Monday, October 3, 2011

Final Fantasy Baseball All-Stars for 2011

What a thrilling finish to the end of the season in baseball (no offense Boston and Atlanta). Here's who had a late surge.

Catcher: Carlos Santana, 9 runs, 10 hits, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, .263 average, .349 on base
First Base: Prince Fielder, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, .345 average, .500 on base
Second Base: Ian Kinsler, 8 runs, 11 hits, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 5 SB, .379 average, .500 on base
Third Base: Adrian Beltre, 8 runs, 14 hits, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 1 SB, .412 average, .412 on base
Shortstop: Dee Gordon, 7 runs, 14 hits, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 SB, .369 average, .415 on base
Outfield: Matt Kemp, 12 runs, 15 hits, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 0 SB, .385 average, .415 on base
Starter1: Javier Vazquez, 16 IP, 2 wins, 15 K, 1.12 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
Starter2: Doug Fister, 11 IP, 2 wins, 11 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.45 WHIP
Reliever: Drew Storen, 5 IP, 0 wins, 5 saves, 7 K, 0 holds, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP

Season Leaders:
Catcher: Victor Martinez, 76 runs, 178 hits, 12 HR, 103 RBI, 1 SB, .330 average, .380 on base
First Base: Miguel Cabrera, 111 runs, 197 hits, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 2 SB, .344 average, .448 on base
Second Base: Robinson Cano, 104 runs, 188 hits, 28 HR, 118 RBI, 8 SB, .302 average, .349 on base
Third Base: Adrian Beltre, 82 runs, 144 hits, 32 HR, 105 RBI, 1 SB, .296 average, .331 on base
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki, 81 runs, 162 hits, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 9 SB, .302 average, .372 on base
Left Field: Ryan Braun, 109 runs, 187 hits, 33 HR, 111 RBI, 33 SB, .332 average, .397 on base
Center Field: Matt Kemp, 115 runs, 195 hits, 39 HR, 126 RBI, 40 SB, .324 average, .399 on base
Right Field: Jose Bautista, 105 runs, 155 hits, 43 HR, 103 RBI, 9 SB, .302 average, .447 on base
Honorable Mentions:
Michael Young: 88 runs, 213 hits, 11 HR, 106 RBI, 6 SB, .338 average, .380 on base
Jacoby Ellsbury: 119 runs, 212 hits, 32 HR, 109 RBI, 39 SB, .321 average, 379 on base
Curtis Granderson: 136 runs, 153 hits, 41 HR, 119 RBI, 25 SB, .26 average, .364 on base
Justin Upton: 105 runs, 171 hits, 31 HR, 88 RBI, 21 SB, .289 average, .369 on base

Pitchers: Rotation
Justin Verlander, 251 IP, 24 wins, 250 K, 2.40 ERA, 0.92 WHIP
Clayton Kershaw, 233 1/3 IP, 21 wins, 248 K, 2.28 ERA, 0.98 WHIP
Roy Halladay, 233 2/3 IP, 19 wins, 220 K, 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP
Cliff Lee, 232 2/3 IP, 17 wins, 238 K, 2.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP
Jered Weaver, 235 2/3 IP, 18 wins, 198 K, 2.41 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
James Shields, 249 1/3 IP, 16 wins, 225 K, 2.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP

Bullpen:
Craig Kimbrel, 77 IP, 4 wins, 46 saves, 127 K, 0 holds, 2.10 ERA, 1.04 WHIP
Drew Storen, 75 1/3 IP, 6 wins, 43 saves, 74 K, 3 holds, 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
John Axford, 73 2/3 IP, 2 wins, 46 saves, 86 K, 0 holds, 1.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP
Mariano Rivera, 61 1/3 IP, 1 win, 44 saves, 60 K, 0 holds, 1.91 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
J.J. Putz, 58 IP, 2 wins, 45 saves, 61 K, 0 holds, 2.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
Jose Valverde, 72 1/3 IP, 2 wins, 49 saves, 69 K, 0 holds, 2.24 ERA, 1.19 WHIP

