Monday Morning Mehta 4/10/06

Edition # 157
April 10, 2006

Phillies

The Phillies begin their quest for a third World Series in the last 10 years by going 5-1 this week. Curt Schilling and Mark Mulder combined to go 3-0 with a sparkling 2.84 ERA. Scott Rolen and Lance Berkman hit a combined .455 with 5 home runs and 14 RBI's. The Phils continue to play great fundamental baseball and most of the credit has to go to 4 time Manager of the Year and now famously dubbed "Yankee Killer", our own Upper Darby native Mike Scioscia.

Also of note is that Sunday marked the 300th consecutive sellout at Cingular Field. The Phils are only 156 games away from breaking the Indians mark of 455 consecutive sellouts. Team Owner and CEO of Comcast Brian Roberts has guaranteed every season ticket holder free cable service for one full year if the Phillies break the record. And if you thought it couldn't get any better, 10 year Executive of the Year GM....WAKE UP....SAURIN!!....WAKE UP....YOU ARE DAYDREAMING....

Ah, this stinks! You mean we drafted J.D. Drew and got nothing for it? Why didn't we draft Troy Glaus or the next corner OF'er Lance Berkman (minor detail he was a first baseman coming out)? And then to boot, Scott Rolen & Curt Schilling got so disgusted with the organizations lack of winning and commitment to winning that we had to trade them for Omar Daal, Vicente Padilla, Travis Lee, Nelson Figueroa, Placido Polanco, Mike Timlin and Bud Smith. 7 stiffs for 2 possible Hall of Famers?

I kept thinking all week that Ed Wade has left this team in complete mediocrity.

I really don't know what to say that I haven't said for 3 years in this column. No fundamentals, no starters that can go more than 6 or 7 innings, terrible clutch hitting, and an offense which is entirely too reliant on three run homers. Add that to terrible managing, David Bell, Mike Lieberthal, and you have the Phillies.

It's a long season, and you can't win it in April, but this is the same Phillies, and just like I wrote in last weeks predictions, I expect the same outcome of seasons past. What will get me through is that I have faith in GM Pat Gillick to make the proper moves to improve this team relatively quickly, the first of which probably comes with the firing of the manager within weeks if this ship isn't turned around.

One final note on the Phils: The more I watch around the league, the more I realize the Phillies should not be spending $9-$10 million (as last year with Wagner) and $6 mill this year with Tom Gordon on a closer. Teams can 'get by' on a relatively cheap closer, but have to have a young arm in the minors ready to close in the future. The Phillies just don't have that. Hence, Mike Arbuckle's regime really needs to end also.

Around the League

It's so hard to get any feel after two weeks of the season, but Milwaukee is going to be a decent team all year. They have some really nice pitching, and Ben Sheets won't even pitch for another week.

Washington and Florida are going to lose A LOT of games. Luckily the Phils will play them a combined 38 times. Or maybe the Marlins are saying, "Hey, we get to play the Phillies 19 times!"

It's great how the Angels have the Yankees number. Another 2 out of three by the Angels.

Jonathan Papelbon takes over as the Red Sox closer and has looked very good only giving up one hit in 4 appearances. The Red Sox look ready for a run this year, although it's early and Manny's annual August spazz attack hasn't kicked in yet.

Masters on CBS

Phil Mickleson played the best round of golf in his life to win his 2nd green jacket in impressive fashion, beating a star studded field chasing him which included Tiger Woods. I've got to eat a little crow, because I never thought Phil had what it takes to go toe to toe with Tiger. But Phil has won the last 2 majors, 3 out of the last 9, and a rivalry is possibly finally brewing here. I still want to see Tiger's "A" game, which clearly wasn't there this weekend, but Phil's confidence has to be growing which is only going to make him better. People who watch golf know that Tiger is at his best when he is playing conservative, because his conservative game is better than anyone's aggressive game. When he takes chances, most good golf courses usually burn him.
This weekend was a case where surprisingly his putter let him down.

As far as sleepers, my two biggest sleepers weren't in contention, although Luke Donald did make the cut. Next major: US Open in June.

NBA - Derreck Sura

- Philadelphia salvaged a terrible week (1-3) with a shellacking of Chicago on Saturday night. That win lifted the Sixers (35-41) into a tie for the 8th spot in the East, but the Bulls hold the tiebreaker, so Philly is on the outside looking in as of this morning.

