good defenseman, rendering Vigneault's varying justifications indefensible.

It's ponderous to me, though, as Alain Vigneault was a defenseman as a player.  He knows what it's like when forced into turning your back (and retrieving pucks along the boards) with onrushing forwards bearing down.

Don't forget this...

Coach Vigneault tells the media one thing, but then conducts his team in a different manner.

I said it before, and I'll say it again.  His system is great for the regular season.  The Rangers will indeed make the playoffs.  It is then, however, his philosophy, style, and system, all fall apart like wet toilet paper.

PIGSKIN 2016: Week Six

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Six

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four
NO WEEK FIVE

Week Four Record:  7-6

Overall Record:  22-32-1

Schmear of the Week:  2-2

BAGELS in the Basket:  -11

1st and Ten:

• And then, there was one ... the Minnesota Vikings remain the lone undefeated team in the NFL. Who knew?

2nd and Short:

• Scuttlebutt says if Dak Prescott continues performing well, Tony Romo will back up upon his return.  I'll believe it when I see it.

• Tom Brady's second week back.  Look out.

No Gain:

• Colin Kaepernick rightfully helped spark a national off-the-field conversation.  He won't help the 49ers much, though.

PUNT!

• If the Jets lose Monday ... it's over Johnny.  Pack it up and flee Revis Island while you're still able.

WEEK SIX

Friday Line ~ NYDN

GIANTS -3 (Ravens)

In other words, this game is up for grabs.  While I think the Ravens are coming back down to earth, I'm not sure where the Giants are headed.  I'm playing this like a fan, laying the obligatory three points at home and hoping for the best.
WIN  27-23 Giants

PATRIOTS -9 (Bengals)

With a week under Tom Brady's belt, his mission to blast away at the NFL begins in earnest ... now.   On a more serious note, it's just so hard beating the Pats at home.  This will be one of those SHM games for Bengals fans.
WIN  35-17 Patriots

SAINTS +3 (Panthers)

On this given Sunday, Drew Brees will show Cam how it's done.
WIN  41-38 Saints

Steelers -7 1/2 (DOLPHINS)

This is very simply a good team playing on the road against a bad team at home.  Pittsburgh will enjoy this lone trip to the Sunshine State before their schedule begins turning a lot colder.
Loss  30-15 Dolphins

BEARS -2 (Jaguars)

My heart says pick the Jags.  My head says I'm an idiot for picking de Bears.  So much for democracy.
Loss  17-16 Jaguars

BILLS -8 (49ers)

This game marks Colin Kaepernick's first start of the season.  I sense sacks in his future ... many sacks and QB hits.
WIN  45-16 Bills

LIONS -3 1/2 (Rams)

I'm going with the Lions because the Rams are really, really banged up.  Scoring isn't necessarily Detroit's issue.  Preventing them, is.
Loss  31-28 Lions

TITANS -7 (Browns)
I would take any team laying seven at home over the Browns.  I'd even take Manchester United laying seven at home over the Browns.
Loss  28-26 Titans

Eagles -2 (D.C. HOGS)

I just think the Eagles are better than two point favorites over the over-rated Hogs.
Loss  27-20 Hogs

Chiefs -1 1/2 (RAIDERS)

All the talk of moving the Raiders to Las Vegas has made playing in the shadow of Mount Davis truly akin to playing in a black hole.  They're better on the road this season.  I wonder why.
WIN  26-10 Chiefs

Falcons +6 (SEAHAWKS)

Hard to do against Seattle's defense, but it's time I threw the Falcons a bone.  The Seahawks do not exactly light up the scoreboard, so it's up to Atlanta's flaky defense to keep this in range.
WIN  26-24 Seahawks

PACKERS -4 (Cowboys)

The weight of the Texas falls on Dak Prescott's shoulders this week.  He's not THAT good, yet.
Loss  30-16 Cowboys

TEXANS -3 (Colts)

The competition for who gets sacked more between Kaepernick and Andrew Luck is on.
Loss  26-23 Texans

MONDAY NIGHT

CARDINALS -8 (Jets)

If I were the Cardinals, I'd be in a state of rage over starting the season 2-3.
WIN  28-3 Cardinals

Schmear of the Week:

Steelers -7 1/2
LOSS

Guten Appetit:

Kabobs (pork cubes, yellow and red peppers, Spanish onions) over yellow rice w/corn and sliced avocado.  Shrimp, tomato, zucchini bruschetta mix on toasted french bread.  This must be washed down with Heineken ... of course.