By stat
Runs: Curtis Granderson, 136
Hits: Michael Young and Adrian Gonzalez, 213
Home Runs: Jose Bautista, 43
Runs Batted In: Matt Kemp, 126
Stolen Bases: Michael Bourn, 61
Average: Miguel Cabrera, .344
On Base Percentage: Miguel Cabrera, .448
Innings Pitched: Justin Verlander, 251
Wins: Justin Verlander, 24
Saves: Jose Valverde, 49
Strikeouts (SP): Justin Verlander, 250
Strikeouts (RP) Craig Kimbrel, 127
Holds: Tyler Clippard, 38
ERA (SP): Clayton Kershaw, 2.28
ERA (RP): Eric O'Flaherty, 0.98
WHIP: Stephen Strasburg* 0.71

Hockey All Stars will start in two weeks.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Sunday Night Game week 4

This week, the Baltimore Ravens host the New York Jets in primetime. Baltimore led off with a defensive touchdown, as Jameel McClain returned a Mark Sanchez fumble 6 yards for a touchdown, and Billy Cundiff added the extra point. New York didn't stay down long, as on the kickoff, Joe McKnight took it home from 107 yards away, and Nick Folk supplied the extra point. The Ravens regained the lead on a 38 yard Cundiff field goal. Baltimore kept rolling with a 3 yard Ray Rice touchdown rush, and Cundiff once again came on for the extra point. The Ravens kept it up on another Cundiff field goal in the second quarter, another 38 yarder. Baltimore was quick to capitalize as a defense again, when Butterfingers Sanchez fumbled, this time with Jarret Johnson taking it in 26 yards, good for a touchdown capped off by Cundiff on the PAT. Following the theme, the Jets got an interception returned for a touchdown by David Harris, a 35 yard play finished off by Folk, and he also later added a 40 yard field goal. Baltimore led New York 27-17 at halftime. The Ravens did more damage in the third quarter, picking off Sanchez and taking it home. This was done for 73 yards by Ladarius Webb, and complimented by Cundiff with the extra point. The final would stay at 34-17 after a silent fourth quarter, and Baltimore improved to 3-1 while dropping the Jets to 2-2.

NFL Late Games week 4

There are five games on the later slate, and we begin in...

Seattle, with the Seahawks hosting the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta led off with a Matt Ryan touchdown pass of a yard to Tony Gonzalez, and Matt Bryant added the extra point. The Falcons kept rolling with a second quarter touchdown run by Michael Turner, good for 21 yards. Bryant added another PAT. Seattle got on the board with a Tavaris Jackson touchdown of 52 yards to Sidney Rice, and Steven Hauschka made the xtra point. Atlanta replied with a Turner rush of 1 yard for a score, and another Bryant extra point. Bryant also tacked on a field goal for the Falcons, a 47 yard kick, to make it 24-7 at the half. Bryant kept kicking in the third quarter, adding on a 50 yard field goal for Atlanta. The Seahawks got some points back with Jackson passing 6 yards for a touchdown to Mike Williams, and Hauschka added on the extra point. Seattle kept on coming with Marshawn Lynch rushing to the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown, and another Hauschka extra point. Bryant added back on for the Falcons with a 42 yard field goal. The Seahawks charged back with a Jackson touchdown pass to Ben Obomanu for 8 yards, and Hauschka's extra point put them within two. Despite a late attempt from 61 yards, Hauschka and the Seahawks were unable to overcome the early deficit, and lost 30-28, falling to 1-3 and raising Atlanta to 2-2.

