The 2012 United States Open commences on Thursday June 14 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco California. The Olympic Club last hosted the U.S Open in 1998 when Lee Janzen was the champion. Since 1998 the greens have been remodeled so the course is different for two of the favorites who are both California natives: Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. As a result of the course changes, the strenuousness of the course, and the historical difficulty of any U.S Open many players will be in contention to win this annual event which concludes on Fathers Day.
The players that have the best chance for success are the ones that keep the ball in the fairway off of the tee. The second key indicator for success is putting. Players who have the least putts will position themselves for the best finish.
Favorites
1) Tiger Woods - Tiger is playing well. He is confident.
2) Jason Dufner - Dufner is the leading money winner. He is ranked 30th in Putting. He is ranked 11th in Driving Accuracy. Based on his play alone Dufner is probably the favorite. The concern is that he has not won a Major before. The tournament is pressure packed and Dufner needs to prove that he maintain his play under pressure.
3) Matt Kuchar - Kuchar is ranked 25th in Driving Accuracy. He is ranked 13th in Putting. Kuchar won the Players Championship and seems to have the temperment to maintain his play. If he can make the cut his consistent play will give him a good opportunity to win
4) Phil Mickelson - Phil is ranked 140th in Driving and 20th in Putting. If can his 65-70 percent of the fairways and maintain his putting prowess he will be in contention again. Mickelson has finished second 6 times. He finished second in 2006 and 2009. Phil is due to finish number one after finishing second three years apart. If the pattern continues a second place in 2012 would not be surprising.
Dark-Horse
1) Zach Johnson - Great Driver and Putter. Zach is ranked 15th in Driving Accuracy. Zach is ranked 1st in Putting. He has been in contention several times over the past several weeks. Nobody is considering him this week. He has the mental fortitude, a Masters Championship, and the game to be U.S Open Champ
2) Jim Furyk - Jim won the U.S Open in 2003. He ranked 2nd in Driving Accuracy. He is ranked 43 in Putting. Jim is a precise player who is mentally strong. He is a grinder and has finished in the top ten several times. He may not win but I bet he will be in the top ten going into Sunday.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Boston College beats University of Florida
Boston College beat the University of Florida in football recruiting, finally. Tim Boyle of Middletown Connecticut and St. Xavier High School verbally committed to Boston College last week.
In the 2011 class St. Xavier had a linebacker Graham Stewart that committed to Boston College. Graham was scooped up by the Gators late in the recruiting process. Graham ended up at UConn for family reasons. However, one of the comments from Tim Boyle last week make me think that Grahams experience at Florida had a good deal to do with Tim verbally committing to Boston College(among other reasons).
Tim Boyle said "Honestly, being young I was looking for a program like the (Florida) Gators. I've come to realize it's not about that. It'd be cool to be a Gator but are you going to play?"
This is the crux of the pitch that Boston College recruiters need to use with good players.
Also:
1) We will give you the academic support to graduate.
2) The NFL is waiting. If you have the talent Boston College has the connections to get you there.
3) Proximity to Boston.
In the 2011 class St. Xavier had a linebacker Graham Stewart that committed to Boston College. Graham was scooped up by the Gators late in the recruiting process. Graham ended up at UConn for family reasons. However, one of the comments from Tim Boyle last week make me think that Grahams experience at Florida had a good deal to do with Tim verbally committing to Boston College(among other reasons).
Tim Boyle said "Honestly, being young I was looking for a program like the (Florida) Gators. I've come to realize it's not about that. It'd be cool to be a Gator but are you going to play?"
This is the crux of the pitch that Boston College recruiters need to use with good players.
Also:
1) We will give you the academic support to graduate.
2) The NFL is waiting. If you have the talent Boston College has the connections to get you there.
3) Proximity to Boston.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
CameGrass, Sawgrass, ConquerGrass: The Players Championship predictions
The 38th Annual Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass begins today in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. There are 144 PGA Tour professionals competing for $1.9 million of compensation over the next four days. The weather is scheduled to be 80 and sunny on Thursday and Friday. The weather will be more "Florida-like" on Saturday and Sunday where temperatures will be in the low 80's with a 20% chance of rain. Across the board scoring should be very low the first couple of days and then even out the last two days. With that in mind, the winner will probably be someone in the top 10 on Saturday who shoots a very low score on Sunday when the field is not scoring very well. Here are my Winners, my Not Surprised, and my reasoning.
Remember I had Bubba as a potential Masters winner last month.
