Top 12 Sports Moments of 2013 Part Two

8. April 24th, Maple Leafs Vs Lightning
The Bolts season was a complete and utter disappointment, but with just two games left there was still something that kept Lightning fans on the edge. Martin St Louis came into the game with a one point lead for the Art Ross Trophy, the award given to the player with the most points (Goals +Assists) in the NHL. In this game Martin St Louis cemented the trophy for himself, recording a hat trick and electrifying the st pete times forum in the process. St Louis became the oldest player to ever win the Art Ross Trophy.

7. August 1st: Mariners Vs Red Sox
Ask any Red Sox fan when they began to believe this team was a team of destiny and most of them will point to this game. Henry Blanco hit a grand slam early for the Mariners to open up a 6-1 lead for them. That five run lead would hold all the way until the ninth. A five run lead in the ninth inning is almost always insurmountable, not even rally cap worthy. But this Sox team mastered hit after hit, and in the end didnt even need two outs to cap off a six run ninth and an amazing comeback. With one out and the winning run on third, Daniel Nava smacked a deep fly ball to center to win the game. The five run ninth inning comeback was the Largest ninth inning comeback by the Sox in over twenty years and ignited a world series run.

6. World Series Game four: Red Sox Vs Cardinals
The Red Sox lost game three in heart wrenching fashion, and faced a must win game in game four to avoid a 3-1 hole. With the game tied at one in the sixth and two outs, bench player Jonny Gomes blasted a three run home run into the bullpen to give the Sox a 4-1 lead ensuring a 2-2 series tie.

5. December 15th: Packers @ Cowboys
The season appeared over. The Packers had rolled over to the Cowboys, helpless they trailed 26-3 at the half. but the Packers rallied for one of the most unlikely and largest comebacks in team, even NFL history. Tramon Williams Interception in the waning minutes sealed a comeback win that would propel the Packers to their third straight division title.

Week One Big Ten Picks

Big Ten basketball starts tomorrow, so lets get to picking! The Badgers begin Big Ten play as the odds on favorite to win the conference so it should be a fun couple of months for Badger fans! Here are the picks for the first week of games

Tuesday
Ohio St @ Purdue: Pick: Purdue
Indiana @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Michigan St @ Penn St: Pick: Michigan St
Nebraska @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa

Thursday
Wisconsin @ Northwestern: Pick: Wisconsin
Michigan @ Minnesota: Pick: Michigan

Saturday
Nebraska @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Michigan St @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Penn St @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois

Sunday
Iowa @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Northwestern @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Purdue @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota

Top 12 Sports Moments of 2013 Part One

the month was March and 2013 was shaping up to be a putrid year in sports for me. The Packers were coming off a humiliating playoff loss, the Red Sox were coming off their worst season in 47 years, the Lighnting were collapsing, and the Magic were flat out terrible. Things have improved dramatically since then. The Bolts rebounded from last year to have a very impressive first half this year, the Packers responded by once again winning their division, and the Red Sox, well, you know. My point is 2013 ended up not being such a bad sports year after all. Starting today over the next three days I will be counting down the top 12 moments of 2013 for my sports teams. Of my six teams, four are included in this countdown, the Magic and Badgers football team did not make it. Here we go:

12. March 29th: Lightning Vs Devils, Jon Coopers first win as head coach.
Just two days after firing head coach Guy Boucher, the Bolts took to the ice for the first time under new coach Jon Cooper hoping to begin a new era in style. Jon Cooper had previously been the coach of the AHL Syracuse Crunch and a staple of his teams have always been resiliency. that was put immediately on display in this one. The Bolts fell into an early 2-0 hole, but came back to tie it at 2 apiece. Then they fell in a hole again, 4-2 with just ten minutes left. They close the gap to within one, but still trailed with less than a minute left. In stunning fashion, Alex Killorn tied the game with merely 20 seconds left, and the Bolts went on to win in a shootout for Coopers first win as new head coach of the Lightning.

11. February 9th: Wisconsin Vs Michigan
The Badgers came into this contest one game behind the Wolverines in the Big ten race. Michigan came into this game as the number three team in the country, and it was pretty clear this was a must win for the Badgers to maintain big ten title hopes. The Badgers opened up an early nine point lead, but Michigan quickly tied it and the rest of the game remained a nail biter. Over the final thirty minutes neither team led by more than 4 points. With 30 seconds left and trailing by two, Jarred Bergren nailed two free throws to tie it. But when Michigan nailed a three with 2 second left, the game appeared over. After the inbounds, Ben Brust was forced to throw up a halfcourt prayer, which he nailed to force over time. Overtime was a defensive grind, with a combined seven points scored, 3 of the 7 coming from another Ben Brust three to break a tie with 43 seconds left. the Badgers won 65-62

10. October 5th, Lightning @ Blackhawks
It was only their second game of the season, but the Lightning already looked hopeless. After last years diaster the Bolts opened the year with an uninspiring 3-1 loss to the Bruins, and appeared headed for an 0-2 start as they trailed the stanley cup champions Blackhawks 2-0 halfway through the third. The rally started off the stick of who else but Marty St Louis, and Purcell followed it up with the tying goal late in the third. The biggest Lightning free agent signing in years, Valterri Filpulla scored the lone goal in the shootout to finish off an unlikely win on the road against the cup champions and begin a very impressive first half of the year for the Bolts.

9. April 20th: Red Sox Vs Royals
It was the first game at Fenway Park since the Boston Marathon bombings. There was a special pregame ceremony to honor the victims and first responders, and it was a very patriotic atmosphere. Adding to it, the Red Sox were off to a surprising 11-4 start, and on a six game winning streak, their longest in four years.  After who else but Big Papi evened the game at 1 in the sixth, the Royals regained a 2-1 lead in the seventh. Still trailing with two outs and two on in the bottom of the eighth, a surprising young star Daniel Nava stepped to the plate and hit a three run shot into the bullpen to send Fenway into a frenzy, give the Sox a 4-2 lead and extend the winning streak to seven games, the longest of the season. Nava, an undrafted player whose contract the Red Sox bought for exactly one dollar, went onto to hit over .300 for the season.

NFL Week 17 Picks

I went 9-7 last week, putting me at 144-95 on the season

Lions @ Vikings: Pick: Vikings
Panthers @ Falcons: Pick: Panthers
Ravens @ Bengals: Pick: Ravens
Texans @ Titans: Pick: Titans
Jaguars @ Colts: Pick: Colts
Jets @ Dolphins: Pick: Dolphins
Redskins @ Giants: Pick: Giants
Browns @ Steelers: Pick: Steelers
Broncos @ Raiders: Pick: Broncos
Bills @ Patriots: Pick: Patriots
Buccaneers @ Saints: Pick: Saints
49ers @ Cardinals: Pick: Cardinals
Chiefs @ Chargers: Pick: Chargers
Rams @ Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks
Packers @ Bears: Pick: Packers
Eagles @ Cowboys: Pick: Eagles

Survivor Pick: I still havent picked the Packers and I am not going the whole season without picking my team.
Pick: Packers

NFL Week 16 Picks

I went a mediocre 8-8 last week, putting me at 135-88 on the season

Dolphins @ Bills: Pick: Dolphins
Vikings @ Bengals: Pick: Bengals
Colts @ Chiefs: Pick: Chiefs
Buccaneers @ Rams: Pick: Rams
Browns @ Jets: Pick: Jets
Cowboys @ Redskins: Pick: Redskins
Saints @ Panthers: Pick: Panthers
Titans @ Jaguars: Pick: Titans
Broncos @ Texans: Pick: Broncos
Giants @ Lions: Pick: Lions
Cardinals @ Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks
Raiders @ Chargers: Pick: Chargers
Patriots @ Ravens: Pick: Ravens
Bears @ Eagles: Pick: Eagles
Steelers @ Packers: Pick: Packers
Falcons @ 49ers: Pick: 49ers

Survivor Pick: well, I made my survivor pick even more pointless by losing again, now 13-2 on the season. Ill still go on though. Now that Ive picked almost half the league, there is not much left. It came down to the Packers, Lions, and Chargers.
Pick: Chargers

NFL Week 15 Picks

I went 11-5 last week, putting me at 127-80 on the season.

Chargers @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos
Packers @ Cowboys: Pick: Cowboys
Redskins @ Falcons: Pick: Falcons
Bears @ Browns: Pick: Bears
Texans @ Colts: Pick: Colts
Patriots @ Dolphins: Pick: Patriots
Eagles @ Vikings: Pick: Eagles
Seahawks @ Giants: Pick: Seahawks
49ers @ Buccaneers: Pick: 49ers
Bills @ Jaguars: Pick: Jaguars
Chiefs @ Raiders: Pick: Chiefs
Jets @ Panthers: Pick: Panthers
Cardinals @ Titans: Pick: Titans
Saints @ Rams: Pick: Saints
Bengals @ Steelers: Pick: Bengals
Ravens @ Lions: Pick: Ravens

Survivor Pick: I am 13-1 in survivor Picks this year, of course the one is all that matters since one loss eliminates you, but Im still going for fun anyways. I cant believe I haven't used the Saints yet, so Ill take them here
Pick: Saints

NFL Week 14 Picks

I went 10-6 last week, putting me at 116-75 on the season.

Texans @ Jaguars: Pick: Texans
Falcons @ Packers: Pick: Packers
Colts @ Bengals: Pick: Bengals
Browns @ Patriots: Pick: Patriots
Raiders @ Jets: Pick: Raiders
Lions @ Eagles: Pick: Eagles
Dolphins @ Steelers: Pick: Steelers
Bills @ Buccaneers: Pick: Buccaneers
Chiefs @ Redskins: Pick: Chiefs
Vikings @ Ravens: Pick: Vikings
Titans @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos
Rams @ Cardinals: Pick: Cardinals
Giants @ Chargers: Pick: Chargers
Seahawks @ 49ers: Pick: 49ers
Panthers @ Saints: Pick: Saints
Cowboys @ Bears: Pick: Cowboys

Survivor Pick: Finally going with Denver
Pick: Broncos

NCAA Week 15 Picks

I went 4-2 in big ten play this week, 2-1 outside it. Two weeks in a row I have successfully picked a double digit underdog to upset an undefeated team. Oklahoma St over Baylor last week and Auburn this week.

Big Ten: 25-13
Outside Big Ten: 29-13

Big Ten Championship pick
For a third straight week Im calling for an undefeated to go down. Give me the tougher more physical Michigan State team to upset an Ohio State team who has won 24 in a row, but has yet to face the pressure they'll face in this one. here's predicting the pressure is to much for them to deal with.

