Fantasy Sports Outlook

We all knew it was inevitable, it was just a matter of when. I've been a Raiders fan for a lot of year's and with that comes an admiration for what Al Davis has done with the franchise during that time.

I remember the first time I saw the Raiders logo, driving past the Coliseum with my Dad and seeing this pirate head that totally mesmerized me. When I asked my Dad what it was he told me it was the logo for that “f***ing AFL team, the Oakland Raiders”. Up until then it was only the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL that I knew. It was explained to me that the Raiders and the AFL was an inferior league, one not worth watching, but I was hooked. I became a Raiders fan that day and have never left.

When they made it to the second AFL-NFL World Championship Game it seemed my new allegiance to the Oakland Raiders was going to make for great partnership. Since then there have been more highlights, more thrills, more times when “Just Win, Baby”, “Pride and Poise” and “Commitment to Excellence” never lost meaning. It was fun being a Raiders fan.

But I tell you, these last five years have been more than painful. Since the debacle that was Super Bowl XXXVII, there's been a hope that things would get better but little else. Every time the Raiders put a game together that showed promise for the future, we'd find out it was just a mirage, a smokescreen, a blip on another disappointing season.

What will the firing of Lane Kiffin bring?  Who knows, but as a Raiders fan I hope it brings out a team in week 6 that throws caution to the wind and attacks the hell out of the New Orleans Saints.

I can Monday morning QB with the best of them, and this past Sunday should have never happened like it did. There's enough blame to go around, but in the end it's the players on the field that have to make the plays.

Through all of this I still have hope for the future. Things will get better, the Raiders will start winning again and they will become relevant in the NFL once more. When the players and fans realize that “Just Win, Baby”, “Pride and Poise” and “Commitment to Excellence” are more than slogans. Me, I'm just holding on, because I know once again it will become fun being a Oakland Raiders fan.

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Fantasy Football

Check out the poll over at BasesLoaded Forums: NLDS Brewers vs Phillies thread

I know anything can happen in a short series, but I think the Phillies are a little more set with pitching then the Brewers…can C.C. pitch on 2 days rest? Plus the Phillies bullpen won’t cause those middle of the game headaches.

Game 1 Wed
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo 0-0) @ Phillies (Cole Hamels 14-10)

Schedule at MLB.com

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Fantasy Baseball Brewers, nlds, phillies

Check out the poll over at BasesLoaded Forums: NLDS Dodgers vs Cubs thread

Right up front…not a Dodgers fan…SF Giants blood in me won’t let me root for them at all. But I am looking forward to this series. Too many good story lines…like this one, after 118 years and 2,023 games between the two clubs, they have never meet in the playoffs. The two teams first played each other in May 29, 1890 in Brooklyn.

Zambrano after his last two starts (13 ER in 6.1 IP) might be a concern. Both teams have a good mixture of young/veteran players. Wondering what the Manny effect will be.

As of now…
@ Chicago Wednesday, Oct. 1 Derek Lowe vs. Ryan Dempster
@ Chicago Thursday, Oct. 2 Chad Billingsley vs. Carlos Zambrano
@ Los Angeles Saturday, Oct. 4 Rich Harden vs. Hiroki Kuroda

Here’s some blurbs from the Gameday Press Pass (yesterdays) about Manny Ramirez.

* Beginning August 1, leads the Majors with a .396 average, 53 RBI, a .489 on-base percentage, and a .743 slugging percentage…his 17 homers in that span are third in the Majors behind Miguel Cabrera and Ryan Howard (18 each)
* The Dodgers are 30-23 since his arrival…is third on the team with 17 home runs
* Joins Carlos Beltran (2004) as the only players in Major League Baseball history to record at least 50 RBI in both leagues in the same season
* Became the first midseason acquisition to hit 14 homers and drive in 40 runs in his first 40 games with a team since the Cubs’ Hank Sauer in 1949
* Is one of just five players to hit at least 15 homers in both leagues during the same season…has 24 RBI in his last 20 games

Today’s preview in Sporting News Today.

September 30, 2008

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Fantasy Baseball Cubs, Dodgers, nlds

Way to go Beavers! You could see it early in the game Oregon State was playing with more intensity and belief that they could beat USC.

“They did all the things they needed to do to win this football game,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “(OSU coach) Mike (Riley) had them ready, they played better than us, they played harder than us and they made all the plays they needed to make.”

Beavers Rock!!  September 26, 2008

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NCAA News NCAA News, Oregon State

Good rundown from KFFL.com with an Impact Report on David Price. A few weeks ago I took over a keeper league team that was neglected for the better part of the season and sitting in last place. The one good thing that will come out of it is that I'll be able to claim Price.

Here's part of the fantasy outlook portion from the impact report. The bold is mine. Makes sense to grab him now.

Since Price isn't expected to receive many starts this late in the season and should mainly pitch out of the bullpen, his value to fantasy teams is limited. He has the potential to put up some good ratios and strikeout stats, but he figures to see few chances to pick up wins.

However, if owners are pushing for a championship, it's just as important to get Price for yourself as it is to keep him from your opponents. Owners in all formats can consider Price for pitching help in the final weeks of the season, but those in shallow formats should be mindful of their needs before acting given the likelihood of limited innings from the rookie.

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Fantasy Baseball