RSS Top 10: The Top 10 Most Hated Teams in Sports

The RSS Top 10 is back with our 10 Most Hated Teams in Sports. Duke's win last night got us thinking - where do they rank among the most despised of the disliked teams? The answer: pretty high. These teams are the most hated for a number of reasons, but a common theme is dominance at the top of their respective sports. Of course, since we're all about peace and love here, we don't endorse or promote real hate... only the good, healthy, fun kind of sports hate. It's good for the soul don't you know.

10. Chelsea and Manchester United - Soccer

-We start our list by looking worldwide across the pond to the top two teams in the EPL - Chelsea and Manchester United. Both teams are hated because of their recent dominance on the field, but mostly their billionaire owners off of it. Chelsea's Roman Abramovich has gone Steinbrenner on the soccer world trying to buy a Champions League title, but hasn't done it yet. Man U's owners, the Glazers of the Tampa Bay Bucs, have ridden the club with so much debt that the fans are showing up to games in green and gold scarves (above) instead of the traditional red to protest. Love United Hate Glazer signs can be seen all around Old Trafford. But, the hate doesn't have to stop there. Man U's manager Sir Alex Ferguson makes Coach K seem humble with the whining he does to the officials. For Chelsea, John Terry is the most hateable player in world soccer after his affair with the WAG of ex-teammate Wayne Bridge.

9. USC - College Football

-Maybe USC's sins are about to catch up with them, but since they're such an established powerhouse and cash cow, don't count on it. And that's why S.C. makes our list, they get to play by their own set of rules. From the nefarious recruiting scandals that have hovered over the program, to their hiring of the sleaziest Snake Oil Salesman of them all, Lane Kiffin, the Trojans are the antithesis of a program centered around student athletes. The favorite sons of Colin Cowherd and the West Coast elites don't get a pass from the majority of America just because they think they're cooler than everyone else, Snoop Dogg and Will Ferrell not withstanding. At least we were one of few that noted Pete Carroll being a hypocrite last season. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, USC did have the 2nd best team in college football in the last 50 years in 2005 according to ESPN's "experts"...too bad nobody told Texas. Yeah, maybe having USC shoved down our throats for an entire month added to their hatred around the country just a little bit.

8. SEC - College Football

-Many fans hate the SEC because of the perceived preferential treatment and fawning towards the conference from the media. Granted, the SEC has won 6 of 12 BCS Championships, but that only adds to the conference's hateability factor. Start with the sweetheart deal ESPN hatched with the SEC to help them start their own network...objectivity anyone? Add to that a healthy dose of some of the most dislikable and polarizing figures in sports: Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, and on and on, case in point:

Not just that, it's the fact that the SEC still acts like it has a chip on its shoulder, even though it's already so accomplished. Maybe someone should tell the almighty Southeastern Conference that its champion doesn't have a rite of passage to the BCS title game forever.

7. Los Angeles Lakers - NBA

-Pardon the pun, but the Lakers have been the gold standard for NBA hatred for much of their existence. Sure, they started out humbly as the Minneapolis Lakers behind gentle giant George Mikan. And from the championship standard of greatness set by the Showtime 80s to the current Kobe incarnation, it seems the Lakers always strive to be the best. Which is commendable, if they weren't so arrogant about it. From Jack Nicholson complaining about calls while wearing his trademark sunglasses indoors (real cool, Jack), to the surliness of Kobe and Phil, everything about the Lakers reeks of arrogance. The fact that most of their Hollywood fans go to their games to be seen rather than see a game is a big put off too. I don't think the old Forum was filled to capacity by Dustin Hoffman and his stupid camera or Dyan Cannon and her newest Botox injections between those championship eras, was it? That's why it's easy to hate the Lakers, they're the ultimate front-runners.

