Archive for the 'Starting Five' Category

Starting Five: Thanksgiving Style

November 22nd, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: THANKSGIVING & SPORTS

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1. Miami at Detroit; Tampa Bay at Dallas; Kansas City at Denver. Let’s hear your predictions.

Larry Johnson: Thanksgiving Warrior?

STEVEN VINCI: You’re always supposed to go with D & D on Thanksgiving. Might as well add Denver and go with all three home teams. Denver and Dallas should roll, the Lions will struggle if Kevin Jones can’t play.

LUCAS DWYER: Miami won last week, Detroit lost. Detroit 27, Miami 10. This just in: Tony Romo can play. Dallas 21, Tamapa Bay 10. Arrowhead Stadium is brutal to play in and Jake Plummer sucks. Kansas City 24, Denver 17.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: I like Miami, Dallas and Denver, though I don’t understand why the NFL network has to ruin Thanksgiving traditions of bad football and everyone being forced to watch it.

THE PUNDIT: Miami, Dallas, Denver.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: What’s with the third game? Does the NFL really think it can take a bite out of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy ratings? At least that’s the only game worth watching of the three. Look for Larry Johnson (pictured) to hang five TDs on the Broncos in a Chiefs rout. At least that’s what this particular fantasy football owner is hoping for. Tampa won’t beat Dallas, sadly. In the undercard, I guess I’ll go with the acquatic mammals.

2. And now, some college games this week(end): BC at Miami; LSU at Arkansas; Notre Dame at USC.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: Boston College, because the Eags (as a friend calls them) are led by one of my favorite coaches in Tom O’Brien. The University of Arkansas, because it’s my uncle’s former employer. USC, because the viewing public deserves as many shots of the Trojan cheerleaders as possible.

THE PUNDIT: BC, LSU, Notre Dame.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: Let’s go with BC, Arkansas and Notre Dame. But really, who cares anymore, with the National Championship having already been played?

LUCAS DWYER:
Larry Coker’s job is on the line and… he loses it. BC 35, Miami 24. Arkansas will be the surprise national championship foe of Ohio State. Arkansas 20, LSU 17. Charlie Weis finally get Notre Dame over the USC hump. ND 42, USC 38.

STEVEN VINCI:
BC at Miami: Who cares? LSU at Arkansas: Bad for SEC if LSU wins. Notre Dame at USC: Huge BCS implications. USC wins and they could end up in the BCS Championship; If Notre Dame wins, however, we might have to watch an Ohio State-Michigan rematch.

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Starting Five: NFL Midseason Report

November 10th, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: NFL MIDSEASON REPORT

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1. When are the Colts going to lose?

David Garrard: Colts Killer?STEVEN VINCI: December 10th at Jacksonville. The Jags’ defense did an excellent job last season against the Colts and Jack Del Rio won’t be stupid like Bill Belichick. The Jags will run the ball down the Colts’ throats and find a way to pull out the win.

LUCAS DWYER: At Jacksonville in Week 14. If the Jags can’t beat the Colts at home, the Colts won’t lose this year, 16-0.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: At Jacksonville, Week 14. Boy, that David Garrard (right) sure knows how to manage a game! I predict 17-13.

THE PUNDIT: Week 14 at Jacksonville. A road game against a defense that can be nasty on any given Sunday.

MICHAEL BRIAN: When they are outscored by their opponent.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: They’re losing at Dallas a week from Sunday. The Cowboys’ roller coaster season entails them being embarrassed by Matt Leinart and Arizona this week and roaring back to throttle Indy on November 19. Or at least it would be amusing.

2. More likely to happen between now and the end of the year: Art Shell getting fired, Terrell Owens being de-activated, or another prominent player failing a test for steroids?

Art Shell: Getting the Axe?MICHAEL BRIAN: Art Shell gets fired. Goes back to his regular job as an Art Shell statue.

LUCAS DWYER: It’s all about tying it in and I’m still convinced that Shawn Alexander is going to test positive for steroids. Art Shell’s shocking two wins have probably spared him from being fired mid-season, and putting Tony Romo in for Drew Bledsoe was the best T.O.-quieting thing anyone has done in five years.

