Playoff Implications

With six games on tap tomorrow with both teams in the top-25 and two games featuring teams within the top ten. Looks to be an exciting weekend! We have seen lately how teams have been in high contention for the playoff. The ideal example of this LSU. The Tigers came into their game against Alabama as favorites not only to win that game, but also represent the SEC in the college football playoff. Now that they lost that game, the Tigers were trounced at home against unranked Arkansas 31-14. So shoutout to you top four (Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame): your turn could be next. Here are your big weekend games:
- #21 Memphis at Temple, Noon ET, ESPNU
- #15 LSU at #22 Ole Miss, 3:30 ET, CBS
- #24 USC at #23 Oregon, 3:30 ET, ESPN
- UCLA at #13 Utah, 3:30 ET, FOX
- #20 Northwestern at #25 Wisconsin, 3:30 ET, BTN
- #9 Michigan State at #3 Ohio State, 3:30 ET, ABC
- #10 Baylor at #6 Oklahoma State, 7:30 ET, FOX
- #18 TCU at #7 Oklahoma, 8 ET, ABC
- Cal at #11 Stanford, 10:30 ET, ESPN

The ML offseason is in full swing! Following the GM meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, things across the league have quieted down quite a bit. Even the Padres and A.J. Preller have been relatively quiet. They have signed a new first base coach along with a new hitting coach after Mark Kotsay went to Oakland to be the A's bench coach. The new first base coach will be Tarrick Brock, a former minor league coordinator for the Houston Astros. Alan Zinter was hired to be the new hitting coach after Kotsay. His previous position was the assistant hitting coach of the Astros. I would like to see some consistency with these coaches one of these days. Hopefully the motivation of Zinter and new manager Andy Green will propel these Padres to a better record next year. I believe things will work out to where we will finish above .500 and be poised at a playoff chase in 2017. Who knows, maybe we'll contend next year now that Preller now has all this money to spend for 2016. In terms of player signings, the Padres have claimed Josmil Pinto off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. The Padres also signed righty Cesar Vargas who spent last season in the Yankees organization. Vargas carries a career 3.12 ERA in 173 career minor league innings. He looks to bolster a bullpen that struggled last year and now has traded away the back end in Joaquin Benoit. If our bullpen can become bolstered, we have a chance.

In the NBA, teams are already starting to separate themselves from the pack. Isn't it hard to believe the Warriors are even better this year than they are last year? I mean, this team came back from 23 down to beat the Clippers last night in Los Angeles. When it comes to other teams, the Bulls and Cavaliers are also competing for the top spots in the east along with the Clippers and Warriors in the west. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have stumbled out of the gate, starting 2-11 but beating the Spurs tonight on their home floor. There are many injury-riddled teams out there including the Pelicans. It's just a matter of using one's resources to overcome the deficit. The 76ers are also struggling. With an 0-13 start, they are the first team in NBA history to start 0-13 in consecutive seasons. There is a long road to the finals. Let us just sit back, relax and prepare for an excellent season of hoops.

Our final segment of the evening is regarding the NFL. How is your fantasy team? Yeah, mine stinks too. I'm in last place in my league. But hey, that doesn't mean we should moan and cry about the results of for-real football, can we? After all, let's look at some matchups for this week. The Broncos travel to Chicago to take on a suddenly resilient Bears team without Peyton Manning. Instead, they will go with the Arizona State product, Brock Osweiler. Expect big things from him in stepping in the shoes of Peyton Manning. Speaking of quarterback drama, the Cowboys are welcoming back Tony Romo after being on the shelf for seven weeks with a broken clavicle (collar bone). His backups did not fare very well in losing all seven games, the worst losing streak for the Cowboys since 1989. Romo will have to pull a miracle if he is to bring this team back into contention. We'll just have to wait and see.

That should do it for this week's edition. Thank you for reading!

No Such Thing as the Offseason

The "offseason" for the players may have begun, but I don't think GMs ever rest. GM A.J. Preller certainly doesn't rest as he has executed three trades in this past week alone. They aren't like the blockbuster deals of last winter, but they are still signs of the team moving in the right direction. First off, Preller traded minor league pitcher Ronald Herrera to the Yankees for utility infielder Jose Pirela. I like this trade because we need some competition for the middle-infield positions this coming spring. Another trade in which the Padres were involved was Joaquin Benoit being sent off to Seattle for two prospects: 19-year-old starting pitcher Enyel De Los Santos (the big piece in the deal) and 23-year-old middle-infielder Nelson Ward. The third trade in consecutive days is definitely the BIG blockbuster! Closer Craig Kimbrel has been traded to the Red Sox for four excellent prospects. I am so satisfied with this trade! I know you may be thinking, "why are you happy that your favorite team traded away the game's best closer?" But let's look at the numbers. Kimbrel was owed $11.25 million next year and another $13 million the next year. That means that in the past two days, Preller has managed to shed $18 million. Talk about impressive! I like the prospects we got in return too. However, Padres prospects in the past have been mostly busts even if they have been highly touted. The good part is that we have either trade chips or more money to spend on free agency this winter. There were also rumors that Andrelton Simmons would be going to the Padres, but in the end, Simmons was sent to Anaheim for Eric Aybar and two prospects. I'm glad we didn't get him because that would have meant that we would have to send our entire farm system to Atlanta for somebody who is right-handed and does not hit very well despite being one of the best defenders in the game.