6. New England Patriots - NFL

-The Patriots are relative newbies to the most hated teams list, but they've entrenched themselves with the evil mastermind Bill Belichick running the show. Pre-hoodie, Belichick was a below average head coach with Cleveland, but for some reason he founded a dynasty in New England. He also became a surly, unlikeable figurehead for the Pats. There's also his QB Tom Brady, who gets the trophies and the supermodels. Men everywhere can be envious of that. But how did the Patriots become winners? We heard about the "Patriot way" for so many years and that this team did things the right way. Then... well, then the Spygate scandal tarnished the Patriot dynasty and made everyone skeptical of the Belichick Era. What followed was a bitter team running up the score for an entire season on their way to 16-0. Fortunately for Mercury Morris, there weren't many unhappy fans outside New England when the Giants ended their unbeaten hopes in SB XLII.

5. Boston Red Sox - MLB

-Red Sox Nation. Let me stab my eyes with a burning pitchfork. As Boston drew closer and closer to a World Series, the "Nation" came into the spotlight with such a "lovable" team and fanbase. There were parties, sappy stories, books, and even the predictable Jimmy Fallon/Drew Barrymore movie. Puh-lease. The Red Sox won their World Series and then a funny thing happened. The world figured out that the Red Sox were just as evil as the Yankees! The Sawx spend just about as much money and are just as privileged as their Northeastern neighbors. I know the comeback - at least the Sawx have Papi and Pedroia and Youk and Theo! Gag. With the Sawx 2nd World Title in 2007, they officially crossed into hateville as the Nation became insufferable. What makes your fanbase a "Nation" anyways? What does that even mean?? Do you walk into Fargo, ND or Mobile, AL and expect to see Sawx jerseys? Does Nashville Predator Nation exist yet? The Red Sox earn their spot because they think they're the little guy and everybody should love the Nation when really, they are as hateable as the dreaded Yankees (more on them in a bit).

4. Dallas Cowboys - NFL

-It was over 30 years ago when the Cowboys were christened America's Team. Sure, they maybe were the most popular team in the NFL back then, but that was before the Jerry Jones Era. Well, maybe Jerry's new billion dollar Palace in Dallas, with its Gladiator-esque doors and 8,000 foot videoscreen scream America more than anything. Seriously, how many starving children could that videoboard feed? The Cowboys make our list because they still think they're America's Team, even though no team is bigger than the NFL these days. Heck, the most watched TV program in history was just played between the Colts and the Saints!! From Michael Irvin and Primetime to Tony & Jessica and TO, the players haven't been easy to love either. Even their best player, Emmitt Smith, referred to his last year in Big D as being a "diamond surrounded by trash." Stay classy.

3. Notre Dame - College Football

-Perhaps more of an old school choice, Notre Dame still makes our list because their hatred is so deep-seeded around the country. Especially here in the Midwest, you either love or hate the Irish, there's no middle ground. The sad thing about Notre Dame is that they don't realize time has passed them by. They still think they're the best in the sport because of Knute Rockne and the Four Horsemen and Lou Holtz...but their last national title was 1988! They've won one bowl game, one, since 1994! It doesn't matter any more that the Irish have their own TV network to prop them up (NBC) or that they see themselves as above joining a conference. If they didn't have these false pillars of strength, they'd be forgotten. But because they're the Irish, and only because they're the Irish, they are the still a part of the national conversation, which is why they're still hated with a passion by people who just wish they'd go away!

2. New York Yankees - MLB

-The Evil Empire, doesn't that say it all? They spend more than everyone else, think they're better than everyone else, and expect the world to revolve around them from March to November. Their owner isn't just George Steinbrenner...he's the Boss! His son and apparent heir Hank seems as if he hasn't fallen too far from the tree either. Check out this gem:

"Red Sox Nation?" What a bunch of [expletive] that is," he said in an interview with The New York Times' Play magazine. "That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans. "Go anywhere in America and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order."

I guess I forgot to wake up this morning and pledge my allegiance to the Yankees. I also forgot that MLB only had two teams you could root for, the Yanks or the Sawx. That's the worst part about the Yankees and their fans...it's like there's something wrong with you if you're not a fan of the mighty Yankees or consumed by their war with the Red Sox. Little do they know, there's a big wide world outside little old New York City, which also includes other professional baseball teams! It's so easy for anyone (say, LeBron James) to thrown on a Yankees cap, claim to be a lifelong fan, and show themselves as a phony bandwaggoner. Perhaps no other team on this list has such a rich history of hatred from other fans. Although I guess 27 World Championships will do that, as sickening as it is. I mean, how many teams have a play written about the hatred for them...it's surprising Damn Yankees isn't the longest running show in history, it could sell out across the country 12 months a year!

1. Duke Blue Devils - College Basketball

-Maybe a surpise choice, but with their soul-crushing defeat of Butler last night, it's only fitting that the Dukies claim the top spot in our countdown. Come on, anyone can hate the Yankees. We detailed 5 reasons why it was ok to hate Duke here last week, and those reasons apply here. It could be stories of how arrogant Coach K really is (he said he was most excited about 2 private schools playing for the title, huh?), the arrogant players that have come through the pipeline like JJ Redick, Dick Vitale, or the fact that they never get any calls... except the ones they always get. Hey, who else but Duke could win a title and then directly have F&#k ____ as a Twitter trending topic.

But, what places Duke above the rest is that you and I, average sports fans, are told by everyone else that we shouldn't hate Duke. That sentiment in the media is exclusive to Duke on this list. We're told we should love Duke because they play the right way and go to school amongst other courageous activities. How could anyone hate such a fine program? If anything makes you want to hate a team even more, it is people telling you that you can't hate them. So hate away Duke haters... there's always next year.

Honorable Mention: Ohio State (football), Michigan (football), Boston Celtics (NBA), Canada (Olympic Hockey), Mexico (Soccer), North Carolina (basketball), Kansas (basketball), UConn (women's basketball), Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR), Jeff Gordon (NASCAR)

Quick Hits: Dec 11 Edition

A few topics for us to get to today in our world famous Quick Hits! As Mills Lane would say... let's get it on!

-The Evil Empire Strikes Again

The Yanks' trade for Curtis Granderson shows the kind of moves that have made teams like the Yankees consistent winners for years. Yes, having the money to pull off these kind of trades help, but I don't see very many other teams trying to grab an All Star CF in his prime. The Yankees give up some good young players, but after seeing Ian Kennedy this season I didn't think he was going to turn into the next Cy Young. With an aging outfield, this is exactly what the Yanks needed going into the next decade. Any Yankee fan should be saying thank you to Brian Cashman for an extra Christmas present.

-Notre Dame Gets Their Man

Notre Dame made exactly the right hire in Brian Kelly. They didn't go for the flashy name grab, the popular pick, or the sexy one... but they got the right man for the job. Kelly has been successful everywhere he has went and he took Cincy to two BCS appearances in the last two years. This is strikingly similar to the move Ohio State made to get Jim Tressel from Youngstown State. Sadly though, the people left behind are the kids at Cincinnati. I can't blame them for the reactions I saw this morning... wouldn't you feel betrayed? After hearing for years and years about wanting to follow Brian Kelly and build a legit program... and then the dude leaves you before the biggest game in school history?

Sadly, it's a no win situation. You can't blame Kelly for taking his dream job and getting started on recruiting, you can't blame ND for getting their man early, and you can't blame the Cincy players for feeling the way they do. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is. Kelly won't turn ND around immediately, they'll probably be around .500 next season after losing Tate and Clausen, but let's hope Cincinnati can continue their success as well.

-The Donaghy Files

-This is the most underreported story of the year, and maybe the decade. Tim Donaghy's allegations leveled in his book are an A Bomb being dropped on the NBA. The only problem for Donaghy is that his book is making zero waves on the national sports landscape. Nobody seems to care (maybe he has Tiger Woods to thank). Is it that we already suspected and knew that NBA refs aren't on the up and up? Is it because we don't want to hear a convicted felon blow the whistle? Whatever the case, the NBA and their refs are getting off easy throughout this story.

