Friday, September 27, 2013

2013 A.W.A.S. Baseball Awards

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The 2013 Major League Baseball season is coming to an end. Another spectacular season soon to be etched into baseball history. It's been a season filled with high and low moments. Winners, losers, no hitters, records, pennant races, suspensions and retiring legends.

All World All Sports examined the best and worst of 2013. Time to announce our annual awards.

MVP
AL: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit). Miggy becomes the first AL player to win back to back awards since Frank Thomas (1993-94). Detroit doesn't win AL Central without his contributions.
NL: Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) I'm prediction NL MVP official voting will be the closest in history. So many deserving players. Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona), Freddie Freeman (Atlanta), Yadier Molina (STL), Matt Carpenter (STL). McCutchen gets my vote as being an essential cog in Pittsburgh first winning season & first post-season appearance since 1992.

CY YOUNG
AL: Max Scherzer (Detroit) Another very close battle with plenty of deserving candidates. However, 21-3, .970 WHIP, 6.4 H/9, 10.1 K/9 too much to overlook.
NL: Clayton Kershaw (LA) Near unanimous selection will give Kershaw his 2nd Cy Young in 3 seasons.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
AL: Wil Myers (TB)
NL: Jose Fernandez (Miami)

MANAGER OF THE YEAR
AL: Terry Francona (Cleveland)
NL: Clint Hurdle (Pittsburgh)

FIREMAN OF THE YEAR
(Top Closer)
AL: Greg Holland (KC)
NL: Craig Kimbrel (Atlanta)

MAN OF THE YEAR
Mariano Rivera (NYY). Mariano Rivera pitched his final game in Yankee Stadium last night. Baseball's oldest current player (44) goes down in history as the games greatest closer, ever. He's known as one of the greatest men ever to play. Not just because of raw natural ability. He's a man's man. Religiously devoted, giving & unselfish Rivera's one of the few players liked by nearly everyone. Never a bad word ever published in a town known for unrelenting media attention. Not a dry eye in Yankee Stadium last night when Mariano was removed from the game with 2 outs in the 9th inning. Rivera wept like a child in Andy Pettitte's arms as a sold out crowd rewarded with a thunderous & never to be forgotten standing ovation.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

NFL 2013 Week 4 Predictions

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11 correct Week 3 predictions raises our season total to 34-14. Week 4 is the first bye week of young season (Green Bay & Carolina). NY Giants, Washington, Pittsburgh, Minnesota & Tampa Bay are not used to losing their first three games of the year. All sit at 0-3 looking for answers.

-Giants offensive line is horrendous. Running game inept. Eli Manning 8 INT's.
-Washington's bottom ranked defense and RGIII not playing well.
-Aging Pittsburgh has no rhythm on offense.
-Minnesota lost to Cleveland, enough said.
-Tampa Bay makes QB change. Rookie QB from NC State Mike Glennon takes over. Josh Freeman benched, demands trade.
-Jacksonville, no hope in sight. -64 DIFF worst in NFL.

Every game seems big this week. Huge implications for all involved. Time to announce crystal ball results (home team in CAPS).

Week 4
THURSDAY
49ers 34CARDINALS 14
SUNDAY
Ravens 27BILLS 13
Bengals 27BROWNS 20
LIONS 37Bears 24
CHIEFS 28Giants 17
BUCS 17Cardinals 16
Colts 31JAGUARS 10
Seahawks 27TEXANS 21
Steelers 21VIKINGS 20
Jets 27TITANS 23
Redskins 20RAIDERS 10
BRONCOS 52Eagles 17
CHARGERS 31Cowboys 23
FALCONS 30Patriots 24
MONDAY
SAINTS 37Dolphins 17

Saturday, September 21, 2013

NFL 2013 Week 3 Predictions

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NFL's second week of action produced great fantasy stats for lucky team owners. Julio Jones (182 yards, TD), Jimmy Graham (179, TD) & James Jones (178) posted monster yard totals. Aaron Rodgers tossed for 480 & 4 scores to lead QB's. Packers backup RB James Starks filled in admirably for injured 1st stringer to post 158 combined (rush/receiving) and a TD.

Week 3 represents early season must win games. NY Giants have been horrible & might catch a break in Carolina. Redskins rebound? Vikings victorious? Will Tampa Bay buck their losing ways? We'll soon find out.

I posted 10 correct picks last weekend. Season total after two weeks stands at 23-9 (72%). Time to get back on track (home teams in CAPS).

THURSDAY
Chiefs 24EAGLES 21
SUNDAY
Packers 35BENGALS 31
COWBOYS 27Rams 10
Chargers 30TITANS 17
VIKINGS 31Browns 3
PATRIOTS 35Bucs 10
SAINTS 35Cardinals 3
Lions 23REDSKINS 17
PANTHERS 20Giants 13
RAVENS 28Texans 21
Falcons 24DOLPHINS 20
JETS 17Bills 16
49ERS 27Colts 17
SEAHAWKS 33Jaguars 0
Bears 21STEELERS 20
MONDAY
BRONCOS 52Raiders 7

Friday, September 13, 2013

NFL 2013 Week 2 Predictions

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Week 2 predictions (home team in CAPS). 13 correct picks in Week 1. Time to call my bookie after finishing 13-3.

