Philadelphia Phillies's Philadelphia Phillies friend's fan blogs

I'm not sure if the New York Knicks have all the pieces in place right now, but by adding Carmelo Anthony they are certainly one big step closer to being a NBA championship contender. Although considering the mismanagement over the last 10 years it's heard to believe they won't mess this up too.

Watch for the Knicks to make some strong stragetic moves during this off season to sure things up and make them a true Eastern conference powerhouse.

New York NY Direct TV can bring you all the Knicks action you want.

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Two cities that produce NBA Eastern Conference contenders also have the two teams that are favored to win the Super Bowl as the NFL playoffs are set to begin this weekend.

NBA spread betting experts might recognize that Atlanta and Boston produce two East contenders and with the Falcons and Patriots, both cities have the Super Bowl XLV juggernauts as well.

Just as in the NBA’s East, Atlanta’s team is viewed with an eye of pessimism. The Falcons had a great regular season but don’t have a ton of playoff experience. They’re a young squad that is gaining it on the fly.

Meanwhile, Boston’s team - just like in the NBA – is experienced, savvy and has done it before. The Patriots are the odds-on favorites to do it all and considering they’ve won it three times this decade, why bet against them?

Continue reading "Patriots, Falcons Super Bowl Favorites"

Basketball betting is not quite as common as betting on some other sports, but if you do your research, take your time and keep accurate records, there’s no reason you can’t be as successful at betting on basketball as betting on anything else. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Top Basketball Betting Tip: NCAA vs. NBA

Of course you are welcome to bet both college and pro basketball (including the WNBA), like placing your bets in online video poker games, you need to be aware that each type of basketball may have very different factors in play. In college basketball, every game counts, whereas pro teams can afford to drop a few games here and there and still have a great shot at the championship. There may be a much larger disparity between two competing college teams. Know the league you’re betting.

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I really like the direction this team is going but I'm not so sure they can really be a contender in the East this year.  The East has gotten a lot stronger over the last few years and while I think they can make the playoffs I don't really see any chance that they can really beat The Magic, the Heat, the Celtics, of the Bulls.  And I'm skeptical they can even beat teams like the 76ers or the Hawks.

What do you think? 

Continue reading "Can the Charlotte Bobcats be a contender in the East?"

As you probably already know, the Flyers acquired Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle from Anaheim for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, their 2009 1st round pick, their 2010 1st round pick, and a conditional 3rd round pick.  I’ve been seeing a lot of mixed reactions regarding the trade. The majority of them tend to be that it was way too much to give up. My thoughts…we clearly paid a VERY heavy price, however, I am absolutely thrilled with this trade. I will admit, the thought of Pronger leaving after his one year is up, makes me cringe a bit, but I do believe Holmgren has every intention of signing him to an extension. Ideally, we can sign him to a reasonable 2-3 year deal (sadly, I think that’s optimistic) and we can lose the salaries of one of, if not both of, Jones and Carle. If those things were to happy, my grade of this trade would go from a B to an A.

Continue reading "Analyzing the Chris Pronger Trade"

Brad Lidge needs a lil rest, and some more rest between outings. The lat weekend of May, Charlie Manuel ran him out there on 4 consecutive nites, and then had him warm up two days later, and pitch in successive games after that. We all know he blew the successive games, and evidence of overuse were plentiful, including lack of location, bite on slider, and an overall velocity drop on all pitches. Manuel also used his closer on 4 consecutive days in May. He needs to immediately stop this idiotic maneuver and find his All Star some rest after consecutive days use the rest of the season, or Brad won't be there at the end.

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Ruben Amaro, Jr. has stated time and time again that the Phillies are looking to add a pitcher. A quality top end of the rotation pitcher. While thoughts of Peavy and Halladay and Bedard have danced in our heads, what will be the reality of it all come July 31st at 4 PM? With the current state of the economy, I don't believe that the Phillies will be looking to add a number one or number one-a contract to the salary. Maybe a two or three but definitely not anything above. And just to be clear Dan Haren is a one-a. Where he would definitely be a number one on most legitimate teams. This is pure speculation, but I don't expect more than a Doug Davis or Jason Marquis type of pitcher. If Bastardo can go deeper into games, Happ stays steady, and Moyer continues to improve, or atleast not decline, I believe the Phillies will stand pat with their rotation. They will say that they made the best effort possible for another top flight pitcher but no one would budge on their asking price. Also not to worry because Hamels, Blanton, Happ, and Moyer won it for us last year so they all have the playoff experience to make the team float. So where do the Phillies stand once the smoke clears? I think they look remarkably like they do now, And as far as the smoke goes, I think it is just being blown up our asses.