Winners
Phil Mickelson-Phil won in Ponte Vedra Beach in 2007. He knows how to handle the course. He has been playing well but has not won in a couple months. This is a high profile event which means that his game should be sharp. Phil has the ability to shoot a low score under pressure on Sunday which will be required of the winner.
Luke Donald- Luke is the number one ranked player in the world(golf rankings are slow to change). This tournament has been dominated by European winners and runners up. Since 2007, 6 of the 18 winners and runners up were domiciled in Europe. Luke has not won a high level PGA Tour event. This week could be his time. When I think about Luke's chances I recall 2008 when Sergio Garcia won at Sawgrass which was his first "big time" win.
Sergio Garcia- Like Phil, Sergio has won this event. Sergio won in 2008 in a playoff against Paul Goydos. He has proven that he can win under pressure on the 17th and 18th holes. Unlike Phil, Sergio has to get a 3-4 stroke lead going into Sunday to win. I don't think he can shoot a 65, like Phil can, and win from behind. However, I do think if he has a nice lead going into Sunday that he can win.
Rory McIllroy - The Eagles et All rankings which are done by sight have Rory McIllroy ranked as the number one golfer in the World. If his approach shots improve over last week and everything else being equal he will win here going away.
I am not surprised winners
Graham Dalaet - Injured in 2011 and made $40k. The Canadian is healthy in 2012 and has made 400k so far. He placed very well a couple weeks ago. He is frequently on the first page the leaderboard on Thursday and Friday. If he can keep it going on Saturday and Sunday he will place in the top 10 with a strong chance to win.
Paul Goydos- Goydos made a name for himself here in 2008 by finishing second in a playoff to Sergio Garcia while wearing a Long Beach State hat. He did not have a sponsor. He has been a top finisher here a couple times. The course seems to suit his eye.
Tiger Woods - Tiger did not make the cut last week. Quail Hollow is the relatively poor mans Augusta National however. Not making the cut there happens to alot of people. That being said, TPC Sawgrass has not been dominated by Tiger over the years. He did win back in 2001. 2001 was pre-juice and sluts Tiger. 2012 is post-juice and sluts Tiger. Anything could happen with him this week.
Davis Love III - Mr. Love won The Players Championship in 1992 and in 2003. Davis has been playing well and his name seems to pop up in the top 20 every once in a while. He could make a run here or at the PGA Championship this year.
Remember I had Bubba as a potential Masters winner last month.
Winners
Phil Mickelson-Phil won in Ponte Vedra Beach in 2007. He knows how to handle the course. He has been playing well but has not won in a couple months. This is a high profile event which means that his game should be sharp. Phil has the ability to shoot a low score under pressure on Sunday which will be required of the winner.
Luke Donald- Luke is the number one ranked player in the world(golf rankings are slow to change). This tournament has been dominated by European winners and runners up. Since 2007, 6 of the 18 winners and runners up were domiciled in Europe. Luke has not won a high level PGA Tour event. This week could be his time. When I think about Luke's chances I recall 2008 when Sergio Garcia won at Sawgrass which was his first "big time" win.
Sergio Garcia- Like Phil, Sergio has won this event. Sergio won in 2008 in a playoff against Paul Goydos. He has proven that he can win under pressure on the 17th and 18th holes. Unlike Phil, Sergio has to get a 3-4 stroke lead going into Sunday to win. I don't think he can shoot a 65, like Phil can, and win from behind. However, I do think if he has a nice lead going into Sunday that he can win.
Rory McIllroy - The Eagles et All rankings which are done by sight have Rory McIllroy ranked as the number one golfer in the World. If his approach shots improve over last week and everything else being equal he will win here going away.
I am not surprised winners
Graham Dalaet - Injured in 2011 and made $40k. The Canadian is healthy in 2012 and has made 400k so far. He placed very well a couple weeks ago. He is frequently on the first page the leaderboard on Thursday and Friday. If he can keep it going on Saturday and Sunday he will place in the top 10 with a strong chance to win.
Paul Goydos- Goydos made a name for himself here in 2008 by finishing second in a playoff to Sergio Garcia while wearing a Long Beach State hat. He did not have a sponsor. He has been a top finisher here a couple times. The course seems to suit his eye.
Tiger Woods - Tiger did not make the cut last week. Quail Hollow is the relatively poor mans Augusta National however. Not making the cut there happens to alot of people. That being said, TPC Sawgrass has not been dominated by Tiger over the years. He did win back in 2001. 2001 was pre-juice and sluts Tiger. 2012 is post-juice and sluts Tiger. Anything could happen with him this week.
Davis Love III - Mr. Love won The Players Championship in 1992 and in 2003. Davis has been playing well and his name seems to pop up in the top 20 every once in a while. He could make a run here or at the PGA Championship this year.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Ready, Set, Re-start
The Boston Red Sox started the Major League Baseball season on April 5, 2012. Over it's first fourteen games the team had four wins and ten losses. The Red Sox played against five teams in those first fourteen games who have a combined record of 60 and 43. Since the difficult schedule to start the season the Red Sox have improved in the face of a brutal local media and new team Manager.
The team ERA is 5.59. That includes Mark Melancons' 49.50 ERA. Without Melancon the team ERA is 5.00.
Over the last six games the Red Sox are averaging 7.5 runs per game. Over the first fouteen games the team averaged 5 runs per game.
Over the last six games the Red Sox are undefeated. Over the last six games the Red Sox team record has improved to 10-10.
The season started with a new Manager, a difficult schedule, and several injuries. Now the Red Sox record .500.
The season re-starts today.
The team ERA is 5.59. That includes Mark Melancons' 49.50 ERA. Without Melancon the team ERA is 5.00.
Over the last six games the Red Sox are averaging 7.5 runs per game. Over the first fouteen games the team averaged 5 runs per game.
Over the last six games the Red Sox are undefeated. Over the last six games the Red Sox team record has improved to 10-10.
The season started with a new Manager, a difficult schedule, and several injuries. Now the Red Sox record .500.
The season re-starts today.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Bobby Valentine
The Boston Red Sox were defeated by the New York Yankees on Saturday April 21, 2012. The loss was not a surprise for the Red Sox this season. The circumstances around the deafeat and Fenway Park crowd reaction to the Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine, were a surprise.
The Red Sox got another "quality start" from left handed pitcher Felix Dubront. Dubront has no decisions this season with a 3.94 ERA. The start was 6 innings and was beyond "quality" it was GREAT. Dubront did not start the sixth inning however, when he left the game the Red Sox had a 9-1 lead. In the seventh inning the Red Sox allowed seven runs. In the eighth inning the Red Sox gave up seven runs. The Red Sox ended up losing 15-9. This was reminiscent of the 2004 ALCS blowout loses the Red Sox had against the Gotham City Yankees. However, this loss was brutal because of the beating the Red Sox administered during the first six innings and the clubbing the Red Sox received in the last three innings. It was brutal for another reason as well.
Bobby Valentine was blasted by Red Sox fans each time he came in to replace a failing relief pitcher. Red Sox fans are characterized as being some of the most knowledgeable in Major League Baseball. Booing Bobby Valentine for the players failure to perform, UPPER managements failure to construct a good bullpen and releasing fan favorite Terry Francona, and major injuries to Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Bailey is completely ridiculous. It diminshes the fanbase. If you don't like the teams record boo them. If you don't like management decisions turn toward the owners boxes and boo them. If Bobby does something boo him. Do not boo Bobby for the failure of others.
Bobby Valentine made unnecessary comments about Kevin Youkilis(who is injured)but were actually a compliment if interpreted correctly. Even with the Youkilis comments taken into account Bobby Valentine should not be held accountable for the players not performing on the field.
The Red Sox manager could be seen on FOX Televisions national broadcast mouthing what appeared to be the words "WOW" in regards to the fan reaction when he replaced pitchers. Red Sox upper management and Red Sox players should be saying "Thank you" to Bobby Valentine "for taking one for the team" on Saturday.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
State of the Nation
The Red Sox are getting clobbered in the local media for their 4-8 record to start the season. Sports radio personalities are calling for Bobby Valentine to resign and rumors are spreading that there is a possibility that he gets replaced mid-season. Boston Globe writers are saying that the Manager is not working well with his players and that the players should be held accountable for the .333 winning percentage through 7 percent of the season. As a result, people are going nuclear and nobody seems to have a rational perspective. Here is a rational perspective on the State of the Nation(I liked it better when we were called Red Sox FANS).
The Red Sox have played the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, the Tampa Bay Devils Rays, and the Texas Rangers(The Yankees start a series in Fenway tomorrow). These teams have a 31-16 record so far this season and not one of the teams has a losing record. After the Yankees series the Red Sox play 22 games against Minnesota, Oakland, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Chicago - South Side. The Red Sox should be at or above a .500 record after this string of games. If not Jason Varitek may be the manager.
