Starting pitchers -
Tuesday: Jordan Zimmerman versus Sanchez
Wednesday: Haren versus Fister
With all their struggles, the Nationals are only 2.5 games behind Atlanta for the lead in the National League East. One would suspect as the weather warms, Washington will start to execute better at the plate, in the field and on the mound.
A quick two-game home interleague series against Detroit is a great test for Washington. Sanchez struck out 26 batters in his last 14 innings. Nobody talks about Fister, but he's a) 4-0, 2.48 ERA & 1.13 WHIP; and b) in his two no-decisions he's given up 2 earned runs in 13 innings.
Oh, by the way, the Tigers can hit as well. Between Cabrera, Fielder, Hunter (who still has life in his game) and Peralta, they will score. When Victor Martinez warms up, yikes. This team looks to be the best in the American League (I know Boston has a great record). Maybe Detroit is the best in baseball so far.
For the Nationals, Span's OBP is starting to decline. They need him back at .400 or so, drawing more walks and scoring more runs. Ryan Zimmerman is back at third base, so the lineup is starting to get healthy again.
My guess is Zimmermann matches Sanchez out-for-out (maybe not strikeouts, but outs), in a great pitchers' duel. The next night, hide the women & children because Detroit is gonna go off against Haren (who has pitched well his last two starts). A split of these two games isn't a bad result.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
My Team - Game 1, Grizzlies at Oklahoma City
The Thunder should win. I would love to see, and expect to see, a seven-game contest like two years ago. It's gonna be fun, and more fans should get to see just how well Memphis is playing this post-season.
Every NBA fan knows about the Thunder. They just took out a game Houston team in six games on Friday night. Everybody knows about Durant, one of the world's best players. Everyone knows about Westbrook's injury & how he probably won't play against Memphis. Everyone knows about Perkins' toughness, Ibaka's blossoming offensive game and Sefolosha's versatility. Everyone knows Martin comes off the bench shooting, and Collison comes off the bench crashing the boards and playing tough post defense.
Allen has matched up with Durant in the past and held his own. Durant has gotten stronger over the years, though. Reggie Jackson, the backup point guard, is good enough to get the ball to his team's scorers. He'll also hit the boards. He should be a handful for Conley.
Sefolosha and Prince will play to a standstill. Perkins, Ibaka, Collison and maybe former Grizzlies' first-round draftee Hasheem Thabeet are a good enough rotation to neutralize Randolph and Gasol at times. Will Bayless repeat his Clippers'-series-Game 6 shooting exhibition, or will he come off the bench to do a "4-for-15" night?
My Game 1 guess is Oklahoma City 101, Memphis 96. It will be an entertaining game. Durant will make late buckets every time Memphis gets it within one or two points.
(A Long Time) After the Game: Oklahoma City 93, Memphis 91. Memphis coulda/shoulda won this game.
For the Grizzlies, it was 35 field goals, 13/11 assist/turnover and 5 steals. Gasol (20 points, 10 rebs) and Randolph (18 and 10) did what they could. Conley had 13 points, but needed 15 FGA to get there. Pondexter (13 points) and Bayless (10 points) did their part, but Pondexter's late FT misses were glaring.
For the Thunder, it was 33 field goals, 13/10 assist/turnover and 2 steals. Durant scored 35, and added 15 rebounds & 6 assists. Somebody check that guy! Martin scored 25 off the bench, and Jackson added 12. Nobody else for the Thunder scored in double figures. Sefolosha, Ibaka and Perkins combined for 4/21 FG/A.
Yep, it was close. Yep, Durant made the plays a superstar makes to get his team a playoff win. Memphis getting outscored 29-18 in the fourth shows they got out of their game plan a bit. Move the ball, get to the line, hit your free throws, get out of there with a win. Maybe we will see that in Game 2...