Down to the desert, with the Arizona Cardinals hosting the New York Giants. Arizona struck first wit ha Jay Feely field goal from 27 yards out. The Cardinals added another field goal by Feely, another 27 yard kick, in the second quarter. New York got out in front with Ahmad Bradshaw rushing 13 yards for a touchdown, and Lawrence Tynes made the extra point. Tynes added a 30 yard field goal to make it 10-6 Giants at the half. Arizona took the lead in the third quarter with Beanie Wells running 1 yard for a touchdown, and Feely making an extra point. The Cardinals kept it going as Wells and Feely copied and pasted another scoring drive onto the scorecard. New York did a little damage with Brandon Jacobs running 1 yard for a touchdown, and Tynes was there with the PAT. Wells and Arizona got back to work after that with the running back rushing 2 yards for his third touchdown of the day, and Feely made the extra point. The Giants again pulled closer with Eli Manning finding Jake Ballard for a 2 yard touchdown, and a Tynes extra point, who also added an extra point on Manning's 29 yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks. A late charge by Arizona was unsuccessful, allowing the Giants a 31-27 victory, improving them to 3-1, and dropping the Cardinals to 1-3.

Out west, the Oakland Raiders host the New England Patriots. Oakland opened up the scoring with Sebastian Janikowski's leg, which booted the pigskin 28 yards for a field goal. New England replied with a Tom Brady touchdown pass of 15 yards to Wes Welker, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Raiders retook the lead with a 1 yard touchdown run by Michael Bush, and Janikowski added an extra point. The Patriots retook the lead on a BenJarvus Green-Ellis touchdown run of 1 yard, and a Gostkowski PAT made it 14-10. New England made it 17-10 with Gostkowski nailing a 44 yard field goal just before halftime. The Patriots rolled on in the third quarter with a 33 yard Stevan Ridley run, and Gostkowski was there with the extra point. Oakland got a few back with Janikowksi kicking a 26 yard FG. New England poured it on with Brady finding Deion Branch from 4 yards away, good for a touchdown and an eighteen point lead after the Gostkowski extra point. The Raiders tried to pull closer with Jason Campbell connecting with Denarius Moore for a 6 yard touchdown, but the two point attempt was failed, leaving the score at 31-19 Patriots, a final. New England went to 3-1, and Oakland fell to 2-2.

Backing up a bit, the Green Bay Packers host the Denver Broncos. Denver drew first blood with a 27 yard field goal from Matt Prater. Green Bay got on the board with an Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson, a 50 yard play, and Mason Crosby supplied the extra point. The Packers dug in with Charles Woodson picking off Kyle Orton for 30 yards and a touchdown, with Crosby tacking on an extra point. Rodgers took it in his own hands in the second quarter, running 11 yards for a touchdown, with Crosby adding another extra point. The Broncos replied quickly with an Orton touchdown pass to Eric Decker for 5 yards and the score, and Prater was there for the PAT. Denver pulled to within four after Orton and Decker connected again, for 33 yards and a touchdown, and Prater made the extra point. The Packers grabbed a bit of separation as Rodgers met Greg Jennings for a 17 yard touchdown, and a Crosby extra point made it 28-17 at the half. Green Bay kept the momentum up in the third quarter, with another touchdown by Rodgers on the ground, an 8 yard rush capped off with Crosby on the extra point. The Packers added on some more as Rodgers used his arm to find James Jones for a 16 yard touchdown, and Crosby did his extra point routine yet again. Rodgers continued to inflict pain on Denver, passing 8 yards to Donald Driver, the fourth receiver getting a touchdown reception today for the Packers, and Crosby added the extra point. The Broncos got a few back much too late as Orton tossed a 7 yard touchdown pass into the hands of Daniel Fells, but they failed to convert the two point attempt. The final would favor Green Bay 49-23, improving them to 4-0, and dropping Denver to 1-3.

Lastly, the San Diego Chargers host the Miami Dolphins. Miami dented the scoreboard with a 1 yard Lex Hilliard touchdown rush, and a Dan Carpenter extra point. San Diego replied with Philip Rivers finding Vincent Jackson, good for a 55 yard catch and run touchdown. Nick Novak made the extra point. Novak also made a field goal of 27 yards in the second quarter to give the Chargers a 10-7 lead. Carpenter booted a field goal of 41 yards to tie it for the Dolphins. Novak retook the lead for San Diego with a 48 yard field goal to make it 13-10 before halftime. The Chargers added on with Mike Tolbert rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Novak kicked in the PAT. Carpenter put Miami within a touchdown on his 37 yard field goal. Novak restored a ten point lead for San Diego with a 23 yard field goal. The kicking parade continued into the fourth quarter, with Carpenter blasting a 51 yard field goal. Novak replied for the Chargers with a 38 yard field goal. San Diego would win 26-16, and improve to 3-1, while shifting the Dolphins to 0-4.

NFL Early Games week 4

There are nine games set to kick off in the first wave this Sunday. We start with...

The Dallas Cowboys hosting the Detroit Lions. Dallas struck first with a touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant for 25 yards, and Dan Bailey added the PAT. Romo, Bryant, and Bailey met again in the second quarter, with Bailey called on for the extra point after a 6 yard connection between Romo and Bryant. Bailey also tacked on a 41 yard field goal. Detroit got on the board with a 33 yard Jason Hanson field goal. Bailey replied for the Cowboys with a 35 yard field goal to make it 20-3 at halftime. Dallas got back to work in the third quarter with Romo passing to Jason Witten for a 1 yard touchdown, and Bailey made the extra point. The Lions got a touchdown with Bobby Carpenter picking Romo off and taking it to the house, 35 yards away. Hanson made the extra point, and also the extra point when Romo threw to Chris Houston of the Lions, who returned that interception 56 yards for a score. Bailey provided another field goal for the Cowboys, good from 23 yards. Detroit got closer with a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, a 23 yard play, and Hanson had the PAT. Hanson and the Lions settled for a field goal of 51 yards to pull within three. Detroit took the lead with Stafford and Johnson connecting again, this time a 2 yard touchdown, and Hanson made the extra point. The final kept the Lions on top 34-30, and they went to 4-0 while moving the Cowboys to 2-2.

Staying in Texas, the Houston Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Houston drew first blood on a touchdown pass from Matt Schaub to Owen Daniels for a yard. Neil Rackers provided the extra point. Rackers added on a field goal of 25 yards. The Texans continued to pile on to Pittsburgh's woes by blocking a field goal and returning it for a touchdown, but in the process committing a penalty to wipe it all away. They lead 10-0 at halftime. Pittsburgh got on the board with a 3 yard Rashard Mendenhall touchdown run, and Shaun Suisham's extra point put them within three. The Steelers tied it on a Suisham field goal of 26 yards. Houston took the lead back with Arian Foster running 42 yards for a touchdown, and Rackers supplying the extra point. Houston held on to win 17-10, going up to 3-1 and pushing Pittsburgh to 2-2.

Up north, the Chicago Bears will welcome the Carolina Panthers. Carolina opened early with a field goal by Olindo Mare from 29 yards away. Chicago replied with a Robbie Gould field goal of 20 yards. The Bears took the lead with a D.J. Moore interception of Cam Newton, returned 20 yards to the house for a touchdown, allowing Gould to make an extra point. The Panthers evened it back up with Newton canceling out the previous miscue with a 1 yard touchdown run, and subsequent extra point from Mare. Chicago took the lead again as Matt Forte broke out for a 17 yard rushing touchdown, and Gould tacked on the PAT. The Bears kept rolling as Devin Hester returned a Panther punt 69 yards for a touchdown, and Gould made the extra point. Newton again bailed Carolina out with a 2 yard run for a touchdown, and Mare made another extra point. Mare made a 39 yard field goal to make it 24-20 Bears at halftime. Carolina got going again with a 38 yard field goal by Mare in the early fourth quarter, after silence on the third quarter scoresheet. The Bears got a little separation as Gould nailed a 24 yard field goal. Marion Barber helped Chicago put the nail in the coffin with a 3 yard touchdown run, and a Gould extra point made it 34-23. Carolina pushed on regardless, with Newton finding Greg Olsen for a 3 yard touchdown, but they failed to convert the two point attempt, and lost 34-29. The Bears jump to 2-2, while the Panthers fall to a hard luck 1-3.