The franchise has a missing Owner, a team President that is working without a contract, a new General Manager, and a new team Manager. Real quick. The Owner, John Henry, is in Liverpool England galavanting around as the new owner of the Liverpool F.C. Reds English Premier League Soccer team. The team President, Larry Lucchino does not have a contract for next season and has been out selling the 100 Year Anniversary game tomorrow. The General Manager Ben Cherrington, who sounds exactly like Theo Epstein, is working with a small budget this year and a manager that was thrust upon him(vey UNLIKE Epstein). The new Manager Bobby Valentine, did not go the Terry Franchona school of Public Relations. He probably did not realize that the Boston media could be as rabble-rouserish as it has been. He managed in NYC and Japan previously and the Boston media is the one poised to take him down.
Now we get to the team. The tight budget THIS YEAR has left the team with an average short stop and a weak bullpen. Marco Scutaro was making $7 million dollars a year and doing a good job with the Red Sox. He was replaced by Mike Avillas who is making $1 million. Avillas is comparable in talent. I think the team could have kept both player and used one a trade bait. The relief pitcher Mark Melancon has a 49.50 era and was demoted to AAA Pawtucket today. The new closer Andrew Bailey got hurt and will be out for months after thumb surgery. If we had Scutaro now we could trade him for a relief pitcher(or an outfielder the team is now missing Ellsbury and Carl Crawford).
The manager is being skewered for leaving his pitchers in the game to long. Daniel Bard,in his most recent start, is the focal point of the under-current. Bard asked to stay in the game aginst TB. There have a couple similar situations with other pitchers. My thoughts, Bobby is giving the pitchers leeway early in the season to see if they can fight their way out of trouble. Whether the outcome is postive and the pitcher gets out of trouble or the outcome is negative and the pitcher gets shelled, Bobby wins. Here is why: 1)the positive outcome shows that Bobby has good judgement and that the pitcher has fortitude and 2) the negative outcome ingratiates Bobby with the pitching staff since he kept them in(which he needs after the Beckett, Lackey, Lester, Bucholz fried chicken beer problems)and it gives Bobby leverage in relation to the pitchers who now have to respect him when he asks them to come out of the game. It basically puts all the pressure and onus on the pitcher.
There is alot going on with the Red Sox beyond the X's and O's of baseball.
Rationally speaking, the State of the Nation is disarray.
The Red Sox have played the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, the Tampa Bay Devils Rays, and the Texas Rangers(The Yankees start a series in Fenway tomorrow). These teams have a 31-16 record so far this season and not one of the teams has a losing record. After the Yankees series the Red Sox play 22 games against Minnesota, Oakland, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Chicago - South Side. The Red Sox should be at or above a .500 record after this string of games. If not Jason Varitek may be the manager.
The franchise has a missing Owner, a team President that is working without a contract, a new General Manager, and a new team Manager. Real quick. The Owner, John Henry, is in Liverpool England galavanting around as the new owner of the Liverpool F.C. Reds English Premier League Soccer team. The team President, Larry Lucchino does not have a contract for next season and has been out selling the 100 Year Anniversary game tomorrow. The General Manager Ben Cherrington, who sounds exactly like Theo Epstein, is working with a small budget this year and a manager that was thrust upon him(vey UNLIKE Epstein). The new Manager Bobby Valentine, did not go the Terry Franchona school of Public Relations. He probably did not realize that the Boston media could be as rabble-rouserish as it has been. He managed in NYC and Japan previously and the Boston media is the one poised to take him down.
Now we get to the team. The tight budget THIS YEAR has left the team with an average short stop and a weak bullpen. Marco Scutaro was making $7 million dollars a year and doing a good job with the Red Sox. He was replaced by Mike Avillas who is making $1 million. Avillas is comparable in talent. I think the team could have kept both player and used one a trade bait. The relief pitcher Mark Melancon has a 49.50 era and was demoted to AAA Pawtucket today. The new closer Andrew Bailey got hurt and will be out for months after thumb surgery. If we had Scutaro now we could trade him for a relief pitcher(or an outfielder the team is now missing Ellsbury and Carl Crawford).