Every NBA fan knows about the Thunder. They just took out a game Houston team in six games on Friday night. Everybody knows about Durant, one of the world's best players. Everyone knows about Westbrook's injury & how he probably won't play against Memphis. Everyone knows about Perkins' toughness, Ibaka's blossoming offensive game and Sefolosha's versatility. Everyone knows Martin comes off the bench shooting, and Collison comes off the bench crashing the boards and playing tough post defense.
Allen has matched up with Durant in the past and held his own. Durant has gotten stronger over the years, though. Reggie Jackson, the backup point guard, is good enough to get the ball to his team's scorers. He'll also hit the boards. He should be a handful for Conley.
Sefolosha and Prince will play to a standstill. Perkins, Ibaka, Collison and maybe former Grizzlies' first-round draftee Hasheem Thabeet are a good enough rotation to neutralize Randolph and Gasol at times. Will Bayless repeat his Clippers'-series-Game 6 shooting exhibition, or will he come off the bench to do a "4-for-15" night?
My Game 1 guess is Oklahoma City 101, Memphis 96. It will be an entertaining game. Durant will make late buckets every time Memphis gets it within one or two points.
(A Long Time) After the Game: Oklahoma City 93, Memphis 91. Memphis coulda/shoulda won this game.
For the Grizzlies, it was 35 field goals, 13/11 assist/turnover and 5 steals. Gasol (20 points, 10 rebs) and Randolph (18 and 10) did what they could. Conley had 13 points, but needed 15 FGA to get there. Pondexter (13 points) and Bayless (10 points) did their part, but Pondexter's late FT misses were glaring.
For the Thunder, it was 33 field goals, 13/10 assist/turnover and 2 steals. Durant scored 35, and added 15 rebounds & 6 assists. Somebody check that guy! Martin scored 25 off the bench, and Jackson added 12. Nobody else for the Thunder scored in double figures. Sefolosha, Ibaka and Perkins combined for 4/21 FG/A.
Yep, it was close. Yep, Durant made the plays a superstar makes to get his team a playoff win. Memphis getting outscored 29-18 in the fourth shows they got out of their game plan a bit. Move the ball, get to the line, hit your free throws, get out of there with a win. Maybe we will see that in Game 2...
Friday, May 3, 2013
"Backing Vocalist Hall of Honor" - Michael McDonald
This is yet another irregular series of posts I've been mulling about in my brain for months. Admittedly, the title is a bit of a misnomer. If you are a backing vocalist, do you expect accolades?
As you know, I love music. Studiocraft in particular fascinates me. What does it take to collaborate efforts of unique personalities to produce sounds that thrill us so?
Ever since I was a kid, I especially wondered about those back-up singers who enhance and flesh out songs I heard on the radio. Yeah, the Smokey Robinsons got attention for being the lead singers of popular groups and bands. I wondered about the Pete Whites, guys who didn't get the lion's share of the credit but did great work.
I also realize this context isn't meant to slight the solo careers of artists who may have done backing vocals on a different track with a different act. This man mentioned in the title of this post is one whose work has graced many tunes by myriad artists.
McDonald's career, either solo or with the Doobie Brothers, has thrilled legions of music fans. He's as good a pop and R&B singer as I've heard since the '70s. Even with all the personal success he's had, he still took the time to contribute backing vocals on many popular songs. That level of collaboration didn't diminish his career, but showed a different facet of his talent.
Let's look at two examples (both videos, courtesy of YouTube):
Go to the 6:22 mark to hear his story about his backing vocals on this Steely Dan track. He'd worked with the band on other occasions, so both parties understood what they were trying to accomplish on this track. Hearing it on the radio over the years, I didn't note the nuance of his vocals. Hearing his impressions of what was required & how the overdubs were accomplished blew me away. This is cool stuff.
The second example is on a song from my favorite band:
The first time I heard this song, and heard McDonald's backing vocal track, is was a pleasant surprise. His work made a really good song even better.
I expect that both songs are familiar to many music fans. I've always loved them both, and McDonald's vocals were a key reason why both songs resonate with me.
