Lugie's List 11/10: UH UH PLAYOFFS?!

A few teams in the NFL crapped the bed Sunday and really hurt their chance at making the playoffs. Still a ton of football to be played but…

1. See my point last week about the Packers and Giants beating up on bad teams to start the year. Let's start with the Packers who blew an 11 point 4th quarter lead to the 0-7 Josh Freeman led Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (re-reading last sentence… really?... REALLY?!) Anyone still in a survivor leagues or placing a 3-team teasers Sunday collectively vomited after Freeman threw the go-ahead touchdown pass. To boot, the Alanis Morrissette moment of the week has to be the Bucs wearing the jerseys worn during their NFL-record 26 game losing streak from 1976-1977. The life equivalent would be me putting on my old corduroy pants and over-sized orange Abercrombie sweater and going back to high school to date the prom queen (18 years of age for the purposes of this hypothetical).

2. On a related note, Dave Silverstein, BingBongSports writer, producer and head of the pornography division has neither been seen nor heard from after the Aaron Rodgers pick 6 that ended the game Sunday. If you know where he is please call 1-800-FAVRE.

3. The next team on the chopping block – The New York Football Giants losing their fourth straight game. As well as their defense played the for the first 58 minutes, the Giants couldn't get a stop when it mattered. Rivers picked them apart over the middle during that last minute drive, sending the Giants into a free fall going into the bye week. With games still left against the Falcons, Broncos, Cowboys, Eagles and Vikings, things do not look good in Giant-land.

4. Oh Mr. Matt Leinart. It seems like it was just yesterday when you were getting boy band ass at USC, being drafted as the franchise QB of the Arizona Cardinals and sharing a hot tub on draft night with Cameron Diaz, Lindsey Lohan, Kobe Bryant and the Dali Lama (who you kicking out of your hot tub? And I'm not suprised how easy it was to find a picture of Leinart in a hot tub). After watching his 0-1, 1 INT line Sunday subsequently causing the Cardinals to bring back Kurt Warner who threw for a measly 5 TDs, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far Leinart has fallen from being the man.

5. Impressive win for Alabama Sunday over LSU. I know they were at home, but they came back in that game against a tough LSU defense, and by the end I was finally convinced they are worthy of top team status with Florida.

6. Congrats to reader Jimmy Shilladango from Jacksonville, Florida for winning the “How long ‘til Gilbert Arenas creates a controversy by disagreeing with a proven veteran coach yet again” Office Pool. November 8th if you are scoring at home.

7. Betting Trend: The Washington Redskins and New York Knicks are a lock to lose every first half line (Reason: Vegas can’t set the first half line bigger than half the game line). Then at halftime, both teams are a lock to cover the second halftime line (Reason: the betting community has so little faith in these two teams to not just lay down and die after being down big at the half that the line is never set correctly). My motto has always been - if your team is going to suck for an entire season, why not profit?

8. I hate to say it but if I have to hear Jay-Z perform Empire State of Mind one more time at a Yankee event, I’m going to lose my mind. A modern day anthem for New York City has been so overplayed in the last 2 weeks that it is entering Soldier Boy territory of annoyingness. Shawn Corey Carter, hate to break to you buddy but you did not make the Yankee hat famous and you do not actually play for the New York Yankees. Why are you riding on a float down Broadway?

9a. Congrats to Noah Gold (so sexy) on being able to legally chase ambulances for a living! MBN to have a career as I try to make it as a blogger. And I hate to burst your nerd-bubble, but the ‘loser of the week’ award goes to me. A) Halo is cooler than going to any club/lounge in the Meat Packing District and B) Did you watch Sister Act during two different showings on TNT Saturday night? Didn’t think so.

9b. And you thought I’d go the entire column without linking the article title - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq7BYOnDrM

10. Sunday Night TV Ratings: Dexter: A-; Californication: B+; Curb B+; Bored to Death C-, Season: D+ (ok, it grew on me a little the last two weeks – enough to get me to watch the beginning of Season 2)

-Steve Lugerner

A Weeklong Glass Case of Emotion

Been getting (fake) emails up the yin yang from disgruntled BingBong enthusiasts wondering where my intelligent, sarcastic, handsome articles have been over the past week or so. Well, I am here to tell you I am back, and to give you a taste of what my life has been like the past week.

Let me preface this by saying that, by this point in the year, rumors among the recent law school graduates (read: nerds) were that the bar results for New York and New Jersey would be coming any day.

Monday 11/2

I break my own cardinal rule and hate myself for it. Brad (who was celebrating his 27th birthday) and Tino were planning on going out to a bar in Madison to watch Game 5 of Yankees-Phillies. Those that know me know my thoughts on going out for big sporting events: I don't heart it. My home-road splits would make Bill James have a stroke.

But, it was my buddy's birthday and the Yankees did have a 3-1 lead. This difference legitimately played a role in my choice to go out that night. Had it been 2-2 or had the Yankees been facing elimination, there's a 99% chance I would've gone straight home.

As it turns out, AJ Burnett pooped himself on three days rest (a move which I did not agree with but can't fault Girardi for going for it). And Tino, Brad, and I decided to go back to the apartment in the 5th inning. And the Yankees outscored the Phillies after we made that move. Coincidence? Please.

No bar results yet.

Wednesday 11/4

If my life was a golf tournament, this was "moving day." The day at work was tense. That day, on the New York Bar website, a note was posted that New York bar results would be released the next morning. Simply reading this message made my heart pound. Not only that, the New Jersey Bar website stated that its results would be released Monday 11/9 at 4pm. So there it is. Oh and one other thing. There was a Game 6 of the World Series going on in the Bronx.

Once again, I break my own rule and meet up with Brad, Tino, and Jeff at the Famished Frog in Morristown. The place is packed with Yankee fans. The Bud Lights are going down like water. Hideki Matsui, a player I've probably castigated more than any other this season, became unconscious and carried the Yankees. While all this was going on, as much as I was enjoying the march toward #27, my mind was racing. My summer of hell was going to culminate in a mere 10 hours. I didn't make mention of this during the game because it was neither the time nor the place. But, needless to say, I was able to watch a lot of the post-game because I was unable to sleep.

Thursday 11/5

Log into my computer. Click on Internet Explorer. No results. Refresh. No results. Refresh. No results. This would go on for many minutes until I finally was notified of the link to check the results. I was alone in my office. My hands were shaking like Brad Lidge with a three run lead. I slowly typed in my ID number and other relevant contact information. The screen goes completely blank. A message appears. My eyes are darting all over the place looking for any sign of hope. After quickly scanning the page, I read more slowly. And it's GOOOOOOOOOD!

I felt like Tiger sinking a 40 foot eagle chip-in without Steve Williams. I simply put my arms in the air and silently yelled to myself like Jerry and George did when they were offered to do a pilot for NBC. To channel my inner Mike Francesa: this was huu-yuuuge.

Friday 11/6

With a busy weekend on tap, I stay in with a roommate who shall remain nameless (to protect his identity) and played Halo for the first time in about 6 months. For 3 hours. Unrelated note: I'm single.

Saturday 11/7

Met up with a couple friends from RU to celebrate the passage of the New York bar. Eventually, we'd meet up at McCarthy's in Hoboken to celebrate Tino's birthday. Dollar drafts all night is alright by me. The night would culminate by taking a car service home, with a large pepperoni pie in tow. College.

Sunday 11/8

Tino and I head to Giants Stadium to take in the Giants-Chargers game on an unseasonably warm November day that turned into night. We end up sitting in front of an adorable mother who, when the Giants had a 1st and 25 following a penalty, exclaimed, "What is 1 and 25??? Is that even possible???"

Well the game itself was great for the first 59+ minutes. Then Phil Rivers decided he was mad the Giants traded him on draft day in 2004 I guess. Giants head into the bye week sizzling hot riding a 4 game losing streak. Awesome. Oh, and New Jersey results are coming in less than 24 hours.

Monday 11/9

Rumors were flying that the results would come before the 4pm promise to avoid having the site crash from all the traffic at one time. That's all I needed to log onto the site. Check for results. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Nothing.

So, I go on with my day, watching the clock like I was a 5th grader in a late afternoon social studies class. I wish I could've had Alex Mack or Hiro Nakamura to fast forward time to get me to 4pm. Just a brutal wait.

