While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.
Pestano love- “At the top of the top bullpen in the American League is rookie Vinnie Pestano, the best reliever nobody has heard of. In his two appearances in the Toronto series, Pestano struck out five of the seven batters he faced. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 1.29 ERA, the lowest of any pitcher on the Indians’ staff, and he’s averaging 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Opposing batters are hitting .153 against him. With men on base, opposing batters are hitting .108 against him.
Not bad for a guy who last year at this time was pitching at Class AA Akron. Pestano was eventually promoted to Columbus, and then to Cleveland, making his major-league debut on Sept. 23 of last year. Today, he is one of the best relievers on the team with the best record in the majors.” [Ingraham/News Herald]
Hmmmm.- “The father of one of the Ohio State players accused of wrong-doing by Sports Illustrated has decided to issue a response to what was printed earlier this week by writer George Dohrmann. Junior linebacker Storm Klein was listed as one of the players that sold personal items for tattoos or money, and his father, Jason Klein, has issued this response to the charges. “I have raised my son right,” Jason Klein stressed Thursday evening. “Storm has no tattoos on his body whatsoever. He doesn’t have a drug problem, and multiple tests prove that. I have every single bit of his Ohio State memorabilia in my possession.” [Greene/Buckeye Sports.com]
Yikes- “In light of what’s been going on at Ohio State the past few months, and especially this week, athletic directors, compliance offices and even school presidents are checking their closets for any potential NCAA skeletons. But one athletic director in particular is looking for a little help doing so. University of Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne used his weekly e-mail newsletter to ask Wildcats fans to be whistleblowers. That’s right, if you’re in Tucson and you see an athlete getting a free cheeseburger, carwash, automobile or even private jet, Byrne wants you to alert your friendly Arizona athletic department immediately (or simply, rat out your athletes).” [Dr. Saturday]
Cold weather Colt?- “Playing quarterback in Cleveland is not easy. It takes good arm strength — one of McCoy’s biggest weaknesses — because the stadium is located right off Lake Erie. That makes for heavy winds and creates more snow than usual in the key games in November and December, which is when many teams try to make a push for the playoffs. McCoy, who was college football’s all-time winningest quarterback at the University of Texas, didn’t play in many cold-weather games in the Big 12. And the few McCoy had were mild compared to what he faces every season as Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
Last year McCoy’s first NFL experience playing in inclement weather didn’t go well, leaving many to question if he is the answer for the Browns. According to ESPN’s Stats & Information, McCoy played three games under 40 degrees last season and that was when his rookie year went downhill. McCoy was 0-3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, and saw his passer rating drop almost 25 points compared to games played in warmer weather. McCoy also threw six of his nine interceptions in those three games. If playing well in the cold is something McCoy cannot do, it will surely be his undoing in Cleveland.” [Walker/AFC North Blog]
“The Mavericks? They had no such pressure. They ignored Mario Chalmers (save for one, obvious, penultimate possession in this thriller) and focused on LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. They ignored Udonis Haslem and watched as he either tossed up a brick or passed on shooting what he believed was going to be a brick. They hardened their steely gaze on the Big Three, we can capitalize that after the Eastern playoffs, and Miami fell apart. Bad spacing, impatient offense, quick decisions and missed shots led to what Dallas loves the most — delayed transition.
Oh, what a glorious thing delayed transition basketball is for Dallas. The Mavs get to watch as their shooters and finishers run the floor, picking up defenders along the way and creating space. They get to set screens and then a staggered screen while their opponent talks it up, and before you know it someone has an open look. And once Dirk Nowitzki stopped faffing about and looking for Shawn Marion on a cut or a covered Jason Terry, the former MVP started shooting, and hitting. Lefty layup to win this because, as you know, it’s sports. Every storyline becomes so drearily obvious. Obvious, but fun. Thank faff for that.” [Dwyer/Ball Don't Lie]
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий