WORLD SERIES BREAKDOWN: A METS FAN'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Tonight the most anticipated World Series in years will begin in the Bronx as the New York Yankees host the defending champion, Philadelphia Phillies. It isn't often that the World Series includes the two best teams in baseball, but that is the case this year. The Phillies feature an even better team that won the whole thing last year, and the Yankees showcase a team led by Alex Rodriguez who has finally put his postseason demons aside.

Here is my breakdown and prediction for the 105th edition of the Fall Classic:

Offense- Not many teams can say they have an offense on the level of the Yankees, but the Phillies can say just that. Of course you've heard of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollings, but their "role" players feature individuals who would be stars on other teams like Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino. Even catcher, Carlos Ruiz, has been a clutch performer in the last two postseasons. With that said, the Yankees have the hottest player on the planet in A-Rod. A-Rod should have been the ALCS MVP and has started to get Barry Bonds treatment. Mark Teixeira has been ice cold, but showed signs of heating up toward the end of the Angels series. He will play an impact in the World Series. And did I forget to mention Jeter, Damon, Matsui, Posada and Cano? Edge: Even

Bench- The Phillies don't have much on the pine, and in the AL park they'll insert either Ben Francisco or Matt Stairs into the lineup. The Yankees have added Eric Hinske back to the roster to go with Brett Gardner for speed, Jerry Hairston, and then they'll have Matsui on the pine when the series goes back to Philly. Edge: Yankees

Defense- You've heard about the Yankees powerful infield, but they are just as good with the glove. Everyone has seen the plays Jeter has made in the playoffs, but how about the glove of Teixeira? He didn't hit in the AL playoffs, but his glove may have won the Yankees a couple of games. He seems to have a gravitational pull in any inning where the opposition is threatening. Cano has tremendous range, and outside catching popups, A-Rod is as good as they get at third base. Their outfield is suspect and expect Girardi to use defensive replacements should the Yankees lead late. The Phillies boast a pretty good defense as well, and they might be better in the outfield than the Yankees. However, they have a couple of flaws. Utley has had trouble throwing the ball to first base, and even though Howard has improved big time at first, he is no Mark Teixeira. Edge: Yankees

Starting Pitching- The CC Sabathia/Cliff Lee matchup in Game 1 is perhaps one of the best matchups in recent World Series memories. They have both performed like top flight aces as they certainly are. I would say in normal situations that the Phillies have the next best starter in Cole Hamels, but he is having a big-time off year. Therefore, the next best pitcher is Andy Pettitte. He has been huge this postseason. Then it is anyone's guess with A.J. Burnett and Hamels. I'm worried about Pedro Martinez in Game 2 for the Phillies. I know Charlie Manuel is banking on his experience, but I would have started lefty J.A. Happ. The Yankees rotation is clearly deeper and they have the one starter who has proven he can pitch well on short rest in Sabathia. Edge: Yankees

Relief Pitching- Mariano... enough said? Everyone else in both pens are major wildcards. Edge: Yankees

Manager- I have never been a fan of Charlie Manuel, but give him credit for creating an atmosphere that has allowed his Phillies to be successful. Other than that, I have always scratched my head at some of the moves he's made. Joe Girardi on the other hand has had a questionable postseason. I think critics have been too tough on him as most of his moves have worked. I was puzzled by Alfredo Aveces in Game 2 vs. the Angels, and his pinch-running of A-Rod in Game 5. I think Girardi is the better manager, but I think Manuel has a better feel for his team at the moment. Edge: Even

Intangibles- Now, I've given all the edges to the Yankees, but other than in the bullpen they are slight, slight edges. The Phillies are a damn good team that has found ways to win this entire postseason. Whether it was Game 4 vs. Colorado or Game 4 vs. Los Angeles, this team is NEVER out of a game. On the other hand, the Yankees have an extra home game and have already developed some magic in their new park. They simply don't lose there. However, I think since this Phillies team has won and is such a cohesive group, I will give them the edge here. Edge: Phillies

Pick- Phillies in 7; It is hard to see the Yankees losing a clinching game in their building, but if any team can do it it is Philadelphia. I will pick the champs to repeat!

MVP- Jayson Werth

Pat Morgan

ANOTHER POST ABOUT TERRELL OWENS

Well, since we have some whiners on the issue of the Jets, I might as well start my mini comeback with a post that is most relevant to myself. And there is no where better than to start with T.O. and the Buffalo Bills.