3:57. 3:58. 3:59:01. 3:59:32. 3:59:59. 4:00:01. Refresh. It's up. And...IT'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! It's a sweeeeeeeeeep! This time, I pop out of my chair and pace back and forth, giving double Chris DiMarco fist pumps. I'm pleased my home state for which I have so much pride didn't let me down.

The summer of hell (a.k.a. studying all day, never getting on the golf course) all of a sudden became worth it. My era of studying for exams came and went. I can be a real person again. I'm not sure whether that is actually something to celebrate or not.

Anyway, there's my week. A 27th championship for the New York Yankees. A Friday night staying in playing video games. An actual social night out on Saturday. A beautiful night at Giants Stadium sullied by a last minute 1 point loss. And two big clicks of the "Refresh" icon.

It feels good to be back. Trust me...the battle between GG and The OC will be waged soon.

Gamblers Anonymous: #27 and Week 9 in the NFL

During the 7th inning Wednesday night as the Yankees were bringing in Damaso Marte to face Chase Utley with 2 runners on, I began to reflect on the last 9 years of the Yankees. Well first, I was freaking out about bringing Marte into the game. He was actually a member of my American League only fantasy team until he gave up 6 earned runs opening day, which I was also in attendance for. And despite the fact he pitched well during the playoffs, I really haven't shaken that stink bomb from him all season.

But after that panic attack, I started thinking about the heartbreak vs. Arizona in '01...the early round loses to the Angels and Tigers...the HR by Boone in '03, but losing to the Marlins...and finally, the crushing, catastrophic collapse in '04 to the Red Sox. As most of my Red Sox friends would tell you, I literally lost my mind that night. I had a few chardonnays, what of it?

I kept saying to myself Wednesday night as Marte warmed up – this was it. We get through Utley and we are home free with Mariano for the last two innings. Up until this point in the game, even with a 7-3 lead and before that, 7-1 lead, I really wasn't enjoying myself. I simply couldn't relax the entire game. Finally living in New York allowed me to attend 7 of the 8 home games. While it has been an amazing to witness this playoff run in person for all these memorable games, being at the ball park for so many high energy, high anxiety games simply had me burnt out, over-tired and stressed. I was ready for it to end.

When Marte got Utley down on strikes swinging - I finally began to soak it all up - a Yankee team for the first time in years that legitimately liked each other and most important, wanted to win. You can say what you want about the Yankees being bad for baseball - the payroll, the free agent spending, etc. - but to a Yankees fans none of that stuff matters - only championships.

And now that I've finished the self-indulgent tear jerker portion of the article - I've been on a bender for 2 straight days. I smell like a mixture of Irish car bombs and tequila and I'm in a part of the Bronx I've never seen before. I believe I torched a vehicle on River Ave this morning, but that might have just been a dream. Hard to tell at this point.

Luckily, they have internet and running water here in the Bronx (who knew!) and I was able to take 10 minutes to brush my teeth and post my NFL bets this weekend for my loyal readers. Oh and anyone sitting around waiting for these picks to place bets, I just hope you don't own any major credit cards. Top 5 casinos next week when I sober up:

You won’t care about this game unless you bet it! – KC +7 over Jacksonville – the logic for this bet is in the title.

What do you know about Ray Finkel? – Dolphins +11 over Patriots – way too many points to give a Dolphins team that has proven they are good.

Phillies Suck! - Eagles -3 over Cowboys – consolation prize for Jimmy Rollins whose ego is too big to admit that the better team won.

MNF - Broncos +3 over Steelers - Denver at home on Monday night…got to take the points.

-Steve Lugerner

Quick Picks: Week 9

So I suppose our readers want me to talk about the massive sports game that still has everyone out there reeling.  I'm talking, of course, about Bowling Green's last-minute win against Buffalo on Tuesday night.  14 points in the 4th quarter including the game-winning touchdown pass with 38 seconds left -- what a game!

Okay, so now that that's out of the way, let's get onto Week 9:

Cardinals @ Bears = CARDINALS

-This is actually a tough game to predict.  By the numbers, these teams are eerily similar.  Both teams have a 4-3 record.  Chicago's defense is allowing 310 yards a game, Arizona's is allowing 329.  Chicago's allowing 21.4 points a game, Arizona is allowing 20.4 points a game.  Even on offense; Cardinals are gaining 328 yards a game, the Bears are gaining 320.  Arizona is scoring 22.4 points a game, Chicago's scoring 22.7 points a game.  Warner's thrown for 11 TDs and 11 INTs; Cutler's thrown for 11 TDs and 11 INTs.  Forte is pathetically averaging 3.5 yards per carry, while Tim Hightower is averaging an even more pathetic 3.3 yards per carry.  The Cardinals are 3-0 on the road, but the Bears are 3-0 at home.  I mean, it's ridiculous how similar these teams are.  I'm tempted to call this one a tie, but I'm thinking I gotta go with the Cardinals.  They're coming off a huge upset loss and, after five interceptions, I'm sure Kurt Warner wants to dispel any notions that he's lost a step.  Should be a shootout.  I'm gonna say the birds edge it out 31-28.

Ravens @ Bengals = BENGALS

-My second week going against the Ravens on top of an already collective 0-3 on my Raven predictions this year, but by this point of the season I have to go with the team coming off the bye week.  The Ravens looked impressive last week against the Broncos as they themselves were the team coming off a bye, but I just don't see them pulling this one out.  I won't be shocked if they win, but I'll be impressed.  Maybe my fantasy hopes for Ocho and Benson to have a big day are getting the best of me, but I think the Bengals sweep the season series and win 28-17.

Dolphins @ Patriots = PATRIOTS

-The Dolphins got lucky last week in the shape of Ted Ginn Jr. and Jason Taylor.  That kind of lightning won't strike again for a long long time.  Much like the Bengals above, the Pats are coming off a bye and are a perfect 4-0 at Foxb...err...Gillette Stadium.  While I certainly don't buy the current line for the game with the Pats at -11, I don't see the Dolphins winning it either.  Patriots prevail 27-13.

Chargers @ Giants = GIANTS

-From Kansas City to Oakland and now from Oakland to New York, the Chargers are certainly racking up the frequent flier miles in the past few weeks.  Frankly I didn't even realize the Chargers played the last two weeks until I saw their games were against the Chiefs and the Raiders.  It's a good thing they won both those 'gimme games' because now they're heading into the Meadowlands to face a pissed off team that has some serious explaining to do for their fans.  The Giants better win and better look good while doing it or else their dreams of the playoffs, let alone the division title, may be in serious jeopardy.  Giants (have to) win 24-20.

Cowboys @ Eagles = EAGLES

-Good news Philly fans, you guys are going to win something this week!  I'm not buying the resurgence of the Cowboys.  Outside of their win against the Falcons, their other four wins have come against the Bucs, Panthers, Chiefs, and Seahawks.  The Eagles defense is amongst the league's leaders in sacks and interceptions.  Their constant blitzing will force Tony Romo's game to be filled with more mistakes than an orphanage in a town without condoms.  Eagles fly 31-14.

Steelers @ Broncos = STEELERS

-Make it three in a row for the well-rested teams this week.  I know the Broncos are going to want to show that last week was a fluke, but the Steelers are simply a better team and now a healthier team thanks to the bye.  The forecast for the game is low-40s with a chance of rain.  Big Ben plays his best in cold-weather slop games.  I think the Steelers D reigns supreme as they win this one 21-7.

Fantasy Sleeper of the Week:  Michael Crabtree, WR SF.  282 yards; that's how many passing yards the Titans are allowing every game and puts them last in the league in pass defense.  I know analysts are projecting Crabtree to have a decent day and this might not look like a true sleeper, but I think Crab is absolutely going to go off.  Terrible pass defense + first home game in front of the 49ers faithful = HUGE DAY.  I'm going to go as high as penciling him in for 6-115-1.

Fantasy Worry of the Week:  Michael Turner, RB ATL.  The point of this section is to point out a player who's supposed to have a huge day and could have some trouble.  Burner's being listed as the 2nd best RB in fantasy this week by ESPN and is projected to have 115 yards and a TD by Yahoo!  I think differently.  I think he's a between-the-tackles power runner and, unfortunately for Mike, the Redskins have a well-rested Albert Haynesworth waiting for him between those tackles.  I think the touchdown might be possible for Turner, but the yardage won't be there.  Mark him down for an 18-66-1 performance -- (still a decent day by most standards, but not stud-worthy).