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday everyone!

Post Game
Week Six Record:  7-7
Overall Record:  29-39-1
Schmear of the Week:  2-3
BAGELS in the Basket:  -14

L.I. Ducks: On Not So Golden Pond

From the desk of:. THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Sugar Land Skeeters

* *  2016  * *

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Skeeters win series 3-0

I - SLS 7; LID 1

II - SLS 2; LID 0

III - SLS 5; LID 3

Long Island Ducks: Back to the Old Drawing Board.

As fate would have it, pitching turned out not being Long Island's phantom menace.

They entered the season very well armed with John Brownell, Darin Downs, Jack Snodgrass, Mark Blackmar, Bobby Blevins, and spot starter Bruce Kern manning the rotation.  On the strength of their depth, the Ducks nudged their way atop the Liberty Division to clinch a first-half title.

By July, however, the contracts of all but Brownell and Blevins had been purchased away, and the resulting net affects would be considerable.  Long Island's second-half 32-38 record, and last place finish says it all.

With the regular season winding down, pitchers Nick Struck, Matt Larkins, Jarrett Leverett, and Daniel Hererra were at least providing fans a sense of renewed hope for a successful playoff run.

Losing games One and Two of the Liberty Division series on the road at Somerset, then storming back to win three straight at Bethpage Ballpark, and deposing last year's champion was yet another reason for fans believing they could still pull off the improbable.

Then you look back at Game One of the championship series against the Sugar Land Skeeters and think, okay, the Ducks were rolling the dice by starting Bobby Blevins.  And yes, that scenario proved predictably problematic for the Long Islanders.

Blevins is coming off a terrible season, his worst as a Duck, ending with a 2-12 record 5.51 ERA, while allowing 154 hits in 127.1 innings pitched.  He wrapped up the regular season losing five of his last six games, surrendering 23 runs on 56 hits in 39.1 innings pitched.  The series opener at Sugar Land offered much of the same.  Bobby Blevins was relieved after just 4 innings of work, but not before surrendering six runs on nine hits.

But what choice did the Ducks have ... really?  John Brownell pitched games One and Five against the Patriots, and thus became unavailable against Sugar Land during games One through Three.

After dropping the first two games of the Atlantic League finals in Sugar Land (again), the Ducks needed yet another improbable three game comeback at the Pond.

Their run instead promptly ended, with Sugar Land completing the sweep with a 5-3 victory in Game Three at Bethpage Ballpark to capture their first ever league title.

Offensively speaking, Long Island's bats short circuited much in the same manner the 2011 Ducks' did during the 2011 finals against York.  That year's most potent offense of the league fell completely and ponderously silent during the finals.

In three games against the Skeeters, the Ducks hit a mere 19 for 95, for a .200 team average, were outscored 14-4, and shut out once.  Meanwhile, Coach Baez stuck with a regular line-up.  But his lead-off hitter only went 2 for 11, while the middle three, four, and five hitters, combined on just one RBI.

Neither Mark Blackmar nor Jack Snodgrass could have prevented that.

N.Y. Mets: Ready for Wild Time in Flushing

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

POLO GROUNDS

New York Giants 1890-1957

New York Mets    1962-1963

2016

NATIONAL LEAGUE

WILD CARD PLAYOFF

*           *           *

San Francisco Giants

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

CITI FIELD

Roosevelt Avenue

QUEENS

Storied past, almost mythical, the golden era of baseball, when three boroughs each fielded their own major league franchise - a time long gone, forgotten, essentially dead and quite literally buried over.

Unconditional support of players, unyielding loyalties to team, a kinship of sorts, for National League fans, ended in 1957.

Outwardly, the 58 year old wounds seemed to have heeled.  But make no mistake, within those who remember, major resentment still lingers.

The Mets and Giants are forever connected by Mrs. Joan Whitney Payson, former co-owner of the (then) New York Giants, whom was the only member of the executive board to vote against the proposed relocation to San Francisco.