Michael McDonald is one of the best.
As you know, I love music. Studiocraft in particular fascinates me. What does it take to collaborate efforts of unique personalities to produce sounds that thrill us so?
Ever since I was a kid, I especially wondered about those back-up singers who enhance and flesh out songs I heard on the radio. Yeah, the Smokey Robinsons got attention for being the lead singers of popular groups and bands. I wondered about the Pete Whites, guys who didn't get the lion's share of the credit but did great work.
I also realize this context isn't meant to slight the solo careers of artists who may have done backing vocals on a different track with a different act. This man mentioned in the title of this post is one whose work has graced many tunes by myriad artists.
McDonald's career, either solo or with the Doobie Brothers, has thrilled legions of music fans. He's as good a pop and R&B singer as I've heard since the '70s. Even with all the personal success he's had, he still took the time to contribute backing vocals on many popular songs. That level of collaboration didn't diminish his career, but showed a different facet of his talent.
Let's look at two examples (both videos, courtesy of YouTube):
Go to the 6:22 mark to hear his story about his backing vocals on this Steely Dan track. He'd worked with the band on other occasions, so both parties understood what they were trying to accomplish on this track. Hearing it on the radio over the years, I didn't note the nuance of his vocals. Hearing his impressions of what was required & how the overdubs were accomplished blew me away. This is cool stuff.
The second example is on a song from my favorite band:
The first time I heard this song, and heard McDonald's backing vocal track, is was a pleasant surprise. His work made a really good song even better.
I expect that both songs are familiar to many music fans. I've always loved them both, and McDonald's vocals were a key reason why both songs resonate with me.
Michael McDonald is one of the best.
My Team - Nationals at Pittsburgh
Starting pitchers -
Friday: Detwiler versus Burnett
Saturday: Strasburg versus Rodriguez
Sunday: Gonzalez versus McDonald
(Starters subject to change)
After taking the last two games of the 4-game set in Atlanta, the Nationals go north to take on a pretty good Pirates team. The last couple of years, Pittsburgh has gotten off to good starts, but somewhere in mid-to-late June things would go bad. Since it's not June, expect the Pirates to keep playing well.
Their roster has good players/recognizable names all over. Big league veterans like Brandon Inge, John McDonald and Gaby Sanchez are backups. Their starting position players are highly regarded. Andrew McCutchen, their best all-around player, is off to a slow start offensively. Other guys like Garrett Jones and Starling Marte are doing their part, though.
Friday, I expect another pitchers' duel between Detwiler and Burnett. Burnett is a veteran who doesn't get rattled, and has no-hitter stuff. Saturday, people want to see if Strasburg's forearm stiffness is a problem. His opponent, Rodriguez, is a crafty left-hander who can keep a free-swinging team off-balance. Sunday, Gonzalez is fighting through his struggles with command. McDonald, a former Dodgers' farmhand, is another guy with great stuff but is prone to wildness (20 walks in 29.2 IP this year). That game could be a slug-fest.
A good, focused Nationals' team could sweep this series. I guess Washington wins Friday and Sunday, with Saturday's game being a 3-2 Pirates' win.
Friday: Detwiler versus Burnett
Saturday: Strasburg versus Rodriguez
Sunday: Gonzalez versus McDonald
(Starters subject to change)
After taking the last two games of the 4-game set in Atlanta, the Nationals go north to take on a pretty good Pirates team. The last couple of years, Pittsburgh has gotten off to good starts, but somewhere in mid-to-late June things would go bad. Since it's not June, expect the Pirates to keep playing well.
Their roster has good players/recognizable names all over. Big league veterans like Brandon Inge, John McDonald and Gaby Sanchez are backups. Their starting position players are highly regarded. Andrew McCutchen, their best all-around player, is off to a slow start offensively. Other guys like Garrett Jones and Starling Marte are doing their part, though.
