Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Football 8/15/09

post from Dave Cokin's Weblog on 14 August 2009 11:48:00 PM. © Dave Cokin's Weblog

I don?t usually blog on the weekends, but with my pre-season stuff absolutely dynamite so far, I may as well keep firing.

Friday?s service plays were Rams (big), Under Vikings-Colts, and the Saints. That?s back to back 3-0 sweeps the last two nights, which is as good as it gets to start the new season. Believe me, I wish it was this easy with the games that count in the standings. But the money spends the same regardless, and I?ve got more plays I?m very optimistic about for Saturday.

Here?s a free play on the Falcons-Lions game, although this one wasn?t strong enough to make the cut as an official selection.

New coaches often want to play well in their first game, especially at home. A year ago, new Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith impressed with a 3-1 ATS mark (2-2 SU). However, after making the playoffs and acquiring veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez, it?s difficult to see the Falcons getting up to play hard for this preseason opener, especially on the road. Their QB rotation will be Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley and rookie John Parker Wilson. The Falcons, suddenly desperate for wide receivers, have signed veteran Marty Booker. WR Harry Douglas, who was projected to be one of Atlanta?s top three receivers, was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and leading receiver Roddy White just signed after holding out. If there?s any motivation to look at for this game, it has to be with the Lions ? with a new coaching staff and off an embarrassing 0-16 season. New coach Jim Schwartz spent 10 years in the Tennessee Titans organization (last 8 as defensive coordinator) under a terrific coach in Jeff Fisher. The QB rotation is Daunte Culpepper, rookie Matthew Stafford and Drew Stanton. Culpepper will start, Stafford will play in 2nd quarter. All three quarterbacks ? Culpepper, Stafford and Drew Stanton ? are expected to get an equal share of playing time. WR depth is a problem: Calvin Johnson sat out of practice Monday with a cast around the sore right thumb he jammed trying to catch a pass; WR Bryant Johnson hasn?t even played a snap in training camp. He still is suffering from open wounds he received from a golf cart accident in July. Dennis Northcutt has a sore thumb that continues to hamper him. There are a lot of hungry young newcomers for the home team as they rebuild. As bad as Detroit was last season, they went 4-0 SU/ATS in preseason ? and they are probably MUCH hungrier for a win now.

A reminder that my free opinions can always be obtained on a recorded message at 1-888-567-7660. Also, if you?re interested in obtaining my personal plays, leave your contact info in feedback (it won?t be published) and I?ll be in touch.

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Game 115 Recap: Phillies 3, Braves 2

post from Talking Chop on 14 August 2009 11:22:00 PM. © Talking Chop

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

about 3 hours ago: Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino goes to the wall to retire Atlanta Braves' Brian McCann and end the fifth inning of a baseball game in Atlanta, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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To me, these are the types of losses that hurt the most. There are no real excuses, or reasons to point at why the Braves failed to win this baseball game. You can't be mad at the umps, you can't be mad at any particular player, you can't be mad at Greg Norton; he nursed out a walk. You can't really be mad at Bobby Cox, who showed he was serious by going with his 1-2 bullpen options in the 8th and 9th. Both teams played good, hard baseball tonight, and the Phillies just got the better end of it.

Jair Jurrjens did his job, by contributing seven innings, with the exception of the fourth inning, were all solid, and economical, with him throwing first-pitch strikes to something like 21 of the first batters he faced, and 74 of his 103 total pitches all thrown for strikes. His only true mistake was the first pitch strike to Chase Utley in the top of the 4th, who blasted it out to deep right field. And despite the Braves showing some good fortitude by making up for the brief defecit immediately in the following bottom half of the inning with a Ryan Church double, scoring Yunel Escobar, they could provide no further offense the remainder of the game.

Unfortunately his counterpart in Joe Blanton, despite allowing baserunners in every inning, spread them out well, and got out of the messes for minimal damage in seven effective innings.

