THROWING KNIVES: KARMIC CORRECTION

by BD, No Where

Much is going to be made over the did-he, didn't-he, touch home plater plate last night. I'm going with karma on this one and saying it all worked out in the end. I'll explain why in a minute. Conclusion aside, that was one hell of a game last night and I watched every pitch after Heroes ended. Did Troy Tulowitzki stamp himself ROY last night? Probably not, but he may end up the best player out this year's class. How about Holliday for MVP? That's where my vote's going in a very tough call between he and Jimmy Rollins. The Patriots steam rolled another opponent to improve to 4-0. The best part about it? The Pats D shutting down Ocho and Palmer won me my fantasy game and that's what really counts. I actually watched everything last night so expect to get reviews for Heroes, Chuck, Weeds, and Californication. NBA 2K8 comes out today and next to Madden it's the biggest sports title on shelves every year. If you're looking for an NBA sim I suggest picking it up. I'm pushing the MLB playoff preview back a day as it doesn't kick off until tomorrow. The first game should be a good one though as the Rockies head to Philly. Today's picture is of the Heroes girls, Hayden, Kristen and Dania Ramirez.

Karma Slaps Back In Less Than Three Hours
In what was arguably the greatest one game playoff in the history of the MLB the Rockies knocked off the Padres last night at Coors. This morning many are pining for instant replay after Holiday failed to touch the plate, but was called safe for the game's winning run. I have decided to chalk it up to karma despite not actually believing in karma myself. You see, Garret Atkins homerun was called a double and had it gone the right way the game likely wouldn't have reached 13 innings in the first place. Thus, when the ump called Holiday safe at home it was the karmic payback we were looking for to more or less reverse that missed home run call.

As far as instant replay goes, I'll pass. I think baseball is one sport that can do without it. Missed calls are part of what makes the game great. The human element of it is ingrained within the game and without it the game is cheapened from my perspective. Sure, I've been as mad as anyone over a bad call, but I still want bad calls to happen. It brings out the greatness in the athletes as they overcome one bad call and still manage to win big games and make big plays in big spots.

Wasn't it ironic the way it all happened though? Trevor Hoffman, the leagues all-time leader in saves on the hill in the bottom of the 13th with the heart of the Rockies order coming up. Kaz Matsui, (who's been one hell of a player since leaving New York) leads off the inning with a double and then the rook knocks him home. Followed by the should be MVP's triple and Jamey Carrol of all people hitting a sac fly to win it. It reminded me so much of the all-star game it was uncanny. As soon as Holiday made contact for the triple I thought: "Holy shit, they're actually going to do it." Baseball never ceases to produce amazing moments and that's why those who think it's dying are wrong.

The Real Story Of MNF
It's not the Pats, but rather the 1-3 Bengals. Who join Chicago and San Diego at the bottom of the barrel. A true longshot to crack the playoffs. Especially when you consider their in the AFC's toughest division and still have to play Baltimore again as well as two dates with the Steelers. They may not have been a playoff team last, but they were still considered one of the leagues best. I'll vote them off the playoff island for now as that defense just isn't going to cut it.

Who Will Then?
With the Bengals and Chargers both likely missing out on the playoffs this season. Who will be picking up all of those spots on the AFC side? Obviously someone has to win the West, and I have no idea who that's going to be. But, those two wild card spots are as up for grabs as ever. With Baltimore looking about as average as possible my votes are headed in the direction of the AFC South. The Colts will win the division, but they've got a lot of competition this year and any two of those teams could crack the playoffs. If I had to guess? I'd put my money on Tennessee and Jacksonville. Only because Houston looks like they'll dig a slight hole as long as Andre Johnson, Jacoby Jones, and Ahman Green are missing games

Leyland Gets Extension
It was announced today that the Tigers skipper will be around through 2009. From what I've read Leyland will ask for a one-year extension after every seaosn if he intends to continue managing and I'd imagine he'll get said extension everytime. That is, unless something strange happens and this team falls apart.

Adios Pudge?
Leyland may be around, but it appears Pudge Rodriguez will not be. He has a $13 million option for next season and it appears the Tigers will make the right decision by declining. Pudge is still fantastic defensively, though his control of the running game isn't what it used to be. His offensive contributions, or lack there-of, have forced many obscenities from vocal cords. He had an astounding 9 walks in 129 games this season. That's a .294 OBP. To put it in perspective, his rookie backup Mike Rabello had 6 in 51 games. While still not great that puts him on pace to nearly double Pudge's total. Rabello isn't a great catcher by any stretch and he probably never will be. He was an emergency replacement when backup Vance Wilson went down for the season in spring training. But, is Pudge really almost $12 million better than Rabello? No, thus the decline is the right call. An even better call? Sign Paul Lo Duca as soon as possible. He's the perfect fit for the offense and a solid everyday catcher as well.

Comeback Players Named
NL- Dmirti Young
AL- Carlos Pena
Both deserved the award, good for them. It's funny seeing two former Tigers have career season elsewhere. I'm happy to see them doing well, but it's hard not to wish Pena was still here in Detroit. We wouldn't have such a hole at 1B.

Thomas, MSG Liable in Harassment Case
I don't know about you, but I just don't care about this case.

Weekend Box Office Top 5
1. The Game Plan - Ugh... more proof that kids movies are where the money is.
2. The Kingdom - I'll see this at some point.
3. Resident Evil: Extinction - Haven't had the time to see this just yet.
4. Good Luck Chuck - Decent, but not worth the admission. Wait for the DVD. Rating: 6/10
5. 3:10 To Yuma - Probably won't end up seeing this.

Television
Heroes was pretty slow for the second strait week, but it's to be expected as the lay out all of the pieces for the season. Hiro's little foray into ancient times has been interesting. It has me wondering if Kensi will be coming to the future with Hiro in the long run. That would completely blow up the space/time continuum though so I doubt it. Anyone else thinking the same person killing all the older Heroes is the one that Molly can't look for because he sees her? How cool was it to watch Peter put all of his powers together? Nice to see the Haitian again, can't wait to see whatever it is he and HRG are up to. And finally, it's nice to see Claire can grow her body parts back. It reminded me a lot of Virtuosity.
Rating: 7.2/10

Chuck was amusing once again. The ability of the main character to blend stupidity and problem solving together is a little insane. My biggest gripe with the show is it's highly likelt to get repitive. With Chuck nearly killing himself, solving a problem, and getting saved every week. If they can't fight off the repitition of it they may lose whatever viewers they've manage to rope in. Rating: 6.7/10

Weeds plugged along in its usual vein. Managing to do things with its characters you'd never see coming. Andy put it severed foot forward starring in his first fetish porn. Peter's wedding took place and it appears the fallout from that will be an unlikely friendship between Peter ex-wife and Nancy.
Rating: 6/10

Californication weaved a near perfect web of humor and drama this week as Hank dealt with the death of a father he wasn't very fond of. The majority of the episode was spent having those around him try to convince Hank to fly back to New York for the funeral amid numerous flashbacks of his fathers visits to California. Yet somehow along the way Hank managed to sniff a little blow off of a hooker and get his ass kicked for not paying the tab. As well as finally getting his ex into bed, though the fallout from that is unlikely to be what he's hoping for.
Rating: 8/10

Scoreboard - October 1st - 2007
MLB
Rockies 9, Padres 8 F/13

NFL
Patriots 34, Bengals 13