Look Out Now, It's Sweep Time

It's Broom Time Baby! Okay, so Dick Vitale is not a baseball guy, but if he was, he would definitely be excited about my Marlins. Earlier this month, I wrote about my Marlins and what a surprising year they have had so far. Many critics have said that they started the season with a "light" scheduled. But those critics are officially silenced. For tonight, the Marlins completed a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is the same team that had the best record in baseball before coming to Miami and is currently the leaders of the National League West.

One of the most interesting stories is the Marlins trade of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit in exchange for Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo and three minor league pitchers. After this trade, many wrote off the Marlins chances, especially with Miller's ERA at the time of 9.12. However, since the trade, he has turned his game around, including tonight's game were he pitched a magical seven innings, that included nine strikeouts and only one batter reaching second base. In fact, since the trade, his ERA has fallen to 5.33 and he has won four out of his last five opportunities.

On a bit of bad news, Dan Uggla, who has recently had a hot bat, ended his 11-game hitting streak by going 0-for-4. But that is okay, he is still hitting .315. All I have to say, is this team is real. And regardless of how the season ends, they have something to be proud of. Go FISH!!

Sport’s Crystal Ball: Looking Ahead to October

I am the first to admit that I am fair weather fan when it comes to hockey. Coming from Florida, where hockey is almost as popular as lacrosse, I root for the Florida Panthers and the Washington Capitals, but I wouldn’t say I am a die hard fan. That’s not to say that I am totally ignorant and have no clue who is on the roster for the teams. But, if they don’t win, then its not the end of the world.

I am however, a big fan of basketball. As a Chicago Bulls fan, this has been another disappointing year. It has been an exciting year as an up-and-coming fan of the Washington Wizards, but sadly, as I predicted yesterday, there playoff run has ended. So while I will continue to watch the playoffs, I have lost a team to route for. So, I must now focus my attention to October.

Is this going to be the year where one of my teams will actually make it to the World Series? As of right now, I am “sitting pretty” as a fan of both the Oakland Athletics and the Florida Marlins. As a fan of the Washington Nationals, I just need to smile and say, hey at least we have a new stadium. Regardless of how the rest of the season turns out, this season has provided me hope that if not this year, then one of my teams will be showing up in the World Series in some of the coming years. Coming into the season, no one predicted that the Oakland Athletics would have a shot at making the playoffs. Now, they are currently third in MLB with runs scored and share the top spot with the Los Angles Angels in the AL West Standings going into tonight’s game. In fact, even the front office was surprised by the team’s progress and instead of having a “rebuilding year,” they have signed Frank “Big Hurt” Thomas. And the best part, is that they only need to pay $337,000 for the year. The A’s have now moved up to the #2 spot on ESPN’s Power Rankings.

The Florida Marlins have also been a surprise thus far. While I am very satisfied with the Marlins’ World Series record, I do look forward to the day they shed the reputation of “buying” the World Series. Truthfully, with the Yankees still in the MLB, I think the phrase “buying a World Series” for any other team cannot be used. It is interesting to note that for 2008, the Yankees' payroll is over $209 million, while the A’s and Marlins' payrolls are the bottom two teams with only approximately $48 million and $22 million, respectively.

While Las Vegas still has the A’s and the Marlins as a long shot for the World Series, it will definitely be a season of surprises. Play ball!