A lawyer in his spare time, Seth Frankel is a University of Michigan
graduate and hopelessly obsessed Mets fan, who is a newcomer to Sports
Grumblings. He's been hooked on fantasy sports since junior high
school, and before that, Strat-O-Matic baseball.
A-Rod must be in denial about the Yankees postseason chances. It's nothing to smile about.
I'm sitting here at 12:30 AM, reeling from yet another encounter with the Mets bullpen. It seemed like it would be a good night. I got home from work, changed out of the uncomfortable work clothes, played a few games of Wii tennis, and lo and behold, the Mets were up 7-0. I should have known that 7-0 only means something with the Mets when it's a final score. Tonight Luis Ayala earned his initiation, as he had been far too effective since his acquisition, and Scott Schoenweis reverted to his 2007 form by giving up the game winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning on a single by Chris Coste. This was an absolutely brutal loss for the Mets, as they drop to second place in the NL East, ½ game behind the Phillies. Johan Santana takes on Kyle Kendrick tomorrow, and this is one of those mismatches that the Mets simply MUST win.
No time to be depressed, however, as this week is the start of college football. Last year was truly a brutal September, as I watched my Mets collapse, while my Michigan Wolverines had an unprecedented start to the season with losses to Appalachian State and Oregon. A new era dawns this Saturday, as the Wolverines open up at home against Utah. This game terrifies me. Michigan is implementing a new offensive system, appears to have significant questions at quarterback and offensive line, and lost its top two receivers. Utah is a potential BCS buster, and a minuscule 3 ½ point spread at home has me on pins and needles, waiting for Saturday to come.
The last two weeks have witnessed my main contending fantasy team drop from 2.5 points out to, according to the live scoring, a sixteen point deficit. With my trade deadline approaching, and no moves left to be made, I'm stuck with the guys I have. I would like to specifically thank the Atlanta Braves, who even in a year when they're not contending for the division title, find a way to piss me off. First, it was trading Mark Teixeira to the American League, which left with Casey Kotchman, who has not exactly been productive since the trade, before leaving the team to be with his ailing mother (and my sympathies do go out to him – I certainly do not mean to sound callous). Then promising young pitchers Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo decide that now is the time to start pitching terribly, especially when I need them to pick up the slack for the injured Chris Young. Needless to say, it looks like I'm playing for second. So, thank you Braves.
Moving over the the American League, and I hesitate to say this, as I've been waiting to say these words for what seems like an eternity, but it looks like the Yankees may finally be done. A loss to the Red Sox tonight in the Bronx pushes them even further into a hole. Of course, we all know the Phillies proved last year that no lead is necessarily insurmountable, even in late September, but the Yankees will need to jump over the Red Sox and Twins (or White Sox). So, thankfully, all you Yankee haters, it looks like we may finally get a Yankee-free postseason.
I finally saw The Pineapple Express this weekend. I had read some pretty weak reviews of it, but I thought it was quite enjoyable – that is, if you enjoy the stoner movie genre. Think movies like Dazed and Confused or Half Baked. If you were a fan of those, I think you would like this movie. Utterly ridiculous at times, but good brainless fun for an hour and a half.
In case you missed it, the Dodgers were swept by the Phillies this weekend, unable to get a win in four tries. Although they are still within striking distance of the first place Diamondbacks, one has to imagine that could be the death blow that puts them out of contention. Similarly, the Marlins lost last night in devastating fashion, blowing a three run lead in the bottom of the ninth, and as I mentioned last week, may be on their last legs. Still, the Marlins should be commended for keeping it this close for this long.
And finally, a look at the upcoming fall TV schedule (a little light on the baseball this week, for that I apologize): Two drama/action shows in The Shield (returning for its final season) and Heroes return in September. I was a latecomer to both shows, but have caught up completely this summer, and would highly recommend both of them. And from the comedy side, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and 30 Rock all return which should fill my DVR for weeks worth of content.
A lawyer in his spare time, Seth Frankel is a University of Michigan
graduate and hopelessly obsessed Mets fan, who is a newcomer to Sports
Grumblings. He's been hooked on fantasy sports since junior high
school, and before that, Strat-O-Matic baseball. 