Pac-12 Championship; Arizona St Vs Stanford: Pick: Stanford
SEC Championship: Mizzouri Vs Auburn: Pick: Auburn
ACC Championship: Florida St Vs Duke: Pick: Florida St

Final Big Ten Standings
Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 8-0
2. Wisconsin: 6-2
3. Indiana: 3-5
4. Illinois: 1-7
5. Purdue: 0-8

Legends Division
1. Michigan St: 8-0
2. Iowa: 5-3
3. Nebraska: 5-3
4. Minnesota: 4-4
5. Michigan: 3-5
6. Northwestern: 1-7

Final SEC Standings
East
1. Missouri: 7-1
2. South Carolina: 6-2
3. Georgia: 5-3
4. Vanderbilt: 4-4
5. Florida: 3-5
6. Tennessee: 2-6
7. Kentucky: 0-8

West
1. Auburn: 7-1
2. Alabama: 7-1
3. LSU: 5-3
4. Texas A&M: 4-4
5. Mississippi St: 3-5
6. Ole Miss: 3-5
7. Arkansas: 0-8

Final ACC Standings
Atlantic
1. Florida St: 8-0
2. Clemson: 7-1
3. Syracuse: 4-4
4. Boston College: 4-4
5. Maryland: 3-5
6. Wake Forest: 2-6
7. NC State: 0-8

Coastal
1. Duke: 6-2
2. Virginia Tech: 5-3
3. Miami: 5-3
4. Georgia Tech: 5-3
5. North Carolina: 4-4
6. Pittsburgh: 3-5
7. Virginia: 0-8

Final Pac-12 Standings
North
1. Stanford: 7-2
2. Oregon: 7-2
3. Washington: 5-4
4. Oregon St: 4-5
5. Washington St: 4-5
6. California: 0-9

South
1. Arizona St: 8-1
2. UCLA: 6-3
3. USC: 6-3
4. Arizona: 4-5
5. Utah: 2-7
6. Colorado: 1-8

NFL Week 13 Picks

I went a very poor 5-8 this week, one of my worst weeks ever. Im just not going to count the tie as a game at all in my standings. I now stand at 106-69 on the season. I also have finally been eliminated in the survivor pool, as my big gamble on taking the Texans did not work. It was fun while it lasted

Packers @ Lions: Pick: Lions
Raiders @ Cowboys: Pick: Cowboys
Steelers @ Ravens: Pick: Ravens
Jaguars @ Browns: Pick: Browns
Titans @ Colts: Pick: Colts
Bears @ Vikings: Pick: Vikings
Dolphins @ Jets: Pick: Jets
Cardinals @ Eagles: Pick: Cardinals
Buccaneers @ Panthers: Pick: Panthers
Patriots @ Texans: Pick:Patriots
Falcons @ Bills: Pick: Bills
49ers @ Rams: Pick: Rams
Broncos @ Chiefs: Pick: Chiefs
Bengals @ Chargers: Pick: Chargers
Giants @ Redskins: Pick: Giants
Saints @ Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks

Im going to make a survivor pick anyways to see if I can make it five more weeks with just one loss on the season. It came down the Ravens, Browns, and Panthers this week. In the end in a complete coin toss I settled on the Panthers.
Pick: Panthers

NCAA Week 14 picks

I went 4-2 in picking Big Ten Games, 1-2 outside the Big Ten this week
Year to Date
Big Ten: 31-11
Outside Big Ten: 27-12

Iowa @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Purdue @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Minnesota @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Ohio St @ Michigan: Pick: Ohio St
Penn St @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Northwestern @ Illinois: Pick: Northwestern

Outside the Big Ten
Alabama @ Auburn: Pick: Auburn
Texas A&M @ Missouri: Pick: Missouri
Clemson @ South Carolina: Pick: Clemson

Big Ten Standings: Well, the final week of Big Ten play is mute. Michigan st Vs Ohio St on December 7th is officially a done deal.

Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 7-0
2. Wisconsin: 6-1
3. Indiana: 2-5
4. Illinois: 1-6
5. Purdue: 0-7

Legends Division
1. Michigan St: 7-0
2. Nebraska: 5-2
3. Iowa: 4-3
4. Minnesota: 4-3
5. Michigan: 3-4
6. Northwestern: 0-7

SEC Standings: Its pretty clear. Winner of Alabama Vs Auburn wins the west. If Missouri wins, they win the East. if they lose, South Carolina wins the east.

West
1. Alabama: 7-0
2. Auburn: 6-1
3. LSU: 4-3
4. Texas A&M: 4-3
5. Ole Miss: 3-4
6. Mississippi St: 2-5
7. Arkansas: 0-7

East
1. Missouri: 6-1
2. South Carolina: 6-2
3. Georgia: 5-3
4. Vanderbilt: 4-4
5. Florida: 3-5
6. Tennessee: 1-6
7. Kentucky: 0-7

The Pac-12 championship game will be Arizona St Vs Stanford. In the Big 12, Oklahoma St wins the conference with a win over Oklahoma, if they lose that game, control of destiny is turned back over to Baylor and their game against Texas. In the ACC its  Florida State Vs ?, with Duke controlling its own destiny with one game to win. If Duke loses it could create a 3,4, or even 5 way tie at 5-3. Finally, in the American, UCF is one win away from clinching that conference, with a game against USF on tap Thursday. A loss to USF still keeps UCF in control of their destiny, but it leaves room for Louisville and Cincinatti to stay in the hunt. 

NFL Week 12 Picks

I went 9-6 last week, putting me at 101-61 on the season.

Saints @ Falcons: Pick: Saints
Vikings @ Packers: Pick: Packers
Steelers @ Browns: Pick: Browns
Buccaneers @ Lions: Pick: Lions
Chargers @ Chiefs: Pick: Chiefs
Bears @ Rams: Pick: Rams
Panthers @ Dolphins: Pick: Dolphins
Jets @ Ravens: Pick: Ravens
Jaguars @ Texans: Pick: Texans
Titans @ Raiders: Pick: Titans
Colts @ Cardinals: Pick: Colts
Cowboys @ Giants: Pick: Giants
Broncos @ Patriots: Pick: Broncos
49ers @ Redskins: Pick: 49ers

Survivor Pick
Teams Used:  Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, Rams, 49ers, Falcons, Chiefs, Cowboys, Giants, Bengals
In this parity driven season of the NFL, I feel very proud to still be alive in the survivor pool with just six weeks left in the season. Not only that I still have the Broncos, Saints and Packers on the board to be used. The Packers will be a solid pick in December when Rodgers is back, but not this week. The Broncos also will still not be used this week going on the road in New England. With those two teams off the board I really had to think for this weeks pick, this was probably the toughest one of the season. It ended up coming down to the Saints, Texans, and Lions. As bad as the Falcons have been, I dont like taking New Orleans in a division road game on a Thursday night. The Bucs have won 2 in a row and Detroit looked shaky so I decided against that. But Houston just lost to Oakland at home as well, they have been awful as well, but against Jacksonville? Im just going to close my eyes and hope for the best
Pick: Texans

NCAA Week 13 Picks

I went 3-2 in Picking Big Ten games this week, and 2-1 outside it
Year to Date
Big Ten: 27-9
Outside Big Ten: 26-10

Michigan St @ Northwestern: Pick: Michigan St
Michigan @ Iowa: Pick: Michigan
Illinois @ Purdue: Pick: Illinois
Wisconsin @ Minnesota: Pick: Wisconsin
Indiana @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Nebraska @ Penn St: Pick: Penn ST

Outside Big Ten
Baylor @ Oklahoma St: Pick: Oklahoma St
Texas A&M @ LSU: Pick: Texas A&M
Arizona St @ UCLA: Pick: UCLA

Big Ten Standings
Ohio States magic number to clinch their division is one. A win over Indiana will sow that up. Michigan state eliminated Nebraska with their win over them, leaving Minnesota as the only other potential suitor, but their elimination number is also one. Get ready for a Michigan St-Ohio St championship game.

Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 6-0
2. Wisconsin: 5-1
3. Indiana: 2-4 E
4. Illinois: 0-6 E
5. Purdue: 0-6 E

Legends Division
1. Michigan St: 6-0
2. Minnesota: 4-2
3. Nebraska: 4-2 E
4. Michigan: 3-3 E
5. Iowa: 3-3 E
6. Northwestern: 0-6  E

SEC Standings
Just like in the Big Ten, each SEC division has two teams alive. The west will all come down to whoever wins the iron bowl, and Missouri controls its destiny in the east. If Missouri loses a game, South Carolina will be champs.
West
1. Alabama: 7-0
2. Auburn: 6-1
3. Texas A&M: 4-2
4. Ole Miss: 3-3
5. LSU: 3-3
6. Mississippi St: 1-5
7. Arkansas: 0-6

East
1. Missouri: 5-1
2. South Carolina: 6-2
3. Georgia: 4-3
4. Vanderbilt: 3-4
5. Florida: 3-5
6. Tennessee: 1-5
7. Kentucky: 0-6

NFL Week 11 Picks

I went 9-5 last week picking games, putting me at 92-55 on the season. Week 11 already? every year the season just seems to fly by

Colts @ Titans: Pick: Colts
Packers @ Giants: Pick: Giants
Jets @ Bills: Pick: Jets
Ravens @ Bears: Pick: Ravens
Browns @ Bengals: Pick: Bengals
Redskins @ Eagles: Pick: Redskins
Lions @ Steelers: Pick: Steelers
Falcons @ Buccaneers: Pick: Falcons
Cardinals @ Jaguars: Pick: Cardinals
Raiders @ Texans: Pick: Texans
Chargers @ Dolphins: pick: Dolphins
49ers @ Saints: Pick: Saints
Vikings @ Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks
Chiefs @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos
Patriots @ Panthers: Pick: Patriots

Survivor Pick
Teams Used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, Rams, 49ers, Falcons, Chiefs, Cowboys, Giants
Wow, halfway through November and I am still alive in survivor. According to ESPN, only 12% of America is still alive so I am feeling pretty accomplished, especially considering last year I was eliminated from survivor in week 2. But can I make it through the whole season, a feat only accomplished by 1-2% of America per year? Lets continue, I still have a few very good teams on the board, the Broncos, who I will continue to save, and the Packers, who once they get Rodgers back will certainly be a solid pick to have going into December. I also still have the Saints available, but again I will save them for later. This week pretty much came down to the Texans and Bengals. The Texans should beat a terrible team at home, but you never know for sure with this team right now. I feel much better about the Bengals, who have been a very solid home team all season.
Pick: Bengals

NCAAA Week 12 Picks

I went 3-1 in picking Big Ten games last week, 2-1 outside it
Year to Date
23-7 Big Ten
24-9 Outside Big Ten

Purdue @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Indiana @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Ohio St @ Illinois: Pick: Ohio St
Michigan @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Michigan St @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska

Outside the Big Ten
Georgia @ Auburn: Pick: Auburn
Miami @ Duke: Pick: Miami
Oklahoma St @ Texas: Pick: Oklahoma St

Big Ten Standings: Wisconsins win keeps the pressure on Ohio St, as their magic number remains at two with three weeks left to play. In order for Wisconsin to win the division they will need to win their remaining three Big Ten games and have Ohio St lose two of their three. Nebraskas defeat of Michigan extiguishes any faint hopes they had of winning the division, it is now exclusively a two team race between Nebraska and Michigan St, and wouldnt you know they play each other this week? A Michigan St win would eliminate Nebraska and leave only Minnesota as the lone remaining team mathematically alive, A Nebraska win would tie them with Michigan St with Nebraska controlling its destiny with games against Penn St and Iowa left.

Legends Division
1. Michigan St: 5-0
2. Nebraska: 4-1
3. Minnesota: 4-2
4. Iowa: 3-3 E
5. Michigan: 2-3 E
6. Northwestern: 0-5 E

Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 5-0
2. Wisconsin: 4-1
3. Indiana: 2-3
4. Illinois: 0-5 E
6. Purdue: 0-5 E

SEC Standings: Its a three team race in the east with Georgia hanging on by a thread. Their magic number for elimination is 1. Missouri controls its destiny with two games left. If they lose once, South Carolina would be the East champ if they can beat Florida. The West is officially a two team race  between Auburn and Alabama with the Iron Bowl coming on thanksgiving weekend, hopefully that will be the deciding game.