Top 10 Games of the Decade: MLB-2003 ALCS Game 7

Our MLB Game of the Decade might have been the toughest choice of all the sports. What do you pick, a playoff series that happened in New York in the wake of 9/11, extra inning drama, World Series walkoffs, dramatic comebacks, pitcher's duels, or back and forth shootouts? There were so many games and series to choose from it was tough to pick just one. But, looking back at the 2000's, there was one singular game that stood out above the rest for its significance, controversy, and drama.

Who: Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees

What: ALCS Game 7

Where: Yankee Stadium

When: October 16, 2003

How It All Unfolded: Let's go back to a different time. It's 2003. The Yankee Dynasty, though suffering defeat in 2001, is still firmly entrenched at the top of baseball. Furthermore, the Curse of the Bambino has never felt stronger. However, The Red Sox were getting closer and closer to finally breaking the hex. They had won 93 games in 2002 and made the playoffs in 2003 for the first time since the 1999 ALCS loss to the Yankees. Red Sox mainstays like Damon and Garciaparra were bolstered by the arrival of free agent signing David Ortiz, who added some pop to the middle of the lineup. The Yankees were in transition with new signings like Matsui and Giambi joining dynasty members like Williams, Jeter, and Posada.

The ALCS was set up for a classic. Could the Sox finally do it? Would the Yankee Dynasty reboot? These two teams didn't disappoint as the rivalry was taken up a couple notches in Game 3 after splitting the first two in New York. You may remember this...

As tensions rose, the teams traded wins. An epic Game 7 was set for Yankee Stadium. The two Game 3 protagonists, and future hall of famers, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez started. But, it was Clemens that was knocked out early by 4 quick Boston runs in three innings. The Sox led the Yanks 5-2 going into the bottom of the 8th. A nation held its breath, this was the time that the Curse would finally be broken. (Except we had just watch the Cubs blow a 3-2 NLCS lead thanks to Steve Bartman and a Game 7 loss the previous 2 days). But, this was a new age for the Red Sox, the same fate wouldn't befall them... right?

With 1 out, Jeter doubled and Williams brought him in. 5-3. A Matsui double to put the tying run in scoring position brought out Grady Little to get his ace and go to the bullpen. Wait a second, he left Pedro in??? To the surprise of the universe, Little let Pedro finish the job instead of going to a talented and rested bullpen. The next batter, Jorge Posada, doubled to tie the game at 5. It was controversial, it was puzzling, it was dramatic, it was thrilling.

The Sox bullpen got out of the jam and the game went to extras. That's where a hero was needed. And, in the Bottom of the 11th inning, that hero was Aaron Boone. Cue the clip!

Why We'll Remember It: We'll remember Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS as the end of an era. After this game, the Sox and Yanks would trade places for the next 5 years. It was the last time the Red Sox would have to end a season hearing about the Curse of the Bambino. Grady Little was canned for leaving Pedro in too long, and Terry Francona was brought in. Curt Schilling was also acquired to vanquish the Yankees like he did for Arizona. Although the 2004 ALCS looked like another Yankeeography in the making, the Sox did the impossible and came back from 3-0 down to win the series and the title. Boston won another this decade and have exercised the demons of the past. This game can be seen as the end of the Curse years, or the beginning of a golden era for Boston.

For the Yankees, they again went on to lose the World Series to the upstart Diamondbacks. Their 2nd WS defeat in 3 years. After players like O'Neill, Tino, and others left, George threw money at the team to keep the titles coming. But, there was lacking that special quality that was the true reason the Yankees won those titles. Aaron Boone brought the magic on that October night, but the Yankees would span almost the entire decade before winning again in 2009. Much like Boston, this game was a turning point. The Yankees would have to find themselves over the course of the next several years.

The 2004 ALCS was more significant, the 2001 World Series more dramatic, but for a single October night, this game had everything. The best rivalry in baseball, the looming curse, a dramatic comeback, and an unlikely hero hitting a walkoff home run in Yankee Stadium to send the Bronx Bombers to the World Series. It's easy to get nostalgic about this game, because so many factors have changed in baseball since then. It was 2 months before we knew what the clear and the cream were. Papi and Manny weren't on roids, Clemens was merely crazy and not a cheat, the Red Sox were still lovable losers instead of just another evil empire, and baseball was just baseball, without the Senate hearings, Mitchell Reports, confessions, denials, asterisks, and what ifs. Those were the days...