As of this second, the top story on Yahoo! Sports (NFL) is how terrible T.O. has been on the Bills. You can check that out right here because I don't think I really want to go into that dialogue right now. Instead, I'd like to discuss the idea behind the article on the Shutdown Corner. Instead of bashing T.O., which is so easy to do, it actually talks about how T.O. is finally being the bigger man. Has anyone heard him mouthing off about his horrible situation in Buffalo? I haven't heard anything, but then again, I don't watch his show either.

Anyway, the point is, is that maybe T.O. isn't the nightmare everyone made him out to be. I mean, I wouldn't be bragging either about being on the Bills, and I'm a loyal fan. However, he hasn't said anything bad about the team either, which apparently is unlike his usual self. The Bills suck, and T.O. is basically going down with a sinking ship.

So can you really blame a above average athlete for this? I honestly think, watching the past 6 games, that T.O. can't prove himself because the rest of the team has to perform on his level. I'm sorry to say this, but even Romo and the younger Manning can throw a mean football. Yes, wide receivers tend to make their QBs look good. But it can be the other way around as well. If Edwards could throw good passes to T.O., I think that his numbers would be higher. Yes, T.O. has dropped many balls, and that makes him look bad. But if we look at his stats from last season on Dallas, with this season on Buffalo, I am going to venture that he probably dropped as many footballs with Dallas. It just seems like a ridiculous amount because he isn't catching as many balls as he's used to, or we the fans are used to. I think T.O. is starting to give up because he is not thrown to as much as he would like (or fans would like), and he is on a losing team.

When T.O. signed up to be a part of the Buffalo franchise, there were mixed reactions. One of the reactions was how T.O. was going to turn the Bills around. That's a fine hope, but now matter what, there is no way one player on an entire football team is going to be able to change the course of the team. Sorry Brady fans, but that is a fact. You need multiple high performing players to be able to win games. The reason the 90's Bills (and I mean the early nineties) were so good was because they had multiple high performing players: Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, etc etc. So yes, T.O. could help with the performance of the team, but it's more for morale, and more for the fan morale. If the Buffalo Bills were able to sign a high performing QB who was not fickle in his throwing ability, and add some more really good players to help Schobel and McGee with defense, maybe there could be some signs of improvement. But until then, the Bills and their fans are going to have to live with the fact that T.O. is not a god and can't change the outcomes without some help.

Jaclyn Kahn

WHY SHOULD WE EVEN BELIEVE?

Has there been a team in the NFL that has taken their fans on more in season roller coaster rides than the Jets? Anytime they give their fans the belief they've risen toward the top of the league they come crashing down and lose to the dregs of the NFL. They are physically incapible of handling any kind of prosperity! Whenever they look like they have a shot to do something special they find ways to choke it up. This year, last year, Al Groh's year, Parcells's first year, Carroll's year, and even a couple of those Herman Edwards's teams had no business getting in the playoffs after fast starts. At least I didn't have to deal with the 1986 team that went 10-1 and then crumbled to the earth. The roller coaster ride within the 1998 AFC Championship is symbolic of this team over the last couple decades. They were up 10-0 playing stellar ball early in the 3rd quarter when the wheels came off. They turned it over 6 times and allowed the Broncos to storm up and down the field to a 23-10 win.

Can't we have one year where when we think we're good, we are actually good and do something with our season? One year?

Since 1986, the Jets have had several meltdowns in which if they made the playoffs they brokes our hearts there:

1986- Start 10-1, Finish 10-6; Blow 20-10 4th quarter lead and lose 23-20 in OT to Cleveland in the divisional round

1987- Start 6-5, Finish 6-9; Miss playoffs

1991- Start 7-5, Finish 8-8; Lose 17-10 to Houston in the wildcard round

1993- Start 8-5, Finish 8-8; Miss playoffs

1994- Start 6-5, Finish 6-10; Miss playoffs

1997- Start 8-4, Finish 9-7; Miss playoffs due to that heartbreaking Wk 17 loss to Detroit

1998- 12-4; Legit team that could have won it all, but lost that AFC championship heartbreaker
to Denver 23-10 after leading 10-0 in the 3rd quarter. Team didn't get a chance to respond in 1999 as Vinny Testaverde was lost for the season in Week 1.

2000- Start 9-4, Finish 9-7; Miss playoffs

2001- Start 7-3, Finish 10-6; Lose 38-24 to Oakland in wildcard round.

2004- Start 9-3, Finish 10-6; Lose 20-17 in OT to Pittsburgh in the divisional round. Doug Brien misses 2 FGs late that would have advanced the Jets to the next round.