In turn, she and William Shea set about turning the major league establishment on its ear, threatening them with the potential creation a new rival league.  The net result, or affect, became modern era expansion.

Ms. Payson and William Shea would then establish the New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, whose inaugural season occurred in 1962.

Tonight, the San Francisco Giants revisit their estranged New York City love child, left behind when together, Mr. Horace Stoneham and Walter O'Malley eloped to California.

There's no denying the DNA.  Cut into each of these teams, and they will bleed orange.

The time has come, and is long overdue, for a memorial befitting Joan Payson, the matriarch of the Mets, be erected at Citi Field.

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

How Can You Not Be WILD About These Mets?

PIGSKIN 2016: Week Four

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Four

Results

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Three Record:  5-9
Overall Record:  15-26-1
Schmear of the Week:  1-2
BAGELS in the Basket:  -15


Coin Toss:

• Danny Amendola actually takes a snap from center for the Patriots.

1st and Ten:

• The Furious Five - Patriots, Ravens, Broncos, Eagles, Vikings

2nd and Short:

• Back in his second tour of duty with the Eagles, Doug Pederson has the entire NFL doing a double take.  The Eagles are 2nd in the NFL in points scored on offense, and have allowed the least points on defense.  What?

No Gain:

• Out for the Season - Dez Bryant (DAL), Shane Vereen (NYG), JJ Watt (HOU)
• The NFL extended Dallas' Randy Gregory's suspension for substance abuse to 14 games.  No season for you.

Punt!

• The New York Jets ... no really.  For better or worse, punter Lachlan Edwards will be the Jets MVP this Sunday.

WEEK THREE
Friday Line ~ NYDN

Seahawks -2 1/2 (JETS)
Not because Ryan Fitzpatrick threw six INTs last week ... because the Jets are losing weapons in bunches.  Decker, Marshall, Forte ... all compromised.
WIN 27-17 Seahawks

COLTS -2 1/2 (Jaguars)
I really, really, want to pick the Jags.  But I'll give the Colts the benefit of the doubt coming off last week's victory over the Chargers.
Loss  30-27 Jaguars

D.C. HOGS -8 (Browns)
I'm laying the points and hoping for the best.
WIN 31-20 Hogs

PATRIOTS -6 (Bills)
What are you looking at me for?  I picked against them in the first two weeks and got burned.  I know they have yet more QB problems now.  The Bills should blow them out..!  Whatever...  BTW, Sammy Watkins is out for Buffalo.  Just saying.
Loss  16-0 Bills

Panthers -3 (FALCONS)
Even with their top receiver back in the fold, the Falcons (at home) are still not the Vikings.  Carolina will make that distinction very clear.
Loss  48-33 Falcons

BEARS +3 (Lions)
Picking against the Bears has been working for me.  Picking in favor of the Lions, not so much.   Detroit is still too banged up on defense.  Time to buck a trend.
WIN  17-14 Bears

TEXANS -5 (Titans)
I started the season down on the Texans even before JJ Watt's injury.  Can't quite put my finger on the reason why.   Last week's Titans loss to Oakland spoke volumes to me.
WIN  27-20 Texans

Raiders +3 1/2 (RAVENS)
It's time these birds lost their first game.
WIN  28-27 Raiders

Broncos -3 (BUCS)
Until the Broncos prove otherwise....
WIN  27-7 Broncos

Cowboys -2 (49ERS)
First Tony Romo ... now Dez Bryant.  Yet, I still say the Cowboys pull this one out.
WIN  24-17 Cowboys

CHARGERS -4 (Saints)
The Chargers need to hold on to a lead for a change.  The Saints will have to wait at least another week before achieving their first victory.
Loss  35-34 Saints

CARDINALS -8 (Rams)
The Rams have done nothing but piss me off this season.  I'm not sure what happened to the Cards last week, but I'm anticipating a major rebound.
Loss  17-13 Rams

Chiefs +5 (STEELERS)
I'm still a little astonished by what the Eagles did to the Steelers last week.  Otherwise I like the Chiefs defense ... period.
Loss  43-14 Steelers


SCHMEAR of the WEEK
Seahawks -2 1/2
WIN



Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday everybody!

