Monday Morning Mehta

Edition # 113
April 4th, 2005

www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com

The Greatest Day of the Sports Year

NL Preview - March Madness - NBA - "NHL" - The Masters on CBS

The first Monday of April is "The Greatest Day of the Sports Year" in my opinion. It's Opening Day in baseball and the National Championship game of March Madness. Hope Springs Eternal, Weather is turning warm, blah blah blah. With that, the much awaited and anticipated NL Preview.

Overall, there is a ton of parity in the NL. Only the Nationals, Pirates, Brewers and Rockies have no chance at the playoffs. Most every other team is going to be competitive.

NL East

1. Atlanta Braves - 94 wins
Lost: J.D. Drew, Jaret Wright
New: Raul Mondesi, Brian Jordan, Tim Hudson, Danny Kolb
My MMM co-writer Ed Wasser made a perfect statement. "Anybody that picks anybody besides the Braves to win the division is thinking too hard". Couldn't have said it better myself (well, maybe I would've used slightly better grammar). The Braves are not stronger than they were last year by no means. They gained two excellent starters in John Smoltz and Tim Hudson, but they also lost the games premier closer in John Smoltz. Danny Kolb is good (no where near the power pitcher Smoltz is), but saving games in Milwaukee is much easier than closing games for a division winner. That being said, the starters are excellent. The bullpen is a major problem, but that's a running theme around baseball.

Key: Rafael Furcal and Marcus Giles getting on base at the top of the order. If this happens at a .380-.390 clip all year, which it can, this could be a 100 win team.

Back from dead: Brian Jordan & Raul Mondesi. The Braves have a way of plugging guys in and suddenly they're in their primes again.

Big Years: Larry and Andruw Jones. Andruw hasn't put together a full 162 game monster year, this could be it. 10 homers in the spring.

2. Philadelphia Phillies - 88 wins
Lost: Kevin Millwood, Eric Milton, Felix Rodriguez
New: Jon Lieber, Kenny Lofton
In baseball, it's very difficult to be mired in mediocrity. Teams are generally either good or bad for stretches of years. The Phillies have won 86 games each of the last two years. This year, doesn't look to be any different. The offense is ready to score a ton of runs again (3rd in the NL last year). They play in a small park but that in turn only kills their starters. This means more pressure on the bullpen. This year the Phils have their worst middle pen in years. Rheal Cormier is terrible without Joe Kerrigan historically. Tim Worrell isn't dominating anymore. Terry Adams is a journeyman. Ryan Madson can only pitch so much. Billy Wagner will be fine though. He'll save his 35-40 games (as he's in his FA year, trust me, he won't get hurt). Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd not making the team is a joke. Just like last year (Utley) the Phils are sending down their hottest bats in spring to the minors. Byrd was having a great spring, not finding a spot for him especially with Lofton's questionable health is stupid.

Key # 1: Brett Myers and Corey Lidle. If one out of these two turns into a decent 4th starter, they'll be in good shape.

Key # 2: Jimmy Rollins & # 2 hitters OB%. Even though the Phillies were 3rd in runs scored, it was really 9 runs one night and 1 the next. If the top 2 hitters get on base consistently, they'll level that out a lot.

Key # 3: Health of Vicente Padilla. If Padilla gives the Phillies a solid 30 starts, that's 3 legit starters.

Key # 4: Mike Lieberthal. The Phillies really need someone to step up in the 6-8 slot. David Bell will hit his .270, but having Lieby return to the 2003 form is a must if the Phils are to contend.

3. Florida Marlins - 81 wins
Lost: Carl Pavano, Armando Benitez
New: Carlos Delgado, Al Leiter
Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett are definitely ready to take the next step and become all stars. But the bullpen on this team has the potential to be awful. Guillermo Mota is promoted to the closers role, he should be decent. But the rest of the pen has a lot to be desired. Antonio Alfonseca and Todd Jones are the set-up men. Phils fans, do you remember Todd Jones? The only lefty in the pen is Matt Perisho who is awful.

Key: Juan Pierre's health. Pierre has fought a calf injury all spring - if he's not 100% this team will struggle.

4. New York Mets - 78 wins
Lost: Al Leiter, Jason Phillips
New: Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Kaz Ishii, Doug Mientkiewicz
I said last week, you can't build a winner through free agency overnight, and that's why I don't love the Mets. Too much change, while it might make you better, won't make you into a contender necessarily.