2008- Start 8-3, Finish 9-7; Miss playoffs

2009- Start 3-0, Currently 3-3; Ugh...

Pat Morgan

LEE, PHILLIES DOMINANT IN GAME 1 WIN

Cliff Lee was acquired for this very game.

And he delivered.

The southpaw tossed a complete game, struck out five and didn't walk a batter as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-1 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park.

Lee, the former Cleveland Indian, was traded to Philadelphia on July 29th and has been everything the Phillies could have asked for. During the regular season, Lee was 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA with the Phillies and has been an integral part of the team's sucess in the second half. The struggles of the bullpen have been a concern for the Phillies, which makes it even more important that the starters go deep into these postseason games. Lee did just that on Wednesday in the first postseason game of his career.

Colorado managed to put a run on the board in the ninth after Lee had shut them out for the first 8 2/3 innings. Troy Tulowitzki's double to right field scored Carlos Gonzalez and broke up the shutout bid.

Early on, it appeared Lee would have no room for error as Rockies' ace Ubaldo Jimenez was excellent as well for the first four innings, but was finally touched up in the fifth after struggling with his control. After walking Jayson Werth, fan favorite Raul Ibanez lined a double past Todd Helton and down the right field line. Werth scored easily and the Phillies led 1-0. After a groundout by Pedro Feliz moved Ibanez to third, Carlos Ruiz ended a long at-bat by knocking an RBI single into right. The ball bounced past the right fielder Gonzalez, allowing Ruiz to reach second base on the play. Jimenez was able to limit the damage after a 30-plus pitch inning and the Phillies led 2-0.

Jimenez didn't last much longer. He was knocked out of the game in the sixth inning after an RBI double off the right field wall by Ryan Howard, and an RBI triple off the bat of Werth made the score 4-0. Jimenez was relieved by Joe Beimel, who didn't do much better. On the second pitch Beimel delivered, Ibanez placed a single into right, scoring Werth and closing the books on Jimenez's day. The talented right-hander went 5-plus innings, giving up five earned runs on nine hits, while striking out three.

The Rockies overcame two bad calls early on in the game. The first one cut short a Colorado rally in the top of the second inning. After Yorvit Torreabla led off the second inning with a double, Brad Hawpe flied out to shallow center. Trying to make something happen, Torreabla then tagged up on a Clint Barmes flyout to right, but was gunned down at third. As soon as the play was over, Torreabla was in disagreement with the call. Replay would later show that the umpire had blown the call.

The second questionable call came on a pick off play by Jimenez in the bottom of the third. Lee, who had inexcusably stolen second base on the previous pitch, appeared to be picked off, but the umpire saw something different and called him safe. Colorado manager Jim Tracy came out to argue, obviously perturbed by the second straight call to go against his club.

The Phillies, who were swept by the Rockies in the 2007 NLDS, give the ball to Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32ERA) for Game 2. The left-hander is the reigning World Series MVP, but hasn't had one of his better seasons. He can put that all behind him with a solid start Thursday afternoon. Colorado will counter with Aaron Cook (11-6, 4.16 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 2:37 EDT.

Shawn Marosek

UNBELIEVABLE HS FOOTBALL MISTAKE!

Watch the first 2:30 of this video. I don't think that kid will ever be the same.

CAPITALS DEFEAT BRUINS IN SEASON OPENER

Alexander Ovechkin and Brooks Laich had two goals apiece and Jose Theodore stopped 19 of 20 shots as the Washington Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 Thursday night. Boston, who plays their first five games at home this season, didn't give the crowd much to cheer about as they fell behind in the first period and was never able to recover. Niklas Backstrom had two assists, both on Ovechkin's goals.

The Bruins were still within striking distance to begin the third period. Down only 2-0, Boston soon found themselves in a lopsided affair as Laich scored his second goal only 16 seconds into the period. Ovechkin followed with his second tally 1:41 later to make it 4-0.

Peter Bergeron put in the only goal for Boston 7:56 into the final stanza. It was the only bright spot for the Bruins, who look to rebound against Carolina at home Saturday night. The Capitals will also return to the ice Saturday with a game versus the Maple Leafs.

CANADIENS 4 MAPLE LEAFS 3

Josh Gorges scored with only ten seconds left in overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a season-opening 4-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Despite being outshot 46-27, the Canadiens were able to battle back from a 3-2 deficit in the third period. Glen Metropolit tied the game 15:50 into the final frame with assists from Gorges and Paul Mara.