Enjoy.  Enjoy.  Enjoy.  God I love football.

-Dave

Burn, Baby, Burn 2.0

As a matter of fact, I did read it in 'Sports Marketing for Dummies'.  David Stern loaned it to me.  For some reason he had already marked up the whole section about how, if you can get the referees to go along with it, a league will never have bad ratings for the finals as long as they make sure one big-market team is playing -- hmm, weird?  Anyway, back to the matter at hand, HOW can you say the Saints undefeated season is going to be stopped by the Falcons?  The only things the Falcons have shown consistently this season is how inconsistent they are.  Hold the Dolphins to 7 points, then lose to the Pats, beat the Bears, then get blown out by the Cowboys, and then the Saints beat them two nights ago.

I hate to say it, but the team that's going to play spoiler for the Saints is going to be the Pats.  I know they're playing in the Superdome, but Tom Brady on Monday Night Football?  The Saints d-line can wrap themselves in bubblewrap and will get called for 'roughing the passer' every time one of them accidentally breathes in Brady's direction.  It's not going to be fair, but it's going to be how the undefeated streak ends.

As for the Colts, I'll never say that team has "no shot" as long as Peyton Manning is taking the snaps.  While I don't think they'll go undefeated either, I think they'll last longer than the Saints.  Although I'm gonna mix it up a little and not predict it to be to a big team like the Pats or Broncos.  Instead I'm looking at a team who's season has already gone to crap and are switching to the college football mindset of playing spoiler.  Which team do I speak of...?  The Tennessee Titans.  That's right.  Week 13 in Indianapolis no less.  Jeff Fisher is taking a lot of heat over that episode when he wore a Peyton Manning jersey.  He knows how to beat the Colts and that game really might be the only chance he has at saving his job (especially if the Colts are undefeated).  I'm going out on a big limb here and it most likely is going to backfire on me, but what the hell, it's the Burner.

-Dave

Bern Baby Bern! (Thank you John Sterling)

To start, the regular season doesn't matter for measuring a team if they don't win a championship. How we look at a team historically is measured by what you do in the playoffs. As great as the 2007 Pats were - they are not the greatest team ever, or really anything close.

Of course Dave, two 18-0 teams in the Super Bowl would be good for the NFL. Did you read that in Sports Marketing for Dummies? Question is will either of these teams actually do it?

I say no chance for the Colts. They are the San Antonio Spurs of the NFL. They will likely go on cruise control soon and even with Bob Sanders back, their defense is SUSPECT. Also, last week showed that when the Colts offense sputters and settles for FGs, they end up leaving even a marginal team like the 49ers in a game because their defense isn't going to shut anyone out.

The Saints actually have a very good shot to finish the regular season undefeated. Their remaining schedule is the EASIEST in the NFL. Other than Atlanta on the road, the rest of their schedule is very favorable. I really don't see this team losing at home all year, even with the Patriots and Cowboys coming to town. Plus, the Saints have shown they are better than both those teams with a revamped defense from Gregg Williams (I hate you Dan Snyder). Despite this schedule, even the Patriots (who I think are better than this Saints team) needed a little bit of luck/magic (Ravens timeout call on 4th down, Giants leading in Week 17) to pull out a 16-0 season.

Prediction: I think they could do it, but it is simply too hard in the NFL. They will lose to the Falcons Dec. 13. and go 15-1.

-Steve Lugerner

Burn, Baby, Burn

So I guess I'll get this Burner started...  First of all, it obviously means something if a team can go 16-0.  It's a highly impressive feat, but I think you may be onto something with that 'all or nothing' mentality.  Surely most of the sports world looks back on 2007 and remembers 18-1 more vividly than 16-0, even though it was an achievement no team had ever accomplished before.  However, this is a tricky year in the NFL.  There are more bad teams this year than many of us can count and from the look of the schedules, the Colts and Saints have already or will play most of them.  I think because of this rather large disparity between teams this year, it will take a perfect 19-0 to really impress the fanfare out there.  By all accounts, it looks like the Cardinals may very well be a division champion this year with a record of 8-8 or 9-7.  If the Saints go 16-0 and then lose to the Cardinals in the playoffs that's just going to show people that their undefeated regular-season record was more a product of them playing bad teams than them being a great team.

Personally, I think it's a little too early to get too excited about either team going undefeated.  They both have nine games left to play.  I feel like every year some team starts out hot and this is all sports writers seem to be able to talk about.  I still remember when the "unstoppable" 13-0 1998 Broncos rolled into the Meadowlands to take on the lowly 5-8 Giants and ended up losing 20-16.  Like I've said before, I'm a firm believer that on any given Sunday any NFL team can beat another team, so there's a long way to go.  Although I think it'd be great if BOTH the Saints and Colts went 16-0, ran the table in the playoffs, and met up in the Super Bowl.  Wouldn't that be great for football?  Two 18-0 teams, lead by the two best quarterbacks in the league, battle for the Super Bowl and NFL supremacy?  Anybody else think that?  Anybody?  Hmm?  Okay, no cream...

-Dave

Burner of the Week

"Hey BingBong, Week 9 is coming up and the NFL's still got two undefeated teams. Do you think either the Colts and/or Saints have what it takes to run the table and go a perfect 16-0? And if so, after the 2007 season, does going undefeated during the regular season mean anything unless you win the Super Bowl?" -Bill, Boston

Thanks for your question, Bill. I'm curious myself to hear what the boys have to say about this. BingBong, what do you say; two 7-0 teams worth getting excited over?

Lugie's List 11/2 - Yay-Rod??

"Yay-Rod" - That's the best you could do Daily News?

1. Look, I'm not going to take credit for predicting a Brad Lidge blow up - that's like predicting the mall will be crowded the day after Thanksgiving and being unable to find a parking spot for an hour. But after last night the Yankees are one game away from their 27th championship thanks to Lidge crapping the bed yet again. What an AB by Johnny Damon in the 9th - keeping the inning alive and stealing second and third - forcing Lidge to throw A-Rod three straight fastballs because he was scared of a wild pitch. You can say what you want about some of the Yankee performances this post season...but almost every player on the roster has had a moment contributing to where the Yankees are right now.

2. I know it has been beaten to death on this blog - and Mr. Dave Silverstein will say "he's the best player in baseball it is expected." But, the # of clutch hits piling up for A-Rod this postseason are enough to last a career. Best player or not, it is amazing how quickly he is turning his clutch reputation around.

3. Everyone is going to be talking about Charlie Manuel starting Joe Blanton over Cliff Lee on 3 days rest in Game 4. To Blanton's credit, the game was not lost by him and he did keep the Phillies in the game. However, as a friend pointed out to me Saturday, can the Phillies really win this series without starting Lee 3 times? Even if Lee wins Game 5 you are looking at Pedro for Game 6 and Hamels for Game 7 on the road. That’s just a tough hole to put yourself in down 3-1 without another 'sure thing' in your rotation.

4. I hear Brett Favre played a football game Sunday? I'll save the gushing for the MNF crew tonight and the game breakdown for Dave. Here is what we learned (if this wasn't obvious already) from the Vikings and Eagles victories over the Giants and Packers. Beating the Chiefs, Raiders, Redskins, Rams, Browns and Lions is the equivalent to an NFL squad beating up on a pop-warner team. Historically horrendous football teams . It’s as far from a measuring stick game as humanely possible and I'm no longer reading anything into it (i.e. I no longer think the Giants are the best team in football - not close).

5. Thom Brennaman's gushing speech near the end of Vikings-Packers about how he hopes everyone can "move on" after Favre's return to Lambeau was painfully forced and inappropriate. I think it was the exact word for word speech at the end of the Remember the Titans. When will the media learn that outside (...does Green Bay even care for all this press about Favre at this point?), nobody cares about this story! If I have to watch Brett Favre cry in another interview/press conference I'm going to gouge my eyes out. The good news: the never ending Favre coverage and my hatred for the 6pm SportsCenter has spawned this idea for a column: Annoying 6pm SportCenter stories of the last decade. Pedro Gomez and Shelly Smith take cover. Stay tuned.