The Worst: There are some bad bullpens in the NL East, but the Mets may be the worst. Braden Looper is a good closer, but Roberto Hernandez and Mike DeJean are their setup men. I can just see it now, Pedro goes 7 innings, one run, and in trots Roberto. (Again, Phils fans will know what I mean).

Young Studs: David Wright and Jose Reyes (looks healthy this year) are all stars in the making.

5. Washington Nationals - 68 wins
They got Jose Guillen in the offseason which was a good thing. Oddly enough, this may be the best bullpen in the NL East. But the staff is not deep, and they just don't have weapons on offense. A few nice players, but nothing to contend with.

NL Central

1. Chicago Cubs - 93 wins
A lot of experts are down on the Cubs offseason moves. While I wish they signed a legit closer, I still think they did OK. Getting rid of Sammy Sosa was a huge plus for this team. He was no longer a middle of the order type player for this team (.250 avg with 133 K's last year in 478 AB's). Nomar Garciaparra, Aramis Ramirez and Derreck Lee are perfect 3-5 hitters. Compliment that with Corey Patterson, Michael Barrett (underrated catcher), Todd Walker, Todd Hollandsworth, & Jerry Hairston...you have the makings of a decent lineup. I don't like Jeromy Burnitz but at the price they got him he's a bargain. The pitching? Health is the only concern. It's best in the majors when healthy, which they seem dinged up to start the year, but better at beginning than at the end.

Star: Aramis Ramirez. Now that Sammy's gone this is the guy the Cubs need to build around. He showed me a lot last year.

MVP? Nomar is going to be a monster this year, book it!

2. Houston Astros - 89 wins
Things I like: Pettitte, Clemens, Oswalt, Brad Lidge. The young players have a ton of potential. The Astros also have payroll room, expect them to make a Carlos Beltran-like midseason move.

Who? Remember this name: CF Jason Lane. He's been the Astros stud prospect for years. Experts thought he'd break out last year, I'll say he does this year.

Third base is a stud position in the NL: Morgan Ensberg is developing into a quality 3B.
Things I don't like: 4th and 5th starters. Brandon Backe showed promise in October, so he may be decent. But the 5th starter spot will to Brandon Duckworth, which can't be good.

3. St. Louis Cardinals - 83 wins
New: Mark Mulder, David Eckstein, Mark Grudzielanek
Lost: Edgar Renteria, Mike Matheny
This is a great team that added Mark Mulder. How in the world can I not have them in first place. To be honest, it's just a feeling I have. The pitching for this team was awesome last year. Chris Carpenter, Jason Marquis and Jeff Suppan were incredible. I just don't see that happening again. Matt Morris is a shell of his old self, if he can return to forum, this team could be dominating again. But I think something with the chemistry of this team was changed with the losses of Edgar Renteria and Mike Matheny. I don't like that. I also don't think Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, and Larry Walker are going to make it through the whole year without breaking down (knees bothering Rolen in spring).

NL MVP: Will be Albert Pujols. He's been stopped by Barry Bonds the last few year, he won't be this year. He hasn't struck out all of spring training! WOW.

4. Cincinnati Reds - 81 wins
I like this team a lot. If I weren't as well respected and appreciated journalist, I'd have them as the Wild Card team. But I just can't do it with them playing in the band box. Eric Milton will give up a ton of homers again. But holy smokes are they going to score runs.

5. Milwaukee Brewers - 73 wins
The best: Pitcher in the NL might be Ben Sheets. Realistically, he's probably top 5.
The best: Farm system, by far. Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, JJ Hardy, Jose Capellan are a year away though.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates - 65 wins
Jose Mesa is the closer. Yikes. Expect Mike Gonzalez to be the closer by years end.
Lefty Oliver Perez is very good, but after that this team is too average.

NL West

1. San Francisco Giants - 94 wins
Lost: A.J. PierzinskiNew: Moises Alou, Omar Vizquel, Armando Benitez, Mike Matheny.
No Barry Bonds is no concern for this team. Jason Schmidt (best pitcher in the NL) leads a very formidable staff which added regular season and meaningless game closer extraordinaire Armando Benitez. Not having Bonds will help this team greatly in the long run, as players like Pedro Feliz will be able to shine. Ray Durham will also be able to get back to his playing style of a few years back. Moises Alou is a run producer on any team and once Bonds returns, this team will be World Series material.