Friday, I expect another pitchers' duel between Detwiler and Burnett. Burnett is a veteran who doesn't get rattled, and has no-hitter stuff. Saturday, people want to see if Strasburg's forearm stiffness is a problem. His opponent, Rodriguez, is a crafty left-hander who can keep a free-swinging team off-balance. Sunday, Gonzalez is fighting through his struggles with command. McDonald, a former Dodgers' farmhand, is another guy with great stuff but is prone to wildness (20 walks in 29.2 IP this year). That game could be a slug-fest.
A good, focused Nationals' team could sweep this series. I guess Washington wins Friday and Sunday, with Saturday's game being a 3-2 Pirates' win.
My Team - Game 6, Grizzlies versus Clippers
In Games 3 and 4 of this series (in Memphis), the Clippers scored 82 and 83 points, respectively. Why not more of the same?
Blake Griffin's high ankle sprain on Monday may be healed. But, in an "apples and oranges" comparison, football players who suffer a similar injury need weeks to recover. Griffin can recover in days? Maybe - modern medical technology can accomplish amazing things. But, what if he isn't 100% for Game 6?
Again, I'm fighting the fanboy desire to gush about my team. On paper, when both teams are at full strength, I really thought the Clippers were more dynamic on the front line. I expected Jordan and Griffin to own their respective match-ups. So far, I've been wrong. I'm cool with that.
My guess - Memphis 98, Los Angeles 88. Yeah, I know injuries diminish a team's chances. Playoff teams like Chicago (Rose), Denver (Gallinari) and the Lakers (Bryant) have seen their chances adversely impacted because of injury. However, where was the pity years ago when the Grizzlies were that 8-seed without an injured Rudy Gay? It's callous, but injuries do happen in sports, and the guys who remain active have an opportunity to step up & contribute.
Friday night, I expect a raucous Memphis crowd to push the Grizzlies' defensive effort. Tony Allen and Mike Conley are the key tonight. Their two-way play will set the tone, getting steals that translate into easy run-outs. If Allen and Tayshaun Prince score, say, 7 or so points each in the first quarter, Memphis is going to be in a great place for the rest of the game.
Downside could be one of those nights where Memphis inexplicably starts a home game jacking up lots of jump shots that don't fall. Say for example, if Bayless gets in the game early and decides he's the star/first option on offense. If he is 2/10 FG/A in the first half, the team will be in trouble.
For the Clippers, Paul will get his points. Crawford will get his as well. Who else is gonna score for Los Angeles?
Yeah, I think the Grizzlies win on Friday night, and take the series 4 games to 2. Yeah, it stinks that Griffin is not at full strength. But as an opponent, do you hold back your own team because an opponent isn't available?
After the Game: Memphis 118, Los Angeles 105. Memphis wins the series, and the right to take on Oklahoma City in the next round. The Thunder are the number one seed in the Western Conference. They finished ahead of Memphis in the regular season, and should be favored in this series. How about seven games for ya?
For the Grizzlies, it was 36 field goals, 27/10 assist/turnover and 7 steals. Memphis also shot 47 free throws for the game. Home cooking appeared to be evident, and that's alright. Seven Memphis players scored in double figures. Conley and Randolph had 23 each, Allen had a surprising 19 (16 in the first half), and Bayless came off the bench to add 18. I know I give Bayless a hard time in print. When he's hot like Saturday night, he lifted the team and the crowd. Just do it ever game, man.
For the Clippers, it was 41 field goals, 19/13 assist/turnover and 3 steals. Barnes came off the bench to score 30, including 6/6 3PT FG/A in the first half. Whenever Memphis tried to get some distance between the two teams, Barnes would sink a three or a slashing drive to the basket.
Paul added 28 and Butler scored 14. No other Clippers' player scored in double figures. Griffin was limited by that ankle injury (9 points in 14 minutes off the bench), and Crawford didn't score in 12 minutes of play. He saw scant time in the second half, a puzzling development to be sure.
Three guys (Paul, Randolph, Barnes) were ejected. There were lots of fouls and chippy play, especially in the fourth quarter. To their credit, though, the Clippers gave their all. They are a tough, determined team. The Grizzlies were a little bit better that night, and in the last four games of this great series.
I really hope both teams keep the majority of their rosters intact going forward. Between last year's seven-game series and this one, it looks like the start of a fun rivalry. I look forward also to the team's first meeting next season. It should be contentious.
Blake Griffin's high ankle sprain on Monday may be healed. But, in an "apples and oranges" comparison, football players who suffer a similar injury need weeks to recover. Griffin can recover in days? Maybe - modern medical technology can accomplish amazing things. But, what if he isn't 100% for Game 6?
Again, I'm fighting the fanboy desire to gush about my team. On paper, when both teams are at full strength, I really thought the Clippers were more dynamic on the front line. I expected Jordan and Griffin to own their respective match-ups. So far, I've been wrong. I'm cool with that.
My guess - Memphis 98, Los Angeles 88. Yeah, I know injuries diminish a team's chances. Playoff teams like Chicago (Rose), Denver (Gallinari) and the Lakers (Bryant) have seen their chances adversely impacted because of injury. However, where was the pity years ago when the Grizzlies were that 8-seed without an injured Rudy Gay? It's callous, but injuries do happen in sports, and the guys who remain active have an opportunity to step up & contribute.
Friday night, I expect a raucous Memphis crowd to push the Grizzlies' defensive effort. Tony Allen and Mike Conley are the key tonight. Their two-way play will set the tone, getting steals that translate into easy run-outs. If Allen and Tayshaun Prince score, say, 7 or so points each in the first quarter, Memphis is going to be in a great place for the rest of the game.
Downside could be one of those nights where Memphis inexplicably starts a home game jacking up lots of jump shots that don't fall. Say for example, if Bayless gets in the game early and decides he's the star/first option on offense. If he is 2/10 FG/A in the first half, the team will be in trouble.
For the Clippers, Paul will get his points. Crawford will get his as well. Who else is gonna score for Los Angeles?
Yeah, I think the Grizzlies win on Friday night, and take the series 4 games to 2. Yeah, it stinks that Griffin is not at full strength. But as an opponent, do you hold back your own team because an opponent isn't available?
After the Game: Memphis 118, Los Angeles 105. Memphis wins the series, and the right to take on Oklahoma City in the next round. The Thunder are the number one seed in the Western Conference. They finished ahead of Memphis in the regular season, and should be favored in this series. How about seven games for ya?
For the Grizzlies, it was 36 field goals, 27/10 assist/turnover and 7 steals. Memphis also shot 47 free throws for the game. Home cooking appeared to be evident, and that's alright. Seven Memphis players scored in double figures. Conley and Randolph had 23 each, Allen had a surprising 19 (16 in the first half), and Bayless came off the bench to add 18. I know I give Bayless a hard time in print. When he's hot like Saturday night, he lifted the team and the crowd. Just do it ever game, man.
For the Clippers, it was 41 field goals, 19/13 assist/turnover and 3 steals. Barnes came off the bench to score 30, including 6/6 3PT FG/A in the first half. Whenever Memphis tried to get some distance between the two teams, Barnes would sink a three or a slashing drive to the basket.
Paul added 28 and Butler scored 14. No other Clippers' player scored in double figures. Griffin was limited by that ankle injury (9 points in 14 minutes off the bench), and Crawford didn't score in 12 minutes of play. He saw scant time in the second half, a puzzling development to be sure.
Three guys (Paul, Randolph, Barnes) were ejected. There were lots of fouls and chippy play, especially in the fourth quarter. To their credit, though, the Clippers gave their all. They are a tough, determined team. The Grizzlies were a little bit better that night, and in the last four games of this great series.