6. What the hell happened to the Jets and Giants? Cue the clip of Noah and Jared lighting each other on fire...which leads me to...

7. Amazingly, this might be the best week ever to be a Redskins fan on this blog. BY VIRTUE OF A BYE, MY TEAM DIDN'T HAVE THE WORST WEEK!!!! Best Skins moment since Super Bowl XXVI (as a Skins fan, I will take whatever I can get).

8. Let me preface this by saying I'm not greedy - while part of me wants the Yankees to win at home (currently holding tickets), due to outrageous ticket prices and StubHub fees stipulating they get half of my living assets when I die, I'll be very happy to not spend the money and take a W tonight.

9. My 'unofficial favorite day of the year', day light savings, ruined by Halloween. Because I was so inebriated Saturday night, I didn't even notice the clocks had turned back. Throw in the fact when I remembered it was day light savings, I immediately though it was an hour earlier (until someone told me it wasn't - stupid phone and cable companies). Therefore, it actually felt like moving the clock ahead an hour in the spring (my 'unofficial least favorite day of the year'). Tough life I live.

10. Sunday Night TV Ratings: Every sports announcer all weekend: F--, Dexter: A-, Curb: B+, Californication: B+, Bored to Death: C- (going to finish out the season next week).

-Steve Lugerner

Quick Picks: Week 8

Well, I wanted to write about the six best games of the week, but frankly, there are only four games I consider worth watching.  So here goes...

Dolphins @ Jets = DOLPHINS 
-I know the Jets are going to want to come out and play a tough game for the home crowd, but after last week's collapse to the Saints I see the Dolphins as a team completely unwilling to let their record fall to 2-5.  Week 5 was a great game to watch, but now the Jets are without Leon Washington and Kris Jenkins and Sparano has had plenty of time to catch up on game film of Braylon.  I know everyone in New York is pumped up over Shonn "Gang" Greene, but let's not get carried away just yet.  Wildcat prevails 24-14.

Giants @ Eagles = EAGLES 
-For the record, I didn't feel good about writing that pick.  How much Philthadelphia can one endure in a week?  I'm just worried about the Giants is all.  Two weeks ago New Orleans exposed their defense.  Last week Arizona exposed their offense.  I want to say the Giants should roll without Westbrook in there, but the Eagles don't run the ball anyway and asking C.C. Brown to not let DeSean Jackson get past him is like asking Garfield not to eat lasagna...(haha, that crazy cat, when will he learn??).  Eagles take this one 33-31.

Broncos @ Ravens = BRONCOS 
-I've been scorned twice putting my neck out for the Ravens this season and I'm not gonna do it again.  Neckbeard Orton is playing mistake-free football (unlike a certain 10 INT-throwing former Bronco QB) and their defense is firing on all cylinders.  The Ravens D just isn't as dominant as it once was, but unfortunately it's not their fault.  They still play the aggressive defense I love, but the NFL apparently thinks all QBs are wearing skirts during the game and it's hurting the Ravens more than any other team.  While I once thought the Broncos were the most overrated 4-0 team in the league, I gladly stick my foot in my mouth and say now that they're playing complete football.  Broncos win an ugly one 20-17.

Vikings @ Packers = PACKERS

-OMG!  This is the big one.  If I thought Week 4 was a rough one for me, then this one's got me feeling as vulnerable as a bride left at the altar.  I'm sticking to my guns though.  This isn't just me saying it for the sake of being a fan.  The moment the first game ended I told myself, "We're going to beat them at Lambeau."  I mean think about it, did we really lose that game the first time around?  I know we did, obviously -- I know how scores work.  Rodgers had close to 400 passing yards with Antoine Winfield in the game and we held AP to 55 yards on the ground.  Sure Favre looked great, but he didn't beat us.  We had 7 penalties and gave up 8 sacks.  Now we're playing at home and have most of our o-line healthy, you think we'll have all those false start penalties at Lambeau?  No way.  My only concern is Brett picking apart Al Harris again, but now Bigby's back and hopefully he can provide some help to that side of the field.  I'm gonna go high-scoring here: Packers take it 34-28.


Things to Watch For:

-I know there are some awful teams in the league this year and I'm not much of a betting man (mainly due to lack of funds), but a lot of these spreads aren't sitting right with me.  Nearly half the games this week have double-digit lines.  This is still the NFL and I'm a firm believer in the old "any given sunday..." adage.

-Matt Forte's going up against the 31st best run defense in the league, allowing 172 rushing yards per game, so I guess it's time to clear some room in Canton again once Forte goes 18-133-2 against them.

-After being called for 'roughing the passer' on yet another big play, Ray Lewis will actually rip Ed Hochuli's arms off and beat him to death with them in the middle of the field.
 

-Vince Young will be traded for JaMarcus Russell mid-game and then traded back -- no one will notice.

-On the 3rd play of the game, Matt Hasselbeck will injure one of the three bones in his body he has yet to injure and post another 0.2 pt. fantasy day for his owners.

My 'Matt Berry-esque' Fantasy Sleeper of the Week: Reggie Wayne, WR Colts.  I know people have been jumping ship on him with Anthony Gonzalez due back in two weeks, but he's still available in 0.3% of all fantasy leagues, so go out there and grab him.

My Actual Fantasy Sleeper of the Week: Jeremy Maclin, WR Eagles.  Even if the Giants do find a way to slow down DeSean Jackson, they can't stop both of them.  I'm not saying this is a good move for a PPR league, but Maclin could be good for some long bombs and maybe a touch.  Maybe a 3-78-1 line.  Definitely worth a look as a WR3.
 

My Fantasy Worry of the Week: Andre Johnson, WR Hou.  Don't get me wrong.  I have AJ on one of my teams and I really hope I'm wrong here, but I just think if Houston puts up a lot of points early on, with a healing lung and that cold air in Buffalo, Kubiak might ask Andre to grab some bench and get some rest.

Cherish Week 8...once it's gone, so is half the season.

-Dave

Gamblers Anonymous: World Series Game 2 and Week 8 in the NFL

Before getting to the NFL, what a masterful performance by AJ Burnett last night who out pitched Pedro Martinez on turn back the clock night. Pedro’s face leaving the field had me literally bursting into laughter - it went from utter disappointment to chuckling at the Yankee cheers in a matter of seconds. Great World Series drama.

And how many bad calls are we going to have to see this postseason? The Howard "catch" and double-off, and Utley "out" at first on another called double-play BOTH could have altered the score of this game. JUST PUT IN A REPLAY SYSTEM ALREADY. I just hope they don't screw up a call that decides the series for the sake of the sport.

This was my first Yankee game during the postseason watching with full sound (either been at the game or in a loud bar)...I must say I forgot how incompetent the duo of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are....ESPECIALLY McCarver. How have we gone 15 years now without changing the announcers for the World Series? I can name 546 guys off the top of my head better than McCarver and it seems like Joe Buck plays down to McCarver's level. McCarver actually had me questioning why I didn't pay $500+ for a ticket last night just so I didn't have to hear him.

Help Wanted: For Halloween I am planning to go as Mariano Rivera...I will pay someone $20 for the night to carry a boom box/speaker set with them and every time I enter a room blast Enter Sandman. Serious inquiries only (don’t make me post on Craig’s List and get murdered people).
Awkward/hilarious text of the week goes to my dad...who after the Yankees victory last night sent me: "I'm your daddy." And you people wonder where I get it from.

Top 5 casinos put off until next week due to my tight schedule...book signing in the village at noon and then heading on a chopper to Philly to cover Game 3. Tough life. Here are my NFL bets:

Don't Stop till You Get Enough: Colts -13 over 49ers - The 49ers are not terrible, but with Alex Smith starting his first game in [insert stat here, BingBong hasn't sprung for a Tony Reali of our own yet], I'm going with the Colts. Three guarantees in life: Death-Taxes-Lugie Betting the Colts.

Fool me once…shame on me…fool me…fool me twice…ya not gonna fool me again!: Dolphins +3 over Jets – I realized if I just started betting the Dolphins, then I wouldn’t feel bad when I lose most bets betting against them. So you see people, behind this logic…this bet is A LOCK!

