Two days until PGA, three days until Bourne. What a week…

HOOK:

“Chapman.”

I rooted for the Warriors against the Cavs for no reason in the NBA Finals.  I am picking the Nationals to represent the National League in the MLB playoffs.  Do I have a subconscious love for suffering fan bases?  I don’t know.  But, stepping out of whatever unreality I am coming from for a second, the facts are the facts.  You have to pick and pry to find weaknesses in the Cubs lineup or rotation.  They are minor, and just when you think you found one, you can override it with someone’s fielding or hitting at another position.  Fact is this.  They plugged the ONE single hole that was obvious.  Closer.  But this is more than getting a “closer.”  No, this moves other relief pitchers BACK an inning or two and gives them a lot more flexibility up front.  Odd fact.  The Cubs are 7-6 when tied after 6 and 2-5 when tied after 7 innings.  This helps that stat and gives them a flamethrower to close out games.

LINE:

“Cleveland.”

Hell, Ben wrote his article and the good news keeps pouring in.  Lue gets a legitimate extension and Gordon gets reinstated.  And, the Indians are holding steady and being good at midseason????  This is like the Bizarro world.

SINKER:

“NFL.”

Some NFL teams will sink and some will rise.  I LOVE articles like this.  This is an amazing, statistically solid take on which teams will surprisingly go away next year and which teams will rise up.  http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/BarnwellNFLPreview160726/predicting-which-nfl-teams-rise-decline-2016-dallas-cowboys-san-diego-chargers #chargers #cowboys

THE RIVER:

• Ken Griffey’s suit was pretty darn fancy this weekend.
• Jeff Gordon just had to finish to make it cool this weekend in his sub role.  He got 13th.  Cooler.
• I would hate to face Chris Sale the start after his missed start because of uniforms.
• Venus Williams lost, but she lost after another run to the finals in an event.
• Pretty cool article in SI I am reading about meeting the Olympians.  Picking who I will be rooting for.
• Yes!  I say YES!  AND no.  Anquan Boldin IS on a team.  Lions.  It doesn’t matter HOW it happens, but somehow he will end up as my 5th WR.  Always happens.
• Love what he said, but just surprised MJ spoke out so outwardly on something.  Great cause, and he has the cash.  Remove Melo from this movement and I am happy.
• No, I will NOT start liking Melo just because he is doing noble stuff right now.
• The grass is green, the sky is blue, and it is proven Manning didn’t use HGH.  Wow.  Great hours dedicated to a cause we laughed at.  NOW, I can sleep at night.
• I guess the Blazers and CJ McCollum were just waiting until the REALLY idiotic contracts went by to announce their 4 year extension.  20/4/3/18 PER so the kid can play, and think that 2nd and 4th number go up a little this year.
• I wonder if previous UF QB Treon Harris transferred because the chick who chickened out on ruining him just told all her friends not to get with him.
• Was Aldon Smith just off his rocker, or just doing a Tunsil II?
• Greg Jennings is retiring during a prime that he never really fully hit.  80 receptions or more just once in his career.
• Ok.  It took me forever to watch this when Lindsey sent it to me, but I watched it, and it is off the hook.  Not an America’s Got Talent fan, but this dude DESTROYS Radiohead’s Creep.  Brian Justin Crum.  Click it, people.  And then wait.  Less than 4 minutes of your life, and like 300 million plus have already watched it.  We are actually behind the curve.  https://www.facebook.com/nbcagt/videos/vb.10646929759/10154082124229760/?type=2&theater
• I think what Westbrook does and his presence silence is an interesting story that is NOT getting enough press.
• MLB Trade Deadline.  That time of year when crazy trades can occur, people even outline trades for untouchables like Mike Trout, less than we thought happens, and then the whole waiver wire thing kicks in after…meaning players can still change teams…
• I don’t really want negative stuff about Jordy’s new knee injury, Nigel’s aggravated battery, Galette’s torn Achilles, or Randy Gregory’s longer violation, but it IS nice to have football news on the wire.
• DR gave me free pizza today and asked why I was EXTRA grateful.  I said A) I am happy when I get free pizza but I am B) extra happy when it is exactly the way I would have ordered it possibly.
• PGA Championship already here with Rio jacking things up, and crazy to think Rory’s is going for a THIRD one.
• SO glad I have no trips for the weekend and no plans on Sunday.  PGA on my COUCH.
• Federer shuts it down for year, he is in shape enough to have a more brilliant or fancy exit, but shame we can’t see him on the hard courts in NYC.
• The Padres traded Melvin Upton, Jr. to the Blue Jays today.  What is weird about this is that I remember the summer of the Padres being really aggressive in a win now mode a couple summers ago.  Melvin was the fourth good player they have traded this YEAR.
• Stoudemire might retire as a Knick because that is his wish and it is big city and all that, but he should be a Sun at retirement.  He averaged 23 his first Knick season and them dropped like a rock.  He was consistent for 8 years in Phoenix and WON a little in the playoffs.
• Bryan S. I forgot to tell you the answer.  20.  Koufax, Gagne, and Kershaw.  Tab=$40.
• 3 days until Bourne.
• No prizes for anyone today, and that includes Rudy.
• Prizes lost Sunday:  Casey, Pearson, Sanchez, Giebel, Lauren, and Hoban.  Hoban at least guessed.  Giebel and Lauren had WHIFFLEBALL questions.

That’s it for today.  Will I blog tomorrow?  That is a CLOWN question, bro.  Peace.