Other Games Considered

-2004 ALCS Game 5 - Boston 5 New York 4 F/14

-2001 World Series Games 4, 5, and 7

-2003 NLCS Game 6 - Bartman

-2007 NL Play-In Game - Rockies 9 Padres 8 F/13

Only one more game in the countdown and it'll be college football! Dont' forget to check out our NCAA basketball broadcast of D3 hoops tonight at 7:30 at stream.owu.edu. Ohio Wesleyan hosts #25 Wooster in what should be a good one. Yes, we're not only moonlight bloggers, but moonlight small college announcers too, bye for now!

Yankee Classic

They say that Game 4 is the swing game of any series: either you go to Game 5 tied at 2, up or down 3-1, or the series is over. In the case of this year's World Series, a Yankees win at The Bank (that's what my friend who spent a semester in Philly called it, I guess it's better than the Cit) would mean a 3-1 lead with two at Yankee Stadium and having to face Cliff Lee only once more. A Phillies win would regain momentum with your ace going in Game 5 and likely only needing to get one in the Bronx.

Game 4 was a big game.

Both managers took a gamble: the Phillies not starting Cliff Lee for 3 games and choosing to go with Joe Blanton, the Yankees starting CC Sabathia on only 3 days rest. In the end, the starting pitchers came out a wash. The Yankees did hold a 4-2 lead going into the late innings, but solo HR's from Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz made it 4-4 going into the 9th.

It was here that everything was on the line. Finally, the World Series felt like the World Series. It was time for someone to make a defining play in this year's Fall Classic.

That someone was Johnny Damon.

With 2 outs in the Top of the 9th, Damon came to the plate to face beleaguered Phillies closer Brad Lidge. Damon battled Lidge pitch after pitch, and finally singled to left field. Damon's at bat was a true Yankee classic. It brought back to memory Paul O'Neill's legendary 10 pitch at bat in the 2000 World Series against Armando Benitez (only time you'll see Armando Benitez and legendary in the same sentence, unless it's his fight against the entire Yankee team in 1998).

But, Damon's at bat was only the beginning. He then managed to steal second and then third when nobody was covering due to a shift on Mark Teixeira. It was a heads up play by Damon to take the extra base, and risky with 2 outs. But, the shock sent around the stadium from Damon's Double Steal no doubt threw Brad Lidge off his game (I told you he'd blow a game this series). He then plunked Teixeira and then allowed an RBI double to A-Rod and a 2 RBI single to Jorge Posada that won the game for the Yanks, 7-4. Here's the highlights that will soon be taken down...

While most of the plaudits and the attention will be laid at the feet of A-Rod, it's Johnny Damon that will go down in Yankee lore for Game 4 of the '09 Fall Classic. Yes, A-Rod will get most of the attention for getting the clutch RBI, ridding his choker reputation, bouncing back from the steroid admission, dating Kate Hudson and the rest... we at RSS won't just repeat national talking points though. Damon's heroics are the story of Game 4 because his performance was a Yankee classic.

Damon's at bat and double steal was the way the Yankees used to win championships. Think about it, before last night had any of the new spendaholic Yanks done anything to be remembered besides making a ton of money and not winning a title? A-Rod, CC, and Tex, Pavano, Giambi, Sheffield, and Matsui... how many of those guys had ever produced a gutsy, championship winning moment.

None, until Damon last night.

When the Yankees were winning the World Series in the dynasty era, there were moments that won games not built on money, but intangible plays that are the mark of a championship team.

Jeter's famous flick to home plate to beat Jeremy Giambi against Oakland or his dive into the stands. Key home runs from unsuspecting sources like Leyritz and Brosius. Clutch hits from guys like Chad Curtis and Jose Vizcaino. The steady play of Bernie Williams. The warrior mentality of Paul O'Neill. The pitching of anyone from David Cone to Jimmy Key to El Duque to David Wells to Andy Petitte.