East
1. Missouri: 5-1
2. South Carolina: 5-2
3. Georgia: 4-2
4. Florida: 3-4 E
5. Vanderbilt: 2-4 E
6. Tennessee: 1-5 E
7. Kentucky: 0-5 E

West
1. Alabama: 6-0
2. Auburn: 5-1
3. Texas A&M: 4-2 E
4. LSU: 3-3 E
5. Ole Miss: 3-3 E
6. Mississippi St: 1-4 E
7. Arkansas: 0-6 E

NFL Week 10 Picks

I went a pedestrian 6-7 last week, which I kind of expected due to the large amount of toss up games that there were. I still stand at a pretty good 83-50 on the season.

Redskins @ Vikings: Pick: Vikings
Eagles @ Packers: Pick: Packers
Seahawks @ Falcons: Pick: Seahawks
Lions @ Bears: Pick: Bears
Jaguars @ Titans: Pick: Titans
Rams @ Colts: Pick: Colts
Raiders @ Giants: Pick: Giants
Bills @ Steelers: Pick: Steelers
Bengals @ Ravens: Pick: Ravens
Panthers @ 49ers: Pick: 49ers
Texans @ Cardinals: Pick: Cardinals
Broncos @ Chargers: Pick: Broncos
Cowboys @ Saints: Pick: Saints
Dolphins @ Buccaneers: Pick: Buccaneers

Survivor Pick
Teams Used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, Rams, 49ers, Falcons, Chiefs, Cowboys
I survived by a fingernail with my Cowboys pick this week, probably my closest call to date on the year. This week is really a tough call, I was fully prepared to take the Packers, until Rodgers went down and now there is no way that is happening. This leaves the Bears, Giants, and Broncos as the only games I feel pretty good about this week, but none of them strongly so. In the end I am going with the Giants, it is not optimal taking a below five hundred team in survivor this late in the season, but this is sort of a desperation week, and I want to hold on to the Broncos as long as I can
Pick: Giants

NCAA Week 11 picks

I went 5-1 in picking Big Ten games last week, and 2-1 outside of it.
Year To Date
20-6 Big Ten
22-8 Outside Big Ten

Penn St @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Iowa @ Purdue: Pick: Iowa
Illinois @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Nebraska @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan

Outside Big Ten
Oregon @ Stanford: Pick: Oregon
Oklahoma @ Baylor: Pick: Baylor
LSU @ Alabama: Pick: Alabama

Big Ten Standings
With the loss to the Spartans, the Wolverines basically have bowed out of the Big Ten race for this year, another dissapointing year for them. Minnesota remains alive by a fingernail, but one more loss will do that in also. Iowa was officially eliminated this week. The race in the Legends division will most likely come down to the game between Nebraska and Michigan St, though even if Nebraska wins that game it is not out of the realm of possibility for the Spartans to still win it. The Buckeyes need two wins in their last three games to clinch the Leaders division, or one win and one Badgers loss. Indiana is the only other team in the division to be mathematically alive, though that wont last long.

Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 5-0
2. Wisconsin: 4-1
3. Indiana: 1-3
4. Illinois: 0-4 E
5. Purdue: 0-4 E

Legends Division
1. Michigan St: 5-0
2. Nebraska: 3-1
3. Minnesota: 3-2
4. Michigan: 2-2
5. Iowa: 2-3 E
6. Northwestern: 0-5 E

SEC Standings
Florida loss to Georgia pretty much was a nail in their coffin while it kept Georgia alive by a thread. South Carolina remains very much alive while Missouri remains in the lead. If Alabama beats LSU, it will officially eliminate every team in that division except Auburn besides Bama. If LSU wins, it keeps faint hope alive for them and the Aggies.
East
1. Missouri: 4-1
2. South Carolina: 5-2
3. Georgia: 4-2
4. Florida: 3-3
5. Vanderbilt: 1-4 E
6. Tennessee: 1-4 E
7. Kentucky: 0-4 E

West
1. Alabama: 5-0
2. Auburn: 4-1
3. LSU: 3-2
4. Texas A&M: 3-2
5. Ole Miss: 2-3 E
6. Mississippi St: 1-3 E
7. Arkansas: 0-5  E

Final HHN House count

sadness, another year of HHN has left us. This year seemed to zoom by like a blur, probably because the Red Sox playoff run made it go by fast. Its obviously sad to see it end, but by the end I am so worn out that its also somewhat of a relief. Heres the final count:

Walking Dead: 11
La LLorona: 26
Afterlife: 14
Havoc: 24
Evil Dead: 19
American Werewolf: 20
Resident Evil: 11
Cabin in the Woods: 16

Total: 141

Bill and Ted: 12

320 days until HHN 24

World Series Champions!

June 7th 2004, October 28th 2007, February 6th 2011, and now October 30th 2013. The four days in my life where I witnessed one of my sports teams win a championship. This is the first one of my teams to win two for me in my lifetime, though technically the Packers have I dont count that because I was to young to remember the first one.

This one feels much different than in 2007 to me. After the Sox win it in 2007, I had been convinced my many experts and other fans that the Sox were on the verge of a dynasty, and were poised to win four or five championships in a short span. So I took the one in 2007 for granted, assuming Id be celebrating many more soon. Of course, that never happened, and five years later the team hit rock bottom with a last place finish. In 2007, from opening day I knew they were the best team in the league and figured they'd win it all. Even when they were down in the ALCS 3-1 to Cleveland, I knew they were going to come back and win, I was so sure of it I didnt stress at all, and I was right. This year I never really even entertained the idea of this team winning a championship until late August/early September. Until that point it was just a fun season, but I didnt think they were good enough to take it all the way. heres an article from the Red Sox main beat writer back in February, basically telling Sox fans to prepare for a long season.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/02/24/hard-get-excited-about-these-red-sox/GQ5hTjgKOg6MI3gxDOJQWJ/story.html

After they lost game 1 to Detroit, and fell behind 5-0 in game two, I resigned myself to their season basically being over. Then they came back with a vengeance. After they lost game 3 to the Cardinals in heartbreaking fashion, I again resigned myself to the fact they will probably fall just short. I went to sleep Saturday depressed, but woke up Sunday rejuvenated, and though to myself "no more losses, starting tonight we take three in a row." Unlike in 2007, when I knew they'd come back because they were simply the better team, this time I came to believe they would come back simply because this was the most damn resilient sports team Ive ever seen in my life. Countless times this season when they were down they came punching back with a vengeance, it was mind boggling how often it happened.

I thought to myself today how going into 2013, this was the first season for Red Sox fans in probably 15 years where there wasn't a "championship or bust" mentality going into the season. For that reason alone there will simply never be a season ever like this for Red Sox fans again. Now that the trophy is back in Boston, that championship or bust mentality will return next year, and wont go away for a long time. There will be no more lovable underdogs, the band of resilient bearded misfits who came together as one and defied the odds. 2013 was the Impossible dream II, only this time, unlike in 1967, the dream came true.

PS: After reading that article I read through the comments page, here are some notably hilarious ones

 Regardless of what one might think of the author; he is right. The Sox are going to suck big time. They have a mediocre lineup and a bad starting rotation. A decent bullpen will help. But won't make it to the playoffs. Just look at who they are putting in the field. It stinks. A bunch of has beens and a couple of would be fire plugs. Get ready to be dissapointed this season. Big time.

 The reality is that you can't win the World Series every year. Let's face the facts: It is a rebuilding, or bridge year. Get over it.

 as presently constructed, it’s not impossible to imagine the team competing for a wild card into August. Are they a championship team? No. No, no, no. But they’re okay. And there’s a plan in place to be one by 2015.

 the Sox will have to work their asses off to avoid a second-straight last-place finish.

NFL Week 9 Picks

I went a much better 11-2 last week to put me at 77-43 on the season.

Bengals @ Dolphins: Pick: Dolphins
Chiefs @ Bills: Pick: Bills
Vikings @ Cowboys: Pick: Cowboys
Titans @ Rams: Pick: Rams
Saints @ Jets: Pick: Saints
Chargers @ Redskins: Pick: Redskins
Falcons @ Panthers: Pick: Falcons
Eagles @ Raiders: Pick: Raiders
Buccaneers @ Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks
Ravens @ Browns: Pick: Ravens
Steelers @ Patriots: Pick: Patriots
Colts @ Texans: Pick: Colts
Bears @ Packers: Pick: Packers

Survivor Pick
Teams Used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, Rams, 49ers, Falcons, Chiefs
Only 24 possible picks remain, and this is the first week we are really entering uncomfortable territory for me. Almost halfway through the year and I still have the Packers and Broncos up for grabs, thought the Broncos have a bye.  I strongly considered taking the Packers this week, but they have a couple games in the future I would like to use them for. There was really only one other game I feel good about this week so Im taking that one, here it is
Pick: Cowboys

A euology/ some rabling thoughts on the 2013 Red Sox Season

Well, here we are, one win away from the unthinkable, the Red Sox winning the World series. I always try not to be a prisoner of the moment, which is why I have been hesitant to call this years Red Sox team my favorite sports team of all time, but I can no longer deny the simple fact that it is.

I have compared this team to the 2007 Packers and 2011 Lightning as my favorite sports teams of all time. While those two teams will always have a special place close to my heart, this years Red Sox surpass them in that I feel an emotional connection to this team that I have never felt with one of my sports teams before. There are several reasons for this, and I am not sure mere words can really express the emotional connection I feel to this time, but I will try.

For starters, I have never put in more time following a sports team than I have with this years Red Sox. I would estimate I have spent about 1,000 hours over the past 6 months watching games plus pre and post game shows. Every day at work or school or home all day I would think about that nights Red Sox game. Whenever the end of my work day was close to the beginning of the Red Sox game, I would run home and turn it on the second I got home. It was such an exciting team to watch that every single day I was eagerly anticipating that days game as soon as I woke up.

Back in March, I brought a notebook, the goal to record the box score of every single Red Sox game this season. Six Months later and I have all 162 box scores plus all 15 playoff box scores in that notebook. This special special season will forever be immortalized in that notebook, and I am so glad I decided to do this.

I still remember sitting down to watch this team on opening day. Considering the team went 69-93 last year, and literally not one single person had picked them to make the playoffs, my excitement for this season was rather low. The team turned in a high energy 7-2 win on opening day, highlighed by none other than Jonny Gomes, the teams energetic sparkplug, scoring on an infield single from second base. I remember telling my dad later that night "The Red Sox looked like a damn good team today." to which he replied "Its just one game." I knew that of course, but I just had a feeling after that opening day that this team might actually be pretty good, of course I was right.

Of course there was the Boston Marathon bombings in Mid April, and its pretty safe to say no other team has been as inspired by a city tragedy than this years Boston Red Sox. Thats where a lot of the emotional connection comes from, is watching this team realize they are peoples coping mechanism from this tragedy, and accepting that role the way they have. Heres a great video that illustrates that
 http://wapc.mlb.com/nyy/play/?content_id=31171287&topic_id=7417714

Of course there was all the heartstopping moments the Red Sox put out this year, the "Cardiac Sox" as they came to be called. 11 walk off wins, a franchise record. Twice they overcame 5 run deficits in the ninth inning. Mike Carps ninth inning grand slam against the Rays in September. All the amazing moments in a single season that I will never forget. It's hard for me to pinpoint an exact moment when I started to believe this team could win a world series. Up until about the end of June I was just enjoying the ride, but never even expected the team to make the playoffs. Around early July, I started to believe this team was playoff worthy, but I dont think I began to think World Series until around late August, when the Sox took 2 of 3 from Los Angeles. Heres a video of all 11 Red Sox walk off wins this season
http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29351411

This has been such a magical season, I cant even describe how much joy and excitement this team has provided me this season. I want them to win it all so bad, and if they finally pull it off I think I will explode. Ive never had more fun following a sports team than I have this year with the Red Sox.