Bingo Night Football! - Saints -10 over Falcons – The Saints finally had a bad half last week and still put up 40+ when it was all said and done. The Falcons looked exposed on the road vs. the Cowboys and I expect more of the same from Drew Brees.

Actual Vegas Line: Bye week -20 over Redskins – I’m figuring during the bye week we get a few more stories about signs being confiscated before entering the stadium shades of Stalin Russia, and then maybe some video of Snyder stealing a kids Halloween candy and smashing it under a bulldozer he bought just for shits and giggles. Bye week in a rout!

-Steve Lugerner

Thank you Mr. Donaghy! Love, Noah

Just today, I was conjuring up ideas about how to craft an article on how the NHL is better than the NBA. And while I don't have said article ready to go yet, these revelations from Tim Donaghy's not-going-to-be-published-in-the-near-future tell-all book just handed me the keys.

Making bets on who would call the first foul? Targeting a bad boy to try and call the first technical? Yikes. While that is horrifying, you have to admit...it sounds kind of fun, no?

Anyway, what Steve left out is the disgusting actions taken by the NBA itself. The league was essentially giving referees marching orders on who should prevail in a playoff game? Sure, the refs listened, but the NBA was essentially complicit in it all anyway!

The NBA is seemingly obsessed with the promotion of its stars -- the Kobes, LeBrons, and Garnetts of the world.

While the NHL struggles for legitimacy by NOT shoving its stars like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin down our throats, the league, in the least, retains its integrity and credibility. And don't get me wrong, the NHL does a million things wrong with its sport. I have given up on doing things to my Gary Bettman voodoo doll because it clearly is not working. For now, THANK YOU Tim Donaghy. Thank you for going a long way to helping me prove my point.

NOTE: For a fun look back at the abominable Lakers-Kings series from 2002, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4t5RMFt5u8. Pay special attention to the forearm to the face Kobe lays on Mike Bibby in Game 6 (it's shown about 50 times from different angles). Not even Tim McClelland would've missed that one.

Our first NBA post is not a positive one...

Expect an NBA preview from Silverberg and I soon...but excerpts from Tim Donaghy's book, Blowing the Whistle, are out:

http://deadspin.com/5392067/excerpts-from-the-book-the-nba-doesnt-want-you-to-read

The betting on technical fouls and first foul of the game stuff is just...WOW. I was just saying to someone even if half of this stuff is true (shades of Jose Canseco's book about steroids for MLB)...the NBA is in a shit storm of trouble. I think pretty much every hardcore fan has questioned the outcome of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Kings-Lakers and here is additional evidence to back it up. And while I always loved Bavetta, if this stuff is true he has to resign ASAP. Absolutely calls into question the last 20 years in the NBA. I am curious to how some of these NBA refs respond to these excerpts.

Expected David Stern comment : "We don't see how this changes anything. He is a convicted felon. Our referees are the best in professional sports."

Granted, let's reserve judgment to see how much of these stories are confirmed. Regardless, Stern has been shoving this under the rug ever since the story broke as if nothing is wrong here. The parallels between baseball and steroids are overwhelming because of his callous disregard for how this could be impacting outcomes of games. If he overlooks taking any action now, NBA fans should be outraged. If I were him, I'd be doing some inventory and cleaning house with my refs ASAP.

I am a Mets fan and rooting for the Phillies

Thats right, after not much deliberation at all, I will be rooting for the Phillies in the World Series. This was one of the easiest decisions I ever have had to make. I have heard some Mets fans, Dave included, telling me how I should be rooting for the Yankees this week because they are "the team from NY" and not our "biggest rival". And thats hogwash. No chance will that ever happen, sorry.

The team I hate the most has been, and always will be, the Yankees. I hate the Yankees when they win the World Series just as much as I hate them when they win 70 games (if). The Phillies, meanwhile, are just my rival of the moment. I hate Victorino, Rollins, and Hamels with the rest of the Mets fans, but 5 years ago, and hopefully 5 from now, I won't give a hoot about the Phillies. For Mets fans, they are the Braves of the late 90s, Dodgers of the late 80s and Cardinals of the early 80s. A rival that will die when either of the two teams get bad. The Yankees will be my rival forever

OK, now that we are done with that, the question is Who Will Win the World Series? I hate to say it but I have to go with the Yankees. When looking at the 2 teams, they are pretty much equal everywhere except for the bullpens. The Phillies have who exactly? Chan Ho Park? Brad Lidge? The Yankees have Joba Chamberlain, and most importantly, Mariano Rivera. The lineups are relatively equal, though I give the Yankees a slight edge. Both benches suck. Both rotations are strong with each team having an ace, an aging great, and an enigmatic young starter. And both defenses are solid but unspectacular at some positions.

So when it all boils down to it, the Yankees will come back in a couple games because the Phillies pen is lackluster and they will, unfortunately, win in 6. I hope to be proven wrong though. And here is a quote I will never again write on bingbongsports (cause I never post in the first place): Lets Go Phillies!!!

Lugerner: More Series Predictions

Let's get even bolder. Coming back to the World Series...here are my predictions:

• Game 1 - CC pitches 7 2/3 - Howard faces Coke for the last out in the 7th. Matsui two run shot in the 2nd...Yankees add another in the 6th - Mariano for the 9th - Yankees win 3-2.
• Game 2 - My only game I miss of the Yankees post season run. Burnett gives up 5 after 4 - Joba gives up 2 more in one inning of relief. Kate Hudson interferes with A-Rod going for foul ball...they break up on site...she is removed the stadium. Pedro dominates. Catastrophe in the Bronx. The city of New York riots. Phillies win 7-0.
• Game 3 - Pettitte pitches a gem 3-hitter. A-Rod and Jeter homer. Yankees win 5-0.
  Game 4 - Phillies even the series after Girardi throws out Gaudin for Game 4 and promptly gets beat into oblivion. Phillies win 14-5.
• Game 5 - CC pitches huge again going 8 on full rest. Yankees win 6-1.
• Game 6 - Burnett redeems himself after his Game 2 blowup...going 6 giving up 2 runs...but leaving in a tie ball game. Jorge Posada hits the go ahead double in the bottom of the 8th with Gardner running for Matsui (shades of Joe Girardi's game winning RBI in 1996 Game 6). Enter Sandman for the 9th - 3rd out is a pop out in foul territory off the bat of Chase Utley to A-Rod. Game over. Yankees win in 6.

MVP - CC for 2 wins in the series, despite A-Rod batting .600 (and subsequently crying in his locker when he doesn't win the MVP while everyone else celebrates).
-Steve Lugerner

Why a Mets fan CAN root for the Phillies

Just so everyone knows, I am NOT saying that I'm rooting for the Phillies.  However, my friend Steven raised a question so I feel I should answer him.  The reason we can root for the Phillies is because they are a nuance, that's all.  Believe me, I hate so much about their players personally that it's probably not healthy.  Jimmy Rollins with that huge gap between his teeth, Chase Utley's greasy hair, Victorino and his little league helmet, Colbert Hamels and his overall Cole Hamels-ness.  There's plenty to pick from, trust me.  Their team is named after a female horse and even if it's not and they're supposed to be named after the people of their city, then it has the originality of calling a team the New York New Yorkers or the San Diego San Diegoans?  San Diegoites?  San Diegons?  And there's also the fact that their uniforms look like they should be selling cotton candy at a carnival instead of playing baseball -- (thank you, Bill Bur, for that one).

However, the real reason to hate them is because their fans are obnoxious and their players are moronic to be quite honest.  I mean Cole Hamels gets on the radio and calls the Mets "choke artists", meanwhile in the last four seasons the guy has a 2-5 record with an ERA over 4.80 against them.  Jimmy Rollins gives a speech after winning the World Series talking about "Oh yeah, that Johan Santana is a reallll gooood player, but it takes a whole team to win a championship!" (I'm paraphrasing, but it was something stupid like that), and yet Johan Santana finished 2nd in Cy Young voting that year while Jimmy Rollins batted a combined .186 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in the NLCS and the World Series last year, so yeah, I guess when your lead-off hitter plays like that you do need a "whole team" to win.  Their fans walk around talking about how great they are.  They love bringing up how we choked last year as if they had anything to do with it, even though the Mets beat the Phillies 11-8 in the overall series during the season.