The Braves stranded eight men on base, but this isn't one of those games where we could look back and simply blame Jeff Francoeur or Jordan Schafer for untimely strikeouts and/or GIDPs. The Philadelphia outfield was absolutely everywhere this particular evening, hauling in every flyball or warning track shot, with a little bit of an assist to Mother Nature who was blowing inward from right field most of the evening. Despite the 1-for-12 performance from our 4-5-6 hitters, they put the balls in play, but between Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth, they managed to catch nearly everything hit up in the air. As a team, the Braves struck out a paltry three times, which is positive.

There were two key plays in this game, I would have to say - in the 5th inning, with Nate McLouth on third, Brian McCann demolishes a pitch to straightaway-center. All the people around me began to stand, and the collective gasp of 36,000 people awaiting to see the beauty of runs, and then Shane Victorino plasters himself against the outfield wall, and peels himself off, with a baseball in his glove. Ensue 36,000 people groaning. Had the highlight catch not occurred, it was a guaranteed off-the-wall go-ahead RBI double.

And then we have in the top of the 9th, Rafael Soriano hanging a slider, which Ryan Howard blasts into left-center seats, to take the lead, and despite the mediocrity of 2009 Brad Lidge, combined with the Braves' capability to frustrate and not make life easy for Lidge, the end result is still the same, with Lidge recording the cumbersome save, for the Phillies win.

As for Soriano, some are already wondering what the deal is - is something wrong with him, or is it just the law of averages reeling him back in from his previous four months of more-or-less sheer dominance? Honestly, this is the only part where I scratch my head, and wish Bobby were still using the Soriano/Mike Gonzalez tandem based on match-ups versus roles.

Tomorrow's another day, and let's hope the Braves can turn the tables and keep this streak of winning series up. And goody for us, FOX is picking up the game for wide-spread regional action, which also means funky start time at 4:05 p.m. EST. Kenshin Kawakami takes the hill against Cole Hamels.

Final - 8.14.2009 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Philadelphia Phillies 000200001361 Atlanta Braves 100100000280WP: Ryan Madson (4 - 4)
SV: Brad Lidge (22)
LP: Rafael Soriano (1 - 4)

Complete Coverage >

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/8/14/990043/game-115-recap-phillies-3-braves-2

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Mets Post-Game Aug. 14, 2009: Parnell, Manuel

post from The Mets Report on 14 August 2009 10:53:08 PM. © The Mets Report

The Mets got a great start from Bobby Parnell as they beat the Giants 3-0. Here are the post-game interviews from Parnell and Mets manager Jerry Manuel.Bobby ParnellJerry ManuelShare and Bookmark:

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A failure is a man who has blundered but is not
capable of cashing in on the experience. Reds lose 2-0.

post from Red Reporter on 14 August 2009 10:51:00 PM. © Red Reporter

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure asked Aaron Harang to stop volunteering, because no one will run for him. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Wil Nieves. Nieves overcame the sever handicap of only spelling his name with one "l" to get two hits, including his first home run of the season.

Key Plays

Ronnie Belliard hit a home run in the fifth inning.
In the bottom half of the fifth with two outs, Aaron Harang and Willy Taveras both singled. Paul Janish then hit a single to shallow center. Mark Berry waved Harang around home - where he was out by at least ten feet.
In the sixth inning, Joey Votto singled to lead off the inning (hey, that would have scored Harang in the previous inning, and probably Taveras too!), but Brandon Phillips lined a ball to Adam Dunn and the first baseman turned an unassisted double play. Laynce Nix immediately hit a bases empty double. Adam Rosales drew a walk, but Craig Tatum popped up to end the inning.
Wil Nieves hit a home run in the seventh inning.

Other Notes

Willy Taveras walked for just the second time since the All-Star Break.
Harang passed Gary Nolan for seventh place on the Reds all-time strikeout list. He has 1,039, and is 23 away from tying Paul Derringer.
The Nationals reached base in all seven of Harang's innings.
Joey Votto may still be in a rut, as he struck out three times.

