Yankees Offense Carries Them To Victory

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 10th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 11 Royals 6

The Yankees after a lack of offense in Colorado looked like a completely different team in Kansas City in the win over the Royals, as they scored more runs on Friday night than the entire series in Colorado. The win moves the Yankees to (21-13), and they still hold a slight lead for first place in the AL East.

Phil Hughes was pitching very well coming in to this start, but Friday Hughes wasn’t at his best, but with run support he was able to pick up his second win of the season. Hughes went 5.2 innings allowing six runs on seven hits, and two walks. The long ball hurt Hughes in this one, as he gave up two homeruns to Jarrod Dyson in the second inning, and then Mike Moustakas in the sixth.

What Impact Does An Amar'e Return Have on Knicks?

Chris Young/AP

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Game 3 Saturday night between the Knicks and Pacers will be an important one as the series is tied at one game apiece and the winner of Game 3 in that scenario more often than not goes on to win the series.  The Knicks will be getting a boost and some help for Game 3 in the form of Amar’e Stoudemire.

Stoudemire will be making his second return from injury this season and could not have come at a better time for the Knicks.  The Knicks have watched J.R. Smith struggle mightily since his one-game suspension for elbowing the Celtics’ Jason Terry so having Stoudemire in the lineup is another player more than capable of picking up the scoring slack.

Yankees Take Rubber Game in Colorado

newyork.yankees.mlb.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 9th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 3 Rockies 1

The New York Yankees were able to finish up their series in Colorado on a high-note by taking the rubber game of the three game series. The win moves the Yankees into first place in the AL East with a (20-13) record, which is a few percentage points ahead of the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

C.C Sabathia got the start for the Yankees, but due to a lengthy rain delay of two hours Sabathia’s start was cut short. He ended up going four innings allowing only one run on one hit, and a walk. Sabathia did look good in his four innings of work, but the velocity is still a big question, as his fastball only topped out at 91 MPH.

Knicks Dominate Game 2 in Blowout Fashion

Jason Szenes/EPA

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Monday, May 7^th, 2013

Game 2 Post Game Recap

Final Score: Indiana Pacers: 79 New York Knicks: 105

The Knicks and Pacers are now playing a best of five series as a revived Knicks team came out and blew the doors off of the Pacers in a must win Game 2.  Improved effort in every aspect of the game, especially on defense and executing the offense led to a victory tonight.  The Knicks could not afford to go down 0-2 heading to Indiana for games 3 and 4 and they played like it tonight, looking like a team that would win at no costs.  Iman Shumpert said that the Knicks played pissed off, something they should do the rest of the series if the results will be like Game 2.

-Positives

Wells Carries Yankees Past Rockies

northjersey.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 8th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 3 Rockies 2

The New York Yankees were able to snap their two game losing streak on Wednesday night in Colorado against the Rockies a day after being shutout. The offense wasn’t great, but with enough good pitching the Yankees got the win and move to (19-13) on the season.

David Phelps got the start for the Yankees, and with Ivan Nova on the disabled list, Phelps has a chance to prove that he should be the fifth starter in the rotation. Phelps came out with a strong out against a good Rockies lineup in the no decision. He went six innings allowing just two runs on three hits, and one walk. The only mistake for Phelps came in the second inning, when he allowed a two-run homerun to Todd Helton.

Yankees Get Shutout in Colorado

espn.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 7th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 0 Rockies 2

The New York Yankees first inter-league road game of the season didn’t go so well for the Bronx Bombers, as they lost their second straight game. The loss puts the Yankees at (18-13), and (6-6) on the road.

Hiroki Kuroda gave the Yankees a very good start, but the offense let him down. Kuroda picked up his second loss of the season despite pitching very well. He went seven innings allowing two runs on seven hits, and one walk. The one blunder that Kuroda had was that he allowed a two-run homerun to Carlos Gonzalez in sixth inning, which were the only runs of the game.

NHL '13 Simulation: Crosby's OT Winner Gives Pens A 3-1 Lead

Sorry for the late post but to make it quick, the Penguins Sidney Crosby netted the game winning goal in overtime for a 3-2 victory. Paul Martin's pass deflected off a defenseman's stkate and right to Sidney in front of the Islander net.

The Islanders lost a 2-0 lead again and are now facing elimination going back to Pittsburgh.

So far this NHL '13 simulation has picked the correct winner in all three games, so right now it is looking like the Pens will take a 3-1 series lead.

Hopefully the Islanders can prove the game wrong and tie this series with a strong effort tonite.


Final Score: Pittsburgh 3, Islanders 2 OT

MLB Power Rankings: Week 5

zimbio.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

 MLB Power Rankings Week 5

The month of April is over, and some things are starting to shape up in the majors, as teams head into the important month of May. 