I never want this season to end, but if it has to, Id rather it be tomorrow. 

NCAA Week 10 picks

I went 2-2 in picking big ten games this week, 3-0 outside it.
Year to date:
15-5 Big Ten
20-7 Outside Big Ten

Illinois @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Wisconsin @ Iowa: Pick: Wisconsin
Ohio St @ Purdue: Pick: Ohio St
Minnesota @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Michigan @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan st
Northwestern @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska

Outside the Big Ten
Miami @ Florida St: Pick: Florida St
Oklahoma St @ Texas Tech: Pick: Oklahoma St
USC @ Oregon St: Pick: Oregon St

Big Ten Standings: Well my preseason Big Ten championship is looking like it will be half right, half disastrous. Northwestern drops to 0-4 and may end up last in the legends, not looking like a good pick from me. Meanwhile wins by Iowa and Minnesota means they both continue to stick around for another week. really though, theres a very strong chance the Legends division will be decided by this week Michigan/Michigan St game, although even with a Michigan win, the Spartans would still be very alive. For Michigan though, its a must win.

Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 4-0
2. Wisconsin: 3-1
3. Indiana: 1-2
4. Illinois: 0-3
5. Purdue: 0-3

Legends Division
1. Michigan St: 4-0
2. Michigan: 2-1
3. Nebraska: 2-1
4. Iowa: 2-2
5. Minnesota: 2-2
6. Northwestern: 0-4

SEC Standings: South Carolina kept it a race with an upset over Missouri, a win for the Tigers would have been the nail in the coffin, but the cocks win keeps them alive, also Florida and Georgia stay alive with a very outside chance. Alabama remains in control of the West, but its looking possible the division will squarely come down to the Iron Bowl, don't rule Auburn out.  Unlike the Big Ten where every team is still mathematically alive, four of the 14 SEC teams have been officially eliminated from the race.

East
1. Missouri: 3-1
2. South Carolina: 4-2
3. Florida: 3-2
4. Georgia: 3-2
5. Tennessee: 1-3
6.  Vanderbilt: 1-4 E
7. Kentucky: 0-4 E

West
1. Alabama: 5-0
2. Auburn: 3-1
3. LSU: 3-2
4. Texas A&M: 3-2
5. Ole Miss: 2-3 E
6. Mississippi St: 1-2
7. Arkansas: 0-4 E

NFL Week 8 Picks

I went a mediocre 8-7 picking games this week, standings at 66-41 on the season.

Panthers @ Buccaneers: Pick: Panthers
Packers @ Vikings: Pick: Packers
Cowboys @ Lions: Pick: Cowboys
Browns @ Chiefs: Pick: Chiefs
Dolphins @ Patriots: Pick: Patriots
Bills @ Saints: Pick: Saints
Giants @ Eagles: Pick: Eagles
49ers @ Jaguars: Pick: 49ers
Jets @ Bengals: Pick: Bengals
Steelers @ Raiders: Pick: Raiders
Redskins @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos
Falcons @ Cardinals: Pick: Cardinals
Seahawks @ Rams: Pick: Seahawks

Survivor Pick
Teams Used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, Rams, 49ers, Falcons
One pick away from making it into November with survivor this year after losing it in September last year. I still have the Saints, Broncos, Packers and Chiefs as feather in my caps, will I take any of them this week? This week was a tough one to decide on for me. The Bengals are enticing, but you never know with the Jets. I was going to take the Saints, but in the end decided to continue to save them, same for Denver. Give me the Chiefs for 8-0, which means Im officially off the Browns playoff bandwagon I was on a couple weeks ago
Pick: Chiefs

NCAA Week Nine Picks

I went 4-1 in picking Big ten games last week, sitting at 13-3 this season. 1-2 outside the Big ten putting me at 17-7 outside it

Nebraska @ Minnesota: Pick: Nebraska
Northwestern @ Iowa: Pick: Northwestern
Michigan St @ Illinois: Pick: Michigan St
Penn St @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St

Outside the Big Ten
South Carolina @ Missouri: Pick: South Carolina
Stanford @ Oregon St: Pick: Stanford
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma: Pick: Oklahoma

Big Ten Standings
Another win for Ohio St, one step closer to to clinching a Big Ten title berth. The Badgers are the only team nipping at their heels, the other 3 teams have bowed out, though none of them are officially eliminated yet. In the Legends division, the race is as confusing as ever. Is Michigan a contender? Are minnesota or Iowa going to make noise in the race? Both teams will have to win this weekend to stay afloat in the race. Iowa already loses a tiebreaker to Michigan st so it appears unlikely. Is Michigan st really that good? The only sure thing is that after this weekend, Northwestern has bowed out of the race, unfortunate because I thought they would win it this year.

Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 3-0
2. Wisconsin: 3-1
3. Indiana: 1-2
4. Illinois: 0-2
5. Purdue: 0-3

Legends Division
1. Michigan St: 3-0
2.  Nebraska: 2-0
3. Michigan: 2-1
4. Iowa: 1-2
5. Minnesota: 1-2
6. Northwestern: 0-3

SEC Standings: At this point the it appears a foregone conclusion. Missouri has a 2 game lead over anyone else in the east. Who would have thought Missouri would win this division at all, let alone be a near lock by middle October. Alabama is obviously the favorite in the west, and with LSU suffering a second loss, it appears they have bowed out. Now only Auburn can stand in their way it seems. Arkansas is the first team to be officially eliminated from the race.

West
1. Alabama: 4-0
2. Auburn: 3-1
3. LSU: 3-2
4. Texas A&M: 2-2
5. Ole Miss: 2-3
6. Mississippi St: 0-2

East
1. Missouri: 3-0
2. South Carolina: 3-2
3. Florida: 3-2
4. Georgia: 3-2
5. Tennessee: 1-2
6. Vanderbilt: 1-3
7. Kentucky: 0-3

AAC Standings: A big win for UCF over Louisville has them in the drivers seat to win the AAC!
1. UCF: 2-0
2. Houston: 2-0
3. South Florida: 2-0
4. Louisville: 2-1
5. Cinncinatti: 2-1
6. Rutgers: 1-1
7. SMU: 1-1
8. Uconn: 0-2
9. Memphis: 0-3
10. Temple: 3-0
7. Arkansas: 0-4

Just a fun note

The three most improbable and magical seasons in Red Sox history are 1967, 2004, and 2013. They all ended in World Series match ups Versus the Cardinals.

Big Papis Home run

Two days later and its starting to set in that what I witnessed Sunday was one of the greatest moments of my sports life.

http://wapc.mlb.com/bos/play/?content_id=31138947&topic_id=11493214&c_id=bos

NFL Week 7 Picks

I went 10-5 in picking games in week 6, putting me at 58-34 on the season.

Seahawks @ Cardinals: Pick: Cardinals
Browns @ Packers: Pick: Packers
Buccaneers @ Falcons: Pick: Falcons
Bengals @ Lions: Pick: Bengals
Bills @ Dolphins: Pick: Dolphins
Patriots @ Jets: Pick: Patriots
Cowboys @ Eagles: Pick: Eagles
Bears @ Redskins: Pick: Redskins
Rams @ Panthers: Pick: Panthers
Chargers @ Jaguars: Pick: Chargers
49ers @ Titans: Pick: 49ers
Texans @ Chiefs: Pick: Texans
Ravens @ Steelers: Pick: Ravens
Broncos @ Colts: Pick: Broncos
Vikings @ Giants: Pick: Giants

Survivor Pick
Teams Used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, Rams, 49ers
After losing the survivor pool in week two last year, Ive managed to survive through six week so far this season. It was a toss up this week for me between the Packers and Falcons. Looking at the future schedule the Falcons don't have any games left this season after this week where I would feel comfortable taking them, but the Packers do in home games with Philly, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh. So I'll save the Packers for now and say for this week
Pick: Falcons
Taking a 1-4 team here, but they are better than there record, due for a win, at home, coming off a bye, and playing a complete dumpster fire of a team. Take all that into account, they are the lock for the week.

the 2013 Red Sox Season has crossed into the Surreal

My favorite Sports teams of all time are the 2007 Packers and the 2011 Lightning. The 2013 Red Sox have crossed into that pantheon of my favorite teams of all time. Neither of those first 2 teams won championships, and its entirely possible this Red Sox team won't either, so why do those teams beat out teams that did win Championships, the 2007 Red Sox, 2004 Lightning and 2010 Packers? Because none of those teams were expected to do anything, and proved everyone wrong. Theres nothing more enjoyable in sports than watching one of your teams get picked to finish near the bottom of the league in the preseason, then end up making a run at a championship. Maybe Im at an emotional high because of tonight's result, but this Red Sox team may be my favorite sports team of all time. And tonights game may have been the best sports game Ive ever gone through.

After last night's dismal performance, one hit in a 1-0 loss, tonights game was a must win. Unfortunately, through 7 innings, the offense continued to be dead silent. To make matters worse, the Tigers bats woke up, and heading to the bottom of the 8th Detroit had a 5-1 lead. Fenway was silent, stunned, depressed. I was silent, stunned, depressed. Heading to the bottom of the eighth I played "Dont Stop Believing" grabbed my rally towel, put on my rally hat, and basically said to myself that this Red Sox team has given me so much happiness this year that I was going to cheer for these last two innings even if it seemed hopeless. After a walk and two singles the Red Sox had the bases loaded, but two strikeouts were mixed in, so there were two outs. To the plate steps Big Papi, who else? Mr Red Sox, Mr Clutch, Mr October heroics. On the first pitch of the at bat Ortiz laced a line drive to right field, barely over the glove of Torri Hunter into the stands. Grand slam. Tie game. I'm jumping up and down screaming like a little kid at midnight. probably woke some neighbors. definitely woke my dad. The Red Sox back from the dead. The game headed to the ninth tied, where in the bottom of the inning, Jonny Gomes reached on an infield single, then got to second on an error, and to third on a wild pitch. Then Jarrod Saltalamacchia barely got a ball through the infield for a base hit. Game over. Red Sox win. Series tied 1-1, season still alive. IF the Red Sox go onto win the World Series this will be the most incredible sports game of my life. Even if they don't I will still always remember it fondly. This team is incredible. I wasn't ready for this incredible journey of a season to end, and apparently neither were the Red Sox. I don't know if the Red Sox will go on to win the World Series, or even win this series, but there's one thing I do know. Do not count this team out until the last out is made against them, ever. 

NCAA Week 8 picks

I went 3-1 in Big ten play, and 2-1 outside big ten play last week. This season I am 9-2 in Big Ten Play and 16-5 outside it.

