Preller Returns as G.M.

A.J. Preller's suspension is finally over. Now begins the time when he needs to build up his reputation again. One week after the world series ends is the beginning of the general manager meetings in Phoenix. That will be a great place for him to converse with other GM's and perhaps even make some trades. We will need to improve our rotation, and we can do that by trading away some of our current pitchers (bullpen and rotation candidates) plus Derek Norris. That is just one suggestion. But I can't wait to see what sort of magic A.J. Preller shows us this offseason. As I watch the playoffs unfold, I can only say that I am eager for the Padres to shock the world in making it to the playoffs. I understand that might not be 2017 or even 2018, but it will come eventually. I know that next year's team will be better than this year's team, mainly because those dealing with injury recovery will be back and ready to roll.

Speaking of the playoffs, the Indians are in! They defeated the Blue Jays in five games and will go to their first world series since 1997 when they lost to the Marlins. The Indians have not won the world series since 1945. Cleveland is on fire as they head to the world series. Now they await the winner of the series between the Dodgers and the Cubs. With the Cubs' 10-2 win last night, the series is now knotted up 2-2. I sure hope the Cubs and their high-powered offense can pull out a victory and head to the world series. Either way, I'll be rooting for the Indians.

College football has some great games this weekend, including a pivotal matchup between Alabama and Texas A&M. The winner of this game will likely represent the SEC in the playoff at the end of the season (assuming they can win out). There are a couple of other great games in the SEC west this weekend. One more week of play until we get to see the first college football playoff poll on November 1. Here are your games for the week:
 - #6 Texas A&M at #1 Alabama, 3:30 ET, CBS
- #17 Arkansas at #21 Auburn, 6 ET, ESPN
- #23 Ole Miss at #25 LSU, 9 ET, ESPN

Down go the Giants!

With the playoffs in full swing, I bring some great news! The Giants have finally lost a playoff series! I predicted them to win it all again, but I have been rooting against them ever since the 2010 season in which they essentially stole Cody Ross from us (the Padres), who provided a crucial role in helping the Giants win the wild card and eventually the world series. It felt good to see them lose a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning and fall 6-5 to the Cubs. Such a satisfying meltdown now allows me to nervously shift my attention to tonight's game between the Nationals and Dodgers in the nation's capital. I guess it's an easy call as to who I want to win. I predict the Nationals will win because they have their ace in Max Scherzer on the mound facing off against Rich Hill, the veteran who is pitching in the biggest game of his life. It's ace versus the pitcher behind Clayton Kershaw. Just that fact gives us a pretty good indication as to who will win.

 The Padres have been in the news again. They have fired long-time employee Randy Smith after 25 years in the organization. He played a role as GM of the Padres during the strike year of 1994 and fulfilled that role for 2 years, during which time he hired Bruce Bochy as manager who took the team to the world series. He also traded away away Gary Sheffield for a former infielder who was trying to make it as a reliever in the form of Trevor Hoffman. During his time, Ken Caminiti earned the MVP award. But that wasn't even the biggest fire of the week. The Padres on Tuesday fired CEO Mike Dee after three years with the team. This comes at an odd time to do so, since the organization has said that they want to stick with Dee back in June. But perhaps Mike Dee stuck his nose into too many places, despite the excellent job that he performed. Honestly, there is not a concrete reason for his firing, all I know is that he was fired.

College football is also becoming exciting as we come closer to the first college football playoff poll on November first. In other news, the SEC has rescheduled the game between LSU and Florida for November 19, which is two weeks before the SEC championship game. This time, however, the game will be played in Baton Rouge and not in Gainseville. Here are your games for the week:
- #1 Alabama at #9 Tennessee, 3:30 ET, CBS
- North Carolina at #16 Miami, 3:30 ET, ABC/ESPN2
- #12 Ole Miss at #22 Arkansas, 7 ET, ESPN
- #2 Ohio State at #8 Wisconsin, 8ET, ABC