The West Coast Word

2007-10-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Although it was rushed, I would like to announce that I have completed the first edition of "The West Coast Word". I will attempt to post video blogs weekly (hopefully twice a week). Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly accepted. Thanks and enjoy...

It’s Playoff Time:

2007-10-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

National League Divisional Series

Chicago Cubs (85-77) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (90-72)

Chicago Arizona
Home Record 44-37 50-31
Road Record 41-40 40-41
Team BA .271 (7th in NL) .250 (Last in NL)
Team ERA 4.04 (2nd in NL) 4.13 (4th in NL)

Game Matchup Date Time EST TV
Gm 1 CHC @ ARI Oct. 3 10 pm TBS
Gm 2 CHC @ ARI Oct. 4 10 pm TBS
Gm 3 ARI @ CHC Oct. 6 6 pm TBS
Gm 4 ARI @ CHC Oct. 7 1 pm TNT
Gm 5 CHC @ ARI Oct. 9 10 pm TBS

This series opens up tonight in what should be a pitcher’s duel between Carlos Zambrano and Brandon Webb. The D-Backs 50 home wins was second most in the National League duding the regular season and that could be key. The pivotal decision of this series could come in Game 4. Having picked the back-to-back games 1 and 2, both managers will have to decide whether or not to pitch their aces on three days rest in Game 4 or if they want to save the big gun for a potential Game 5. Despite the D-Backs low team batting average, they did hit 20 more home runs than the Cubs in the regular season.

If I was forced to pick one player to watch in this series, it would be Aramis Ramirez of the Chicago Cubs. Since the All-Star Break, Ramirez has driven in 50 runs and gone deep 11 times. If Ramirez is able to help lead the D-Backs in Game 1, I expect the Cubs to continue marching into the next round of the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Cubs in 4

Colorado Rockies (90-73) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (89-73)

Colorado Philadelphia
Home Record 51-31 47-34
Road Record 39-42 42-39
Team BA .280 (1st in NL) .274 (5th in NL)
Team ERA 4.32 (8th in NL) 4.73 (13th in NL)

Game Matchup Date Time ET TV
Gm 1 COL @ PHI Oct. 3 3 pm TBS
Gm 2 COL @ PHI Oct. 4 3 pm TBS
Gm 3 PHI @ COL Oct. 6 9:30 pm TBS
Gm 4 PHI @ COL Oct. 7 10 pm TBS
Gm 5 COL @ PHI Oct. 9 6:30 pm TBS

For those fans that enjoy seeing runs scored, this is the series to watch. With the exception of Game 1 starters Cole Hamels and Jeff Francis, both teams will throw pitchers capable of just about anything. The majority of time spent on this series will be about the big bats. The Rockies bring three 25/100 men to the plate a game (Troy Tulowitzki finished 24/99) and are led by potential MVP Matt Holliday. Holliday finished the year leading the National League in batting average and RBI’s. Many will argue that Coors Field is the main reason for the success of this team, however, they will be playing in another hitter friendly park when they play at Citizens Bank Park for Games 3 and 4.

The Phillies attack is led by one of the game’s hottest players since the All-Star Break. Ryan Howard finished atop the league having smacked 26 long balls and driven in 69 since the break. Although Howard played a large role in the Phillies comeback to take the division, the team and possibly league MVP stands at shortstop. Jimmy Rollins is the heart and soul of the team. He played in all 162 games and finished the year with 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 home runs, 94 RBI’s, 139 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases. If the Phills hope to get past the Rockies, they will need J-Roll to have a big series.

Prediction: Phillies in 5

Coming Soon: AL Predictions and Regular Season Awards

The Beginning: Cal Volleyball

2007-09-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

Well folks, it’s time to start blogging. As the majority of you probably know, my name is Matt and I attend the University of California. I’m more than an avid sports fan, as that might be seen in the fact that I call weekly into WRGW’s longest running sports show “Half-Jewish Sports.” My calls are frequently geared to mainstream sports (and hot-dog eating), but while at school, my true love is for the nationally ranked Cal Golden Bears volleyball team.
Last Friday, the #11 ranked Golden Bears battled the #2 ranked Stanford Cardinal here at Cal. Stanford was clearly going to be toughest opponent to date in the season and a rough awakening to conference play. Having beaten Stanford a year prior at Haas Pavilion, I had high expectations for this match.
The match started off tremendously for the Bears. Cal jumped out to a 6-1 lead largely due to the serving of Kristin Kathan. The teams battled throughout the opening game which ended when Erin Waller of the Cardinal hit a serve into the net to give Cal the opening game.
The momentum of game one appeared to have carried over into the second game. That all changed when Stanford called a timeout just as Cal gained a 2 point advantage with Junior Morgan Beck serving. The timeout turned the tide of the game and more importantly the match. Stanford rallied off nine of the next twelve points to take game two.
With the match tied at one, game three was vital. Cal looked dominant midway through the game and pulled ahead 27-20. Only three points away from winning the second game, Stanford warmed up. With Erin Waller serving, Stanford won six points in a row and took control of the game. Stanford eventually won the game 32-30 and left the crowd stunned.
The fourth game was relatively all Stanford’s as the Cardinal never trailed.
Looking back on this match, there were several key things that could be taken from the match. The first noticeable positive that could be taken from the match was that Cal can play the best of the best. The Golden Bears SHOULD have been up two games to one, however they appeared to be lacking the killer instinct that Stanford showed. The next important thing that I took from this match is the importance of the outside hitter. Both Hana Cutura and Angie Pressey had matches below what they are capable of.

-NEXT MATCH: TONIGHT VS. UCLA 7 P.M.