Minnesota @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Purdue @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Indiana @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Iowa @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Wisconsin @ Illinois: Pick: Wisconsin

Outside the Big Ten
Florida St @ Clemson: Pick: Clemson
UCLA @ Stanford: Pick: Stanford
Florida @ Missouri: Pick: Florida

Big Ten Standings: Ohio St had the week off, but the Badgers win keeps a little pressure on them. Again, in order for the Badgers to make the Big ten championship they have to finish 5-0 and have ohio st lose twice. Otherwise its the Buckeyes. The Legends Division however, is wide open. Michigan is not going to take this thing going away like some thought, Nebraska has its flaws, and Northwestern already has two losses, but could get back in it still. Michigan St has made its claim as a contender and even Iowa isnt buried yet. Only Minnesota has pretty much been written off so far.

Leaders Division:
1. Ohio St: 2-0
2. Wisconsin: 2-1
3. Indiana: 1-1
4. Illinois: 0-1
5. Purdue: 0-2

Leaders Division
1.Michigan St: 2-0
2. Nebraska: 2-0
3. Michigan: 1-1
4. Iowa: 1-1
5. Northwestern: 0-2
6. Minnesota: 0-2


SEC Standings: Missouri's win over Georgia has paved the way for a wild SEC East race. Missouri and Florida this Saturday could be an elimination game, with the loser bowing out of what is right now a four team race. The west is still paved for Alabama, but for right now its a three team race, with Auburn and LSU in it also. A likely Auburn loss Saturday will make it a two team race between LSU and Alabama with their head to head match-up likely the deciding factor.

East:
1. Missouri: 2-0
2. South Carolina: 3-1
3. Georgia: 3-1
4. Florida: 3-1
5. Tennessee: 0-2
6. Kentucky: 0-3
7. Vanderbilt: 0-3

West
1. Alabama: 3-0
2. LSU: 3-1
3. Auburn: 2-1
4. Texas A&M: 2-1
5. Ole Miss: 1-3
6. Mississippi St: 0-2
7. Arkansas: 0-3

NFL Week 6 picks

I went 10-4 in week five, putting me at 48-29 on the season so far

Giants @ Bears: Pick: Giants
Packers @ Ravens: Pick: Packers
Bengals @ Bills: Pick: Bengals
Lions @ Browns: Pick: Browns
Raiders @ Chiefs: Pick: Chiefs
Panthers @ Vikings: Pick: Vikings
Steelers @ Jets: Pick: Steelers
Eagles @ Buccaneers: Pick: Eagles
Rams @ Texans: Pick: Texans
Jaguars @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos
Titans @ Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks
Saints @ Patriots: Pick: Patriots
Cardinals @ 49ers: Pick: 49ers
Redskins @ Cowboys: Pick: Cowboys
Colts @ Chargers: Pick: Colts

Survivor Pick
Teams Used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, Rams
Another solid pick last week going against the grain and taking the Rams. The Broncos are the obvious choice this week, but I am going to continue to save them for later in the season. I considered taking the Chiefs, but I still don't fully trust them. So for this week
Pick: 49ers

NCAA Week 7 picks

I went 5-0 in Big ten play, and 3-0 outside it this week, giving me a 6-1 Big ten record and 14-4 outside big ten record.

Indiana @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Nebraska @ Purdue: Pick: Nebraska
Northwestern @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Michigan @ Penn St: Pick: Michigan

Outside the Big Ten
Oregon @ Washington: Pick: Oregon
Florida @ LSU: Pick: LSU
Oklahoma @ Texas: Pick: Oklahoma

Big Ten Standings: The legends division is still wide open, but the Ohio St victory over Northwestern will make it very difficult for any other team to overcome in the leaders division. For the Badgers to have any chance to make the Big ten championship game at this point they will have to run the table, have Michigan beat Ohio St, and one other team pull off a huge upset over the Buckeyes as well. Not holding my breath.  Northwestern sits at #5 in the legends this week, but I fully expect them to climb the ladder and make a run at winning that division.

Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 2-0
2. Indiana: 1-0
3. Wisconsin: 1-1
4. Illinois: 0-1
5. Purdue: 0-1

Legends Division
1. Michigan: 1-0
2. Nebraska: 1-0
3. Michigan St: 1-0
4. Iowa: 1-1
5. Northwestern: 0-1
6. Minnesota: 0-2

Just for fun, we'll keep track of the SEC standings as well

West
1. Alabama: 2-0
2. LSU: 2-1
3. Auburn: 2-1
4. Texas A&M: 1-1
5. Ole Miss: 1-2
6. Arkansas: 0-2
7. Mississippi St: 0-2

East
1. Georgia: 3-0
2. Florida: 3-0
3. Missouri: 1-0
4. South Carolina: 2-1
5. Tennessee: 0-2
6. Kentucky: 0-2
7. Vanderbilt: 0-3

NFL Week Five picks

A second straight not so great week, going 8-7, now 38-25 on the season.

Bills @ Browns: Pick: Browns
Lions @ Packers: Pick: Packers
Saints @ Bears: Pick: Saints
Patriots @ Bengals: Pick: Bengals
Chiefs @ Titans: Pick: Chiefs
Seahawks @ Colts: Pick: Colts
Jaguars @ Rams: Pick: Rams
Ravens @ Dolphins: Pick: Ravens
Eagles @ Giants: Pick: Giants
Panthers @ Cardinals: Pick: Panthers
Broncos @ Cowboys: Pick: Broncos
Texans @ 49ers: Pick: 49ers
Chargers @ Raiders: Pick: Chargers
Jets @ Falcons: Pick: Falcons

Survivor Pick: Teams used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Titans
I went out on a bit of a limb last week, going with Tennesee as my survivor pick, instead of Denver, which was the popular pick, electing to save Denver and the other elite teams for later in the year. It paid off and for a second straight week Im going with a non-elite team for my survivor pick
Pick: Rams

NCAA Week Six Picks

I went 3-1 in Big ten play (1-1 in interconference games) giving me a 40-7 outside conference record, and 2-1 Conference record. I went 2-1 outside the Big ten giving me an 11-4 record there.

Penn St @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Illinois @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Michigan St @ Iowa: Pick: Michigan St
Minnesota @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Ohio St @ Northwestern: Pick: Ohio St

Outside the Big Ten
Washington @ Stanford: Pick: Stanford
Arizona St @ Notre Dame: Pick: Notre Dame
TCU @ Oklahoma: Pick: Oklahoma

Big Ten Standings
Leaders Division
1. Ohio St: 1-0
2. Wisconsin: 1-1
3. Illinois: 0-0
4. Indiana: 0-0
5. Purdue: 0-1

Legends Division
1. Iowa: 1-0
2. Michigan: 0-0
3. Michigan St: 0-0
4. Northwestern: 0-0
5. Nebraska: 0-0
6. Minnesota: 0-1

Week 4 NFL picks

I went a less than impressive 9-7 in Week Three, putting me at 30-18 on the season.

49ers @ Rams: Pick: Rams
Ravens @ Bills: Pick: Ravens
Bengals @ Browns: Pick: Browns
Bears @ Lions: Pick: Lions
Giants @ Chiefs: Pick: Giants
Steelers @ Vikings: Pick: Steelers
Cardinals @ Buccaneers: Pick: Buccaneers
Colts @ Jaguars: Pick: Colts
Seahawks @ Texans: Pick: Texans
Jets @ Titans: Pick: Titans
Eagles @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos
Redskins @ Raiders: Pick: Redskins
Cowboys @ Chargers: Pick: Chargers
Patriots @ Falcons: Pick: Falcons
Dolphins @ Saints: Pick: Saints

Survivor Pick
Teams used: Colts, Patriots, Seahawks
Week Four Pick: Titans

NCAA Week 5 picks

I went 9-1 in picking Big ten games this week (1-0 in Big ten Play) and 3-0 outside the conference, giving me a 38-7 Big Ten record, 37-7 outside conference play, 1-0 inside it, and a 9-3 record outside the Big Ten. Only 4 Big Ten games this week

Miami (OH) @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Northern Illinois @ Purdue: Pick: Northern Illinois
Iowa @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnestoa
Wisconsin @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St

Outside the Big Ten
LSU @ Georgia: Pick: Georgia
Oklahoma @ Notre Dame: Pick: Oklahoma
South Carolina @ UCF: Pick: UCF

Big Ten Standings
Not much to report so far, and nothing in the legends division. The leaders division has had one game, so technically the Badgers are in 1st place!

1. Wisconsin: 1-0
2. Ohio St: 0-0
3. Illinois: 0-0
4. Indiana: 0-0
5. Purdue: 0-1

http://touristdirect.blogspot.com/

NFL Week 3 picks

I went 10-6 in picking week two games, putting up a 21-11 start to the year through two weeks

Chiefs @ Eagles: Pick: Chiefs
Packers @ Bengals: Pick: Packers
Rams @ Cowboys: Pick: Cowboys
Chargers @ Titans: Pick: Titans
Browns @ Vikings: Pick: Vikings
Buccaneers @ Patriots: Pick: Patriots
Cardinals @ Saints: Pick: Saints
Lions @ Redskins: Pick: Redskins
Giants @ Panthers: Pick: Panthers
Texans @ Ravens: Pick: Ravens
Falcons @ Dolphins: Pick: Falcons
Bills @ Jets: Pick: Bills
Colts @ 49ers: Pick: 49ers
Jaguars @ Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks
Bears @ Steelers: Pick: Steelers
Raiders @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos

Survivor Pick: Seahawks

NCAA Week Four Picks

I went 8-4 in Picking Big Ten Games this week, putting me at 29-6 for the season, and went 1-2 outside the Big Ten, putting me 6-3 there. Big Ten Conference play starts this week with just one game, otherwise its still out of conference games for the entire Big Ten for one more week

San Jose St @ Minnesota: Pick: San Jose St
Florida A&M @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Western Michigan @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Maine @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Michigan St @ Notre Dame: Pick: Notre Dame
SDSU @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Kent St @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Michigan @ UConn: Pick: Michigan
Missouri @ Indiana: Pick: Missouri
Purdue @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin

Outside the Big Ten
Arizona St @ Stanford: Pick: Stanford
Kansas St @ Texas: Pick: Texas
Clemson @ NC State: Pick: Clemson

Yet another magical moment in a magical season

If there is a team of destiny in baseball this year, it has to be the Boston Red Sox. There is no other explanation for the sheer amount of magical moments they have put together this season. From huge ninth inning comebacks, to walk off wins on an opponent error, to their closer having the most dominant season for an MLB pitcher EVER, its been an incredible season.

It continued last night, when in a tie game in the tenth inning and the bases loaded with two outs, manager John Farrell called on pinch hitter Mike Carp who on the first pitch of the at bat hammered a grand slam to dead center field. It was the first pinch hit grand slam for the Red Sox in 10 years. The slam clinched a 7-3 win for the Sox who now hold an insurmountable 9.5 game lead in the AL East, and a four game lead over any other team in the Entire American League for home field advantage in the playoffs.

And finally, its team to recognize just how earth shattering the Red Sox closer, Koji Uehara has been this season. Since taking over as closer he has a 0.36 ERA, he has retired 36 batters in a row, thats a perfect game , plus 3 more innings of another game! Opponents have just 6 hits against him over the last 104 batters faced, for an .093 batting average against. Finally, for the entire season he has allowed an average of 0.53 base runners per inning, which would be an MLB record for any pitcher in MLB history if it lasts. The previous record belong to Dennis Eckerlsey, who one season compiled an average of 0.60 baserunners per inning. its been an amazing ride.

15 games left in the season, and its time to rest some guys and get them energized for the playoffs. Yes, were talking about playoffs.

NFL Week Two Picks

I went 11-5 in picking week one NFL games, not a bad start to the season considering week one is the toughest week to predict.  I also got my survivor pick right in the Colts over Raiders

Jets At Patriots: Pick: Patriots
Redskins At Packers: Pick: Packers
Rams At Falcons: Pick: Falcons
Panthers At Bills: Pick: Panthers
Vikings At Bears: Pick: Vikings
Dolphins At Colts: Pick: Colts
Cowboys At Chiefs: Pick: Chiefs
Chargers At Eagles: Pick: Eagles
Browns At Ravens: Pick: Ravens
Titans At Texans: Pick: Texans
Lions At Cardinals: Pick: Cardinals
Saints At Buccaneers: Pick: Bucanneers
Jaguars At Raiders: Pick: Jaguars
Broncos At Giants: Pick: Broncos
49ers At Seahawks: Pick: Seahawks
Steelers At Bengals: Pick: Bengals

Survivor Pick: Patriots

NCAA Week Three Picks

I went 9-2 in Picking Big Ten Games last week, and 2-1 outside the Big Ten. Overall I have a 21-2 Big Ten record and 5-1 record outside of the conference. Thank God we only have a couple weeks left of cupcake games before the conference season kicks in and we can focus on the standings.  Here are the picks

Bowling Green at Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Akron @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Western Illinois @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
UCLA @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Youngstown St @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Iowa @ Iowa St: Pick: Iowa St
UCF @ Penn St: Pick: Penn st
Washington @ Illinois: Pick: Washington
Ohio St @ Cal: Pick: Ohio St
Notre Dame @ Purdue: Pick: Notre Dame
Western Michigan @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Wisconsin @ Arizona St: Pick: Wisconsin

Outside the Big Ten: A Texas sized edition of outside the Big Ten this week.
Alabama @ Texas A&M: Pick: Alabama
TCU @ Texas Tech: Pick: TCU
Ole Miss @ Texas: Pick: Texas

Three straight Magical nights has Red Sox fever going strong

Its late March 2013, and my sports excitement is literally at an all time low. I was still thinking about a disastrous ending to the Packers season, a somewhat disappointing Badgers season, and disastrous seasons for both the Lightning and Magic were about to come to merciful ends. And baseball was right around the corner, with the Red Sox coming off their worst season in 47 years, there was little to no optimism. Every expert around had the Red Sox finishing in last place this year. All I wanted was to have one sports team to be excited about, because it seemed like it had been so long since Ive had that "fever" for one of my teams, but I did not see the Red Sox providing it to me this year.

Then the season started and the team took off. Not only were they winning, but often doing so in hearstopping exciting fashion. A scrappy resilient bunch, with a never say die attitude, often winning games they had not much business winning. They played strong all the way to September 1st, where they entered the month in first place.

Ah yes, September, just the mention of the month sends shivers up Red Sox fans spines. The last 3 Septembers have been nothing short of horrendous for Boston. In 2010, tied for a wild card spot on September 1, the Sox fizzled and went 13-15 in the month, finishing 5 games back. Of course there's 2011, the most epic collapse in baseball history. The year the Red Sox entered September with a NINE game lead over the Rays, and went 7-20 in September, losing a playoff spot the last day of the year. Then last year, already out of the playoff race, the Sox looked lifeless all month long, finishing the year with a 4-23 record over the final 27 games.

So even though the Sox entered September this year in first, everyone was skeptical if they could hang on through the final month. Wonder no more, these last 3 nights have proven this team isnt losing their hold on first place, this is a different team, with every intention of winning the division.

Its hard to recall for me three games in a row that were as exciting and amazing as these last three, especially so late in the year.

It started Tuesday, with Boston taking on the best pitcher in the league, Max Scherzer with a 19-1 record on the year, nealry unbeatable. Thanks to a huge two run single by Will Middlebrooks, and a masterfully pitched game by Jon Lester, the Sox handed Scherzer just his second loss of the year in a 2-1 game.

Then Wednesday night, the Sox put on a show mashing a team record 8 home runs, and scoring 20 runs overall, their most runs scored in a game in 10 years. The offense looked relentless and it was fun to watch every second of it.

Then last night, against the hated Yankees, probably the most exciting, heart stopping Red Sox game in years. Boston opened up a 7-2 lead through seven innings and looked like they would coast to an easy win. The pitching imploded however, allowing 6 runs to the Yankees in the eighth, all of a sudden losing the lead 8-7. The Sox teams of the last three years would have folded up like a tent and took the loss without a fight after that. But in the top of the ninth, with two outs and nobody on, Mike Napoli laced a single to keep the game alive. Then a steal of second and a base hit by Stephen Drew tied the game 8-8. Down to their last strike twice, Boston pulled out another comeback. In the top of 10th, The Red Sox took the lead 9-8 off a Victorino single, and Uehara closed out a 9-8 sox win, the most exciting win in years.

With just 20 games left, Boston now has a 6.5 game lead in the division. I have complete faith they will hang on, and at a time where I couldn't get excited about any of my sports teams, these Sox gave me that fever back, and hopefully that fever carries all the way to the World Series.

NFL Week One Picks

A new NFL season is upon us, and this one promises to be a good one. The division races in the AFC North, NFC West and NFC East will be the most exciting races to watch in my opinion, but all division races, with the exception of maybe the AFC East will have some intrigue. To start off this week one, I will give my standings predictions for the season, then my game by game predictions for week one. A star by a second place team equals a wild card berth

NFC East
1. New York Giants
2. Dallas Cowboys*
3. Washington Redskins
4. Philadelphia Eagles

NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Chicago Bears
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Detroit Lions

NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Carolina Panthers

NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. San Francisco 49ers*
3. St Louis Rams
4. Arizona Cardinals

Playoff Order
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. New York Giants
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. Dallas Cowboys

Divisional Round: Packers defeat Falcons, 49ers defeat Seahawks
NFC Championship: Packers defeat 49ers

AFC East
1. New England Patriots
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins
4. Buffalo Bills

AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Cleveland Browns*
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South
1. Houston Texans
2. Tennesee Titans
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC West
1. Denver Broncos
2. Kansas City Chiefs*
3. San Diego Chargers
4. Oakland Raiders

Getting pretty bold here, picking the Browns and Chiefs to make the playoffs, and the Steelers to finish last

Playoff Order
1. New England Patriots
2. Denver Broncos
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Houston Texans
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Cleveland Browns

Divisonal Round: Patriots Defeat Texans, Broncos defeat Bengals
NFC Championship: Broncos Defeat Patriots

Super Bowl: Packers defeat Broncos

Yes Im a homer, Oh well.

Week One Picks
Ravens @ Broncos: Pick: Broncos
Packers @ 49ers: Pick: 49ers
Patriots @ Bills: Pick: Patriots
Bengals @ Bears: Pick: Bengals
Dolphins @ Browns: Pick: Browns
Vikings @ Lions: Pick: Vikings
Raiders @ Colts: Pick: Colts
Falcons @ Saints: Pick: Falcons
Buccaneers @ Jets: Pick: Jets
Titans @ Steelers: Pick: Steelers
Seahawks @ Panthers: Pick: Seahawks
Chiefs @ Jaguars: Pick: Chiefs
Cardinals @ Rams: Pick: Rams
Giants @ Cowboys: Pick: Cowboys
Eagles @ Redskins: Pick: Redskins
Texans @ Chargers: Pick: Texans

Survivor Pick: Colts

NCAA Week Two Picks

So I had a pretty good first week of the season, going 12-0 In Big ten games and 3-0 outside the Big Ten. Ok, so it wasnt the most challenging week, but I still nailed a couple upsets picking Northern Illinois to knock off Iowa, and Clemson to defeat Georgia. So, onto week two.

South Florida @ Michigan St: You thought Michigan losing to Appalachain state was bad? South Florida may have just suffered the most humiliating college football defeat ever, losing to a D-2 school, Mcneese St, by THIRTY TWO points! The 32 point drubbing was the largest ever by a D-2 school over a D-1 school. Im scares to think what Michigan ST will do to them. Pick: Michigan st

Eastern Michigan @ Penn ST: Pick: Penn st
Tennessee Tech @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Cincinnati @ Illinois: Pick: Cincinnati
Missouri St @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Indiana St @ Purdue: Pick: Purdue
San Diego ST @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Syracuse @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Navy @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Southern Miss @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Notre Dame @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Minnesota @ New Mexico St: Pick: Minnesota

Outside the Big Ten
South Carolina @ Georgia: Pick: Georgia
Florida @ Miami: Pick: Miami
Texas @ BYU: Pick: Texas

OMG football is back!!! Week One College football picks

I can not believe we have once again reached the absolute best time of the year. When I was a kid, this was the worst time of the year, but over the years has become my unparalleled favorite. Footballs back, the weather is getting set to cool down, Halloween Horror Nights is approaching, and all sorts of pumpkin flavored treats and goodies are making their way into stores. Horror movies will be a popular option on several TV channels, and an added bonus this year, the Red Sox are in first place, a game up on the Rays heading into the final 30 games of the year. So many reasons why this is the greatest time of the year. For this post though, we will focus on the college football aspect, just as last year I will pick every Big Ten game, and a few other of the top games around college football. Of course the first three or four weeks in the Big Ten are usually not so exciting as most schools are playing cupcakes as they gear up for conference season, but that doesnt mean we cant have fun anyways. Heres to another great season!

Indiana St @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
UNLV @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Western Michigan @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Buffalo @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Umass @ Wisconsin: Badgers are 44.5 point favorites and Umass isnt even the worst non conference team they are playing this year. Pick: Wisconsin
South Illinois @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Purdue @ Cincinnati: Pick: Cincinnati
Central Michigan @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Syracuse @ Penn ST: Pick: Penn St
Northern Illinois @ Iowa: Pick: Northern Illinois
Wyoming @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Northwestern @ Cal: Pick: Northwestern

Ok, so The Big Ten offerings this week dont exactly inspire much excitement, but luckily there are a few great games to open the year outside the Big Ten

Georgia @ Clemson: Pick: Clemson
LSU @ TCU: Pick: LSU
Alabama @ Virginia Tech: Pick: Alabama

Red Sox 1st half Recap Day 3: Roster Power Rankings

This has been the day of the recap that I was most looking forward to. So far throughout the first 97 games of the season the Red Sox have played 41 different players. Some for only a game or two, some for 90+ games. Today, I will rank them all in terms of how valuable they have been so far this season. This is not a straightforward rank, every player was ranked on a curve based on expectations and percentage of games they have had a huge positive impact. If a player has only played in 5 games, but had a substantial positive impact in 2 or 3 of them, they will be ranked higher than a player who has played in 50 games, and had a positive substantial impact in only 9 or 10 of them. So off we go

41. Jonathan Diaz: 5 Games, 0 for 4, .000 batting average: Diaz was brought up as a very temporary injury replacement towards the end of June. He wasnt expected to do much and didnt, besides a couple nice plays on the defensive side of things

40. Daniel Bard: 1 game, 1.0 Innings, 9.00 ERA: One of the most bizarre stories in Red Sox history continues. from 2008-2011 Bard was a young phenom who was thought to be the next Red Sox ace. Then all of a sudden he imploded in early 2012, he completely lost his control and suffered through walk after walk. He was finally demoted to the minors and hasnt been seen since June of 2012, save for one game this year for one mere inning of relief. it looks like Bard may no longer be in the future plans of the Red Sox.