Breakout season: Jerome Williams. He's only 23 and could emerge as an All-Star in that stadium. Watch out for this one-two punch for years to come. I saw Jerome Williams pitch during Ed Lowry's bachelor party a couple of years ago.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers - 87 wins
Lost: Adrian Beltre, Kaz Ishii, Shawn Green
New: J.D. Drew, Jeff Kent, Derek Lowe, Jason Phillips
While I like this team, I don't love it. Losing Adrian Beltre who was phenomenal for them, and clutch hitting Steve Finley had to be a blow. They replaced Beltre with Jose Valentine. Hee Seop Choi just never seems to develop, and Jayson Werth's injury has Ricky Ledee starting the year in LF.
Pitchers are always going to pitch well in Dodger Stadium, so pitching is usually not a concern. But Brad Penny's nerve problems have to be a concern and the fact that Scott Erickson opens the season as the 4th starter has to cause some concern.

Eye on: Eric Gagne's elbow problems. Dodgers are downplaying this but he's starting the season on the DL.

3. San Diego Padres - 81 wins
I really like this team but there's just something missing. Maybe it's the stud offensive player. Brian Giles is good, but nothing exceptional. Ryan Klesko I cannot stand since he stunk for my fantasy team last year. Sean Burroughs is a light hitting 3B. Phil Nevin gets hurt a lot. If it all comes together the Padres can win 90 games, but that's probably their ceiling. I still ask why in the world did this team trade Oliver Perez for Brian Giles. Completely idiotic.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks - 75 wins
Much improved. Possibly the most improved team. But no spark at the top of the order just yet. A bunch of 3 thru 8 hitters. Craig Counsell is leading off. Not good.

5. Colorado Rockies - 63 wins
The only reason to watch is to see if Garrett Atkins win Rookie of the Year (which, I think he will, especially since he's hitting 2nd in front of Todd Helton).

AL Playoffs

The four playoff teams from last weeks AL were the Yanks, Red Sox, Angels and Twins. I think the ALCS will be the LA Angels of Anaheim vs. NYY, with the Yanks taking the AL Pennant.

NL Playoffs

Altlanta, Chicago and SF will be joined by the Astros as the Wild Card. The Astros will fight off the Phils, Cards, and Dodgers. Phils fans will get a season that comes down to the final weekend of the year but in the end, thier lack of pitching in a hitters park will kill them.

ALCS - Yankees vs. LA Angels of Anaheim
NLCS - SF Giants vs. Cubs

World Series - NY Yankees vs. SF Giants. In what should be one of the most highly watched World Series in years, the Yankees aka the Evil Empire will buy themselves their 'first' World Series in 5 years.

March Madness - MMM

After an incredible weekend of Regional Final games, the National Semifinals turned out to be a huge disappointment in my opinion. Neither game was closely contended in the second half. It looked like the MSU/UNC game would give us a close one, but UNC showed their spurability and they pulled away.
As for tonights game, rarely do we get to see the top 2 teams entering the season, but tonight we'll see Illinois vs. UNC for the whole thing. UNC is favored by 2 points tonight, and I'd really stay away from this game. Roy Williams has a ton of pressure on him tonight as he tries to win the elusive National title. As I predicted in the beginning of this thing, I think this is Roy's year. His coaching has a lot to be left desired, but I think he finally gets the monkey off his back tonight, in a final for the ages...UNC 75, Illinois 74.

NBA - Derreck Sura

- The Sixers salvaged a terrible week (1-3) with a HUGE win in Boston on Sunday afternoon. Philly (36-37) now holds the 8th seed in the East by 1 loss over Orlando, and 2 losses over New Jersey. While 2 weeks ago was nothing but highlights for the Sixers, this past week was filled with lowlights. On Wednesday night in Phoenix the entire team decided to take the night off mentally, and it showed in their effort (lost by 29). To add injury to insult, Chris Webber sprained his left shoulder during that game, and will be out 3 to 6 more days. Then Friday night against Dallas, Allen Iverson re-aggravated a strained groin injury, and while it didn't stop him from playing Sunday, it's something to keep your eye on as the season winds down. This week brings Philly: Charlotte, Cleveland & @Washington (B2B). As mediocre as the Sixers are, they are only 3 losses out of the Atlantic Division lead and/or 7th place. Every game the rest of the way is important for Philly, but this week is the Sixers' chance to make their move, and solidify their playoff position.