From what I saw out of the Sixers this past week they certainly seem to be mailing it in, but there is still a faint glimmer of hope. Philly faces Washington, @New Jersey, @Miami & @Orlando (back to back) this week. The Sixers could very easily go 0-4 over that stretch and make many Philly fans happy by missing the playoffs.

- Playoff race breakdown's.....

EAST

1. Detroit (62-15) - Cle, @Tor, NY & @Mil (b2b), Wsh
The Pistons already have the Eastern Conference wrapped up, and unless they totally fall apart, the best record in the league too. All year long everyone in the Detroit organization has said their goal was to get home court throughout the playoffs. Mission accomplished.

2. Miami (50-27) - Tor, Phl, Chi, @Atl & @Bos (b2b)
The Heat have clinched the Southeast Division, but still have some work left to do to wrap up the second seed in the East. Miami has been struggling with injuries lately, but should have no problem beating everyone remaining on their schedule.

3. New Jersey (47-29) - @Chi & Phl (b2b), @Bos, Bos, @Phl & NY (b2b)
The Nets are the Atlantic Division champs and one of the hottest teams in the league. Their schedule is tougher then the Heat's, but with the way each club has been playing lately, NJ has to be given a legitimate chance to end up at #2.

4. Cleveland (46-30) - @NO/OKC, @Det & NY (b2b), @Wsh & @Bos (b2b), Atl
The Cavaliers have locked up a playoff berth and the 4th seed. Coach Mike Brown needs to use this time to work Larry Hughes back in to the lineup and settle on his post season rotation. I can't wait to see LeBron James in playoff action for the first time!

5. Washington (39-37) - @Phl, @Mil, @Chi, Cle, Mil & @Det (b2b)
The Wizards have an awfully tough finishing stretch, but they are playing better then all the teams below them (which isn't saying much). Look for Washington to be the fifth seed and set up the Larry Hughes reunion series in the first round.

6. Milwaukee (37-40) - Wsh, @NY & Atl (b2b), Det & @Wsh (b2b)
With two games left against the Wiz it's possible that the Bucks leap frog Washington in the standings, but not likely. Milwaukee is having chemistry problems at the wrong time of the year, and if coach Terry Stotts can't right the ship, he could be thrown overboard after the season.

7. Indiana (36-40) -NY, Bos, Min & @Chr (b2b), @Tor, Orl
The Pacers have a seemingly easy road to finish up, but not with the way they are playing. It's hard to believe, but coach Rick Carlisle seems to have lost this team. Indy is in need of a major shake up after the season because they have too much talent to be this bad.

8. Chicago (35-41) - NJ & @Atl (b2b), Wsh, @Mia & @Orl (b2b), Tor
What separates the Bulls from the teams below them is their defense (#1 in defensive field goal percentage at 42.8%). While Chicago is the favorite to get swept by Detroit in round one, I don't expect them to run away and hide from the competition because their schedule is pretty tough.

Philadelphia (35-41) -Wsh, @NJ, @Mia & @Orl (b2b), NJ & @Chr (b2b)
The Sixers are floundering around like a wounded animal begging to be put out of it's misery these days. The schedule maker was not kind to Philly with that finishing stretch either. The only "gimmie" the Sixers have remaining is against the Bobcats on the final day of the season, which will probably be too late to matter.

Orlando (32-44) - Atl, Tor & @SA (b2b), Phl, Chi, @Ind
The Magic are playing their best ball of the season at the right time, but it may be too little too late. What helps Orlando's cause is that they play Philly and Chicago once more at home. If the season was
one week longer, I'd really like the Magic's chances. As is, I'm still not ready to count them out.

Boston (32-45) - @Ind, NJ, @NJ & Cle (b2b), Mia
It's hard to believe that the Celtics are still alive, but that goes to show you how bad the East is. Boston won't be favored in any of their remaining games, so they will need the teams above them to totally collapse to make it. I guess anything's possible in the East.

WEST

1. San Antonio (59-18) - Sea, Orl, @Min & Uth (b2b), @Hou
The Spurs' patented late season push has not materialized this year, and SA is looking surprisingly vulnerable right now. Beating the Rockets on the final day of the season will be very important if SA ends up tied with Dallas (they split the season series and division record is the second tiebreaker).