39. Matt Thornton: 1 Game, 0.2 innings, 13.50 ERA. Obviously Thornton should move up this list as the season progresses. The Red Sox just traded for him last week to be a good lefty out of the pen, but he took the loss in his first and only game with the team, so right now he places low.

38. Joel Hanrahan: 9 games, 9.82 ERA. Hanrahan was supposed to be the Red Sox closer this year, but looked awful before being put on the DL with an injury. He returned in mid may but still looked bad and was put on the DL again before it was announced he was done for the season. He ended up saving four games on the season. a wasted year for a good pitcher.

37. Pedro Ciriaco: 28 games, .216 batting average. Ciriaco burst onto the scene last year as a Yankee killer. He hit .420 in 11 games against the Yankees, but .230 against everyone else, which Red Sox fans forgave because as long as you play well against the Yankees theyll love you. This year however,  he kind of sucked against every team including the Yankees. Worse than his .216 average was his horrendous defense as 3rd base with just an .854 fielding percentage (League average is .970) Finally in mid june he was traded to San Diego for basically nothing. Adios Pedro.

36. Clayton Mortensen: 24 games, 5.32 ERA: Mortensen has been a serviceable long relief man for the most part, but when thrust into high leverage situations has not been reliable, which has for the time being cost him a spot on the big league team, as he is now spending time in the minors. We may see him with the big club again this year, but it would take a few injuries.

35. Franklin Morales: 6 games, 7.30 ERA. Morales was kind of a disaster out of the bullpen this year, but put together a couple of nice spot starts. He didnt pitch nearly as well as last year, but its apparent now he was pitching injured as he was put on the DL in mid june then it was announced he was out for the year.

34. Allen Webster: 6 games, 9.57 ERA. Webster is going to be a good, maybe even great pitcher one day, but its apparent he isnt ready yet. The Sox had no choice with injuries to give him a shot but he struggled, and was sent back to the minors last week. We'll see him again, and he'll be much better.

33. Pedro Beato: 3 games, 0.00 ERA: Beato has been nothing more than an emergency guy thrust into a game for an inning when the bullpen is depleted and tired. That said, he has done his job, though a limited one, admirably.

32. Alex Wilson: 26 games, 4.88 ERA: Wilson went through April as a reliable middle relief guy, then regressed to average in May and June, then regressed even more in awful to July, and is the guy responsible for the Sox blowing a 4 run 9th inning lead to the Angels on July 6th. After that game he was placed on the DL with no timetable for a return, not that anyone really cares.

31. Ryan Lavarnway: 12 games, .243 batting average. 2 years ago, Lavarnway was thought to be the catcher of the future, but that is no longer the sentiment. After their backup catcher David Ross was lost with a concussion, Lavarnway was called up and has played once or twice a week to give starting catcher Salty a rest. He has done an ok job, but .243 average with limited defense is not optimal.

30. Jackie Bradley Jr: 23 games, .155 average. Bradley Jr is the center fielder of the future and one of the top prospects in all of MLB, but is just not quite ready yet. He has been given a chance a few times this year, but still has some things to work out in the minors.

29. David Ross: 23 games, .185 average, 4 home runs: Backup catcher David Ross is currently on the DL with a concussion, but so far this year he has been a great defensive catcher with a ton of knowledge on the game. His average is bad, but he provides some pop with a home run now and then to make up for it.

28. Will Middlebrooks: 52 games, .192 average, 8 home runs: Dissapointing is really the only word to use. Hopefully he gets another chance this year.

27. Jose De La Torre: 4 games, 7.71 ERA. Another guy who has provided an emergency inning or two now and again when the bullpen needs a rest, Like Beato he has done his job in getting outs when needed in blowouts when giving up runs isnt as big a deal.

26. Brandon Snyder: 10 games, .250 average: I placed Snyder higher than most would because he has had two huge hits. First a leadoff single in a tie game in the 9th that led to a walk off. Second a 3 run double in a 4-1 win. he has had one critical error also however, that probably cost the team a game.

25. Brandon Workman: 2 games, 5.40 ERA. Workman just made his first career start and dazzled, throwing seven innings giving up just two runs. He looks like he could be something this team needs.

24. Brock Holt: 9 games, .300 average. Just called up to to Stephen Drews injury, he has filled in nicely with a few timely hits and adequate defense.

23. Steven Wright: 2 games, 4.82 ERA. Wright has had two night and day games. His first game was awful, gving up seven runs in just two innings, his second game was great throwing six scoreless innings in relief allowing the Red Sox to overcome a four run deficit, single handedly pitching them to  a win.

22. Andrew Bailey: 30 games, 3.77 ERA. Bailey has had some great moments, but has blown quite a few saves leading to him losing his job as closer. A job he is still trying to reclaim, but he is getting close.

21. Craig Breslow: 31 games, 2.81 ERA. Breslow has been a solid Mid relief guy, not dazzling, but not majorly screwing up either. Just dependable when called upon.

20. Alredo Aceves: 11 games, 4.86 ERA, 4-1 record. its been a curious year for Alfredo. He had a putrid April, leading to his demotion to the minors, was called back up in June because of injuries and pitched brilliantly. However he last week was once again was demoted, this time just for behavior issues, something not new to Aceves. Aceves can be really good, but is to much of a headcase to consistently rely upon.

19. Jon Lester: 20 starts, 4.58 ERA, 8-6 record. Lester had a great April, but has struggled a lot since, and hasnt regained top form in almost two months now. its beginning to become concerning.

18. Mike Carp: 52 Games, 8 home runs, .303 average. Carp was signed as a bench player this offseason not expected to do much of anything but has far exceeded expectations, a .303 average was not expected, but the 8 home runs part is the thing that was completely unexpected and evens out the failure season of Middlebrooks.

17. Stephen Drew: 66 games, .233 average, 5 home runs. Drew was signed as a one year bridge player until stud prospect shortstop Xander Boegarts is ready for the bigs in 2014. He has done a commendable job in being that bridge with a good amount of clutch hits and a bit of pop for a shortstop with 5 home runs.

16. Ryan Dempster: 19 starts, 4.24 ERA: Dempster was signed as a guy who could throw a lot of innings and pitch efficiently but not dominate. He has 100% lived up to that, consistently throwing seven innings while allowing a manageable 2-4 runs per start, never allowing less than 2, and very rarely ever allowing more than 4. A model of consistency.

15. Jonny Gomes: 66 games, .236 average, 6 home runs: Gomes was mostly brought in as a bench player with a big personality that had the ability to rally a team. the .236 average is not at all indicative of how many clutch hits he has. He has two walk off home runs, a couple more late inning hits to break a tie and 2 pinch hit home runs. He has also provided some good defense in left field.

14. Andrew Miller: 37 games. 2.64 ERA: Miller was dominant in a middle relief role before being lost for the season in early July.

13. Jarrod Saltalamacchia: 74 Games, .266 Average, 8 home runs: Hes on pace for only 14 homers, way down from his 25 last year, but his average is way up from .222 last year. He has also been a great catcher in terms of calling games behind the plate, and hes starting 5 or 6 times a week, a brutal workload for a catcher that he has taken on without complaint.

12. Junichi Tazawa: 43 games, 3.02 ERA: A solid guy out of the bullpen who has done some middle relief, also done well in a set up role, and even closed a game from time to time.

11. Mike Napoli: 87 games, 11 home runs, .259 average. Basically carried the team on his back in April, leading the league in RBIs through May 10th, but has slowed down considerably since. Overall stats still impressive though, even though he strikes out way to much.

10. Felix Doubront: 17 games, 3.91 ERA: Doubront was awful through Mid May, posting a 5.24 ERA and came one bad start away from losing his starting pitcher job. Then he miraculously turned things around, posting a 2.70 ERA and 4-1 record over his past nine starts, finally coming through in his potential.

9. Jose Iglesias: 52 Games, .367 average: After hitting .118 last year and being a career .247 hitter in the minors, he was basically called up this year to fill in temporarily for an injury. Then he baffled everyone by hitting everything, and hasnt looked back since. three and a half months later and he still has a .367 average, stunning everyone who watched him look lost at the plate last year.

8. Clay Buchholz: 12 starts, 9-0 record, 1.71 ERA. Through Mid June, Buchholz was the heavy favorite for a cy young, and at that point, would have been #1 on that list. However, he got injured and hasnt pitched since June 8th, and his return keeps getting pushed back. The Sox will need him back to make a second half push.

7. Shane Victorino: 64 games, .290 average: Seems to miss about one game a week on average with minor injuries, but when hes in plays amazing defense in right field, and provides a good average with plenty of stolen bases.

6. Daniel Nava: 87 Games, .288 average, 10 home runs: No name player that has come out of nowhere this year as a all around great hitter. Plays adequate defense, hits homers, draws walks, doesnt strikeout, basically a pitchers nightmare, all this from a guy who was the team "manager" all throughout college because he wasnt good enough.

5. Koji Uehara: 44 games, 1.70 ERA, 8 saves: The most dominant and dependable relief pitcher on the team in years. Took over as closer after Bailey lost the job and has been absolutely lights out in that position, often striking out all three batters in his inning. has a mind blowing 60 strikeouts in just 42 innings.

4. Jacoby Ellsbury: 88 games, .305 Average: The Red Sox leadoff hitter was having a real tough season, hitting just .243 on memorial day. Since then he has exploded hitting .362, to raise his average to .305. He also leads the league in stolen bases and plays great defense. Add a high walk rate and hes everything you want in a leadoff hitter.

3. John Lackey: 16 starts, 2.78 ERA: Another amazing story that helped turn the Sox from disaster in 2012 to first place in 2013. In 2011 Lackey had the worst season in Red Sox history for a pitcher, going 3-19 with a 6.41 ERA. He took 2012 off, which Red Sox fans rejoiced in, but when he decided to come back this year, fans groaned and expected the worst. He has been nothing short of spectacular, which has shocked every single Red Sox fan and writer in existence, and its great to see.

2. David Ortiz: 77 games, .317 Average, 19 home runs: The ageless wonder, still the face of the franchise ten years after his clutch hits ended the Sox world series drought. Its amazing how he doesnt seem to slow with age, I mean 19 home runs at his age would be great for a full season, but in July? and he missed all of April with an injury, its remarkable.

1 Dustin Pedroia: 96 games, .316 average, 6 home runs: its very very close between Pedroia and Ortiz but because hes played in nineteen more games, Pedroia gets the edge. On top of being one of the best hitters for average in the league, he rarely ever strikes out and plays incredible defense. A true MVP candidate.

Red Sox First half Recap Day Two: Top 10 performances

Yesterday we took a look at the best wins and worst losses of the season so far, today we will take a look at the top 10 individual game performances so far this season.

10. May 1st: Mike Napoli hits two home runs and a double and collects 4 RBIs in a 10-1 win over the Blue Jays

9. June 10th: Jarrod Saltalamacchia goes 4-7, and collects four RBIS, including a clutch RBI single in the 4th inning to put the Red Sox ahead of the Rays in a 10-8 win.

8. July 11th: After Ryan Dempter gives up 7 runs in 3 innings, Steven Wright takes over and throws 6 innings of scoreless relief, allowing the Red Sox to come back from a large deficit to win 8-7 in 10 innings. Maybe the most surprising performance of the season as it was Steven Wrights second major league appearances, and his first was a disaster, allowing 7 runs in less than 4 innings. The performance earned Wright his first major league win.

