It's the weekend finally and there seems to be some good matchups this weekend.  Here's the info on the big series of the weekend:

Yankees(12-10) @ Indians(10-12)
Let's just say that these two teams don't like each other.  Cleveland was the big dog in the AL in the mid 1990's until the Yankees stepped up and took the mantle from them.  Everyone loves being the Yankees and the Indians are no exception.  Coming off a strong series against the Royals, look for the Indians to keep the pressure on.  The Yankees will hopefully have A-Rod back in the lineup and the Yankees miss Carmona and Cliff Lee, the most consistant healthy pitchers for the Indians.  Pick:  Yankees take 2 of 3

Angels(14-9) @ Tigers(10-13)
Detroit just got done sweeping the powerless Rangers at home and they have found their offensive stride.  Having Curtis Granderson back in the lineup will make the Tigers the team to beat in the AL Central again and Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Co. are now hitting a ton.  The Angels won the last game in Boston, but they seem to be missing something....their starting pitching.  Pick:  Tigers sweep

Diamondbacks(16-6) @ Padres(9-14)
This is a pitching dream series, for the most part.  Friday, you have Randy Johnson(0-1) v. Randy Wolf(2-0).  Saturday, it's Micah Owings(4-0) taking the mound v. Justin Germano(0-2).  On Sunday, you have Brandon Webb(5-0) v. Jake Peavy(3-0)-why this game isn't the Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN is beyond me.  I'd much rather watch this game than do what I'm going to do(listen to it).  I think the Big Unit will get his stuff together and throw a great game on Friday, the question is will Wolf match him pitch-for-pitch?  Pick:  Diamondbacks take 2 of 3

These are the three series that I'm looking forward must to.  It should be a great weekend!

It's glad to be back in the blogosphere, here's something for ya'll to chew on

Well, the baseball season is only three weeks old but we do have a few surprises.  Here's the list of surprises, both negative and positive:

The Detrot Tigers are playing like an A-Ball team.  I know that they got some wins over the weekend against Cleveland, but this team needs to put together some big weeks to get back into the race.  They will be getting Curtis Granderson back soon, but they still have glaring holes in the bullpen with the absence of Fernando Rodney and Closer-In-Training Joel Zumaya.  I think they'll turn it around before Memorial day, which is the first true measuring stick for the season.

Also in the AL Central, the Kansas City Royals have been a pleasant surprise this season so far.  The team is at 9-10 right now after being swept by the A's(more on them later), but I like their starting rotation with Zack Grienke, Brian Bannister, and Gil Meche.  I know the Mets could use Bannister now.  The questions that I have all have to do with their lineup.  This team will only go as far as Alex Gordon and Billy Butler will take it, which I think will be an improved team, but still about a year or 2 away from the playoffs.

The Oakland A's are leading the AL West and I can honestly say that I didn't see this one coming.  I was expecting Joe Blanton and/or Rich Harden to be traded as the team rebuilded again.  Once Harden and Eric Chavez get back from the DL, look for the A's to continue their run at least until Memorial Day.  By then, John Lackey for the Angels and Erik Bedard for the Mariners will be healthy.

Who would have thought that the Florida Marlins would be leading the NL East?  A team of no-names that gets paid less than A-Rod and Manny are leading the division.  This definitely won't last, I'm still going with the Mets over the Phillies and Braves to win the division.

Speaking of headline grabbers, how about the NL Central.  The Cardinals, who many picked to finish in 5th place, were in 1st place until yesterday and now sit a 1/2 game behind the Cubs.  I hear that the "What the Fuk?" shirts are popping at Wrigley, we'll see how the lovable losers fair when they play someone other than the Pirates.  Miguel Tejada got 2 years older overnight, what a shock.  Eric Gagne is pitching horribly for the Brewers and Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun can't hit right now, but that should change soon.  And look at the job that Dusty Baker is doing in Cincinnati.  Sure, I'm not a Reds fan but it's always good to see the Reds play well.  Ken Griffey will always have a place in the hearts of many people my age and Johnny Cueto?  What a stud!

The NL West hasn't really been too crazy, except for the fact that the Baby 'Backs are doing what they couldn't do last season.  They are crushing the ball behind Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds.  With the staff that they possess, they have to be the favorites to win the division.

Remember though, it's only been 3 weeks so we'll see how it works out.

