Happy 4th Of July

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

Here’s hoping Tilt checks his damn email and posts this for me this morning – early morning conference calls with colleagues in Atlantic Canada suck.

Tilt probably won’t appreciate me leading off with the FIFA Under-20 World Championships – his boys from South Korea lost a tough one to Brazil yesterday, setting up a possible Round of 16 match up with Portugal…he’s already finding out the hard way what happens with games played on neutral grounds – no goals against called back, no players being sent off just because they are playing South Korea.

Back to the Under-20’s – the Great American Hope Freddy Adu scored three goals to lead the U.S. to a 6-1 beat down of Poland yesterday to move into first place in Group D of the tournament, they lead Brazil on goal differential; enjoy it while you can, their last game is against Brazil. Their Round of 16 game is pointing to a match up with Argentina – it will be ugly.

Controversy in the NHL with Oilers GM Kevin Lowe claiming they had a deal in place on Sunday with Free Agent Michael Nylander – only to hear on Monday that Nylander had agreed to a contract with the Washington Capitals. The Oilers aren’t saying how they intend to proceed, but given Lowe’s tenacity and fight, you can bet he won’t let this go without raising a shit storm.

Things continue to look grim for the 2007/08 Buffalo Sabres – Lou Lamoriello signs Dainius Zubrus to a six-year deal; Sabres are looking pretty weak down the middle right now. Over/under on Lindy Ruff having a public meltdown is one week – especially when he is reminded that the Sabres could have signed Chris Drury to a five-year/$21M contract extension – the Sabres decided to gamble and say “thanks, but we’ll wait to see how you do this year”. Why do we see Buffalo making a huge push for Forsberg?

The Los Angeles Kings continue to load up for the upcoming season, signing one-time Bruins defenseman Brad Stuart to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. The Kings look like they are trying to transform themselves into the 2005/06 San Jose Sharks. Speaking of the Sharks – with Stuart and Wayne Primeau gone – the trade for Joe Thornton turns out to be Marco Strum, Chuck Kobasew and Andrew Ference for Joe Thornton. Wonder if NESN’s Jack Edwards still likes the Thornton trade?

Holy Crap! Red Sox SS Julio Lugo finally breaks out of his slump with two hits and two runs batted in to help Boston to a 4-1 win over the DRays – Lugo looks pretty happy for a guy hitting .194. Dice K was the star of the show though…read on.

Red Sox West’s version of Julio Lugo, 3B Wilson Betemit, had a similar night with three hits, including a home run, and four runs batted in to lead the Dodgers to a 7-6 win over the Braves. Betemit raised his average up to .208 – we’re thinking Lugo would take that in a heartbeat.

Don’t look now, but Barry “the asterisk” Bonds hit another home run last night.


TUESDAY’S THREE STARS
Freddy Adu scores a hat-trick vs Poland – while we aren’t in the habit of celebrating U.S. football successes, we’ll give Freddy his do for the trick. Manchester United is a long way away from the Under-20’s and the MLS…just ask David Beckham.

Oakland A’s P Joe Blanton goes the distance in a 3-1 win over the “A.J. Burnett-less” Blue Jays. Blanton gave up four hits and a walk while striking out four in the win – good for yesterday’s three play and good for the Maeple Leafs in the yahoo pool.

Daisuke Matsuzaka must have thought yesterday was June 33 (tha’t s Pedro Guerrero reference), as his great month of June continues into July. Dice-K shut the DRays down at Fenway last night, giving up one run on four hits and a walk while striking out nine.

Honourable mention goes to Lugo and Betemit – one clawing to get to the Mendoza line, the other just passing it.


FOURTH OF JULY THREE PLAY
A great night last night puts up back on even terms – we’ll continue our good run with a couple of early afternoon games and check back in later for the night games.

Boston over Tama Bay – how are the DRays going to adjust from facing Dice-K to facing Wakefield, we’re guessing not too well; how are the Sox going to adjust from facing Kazmir to Edwin Jackson, we’re guessing very well. Lay $100 on the Sox - $230.

Philadelphia over Houston – Cole Hamels takes the mound today and is pitching for his spot in the starting rotation, as the manager of Maeple Leafs says that Hamels may be benched or traded if he doesn’t get back to his early season form. Ok, we’re suggesting the Phillies won’t get swept – we tend to learn things the hard way here. Lay $100 on the Phillies - $120.

Minnesota over New York – here we go again, suggesting that a sweep won’t happen – this time though, we are backing one of the best in Johan Santana – he’ll stop the bleeding going up against Mike Mussina. Lay $100 on the Twins - $120.

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

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world here’ s hoping you celebrate the Fourth with a Canadian beer.

I'm Out.