- Since I usually spend most of my time writing about contenders, I thought I'd give a little love to the also ran's this week, and focus on some bad teams (record wise) that have been playing better as the season comes to a close.

EAST

Toronto (30-43) - The Raptors have been one of the hardest teams to get a handle on all season long. One night they look great, blowing a team out. Then the next game the players can look like strangers on the court. Part of that can probably be attributed to rookie head coach Sam Mitchell learning how to prepare his team throughout the season. Even with GM Rob Babcock's poor personnel decisions (drafting Rafael Araujo 8th overall and the Vince Carter trade), the Raptors do have some nice pieces in place heading into the off season. 2nd year PF Chris Bosh looks like the real deal, improving his points, rebounds, assists, FG%, and FT%, after being 1st team All-Rookie last year. I questioned the Rafer Alston and Morris Peterson signings last summer, but they both have developed into solid role players. Rookie free agent Matt Bonner looks like he has a future in the league too. If Babcock is able to find a taker for Jalen Rose's contract (2 years left for 32.6 million) this summer, and can procure some athletic big men that can defend and rebound though free agency or the draft, Toronto could be in the hunt for a playoff spot next season.

Charlotte (15-57) - I know that the Bobcats haven't won many games (they are an expansion team after all). What they have been doing well all season long, but especially lately, is giving every team that comes to Charlotte all they can handle. Their home record (12-25) doesn't really reflect it, but the Cats lose a lot of close games because they have no established go to scorer, and get ZERO "breaks" from the referees. Charlotte also has a few long term pieces in place, starting with rookie PF Emeka Okafor. EO has proven that his back can withstand the rigors of an NBA season (missed only 8 games), and leads all rookies in points (15.3 ppg) and rebounds (10.8 rpg, 4th overall). Primoz Brezec and Gerald Wallace may not be starting material, but they have done enough to show they can both be effective role players. GM/coach Bernie Bickerstaff has done of a masterful job of building and developing this team. Only Okafor, Brezec, and PG Jason Hart are under contract after next season (when the team will be allowed to utilize the full salary cap), and every player on their roster has been given more then enough chance's to show what they can do. The Bobcats are still a few years away from contending for the playoffs, but if Bernie B continues to manage the cap and draft well, Charlotte should be a perennial playoff team within 4 years.

WEST

Clippers (33-41) - The "other" team in Los Angeles probably would've been "thee" team in So Cal had it not been for injuries. Every key player on their roster has missed at least 1 game due to injury, but through it all, the Clips still managed to compete on most nights. There's no telling how good they could have been if Marko Jaric, Corey Maggette, Chris Kaman, Chris Wilcox, and Shaun Livingston had all been healthy enough to play in more games. LA has 4 starters under contract for the next 2 seasons in Livingston, Maggette, Elton Brand, and Kaman. Add a jump shooting swingman to that mix, and the Clips will be looking pretty good. LA does have some key free agents heading into this off season however, and as is always the case with owner Donald Sterling, will he pay to keep Jaric and Bobby Simmons (started 69 games) around? I highly doubt that Marko will be back since Livingston is the PG of the future for them. Simmons is a tougher call because supposedly management and the players alike want him back, but Bobby's services will likely be in high demand this summer, probably pricing him out of the Clips range. With the continuity of having coach Mike Dunleavy Sr.'s system in place again next year, this team should contend for a playoff spot if Simmons is resigned, or a suitable replacement for him is found.