I really hope both teams keep the majority of their rosters intact going forward. Between last year's seven-game series and this one, it looks like the start of a fun rivalry. I look forward also to the team's first meeting next season. It should be contentious.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Old Dude, Old Movies - "Big Leaguer"
I'm a sucker for a baseball movie. This one was released in 1953, and it's geared more for kids and adolescents. It was enjoyable nonetheless. It was "kinda/sorta" based on real people and real events.
Edward G. Robinson stars as "John 'Hans' Lobert". The real-life Lobert was a major league baseball player and also managed the Philadelphia Phillies in 1942.
This fictitious story revolves around a baseball tryout camp in Florida, geared towards young guys from ages 18 to 22. The New York Giants run this camp, and they are looking for prospects worth grooming for possible service with the big club. Lobert is part drill sergeant, part father confessor, part coach and part cheerleader. He is willing to share his vast knowledge and perspective on the game to any who ask, but he demands the prospects respect the game first and foremost.
The main conflict revolves around which prospects show enough potential & performance from drills/practice/scrimmages to warrant a) staying longer at camp, and b) eventually getting a contract offer from the Giants ($150 a month, to play baseball!).
Lobert's niece "Christy" (Vera-Ellen) is his clerical assistant and ready-made love interest for one of the ballplayers. She's cute, spunky and knows a bit about the game - a dream girl for any guy who loves or plays baseball. Richard Jaeckel ("The Dirty Dozen") has a role as a bantam pitching prospect with swagger to spare (think a younger, right-handed Whitey Ford).
Jeff Richards is a hulking third baseman who struggles to reconcile his desire to play the game with his father's desire that he go to college & "make a name for himself" as a white-collar professional. Lalo Rios is "Chuy", a Latin prospect with tons of talent, but just enough "fish-out-of-water" positioning that allows forced comic relief.
I liked this movie. If I'd first seen it when I was a kid, it's the type of movie that would have had me sleeping with my glove and ball every night. No, the story isn't complicated or infused with subtleties that make you dissect every statement. It's straightforward, a valentine to the national pastime & the guys who dream about being a part of it.
In Dreams - "Flyin' Down the Interstate"
I was driving across Kansas, on Interstate 70. Yeah, I was speeding. You wanna make something of it?
Anyway, it was a clear day, a dry track, and I was booking past other drivers. Not a state patrolman in sight, and there were other cars keeping the pace. It was fun, no doubt.
As I was cruising in the fast lane, I came up on a Honda Accord-like hatchback. Funny thing was, the passenger side door and hatchback were both wide open, almost like speed brakes. This was happening at 80 miles per hour or more. I found it strange.
A little further up the road, I got off the interstate and ended up on a dirt road. Now, I was on foot, carrying a box probably 3 cubic feet (large enough to require effort, but not too heavy). I ended up in a dirt driveway that encircled a house. Further up the driveway, I could see a guy working on an older red Dodge pickup. The engine was running fine, but he was tweaking something else. He got to a stopping point, and got in the truck to park it in the stand-alone garage on his property. As he moved the truck, I had room to finish walking down and around on his driveway path.
I walked off his property, shifted the box from one shoulder to the other, and continued walking through the countryside.
Anyway, it was a clear day, a dry track, and I was booking past other drivers. Not a state patrolman in sight, and there were other cars keeping the pace. It was fun, no doubt.
As I was cruising in the fast lane, I came up on a Honda Accord-like hatchback. Funny thing was, the passenger side door and hatchback were both wide open, almost like speed brakes. This was happening at 80 miles per hour or more. I found it strange.
A little further up the road, I got off the interstate and ended up on a dirt road. Now, I was on foot, carrying a box probably 3 cubic feet (large enough to require effort, but not too heavy). I ended up in a dirt driveway that encircled a house. Further up the driveway, I could see a guy working on an older red Dodge pickup. The engine was running fine, but he was tweaking something else. He got to a stopping point, and got in the truck to park it in the stand-alone garage on his property. As he moved the truck, I had room to finish walking down and around on his driveway path.
I walked off his property, shifted the box from one shoulder to the other, and continued walking through the countryside.
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