tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While counting down the days for NHL training camps to open, here's what's on my mind today:

* The Yankees managed to earn a split of their 4 game series with the Orioles last night with a 3-2 win as Freddy Garcia pitched very well in his first start since being on the disabled list. It's becoming clearer each day that the 5th spot in the rotation comes down to Burnett and Hughes and for my money I would go with Hughes.

* The Yankees hobble into the Valley of Doom known as Fenway Park for a key 3 game series against the first place Red Sox. The pitching matchups don't look good for the Yanks. Tonight its CC Sabathia against John Lackey. One would think that this would favor the Yanks but CC has been terrible against the Bosox. In fact these two faced each other the last time these two teams met and the Yanks got spanked. Then its Hughes vs Beckett on Wednesday and Burnett vs Lester on Thursday. Here's hoping that Hughes pitches well and that CC can get on track tonight. Thursday you can mark as a loss. The only question is what's the over/under on when Burnett blows up??

* Offensively, the Yankees go into the series with ARod extremely doubtful for all 3 games due to a thumb injury and Derek Jeter day-to-day due to a bruised knee. The loss of ARod is really a concern because I think it's crucial that he gets in a groove for the post season. This thumb injury seems to be lingering and could be a recurring problem. As far as the Captain goes, its really unfortunate that he has missed the last two games since he's been red hot at the plate.

* Being realistic, things are not looking good for the Yankees winning the AL East. They are 1 1/2 games behind Boston, only one game in the loss column with two games in hand. While its certainly conceivable for the Yanks to win the division, with the ARod injury and the up and down pitching, I just don't see it.

* Michael "Beavis" Kay has been terrible, more so than usual. You have almost become accustomed to the over the top self-promotion, but he can't even get his facts straight. In a game against Oakland last week, he indicated that Girardi was bringing in Boone Logan. However, it was evident that Girardi motioned for a right hander which happened to be Cory Wade. Beavis had to correct himself when they came back from a commercial break. In explaining the AL East standings, Beavis said that Boston had 4 games in hand on the Yankees. But the truth of the matter is that before Friday's games it was the Yankees who had 4 games in hand. The incompetence continued on Sunday in Game One of the split doubleheader when an Oriole runner was tagged out on a play at second base. Beavis asked Kenny Singleton whether it was Jeter who placed the tag on the runner. Singelton professionally indicated that Nunez was at short. You see Jeter was the DH. Nice going Beavis!

*If you have the opportunity pick up last week's Sports Illustrated. Great article on the University of Miami football mess.

*http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2011/08/27/2011-08-27_as_ncaa_hones_in_on_miami_football_penn_states_joe_paterno_shows_you_can_win_wit.html Great article on Joe Paterno. Do you remember a couple of years back when the talking heads were chattering for JoePa's dismissal?? Paterno has run a successful major college football program with nary a problem. He's old school and whether you like the Nittany Lions or not, you have to respect the guy. Check out the Daily News article!!

* I wonder if Jeremy White and the boys at WGR 550 realize that the college football season begins this week. Probably not since I'm sure they are all fired up about the MTV Music Video Awards and the fact that Beyonce is pregnant.

* Buffalo Bills fans are probably one of the most loyal fans in all of sports. It's unfortunate that Ralph Wilson is one of the cheapest owners in all of sports. What makes it even more frustrating is the fact that he is making money hand over fist. You see, the NFL unlike the other 3 major sports, has a national television contract that is evenly divided among all of the NFL teams. His small market argument is a bunch of crap. On top of the fact that his Orchard Park hell hole is filled every Sunday in spite of the terrible football that has been played there since Doug Flutie left. But for the early 60's and the 4 Super Bowl teams of the 90's, Wilson has given Bills fans very little to cheer about. Yes, there were other times the team made the playoffs. But, Wilson would never do more to get those teams over the top. The dumping of Lee Evans is a classic example of his cheapness. What you have to remember is that teams have two years before they have to spend up to the salary cap floor which means that Wilson can really rake in the dough. If Wilson cared at all about this fan base, he would actively look to sell the team with the understanding that the team will stay in WNY.

* I am so glad that the Browns did not take Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft. Oakland is the perfect place for Pryor who I will predict will do nothing in the pros to warrant a 3rd round pick which is what the Raiders gave up to acquire Pryor. I believe the Raiders now are without a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick for the 2012 Draft. Nice move Al.

* The NFL's ridiculous protection of quarterbacks from legitimate hits was never more blatant than in the Browns-Eagles game last Thursday. DeQwell Jackson, middle linebacker for Cleveland, came in untouched and hit Michael Vick just as he released the football which resulted in an interception for the Browns. However, it was all for naught as Jackson was flagged for roughing the quarterback. Jackson did not lead with his head. He did not pick Vick up and slam him to the ground. He drove his shoulder into Vick and took him down. It was a good football tackle. This was a problem last year and I guess we will see more of this again. Why don't they just put a flag on the quarterback's belt and have the defender grab the flag in order to stop the play. What a joke!!!!

* How pathetic is it that the local media is falling all over the new dressing room for the Sabres. It will be interesting to see how long the love affair will continue once the first multiple game losing streak hits. By the way, do you know who the highest paid defenseman is in the NHL?? Answer: Christian Erhoff. Hmmmmmm...

* And finally, if the Sabres run into a losing streak in December or January, will they be allowed to stoke up the fireplace in their new locker room complex??? Moreover, how many of their blue collar fans have the luxury of having a fireplace in their homes??