2. Phoenix (50-26) - @Sac, Dal & @GS (b2b), @LAL & NO/OKC (b2b), @Por
The Suns have clinched a playoff berth and will win the Pacific Division barring a total implosion. All is not well in Phoenix right now though. Ever since Amare Stoudemire's failed comeback, something has been off with the Suns. It's up to GM/coach Mike D'Antoni to figure out what it is and fix it quickly.

3. Denver (43-34) - @Por, @Uth, Sac, Hou, @Sea
The Nuggets are going to win the Northwest Division almost by default. Denver looks likely to get the third seed and start the post season on the road. The Nugs need to win the rest of their games and hope that either the Clippers or Memphis falters down the stretch to have a chance at home court in the first round.

4. Dallas (58-19) - @LAC, @GS & @Phx (b2b), Uth, LAC
Losing Keith Van Horn for the year with a broken right hand is a big blow to the Mavericks' depth. KVH was Dirk Nowitzki's primary back up at PF, and Dallas really doesn't have anyone to replace what KVH brings (or another backup PF for that matter). The Mavs will almost certainly have to win out to win the West.

5. Clippers (44-32) - Dal (b2b), Por, @Sea, Sea, @Mem & @Dal (b2b)
Los Angeles is hard team to figure out. One game they look great, and the next terrible. Defense is the Clips one constant though. LA has a great inside outside attack on offense when things are going well too. The Clips have a tough road the rest of the way, and their game in Memphis on 4/18 could decide who winds up fifth.

6. Memphis (44-33) - Min & @Chr (b2b), @Hou, LAC & @Min (b2b)
I'm not sure there's a good team flying more under the radar then the Grizzlies. Coach Mike Fratello has had them playing playoff style ball all year long, and that should help them out down the stretch and on into the first round. Memphis' remaining schedule is pretty easy, so it wouldn't surprise me to see them finish up at #5.

7. Sacramento (41-37) - Phx, @Den & NO/OKC (b2b), Sea
The Kings are the proverbial "team that no one wants to play" right now. Since Ron Artest joined them Sacto is 23-13. They are just coming into their own chemistry wise and have not yet reached their full potential as a team. If I was a fan of the Phoenix Suns, I'd be concerned.

8. Lakers (41-37) - GS, Por, Phx, NO/OKC
The fact that Los Angeles is still in the playoff chase just goes to show you how great Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson are at their respective jobs. The Lakers have some pretty serious holes, but they are headed in the right direction. The game against the Hornets on the final day of the season could be HUGE.

Utah (37-39) - Hou, Den, @NO/OKC, @Dal & @SA (b2b), GS
Who knows how good the Jazz could have been if Carlos Boozer was healthy all year? Utah's closing schedule is brutal, but if coach Jerry Sloan sticks with his current starting lineup and rotation, and the team continues to get better, they still have an outside shot at #8.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City (37-39) - Cle, Sea, Uth, @Sac & @Phx (b2b), @LAL
I know there are no moral victories in professional sports, but the Hornets still being in contention has got to be the exception. Nobody thought this team was post season material in the pre-season. Nobody. However, I'm afraid that NO/OKC's three game road trip to close the year is going to be the end of their Cinderella story.


NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser

- Sorry I missed last week but there was just something I had to do. I took a trip to Los Angeles and tracked down the actor from the Red Roof Inn commercials that sings "mul-ti-tasking" and says "the chances of me working are...remote. HAHAHAHAHA". I tracked him down and bashed him the face with a frying pan. Words can't describe my hatred of that commercial. So now that that's out of my system it's hockey time.....

- Whoever Maple Leaf goalie Eddie Belfour's agent is, that guy makes Scott Boras look like a rank amateur. Belfour got himself a 3 year deal in July of 2004, a few months before the lockout was about to start. The contract paid Belfour a $2 million signing bonus to be paid in full at the time of the signing the contract. That's right, the Leafs paid Eddie "The Ego" $2 million for not playing in 2004 - 2005. But we're just getting started....Belfour made $4.56 million this year, that's $4.56 million for a 40 year old injury prone goalie. By the way Belfour had a crap season (22 W, 22 L, 3.29 GAA, 89.2 save %) and was put on the DL for back problems a few weeks ago, ending his season. Belfour is due to make $4.8 million next year but he'll most definitely be bought out for $1.52 million. Just to review, that's $3.52 million to NOT play hockey. But here's the kicker, when the Leafs buy him out it all counts against the cap. The salary, the buyout money, all of it. A Ranger-esque performance by the Leaf management.