THE PUNDIT: Another player getting nailed for steroids. Art Shell and the Raiders will perform better in the second half. T.O. will not get de-activated.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: I’d rather see the whole offense unit of the Raiders be released, but Art Shell will probably get the axe even though it’s not his fault. Andrew Walter is offically the new Drew Bledsoe.

MICHAEL STEPHENS:
Shell will probably last until the end of the year at least, since Al Davis felt so badly about axing him the previous time. Steroid tests are hard to handicap. So we’ll go with Terrell Owens. Sure, everything’s good now. But what about after a few Cowboys losses and Drew Bledsoe replacing an injured Tony Romo? Could get ugly.

STEVEN VINCI:
Has to be Art Shell’s firing. I actually think he has already been fired, but the NFL is making Jesse Jackson watch films of all the Raider games so Jackson won’t file a lawsuit against the NFL for firing a minority coach.

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Starting Five: Sport / Not a Sport, Part II

November 3rd, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: SPORT / NOT A SPORT: RELOADED

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Fishing: Not a Sport, Apparently

1. Fishing: Sport? Not a sport? Why?

THE PUNDIT:
Yes if you are by yourself, or with buddies drinking beer and talking smack. No if you are some redneck schmoe trying to support your family in Big Willie’s West Virginia Bass Shootout.

LUCAS DWYER: Not a sport. However, it did spawn one of the greatest hand-held games of all time. I don’t even remember the name of it, but the device was shaped like the beginnings of a fishing pole, with the screen where the reel was, and you had to physically move your arm to “cast” your line just like real fishing! Good times…

JOEY BARGUY: Not a sport, unless: A) in the water, and B) the fish could potentially kill you.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: The older and more athletically challenged I become, the more I come to enjoy activities like fishing. While not a sport, fishing has become a great passion of mine for several reasons. One, the epic Hemmingway-esque man-vs.-nature battle. Two, it’s a great excuse to drink beer and sit by a lake on a beautiful summer afternoon. And three, food. Catch it, kill it, eat it. Boo yea.

MICHAEL BRIAN: Not a sport. Unless you’re using dynamite.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: It certainly can be. What takes greater coordination, resolve, strength, skill and teamwork: three men combining to find, snare, and reel in an 850-pound bluefin tuna, or a sweeping ice with a broom? Take that, curling.

STEVEN VINCI: Fishing is not a sport. It’s a way to pass the time while sitting in a boat drinking cheap beer.

VERDICT: NOT A SPORT, 5-2

2. Darts: Sport? Not a sport? Why?

STEVEN VINCI: Darts can’t possibly be a sport, because you only play the game while drunk.

LUCAS DWYER: I feel like I’m being backed into a corner here. If pool is a sport, how can darts not be? However, I’m glad to see ESPN’s attempt at the “World Series of Darts” failed. Beyond the fact that watching someone shoot darts isn’t all that interesting, how is 501 a better game than cricket? If you’re gonna put a “World Series of Darts” on TV, at least play the game that we all play in local bars.

THE PUNDIT: Sport. Brings back great memories of the infamous battles with One Eyed Willie at the Jug back in the Pundit’s formative years.

MICHAEL BRIAN: Not a sport. But speaking of throwing stuff, can we play “Quarterback/Not a Quarterback”? This Pat White is not a quarterback, and West Virginia should be forced to pass the ball once. Just once.

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Starting Five: Sport / Not a Sport

October 27th, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: SPORT / NOT A SPORT

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1. Golf: Sport? Not a sport? Why?

LUCAS DWYER:
Not only is golf a sport, it is the hardest sport there is. The physical act of striking a golf ball and making contact might not be all that difficult, but the act of striking a golf ball, hitting it far and accurately, and doing so consistently over the course of 18 holes is far more difficult than hitting a 97 mph fastball or tackling Larry Johnson.

JOEY BARGUY: Not a sport. It’s a sport for Tiger Woods. Not for you.

Phil Mickelson: Need Some Support?EVAN CHRISTOPHER: My definition of a sport is simple: physical activity, competition and a clear winner and loser. So golf easily qualifies as a sport. Some say hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do, but I nominate hitting a 100-yard sand wedge from the rough with a bad lie onto a sloping green. Golf requires talent, concentration, no bad teammates to bring you down or blame, and incredibly bad fashion sense. I love it.