Overall, they're merely a blight.  I hate their players, I hate their fans, but I'm not losing any sleep over their actual team.  The Yankees on the other-hand truly do represent all that's wrong with the game.  I don't have time to get into all of it.  We know all the reasons, we've said all the reasons.  Frankly, I don't have time to argue with Yankee fans about it, I'm just answering Steve's question.  The Mets and Yankees are rivals.  I'm not saying it's as big as the Yankees and Sox, but it's still a rivalry.  It's more a rivalry of what the teams represent than an actual playing rivalry because they're in different leagues.  The Yankee fans like to talk about the Mets as if they're some annoying little brother they don't give an afterthought to because they've won 27 World Championships, but let the record show that since the Mets have been in existence that count is only 6 titles to 2 titles.

So when you say the Yankee fans would cheer for the Mets if they played the Red Sox, I guess my point is that it's not the same thing because you don't have a hatred for the Mets on a grander scale.  The Mets haven't ruined baseball, they've just ruined the lives of their fans.  Allow me to put it another way.  I loathe the Patriots.  Everyone who knows me knows that.  Their QB is overrated and plays like The Tinman because he has no heart.  I firmly believe their coach is pure evil and that if he were to be killed the Sun would shine brighter -- that's just science.  And they are cheaters.  That's undeniable.  They cheated the game of football to win and were punished for it.  That's not hearsay.  They actually did.  So I hate what they represent, but I'm not a Jets fan so I don't get to doubly-hate them because they aren't an actual rival of mine.  The Yankees are though.

Sorry, this article just keeps growing.  So in closing...  The Phillies are a blight and I hate watching the players on their team succeed, but I don't particularly care about their team.  After all, they were the first professional franchise to 10,000 losses, right?  The Yankees are an organization that I find despicable.  Although the irony is that this year, I actually probably like their players more than I usually have in the past.  I respect Jeter even if I think he's a tool.  I envy Mariano.  I like Swisher, Melky, and Hughes.  And I have nothing against CC or Teixeira.  They just play for a team that has ruined America's pastime for the majority of America.

And that, Steven, is why a Mets fan could root for the Phillies.

Dave

*Vote for me if you'd like a copy of Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas, aka Zack and Kelly's wedding, sent to you on VHS!*

Jeff says: I'll have a #1 Value Meal with a Barq's, please!

I'm getting lunch at McDonalds and I wanted to share my thought process.

Much like Girardi choosing to throw CC in games 1,4, and 7, I go with the best choice on the menu (also coincidentally the biggest) and I go with it over and over again.


CC Sabathia = Big Mac

B-B-B-Burner

In an effort to keep this blog from becoming the Yankee rag that many readers seem to already think it is, allow me to offer an opposing view for this week's Burner.  The Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the ;laksdpfoiashpngfl;safnpsa...  Sorry.  I meant, the Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the aoipsnf;lkwenflsanfa...  I'm so sorry.  I keep throwing up on my keyboard whenever I try to write this.  Let's try one more time.  The Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the World Series.

I'm going with the Phillies for one simple reason -- National League baseball.  I know my colleague Mr. Lugerner often likes to talk about how "inferior" the National League is and I completely understand where he's coming from.  I mean, god forbid a roster move during a game should take more thought and consideration than placing an order at McDonald's.  However, it's the National League's brand of baseball that will give them the edge.  Do you think the Phillies are intimidated in the least bit by Yankee Stadium and Yankee fans?  They've put up with their fair share of obnoxious and vulgar Met fans for years now.  Not to mention their home field is in a city that once booed Santa Claus and cheered Michael Irvin's injury.

I'd say the pitching is pretty much a wash.  Anything edge the Yankees gain by having Mariano Rivera is evened out by their lack of starting pitching.  Joe Girardi doesn't even have enough confidence to start more than three pitchers and I know all about the unstoppable and unbreakable CC Sabathia; a pitcher so great that they're considering renaming the trophy the CCY YOUNG, (here's to hoping I beat the NY Post to that one), but he can't pitch all 63 innings, so let's calm down.  The lineups are both downright scary although Phillies fans have to be intrigued by their lefty-heavy lineup and that middle school right field porch.  I'm pretty sure Ryan Howard's nose could hit a home run out to right field at Yankee Stadium -- (was that racist?)

So in my eyes the tie-breaker is the Phillies home-field advantage.  Whether they're 2nd to last in the league in sacrifice bunts, they are still better at doing it and have more practice with it than the Yankees.  The last time I remember the Yankees getting a taste of National League ball Chien-Ming Wang couldn't even make it around the bases without hurting himself and now he can't maintain an ERA lower than the amount of letters in his name.  So there are my thoughts.  Let the arguing and Yankee-blowing begin.

Dave

*And remember a vote for Dave is a vote for Bob Barker to be brought back to host "The Price is Right."*

Lugerner Says: What kind of HOTEL IS THIS?

One guy is saying my prediction is too cushy. Another guy is unwilling to make a prediction. Um...we write for a SPORTS BLOG...say what you want about my rhetoric, but this is the whole point. TO MAKE A PREDICTION.

If you guys want to chat about working on your home or what to plant in your new garden...I mean I guess I can adapt. I'm a jack of all trades.

I want to throw out a question to Dave and Jerry based on what Noah just said about this series being terrible for Mets fans (shades of the '86 series for Yankees fans) - it seems both of you (at least Jerry is) are rooting for the Phillies over the Yankees...and Dave you can't root against both teams that makes no sense. I have to say as just a fan of sports generally I am stunned and appalled.

Ok, we get it - everyone and their mother hates the Yankees. The payroll, the championships, the resentment etc. etc. etc. But Jimmy Rollins literally sticks it to the Mets every chance he gets. The Phillies are your division rival that you play 19 times a year - that you've blown two divisions two in three years. As Noah pointed out, the Yankees-Mets rivalry is two interleague weekend series' a year and nothing more.

HOW can you root for the Phillies? That is all I want an answer to.

Noah's Burn: Operation Bury Steve

Oh Steve. I don't know how much money you pay people to vote for you for the Burner each week, but it must be a lot. Several comments:

1) Are you actually gloating that you "predicted" that a $161 million Cy Young winner was going to be the anchor of a team?

2) Going back to a previous post, as an "NHL expert," I find it a bit discouraging that a few days ago was the first time you watched a complete game in October.

3) And why would Jeff care about the AL pennant? I thought he was still wearing black after the Mets were put to sleep back in June?

Anyways, I'm not making a prediction on this series. If I predict the Yanks win and they lose, then I will blame myself for mushing them. If I predict the Phillies win and 1) they win, then I become Public Enemy #1, or 2) they lose, then irrational Yankee fans will never let me live the prediction down. It's a no-win situation a.k.a. playing under Jim Zorn (ZOOM!).

Most importantly, there is too much on the line in the Gold family. My father and brother Eric are die-hard Phillies fans. I am a Yankee fan. It's almost Shakespearean.

Anyways, rather than make predictions, I'm going to go through some postseason winners and losers.

WINNERS

Alex Rodriguez
Not really trying to reinvent the wheel here. His transformation has been over-the-top-documented. But, watching the Yankees over the course of the season, you do notice these little things that weren't there during A-Rod's first 5 years as a Yankee.

1) He and Jeter actually kind of sort of stand each other now. However, it should be noted that I learned (from reading US Weekly...that was bought by someone else) that Jeter was one of the few Yankees NOT to attend A-Rod birthday bash that Kate Hudson threw over the summer. But it's still progress.
2) His purple lips are a lighter shade of purple.
3) He never seems to be by himself in the dugout anymore. I think he's developing a sitcom-worthy bromance with Teixeira too. The three-man jumping hug between A-Rod, Tex, and Jeter was simultaneously satisfying/horrifying/nauseating/hilarious.
4) The young guys on the team (most significantly Melky and Cano) seem to look up to him, and A-Rod can be seen coaching them many times.
5) Kate Hudson.

Pedro Martinez
After not being able to find a suitor for his past-his-prime services, he lands with the defending world champs and now he finds himself back in the World Series again? And he's pitching Game 2 in the Bronx? While ESPN and the tabloids were using voodoo dolls and tarot cards to will a Dodgers-Yankees World Series, Phillies-Yankees has no shortage of storylines, including Pedro back in the Bronx. Sure, his fastball tops out at approximately 43 mph. But that first time Jorge Posada comes up will still be compelling.

