Hitting the Links: January 23rd

In today's edition, we learn that Kyrie Irving is sick, that Kevin Durant can dunk and that Joe Maddon cares a lot about his players. Enjoy.

On The Court:

• Kyrie Irving went full beast-mode, scoring 40 points in a variety of ways in Cleveland's 95-90 win over Boston.
• The Milwaukee Bucks topped the 76ers last night, 110-102. Really, all you need to see is this sick bounce pass from Monta Ellis. If ever there was ever a player who should attempt the behind-the-arc-to-the-opposite-block one-handed skip pass, it has to be Monta.
• In a battle of top teams in the West, the Thunder topped the Clippers 109-97. No one in L.A. was happy, not even the refs.
• Oh, and Kevin Durant did this.

Outside the Lines:

• Bless the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Manti Te'o Kiss Cam:

Via SoleCollector

MLB Transactions Round Up

The RS Freshmen take a look at the flurry of transactions that transpired in a busy weekend in the MLB.

The Nationals signed SP Dan Haren on December 7.

Dan Haren, SP – Washington Nationals – Signed, 1 year, $13 million

The Nationals signed Haren to add to an impressive rotation which already includes Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmerman. While Haren, 32, is certainly on the decline in his career, he should prove to be a capable replacement for Edwin Jackson. Back issues and a career-high ERA certainly hampered Haren's value after the Angels declined his option for 2013, but if Haren is anything like his 2008-2011 self (3.39 ERA, 1.11 WHIP), the Nationals may well have a bargain in an experienced NL pitcher who could excel in the back end of the rotation.

MLB Wild-Card Round Preview

Tomorrow, Major League Baseball's new expanded wild-card system will be unveiled, and the teams involved are a bit of a surprise. The Redshirt Freshmen will try to make some sense of the wild-card matchups after what has been a largely senseless 2012 season.

AL Wild-Card – Baltimore Orioles (93-69) @ Texas Rangers (93-69)

Quick Hits July 25: Manny and Hanley

Courtesy: US PRESSWIRE

Is it 2008 again? Because the déjà vu factor is through the roof for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Four years ago, LA was fighting for a playoff spot, but struggling on offense. They decided to make a move for an extremely talented offensive player, who was known to be a headache off the diamond. Fast forward, and the Dodgers have done the exact same thing.

In 2008 it was Manny Ramirez; in 2012 it’s Hanley Ramirez.

MLB First Third Review - NL Central

Chicago Cubs


MVP: Ryan Dempster


Dempster didn't get his first victory until June 5, which was in almost every case due to his team's horrific offence. With an excellent ERA (2.11) and WHIP (1.02), along with an opponent's batting average of 2.04, it's quite clear why Dempster is rumoured to be on the move to a contender before the deadline.

MLB First Third Review - NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks

MVP: Jason Kubel

One of the most under-the-radar moves this off-season was the Diamondback’s signing of Jason Kubel, While Kubel is not likely to reach his career-high numbers of 2009, he has proven to be the most valuable bat in Arizona’s lineup, out-performing the bigger names like Justin Upton and Miguel Montero.

Best Case Scenario:

The D-Backs have a lineup that should continue to put runs on the board. Between Kubel, Upton, Montero, Chris Young and the resurgent Aaron Hill, there’s enough power, contact and speed to remain in the hunt. It should, then, come down to pitching. Arizona needs Ian Kennedy, Trevor Cahill, and Daniel Hudson to improve.

Worst Case Scenario:

Upton continues to be nagged by injuries, Hill falls back into his 2010/ 2011 form, and the pitching continues to struggle. LA and San Francisco battle it out for the division.

Bottom Line:

Arizona is good enough to keep pace with the Dodgers and Giants. It really will come down to the D-Back’s rotation.

MLB First Third Review - NL East

Atlanta Braves

While his SB numbers are down, Bourn has remained the Braves' table-setter

MVP: Michael Bourn

Brandon Beachy is tearing it up for the Braves right now (literally: a tear in his elbow has ended his year). But, unlike most years, the Braves’ pitching staff as a whole is struggling. Meanwhile, the Braves are 3^rd in the NL in runs scored. Setting the table for the offense is leadoff hitter Michael Bourn. Known as a threat on the base-paths over the last few years, Bourn’s stolen base numbers are slightly down this year. Pretty much all of his other offensive numbers are up, however, and as long as he keeps getting on base at a reasonably good clip, he will continue to score a ton of runs.

MLB First Third Review - AL West

Los Angeles Angels

MVP: Mike Trout

Trout has a .341/.401/.541 line and 16 steals as the Angels' leadoff hitter

MLB First Third Review - AL Central

Chicago White Sox

MVP: Paul Konerko

Chris Sale deserves a shout out here. His WHIP is under 1.00, his ERA is under 3.00 (an AL-leading 2.30) and he is holding opponents to a batting average under .200. Those are ace numbers. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get the MVP for the ChiSox because Paul Konerko is playing out of his mind. He leads the team (and the AL) in batting average at .366, and is third in all of baseball with a 1.062 OPS. While the White Sox are playing well offensively as a whole, there is no doubt Konerko is sparking the whole thing.

MLB First Third Review - AL East

Baltimore Orioles (30-24; 2^nd)

MVP: Adam Jones

The Orioles’ surprising start owes a lot to their pitching staff, which currently sports the 4^th lowest team ERA in the American League. Why give the MVP to Jones then? In short, because he is the only regular player putting up consistent numbers. While the Orioles as a team rank near the middle of the AL in almost every offensive statistic (home runs aside), Jones is playing the best baseball of his career. Jones currently leads the team in runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, batting average and on-base percentage. Clearly, that contract extension was well-deserved.

Justin Verlander: Most Valuable Pitcher

Recently, on Bill Simmons' BS Report podcast, former Red Sox player Kevin Millar aired his belief that the MVP award should go to an everyday player. Millar's thinking was that pitchers already have the Cy Young Award, which should be enough.

In reality though, the award should go to the best player, the player most valuable to his team. As we head towards the playoffs, there is almost no doubt that the AL MVP is Justin Verlander.

Quick Hits: Sept. 17

(Editor's Note: As a diehard Yankees fan, this pains me to write)

If it's possible for a single game to be pivotal in a 162 game season, last night's Boston Red Sox 3-2 win fit the bill. In the midst of a dismal stretch, and with the Tampa Rays right on their heels, the BoSox got their ace, Josh Beckett, back from injury to provide the spark they needed. Beckett pitched a gritty 6 innings, throwing 7 strikeouts, and for the first time in what seems like months—and to the dismay of Red Sox haters across the universe—the bullpen actually held up.