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August 14 2009 Demolition Images & Short Clip

post from Demolition of Yankee Stadium on 14 August 2009 10:43:31 PM. © Demolition of Yankee Stadium

Photo / Video Credit: Jim in Times Square (flickr)

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lition-images-short-clip/

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When Marlins broadcasters go wrong

post from Marlin Maniac | A Florida Marlins Blog on 14 August 2009 10:27:05 PM. © Marlin Maniac | A Florida Marlins Blog

I don’t mean to rub it in, but unfortunately, I feel the need to point out these mistakes by Marlins broadcasters. It really does make me sort of mad when these guys, who are the voices of the Marlins, spout misconceptions as facts.A couple nights[...]

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http://marlinmaniac.com/2009/08/14/when-marlins-broadcasters-go-wrong/

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Teixeiras HR lifts A-Rod-less Yankees (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 14 August 2009 10:26:07 PM. © MLB News Blog

The Yankees appear to have another MVP candidate at just the right time. And it's not absent A-Rod. Mark Teixeira hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth, his second game-deciding homer of the week, and New York rolled on without Alex Rodriguez, beating the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Friday night.

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Josh Johnson befuddles Rockies bats, rally cut
short against the Marlins bullpen in 6-5 loss

More photos » by Alan Diaz - AP

about 2 hours ago: Colorado Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta, left, talks to pitcher Jason Hammel, right, after he walked Florida Marlins' Josh Johnson in the second inning of a baseball game in Miami, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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So remember way back in the day when the Rockies were getting lots of hits and beating up on teams? That seems like forever ago, doesn't it? Alright, so Friday night we got reason number 29 that the Rockies should be grateful that most of their remaining games are where it's high and or dry. The Florida Marlins Josh Johnson flirted with a no hitter before Garrett Atkins broke it up in the seventh inning with a solo home run (HR number 8 on the season for Atkins). Johnson finished with one hit and one run allowed, striking out eleven Rockies in the process. Rockies hitters struck out a total of 14 times, and walked four times.

Rockies starter Jason Hammel wasn't remotely close to as effective as Johnson. Lacking fastball command, Hammel allowed six hits and walked four, giving up three runs in four innings before giving way to Adam Eaton. Eaton allowed two more runs on a Dan Uggla home run in the bottom half of the seventh to give the Marlins breathing room, and Joe Beimel allowed one run in the eighth. While it didn't look like it while Johnson was pitching, it turned out that the Marlins needed each of those runs.

The Rockies rallied when Troy Tulowitzki led off with a triple against Brendan Donnelly in the top of the ninth inning and after a Brad Hawpe strikeout, scored on a Wes Helms error on an Atkins ground ball to third. Atkins advanced on an Ian Stewart bloop single, chasing Donnelly. Marlins closer Leo Nunez came in and struck out Dexter Fowler. Chris Iannetta then hit a three run blast (his 14th home run of the season) with the aid of some wind, but the rally was cut short when Todd Helton flied to center for the final out.

64 - 52

Games Back: 5.5

Streak: Lost 1

Games Left: 46

With the Giants losing, the Rockies continue to hold their 1.5 game edge in the wild card standings, but the Marlins closed to within two games with the win.

via www.fangraphs.com

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White Sox win in 10 on Ramirezs homer (AP)

If their bullpen keeps pitching like this, the Chicago White Sox could end up being a factor in the American League wild card race after all. Four relievers combined for 5 2-3 shutout innings, and Alexei Ramirez led off the 10th inning with a home run as Chicago managed an 8-7 victory over the Oakland [...]

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/08/15/white-sox-win-in-10-on-ramirezs-homer-ap/

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Bullpen, Ramirezs HR lift ChiSox in 10 (AP)

If their bullpen keeps pitching like this, the Chicago White Sox could end up being a factor in the American League wild card race after all. Four relievers combined for 5 2-3 shutout innings, and Alexei Ramirez led off the 10th inning with a home run as Chicago managed an 8-7 victory over the Oakland [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/08/15/bullpen-ramirezs-hr-lift-chisox-in-10-ap/

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