THURSDAY
PATRIOTS 37Jets 10
SUNDAY
FALCONS 31Rams 17
Panthers 27BILLS 14
Vikings 21BEARS 17
PACKERS 38Redskins 20
COLTS 24Dolphins 21
CHIEFS 28Cowboys 24
RAVENS 31Browns 0
TEXANS 35Titans 21
EAGLES 42Chargers 14
Lions 30CARDINALS 16
Saints 31BUCS 17
RAIDERS 13Jaguars 9
Broncos 45GIANTS 35
49ers 21SEAHAWKS 20
MONDAY
BENGALS 23Steelers 21

Thursday, September 5, 2013

NFL 2013 Week 1 Predictions

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Are you ready for NFL 2013? Buckle up! Another sensational season kicks off beginning with a rematch from the AFC Championship Game. Denver appears to have the best team on paper as they seek revenge vs last season's Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore lost a slew of All Pro defensive player (retired).

There's plenty to talk about heading into the new season. NY Jets open the season with rookie Gino Smith at QB attempting to wake up one of the leagues ugliest offensive systems. Can Minnesota's MVP RB surpass 2,000 yards in back to back seasons? Does San Francisco have what it takes to get back to the Super Bowl this season? Can Eli Manning survive one of football's worst offensive lines and weak running attack? Who else agrees Cleveland will not win a single game this year? Will Dallas finally return to the playoffs? Philadelphia rebuilding or rejuvenated with a new head coach? Answers will be coming soon.

Week 1 action is here. Time for annual All World All Sports week by week predictions (home team in CAPS)

THURSDAY
BRONCOS 38Ravens 14
SUNDAY
Patriots 34BILLS 10
BEARS 20BENGALS 17
Dolphins 28BROWNS 3
SAINTS 38Falcons 31
Texans 27COLTS 23
Bucs 24JETS 14
STEELERS 23Titans 17
LIONS 33Vikings 28
COLTS 24Raiders 7
SEAHAWKS 30Cardinals 6
Chiefs 24JAGUARS 6
RAMS 27Cardinals 14
49ERS 31Packers 27
Giants 35COWBOYS 28
MONDAY
REDSKINS 24Eagles 23
Texans 42CHARGERS 21

NFL 2013 Predictions

The 2012 NFL season was one to remember. It was a rough beginning thanks to replacement referee's dominating headlines with one bad call after another. When regular ref's returned, so did spectacular play capped off by sensational playoff action.

Defending Champion Baltimore Ravens attempt to become the first back to back champs since the 2003-04 New England Patriots. The Ravens will have their hands full after a busy off season of retirements and roster changes. Can Baltimore pull it off? Odds are long. Only time will tell.

NFC
EAST

1) NY Giants - Offensive line will make or break Giants chances in '13.
2) Washington Redskins - RGIII and company take next step forward. Is he knee sound?
3) Dallas Cowboys - Big D soap opera continues. Same old questions linger. It's all up to Romo.
4) Philadelphia Eagles - A new era begins.
NORTH
1) Green Bay Packers - Playoff frustrations continue. Explosive offense. Suspect defense.
2) Minnesota Vikings - MVP Peterson ran wild for 2,097 yards. Can he break 2,000 again?
3) Detroit Lions - Offense will roar if line can offer protection.
4) Chicago Bears - Tough division. Bears foes getting stronger. Began 7-1 last year before stumbling to 10-6 finish.
SOUTH
1) Atlanta Falcons - 13-3 last year before painful 1st round playoff exit.
2) *New Orleans Saints - Bountygate is over. Coaching staff returns. Brees primed to light up scoreboards.
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bucs quickly maturing. Tenacious D. Offense has weapons. Don't be surprised if TB has big season.
4) Carolina Panthers - Taking baby steps. Steve Smith is only bonified WR and will be doubled all season long. Others must step it up when number called or it's going to be a very long season.
WEST
1) San Francisco 49ers - Poised to battle for division crown vs Seattle for years to come. Exciting offense, stingy defense.
2) *Seattle Seahawks - They came together in 2nd half of season. Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and hard hitting defense set the tone.
3) St. Louis Rams - One small step at a time.
4) Arizona Cardinals - It's going to be a long year in Arizona.
NFC Champion - Green Bay Packers

AFC
EAST

1) New England Patriots - Brady's offense has new faces. Results will be same in soft division.
2) Miami Dolphins - Maturing team hopes to win more than they lose.
3) New York Jets - Ugly from top to bottom beginning with pathetic front office and coaches.
4) Buffalo Bills - No place to go but up.
NORTH
1) Baltimore Ravens - Super Bowl Champs have plenty of new faces on D. Flacco steady as they come under pressure.
2) Pittsburgh Steelers - Aging quickly. Is there enough gas left in the tank for a playoff run?
3) Cincinnati Bengals - Division contenders if they finally learn to stop making stupid mistakes.
4) Cleveland Browns - Get ready for Charlie Brown football highlights.
SOUTH
1) Houston Texans - They were rolling until costly injuries took hold. They lost final 3 of 4 and didn't look good in playoffs.
2) Indianapolis Colts - 11 wins stunned football world. NFL is ready for them this year. 11 will be tough to repeat.
3) Tennessee Titans - Will excel if line creates running lanes for Chris Johnson.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars - Long rebuilding process underway.
WEST
1) Denver Broncos - Poor coaching decision in Championship Game cost Broncos a trip to the Super Bowl. Manning has new weapons and is on a mission.
2) Kansas City Chiefs - Andy Reid has these guys ready to play.
3) San Diego Chargers - Norv Turner era finally over. Rivers & Co. need to stay healthy.
4) Oakland Raiders - Get ready for ugly football.
AFC Champion - Denver Broncos
Super Bowl Champions - Denver Broncos