Post Game
Week Four Record:  7-6
Overall Record:  22-32-1
Schmear of the Week:  2-2
BAGELS in the Basket:  -11

WBC Qualifier: Team Israel completes sweep of Brooklyn tourney

Israel's victory over Great Britain this past Sunday officially concludes the Qualifying Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Teams finishing last in their respective pools during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, along with 12 other qualifiers were grouped into four pools of four teams each.  The winner of each pool would advance, joining the 12 teams holding automatic bids in next year's tournament.

Qualifying Round: 

Qualifier #1 - February @ Australia

• *AUSTRALIA - New Zealand - Philippines - South Africa

Qualifier #2 - March @ Mexico

• *MEXICO - Czech Republic - Germany - Nicaragua 

Qualifier #3 - March @ Panama

• *COLUMBIA - France - Panama - Spain

Qualifier #4 - September @ CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN

• *ISRAEL - Brazil - Great Britain - Pakistan

2017

World Baseball Classic

Australia - Mexico - Columbia - Israel

Canada - China - Chinese Taipei - Cuba

Dominican Republic - Italy - Japan - Korea

Netherlands - Puerto Rico - United States - Venezuela

QUALIFIER FINAL

Great Britain  1
Israel              9

They Came to Brooklyn ... They Saw ... They Conquered.

And just like that, Team Israel is heading to their first World Baseball Classic.

The more polished team of the pool, Israel swept the field while outscoring their opponents by a 15-3 margin over three games.

After turning back Great Britain 5-2 in Thursday's opener at MCU Park in Brooklyn, Brazil and Israel engaged in a brilliant pitching duel on Friday, limiting one another to just three hits all game.   Gaining a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, Israel made it hold up for their second victory.

Meanwhile, Great Britain successfully negotiated the loser's bracket to gain a rematch against Israel in Sunday's finale.

After pitching three innings on Thursday, Jason Marquis made his second start on short rest, and was opposed by Great Britain's Spencer Kreisberg.

Jason Marquis delivers first pitch.

The two exchanged zeroes through the first four innings.  Jason Marquis allowed no hits and no walks, and fanned five before yielding to the bullpen.  Kreisberg similarly threw four scoreless innings, allowing a hit and three walks.  He received a quick hook in the fifth after allowing a lead-off single to Israel shortstop Scott Burcham.

In came reliever Al Knowles, whom was promptly greeted by center fielder Blake Galen's high arching home run to right.  Then after walking right fielder and lead-off hitter Zach Borenstein, Great Britain replaced Knowles with reliever Rei Martinez.  Next up, Israel catcher Ryan Lavarnway wasted no time introducing himself with a majestic home run to left, giving Team Israel a sudden 4-0 lead.

Blake Galen (left) and Ryan Lavarnway (right) round the bases in the fifth inning

after hitting a pair of two run home runs.

Zach Borenstein's triple in the sixth inning further extended their lead to 5-0 over Great Britain.  Then with two outs in the seventh, Cody Decker's home run to left made it a 6-0 lead.

Cody Decker hits Israel's third home run of the game

All the while, Great Britain was being no-hit through seven full innings of play.

That finally changed with two outs in the eighth, when Albert Cartwright singled to right field.  Great Britain would not only break up Israel's bid for a no-hitter, but they would go on to ruin the shut out as well when designated hitter Chavez Young's RBI single finally put Great Britain on the board.

By the bottom of the eighth, however, the rout was on.  Three more runs ensured Israel a 9-1 victory, and a berth in next year's World Baseball Classic.

Final play ... Israel wins.

Atlantic League: Ducks Migrating to Texas for Championship Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Sugar Land Skeeters

FROM

The Lone Star State

Long Island Ducks: Flock overcome two game deficit with three straight victories at Bethpage Ballpark; eliminate former champion Somerset Patriots to capture Liberty Division crown.

Sunday's game marked the year's 25th clash between the Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots.

The league's two most successful franchises split their regular season series right down the middle with ten victories apiece.  Entering Game Five of the Liberty Divison series, the playoffs had played out no differently with the Patriots sweeping two games in Bridgewater, New Jersey, then with the Ducks regrouping and taking games Three and Four at Bethpage Ballpark.

