A Few Random Thoughts

Random thoughts while pondering the soccer playoff scenarios...

-The Red Sox have shown some true guts, finding a way to win another game.  It takes an unlikely hero, and, at that point, no one was more unlikely than Shane Victorino.  He had failed at every opportunity in the first five games, even failing to put down a bunt that could have put them on the board earlier in game six.  He is at the twilight of his career, still a capable, productive player.  I expect him to be his usual self in the World Series.

-Quick World Series Breakdown: Starting Pitching-Cardinals. Bullpen-Red Sox.  Offense-Cardinals.  Defense-Even.  Intangibles-Red Sox.  Pretty similar to the ALCS, which puts the Red Sox on top.  Give them six games to do it.

-Red Sox bullpen was incredible against the Tigers.  Koji Uehara reminds me of a cross between Trevor Hoffman and Tim Lincecum.  Hoffman for the speed and placement of pitches, Lincecum for a delivery which seems to jump off the rubber at you as a hitter.  He shows the fire the Red Sox have as a team.

-I would look for an announcement regarding A-Rod, his lawsuit, and the suspension during the World Series.  It seems that baseball has a penchant for the worst thing at the worst time, and this is just another mangled scenario by billionaires who can't run a monopoly profitably.  Shame on you, A-Rod.  Take your punishment: you know what you did.  Take it like a man and do something you've never done in your stellar career: take responsibility for your own failings.

-One thing exceptionally clear about the NFL yesterday: they don't start playing until the playoffs. The portions of games I saw yesterday were like stock footage in a movie studio: it filled your need, but left a lot to be desired.  I understand inspired play is incredibly difficult to maintain over an entire season, but give us something.  Maybe the issue is the games I had to opportunity to view: Bengals-Lions and Broncos-Colts.

-Scott Dixon showed incredible perseverance in winning the Indy Car Season Championship Saturday night.  He had a couple of run-ins with Penske drivers, especially in Baltimore and Detroit, but got the job done.  It is Dixie's third championship, an elite group.  Special thoughts and prayers to Justin Wilson, who took a vicious hit and broke his pelvis in three places.  He faces a long and difficult recovery.

So...am I off base?