The manager is being skewered for leaving his pitchers in the game to long. Daniel Bard,in his most recent start, is the focal point of the under-current. Bard asked to stay in the game aginst TB. There have a couple similar situations with other pitchers. My thoughts, Bobby is giving the pitchers leeway early in the season to see if they can fight their way out of trouble. Whether the outcome is postive and the pitcher gets out of trouble or the outcome is negative and the pitcher gets shelled, Bobby wins. Here is why: 1)the positive outcome shows that Bobby has good judgement and that the pitcher has fortitude and 2) the negative outcome ingratiates Bobby with the pitching staff since he kept them in(which he needs after the Beckett, Lackey, Lester, Bucholz fried chicken beer problems)and it gives Bobby leverage in relation to the pitchers who now have to respect him when he asks them to come out of the game. It basically puts all the pressure and onus on the pitcher.
There is alot going on with the Red Sox beyond the X's and O's of baseball.
Rationally speaking, the State of the Nation is disarray.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
NHL Playoffs: Western Conference Predicitons
These are my thoughts on the opening round of the NHL Playoffs for the Western Conference. Tell me what you think.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks won the Presidents Trophy for most points in the regular season. The Kings won two of the four games against the Canucks during the regular season. The Canucks have alot of talent. The Kings can play with the Canucks since they are a tough team. However, the Kings best player Richardson had an emergency appendectomy yesterday. He will probably miss the series. The Canucks win 4 games to 1.
Richardson is playing. The Canucks in 7.
Boston College Influence:
Corey Schneider is the best back-up goaling in the NHL. Tuukka Raask may not agree. He will probably not play much in the playoffs. He will probably be traded in the offseason. The Canucks signed another Hockey East phenom goalie Joe Cannatta from Merrimack College. So Schneider is expendable. Rob Scuderi of the Kings played for Boston College in the late 90's. He is an experienced Defenseman who won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks
St. Louis won all four games against the Sharks in the regular season. The Blues have a tough experienced team with Langhenbrunner, Backes, Jackman, and Oshie. They have a superior goalie in Halak. The Sharks are not close to as tough or as talented in the net. The St. Louis Blues win in 5 games.
Boston College Influence:
Minimal. The Sharks have Benn Ferriero who has not played since March. The Blues have no former Eagles.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Phoenix won three of the four games against Chicago in the regular season. The Blackhawks are my favorite team, besides the Bruins. Blackhawks win in seven games.
Boston College Influence:
The Hawks have Ben Smith and Jimmy Hayes. Smith was in AHL Rockford for the season. Hayes played in 31 NHL games however, I am not sure he is on the playoff roster.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Nashville Predators vs. Detroit Redwings
Nashville won three of the six regular season games that these two teams played. Detroit has the pedigree. Detroit wins in seven games.
Boston College Influence:
Nashville has no Eagles. Detroit has Patrick Eaves on the roster but he is out of the playoffs injured.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks won the Presidents Trophy for most points in the regular season. The Kings won two of the four games against the Canucks during the regular season. The Canucks have alot of talent. The Kings can play with the Canucks since they are a tough team. However, the Kings best player Richardson had an emergency appendectomy yesterday. He will probably miss the series. The Canucks win 4 games to 1.
Richardson is playing. The Canucks in 7.
Boston College Influence:
Corey Schneider is the best back-up goaling in the NHL. Tuukka Raask may not agree. He will probably not play much in the playoffs. He will probably be traded in the offseason. The Canucks signed another Hockey East phenom goalie Joe Cannatta from Merrimack College. So Schneider is expendable. Rob Scuderi of the Kings played for Boston College in the late 90's. He is an experienced Defenseman who won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks
St. Louis won all four games against the Sharks in the regular season. The Blues have a tough experienced team with Langhenbrunner, Backes, Jackman, and Oshie. They have a superior goalie in Halak. The Sharks are not close to as tough or as talented in the net. The St. Louis Blues win in 5 games.
Boston College Influence:
Minimal. The Sharks have Benn Ferriero who has not played since March. The Blues have no former Eagles.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Phoenix won three of the four games against Chicago in the regular season. The Blackhawks are my favorite team, besides the Bruins. Blackhawks win in seven games.
Boston College Influence:
The Hawks have Ben Smith and Jimmy Hayes. Smith was in AHL Rockford for the season. Hayes played in 31 NHL games however, I am not sure he is on the playoff roster.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Nashville Predators vs. Detroit Redwings
Nashville won three of the six regular season games that these two teams played. Detroit has the pedigree. Detroit wins in seven games.
Boston College Influence:
Nashville has no Eagles. Detroit has Patrick Eaves on the roster but he is out of the playoffs injured.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)