In the same region, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Minnesota Vikings. Kansas City led off with a field goal from Ryan Succop, good from 40 yards. Minnesota stormed in front with Donovan McNabb passing 34 yards to Devin Aromashodu for a touchdown, and Ryan Longwell tacked on the extra point. The Chiefs got within one as Succop added another field goal, from 24 yards this time. Succop added another field goal to make it 9-7 at halftime, a 51 yard blast. Longwell and Succop traded field goals in the third quarter, with Longwell kicking a 33 yard boot, and Succop replying with a 54 yard shot. Succop later added a mere 22 yard field goal. Kansas City found a touchdown with Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe connecting for a 52 yard scoring play, and Succop added an extra point. The Vikings pulled closer as McNabb threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins, and Longwell tacked on the extra point. Minnesota failed to find points again, losing 22-17, and falling to 0-4, while the Chiefs took themselves off the winless list by going to 1-3.

Over in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals play host to the Buffalo Bills. Cincinnati started off with a field goal of 31 yards from Mike Nugent's foot. Buffalo tied it as Rian Lindell kicked a 43 yard field goal. Buffalo took a 10-3 lead with Bryan Scott picking off Andy Dalton and taking it home 43 yards, with Lindell adding the extra point. Buffalo added on to this lead as Fred Jackson ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Lindell's extra point ran the score up to 17-3 Bills, which would stand as the halftime score. The Bengals fired it up in the third quarter with a 21 yard FG by Nugent, and also an extra point from him after the Dalton touchdown connection with Jermaine Gresham for 17 yards. Lindell extended the Buffalo lead with a 23 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati tied it with a 3 yard rush by Dalton for the score, and Nugent tacked on the PAT. The Bengals took the game on a last second field goal by Nugent, from 43 yards out, to win 23-20. They go to 2-2, and the Bills fell to 3-1.

Staying in the state, the Cleveland Browns welcome the Tennessee Titans. Phil Dawson put Cleveland ahead early with a 48 yard field goal. Tennessee took the lead on a Matt Hasselbeck touchdown pass of 12 yards to Craig Stevens, and Rob Bironas made the extra point. Dawson pulled the Browns a little closer with his 51 yard field goal in the second quarter. This was quickly taken care of by Hasselbeck, who threw an 80 yard touchdown pass to Jared Cook, allowing Bironas to add an extra point. The Titans continued to play strongly, as Hasselbeck once more threw a touchdown, this time finding Damian Williams for 4 yards and a score, and Bironas obliged in making the PAT. Tennessee took a 21-6 lead into the half. The Titans added a little more onto their lead as Bironas kicked a 39 yard field goal in the third quarter, and added the PAT when Jordan Babineaux intercepted Colt McCoy and ran it back a whopping 97 yards for a touchdown. Cleveland got going in the right direction, as did McCoy, with his 10 yard touchdown pass to Benjamin Watson, and Dawson added on the extra point. The Titans would win 31-13, and improve to 3-1 while pushing Cleveland to 2-2.

Back to Missouri, with the St. Louis Rams hosting the Washington Redskins. Washington opened with a touchdown pass from Rex Grossman to Santana Moss for 6 yards, and Graham Gano had the extra point. The Redskins extended their lead with  20 yard touchdown rush by Ryan Torain, and Gano made it 14-0 with the extra point, the score staying at this mark into the locker rooms. Gano added on for the Redskins with a 38 yard field goal. St. Louis finally got on the scoreboard with a fourth quarter field goal of 32 yards by Josh Brown. The Rams surged on with Sam Bradford passing 15 yards for a touchdown to Steven Jackson, and Brown was there for the extra point. Washington did hold on for a 17-10 victory, improving 3-1 and moving the Rams down to 0-4.

