Marin Cilic’s performance in the semi-finals and finals, both of which he won in three straight sets to win the US Open, was one of the greatest in a long time.
I did predict Cilic to win in 4 sets but might have said three, had I spoken with “tennis expert,” Mike Weiner earlier. He was adamant in stating the wrong man (Kei Nishikori) was favored in the final match. His analysis, as was the case with the NBA San Antonio Spurs, was tremendous.
Another great performance is that of the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, who have completely dominated the Chicago Sky in each of the first two games of the best of five, WNBA finals.
I predicted the Mercury to win in three straight games and we shall see what transpires in game 3 at Chicago tomorrow night. At this point, I see little likelihood that the Mercury will not complete the sweep in that game.
Marin Cilic
The Washington Nationals enjoy an 8 game lead in the N.L. East and very likely will win a second divisional title in three seasons.
The team once known as the Montreal Expos, will most likely be making just their third post season appearance in this, their 46th season.
One appearance was in the strike marred 1981 baseball season, while the franchise was likely denied an appearance in 1994, when there was no post season played.
Last year’s NLCS opponents, and teams with rich post season experience, the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers, are the other division leaders in the National League.
St. Louis has a four and a half game lead in the N.L. Central while L.A. leads by three and a half games in the N.L. West.
With her U.S. Open final victory vs Carol Wozniacki yesterday, Serena Williams moved into a three way tie for third place in women’s grand slam titles.
It was Williams’ 18th grand slam title tying her with Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, behind only Margaret Court (24) and Steffi Graf (22).
Williams earned 4 million dollars for her victory. As the prize amount was being announced, the telecast showed Evert talking with Navratilova, perhaps lamenting the fact that in their day, the prize money was not as great.
When referencing the fact that the THREE players (Evert, Navratilova and Williams) had 54 combined grand slam titles, CBS’ Bill Macatee said “54 titles BETWEEN them.”
“Between you and me,” the correct phrase for more than two, is “AMONG them.”
Serena Williams
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim not only have a seven game lead over the Oakland A’s in the A.L. West, but have a 4 game lead for the best record in the American League. The American League top seed will have home advantage in any post season series in which they participate.
The other virtually certain American League divison winner is Baltimore (Orioles). They enter the week with a 9 and a half game lead in the A.L. East.
The Angels and Orioles likely will be the top two seeds in the American League playoffs.
If that happens and each wins their divisional series, there would be a rematch of the 1979 ALCS. However there is a great deal of baseball to be played before the ALCS begins.
click for a highlight from 1979 ALCS
The odds of it happening were over 25 to 1 but there were upsets in both men’s semi-finals at the U.S. Open yesterday.
First, Kei Nishikori of Japan dispatched the tournament top seed and favorite, Novak Djokovic in 4 sets. Nishikori was a five and a half to one underdog.
In the day’s second match, Marin Cilic, a 3 to 1 underdog, beat Roger Federer in straight sets.
Now there is no big favorite in the men’s final on Monday afternoon. Cilic is a slight favorite and I pick him to win in 4 sets. Both players are in their first “Grand Slam” final.
Marin Cilic
There have been a number of teams that are out of playoff contention,
but have improved significantly in the 2014 baseball season.
One of those teams is the Houston Astros, who were projected to lose at least 100 games and instead are flirting with a 70-75 win season.
The Chicago Cubs are another non playoff team, but one which improved in 2014.
Both the Astros and Cubs have built good farm systems and many so called “experts” predict bright futures for each team.
That “diagnosis” is a negative to me. Included is Sports Illustrated, known for its “jinx” and certainly often outrageous, wrong predictions.
That magazine stated there would be a world title in the next five or so years for the Astros. Wish I could bet against that.
My perspective is that the Cubs and Astros showed improvement in 2014 and perhaps, even likely, their future is brighter.
The WNBA best of five finals begins Sunday afternoon with the heavily favored Phoenix Mercury meeting the Chicago Sky.
The Mercury beat the defending champion Minnesota Lynx, winning easily in the decisive third game at home. Diana Taurasi led the way for Phoenix with 31 points, including a key 50 foot shot that gave the Mercury all the momentum heading into the final quarter.
The Sky led by Allie Quigley, won another decisive road game, this one at Indiana, vs the Fever, ending the career of Hall of Fame, Fever coach Lin Dunn.
I predict the Mercury will win the series in three straight games.
The Denver Broncos are prohibitive favorites to win a 4th straight AFC west crown.
They will, but with a decline in record from last year’s (13-3) to (10-6).
The San Diego Chargers will go (8-8) and finish second.
The Kansas City Chiefs in Andy Reid’s second year as coach will fall to (7-9). Last year they were (11-5).
The Oakland Raiders will finish last but will improve to a (6-10) mark. They were (4-12) last season.
The New England Patriots have won 11 of the last 13 AFC East titles and 10 straight in seasons in which star quarterback Tom Brady remained healthy. (He was injured in the first game of the 2008 season and the Pats, though close, did not win the divisional title that season.)
I predict the top heavy favorite Patriots will win the division again this season. They will struggle more than usual and finish with a (10-6) record.
The New York Jets with an (8-8) record will finish second.
Next will be the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills each with a (7-9) mark.
Tom Brady
The AFC South division is considered pretty wide open. The Indianapolis Colts are both the defending champions and the favorites to win again in 2014.
I predict they will, led by quarterback Andrew Luck. They will finish with a mediocre (9-7) record.
Next will be the Tennessee Titans with an (8-8) record.
Last year, the Houston Texans were (2-14) and in no game did they win and cover the point spread. They will do better this season, at (7-9).
Though they will improve, the Jacksonville Jaguars will finish last, say with a (6-10) record. They finished (4-12) last season.
Andrew Luck
Andy B Sports 