Golden State (28-45) - The Warriors' recent play was the impetus for this piece. Ever since acquiring Baron Davis, GS has looked like a real team. So much so that I expect them to end their 11 year playoff drought next year. It wasn't just Baron's arrival that made the difference, it was getting rid of crabby veterans like Dale Davis, Cliff Robinson, Eduardo Najera, and Speedy Claxton (not really a veteran, but was never happy there either) that dramatically improved their chemistry. Rookie coach Mike Montgomery seemed a little clueless early in the season about how important it was for players to know their roles. Now that he has settled on a consistent rotation, his team is flourishing. Davis, Jason Richardson, and Derek Fisher form a very solid back court rotation. With the exception of Troy Murphy, I don't love the other starters in their front court (Adonal Foyle & Mike Dunleavy Jr.). What I do like are the players that back them up. Mickael Pietrus is just starting to show signs of being the "Euro-Jordan" he was labeled coming out of France. Zarko Cabarkapa has regained the confidence he seemed to lose after the cheap shot Danny Fortson laid on him. Zarko is very crafty around the basket (kind of like a less talented Antawn Jamison), and loves to get out on the break. When Baron, J-Rich, Pietrus, and Zarko are on the floor together, the Warriors become way more athletic and explosive in the open floor. Lastly, rookie big man Andris Biedrins has shown me enough that I am confident Foyle will be coming off the bench after next season. If GM Chris Mullin is able add a sharp shooting 3 point specialist, and another defensive minded big man this summer, I think GS will be the "surprise" team in the NBA next season.

- In what is becoming an all too frequent (and annoying) section in the NBA portion of the MMM, here are some more playoff contenders with injury issues.

Seattle (50-23) - Rashard Lewis is out indefinitely with a deep bone bruise of his right foot. Then throw in a bruised tendon on the same foot for good measure. Not to mention that Lewis has been battling tendinitis in his left knee for about 3 months now too. I know many people would say Ray Allen is the Sonics' best player, but he doesn't cause the same type of match up problems that Rashard does. That's why I say that Lewis has been Seattle's most valuable player this season. It's a good thing the Sonics have the Northwest Division (and 3rd seed) locked up, because without RL and Valdimir Radmanovic they suddenly aren't near as formidable.

Indiana (38-34) - Jamaal Tinsley had a bone scan on his left foot that revealed a mid-foot sprain and a stretched ligament. What that means is he's out for at least the next 2 to 3 weeks. With just over 2 weeks left in the Pacers' season, it's time to get used to Anthony Johnson running the point with Eddie Gill as his back up. I'd say Indiana has adjusted to life without Jamaal just fine, as they are 7-3 in their last 10 games, and up to the 6th seed in the East.

Denver (41-31) - Kenyon Martin has missed the Nuggets last 4 games, and is day to day with a strained
rib cage. K-Mart had this to say regarding his injury, "I want to be out there with the guys, but right now, I don't have it. It affects everything. My neck, my shoulders. I can't sleep right. It's tough when you can't move." That doesn't sound good to me. Denver can make the playoffs without K-Mart, but moving up to get a higher seed, much less winning a round, is going to be a lot tougher.
Boston (39-34) - Antoine Walker missed Sunday's game with a deep bone bruise of his left knee. Coach Doc Rivers said, "My assumption is he's not going to play the next game either, and maybe not the entire week." This is not good for the Celtics as they try to wrap up the Atlantic Division. Toine has stepped back into his old role as the team's emotional leader since his return to Boston. The Celtics came out very flat on Sunday, and if that is any indication of how they are going to play without him, Boston may not end up with home court in the first round.

Chicago (41-31) - Eddy Curry was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat this week, and has missed the Bulls' last 3 games. His condition is not life threatening, and should be able to be treated with medication. Coach Scott Skiles said Curry should be back sometime this week.

Top 10
1. Phoenix (1)
2. Miami (2)
3. San Antonio (3)
4. Dallas (4)
5. Detroit (7)
6. Seattle (5)
7. Denver (8)
8. Houston (6)
9. Chicago (-)
10. Memphis (9)

NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser

- NHLPA chief Bob Goodenow is threatening to decertify any agent that represents any NHL replacement players should management decide that they want to go in that direction. Goodenow is also threatening to try and recoup any current NHL players lockout stipend if they cross the picket line . Hmmmmm....kind of strong tactics for such a remote possibility don't ya think? Could it be that Goodenow's afraid he's losing his grip on the players? Like Scott Burnside from ESPN.com said..'why would the lion tamer need a whip if the lions were doing their tricks?' So let's review...the Players Association is in total disarray, most NHL players would kill Bob Goodenow if they thought they could get away with it. The small market owners are at odds with the large market owners and the Canadian owners are at odds with the American owners. The GM's can't even decide on the rules (shoot outs, red line, obstruction, etc.) and God only knows how the amateur draft will pan out. There's also a little matter of the US Congress calling the other sports, the NHL included, to another steroid hearing which will force NHL management and the players to hammer out some sort of steroid testing arrangement in the new CBA. Will the agreement have provisions for taking blood, will the tests be random, will the NHLPA be willing participants? I dunno, nobody does. Oh yeah... don't forget that most fans forgot about hockey quicker than they forgot about the career of Dexy's Midnight Runners. Other than that the game couldn't be better.

- HBO is currently airing a show called 'Perfect Upset: 1985 Villanova' and seldom have I looked forward to a show so much. In 1985 I was 14 years old, a huge Villanova fan, and thought the 1985 National Championship was the greatest night in my life. Now this show had a chance to be great but HBO fumbled the ball. 'Perfect Upset' is so bad that half way through it I found myself switching to 'The Breakfast Club' on AMC just to hear the world's worst curse word dubbing. 'Shut up Bender!! You Son of a Brat!!(said by a sound man picking up some voice over work). What the hell was the point of HBO injecting all that social perspective? It made no sense at all and was completely inaccurate. Georgetown were the original bad boys of basketball back then, they played dirty. PERIOD!! That being said I was around during that time and the Georgetown Hoyas weren't getting a ton of abnormally bad press. Any bad press they did get was completely deserved because of their goonery on the court. And HBO said the Georgetown Hoyas were the pride of the ghettos in the US because they were the subject of massive racial injustices? Huh? I was growing up in a ghetto during that time and I don't remember that? Well, maybe it wasn't a ghetto exactly but the streets around Spring Mill Country Club were meaner then they looked. You know Villanova had black guys on their team too. The show featured current day rappers and Spike Lee talking about Georgetown fashions being all the rage in 1985. Huh? Nobody wore college jackets unless you were actually attending the college back in those days. Sports fashion didn't even exist back then; NOBODY wore jerseys or jackets to just walk around the street. Little known fact, I had the foresight to save all the newspapers from the days right after the Villanova title and I also saved a copy of the Sports Illustrated with the 'Top Cats' cover headline. You wanna come over my mother's house and read the articles, let's go. Find me any articles that link Georgetown and hip hop music. You won't find any. You know why? BECAUSE HIP HOP MUSIC DIDN'T EXIST IN 1985!!!! A far superior Villanova retrospective is currently airing on Comcast, that's the one to watch.

- Great quote from Jalen Rose about LeBron James after he dumped 56 points on the Raptors ...."Like I told you guys earlier, once he turns 21 and he's able to drink it's all over".

- Great quote attributed to Rod Stewart...."Instead of getting married again I'm going to just find some girl I hate and buy her a house".

- Our horse Clemente is running on Tuesday in the 6th race. He's going to try a mile distance because at his size he should be able to out last the other horses at a long distance....at least that's the theory. Clemente will be in the 5th post position in a 10 horse race with David Mello as the pilot. Since his last race Clemente's been training with a contraption that helps him to keep his head down while he's running which was one of his main problems in the last race. This will be an important race for Clemente because he's becoming somewhat of an underachiever. The first race he ran as our horse he should have won. The second race he ran for us was a mess. This one is a big one, if this race was a putt we'd be pulling out Billy Bareau. A full recap will be in next week's MMM.

Masters on CBS - MMM

I'm on a roll picking the Masters. One in a row. Last year's win by Phil Mickleson was one of the most exciting Masters in recent years. This year the hype far exceeds any previous years. The "Big 4" or "Big 5" (Woods, Els, Singh, Mickleson and sometimes Goosen) are all playing extremely well. Each also plays well at Augusta for the most part.

The Usual Suspects: Jose Maria Olazabal, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples - all ex champions seem to always be creeping around the leaderboard. A real dark horse to win is Olazabal, he's been playing very good golf this year and is mostly healthy again.

The Winner: Tiger Woods. I limit myself to being able to officially pick Woods in only one major. It's too easy to pick Tiger everytime. But Woods hasn't won a major in his last 10 tries, a streak he's been told about for the last 6 months. He's been gearing himself up for this event on a course that suits his game to a tee. I think we'll see a more hated rivalry on Sunday, Tiger vs. Vijay.

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