It looked as if the game was going to go to a shootout, but Gorges was able to beat Toronto goaltender Vesa Toskala, which sent everybody home. A good portion of the crowd cheered the goal, despite Montreal being on the road. The all-Canada battle didn't disappoint those who attended on opening night.

Shawn Marosek

WEEK 4 IN THE NATIONAL... FOOTBALL... LEAGUE

Here are my picks for Week 3 in the NFL. Enjoy the old NBC NFL Theme.

Last Week: 12-4

This Season: 22-10

LIONS @ BEARS

Jay Cutler and the Bears will bring the Lions back to earth after Detroit's first win since 2007. This will be a letdown game for the Lions. My Prediction: Bears 19 Detroit 6

BENGALS @ BROWNS

Eric Mangini is feeling the heat already in Cleveland. After another loss this weekend, it won't get any easier for the head coach. My Prediction: Bengals 27 Browns 10

RAIDERS @ TEXANS

It's hard to figure out this Houston team. They lay an egg the first week, come out flying against Tennessee then lose to the Jaguars. Which Houston team shows up this week?
My Prediction: Texans 23 Raiders 7

SEAHAWKS @ COLTS

No Matt Hasslebeck for Seattle means another one in the loss column. Peyton Manning and the Colts should have no problem at home. My Prediction: Colts 31 Seahawks 20

TITANS @ JAGUARS

The Titans are the best 0-3 team I have ever seen. They gave the Jets all they could handle last week and if it wasn't for two special teams fumbles, it might have been a different outcome. The Jaguars notched their first win last week against a divisional opponent in Houston. It won't be two in row for Jacksonville. My Prediction: Tennessee 24 Jaguars 17

GIANTS @ CHIEFS

The Giants just keep on rolling and will continue to do so against the Chiefs. Eli Manning throws for three touchdowns in a victory for New York. My Prediction: Giants 34 Chiefs 13

RAVENS @ PATRIOTS

New England hosts another solid opponent and last week I went against Bill Bellichick and the Patriots. Yes, the Ravens appear to be a better team than the Falcons, but I'm not going to make the same mistake again. My Prediction: Patriots 30 Ravens 25

BUCCANEERS @ REDSKINS

Redskins head coach Jim Zorn is feeling the heat after losing to the Lions last Sunday. They have looked dreadful the past two games, even though they beat the Rams in Week 2. A loss at the hands of a terrible Buccaneers team might be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
My Prediction: Redskins 14 Bucs 6

BILLS @ DOLPHINS

Two AFC East rivals clash in Miami as both are looking to get on track. Both teams are a combined 1-5 and are looking up at the Patriots and Jets in the division. Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington is out for the season and it's up to Chad Henne to lead the team. Despite being on the road, the Bills should handle the Dolphins this weekend.
My Prediction: Bills 24 Dolphins 16

JETS @ SAINTS

This is a battle of a great offense against a great defense. Which one prevails this Sunday in New Orleans? Drew Brees and the Saints offense was contained by Buffalo for much of their game last weekend, which makes me believe the Jets can do the same thing if not more.
My Prediction: Jets 27 Saints 24

COWBOYS @ BRONCOS

The Cowboys finally got their first home victory in their new building, but now they go on the road for a matchup with the undefeated Broncos. I don't believe this Denver team is for real. They got lucky against the Bengals and haven't played a difficult schedule by any means. The Cowboys' rushing attack has been great all season and should continue to be effective.
My Prediction: Cowboys 23 Broncos 14

RAMS @ 49ERS

San Francisco lost a very tough game last week to Minnesota thanks to some Brett Favre heroics. This week, the 49ers take on a Rams team that might be worse than last year's team. San Francisco was one play away from 3-0 and look for them to be still a little angry about last Sunday's result. My Prediction: 49ers 31 Rams 10

CHARGERS @ STEELERS

Who would have guessed that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be 1-2 heading into Week 4? After a disappointing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers look to improve on defense. However, they have to face a talented offensive team in San Diego. If this game was played out west, then I would give the edge to the Chargers. This Sunday's game happens to be in Pittsburgh, which makes me believe the Steelers will come out on top.
My Prediction: Steelers 20 Chargers 13

PACKERS @ VIKINGS

When Brett Favre signed with the Vikings during the summer, this game was circled immediately on many people's calendars. Finally, the matchup of Favre vs. Aaron Rodgers will take place at the Metrodome. Everyone knows how badly Favre wants to beat his former team and I think he and the Vikings will get it done. My Prediction: Vikings 26 Packers 17

Enjoy the games!

Shawn Marosek