A 3-1 playoff week isn't bad.....here's the rundown on what happened

NFC Wild Card

Seahawks 21, Cowboys 20......how difficult is it to catch a snap and place the ball laces out?  I mean really, I've never had that problem playing football during my life(but then again, I'm not an NFL quarterback either).  Tony Romo should be taken behind the wood shed and beaten after what he did.  Dude, you're the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and you can't handle a snap.  Sure he was the main reason why they made the playoffs, but he's also the reason(along with a crappy pass defense) that caused the 'Boys to miss out on the division title and a home game in the playoffs.  At least Romo has Carrie Underwood to comfort him

Eagles 23, Giants 20....3 David Akers field goals, with the last one with no time on the clock.  There's something about the Eagles, I can't put my finger on it.  Jeff Garcia is playing like he did in San Francisco when Marty Morningwig was his offensive coordinator.  Marty and Andy Reid understand the importance of the running game, which is why Brian Westbrook is this team's MVP.  Without Westbrook against this worn down Giants defensive front, minus Michael Strahan, the Eagles would not have been able to control the clock and drive down the field to kick the field goal

AFC Wild Card

Colts 23, Chiefs 8....no first downs in the first half?  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  I think Herm was too busy trying to sell his team as a qualified playoff team when he should have had that offense working on ways to score.  What happened Saturday in Indy was a disgrace to Chiefs fans everywhere.  I do have to give major props to the Colts defense also.  Those guy did a great job.

Patriots 37, Jets 16....Never bet against Tom Brady at home in the playoffs....NEVER!  Pennington had an ok day, but his ok day could not beat Brady.  That's why Brady is one of the greatest to ever play the game!

College Basketball Upsets

Sitting at my house on Saturday, I couldn't help but watch the great Duke Blue Devils play against Virginia Tech on ESPN.  I have one question about this game....how was Duke ranked 5th in the country?  I've seen this team play on a number of occasions on TV and they haven't been dominating.  I'm soooo happy that Va Tech won the game, mainly because of my blind hatred for Duke.  I missed on my upset pick of the weekend with Illinois handled by Ohio State 62-46, Greg Oden and Mike Conley are the real deal.  UCLA fell to Oregon 68-66, this was probably the best game of the week. 

My sleeper team, LSU, took UCONN behind the Maravich Center and woodshedded them.  Glen Davis is probably the best big man in the SEC(sorry Joakim Noah and Jermaino Davidson) and one of the best in the country.

Big Unit going back to the desert

Randy Johnson is going back to Arizona for 4 minor leagers.  He signed a 2 year-$26 million extension last night.  I think that this gives the Diamondbacks the best pitching staff in the NL West, maybe the entire NL.  Their top 4 are studs, Randy Johnson, Brandon Webb, Livan Hernandez, and Doug Davis should be able to guide this staff into the playoffs.

Bobby Petrino finally leaves U of L

Ya knew this was coming because he never was committed to the University of Louisville.  Petrino took the Cardinals to new heights behind Brian Brohm this season, a 12-1 record, Big East Title, and a victory in the Orange Bowl, but I would feel betrayed by Petrino if I was a Louisville fan.  This guy has become the poor man's Nick Saban and I think its a disgrace.  He takes over an Atlanta Falcons team that probably couldn't have beaten his Louisville squad this season.  Petrino's decision also will likely make Brian Brohm and Michael Bush declare for the NFL Draft.  Sure, they might have anyway but if Petrino would have stayed at Louisville, he would have had the chance to win the national championship if Bush and Brohm would have returned.  Instead, Louisville will be an also-ran in the Big East behind Rutgers, South Florida, and West Virginia next season.  As for his new employer, Mike Vick has never been an NFL-calibur quarterback and in Petrino's offense, he will continue to struggle because it's not Tom Osborne's option.  Vick is a coach killer(just ask Dan Reeves and Jim Mora Jr) and he is no longer a fan favorite in Atlanta.  The first thing on the agenda for Petrino will be to decide whether or not to resign Matt Schaub.  I feel Schaub is a better fit in the NFL and also in Petrino's Air-it-out offense that averaged 37.5 points per game last season.  The defense is good, but you have to fix the passing game.  I think this is why Rich McKay made the decision on Petrino.  There were better fits in the NFL for this job, but Petrino is an offensive minded coach that should be able to turn the offense in the right direction.  I hope, for the Falcons sake, he stops doing his Nick Saban impersonation and stays for at least the length of the contract.

College Basketball Game of the Day

Villanova @ Georgetown, 6 PM CT ESPN

I watched both of these teams on Saturday and Georgetown definately looks like the team everyone thought they were in the preseason.  Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert can dominate a game defensively.  Curtis Sumpter is back for 'Nova, but it won't be enough...G-Town by 12..68-56

NFL Player of the Week

Brian Westbrook, RB-Philadelphia Eagles

Stat Line:  20 carries for 141 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 receptions for 12 yards

BCS Championship Game

Ohio State 28, Florida 13