Over to the east, the Philadelphia Eagles welcome the San Francisco 49ers. Philadelphia was the first to score, with a touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Clay Harbor for 16 yards, and Alex Henery was available for the PAT. David Akers and Henery swapped field goals in the second quarter, with Akers good from 37 and Henery nailing it from 32, and to give the Eagles a larger edge, replicating the kick later in the quarter. Philadelphia poured some more on as Vick hooked up with LeSean McCoy for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Henery made another extra point. The score at halftime favored the Eagles 20-3. Henery added a field goal of 33 yards to the Philadelphia cause in the third quarter. San Francisco replied with Alex Smith throwing a 30 yard touchdown pass to Josh Morgan, and Akers added the extra point. The 49ers kept making their push with Smith finding Vernon Davis for a 9 yard touchdown, and an Akers extra point. San Francisco tied the game with a touchdown rush of 12 yards by Frank Gore, and the former Eagle Akers kicked the extra point to take a 24-23 lead, the final, which moves the 49ers to 3-1 and the Eagles to 1-3.

Rounding out our morning games, the Jacksonville Jaguars play host to the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans was the first to score, on a 1 yard touchdown rush by Jed Collins, and John Kasay added the extra point. The Saints extended their lead in the second quarter with Drew Brees finding Jimmy Graham for a yard and a score, and Kasay made the extra point once again. Jacksonville got on the board with a touchdown from Blaine Gabbert to Zach Miller, good for 14 yards, and Josh Scobee made the extra point. Scobee also added a field goal for the Jaguars, from 31 yards away to make it 14-10 Saints at the half. Kasay added two field goals in the third quarter for New Orleans, a 38 yarder, and to make it more difficult, a 39 yarder, plus a 21 yard kick in the fourth quarter as well. This left the score at 23-10, a New Orleans victory. They improve to 3-1, and drop the Jaguars to 1-3.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fantasy Football All-Stars week 3

The numbers are piling up now, and we're figuring out what's good and bad. Here's the best of last week.

Quarterback: Drew Brees
Running Back: Darren McFadden
Wide Receiver: Wes Welker
Tight End: Jermichael Finley
Kicker: Dan "6 Pack" Bailey
Team Defense: Baltimore
Defensive Player: Jared Allen

Best of luck to everyone, and remember byes start in week 5 this season.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Monday Night Football week 3

This week's Monday night game comes from the center of overblown egos heart of Texas, where the Dallas Cowboys host the Washington Redskins. Washington struck first with a Graham Gano field goal from 46 yards. Dallas answered on a Dan Bailey field goal, a 41 yard blast. Gano gave the Redskins the lead again on a 27 yard kick. The Cowboys retied it in the second as Bailey had his own 27 yarder, and they took the lead on his 32 yard FG. Gano would put Washington back in a 9-9 tie at halftime with a 50 yard field goal. The Redskins took the lead in the third quarter with a Rex Grossman 1 yard touchdown pass to Tim Hightower, and Gano added the PAT. Bailey closed the gap for Dallas with a 31 yard field goal. In the fourth, the Cowboys got within one on another Bailey field goal, from 23 yards. They took the lead on a Bailey field goal from 40 yards away. They would hold on for an 18-16 win, and go to 2-1 while dropping the rival Washington to the same level.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sunday Night Game week 3

This week's Sunday night game is in Indianapolis, with the Colts welcoming the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shaun Suisham opened for Pittsburgh with a 48 yard field goal. The Steelers poured some more on with Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace hooking up for an 81 yard touchdown, and Suisham provided the extra point. Indianapolis found the scoreboard in the second quarter with an Adam Vinatieri field goal from 21 yards away. The Colts tied it as Roethlisberger did his best Tony Romo fumbled the ball away and it was picked up and returned by Jamaal Anderson for 47 yards and a touchdown. Vinatieri made the extra point, and added a late field goal of 25 yards to make it 13-10 Indianapolis at the half. The third quarter was silent, but Pittsburgh got a tying field goal from Suisham, coming from 44 yards away. The Steelers took a 20-13 lead on a Curtis Painter fumble, returned 16 yards by Troy Polamalu for a touchdown, and Suisham added the PAT. The Colts pulled back with a Joseph Addai touchdown run of 6 yards, and they tied it on the Vinatieri extra point. With seconds left on the clock in the fourth, Pittsburgh went up 23-20 on a 38 yard field goal by Suisham, which would be preserved to the end. The Steelers are now 2-1 and the Colts are 0-3.