This is it, the final push towards the World Series. By this time next week we will know who is going to be playing for the championship and who is stuck with a long, bitter off season. Both League Championship Series have been great and they will be hard fought. Those series’ are easily the games to watch this week but it is this time of year that baseball is actually worth watching from start to finish.
Jimmie Johnson once again sits at the top of the Sprint Cup Chase standings. He came in third at Bank of America 500 but even without winning he extended his lead at the top. Jaime McMurray was able to pull away with the checkered flag but Jimmie has his eye on the big cup and is driving like a professional. I’ve said it fore weeks now, but don’t count on Jimmie to ever give up his spot at the top.
The NFL is in a very strange year. It is all topsy-turvy with the supposed good teams being bad (Cowboys, Vikings, Chargers) and the supposed bad teams being good (Chiefs, Bears). These are the dog-days of the football season, right in the middle when the early games are being forgotten but the playoffs are still too far away to determine. This is also when winning helps the most and top teams pad their leads. Keep watching to see the hard hits and big scores though because those are always guaranteed each week.
Top Games To Watch
1 & 2 – MLB Playoffs League Championship Series
American League – New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers – Oct. 18, 19, 20 & 22, 23 as needed
Some people wrote the Rangers off when they gave up Game 1 to the Yankees after being ahead most of the game. But the Rangers fought back and have shown they won’t go down without a fight. The Yankees are favored to win this series because of their power lineup, ace pitching and ace closer but the Rangers have a great lineup themselves and their ace, Cliff Lee, has pitched masterfully his whole career in the post season. Because the Division Series went 5 games, Cliff will be pitching on Monday, giving the Rangers a chance to take the lead in the series. Will the Yankees be able to overcome his dominance or will they find themselves in a hole? Watch every minute of every game of this series because you never know when the miracle rally will begin and the losing team suddenly becomes the winner.
National League – San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies – Oct. 19, 20, 21 & 23, 24 as needed
The Giants stunned the Phillies in Game 1 but the Phillies quickly bounced back in Game 2 and spanked the Giants but good. So far Cody Ross has been the talk of the series; hitting 3 home runs (two off of ace Roy Halladay) to lead the Giants offense. But they will need more than that to take down this powerful Phillies team. Cole Hamels will be pitching for the Phillies in Game 3 and we’ll get to see if he can maintain his winning post season ways. The Phillies are the veteran playoff team but the Giants are hungry and looking to prove they can take down the top teams. Who has more fight in them? You’ll have to watch to find out and I couldn’t recommend it more.
3. NFL – Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Oct. 24 @ 8:20 pm
Not only does this game feature Brett Favre playing is Green Bay as a Viking but it is also a huge game for both of these teams. Currently the standings have the Packers 2nd and the Vikings 3rd in the NFC North division and with the Chicago Bears not holding a very strong lead at the top, this game could make the difference between first place and third place. Aaron Rogers has made the Packer’s decision, to let Brett go, seem very wise because he has been an elite quarterback the last few years and the Packers are a very good team. Last season Brett came into Lambeau Field and destroyed the Packers. Just a little more motivation for the Packers to feed off. The Vikings have struggled this season with injuries and no cohesion on the offense. But things seem to be turning around for them and they are coming together. Will the fans of Green Bay let Brett know how they feel about him and will that affect Brett’s play? Make sure you’re watching to see what happens.
Things To Keep An Eye On
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase is halfway over and the 4 time champion, Jimmie Johnson, is still at the top. Time is running out for the other drivers to make a move before it’s too late and Johnson races to further glory. Watch to see if anyone has what it takes to take down one of (if not, the) best driver ever.- It is a weird year in college football. See how the BCS computer is ranking things so far. The Oklahoma Sooners are the new top team and Oregon State is next. Will Boise State be able to break into the top 2 and make the National Championship Game?