1.) Texas Rangers (20-11) - The Rangers have taken the top spot in the Power Rankings, as their pitching has been fantastic. They have given up the least amount of runs in the majors, and that is a major reason they are tied for the best record in baseball.

2.) St Louis Cardinals (20-11) - The Cardinals might be the hottest team in baseball, winning six straight games, and now sitting atop the NL Central. They have played 19 road games already, and are an impressive (13-6).

3.) Boston Red Sox (20-11) - The Red Sox are rolling still behind great pitching from Clay Buchholz, who has six wins already, and the return of David Ortiz has given the lineup a big boost.

Yankees Lose Rubber Game in Series with Athletics

photos.nj.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 5th, 2013

Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Athletics 5 Yankees 4

The New York Yankees were unable to finish the first week of May on a positive note, as they lost the series to the Oakland Athletics three to two. The 10 game home-stand was a good one however for the Yankees, as they finished with a record of (7-3).

Yankees Starter Andy Pettitte coming off one of the worst starts of his career was better in this game than his previous start, but still not where he should be. Pettitte went just five innings, while allowing four runs on four hits, and four walks. Controlling the fastball was an issue for Pettitte, as he had to work out of the stretch most of the game. He gave up two homeruns, the first a solo shot to Luke Montz, and the second a two-run shot to Yoenis Cespedes. Pettitte did factor in the decision though, as the Yankees offense was able to rally in the sixth inning.

Knicks Stifled by Pacers, Take Game 1

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Sunday, May 5^th, 2013

Game 1 Post Game Recap

Final Score: Indiana Pacers: 102 New York Pacers: 95

Knicks Stifled by Pacers, Take Game 1

If Game 1 is any indication of how this series is going to play out, it will be a long one for the Knicks.  Game 1 brought about a lot of disappointment for the Knicks and their fans as a series opening lost gives the Knicks two straight losses at Madison Square Garden and a deficit in the playoffs for the first time this season.  The last four games for the Knicks have not been very impressive as the offense and defense have both diminished at the same time. The Pacers played an impressive game, stifling the Knicks offense and stopping all of the runs they went on with timely baskets.  The Knicks will look to get their act together Tuesday night back at Madison Square Garden when they take on the Pacers in Game 2 of their series.

-Positives

• Raymond Felton played another good game for the Knicks, something he has done consistently throughout the playoffs.  The pick-and-roll was defended well this afternoon by the Pacers but Felton still found a way to cause some problems for the Pacer defense, scoring 18 points on eight of 12 shooting from the field.  Felton would add two rebounds and three assists and an important zero in the turnover column; something that is important because of how well the Pacers play defense.  The only problem was Felton was rendered basically useless in the second half and not because of the Pacers defense, instead his own team as Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith became the primary ball handlers and Felton fell into the background, taking only four shots in the second half.

• Iman Shumpert once is being placed in a difficult matchup but is showing once again no task is too tall for him to climb.  Shumpert was matched up this afternoon and most likely for a big portion of the series against 6’10” Paul George, the do-it all small forward for the Pacers.  Shumpert is at a distinct size advantage but holds his own on the defensive end.  Today he held George to five of 14 shooting, five rebounds and four assists.  Shumpert had his struggles on the offensive end, going four of 11 from the field but realistically he is on the court and that is what he delivered today; any offense he gives the Knicks is an added bonus.

• Chris Copeland only played eight minutes but he showed confidence and deserves some more run, especially in a series that offense may be hard to come by.  He scored six points in his time on the court, knocking down two three pointers and also playing some good defense, causing a turnover on one occasion by Ian Mahinmi.  Copeland should have a chance to play again in Game 2 as Steve Novak back is acting up and Amar’e Stoudemire is still at least another game away.

-Negatives

• This was a tough one to watch as a Knicks fan and a reason for that was the domination of the Knicks in the paint by the Pacers.  The Pacers owned the paint, outrebounding the Knicks 44-30 and outscoring them 46-32 in there as well.  The Knicks had a tough night competing with the size of the Pacers frontline of Roy Hibbert and David West and struggled to keep the Pacer’s guards in check as well.  The starting backcourt of Lance Stephenson and George Hill combined for 20 rebounds, 11 more than the Knicks guards Felton, Pablo Prigioni, J.R. Smith and Jason Kidd combined.