MICHAEL BRIAN: Golf: Not a sport. Golf is what you do when your body is too old, broken down, or man-boobed to play actual sports.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: A tough call, but I have to go with sport. It’s somehow easier to justify wasting most of my youth playing it if I call it one.

STEVEN VINCI: Golf is certainly a sport. A game is something everyone can do, but golf is one of the most challenging activities on the planet, and one mastered by only a few. Just because Phil Mickelson needs a bra does not mean golf is not a sport.

VERDICT: SPORT, 4-2

2. Ultimate frisbee: Sport? Not a sport? Why?

STEVEN VINCI: I’ll go with sport on this one. Even though it’s played by hippies and there is not enough physical contact, there is some skill involved. It would be a better game if there was tackling involved.

LUCAS DWYER: The only thing missing from ultimate frisbee for this to even be a question is attention. There are very few organized ultimate frisbee endeavors, so we never hear about it, but it requires athleticism, speed, endurance, coordination, and strategy — all the things you’d want in a sport.

MICHAEL BRIAN: Not a sport. Ultimate frisbee will become a sport when shirt tye-dyeing, hair unkempting and pot smoking are considered work outs.

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Starting Five: The World Series

October 21st, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: THE WORLD SERIES

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1. Did you think the Mets were going to pull it out in Game Seven after their first two batters singled in the ninth?

The Fall ClassicEVAN CHRISTOPHER: Without a doubt. Beltran looking at strike three in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded will go down as one of the worst choke jobs in all sports history.

LUCAS DWYER: Maybe I was just rooting for the Mets to win because a win by the home team is always more exciting, but Wainwright was having difficulty with his control and with two on, one out, and Reyes at the plate, you have to like their chances. Five feet further towards right field and it’s a tie ball game.

MICHAEL BRIAN: Did I ever! I saw visions of Gibson with Floyd hobbling up to the plate. Instead he struck out. Looking. Good times.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: No way. I was overwhelmingly confident that the 83-win Cardinals and their rookie closer were going to escape that jam by fanning two monster sluggers looking.

2. Scrappier player: Brandon Inge or David Eckstein?

MICHAEL STEPHENS:
Eckstein grabs all the headlines, but Inge plays a huge role for Detroit and might be the king of unsung scrappiness… if such a thing existed. Inge. Doesn’t his last name just sound like he’d be the type of guy to get his uniform dirty and do all the little things? Really I just like saying Inge.

LUCAS DWYER: Without question, David Eckstein. Have you seen how much he chokes up on a bat? Or the way he throws? He’s like a little leaguer surviving in the MLB on hustle alone. Tremendously fun player to root for.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: I’ll go with Eckstein, but it’s hard to debate scrappiness when it’s really not even a human quality.

MICHAEL BRIAN: Can’t all of us baseball fans vote, perhaps in some sort of ballot handed out at games, to get Eckstein out of baseball? Has there ever been a more annoying player? We get it, ass; you’re here because of your hustle. But it’s called a walk. You can walk to first base.

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Starting Five: Steroids In Sports

October 16th, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: STEROIDS IN SPORTS

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1. Which sport do you think has the most steroid use?

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: Baseball. As it’s been proven over the years, basketball players and NFL playmakers don’t need insane strength to be successful. In other words, white people need ‘roids to be athletic.

Justin Gatlin, Former World Record HolderTHE PUNDIT: If you changed this question to performance enhancers, that would be more appropriate, because GH and some others arent tested by the NFL and other leagues. Track and field uses the most, followed closely by football. Track athletes almost have to use the juice these days to stay competitive, and football players need them (the untested GH in particular) to recover from the poundings they take.

STEVEN VINCI: Probably golf. These guys are hitting the ball farther and farther every week, and Phil Mickelson just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

LUCAS DWYER: I’m reluctant to say “steriod use” anymore because with all the hGh rumors floating around, you get the feeling guys have moved on to more advanced substances. I do think, however, the greatest substance abuse occurs in the NFL. It has to. These guys are freakishly large and the game has a far greater possibility for injury than any other sport.

JOEY BARGUY: Tie — men’s bodybuilding and The Orthopedist Olympics.

2. Would you care if your favorite athlete took steroids?

JOEY BARGUY: All of my favorite athletes are dead or animals, so no.