In other words, through five months worth of regular and post-season baseball, nothing had really changed.

But there sat Long Island's 500 lbs. gorilla in the locker room still pointing to last year's Game Five whitewash at the hands of these very same Somerset Patriots.

As if Long Islanders need reminding ... Somerset captured last year's Liberty Division title with a 4-0 shutout in Game Five over John Brownell and the Ducks en route to winning their sixth Atlantic League championship.

The disappointment no doubt remained fresh on the minds of many of these Long Island Ducks, but perhaps none more so than John Brownell who pitched poorly that day, allowing four runs in 4.2 innings pitched, from which the Ducks could not recover.

One year later, John Brownell and the Flock gain sweet redemption.  The Ducks completed their unlikely comeback ... all the way back ... winning Game Five and capturing the Liberty Division crown with a 5-1 victory over the Patriots.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

2016

First-Half Champions

Liberty Division Champions
*

Ducks win series over Patriots 3-2

I - SOM 3; LID 2*

II - SOM 10; LID 0

III - LID 7; SOM 1

IV - LID 2; SOM 0

V - LID 5; SOM 2

*11 innings

John Brownell, the Ducks' all time ace, pitched 5.2 masterful innings during Sunday's series finale, retiring the first 12 Somerset batters he faced.  He surrendered a lone run in the fifth, otherwise allowed just three hits, no walks, and fanned two batters before exiting on the winning side.

Coach Baez then handed the ball off to the bullpen, whom continued pitching 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing a pair of hits and a walk, while fanning six batters to close out the victory.

Long Island jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back.  Eight Ducks hitters stepped in against Patriots starter Will Oliver, immediately turning Somerset score keeper pages into scribble.  Many little details needed squeezing into those little boxes:

• a lead-off single, a catcher's interference, a fielder's choice, two wild pitches, a double, a strikeout, yet another wild pitch, another double, and one last base hit all led to Somerset's early deficit.

Will Oliver's control failed him again in the second, as Anthony Vega scored on yet another wild pitch, giving the Ducks a 5-0 lead.

Somerset finally scored off John Brownell in the fifth, on second baseman Eric Farris' sacrifice fly to center scoring first baseman Bryan LaHair, but managed little else.

Long Island now faces the Freedom Division champion Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League championship series

AtlanticLeague.com

CELEBRATIONS PICS

Ducks press release 

  Skeeters press release

Games One and Two will be played at Sugar Land, while games Three through Five (if necessary) are to be played at Bethpage Ballpark.

Sugar Land captured the second-half Freedom Division pennant with a 39-31 record, two games ahead of the first half champion York Revolution, whom in turn were then swept in the Freedom Division final by Sugar Land.

The Skeeters finished the regular season with an overall 74-66 record.  Now in their fifth year of existence, they'll be making their second Atlantic League finals appearance.  They first advanced in 2014, but were swept by the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Long Island concluded their regular season with a 72-68 record - the worst of the final four.  They are nevertheless attempting to win their fourth league title, and their first since capturing back-to-back titles during the 2012-13 seasons.

World Baseball Classic Qualifier: Brazil Eliminated After Costly Base Running Gaffe

World Baseball Classic Qualifier

GAME #5

9/24/2016

FINAL

Brazil              3

Great Britain   4

The looks on the faces of hitting coach Steve Finley and manager Barry Larkin said it all.

Prior to the ninth inning, Brazil had spent their time stranding 11 runners on base, and going just 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

After taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, Brazil promptly surrendered it, allowing three runs in the bottom of the frame to Great Britain.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brazil allowed a key insurance run, as Kyle Simmons' RBI single put Great Britain ahead by a 4-2 margin.

Brazil picked up a run in the top of the eighth off Britain reliever Chris Reed, setting up what would become a ponderous finish.

With Brazil trailing 4-3 in the ninth, designated hitter Juan Carlos Muniz lined a two out double to center, putting the tying run in scoring position.  After a pitching change by Great Britain, and with Brazil's number six batter first baseman Reinaldo Sato at the plate, Muniz inexplicably took off for third base on an 0-2 pitch to the plate.  He was easily thrown out by Great Britain backstop Chris Berset by a wide margin.

Game over.

Juan Carlos Muniz is 39 years old, born in 1976, which is to say he's no stranger to baseball.  One can only guess as to what he was thinking.  Perhaps Barry Larkin, and coaches Steve Finley and LeTroy Hawkins may prefer not to know.  In any event, this is a devastating way for Barry Larkin's squad to go down.

With a 2-1 record, Great Britain will face Israel (2-0) Sunday evening to decide the final participant in next year's fourth ever World Baseball Classic.

In a very entertaining contest, Israel defeated Great Britain in Thursday's tourney opener by a 5-2 margin.

Thank you for the baseball, Team Brazil

MCU PARK, 

CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN

L.I. Ducks: Jarret Leverett's Gem Forces Game Five

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION FINALS

Series tied 2-2

I - SOM 3; LID 2*

II - SOM 10; LID 0

III - LID 7; SOM 1

IV - LID 2; SOM 0

*11 innings

GAME FIVE

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

Long Island Ducks: Flock win second straight; force decisive Game Five Sunday at Bethpage Ballpark.

Home is where the wins are.

Long Island and Somerset have now won two game apiece on their home grounds.  The resurgent Ducks hope to continue putting their home field advantage to work on Sunday during the fifth and deciding game of the Liberty Division series from Bethpage Ballpark.

On Saturday, Ducks starter Jarret Leverett made a decisive Game Five possible by allowing six scattered hits over six scoreless innings, issuing one walk and fanning five batters to gain a do-or-die victory for Long Island.  He faced 28 batters, and threw 98 pitches with 67 going for strikes.

Relievers Amalio Diaz and Todd Coffey pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to close out Long Island's 2-0 victory.

First baseman Tyler Colvin led off the bottom of the third with a double to left off Patriots starter Shaun Garceau.  With one out, left fielder Anthony Vega connected off Garceau for a two run home run.

Otherwise, Shaun Garceau limited the Ducks to only four hits.  Somerset, on the other hand, stroked eight hits off Ducks pitching which yielded no runs.

Pitchers John Brownell and Will Oliver are tentatively scheduled to start Sunday's game on four days rest.  Each earned no-decisions for their efforts during Game One in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

The Ducks and Patriots have now played 24 combined regular season and playoffs games this season, with both winning 12 games apiece.

Game Five ... here we go again

John Brownell also started last year's Liberty Division series finale, but only lasted 4.2 innings before receiving the hook.  He allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk, with just two strikeouts in taking the loss.  Roy Merritt pitched a complete game for the Patriots, limiting the Ducks to just four hits and a walk, while fanning three for the clinching victory.

The Ducks and Patriots split the first two games of that Liberty Division series at Bethpage Ballpark.
Long Island then took a 2-1 series lead in Game Three at TD Bank Ballpark.  The Patriots, however, stormed back in games Four and Five, turning back the Ducks in back-to-back shutout performances and advancing to the championship series.

In the championship series, Somerset bowed in Game One to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, then rolled to three consecutive victories and capturing their sixth Atlantic League championship.

The Patriots and Long Island Ducks are the league's two most successful franchises.  As such, they have now played 24 combined regular season and playoffs games this season, with both winning 12 games apiece.

N.Y. Giants: Revamped Defense Seeking to Establish a Trend

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Reese's Defensive Pieces Making Him Look Smart ... Again

New York Football Giants: Revamped defense must validate last week's strong peformance against the Saints with an even stronger effort against Kirk Cousins and division rival Washington.

The Giants enter this year's first clash against Washington undefeated, while the Hogs are still seeking their first victory.

That makes Washington a desperate team, in turn giving this superstitious fan enough reason to believe things can go completely wrong Sunday ... if only just because.

My anxieties aside, Week Three is about legitimizing two weeks of play ... or not.

The defense has played well, and is improved from one game to the next.  In Week Three, they'll either take another promising step forward, or experience their first real setback.  Which will it be?

Since actions speak louder than words, this year's defensive performance so far reflects very well upon Jerry Reese's off-season improvements - a small sample size, but nonetheless.