• The offense for the Knicks was abysmal throughout the afternoon in large part because their top guys Anthony and Smith struggled so much. The two combined to go 14 of 43 from the field, a number that is too low for the Knicks to overcome against a team as talented as the Pacers.  On the night the Knicks shot 35 of 81 from the field, good for only 43.2 percent and a decent 36.8 percent from deep, going seven of 19.  The Knicks were unable to compete with the size of the Pacers, as Hibbert and West swatted away plenty of Knicks attempts near the rim, blocking seven shots combined and causing plenty of missed shots.  The Knicks had trouble running their pick-and-roll offense as well, resulting in a number of tough contested jump shots that just did not fall.

• Jason Kidd went scoreless for the fifth straight game and is finally starting to show his age on the court.  Kidd is not having the same impact he had earlier in the season, as teams are no longer even guarding him when the Knicks are on offense, leading to teams loading up on the likes of Anthony and Smith.  Kidd is also being exposed on the defensive end, especially tonight against the younger explosive Pacer guards, as Stephenson and Hill blew by Kidd at will.  Kidd offered little resistance and threw the Knicks rotations out of whack as they had to recover for his inefficiencies.  Stephenson put on a show in his return to Madison Square Garden, a place he has been playing and dominating at since high school, scoring 11 points in addition to his 13 rebounds, adding three assists and three steals as well.  Stephenson is a player that could have easily been on the other bench in this series, as the Knicks had a chance to draft him in 2011 with one of their two second round picks but elected to waste the first on Andy Rautins and elect Landry Fields with the second.

• Mike Woodson needs to start abiding by the accountability that he preaches to his players.  Woodson once again had some questionable rotation decision tonight and will have to break his stubborn streak if the Knicks want to win this series.  He needs to realize that Kidd does not fit this scheme to beat the Pacers and give run to the likes of Shumpert and Pablo Prigioni.  A coach who is admittedly bias to veterans should actually use the one who will help in Marcus Camby.  As the Pacers decimated the Knicks in the paint the defensive minded Camby sat on the bench and watched idly as Anthony got into foul trouble attempting to guard David West and Chandler got dominated by Hibbert. 

• Chandler needs to step his game up if the Knicks are to win this series.  He started the Celtics series slow so hopefully he gets it together like he did against them because the Knicks are going nowhere fast without a productive Chandler.  He is the heart and soul of the Knicks defense and is their anchor; he did not win Defensive Player of the Year for nothing.  Hopefully that Chandler shows up in Game 2 and the remainder of the playoffs and not the one we saw tonight, who was beat handily by Hibbert.  

Week in Review with Kenny and Nick: May 5th, 2013

Everyone's favorite radio hosts are back with the newest edition of the Week in Review on the Bob Sullivan Show (@BobSullivanShow).  Kenny (@teapester725) and Nick (@ziggy26x) discuss a wide range of topics including the Tim Tebow experiment ending with the Jets and some future prospects of the quarterback position and team roster in general.  Afterwards they dabble in baseball discussing their surprises and disappointments of the first month of the season.  Finally they breakdown a disappointing Game 1 for the Knicks and the rest of the second round match-ups while giving their opinions on the first round and playoffs all together.  Don't forget the that Nick will give his speech for the award be won earlier in the week. Want to find out what that award was and what Kenny and Nick think of the world of sports this week? Tune in to the link below and listening in to the Best Looking Radio Show.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-bob-sullivan-show/2013/05/06/week-in-review-with-kenny-and-nick

NHL '13 Simulation: Pens Blank Isles To Take 2-1 Series Lead

The Islanders stunned the Penguins in Game 2 of their quarter-finals match-up with a 4-3 comeback win capped off by Kyle Okposo's goal to break a 3-3 tie in third period. With the series tied 1-1, the Islanders will have a chance to take a 2-1 series lead in front of their home crowd, which should be roaring, on Sunday afternoon.

NHL '13 has been correct so far with who will win the first two games, with the goal totals being off for the Islanders. Hopefully for Islander fans today's Game 3 will have a different outcome than NHL '13's simulation.

After a quiet first period that saw minimal chances for either team, the Penguins struck first at 5:35 of the second period. Chris Kunitz was left wide open in front of Nabakov and James Neal found him to give the Pens a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later Travis Hamonic was called for interference, and Pittsburgh made the Islanders pay. Chris Kunitz netted his second goal of the game when he beat Nabakov short side on a 2-on-1. The Islanders offense was almost non-existent in Game 3, and when they had their chance all they heard was a ping. Matt Moulson broke in on Marc-Andre Fleury and snapped a shot past Fleury, but off the post.

The Islanders were shut down the rest of the game, and Matt Cooke added an empty net goal to seal the 3-0 victory, and Fleury another shutout.

The Islanders will have to look to re-group and even the series in Game 4.

Three Stars:

3rd Star: Matt Cooke- 1G, 0A

2nd Star: Marc-Andre Fleury- 15 saves, 0 GA

1st Star: Chris Kunitz- 2G, 0A