East Coast Bias
New York v. Philadelphia? Obnoxious fan base v. borderline psychopathic fan base? I'd be shocked if the ratings for Lakers-Clippers isn't better than the World Series games in the OC. And by the way, I refuse to call this World Series anything but the NJ Turnpike Series. This may be the only time the NJ Turnpike is relevant for reasons other than long distances between exits, bottle-necking shore travelers, and guys who wear wife-beaters for tops driving Honda Civics with their windows down blasting "Livin' On a Prayer" for the 19th time on loop.


LOSERS

Indians Fans
The following things happened over the course of 72 hours: 1) Cliff Lee reached the World Series as the Phillies ace, 2) CC Sabathia reached the World Series as the Yankees ace, and 3) the Indians hired a former NATIONALS manager as their new manager. As if having Drew Carey as a city spokesman is bad enough. Yikes.

Mets Fans
As fellow BingBonger Dave Silverstein hilariously pointed out -- Mets fans are not quite thrilled with this World Series matchup. Callers on WFAN have been dissecting the nuances of how to root or whom to root for in this series. Needless to say, it has been radio gold. As fun as it is to hear Mike Francesa robustly proclaim that the World Series is going to be huuu-yuuuge, the Mets fans calling in have been incredible. One Met fan that hasn't had this issue is Jeff Alexander (great job today!), for, as a die-hard Mets fan, he still roots for the Yankees. For example, during the 2000 Subway Series, Jeff exclaimed to his loser friends from Livingston High School, "Mets v. Yankees?! I can't lose!"

This quagmire is also amusing for the fact that, if the roles were reversed, and the Mets were playing the Red Sox in the Fall Classic, Yankee fans would not even hesitate when they say they would be 100% behind the Mets. See, the Yankees-Mets "rivalry" is not a rivalry. It's simply a contrived battle that was fueled by the inception of interleague play a decade ago.

Jim Zorn
Got nothing to add here.

VOTE FOR ME IF YOU WANT THE ECONOMY TO REBOUND!

Target on My Back: Why the Yankees Won't Sweep

Jeff - I am a huge Yankee fan and even I wouldn't pick them to sweep. Just because I predict a more likely outcome, doesn't mean it is a weak prediction. It is the right one.

All that post was is fluff. It's fine...first time...you will last longer the more you do it.

Here are a few actual arguments why the Yankees won't sweep (I like to play offense instead of defense, Jeff):

• The Phillies are an excellent home team - both these stadiums are tough places to win - neither team is sweeping this series.
• While our starting pitching has been great...either Burnett or Pettitte is due for a BIG blow up - sorry to say keeping it real.
• Joe Girardi has already said he is not set on using just 3 starters. If Joba or Gaudin start in Philly - that is a loss. No question about it.
• Finally, Giovanni Rabisi should know you never go full retard...

And your excuse for missing Game 6 of the ALCS is an obscure movie reference? If you were my girlfriend (one can only dream...great stats on Jeff...Columbia Law...Latham & Watkins)...I'd have broken up with you for being such a push over!

Oh and very tacky Gchat status....you want to campaign for votes take it to www.twogirlsone*&#.com. More your type of sports arguing site.

Lugie Goes on Limb...Falls

Way to go out there on a limb, Lugie. Yankees in 6? What's next...you predict Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian split up? You predict that Antoine Walker is arrested on armed robbery? (Insert Reference to Another Obvious Thing Here--Dave help me out). Come on, get dangerous. Get out of the kiddie pool.

Recent history has shown that these World Series are never close. One team gets some momentum and never looks back. Yankees win sloppy tonight behind a Damon walk-off and then sweep the Phillies. That's Yanks in 4. Texeira, batting with the suddenly terrifying A-Rod behind him, wins the MVP.

Burner Potpourri:
-Sabathia has in fact been lights out. I rejected your assertion that he was a "sure-thing". He has elevated his game since the regular season and it has been fun to watch.
-Much like Seth in Boiler Room, when he makes his dad meet up at the diner, I was trying to preserve my "relationship". Was I happy about missing ALCS game 6? No. But, I'm out here doing my best. "Relationship, Seth? I'm not your girlfriend...I'm your father."
-Why does Giovanni Rabisi always seem to be playing mentally disabled people in all his movies? He played a retard in The Other Sister, as we all recall he played a retard in Boiler Room, he played a retard in Fast and the Furious. Maybe it's time he branches out.

The Champ Says: Yankees in 6

I'm going for a four-peat. MJ never did it and for that reason I am a tad pessimistic but here goes. Nice and easy start to this Wednesday morning:

1. I find it hard to believe, Brett, (if that is your real name) that a guy from Minnesota is watching this World Series. I might be an obnoxious Yankee fan, but I’m not stupid enough to believe that most of the country cares about this World Series.
2. I've said it before the playoffs and I will say it now - the NL is an inferior league. The Yankees biggest hurdle was the ALCS. Interestingly enough, the Phillies play more like an AL than NL team. Second fewest sacrifice bunts in the NL this year and the have a monster lineup. But, I don’t see the Yankees losing a slug-fest type series to any team especially with home field.
3. Finally, let’s for the sake of argument call the lineups a wash - what this really comes down to is pitching. The Yankees have a slight edge among their starters, and a bigger edge in the bullpen (if just because of Rivera alone). Pitching Pedro in Game 2 is...well...uh...we welcome the challenge? [Vern Lundquist: Here comes the putter throw! Wait- what's this? Maybe this is the new Steve Lugerner?]

Screw that - I gotta go with what gave me my 3-0 Burner run. Pedro is pitching on fumes at this point and is going to get lit up worse than me during an open bar topless party in Vegas [ok these don’t exist to my knowledge but let’s just say I’d be very drunk and PEDRO SUCKS]. I would also put money down on Brad Lidge blowing at least one save in this series. O/U on Pedro runs + fights + who's your daddy chants at Yankee Stadium is 10.5.
Prediction: Yankees in 6…TJ Houshmanzilla put it on the board…CHAMPIONSHIP!
PS: Remember when Jeff Alexander adamantly disagreed with my comment on CC being the anchor we needed to win this year? For that alone you cannot vote for him in this Burner. OH – and he chose a REGULAR SEASON NFL game Sunday night OVER the Yankees 40th AL Pennant. UH, UH, EMBARASSING.

Burner of the Week

"Hey BingBong, I was just curious who you guys thought was gonna win the World Series? Anything we should keep our eye on in particular?" -Brett, Minnesota


First off, let's welcome this week's guest contributor, Jeff Alexander. Now onto business... This one's simple enough, what do you think, fellas? Anybody out there have any plans to put Lugerner's 3-0 run to an end? Let's hear it.

Don't Forget...

There's still one day left before we start up this week's Burner. Make sure to email bingbongsports@gmail.com to send in whatever topic you want to hear the BingBongers argue about tomorrow. Who knows, your question might just be the one who gets picked, so be sure to get them in before 9am tomorrow morning. As always, thanks for reading.

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All These Things That I've (Rather) Done

Help me out.  Yeahhhhhh.  You know you gotta help me out.  Yeahhhhhh...  No, seriously.  I need help.  Last night confirmed it  -- one of my greatest fears.  The Yankees are playing the Phillies in the World Series.  In the words of George Costanza, "Worlds are colliding!"  Who the hell do I root for?  The last thing I want to see is the Phucking Phillies win two back-to-back championships, but rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for the Empire.  It's like cheering for Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator.  It's like hoping Charlie misses the triple-deke at the end of The Mighty Ducks.  It's like rooting for Benjamin to get Cassandra instead of Wayne!  It's...  Alright, I think you get the point.  Anyway, this all started when the Phillies beat the Dodgers last week.  My mind began to race at the mere thought of the very real possibility that the Yankees and the Phillies would be in the World Series and then they started coming to me -- one after another after another -- all the things I would have rather had happen to me or would have rather done if it meant not having to suffer through a Yankees-Phillies World Series.  Upon multiple requests from my friends, here is that very same list:

If it meant I wouldn't have to see the Yankees play the Phillies in the World Series...

-I would have gone to a dog park every Sunday to punch puppies in the face.

