Basketball Analysis: Atlanta Hawks (40-34) VS Toronto Raptors (30-46)

The Hawks have secured the number 4 seed while the Raptors are eliminated from contention. The Hawks have to realize that these games are tests for the postseason. The Hawks have the last three games and even though it doesn't affect their contention, it affects their morale. I see the Hawks coming back on this game to get them to the track of playing most likely Philadelphia in the first round. 

Mondays Sports Stories: 4/6/09

UNC beats Michigan State 89-72 to win NCAA Title

Tyler Hansburough and Ty Lawson led the way for UNC by scoring a combined 39 points. UNC scored a record 55 points at the end of the half. This is UNC fifth championship. It seems fitting to cap off on a spectacular March Madness.

Baseball Opening Day Stories

CC Sabathia Falters Against Orioles; Lee Loses in Arlington; Pirates Score 4 to win Against Cards; 

Florida's 4 homers get them 12-5 win

CC Sabathia lasted only 4 and a third innings in his debut as a Yankee. He gave up 6 runs on 8 hits and 5 walks in Baltimore's 10-5 win. Baltimore Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits.

Cliff Lee, who was 22-3 last year, starts this year with a 9-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. He gave up 4 runs in the second inning. Ranger's Kevin Millwood pitched 7 innings giving up 5 hits and 1 run, which was on a wild pitch.

The Pittsburgh Pirates scored 4 runs thanks to Jack Wilson's 3-run double on the ninth inning. The loss goes to Cardinal's Jason Motte who now has an ERA of 36.00. Ryan Ludwick of the cards scored the only homer in the game in the eight inning. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough.

The Florida Marlins got home runs from Bonifacio, Cantu, Hermida, and Ramirez to destroy the Washington Nationals 12-6.

Hockey Scores

Detroit 4 Buffalo 1

Ottawa 3 Montreal 2

Calgary 4 Los Angeles 1

Sunday Sport Stories 4/5/09

This is the first day that I breakdown some major events that happened the day before.

Jeff Gordon leads way at Texas Motor Speedway

Jeff Gordon snapped his 47 game winless streak yesterday by winning the Samsung 500 at Fort Worth. Gordon lead most of the way by leading 105 laps followed by Greg Biffle who lead 93 laps but ended up in 3rd. Jimmie Johnson was 2nd in the race. Rookie Joey Logano ended up in 30th place while Dale Earnhardt Jr. ended up 21st. There will be more NASCAR coverage every two weeks in the NASCAR Biweekly Report

Derek Lowe Shuts down Phillies. Takes 4-1 victory on opening day.

Derek Lowe pitched 8 shutout innings and allowed only 2 hits in his premiere against Philadelphia. Atlanta scored all their runs by homers from Francouer, McCann, and by rookie Jordan Schafer. Bobby Cox was a bit ecstatic after the game responding that the Braves were 100% better than last year. Their next game is on Tuesday.

Red Wings Crush Wild's hopes of a playoff position with last minute goal. Detroit wins 3-2

Marion Hossa crushed the Wild of any hope of winning with a last-minute goal to put Detroit on top. The Wild have 83 points. There are 3 games left to get three points. They still have a chance, but with that loss, they would have to work even harder.

Mavericks Crush Suns 140-116 has better opportunity for 8th spot

The Mavs won one of their most important games of the season. It led to most likely a playoff spot to play against the Lakers. The Mavs scored 42 points in the second quarter.

Basketball Analysis: Portland Trailblazers VS Houston Rockets

Gametime: 6:00 PM

Record: Portland (48-27) Houston (48-28)

Analysis: If you look at the stats for both of these two teams, you can see that they are exactly the same. They have a dominating home record and a under-average away record. Their record is almost the same. They have split their games and their top scorer has the same percentage. This is your definition of a even matchup. This looks like a current playoff matchup. Houston, however, has suffered lately with the season-ending injury of Tracy McGrady. Houston has lost two straight with their recent loss to the Lakers 93-81. 

Portland is coming out of their best run. They have won for 4 games straight with a margin of more than 20. Portland is now in a road stretch that will take them to Oklahoma City, Houston, San Antonio, Los Angeles (Lakers), and Denver. This is a tough stretch, but their players are stepping up to the issue. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 35 points against Oklahoma as well as 26 points against Utah. Brandon Roy scored 25 points against Utah and 21 points against Memphis. In the last 10 games against Houston, Portland is 1-9, but I believe that Portland's momentum can carry through this game.

For more analysis: http://www.nba.com/games/20090405/PORHOU/preview.html

 

Baseball Analysis: Atlanta Braves VS Philadelphia Phillies

Starting Pitchers: Derek Lowe (Atl) Brett Myers (Phi)

Analysis: The Phillies are a proud bunch after winning the World Series against the Rays. However, Brett Myers final game of 2008 was a loss. Myers was 10-13 with a 4.55 ERA. The Phillies are hoping to begin the season with stride because they know that 2009 is a new year. The new additions of the team are Raul Ibanez and pitcher Chan Ho Park. Park will hope to add to the Phillies rotation. The Phillies also have back Chase Utley who was injured in the late of last season. One part of their game that can be fixed is their defense. The Phillies gave up close to 800 runs last season.

The Braves are already taking blows in injuries with three of the four injured are starting pitchers. Derek Lowe was 14-11 with a 3.75 ERA last year. When the Braves played the Phillies in the playoffs, he was 0-1 with a no decision. He has struck out however 147 in 2007 and 2008. Expect him to keep the batters swinging. I say that the Braves are going to win this opener and after today, the Phillies will come down to Earth and win the next two games. 

For more analysis go to http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AsgefyaAFmwoHNTCLktY6y4RvLYF?slug=ap-braves-philliesopener&prov=ap&type=lgns

SR on Sports

Welcome to SOS. This is the Blog for all sports all the time. Every day will show news stories, analysis of games coming up, and a weird post of the day. Followed by every weekend, a full sports report. Posts will begin on Monday with the analysis of UNC v.s. Michigan State.