7. May 10th: Jon Lester throws a complete game one hit shutout in a 5-0 win over the Blue Jays. A one hitter probably deserves to be higher, but Lester kind of got lucky in this one with outstanding defense. He only struckout five out of 27 outs, dampening the dominance.

6. April 26th: David Ross goes 4-4, including two home runs in a 7-3 win over the Astros

5. May 18th: David Ortiz hits two homes runs, collects 6 RBIS, adds a 3rd hit in 12-5 win over the Twins.

4. May 6th: Stephen Drew gets four hits, 3 RBI, including a home run and a walk off double in 6-5 win over the Twins.

3. April 14th: Clay Buchholz throws 8 innings, allowing 2 hits and no runs, strikes out 11 in 5-0 win over the Rays.

2. June 18th: Felix Doubront throws eight dominant innings against the Rays, in just 93 pitches including at one point retiring 19 batters in a row in 3-1 win over Rays.

1. April 7th: A bittersweet game to look back on to say the least. Will Middlebrooks broke onto the scene as a rookie phenom last year, hitting .288 clubbing 18 homers in less than half a season. Many expected .300 and 30+ homers from the sophomore this year. In just the 6th game of the season, Middlebrook put on an absolute show, hitting three home runs, adding a double and coming withing 2 feet of a fourth home run on a long fly ball out. Unfortunately, after this game the expectations may have been to high on the kid, who has strugged mightily ever since. From this game through june 23rd, Middlebrooks hit just .187, with just four home runs. Finally on June 24th Middlebrooks was demoted to the minor leagues in an attempt for him to refocus himself and rediscover himself. Hopefully soon he will be back and return to the Home run masher we saw earlier.

Red Sox First Half Recap Day One: Best Wins/Worst Losses

The MLB All star break begins today, which means there is no baseball to speak of for the next four nights. Normally, the all star break occurs somewhat close to the midway point of the season, however this year the Red Sox have played 97 games already by the break, and have just 65 remaining. Going into the all star break here is how the AL East Standings shape up

1. Boston Red Sox: 58-39
2. Tampa Bay Rays: 2.5 GB
3. Baltimore Orioles: 4.5 GB
4. New York Yankees: 6.0 GB
5. Toronto Blue Jays: 11.5 GB

It looks as if its going to be a four team race heading to the second half, and if the Yankees dont get hot they will find themselves out of the race very soon. Over the next for days we will be reviewing the first 97 games of the Red Sox season to see the highs and lows that led to them being in first place at the all star break. Heres how the next four days will play out

Monday: Top wins and worst losses of the first 97 games
Tuesday: Top 10 individual performances of the season
Wednesday: Roster power rankings: Ranking every players contribution to the team this season
Thursday: A preview of the final 65 games

So we begin with the top ten wins of the season so far

10. June 4th Vs Rangers: W 17-5: After getting swept by the Rangers earlier in the season, the Red Sox were determined to prove they could beat the team with the second best record in the league. They did so in dominant fashion, opening the three games series by putting up a season high 17 runs. After scoring two in the first, the Red Sox responded with 6 runs in the second, opening up a 8-0 lead. The Red Sox led off three straight innings with home runs in the 4th-6th innings and scored in the first seven innings of the game. It was a fun night.

9. April 1st @ Yankees: W 8-2: Opening day and a chance to start anew after last year awful 93 loss season. Even though it was just one game, the Red Sox did their best to show everyone this team was much different than last years. They ran the bases well, Hit well, played good defense, and pitched well, an all around strong performance, highlighted by a 4 run second inning and a 3 run ninth inning.

8. June 1st @ Yankees: W 11-1: After a loss to the Yankees the night before the two teams were now tied in the standings and a loss in this game would push the Red Sox down to second place. They would have none of that as 3 home runs, including a grand slam from Mike Napoli led the way to a dominant 11-1 win, reclaiming sole possession of first place, a title they have had sole possession of ever since this game

7. June 18th Vs Rays: W 3-1: In the second game of a doubleheader, Daniel Navas solo home run and Felix Doubronts 8 scoreless innings led to a 1-0 lead heading to the 9th inning. However when Andrew Bailey blew the lead in the ninth, it was gut check time. Jonny Gomes answered immediately in the bottom of the ninth, hitting a two run blast to sweep the doubleheader, and show once again the resiliency of this years team compared to last years.

6. July 9th @ Mariners: W 11-8: On a 3 game losing streak, tied for the season high, The Red Sox were trying to avoid their longest losing streak of the season. Things didnt look good however, as the Mariners quickly opened up a 5-1 lead. Two two run homers however would tie the game at 5, and three more homers would open up a Red Sox lead which they hung onto for the largest comeback win of the season, and a win that would be the first of a four game winning streak.

5. May 6th Vs Twins: W 6-5: Once again on a 3 game losing streak, coming off getting swept by the Rangers, the Red Sox returned home to face the Twins. The Twins opened an early 3-0 lead, but the Red Sox fought back to tie it and eventually take a 5-4 lead in the eighth on Dustin Pedroias first home run of the year, ending his long drought. Unfortunately Andrew Bailey couldnt hold the lead in the ninth, as the Twins tied it and we headed to extra innings. It took until the 11th, but Stephen Drew finally ended it on a wall ball double with two outs to end the 3 game losing streak.

4. June 10th @ Rays: W 10-8: A game that can only be described as an emotional slog, one of the craziest games in baseball this season, one that lasted over 5 hours and spanned 14 innings. The Red Sox quickly jumped out to a 7-0 lead before an out had even been recorded. The Rays very slowly came back, one run at a time, before eventually tying it in the eighth on a wild pitch of all things. The Red Sox quickly countered in the tenth, taking an 8-7 lead, but the rays would tie it right back off Andrew Bailey in the bottom of the ninth, and had the bases loaded with no outs, seemingly guaranteed victory. Somehow Bailey didnt allow another run in that situation and we headed to extras. Finally in the 14th, the Sox added two runs, which was enough to get through the bottom of the inning, and the Sox won a game 5 hours after they thought they would win easily after leading 7-0.

3. April 20th Vs Royals: @ 4-3: In an emotional game, the first at Fenway Park since the boston marathon bombings, The Red Sox trailed 2-1 with two outs in the 8th inning. In steps Daniel Nava to hit a clutch 3 run home run to give Boston a 4-2 lead and electrify an emotional crowed. Andrew Bailey gave up one run in the ninth to cut the gap to 4-3, but ultimately saved the game, not only winning an emotional game, but extending the Red Sox winning streak at the time to 7 games, their longest of the season to date.

2. May 26th Vs Indians: W 6-5: Both number 2 and number 1 on this list I was unable to watch due to being in vacation in Vegas. Funny enough, this game was on the last day of that vacation, while the #1 game was on the first day of that vacation. In this one the Red Sox Trailed 5-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, before surging for a four run ninth, capped by a walk off double from Jacoby Ellsbury. The biggest thing about this game may be that it gave momentum to Ellsburys season. Before the walk off hit he was hitting a weak .243, since then he has hit around .350, raising his overall average to .300

1. May 16th @ Rays W 4-3: Coming into this game, the Red Sox were just a measly 3-9 over their past twelve games, and their season appeared to be spiraling downward, as they had fallen to 3 games back in the division and down to 3rd place. Trailing 3-1 with two outs in the ninth inning, and the bases loaded, Will Middlebrooks came through with a bases clearing double, giving Boston a 4-3 lead. The win put the season back on track, beginning a 5 game winning streak and an impressive 18-7 stretch.

Unfortunately for all the exciting wins, their have also been some tough losses, here are the 10 worst.

10. May 3rd @ Rangers: L 7-0: In the first game of what would be a 3 game sweep, Felix Doubront and the Red Sox pitching was shelled for 18 hits against and seven runs, while the offense did nothing in a 7-0 loss in a game that began a miserable 2-9 stretch for the team.

9. May 14th @ Rays: L 5-3: The previous game was the first game of a 2-9 stretch, this was the last game of it. Ortiz hit a 3 run homer to give Boston an early 3-0 lead, but in the fourth inning, an infield pop up with two outs and the bases loaded, would inexplicably drop to the ground in a classic case of miscommunication, allowing two runs to score, and providing the climax of frustration for Red Sox fans who had endured a rough past couple weeks.

8. May 12th Vs Blue Jays: L 12-4: 6 years ago there was the Mothers Day Miracle, this one would be dubbed the Mothers Day Massacre. This is yet another game within that brutal 2-9 early May stretch, The Blue Jays pounded out 5 home runs against Red Sox pitching including two from Jose Bautista en route to a blowout win.

7. April 23rd Vs As: L 13-0: The biggest blowout loss of the season, and mercifully a game that ended after seven innings due to rain. Theres not much to say about this one except this is fondly remembered as the game where Alfredo Aceves pitched like crap and famously blamed the offense for the loss in his postgame press conference. That got him promptly demoted to the minors for being a clubhouse cancer.

6. May 8th Vs Twins: L 15-8: Yet another game from that 2-9 stretch, and spoiler alert, it wont be the last. Pitcher Allen Webster, making his second career start, allowed four first inning runs to the Twins, but the Red Sox responded with 5 first inning runs of their own, giving them a 5-4 lead after an inning. Unfortunately Webster game up 7 runs right back in the second inning, and the Red Sox found themselves having gave up 11 runs through just 2 innings, and a strong 5 run first inning from the offense already seemed futile. the Twins would tack on a few more over the final seven innings for a 15 run total.

5. April 10th Vs Orioles: L 8-5: This would be higher on the list if it wasnt one of the first few games of the year, therefore making it easier to swallow. Leading 5-4 with two outs in the ninth, a wild pitch allowed the Orioles to tie it at 5, then on the very next pitch, Manny Machado hit a 3 run homer to put the Os on top 8-5, the first of two times this year the Red Sox would lose when they were one strike away from a victory.

4. May 5th @ Rangers: L 4-3: The final game on this list in that 2-9 May stretch. The Sox blew a 3-0 lead before eventually losing in the tenth inning on a base hit from Adrian Beltre. This loss gave the Rangers a sweep over Boston, finishing off the only time the Red Sox have been swept all season.

3. June 20th @ Tigers: L 4-3: The first of a four game series against one of the best teams in the league, the Red Sox knew this would be a very tough series, so any chance they had at a win they needed to take advantage. Unfortunately with a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning, Andrew Bailey allowed a 2 run homer to Jhonny Peralta, sending the Sox to a loss. This would be that would ultimately cost Bailey his job as closer, probably a bit to late.

2. July 6th @ Angels: L 9-7: Leading 7-3 with two outs in the ninth inning, the Red Sox allowed hit after hit before finally allowing the Angels to come all the way back and tie it on an error by Brandon Snyder that would have ended the game. Josh Hamiltons two run homer in the eleventh ended the game.

1. June 23rd @ Tigers: L 7-5: Losing a heartbreaker because one of your pitchers sucked, or even on an error is one thing, but losing one because of a horrendous call from an umpire is another. Tied 4-4 in the eighth, Nava made a catch, but the umpire ruled it hit the ground when it obviously had not. The bad call led to three runs from Detroit, and sent the Red Sox to their third loss in four games. At the time it was feared the loss may send the season back to a downward spiral, but it did the opposite. Since this loss the Red Sox are 13-6