MLB Gold Glove Finalists & Predictions

The MLB season and Playoffs are quickly coming to an end, with the Royals and Giants currently tied 1-1 in the World Series. It was a remarkable campaign in baseball, and I already can't wait for April so we can do it all again. While the Commissioner's Trophy is by far the most important trophy, there are certainly many personal awards still up for grabs. One of the most prized awards every season is the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and those finalists were released today. Here are the Finalists for both the American League and National League, as well as my predictions to win the awards:


American League

Pitcher: Mark Buehrle (TOR), Felix Hernandez (SEA), Dallas Keuchel (HOU)

Catcher: Alex Avila (DET), Yan Gomes (CLE), Salvador Perez (KC)

First Base: Miguel Cabrera (DET), Eric Hosmer (KC), Albert Pujols (LAA)

Second Base: Robinson Cano (SEA), Ian Kinsler (DET), Dustin Pedroia (BOS)

Third Base: Josh Donaldson (OAK), Adrian Beltre (TEX), Kyle Seager (SEA)

Shortstop: Alcides Escobar (KC), J.J. Hardy (BAL), Alexei Ramirez (CWS)

Left Field: Michael Brantley (CLE), Yoenis Cespedes (BOS), Alex Gordon (KC)

Centre Field: Jackie Bradley Jr. (BOS), Adam Eaton (CWS), Adam Jones (BAL)

Right Field: Kole Calhoun (LAA), Kevin Kiermaier (TB), Nick Markakis (BAL)



National League

Pitcher: Zack Greinke (LAD), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Adam Wainwright (STL)

Catcher: Jonathan Lucroy (MIL), Russell Martin (PIT), Yadier Molina (STL)

First Base: Adrian Gonzalez (LAD), Adam LaRoche (WAS), Justin Morneau (COL)

Second Base: DJ LeMahieu (COL), Brandon Phillips (CIN), Chase Utley (PHI)

Third Base: Nolan Arenado (COL), Pablo Sandoval (SF), Juan Uribe (LAD)

Shortstop: Zack Cozart (CIN), Adeiny Hechavarria (MIA), Andrelton Simmons (ATL)

Left Field: Starling Marte (PIT), Justin Upton (ATL), Christian Yelich (MIA)

Centre Field: Billy Hamilton (CIN), Juan Lagares (NYM), Denard Span (WAS)

Right Field: Jason Heyward (ATL), Gerardo Parra (MIL), Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)



My Predictions:

Pitcher: Felix Hernandez (AL), Clayton Kershaw (NL)

Catcher: Salvador Perez (AL), Yadier Molina (NL)

First Base: Eric Hosmer (AL), Adrian Gonzalez (NL)

Second Base: Robinson Cano (AL), Brandon Phillips (NL)

Third Base: Josh Donaldson (AL), Nolan Arenado (NL)

Shortstop: Alcides Escobar (AL), Andrelton Simmons (NL)

Left Field: Yoenis Cespedes (AL), Justin Upton (NL)

Centre Field: Adam Jones (AL), Denard Span (NL)

Right Field: Nick Markakis (AL), Giancarlo Stanton (NL)

Week 8 Picks Against The Spread

It's hard to believe we're almost halfway through the NFL season already, and what an exciting one it's been. Last week was another hard week for picks, but I personally faired pretty well. This week looks extremely tough, with some tough spreads in nearly every matchup. Here are my picks against the spread for Week 8:

San Diego at Denver

Line: Broncos -7.5

My Pick: Broncos -7.5

Detroit at Atlanta (In London, England)