These were plays that only the Yankees made and attributes that only the Yankees had. For the first time in a long time, the Yankee magic was back last night when Damon ran to an uncovered third base. In the years since Aaron Boone's HR beat the Red Sox in 2003, last night was the first moment when you really felt that the Yankees were back to being the Yankees again.

Damon's Double Steal was a true Yankee Classic.

5-4-3 Baseball Roundup - Postseason Edition

With the NLCS starting tonite and the ALCS going tomorrow, what better time to go around the horn with our Baseball Roundup as we look back and look ahead as the November World Series is rapidly approaching. Yes, I know that doesn't sound right. The Division Series drama was subpar at best, let's hope we get something more from MLB's Final 4. Let's look at 5 DS Observations, 4 LCS Keys, and 3 Fearless Predictions.

5 Division Series Observations

1) What happened to the Cardinals??

This was the best team in baseball for much of the second half. We all thought that the LA/StL matchup would be a barnburner, but the Dodgers took the brooms to the Redbirds. Chris Carpenter allowed 4 runs in 5 IP in Game 1 and Matt Holliday dropped the ball on Adam Wainwright's stellar effort to fall into a quick 0-2 hole. Once LA saw blood and beat St. Louis' studs, this series was over.

2) A-Rod > Albert

Pujols was a quiet 3/10 at the dish with only 1 RBI and 0 HRs against the Dodgers, while the other most talented player in the game provided the clutchest (I think that's a word...) hit of the playoffs thus far with his 2 run homer to tie Game 2 in the 9th inning. A-Rod is supposedly playing looser this postseason, could it be Kate Hudson (or maybe even Goldie Hawn? He does have that thing for older women...), could it be the steroid monkey off his back? Whatever it is, Rodriguez might be able to exorcise the demons this October.

3) Ice Cold Rocktober

Outdoor baseball in Denver... at night... in mid October? Don't worry, not like they're building an outdoor stadium in Minnesota or anything, whoops. Pure genius. Moving the World Series back to November? Beautiful. Why not just play Game 1 of the World Series on Christmas Day? Is anyone in the MLB offices thinking about these things? Anyways, the Rocktober magic was revived for half of an inning in Game 4 of the NLDS before Ryan Howard and co. blew up the Rockies and Huston Street.

4) So Much For Boston Owning LAA...

The surprise of the LDS was certainly the OC's sweep of the Sawx. It brings a smile to my face to not have to deal with The Nation for the rest of the postseason, but the way they went out with a whimper had to be a surprise for everyone. With the Red Sox monkey off the Halos' back, there could be another ring headed to Anaheim with this deep team flying under the radar.

5) Line Drive, Base Hit!

I do play by play for the alma mater at Ohio Wesleyan (check out the Yoders' fine broadcasting at stream.owu.edu), and I know it's an incredibly fun, but tough job. You've got to prepare meticulously, think on your feet, describe the action, and tell a compelling story for the audience. Of course, the world of Division III athletics isn't the MLB postseason, but it's close enough. You can get every call right, but if you screw up the big one, you never forget it. This is the world of Chip Caray. His now infamous "Line Drive Base Hit" in the Detroit/Minny one game playoff on an inning ending double play is in the Hall of Fame of Blown Announcing Calls (somewhere in the Dick Stockton wing...). I personally like Chip from watching the Cubs on WGN growing up, I think he does a good job and makes the game exciting. But, Chip Caray, you have got to do better in the clutch.

4 LCS Keys

1) Dodgers Toughness

You got bullied and beaten last year by the Phillies in the '08 LCS. Heading into the series rematch, Joe Torre is already talking big that his team will be ready for the inside pitching tactics of Philly and return some of their own. The Dodgers have a talented and deep team, but who will step up and stand in the face of the reigning champs? The Dodgers need someone to throw high and tight or get a clutch hit in this series to lead this team past Philadelphia.

