My weekly wrap-up of all that’s good and not-so-good in the sports world:
-Here’s the winning trifecta for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. You’re welcome in advance.
1st: (4) Always Dreaming – should win by daylight if he runs similarly to the Kentucky Derby.
2nd: (2) Cloud Computing – Been firing bullet workouts since his 3rd place in the Wood Memorial and I’m a big Javier Castellano fan.
3rd: (6) Gunnevera – Dismiss jockey Mike Smith at your own risk (who takes over for Castellano) on this major closer.
-I may have a distinct rooting interest in the NHL Western Conference Finals but anyone watching can’t argue that it hasn’t been a great series to this point. Two overtime games and the other two were extremely close in the final minutes. I honestly have no idea who will win the series but the last three games should be pure awesomeness.
-Meanwhile the NBA Playoffs are a snooze-a-thon. Wake me up when I get to see the Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals rematch, please.
-Let’s talk NBA Draft and one the heels of Monday’s blog entry, here’s how I would predict the top 5 picks as of now:
1. Boston (trades the pick to Chicago in a deal for Jimmy Butler) – Markelle Fultz, guard, Washington
2. LA Lakers – Lonzo Ball, guard, UCLA
3. Philadelphia – De’Aaron Fox, guard, Kentucky
4. Phoenix – Josh Jackson, forward, Kansas
5. Sacramento – Jayson Tatum, forward, Duke
-Jackson makes a ton of sense for the Suns assuming the Lakers offer a better package to acquire Paul George from Indiana.
-Boston doesn’t need another rookie…they need another superstar. Butler fills that role and it would be a very good trade for both sides.
-I may not be the biggest fan of Sean Miller’s in-game coaching prowess but the guy is a hell of a recruiter. His latest 5* stash, Duke transfer Chase Jeter who will almost certainly start for the Wildcats at center in 2018-19.
-The Cubs have won three-in-a-row…guess I shouldn’t panic just yet? Then again, this team is still incredibly flawed and is in desperate need of more pitching.
-What happened to the no-hitter in baseball?
2010: 6
2011: 3
2012: 7
2013: 3
2014: 5
2015: 7
2016: 1
2017: 0
Is there a reason the no-no’s simply stopped or will the next wave come soon? Jake Arrieta of the Cubs threw one in 2015 and 2016, yet right now he looks as hittable as ever.
-OK I’ll give you another prediction: the Indians and Astros will both throw combined no-hitters this year. Both have very good bullpens who will finish the deal for the starters. I’ll say those games will be started by Lance McCullers (Astros) and Trevor Bauer (Indians).
-A quick NFL thought – if Tom Brady stays healthy, how does New England not win at least the AFC? New England has actually IMPROVED their roster this offseason. Pencil me down for a Patriots-Packers Super Bowl as of now.
-99 days until college football kicks off and it can’t come soon enough! I’m not yet ready to make my national championship pick just yet though. I can pretty much assure you that it won’t be Alabama though.
-One non-sports thought: Chris Cornell was no doubt one of the greatest band frontmen of my generation – stunning to see he took his own life earlier this week. If you’ve never heard this song, you’re missing out on so much greatness.
Cohen's Corner 