Line: Lions -3.5

My Pick: Lions -3.5

Seattle at Carolina

Line: Seahawks -5.0

My Pick: Seahawks -5.0

Baltimore at Cincinnati

Line: Bengals -1.0

My Pick: Bengals -1.0

Miami at Jacksonville

Line: Dolphins -6.0

My Pick: Dolphins -6.0

St. Louis at Kansas City

Line: Chiefs -7.0

My Pick: Chiefs -7.0

Chicago at New England

Line: Patriots -5.5

My Pick: Bears +5.5

Buffalo at New York Jets

Line: Jets -3.0

My Pick: Bills +3.0

Minnesota at Tampa Bay

Line: Buccaneers -3.0

My Pick: Vikings +3.0

Houston at Tennessee

Line: Texans -2.5

My Pick: Texans -2.5

Philadelphia at Arizona

Line: Cardinals -2.5

My Pick: Cardinals +2.5

Oakland at Cleveland

Line: Browns -7.0

My Pick: Browns -7.0

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh

Line: Colts -3.0

My Pick: Colts -3.0

Green Bay at New Orleans

Line: Saints -2.0

My Pick: Packers +2.0

Washington at Dallas

Line: Cowboys -10.0

My Pick: Redskins +10.0

NCAA Five Locks Of The Week

Last week was one of the toughest weeks yet in College Football picks, but it was a great slate of games to watch. Week 8 was without a doubt, the most offensive week so far in the season, as almost every game was a shoot out, or just high scoring in general. Hopefully I fair better than 2-3 heading into this week, and with that, here are my locks for Week 9:

(11) Kansas State -9.5 vs Texas

(25) UCLA -13.0 at Colorado

(1) Mississippi State -13.5 at Kentucky

(15) Arizona -2.5 at Washington State

(3) Ole Miss -3.5 at LSU

Fierce Fifteen - Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

One of the more thrilling weeks in the NFL season is now officially behind us, and you can make an argument that it was the most exciting one yet. Week 7 was full of tight games that could have gone either way, as well as a few blowouts, and it shuffled up the board quite a bit, yet again. Denver is sitting pretty still, Dallas is climbing it's way up, and Seattle is falling fast. Here are the Power Rankings heading into Week 8: 

1. Denver Broncos (5-1)

2. Dallas Cowboys (6-1)

3. Green Bay Packers (5-2)

4. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)

5. Indianapolis Colts (5-2)

6. San Diego Chargers (5-2)

7. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

8. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

9. Arizona Cardinals (5-1)

10. New England Patriots (5-2)

11. Detroit Lions (5-2)

12. San Francisco 49ers (4-3)

13. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1)

14. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)

NHL 3 Stars of the Week

The NHL season is in full swing, and so far it's been a great week and a half of exciting games. We've seen our usual all-star players perform, and powerhouse teams dominate, but the best part about every season is the surprises. There's been a few so far, but it's really still too early to tell if some of the unexpected players putting up points are for real, or if teams like the Predators or Islanders will continue to win and contend for their conferences this season. What we do know; is who played well these past ten days and earned recognition around the NHL. 
Here are the 3 Stars of the Week:

1. Darcy Kuemper, Goalie, Minnesota Wild

2-1-0, 0.67 GAA, .972 SV%, 2 Shutouts








2. Sidney Crosby, Centre, Pittsburgh Penguins

4 Goals, 5 Assists, 9 Points, +1, 14 Shots on Goal









3. John Tavares, Centre, New York Islanders

2 Goals, 7 Assists, 9 Points, +/- 0, 17 Shots on Goal

NBA Season Preview & Predictions

The NBA Season is less than two weeks away, and it's going to be an awesome campaign in 2014/2015. There were some changing of the guards in both Conferences in the off-season, but the East is vastly improved, and there will be a few different teams at the top compared to last season. I know I speak for a lot of hoops fans, when I say I can't wait for the NBA Season to tip-off. Here are my predictions heading into the season:


Standings Predictions:

Eastern Conference:

Atlantic Division

1. Toronto Raptors
2. Brooklyn Nets
3. New York Knicks
4. Boston Celtics
5. Philadelphia 76ers

Central Division

1. Chicago Bulls
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Detroit Pistons
4. Indiana Pacers
5. Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast Division

1. Charlotte Hornets
2. Miami Heat
3. Atlanta Hawks
4. Washington Wizards
5. Orlando Magic


Western Conference: 

Southwest Division

1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Houston Rockets
4. New Orleans Pelicans
5. Memphis Grizzlies

Northwest Division

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Portland Trail Blazers
3. Utah Jazz
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Pacific Division

1. Los Angeles Clippers
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Sacramento Kings
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Los Angeles Lakers



Playoffs Predictions:

Eastern Conference

1. Chicago Bulls
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Toronto Raptors
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Miami Heat
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Washington Wizards
8. Brooklyn Nets

Western Conference

1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Golden State Warriors
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. Houston Rockets
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. New Orleans Pelicans 


Eastern Conference Final: Cleveland Cavaliers over Chicago Bulls

Western Conference Final: San Antonio Spurs over Golden State Warriors

NBA Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers over San Antonio Spurs




Awards:

Most Improved Player: Jimmy Butler

Sixth Man of the Year: Taj Gibson

Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka

Rookie of the Year: Andrew Wiggins

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr

Executive of the Year: David Griffin