2) Phillies 1-2 Punch

The Phils have the most dominant top of the rotation left in the playoffs. Having a reigning World Series MVP and a Cy Young Winner in your staff is a huge advantage in October and it'll be tough for anyone to beat Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee. With Hamels going in Game 1 and Lee in Game 3, LA could be looking at facing these guys 5 times in a 7 game series. If they pitch to their full ability, Philly might be impossible to beat.

3) Angels In The Outfield

Featuring 2 former Yankees Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu and perennial All-Star Torii Hunter, the Angels outfield is the key to their success. They (along with DH Vlad Guerrero) were able to get timely hits and RBIs against the Bo Sox, and they'll need to keep hitting against New York. Don't underestimate the revenge factor, especially with Abreu being let go after last season and the short porch in Yankee Stadium. He could have a big series.

4) Joba, Phil, and The Hand of God

The Yankees bullpen needs to be able to finish games for New York, and keep the Yanks in games as well. As much talk as there has been about the starting lineup, or the possible 3 man rotation, this is where the Yankees bread will have to be buttered. Joba looked a little shaky at times being back in the pen, but if he can regain that swagger the Yanks will have an imposing 7th-9th inning triumvirate. Chamberlain, Hughes, and Rivera give New York a bullpen unmatched in the playoffs. If the Yanks can get leads into the late innings, they'll go back to the World Series.

3 Predictions

1) LAD over Philly in 7

Yes, the Phillies crushed the Dodgers last year in the LCS, and yes, with Hamels and Lee they are the logical pick, but... there has been some sort of weird magic surrounding the Dodgers this seasons. How else can you explain Manny still being Manny and Andre Ethier's 72 walk off wins this season. With the homefield advantage, I can see some more walk off heroics from the Dodgers and them going past Philly through smoke and mirrors.

2) NYY over LAA in 6

Of course, this is what I'm hoping for as a Yankees fan, and I'm semi-confident. What scares me is this 3 man rotation talk from Joe Girardi. Does CC really have it back? Can A-Rod really keep up the clutch postseason hitting? Can they break the Angels jinx? A hesitant yes is the answer to all of the above. The Angels pitching won't be able to keep up in the heat of Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees O will do just enough.

3) There Will Be Controversy

Baseball needs some life in this postseason, and with all of the combustibles in the LCS, some fireworks are likely to go down. Maybe we'll be lucky and get a brawl between Manny and Charlie Manuel, or Pedro makes a run at the Dodgers bench looking for Don Zimmer. Will Madonna storm the field to win A-Rod back? Will we see another blown ump call? Whatever happens, I'm hoping and predicting for some action in the LCS after the post Division Series slumber.

That does it for our look at the MLB Postseason, don't forget to feature our Decade Series and the Top 10 Flops of the Decade! We'll be back soon with our preview of the EPL, NFL, and College Pig this weekend. Bye for now...

5-4-3 Baseball Roundup

Does it seem like there's only 6 weeks left in the baseball season? With football season coming on, at least it means we're getting closer to the MLB playoffs. Let's cover the big stories out of MLB this week in our 5-4-3 Roundup. This week we look at 5 Climbers, 4 Flops, and the 3 Races to Watch as we come down the stretch in the marathon that is the national pastime.

5 Climbers

1. Washington Nationals - The Nationals shocked the baseball world by actually signing Stephen Strasburg. Did anyone out there in the blogosphere actually think the Nats could get it done? (Paging Yard Yoder) Even though pitchers taken #1 don't have a great history, the Nats will have an All-Star if he's 1/4 of what the experts think he is. Either way, good on the Nats for actually creating good news for once, honestly, where else can they go but up?

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - The quietest great team in sports. (BTW, isn't that name incredibly annoying when it's spelled out like that? Imagine if the Yankees were the New York Yankees of the Bronx??) Anyways, when August rolls around, expect the Angels in first place. If they hold on, it would be 5 out of 6 AL West titles. 1B slugger Kendry Morales has led the charge (.353, 7 HR, 20 RBI in August) as they sit one game behind the Yanks in the L column.