LUCAS DWYER: I’m not gonna lie, the large head and the gap in the front two teeth (tell-tale signs of of hGh use — see Shaun Alexander as well) scare the heck out of me with David Ortiz. Fortunately, my favorite player is Manny Ramirez, and there’s no way he could even figure out how to take hGh.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: Yes and no. If Cal Ripken, Jr. was found to have used steroids during his historic consecutive games streak, then I probably would have abandoned sports forever. But if Hulk Hogan took a shot in the ass every day in order to win the WWF Heavyweight championship in the early ’90s, more power to him.

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Starting Five: NBA Preseason Report

October 6th, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: NBA PRESEASON REPORT

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1. Which offseason transaction will have the greatest impact?

Charlie VillanuevaEVAN CHRISTOPHER: Obvious Answer: Ben Wallace to the Bulls. Right Answer: Charlie Villanueva (right) being traded to the Bucks. Watch out for Milwaukee to be the Bulls of two years ago — young, talented and hungry.

MICHAEL BRIAN: The Pacers re-acquiring Al Harrington is the first step in a multi-step program that has my favorite teams getting back people they never should have let go. Next up, Liriano returns to the Giants, followed by George Michael returning to team hetero. That guy could pull tons.

LEVI MATTHEWS: Isiah Thomas being named coach of the Knicks. Collective suicide by eight million New Yorkers is pretty significant impact, no?

LUCAS DWYER:
It was just a re-signing and happened so long ago, most of us forget it, but LeBron staying with the Cavs created quite a few ripples. Not only was the deal monumental for the Cavs simply because they retained LeBron, but the structure of the contract actually changed Dwyane Wade’s deal. After hearing the smaller nature of LeBron’s contract, Wade changed his tune with Miami and asked for a similar deal. How many players can say that about their contract?

MICHAEL STEPHENS: How about the deals not signed by high school prospects at this year’s draft! That will solve the NBA’s problems right there. Not. Another great trade of late involved bullets from Stephen Jackson’s gun in exchange for the Pacers guard being smashed by a moving car. Great for the league’s image makeover.

2. How does the NBA changing its official ball rank in terms of stupidity compared to last season’s dress code implementation, and how will the new rock affect the quality of play?

LEVI MATTHEWS: It’s even more biased against African-Americans.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: They changed the ball? Unless the circumference is now smaller, enabling members of the New York Knicks to actually coax it through the basket, I don’t see this making much of a difference.

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Starting Five: NHL Preview

September 29th, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: THE UPCOMING NHL SEASON

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1. More ridiculous signing: Rick DiPietro for 15 years, or Terrell Owens for any period?

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: As I wrote earlier this month, signing Rick DiPietro for 15 years is like trying to commit suicide for more attention. Just stupid.

MICHAEL BRIAN: DiPietro, as his signing assumes that the NHL will last for 15 more years.

The Best League Ever

LEVI MATTHEWS: DiPietro. At least T.O. elicits controversy and puts fans in the seats. DiPetro elicits wasted space on SportsCenter for hockey news and puts his pants on one leg at a time.

JOEY BARGUY: Rick DiPietro. Because in five years the “Generation Y” kids will start entering the NHL — they’ll be dominate and replace the current flock. Just think, these kids have never experienced a world with the Soviet Union! Their short attention spans and sense of entitlement are perfect for goaltending.

LUCAS DWYER: As much as it “pains” me to not say Terrell Owens, the Islanders giving DiPietro a 15-year contract is organizational “suicide.” What if we discover DiPietro has a “drug” problem and “overdoses” on his narcotic of choice after this season and spends the next 14 years in rehab? Sure, it’s completely irrational, but when you sign a guy to a 15-year contract, you have to consider things like the player “lying” to you about particulars like that amongst a litany of other potential problems.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: T.O. While a 15-year deal is asinine, remember that an organization once chose to deactivate Owens, effectively placing him on paid leave rather than letting him suit up. If you’re going to do that, you might as well not sign him to begin with. Also, this week he may or may not have tried to kill himself. Dallas needs to take out a life insurance policy on this dude, pronto.

1a. [Bonus Trivia Question] What is the NHL salary cap for the 2006-07 season?

