Friday The 13th

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae if she is checking in.

Friday the 13th - we should have known it wasn't going to be a good day.

The Under-20 World Championships is over for us - Portugal lost to Chile yesterday by a count of 1-0 and their tournament is over. They had nothing yesterday and looked lost without captain Bruno Gama - Chile scored seconds before the end of the first half and decided to put 10 men behind the ball in the second. The game ended on a farcical note - you had to see it to believe it. Still though, Chile deserved to win the game - no complaints today.

Portugal's youth teams of the late 80's and early 90's, lead by the likes of Luis Figo and Rui Costa, were dubbed the Golden Generation - this current crop of Under-20's didn't even come close to living up to the predecessors. With the exception of Gama and a couple of others, most notably Coentrao and Pele, most of these guys will have played in their last international tournament wearing the Shields as they aren't likely to ever make the senior team. We're still proud of them though.

Toronto Blue Jays fans - are you ready to say "Uncle"? We had a few emailers jumping all over us in response to our comment yesterday that Jays Ace Roy Halladay had been less than stellar of late. Ok, yes he was 6-1 since coming off the DL, HOWEVER, his ERA was into the high 4's and he had been knocked around in a few starts. After watching the first inning of the Jays v Red Sox yesterday, we are absolutely convinced that Halladay is injured - he had nothing on his fastball and his curve wasn't as sharp as it normally is; just ask the Red Sox. Halladay was rocked for four first inning runs and looked like he wasn't going to survive the barrage - he is definitely NOT 100%; sorry Jays fans, your chances of getting a playoff spot were slim going into last night's game - if Halladay is hurt, your chances are none.

News from the NHL - the happiest man in the NHL today is Maple Leafs D Bryan McCabe. McCabe had to have been breathing a huge sigh of relief when the Edmonton Oilers announced that had signed former Habs D Sheldon Souray to a deal worth $5.4M per year. Souray = McCabe - big shot on the power play, somewhat ineffective 5 on 5, and a defensive liability. Suddenly McCabe's $5.7M deal doesn't look nearly as retarded as it did a couple of days ago.

Speaking of retarded - ARod has told the Yankees that he doesn't want to talk contract extension until the end of the season; the number being thrown around for his services next year was thought to be about $30M/year (yes, THIRTY FREAKING MILLION) - however, with news that Ichiro is ready to sign a 5 year/$100M deal with the Mariners...you'd have to think ARod's price just went up. Do we hear $35M? $37M?

Not much to say today - we're pressed for time (and a little depressed today).


THURSDAY'S THREE STARS
Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz had three hits yesterday and drove in two to lead Boston to the 7-4 win. Surgery on his knee can wait.

New York Yankees RF Bobby Abreu also had three hits, including a home run, and drove in three to lead the Yankees to a 7-3 win in Tampa. Relax Yankees fans...its only the DRays.

Chicago White Sox RF Jermaine Dye hit a home run (surprise surprise he had three hits) and drove in two to lead the Sox to a 9-7 win over the Orioles - bad for our Three Play.


FRIDAY'S THREE PLAY
We were 2-1 yesterday, so we start the abbreviated week at + $105. We'll get to our total for the year on Monday - yes, its still a little ugly, but we'll make a dent in it this week (- $1,475).

Chicago over Houston - we like the Big Z to get it done against Houston today. Lay $100 on the Cubs - $175.

Minnesota over Oakland - a mismatch today, Johan Santana vs former Red Sox P Lenny DiNardo; this one could get ugly in a hurry tonight. Lay $100 on the Twins - $250.

Los Angeles Angels over Texas - we still haven't learned our lesson about Anaheim based teams, but the Angels will be looking for payback after a bad series in Arlington a while back. Former Jays P Kelvim Escobar goes up against Kevin Millwood - so you know the Angels are going to get their share of hits and runs. Lay $100 on the Angels - $210.

That's it for this morning gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

I'm Out.