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Todd Zolecki of MLB.com is reporting that the Phillies have been scouting Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny. The Red Sox supposedly asking for infield prospect Jason Donald. Brad Penny is not the power pitcher he used to be. He has averaged about 5.1 IP/9 this season for Boston. Donald has struggled in the minors this year and his value may decline if he continues sumping, but I would definitely NOT want Penny. Right now Happ and Bastardo are both throwing the ball better. Hopefully this just a rumor and the Phils are scouting others from the Sawx. Ruben realistically could wait until the All-Star break to acquire a front line starter. So for now it's just a waiting game.

Continue reading "Is Donald only worth a Penny?"

After starting sixth in all star votes, Phillies fans stepped up the in park and online voting to jump Raul Ibanez all the way to second place behind Ryan Braun. The usuals are occupying their places in voting with Utley, Howard, and Rollins all within the top 3. Third baseman Pedro Feliz is quietly putting together an All Star quality season. He currently is 5th in the voting.

The real story is Ibanez. Ibanez came to the Phillies this past offseason to replace Pat (the Bat, the Babe, Man or Machine, etc.) Burrell. Most fans were skeptical of what Ibanez could bring to the team. He would be the third lefty in the heart of the order. He was also 6 years OLDER than Burrell. So far, I would definitely say the Ibanez was well worth the draft pick we gave up. He is out homering a

Continue reading "Ibanez early favorite for All Star Game."

Here we are less than 100 days before the start of the 2009 college football season and it's time to break down the Texas Longhorns.

What we know about the Longhorns:

The Texas Longhorns are primed for a run at the national championship. With QB Colt McCoy returning for his senior season after breaking the record for completion percentage in a single season last year with a ridiculous 76.7%, topping Daunte Culpepper's previous record, the Longhorn's passing attack should be lethal. Texas graduated receiver Quan Cosby but return star receiver Jordan Shipley, along with Brandon Collins, James Kirkendoll, and deep threat Malcolm Williams. The running game was questionable at best last season for the Longhorns, but look for 240 lb. RB Cody Johnson to bring some consistency to the position, as he had a great spring before tweaking his hamstring. Fozzy Wittaker provides a great change of pace back to compliment Johnson, as will RB Vondrell McGee. FB Antwann Cobb is back from his injury and flashed some great blocking in the spring game. The O-line should be a strength for the Longhorns as they are a very mature group with a lot of experience. Pass blocking hasn't been an issue; however, one of the goals of the spring was to improve the run blocking and bring some "nastiness" back to the O-line. The Defensive side of the ball looks to improve this season after leading the NCAA in sacks last season. The Longhorns lost All-American DE Brian Orakpo, stud DT Roy Miller, and DE Henry Melton to the NFL draft, but they return DE Sergio Kindle who recorded 10 sacks last season and was a nightmare off the edge for offensive tackles and opposing QBs. Lamarr Houston and Kheston Randle should handle the both the DT positions but depth is a concern. The DE position should be stacked with Sergio Kindle, Sam Acho, Eddie Jones, Russell Carter, and freshman Alex Okafor all competing for playing time. The Longhorns are stacked at LB as well with seniors Roddrick Muckleroy and Jared Norton returning, along with speedy OLBs Keenan Robinson and Emannuel Acho. The big question mark last year becomes one of this year's biggest strengths. It may be one of the most athletic defensive backfields manned by secondary coach Duane Akina, just behind the 2005 all star cast. Look for CB Aaron Williams to be a breakout player and lead the team in INTs, as he has incredible ball skills. CB Chykie Brown will be a lock-down defender at the other CB spot while Curtis Brown and Deon Beasley provide good depth at the position. At the safety position the Longhorns return both of their starters in freshman All-American Earl Thomas, who had a great spring, and Blake Gideon. Look for hard hitting S Christian Scott to get a lot of playing time too, as he is just too physically gifted to keep off the field.

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