-I would have preferred that for the rest of my life, every time I would go to sit down, I would accidentally sit on my balls first.  And not only that, but every single time, it would be new and unexpected.  It's not like I would get used to it.  It wouldn't be like, "Oh, there's a seat, I guess I'm gonna sit on my balls now."  Nope.  Every time it would be unexpected and would catch me off-guard.

-I would have let Michael J. Fox perform and reverse a vasectomy on me every other month for the next five years.

-I would have been okay with being forced to watch and listen to a box of kittens being set on fire every morning when I woke up.

-I would have rather had all stand-up comedy be banned and made illegal except the only comedians who were allowed to perform and be shown on television would be Dane Cook and Carlos Mencia.


-It would have been fine if the phrases "You go girl!" "LOL!" and "Say whaaaaat?!" would have been acceptable vernacular in conversation until the day I die.

-I would have preferred to go to door-to-door to every household in a 20 mile radius to inform them that I was a registered sex offender and that if they had any hamsters, accordions, or mop buckets in their house, they should keep a close eye on them.

-I would have happily watched Sex and the City: The Movie with every girl I've ever met in my life and completely agree with her when she says, "Sarah Jessica Parker is soooooo pretty!"


-Let's just put it this way: I would have rather Leslie Nielsen never existed and be replaced by Andy Dick in every one of his movies.  That's how strongly I feel about this.


But alas, the World Series starts Wednesday.  My official stance is that I'm not rooting for the Yankees and I'm not rooting for the Phillies, but rather I am rooting against the Phillies.  (See if that one makes any sense to you.)  Anyway, I hope you enjoyed some insight into my sick and twisted brain.  Stayed tuned for version 2.0 of this list when the Patriots play the Vikings in the Super Bowl.


-Dave

Lugie's List 10/26: Yankees World Series Bound

Writing this at 2am...running on fumes after a long day of sports. Let’s get to it.

1. "Ball Game Over....American League Championship OVER....YANKEES WIN....THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN." – John Sterling
What a World Series matchup. The two best lineups in baseball, with Pedro facing the Yankees again. CC has a shot to put together one of the best playoff runs ever, and A-Rod will be playing in his first World Series. Phillies and Yankees fans are as rough as they come...I expect a few cracked skulls in the stands.

2. Andy Pettitte is now the winningest post-season pitcher of all-time (16 wins to John Smoltz’s 15) with a brilliant Game 6 performance Sunday night. If he hadn’t already secured his place as a Yankee great, it is now a guarantee #46 will never be worn by a Yankee player ever again.

3. Ultimately, the Angels strengths fell apart in the ALCS. Their defense gave up a ton of runs and the Yankees were extremely effective at keeping the Angels from disrupting the game on the base paths. It just seemed like some of the Angels pitchers and players were a little off in New York, which is a credit to the loud atmosphere that greeted them in Game 1. The Yankees have lost 8 games since the All-Star break...I was never a huge believer in home-field advantage for baseball, but something is certainly clicking for the Yankees at home.

4. I could kiss you right now Drew Brees. What a comeback - down 24-3 to the Dolphins on the road. Granted, they were given two calls that lead to 14 points and allowed them to get back in the game, but impressive nonetheless. I'm never betting against the Dolphins again, the best coached team in all of football.

5. Colts + Pats + Domination = CHING CHING.

6. Because Jared Silverberg won't post enough on BingBong...I'll post for him (voice of Fozi the bear...I'm serious):
Jared: i cant get over mark sanchez eating a hot dog on the sideline!
Jared: he put mustard on it!!!
Jared: He put mustard on it!!!!

7. More gold from Mr. Silverberg who noticed Sunday that Chris Berman does ads for Nutrisystem and Applebee’s. Who do we call about this? FCC? FDA? SEC? Health Department? Talk about a conflict of interests.

8. College Football: Florida is playing like the San Antonio Spurs of the last decade: on cruise control during the regular season waiting for the playoffs. I would think this formula doesn't work for college football where you can’t afford a single loss...but we'll see. Right now Florida is not dominating anyone. The same can be said for Alabama who needed the second coming of the BLOB to win a close one vs. Tennessee.

9. I watched an entire October regular season hockey game on TV Saturday from start to finish (Islanders-Capitals). I'll venture a guess this hasn't happened in the post-strike NHL. Are we a month away from Noah and I lobbying Dave and Jared for a NHL related Burner of the Week? Stay tuned.

10. Sunday Night TV Ratings: Californication A (If you didn't LOL when you saw the midget, you are not human); Dexter A-; Curb Your Enthusiasm A; Bored to Death N/A (at 4am, it doesn't make the cut for Monday print)

-Steve Lugerner

Game 6 ALCS Game 6 Postponed: What this means for the series...

Thoughts the impact of Game 6 of the ALCS now being played tomorrow night, and a possible Game 7 Monday night:

• Girardi has already said Pettitte will pitch tomorrow in the event of a rainout today to preserve CC for a Game 7 or Game 1 of the World Series. The Yankees would be in big trouble if they have to use CC in Game 7 and would need a 4th starter for the World Series. The rainout for the Angels, however, gives Mike Scioscia the option to pitch John Lackey on 3 days rest for Game 7. At the very least, he would be available out of the bullpen. Any way you cut it, this rainout favors the Angels.
• Questions circling about whether Nick Swisher would be benched were confirmed pre-game - Swisher was in the lineup playing RF and batting 8th tonight. As I wrote yesterday I think it doesn't make sense to bench him. You would end up using him as a pinch hitter over Gardner in late innings anyways (Gardner has zero HR potential and isn't as good a hitter period), so why not see what the situation is in a late inning ball game and leave more options with Gardner on the bench.
• Finally, kudos to MLB for cancelling this game tonight, and not just because I had tickets and really didn't want to sit in the rain for 6 hours. This game had no chance of being played. Mike Francesa is babbling about "I can't see them not starting this game if its not raining...it hasn't been raining here at all...it would be a mistake to cancel this" blah blah blah. Mike - check a weather report buddy. This game had no chance.

-Steve Lugerner

Keys to Game 6 of the ALCS

Saturday is a must win for the Yankees. Considering the last time the Yankees were in the ALCS in 2004 they blew a 3-0 lead, anyone who thinks they can lean on CC in Game 7 is playing with fire. A) The pressure will be astronomical on the team not to collapse again and B) for the Yankees to have their best shot shot to beat the Phillies, Girardi will probably need to have CC on a similar 1-4-7 schedule vs. the Phillies. We simply do not have a fourth starter. Keys to the game...

• Pettitte vs. Angels innings 1-3: As a Yankees fan, there really isn't anyone I'm more comfortable with on the mound than Andy Pettitte in a big game. He pitches great in Yankee Stadium, and hopefully he can set the tone early. His ability to hold the Angels runners close makes this such an exciting matchup. The Angels need runs early in order to keep their aggressive offense in attack mode. Some early runs will have the doubt creaping into the players and fans heads circa 2004.
• While we saw signs of life finally from Teixiera, Cano, Matsui and Melky in recent games, Nick Swisher is currently the goat of the playoffs for the Yankees. Does Girardi pull him for Gardner in Game 6? I was telling a friend I didn't think it made sense. You'd rather save Gardner to pinch run (even with Garcia too) and you would end up pinch hitting Gardner for Swisher in the late innings anyways if the situation came up, no matter how bad Swisher has been. I'm not sure the move to carry a third catcher and/or Freddy Guzman made any sense. The Yankees really could use an extra pinch hitter late in games and Eric Hinske was left off the ALCS roster. I'm interested to see the reception Swisher gets from the Bleacher Creatures Saturday...the game within the game.
• Both managers need to trim the bullpen usage. Stick with the few pitchers who are reliable, and stop throwing marginal pitchers out there based on matchups - many of these guys on both sides have shown they don't have the mental toughness to pitch in a high energy playoff game. If Girardi puts Marte in again I may honestly suffer a stroke.
• On the bullpen topic -the Yankees are going to live and die by Phil Hughes - they can likely cut Joba out, but they'll need Hughes to pitch well to close out this series. It is that simple.

I’ll be reporting live from the Yankee Stadium bleachers Saturday night on location for BingBongSports. Pretty amazing after our three weeks in existence they are already giving us press credentials.

-Steve Lugerner