Weekly Topics: Articles & Discussion

[Louie]

I am looking for new ideas for this site to add some content and also stir up discussion. A buddy came up with this idea and I liked it very much, so I figured I would give this a shot. If it works out, I will pay a coder to come up with some fancy script for it. But for now, here's the idea. Tell me what do you guys think as well.

This is a new posting that I will be adding every week. My weekly posting will be titled "Weekly Topics: Articles and Discussion" and will include some of the latest hot topics in sports. These are suggested article topics and are also open for discussion

If anyone would like to contribute to our site by submitting an article (must be written yourself and not taken from somewhere else) on any of these suggested topics, please contact me via PM or <a href="http://www.cappersinfo.com/contact.shtml" target="_blank">Contact Form</a> to submit your article. I will post the new topics weekly if anyone would like to contribute by writing an article. You will be credited and the author of the article will be included when I publish the article on the site. Every Sunday or Monday, I will add new topics.

Don't forget: <u>These topics are also open for discussion. Feel free to reply to this thread if you have an opinion on any of these topic.</u>

This week's topics:

<b>1. Phil Mickelson's New & Improved Game.

2. Why Dirk Does Or Doesn't Deserve The 2007 NBA MVP.

3. Milwaukee Brewers: Can They Keep It Up? (or other hot MLB teams).

4. Bruce Bowen: Dirty Player Or Good Defender.

5. Michael Vick & His Off-The-Field Problems. (Is he worth the headache? How will the new commissioner handle this?</b>

[Louie]

Also, Dale "DonkeyPunch" wrote a few articles for the site back in March that were outstanding contributions. He wrote one on baseball futures and one on March Madness bracket tips.

Here's the March Madness one:
http://www.cappersinfo.com/Handicapping_Articles/2007-NCAA-Bracket-Tips.shtml

Here's the baseball futures one:
http://www.cappersinfo.com/Handicapping_Articles/2007-MLB-Futures-Preview.shtml

This is the kind of content and article that will help attract the type of (no nonsense & intelligent) members we are looking for on these boards.

[donkeypunch]

I'll bite:

The Brewers absolutely have what it takes to contend in the NL this year. They are very solid in just about every major category, whether it's pitching (6th overall) bullpen (most saves in MLB) hitting (7th overall in avg, most HR in MLB) or defense (eh, middle of the pack, but still ok). I've been saying it for months, this team is simliar to the 2006 Detroit Tigers on a number of different levels, except Milwaukee plays in a much easier division. I still think this is a playoff team, and I think they will make a lot of noise this year.

[donkeypunch]

One more thing, with all of the national attention being paid to the Brewers and Red Sox, the Tigers and Indians are both quietly putting together great starts to their seasons.

[Louie]

I knew you'd be the first to reply. I totally agree Donkey that the AL central is quietly becoming one of the more powerful divisions in baseball. But, we will never truely know how these teams would fair in the AL East. It's a totally different story when you have to play a team 18 times instead of 8.

[Louie]

Also, the reason I put Phil as one of the topics is because I watched his Sunday round and I believe there is no doubt that he will be in the top 5 at the US open. He played a flawless round of golf. This guy is reborn under Butch Harmon..

[donkeypunch]

Originally posted by Louie
But, we will never truely know how these teams would fair in the AL East. It's a totally different story when you have to play a team 18 times instead of 8.

I don't see the Yankees making the playoffs this year, unless the Central really starts to beat up on each other (which isn't beyond the realm of possibility I guess). But Louie, who would you rather play 18 times this year, Chicago WS or Baltimore? Minnesota or Toronto? Cleveland or the Yankees? I'll give you that Boston is better than Detroit right now (especially with Detroits bullpen a bit depleted without Zumaya).

The East has been the gold standard for the last decade or so, but the balance of power has shifted to the Central, so much depth in that division right now. imo, the AL Central is the best division in baseball this year.

[Louie]

I would rather play Baltimore over Chicago because of the pitching. But, it's close man.

But, I would rather play Cleveland then the Yankees...No question...

I'd rather take on Toronto then Minny....

But, again, If I could take my Baltimore Orioles out of the ALEast and put them in the Central, I would...In a heartbeat...

[donkeypunch]

Originally posted by Louie
I would rather play Baltimore over Chicago because of the pitching. But, it's close man.

But, I would rather play Cleveland then the Yankees...No question...

I'd rather take on Toronto then Minny....

But, again, If I could take my Baltimore Orioles out of the ALEast and put them in the Central, I would...In a heartbeat...

I've seen Baltimore twice this year in person, and while they have nice offensive pieces in place with Tejada and Mora...Baltimore is the team that doesn't have the pitching. They are worse than the Chi Sox in ERA, BB, Saves, QS.....I like Jenks at the end of the Sox bullpen.

Agree to disagree, I'll take the Central any day.

[donkeypunch]

What about Horry's "cheap shot" on Nash in game 4 last night? 2 games for that? Nash flopped more than Horry hit him.

[Louie]

Originally posted by donkeypunch
What about Horry's "cheap shot" on Nash in game 4 last night? 2 games for that? Nash flopped more than Horry hit him. They gave him two games? Man, the NBA sure knows how to destroy a good series... Did Amare get a suspension for running on the floor?

[donkeypunch]

Originally posted by Louie
They gave him two games? Man, the NBA sure knows how to destroy a good series... Did Amare get a suspension for running on the floor?

Yes he did, Amare is out for 1 game, I forgot to add that in.

The leaving the bench rule has always seemed kinda silly to me.

[Louie]

Way to go NBA. You sure know how to destroy a great series by suspending key players for a little scuffle that was not even serious.