- QUICK!! Name me 3 players on the Buffalo Sabres.....OK, 2 players. No, Dominick Hasek is on the Senators, try again. It ain't easy is it. But they play an amazing team system that's European in design and they just clinched their first playoff birth since 2001. I think they have a legitimate shot to win it all. (But Ed, you said before the season the Sabres wouldn't do anything) SHUT UP!! I know what I said, how was I supposed to know this loose knit band of renegades would take to the new NHL so well. Plus they're getting great goaltending from Martin Biron. (Wait, THEE Martin Biron? The kid the Flyers could have had for a roll of tape, a slurpee, and a pair of socks to be named later?) Yeah him. He's stopping everything now. Nobody wants to face the Sabres in the playoffs. Nobody.

- Two very significant retirements recently. The shocking retirement of Mark from all MTV Gauntlet and Inferno challenges stunned America. And the fact that MTV allowed it to happen with such little fan fare with the exception of the symbolic passing of the bandana to Derrick was equally shocking. MTV should have at least had a video compilation of Mark's challenge highlights with "Wind Beneath My Wings" playing in the background. Also, the Devils retired Ken Daneyko's number 3. First of all, Devils announcer Mike Emmrick should be hired by the league to emcee all major NHL events...the guy is that good. I hate the Devils but when I was listening to Emmrick he really made me care about Daneyko and the Devils. I forgot that when Daneyko got to the Devils how putrid the franchise was. Daneyko was there from the outhouse to the penthouse. Daneyko never wore another NHL sweater besides a Devils' sweater and he went out while lifting the Stanley Cup which is pretty storybook. After going over Daneyko's stats and some of the injuries he sustained Emmrick looked at the crowd and said "and he did it all for you". Perfect...and the crowd went insane. It was definitely a cool ceremony, in part because it was short and to the point, unlike the rambling, 'Is this close to being over?', self important-a-thon that was Mark Messier's Rangers number retirement ceremony.

- I found a cool website devoted to the worst owner in all of pro sports (Bill Giles?). No, Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz. It's www.wirtzsucks.com

- The owner of The United Hockey League's Danbury Trashers James Galante is in trouble with the FBI, IRS, and state police because of alleged ties to the mafia. As the name indicates Galante made his money in waste management, I'm not sure if you know who runs that business but I assure you it's not the Boy Scouts. 5 ex-Trasher players got subpoenas to testify against Galante and one of the people to get a subpoena was Brent Gretzky, brother of NHL coach John Torchetti. Just kidding, it's Wayne's brother. Who would have thought the Gretzky family would have so many links to the mob? Between Janet Jones, Wayne's best buddy Rick Tocchet, and his brother Brent, Wayne Gretzky is like Tom Hagen in the "Godfather".

- The Penguins announced that next year they will "re-retire" Mario Lemieux's number 66. They will redo the ceremony, re-lift the banner to the rafters, Lemieux will re-give a speech, and the Penguins will re-hope for a repeat of the last Lemieux retirement ceremony and the Penguins will get a re-sellout.

- Another mediocre week for the Flyers. Before I forget, wanna know what I'm good on? Announcers complaining about goalies playing well and then losing the game in a shoot out. It's part of the game now, it's not going anywhere, and the fans love it...GET USED TO IT!! So the Flyers lost to the Rangers in a shoot out 3 - 2 last Tuesday. It was a game the Flyers needed to be able to pass the Rangers and get home ice advantage in the playoffs and face the Devils in the first round. But they blew their chance. They did win 4 - 2 against the Sabres in Buffalo which was nice because it proved they could beat them. Then Saturday it all went down the toilet when they lost 5 - 2 to the Maple Leafs in a game in which the Flyers looked like they were chasing their tails. Oh, and Forsberg's groin is hurt again so he's in and out of the line up. I don't even know what to say....the Flyers have tons of talent, a good coach, but they are so inconsistant. Who knows, maybe they'll capture lightning in a bottle and make a major run in the playoffs but I doubt it.

- Quick note from Bada Boom Racing, Fort Seattle is running tomorrow in the 9th race at Philly Park. He has a very, very good chance in this race. Just putting it out there.