3. Matt Holliday/Chris Carpenter - Each has played an immense role in bringing the Cards to the front of the NL Central, and making them pennant contenders in a stacked NL. Carpenter is 6-0 since the All-Star Game with a sub-2 ERA and Holliday has seen his AVG/SLG/OPS jump from .286/.378/.832 to .414/.451/1.158 from Oakland to St. Louis. You know, about that Billy Beane guy...

4. Cliff Lee - Well played Cleveland, well played. (Faux tipping of cap) Couldn't everyone see this comin? Lee is 4-0 with a miniscule .082 ERA, 2 Complete Games, and 34 K's. But hey, at least Cleveland got a lot in return, right? Oh, we won't know for 3 years? That's ok, Browns season is right around the corner! Oh, wait, no that's no good. I mean, enjoy LeBron's last year in Cleveland!

5. The Yankees - Where else could I go here people? How warm it made my heart to see the Evil Empire finally beat the White Knights of Boston and extend that AL East lead to 6.5 Games. C.C. Sabathia (where was he originally again?) has evidently been fed some beer and brats and is pitching like his Milwaukee days and A-Rod is staying out of the tabloids, at least until he gets involved in a love triangle between Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn, he does have a thing for older women ya know.

4 Flops

1. Chicago Cubs - Oh, Wrigleyville. Mr. Yoder II's Cubs have fallen to 7 games behind the hated Cardinals and 6 games out of the Wild Card race. Sweet Lou pulled the plug on the great Kevin Gregg a little too late, and the Cubs have performed incredibly poorly on the road in August. Hey, there's always next year, just like there has been for the last 101 years.

2. Big Papi - Where is the outrage? Where are the tough questions? Where is the Peter Gammons sit down? If any other player was hitting .188 in August and had seen their power numbers drop from highs of 54 HR's and 148 RBI's to current season totals of 19 and 70 amidst being found out for TESTING POSITIVE FOR PED's, wouldn't there be a mass rush to judgment? Wouldn't there be an Outside the Lines investigation? Wouldn't there be wall-to-wall coverage? Nope. Since it's the hero of the Nation and ESPN, we get to hear David Ortiz hide behind a union suit and see ESPN give him the favored son treatment while trying to wish the story away.

3. J.J. Hardy - If I would have told you at the end of the 2008 season that a 26 year old All-Star shortstop would be in AAA less than a year later, I'm guessing you would want a little bit of what I had. Nevertheless, this is the Ballad of JJ Hardy. Batting .229 with only 11 HR's has led to Hardy's demotion. With the Brewers' top prospect Alcides Escobar taking his place, JJ's time in Milwaukee is most likely done. At least he'll have a lot of time to deal with the blues in the Nashville honkytonks.

4. Cincinnati Reds - 6-12 in August including part of a pesky little 1-14 stretch put the Reds season back in the grave where their playoff hopes have resided for the past decade. At least you can't blame ace Johnny Cueto's injury on Dusty this time, perhaps. The real reason I mention the Reds is that it gives me a chance to share one of my most favored articles of all-time.

Check out this entry from Fire Joe Morgan to see the brilliance of Reds manager Dusty Baker.

3 Races To Watch

1. AL Wild Card - (Boston, Texas, Tampa) My heart says Texas, but my head says Boston. Who do you think Uncle Bud is rooting for here? Texas has yet to prove that they can come through in a playoff race, while the Bo Sox have been here many times before. Tampa sits 4 games back, but they've been just off enough all season long to not threaten either team seriously. I guess I'll pick Boston, ugh.

2. NL Wild Card - (Colorado, SF, Florida, Atlanta) What is in that humidor that the Rockies can make these late season runs? They sit 2 in front of the Giants and 4 in front of Florida and Atlanta. However, I think the Giants will end up stealing it in the end. Would you bet against Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain?

3. AL Central - (Detroit, Chi Sox) The only real division race in the Majors is really one of the most uninteresting. Neither of these teams will do any damage if they get into the playoffs, but one of them has to make it. If Jake Peavy gets healthy, he'll help the South Siders overtake their rivals to the Northeast.