Now let's talk about the big shake-up in the college football playoff rankings. After LSU fell to Alabama in Tuscaloosa (Boo!), the rankings have rambled things up. With these rankings, they really don't mean much other than to gauge where these teams are throughout the year and what they must do to get to the promised land. Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame round out the top four with Iowa and Baylor on the outside looking in. Undefeated Oklahoma State is also looking to crack the top four as they face the meat of their schedule. If somebody escapes the Big 12 undefeated, then hopefully the voters will favor them in the end after a rough year-ending last year. Here are your games this week:
- #2 Alabama at #17 Mississippi State, 3:30 ET, CBS
- #21 Memphis at #24 Houston, 7 ET, ESPN2
- #12 Oklahoma at #6 Baylor, 8 ET, ABC
- #10 Utah at Arizona, 10 ET, FOX Sports 1

College basketball is now upon us as well! Duke looks to defend their title in a year that looks to be as interesting as it was last year. Upsets have already shocked the college world as Western Illinois defeated #17 and runner-up from last year Wisconsin in Madison. Talk about upset. Another headline comes from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Normally when you talk about LSU, you learn about their football, baseball or softball teams who seem to contend year after year. This time around it is men's basketball and the nation's top recruit in the form of Ben Simmons. Many are comparing him to LeBron James with his large frame and strong body. Hopefully he stays more than a year like most freshman tend not to do. With him on the team, LSU is ranked #17. Hopefully they can make some noise this season.

That is all I have for you this week! Thank you for reading!

Flashback to 2011

Remember when LSU was ranked #1 in the country and Alabama #2? That game was also in Tuscaloosa and the Tigers won the defensive war 9-6 in overtime. In the end, these two teams faced each other again in the National Championship with Alabama destroying the Tigers 21-0. Talk about defense, this year's matchup should be a good one with Alabama's front line all having first-round NFL potential against Leonard Fournette, the front-runner for the Heisman. Who will come out on top? Gueax Tigers! Check out the trailer below to get pumped!!!!
- #2 LSU at #4 Alabama, 8 ET, CBS
- #16 Florida State at #1 Clemson, 3:30 ET, ABC
- #8 TCU at #14 Oklahoma State, 3:30 ET, FOX
- Navy at #13 Memphis, 7 ET, ESPN2
- #12 Utah at Washington, 7:30 ET, FOX

In the MLB we have a surprising turn of events in the nation's capital. So you know how Bud Black was supposed to be manager of the Nationals? Well we have a false alarm here, folks! The Nationals apparently offered him a one-year job but Buddy wanted more. So the Nationals backed out. Now Dusty Baker is in as Manager of a currently dysfunctional Nationals team that many were predicting to win the world series this year. As for Bud, he is one of around 10 candidates to contend for the job in Los Angeles for the Dodgers. Padres bench coach Dave Roberts is also being considered for the job there too. This is the final vacancy for a managerial position in the bigs. Speaking of Padres coaches, now that Andy Green has been hired, he is considering which coaches from last year to keep and which to let go. Roberts' contract expired at the end of the world series as did most of the coaches on the Padres' staff. Pitching coach Darren Balsley and third base coach Glenn Hoffman have both returned and hitting coach Mark Kotsay still has one season left on his contract, but other than that, everybody else is up in the air. Perhaps we will see a change to try and get this team to perform again until new leadership and hopefully a new vibe in the dugout. Only three and a half months until spring training begins! Just a side note as well, the Royals have won the world series! "Go crazy, folks!" Their first title since 1985 brings other teams' fans to their knees begging for a title...like us lowly Padres fans. When will we get one? Anyways, The Mets totally imploded. Well, the Mets didn't - but Jeurys Familia did! He blew three saves in the world series alone, a new record. Next year, look to see the Mets contend again with the Nationals and Cubs biting at their heels. Who cares that Vegas says the Dodgers will win it all next year, that's Vegas!

The NFL continues to excite fans all across the world. Although there were many injuries to star players across the league on Sunday such as: Calvin Johnson (calf), LeVeon Bell (ACL), Keenan Allen (Kidney) and many others. The Chargers are perhaps the worst in shape when it comes to injury as 12 players had to leave the game against the Ravens on Sunday with injuries. In fact, just yesterday the team signed 13 players and promoted several players from the practice squad to the active roster. With all these injuries, the Chargers are limping into their bye week next week following Monday at home against the Bears. In terms of overall league performances, however, The NFL has some really bright spots such as the Panthers. This team is still undefeated heading into their date with the Packers this Sunday. Speaking of the Packers, they fell to the Broncos on Sunday night football as Peyton Manning took control. The Broncos' defense is perhaps the best in the league. It is tough to find a better one right now. As they head into Indianapolis, Peyton has the opportunity to pass Brett Favre's all-time wins record and all-time touchdown record. And Manning only needs 200 yards or so to be the sole leader in career yards as well. This is exciting because Manning has spent the majority of his career in a Colts jersey.

In the NBA, let's not all be surprised as to who is at the top of each respective conference. Check out the standings thus far in the year:

Eastern Conference

	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF	PPG	OPP PPG	DIFF	STRK	L10
1Toronto Raptors	5	0	1.000	-	2-0	3-0	1-0	3-0	106.0	95.6	+10.4	W5	5-0
2Atlanta Hawks	5	1	.833	0.5	2-1	3-0	3-0	5-1	99.3	95.3	+4.0	W5	5-1
3Cleveland Cavaliers	4	1	.800	1	2-0	2-1	0-1	3-1	101.2	90.2	+11.0	W4	4-1
4Detroit Pistons	3	1	.750	1.5	2-1	1-0	1-1	2-1	94.5	92.3	+2.2	L1	3-1
5Washington Wizards	3	1	.750	1.5	1-1	2-0	1-0	2-1	104.5	104.0	+0.5	W1	3-1
6Chicago Bulls	4	2	.667	1.5	3-0	1-2	1-1	3-2	101.2	101.3	-0.2	W1	4-2
7Miami Heat	3	2	.600	2	2-1	1-1	1-1	1-2	98.6	93.4	+5.2	W1	3-2
8New York Knicks	2	3	.400	3	0-2	2-1	0-0	2-2	102.0	101.8	+0.2	L2	2-3
Indiana Pacers	2	3	.400	3	1-2	1-1	1-0	2-1	94.4	99.0	-4.6	W2	2-3
Milwaukee Bucks	2	3	.400	3	1-2	1-1	0-0	2-3	98.2	105.8	-7.6	W2	2-3
Charlotte Hornets	2	3	.400	3	1-1	1-2	0-3	1-3	103.6	98.8	+4.8	W2	2-3
Boston Celtics	1	3	.250	3.5	1-2	0-1	1-1	1-2	100.0	100.8	-0.8	L3	1-3
Orlando Magic	1	4	.200	4	0-2	1-2	0-1	0-2	105.4	106.4	-1.0	L1	1-4
Philadelphia 76ers	0	4	.000	4.5	0-2	0-2	0-1	0-3	88.3	102.3	-14.0	L4	0-4
Brooklyn Nets	0	5	.000	5	0-2	0-3	0-0	0-3	89.8	104.4	-14.6	L5	0-5

Western Conference

	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF	PPG	OPP PPG	DIFF	STRK	L10
1Golden State Warriors	5	0	1.000	-	3-0	2-0	1-0	5-0	117.6	96.8	+20.8	W5	5-0
2Los Angeles Clippers	4	1	.800	1	3-0	1-1	3-1	4-1	107.8	101.8	+6.0	L1	4-1
3Portland Trail Blazers	4	2	.667	1.5	2-1	2-1	2-0	4-2	103.8	99.0	+4.8	W3	4-2
4San Antonio Spurs	3	2	.600	2	1-0	2-2	0-0	0-1	99.2	92.0	+7.2	L1	3-2
5Phoenix Suns	3	2	.600	2	2-1	1-1	1-1	3-2	104.0	98.4	+5.6	W1	3-2
6Utah Jazz	3	2	.600	2	0-1	3-1	1-1	1-1	94.2	86.2	+8.0	W1	3-2
7Oklahoma City Thunder	3	3	.500	2.5	2-1	1-2	1-0	2-1	111.5	108.7	+2.8	L3	3-3
8Memphis Grizzlies	3	3	.500	2.5	1-1	2-2	0-0	1-2	92.8	103.8	-11.0	L1	3-3
Minnesota Timberwolves	2	2	.500	2.5	0-2	2-0	1-1	2-1	98.0	97.8	+0.2	L2	2-2
Denver Nuggets	2	3	.400	3	0-2	2-1	0-3	2-3	96.0	100.4	-4.4	L1	2-3
Dallas Mavericks	2	3	.400	3	0-2	2-1	0-0	2-1	97.4	100.4	-3.0	L2	2-3
Houston Rockets	2	3	.400	3	2-2	0-1	0-0	1-2	99.0	109.0	-10.0	W2	2-3
Sacramento Kings	1	4	.200	4	1-2	0-2	1-3	1-4	106.2	112.0	-5.8	L3	1-4
Los Angeles Lakers	0	4	.000	4.5	0-3	0-1	0-1	0-4	106.8	116.8	-10.0	L4	0-4
New Orleans Pelicans	0	4	.000	4.5	0-2	0-2	0-0	0-3	100.8	115.0	-14.2	L4	0-4

Standings are updated with the completion of each game.
It has only been five games into the season, but if a team falls behind this quickly, catching up throughout the rest of the year will sure be difficult. It's like school grades. If you fail the first test, then it will be difficult to catch up by the end of the year. Now teams have 77 games left to catch up. Who will be in front when all is said and done? That is still months away from now, but it is safe to assume that the current top four teams will be in by the end of the year.

That should do it for this week! Feel free to comment on any part that you would like to see improving or on what team/sport you would like to be discussed. Have a great week!