Category — Andre Ethier

Like the Spurs, we believe the Angels might be good to go this season. At least we hope so as far as our boys Mahi and Bob Young are concerned.
Early favorites to win the World Series: Angels and Dodgers (6-1); Nationals and Tigers (7-1); Giants and Blue Jays (9-1); Reds, Yankees and Braves (12-1); Phillies (16-1); Cardinals (18-1); A’s and Rays (20-1); Red Sox (30-1); and just for the record, the punk-ass Cubs (70-1).

Forget everything we said about the Giants.
This reminds us of the Red Sox climbing off the deck and rallying from a 3-0 deficit to punk the Yankees in the ALCS and then sweeping the Cardinals for the 2004 World Series title.
But did you know the Padres have played a huge role in the winners of the last 3 World Series? They dumped Bruce Bochy in 2006 and all he’s done is guide the Giants to World Series championships in 2 of the past 3 seasons.
The Padres also figured prominently in last season’s champ, the Cardinals. They dealt David Freese for Jim Edmonds a few years ago and the rest, as they like to say, is history.
But this is the Giants time. Despite being a game away from elimination against the Reds and Cards, they reeled off 7 in a row to win it all.

The Padres fired Bruce Bochy in 2006 after he led them to the playoffs and lost to the eventual champ, the Cardinals. The Giants couldn’t believe their good fortune (or the Padres’ misguided decision), scooping up Bochy to be their skipper. It’s been a magical ride since the comical Bochy arrived in the Bay Area. In 2 of the past 3 seasons, the Giants have advanced to the World Series, winning the 2010 title by beating the Rangers. They are standing on the verge again.
S.F. Chronicle

The Tigers didn’t nab Prince Fielder until late in the off-season when Victor Martinez went down with an injury. That left the Dodgers, among others, crying in their beers. Fielder’s addition pushed Detroit to the top of the America League and resulted in it advancing to the World Series. He’s fit in well with the Tigers and he probably will determine the outcome of the Series.
And for the record, we’re picking Fielder and the Tigers in 5. Too many weapons.
Fox Sports

HBO’s “Real Sports” will be broadcasting an interview with Magic Johnson on Tuesday, but writer Tom Hoffarth delivers a good Q&A with the Hall of Famer about owning the Dodgers.
Daily News

They sport the best record in the Majors, but not everyone is sold on the Dodgers. You could include us in that group. Still, despite playing without injured star Matt Kemp, the L.A. crew completed a 4-game sweep of the reeling Phillies, whose fans trashed them after an 8-3 beatdown Thursday in Philly.
MLB.com

Did we mention Carlos Beltran leads the NL in homers with 13? Didn’t think so.
Despite the Braves sweeping them this weekend, Beltran and the Cards have been among the best teams in the National League so far. But like they say in Anaheim, it’s still early.

People are talking, particularly Dodger fans, about Tim Welke blew an easy call at 1st today in the Rockies win over the Dodgers.
Yahoo Sports

No MLB player is hotter than Matt Kemp. The centefielder delivered again tonight, busting Tom Gorzelanny for his game-winning homer, in the 10th inning of the Dodgers 4-3 win over the Nats. Kemp’s 11th homer this month upstaged the debut of Bryce Harper.
AP

Our daily thread.
The Dodgers lost their 2nd in a row to the Braves, but Matt Kemp homered for the 10th time this month, tying Gary Sheffield (remember him?) for the most home runs in April. Kemp leads the major in homers and has 23 RBI.
Tough night for Dodgers reliever Javy Guerra, who took 1 in the face and might be knocked out of the closer role.
AP
They’re just funking with us, no?: The Rays handed the Angels their 3rd straight setback. We suspect they’re trying to find out who their real fans are before they go on a roll and blow everyone away. No?
Albert Pujols is 0 for 19 and still looking for his 1st homer as an Angel. This wouldn’t be happening if he was in St. Louis.
O.C. Register
Star of Texas: The Rangers pounded the Yankees again to take 2 of 3 in their series. Bob Nightengale, 1 of the best writers in baseball, tweeted that the Rangers are the greatest of all time. Some of us Cardinal fans are a little offended. Didn’t we beat that ass last October?
Oh, and did we mention that the Angels are 8 1/2 games back of the Rangers? Didn’t think so.
Star-Telegram
Mr. 400: Tip of the cap to Paul Konerko, who slugged, and we mean slugged, his 400th homer Wednesday in a 14-inning loss to the A’s. Konerko hit a bomb to force extra innings in the 9th.
Did we mention the A’s are playing better ball than the Angels? Didn’t think so.
Sun-Times
There is no crying is hockey: This bud’s for you my man Timothy Schnupp. Caps 2, Bruins 1. Series over.
Boston Herald
Riding off into the Sun set: So where does Steve Nash play next year?
Pro Basketball Talk