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: I refuse to look it up but I’ll guess $38M. Am I close?

MICHAEL BRIAN: This answer is easy to figure out. Take the NHL’s salary cap for the 2006-2007 season, cut it in half… and then double it.

JOEY BARGUY: $2.57/gallon.

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Starting Five: The Ryder Cup

September 22nd, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: THE RYDER CUP

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The Ryder Cup 20061. Which would you rather have as captain: The superior 1-2-3 punch of Americans Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, or the European team’s superior depth in roster spots 4-12?

JOEY BARGUY: Depth is for losers. No one ever made the playoffs because their farm team had surprising depth. The European team is a great representative of Europe: ununified and boring, nothing really special.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER:
Are we really doing a Starting Five about the Ryder Cup? Seriously, I need more T.O. talk in my life.

LUCAS DWYER:
First off, Woods and Furyk are rumored to be paired together which off-sets their supposed impact on other players. Second, only Mickleson averages over a half a point per match (i.e., winning more matches than losing) and his margin is .51 (Woody is .40, Furyk .33). This is a team event. The U.S. will need more than the big three. Give me depth or give me death.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: Only on Sunday, when 12 singles matches decide the Cup, are all the team members required to play. So the first 16 points will be decided largely by the elite players on both teams, giving the Americans the chance to set the tone. Europe’s depth is formidable, but not insurmountable.

MICHAEL BRIAN: I’m going to have to go with the European team, if only because I find my captaining skills greatly improve when I feel free to make the occasional porn joke.

2. Some say the technique and nerve-wracking nature of match play make it the purest form of golf. Should more tournaments adopt the Ryder Cup’s uniquely challenging format?

JOEY BARGUY: Who says that? I like predicability, and then I can frame the event with my remote control. Sometimes a birdie at the 4th hole on Friday afternoon at the Masters decides the tournament — especially if it’s the only hole I watch. Don’t tell me what’s exciting, you arrogant Europeans.

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: Do you know where I can get those pics of Tiger’s wife?

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Starting Five: The MLB Playoff Race

September 15th, 2006 by The Sports Truth Staff

No pulsating intro music or pyrotechnics are necessary when the Sports Truth’s Starting Five takes the floor. Primarily because our budget won’t allot for such things. That would be so cool, though!

Every Friday, our panel of experts takes a current sports topic and sounds off on it — five times over. These guys have been researching constantly, poring over endless data and bouncing ideas off each other in preparation for this feature. Prepare to be amused, perplexed, enraged and maybe a little awed by their collective brilliance.

This Week’s Topic: BASEBALL PLAYOFF RACES

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1. Who will win the World Series?

EVAN CHRISTOPHER: The New York Mets in a subway series. Boo yea.

LEVI MATTHEWS: The New York Yankees. But the Mets may score a couple runs in one of the games.

JOEY BARGUY: The New York Yankees. The hot second half team (besides the White Sox last year) always wins the world series — especially when its the Yankees. And come on, they have their swagger back. Alex “Brosius” Rodriguez is getting hot at the right time, and Rivera will be nice and rested. Most importantly, every other team seems to be suddenly terrible.

Bobby Abreu, Ex-PhillieLUCAS DWYER: Three teams have a chance to win: Yankees, Twins, and Tigers. The Yankees certainly look the best right now, but I feel like their pitching will catch up with them in a 5 or 7 game series vs. a good squad. The Tigers should be the team to beat, but I think their young pitching will catch up with them as well. Provided Liriano is effective when he comes off the DL, I like he and Santana to propel the Twins to a World Series title.

MICHAEL STEPHENS: The no-name Oakland Athletics will play boring but smart, defensively-brilliant baseball and stun even Billy Beane by winning it all.

2. Was the Yankees trade for Bobby Abreu (pictured) the most influential move of the 21st century?

LEVI MATTHEWS: It ranks right up there with the Dr. Webber raising the stakes for future Chief of Staff at Seattle Grace by hiring Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy. Or George Bush being re-elected. But neither the president or any surgeon, no matter how precise, can compete with the OBP of Abreu.

JOEY BARGUY: Abreu takes approximately 37 pitches per at-bat. While it’s hard to project the future of 21st century “moves,” the only possibility would be if the Yankees trade Abreu to some other team.

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