Destiny vs Divine Right

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

Game 1 of the 2007 World Series opens tonight at Fenway Park, with Red Sox Ace Josh Beckett taking the mound against Canadian-born Jeff Francis for the Rockies. While everyone expected Boston to be in this position - you'd be hard pressed to find someone who predicted that Colorado would make it to the World Series.

Colorado looks like a team of destiny - they overcame a number of injuries to their pitching staff and were forced to call up a couple of rookies to take starting spots in the rotation; they won 14 of their final 15 just to make it to the playoffs, and have followed that up with seven straight wins against teams that most predicted would beat them. They have used speed on the bases, timely hits and solid pitching to get the job done.

Which brings us to the Red Sox - a team that everyone, outside of New York and Missouri, were cheering for in 2004; they had the whole continent celebrating with them when they ended their 86 year World Series drought. Things are a little different this time around though - the media in Boston has all but crowned them, and an emerging sentiment out of Boston (at least according to messageboards) is that it is somehow their divine right to win the World Series. We can't blame the good people of Boston though - when you have the best pitcher in the game in Josh Beckett; the best 1-2 punch in David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez; and a lights out closer like Jonathan Papelbon (we still hate that stupid jig). Why wouldn't Red Sox Nation think that it is their God-given right to win?

We've listened with some amusement, and a healthy dose of disgust, as so-called experts try to impress us with their in-depth analysis and insights on how the series will play out. If we hear one more jackass say "you just don't know how the layoff will affect the Rockies" - instead of what they really think, which is "Boston is by far the better team" - we are going to slap someone.

All this to say - we are picking Colorado to win this one. That's right - we are calling for a Colorado win over Boston. Nothing personal, no hatred of the Sox or the Nation - Colorado just seems like they are destined to win the whole thing - much like Boston was in 2004. Colorado's pitching might surprise Boston, playing in Coors Field without a DH will hurt Boston, and the speed at the top of the order for the Rockies will create havoc for the Sox. We'll take Colorado in six games.

We'll take destiny over divine right in this one. Sorry Red Sox Nation, but in 2007, God's next miracle will be to turn the fortunes of the Toronto Maple Leafs around...while Leaf Nation waits for Hazel Karma to kick in.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, another freakin loss to a bad hockey team starting their backup goaltender; this time a 5-4 shootout loss to Kovalchuk and the Atlanta Thrashers. Thankfully, they are heading out on the road for a bit - they were a better road team last year. While we are the kind of fans to over react - we'll say this - if things don't get markedly better on this upcoming road swing, Paul Maurice and John Ferguson Jr. have to be fired. Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment needs to bring Pat Burns back to Toronto to fix this mess.

Champions League Matchday 3 went yesterday in Europe - three games of note from our perspective

• Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in Manchester United's 4-2 over Dynamo Kyiv, with Nani setting up a goal by Shrek (aka Wayne Rooney);
  
  
• Sporting Lisbon fell 2-1 in Italy against Roma yesterday;
  
  
• Inter Milan beat CSKA Moscow 2-1, as former Portugal Captain Luis Figo set up the winner late in the game on a great free kick that was headed home for the win.
  

FC Porto travels to France today to take on Marseilles - we're calling for a tie today; and Benfica welcomes Celtic to the Estadio da Luz for a beat down in Lisbon, Benfica wins 2-0 this afternoon.

TUESDAY'S THREE STARS
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo (see above).

Inter Milan midfielder Luis Figo - the old guy sets up the winner.

St. Louis Blues C (and former Maple Leafs draft pick) Brad Boyes had two goals in a 4-2 win oer the Anaheim Ducks.


WEDNESDAY THREE PLAY
Another tough start to the week with another loss by the Leafs and the Rangers and Penguins deciding to play some defence. The total for the week stands at - $175. Today's suggestions, we aren't going to suggest Beckett over Francis tonight - don't be surprised if Francis wins to start the series, like he did against the Phillies and DBacks.

Philadelphia over FLORIDA - the Panthers have had some issues lately, while the Flyers are rolling - especially G Martin Biron who was last week's First Star in the NHL. Lay $100 on the Flyers - $110.

DETROIT over Vancouver - the Canucks always seem to have a tough time in Detroit, the Wings are coming off a western swing but they have had enough time to recover. Lay $100 on the Wings - $190.

Minnesota over CALGARY - Flames coach Mike Keenan has already started messing with Miikka Kiprusoff's head - things aren't likely to get better for the kipper tonight against the Minnesota Wild who are flying right now. Lay $100 on the Wild + $120.

For those of you who do check in for the Three Play - if you bet online and want soccer plays, I'll post picks. Yesterday was an unbelievable day in Champions League, all 8 games predicted correctly (including Barcelona tying Rangers, Fenerbahce tying PSV, AND Lyon beating Stuttgart). I have the two winning pro-line tickets to prove it. Those 8 picks yesterday, including betting the ties would have been worth close to $1,000 on $50 plays. If you want to do soccer, I'll start with Premiership games this weekend. Leave a comment.

No links for Hazel today - its all bad in Toronto; plus she has enough to read up on for Game 1 tonight.

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

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world - enjoy Game 1 tonight.

We're Out!