Big Blue allowed the Cowboys 328 net yards in Week One, but held them to under 20 points.

They followed with a rather impressive Week Three effort against New Orleans, holding them
to 13 points and 288 total net yards.  Brees was limited to just 263 yards on 44 attempts, was sacked twice, and hit on six other occasions.  That in itself was an accomplishment, considering Brees threw for 505 yards against last season's inferior defense.  A good New Orleans running game was additionally held to just 41 yards rushing.

After two weeks, the total splits reflect nicely, and the dividends even more so for Jerry Reese.  The Giants have allowed a total of 31 points and 616 net yards, which averages to 15 points and 308 yards per game (only 71 yards per game on the ground).

All we can ask now is for them to keep improving.

There's a saying - once is an occurrence, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a trend.  And so we'll see if the defense can establish a pattern, and perhaps even create a defensive identity, again.

They'll be up against Kirk Cousins, whom scuttlebutt says is not the most loved member among his D.C. team mates.  If the Giants continue bottling up the run as they've been, Kirk Cousins will be forced to put the ball in the air perhaps more than Washington is comfortable with.

With the defensive line playing well so far, look for them to force up many 50/50 balls.  That's where Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rogers Cromartie, and Eli Apple come in.


#DivisionGamesMatter

The Giants enter Sunday with a 1-0 division record.  If history has taught us anything, it's that they must continue gaining every division advantage possible over their arguably weaker division rivals, or be haunted by potential failures later in the season.

Last season, the Giants defeated the Hogs 32-21 in Week #3 at home, then fell 20-14 in Week #12 at Washington.

I like the match-ups, and if the Giants play smartly, they should end the day 3-0 and in firm control of the NFC East.

World Baseball Classic Qualifier: Day Two Recap

DAY TWO

9/23/2016

Friday's WBC qualifier games ranged from classic pitching duel to all out romp.  Israel was home team in the early game versus Brazil, while Pakistan played host to Great Britain in the nightcap.

GAME #3 FINAL

Brazil   0

Israel    1

Israel starter Corey Baker exited on the winning side of a 1-0 game after five strong innings of work, in which he allowed just one hit and three walks, and fanned five.  Baker faced 19 batters, and threw 85 pitches with 52 going for strikes.

Four members of the Israeli bullpen combined on the remaining four innings, allowing no runs, two hits and two walks, while fanning six.  Brad Goldberg pitched the ninth inning for the save.

Brazil, likewise pitched superbly.  Starter Bo Takahashi pitched well, allowing a lone run on just two hits and a walk, with five strikeouts over four innings of work.  The bullpen followed up with four scoreless innings of one hit baseball.

Israel scored the lone run of the game in the fourth inning.  Designated hitter Nate Freiman led off with a double, then advanced to third when Ike Davis reached on an E4.  With runners on the corners and no outs, third baseman Cody Decker's sacrifice fly to center soon plated Freiman.

The victory, Israel's second, punched their ticket to Sunday's final game.

GAME #4 FINAL

Great Britain 14

Pakistan          0

For a second time in this qualifier, new team on the block Pakistan bowed in abbreviated fashion.

On Friday, they managed a 4-0 deficit through the first four innings of play.  But Great Britain blew the doors open with six runs in the fifth, and another three runs in the sixth.  When they tacked on yet another run in the top of the seventh, play was called (mercy rule).

Pakistan previously suffered a seven inning 10-0 defeat in Thursday's opening game against Team Brasil.

Pakistan is eliminated after being outscored 24-0 in just 14 innings of play.  These games however, should rightfully be viewed as a small step for Team Pakistan, and one giant leap for Pakistani baseball.

To the victor ... the spoils.

Great Britain center fielder and lead-off hitter Champ Stuart went 3 for 4 with three RBI.  Second baseman Albert Cartwright was 2 for 2 with a walk, three runs scored, and two RBI.

Starter Greg Hendrix tossed the first four innings, allowing a hit, and fanning three.  Three relievers contributed an inning apiece in closing out Great Britain's first victory of the tourney.

SATURDAY

WBC Qualifier Semi-Final

Brazil

vs.

Great Britain

FROM

MCU PARK

Coney Island, Brooklyn