Time Out for Sports Talk – Some Madness from Boston
Todd: Inspired by all the brackets flying around seen this week, how about we match up some of the top athletes in Boston sports for a little mano-a-mano? For space purposes, we’ve already whittled the field down to 32.
‘FENWAY’ REGION
No. 1 David Ortiz vs. No. 16 Mike Carp: No question that Ortiz is DA MAN who powers the Boston lineup, but if age or injuries suddenly take a toll on the Sox’ DH, it is Carp who would likely take most of Big Papi’s AB’s (assuming he’s not dealt before the team heads north). But seriously, who would you rather have at the plate with the game on the line—the guy with the only pinch-hit extra-inning grand slam in team history or the greatest clutch hitter in team history who hit .688 in the World Series at age 37? Pick: Ortiz.
No. 8 Kris Humphries vs. No. 9 Kelly Olynyk: The stats for these two Celtics’ big men are almost even (around 8 points and 6 rebounds per game). Both have first names starting with ‘K’ that could also be women’s names (and Olynyk does possess pretty long hair for a guy). Both are well-liked by their teammates and the organization as a whole. As you’d expect from an 8/9 matchup, this one’s close but I think it makes sense to go with youth and upside. Pick: Olynyk.
No. 5 John Lackey vs. No. 12 Felix Doubront: Another matchup of veteran vs. up-and-comer. Last year Lackey (coming off Tommy John surgery) reported to spring training in the best shape of his life and pitched like it last season coming (10-13 record notwithstanding). This year it’s the 26-year old Doubront who came to Fort Myers in great shape, showing the year-round dedication and focus that should pair up well with his talented arm this year. A breakout season for the Sox’ other southpaw isn’t out of the question. Pick: Doubront.
No. 4 Tuukka Rask vs. No. 13 Chad Johnson: The concern was that the Olympic hockey tournament would take a physical toll on Rask, but over the last month he’s looked as solid and steady as ever in net, and is one of the top reasons fans expect to B’s to make a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Although if you’re looking for the best backup goalie in the NHL (15-3-1, 2.14 GAA), this no-Ocho Cinco’s your man. Pick: TUUUUUUU-KKA!
No. 6 Danny Amendola vs. No. 11 Julian Edelman: Amendola gets higher seeding because of more career catches and having a bigger contract (and also to match Edelman’s seed with his jersey number). But there’s no doubt that Brady has a greater comfort level with the former Kent State quarterback. If Julian can stay healthy again, another 100-catch season is not out of the question. Having said that, I still expect Amendola to bounce back in 2014; I don’t know why everyone forgets he played with badly torn groin nearly all of last season. Pick: Edelman.
No. 3 Rob Gronkowski vs. No. 14 Michael Hoomanawanui: Here’s your typical 3/14 pairing that looks like a total mismatch on paper, but given Gronkowski’s recent penchant for injury, this one’s closer than you’d expect. Still figure that even having Gronk for only three-quarters of a game/season beats out Hoo-man and his occasional one-handed touchdown catches. As long as it’s the final three-quarters of the season when Gronk is on the field, as he sure makes a huge difference in the Pats’ red zone offense. Pick: Gronkowski.
No. 7 Darrelle Revis vs. No. 10 Aqib Talib: Ok, I wasn’t initially thrilled to hear Talib leaving the Pats, despite the fact he couldn’t finish either of the Pats’ last two AFC championship games. Then I heard he went to Denver, which irked me further. But if there was an available upgrade at the position, it’s the only cornerback with his own island. Let’s see if Revis can continue to live up to his reputation and also see how much he improves the Pats’ third down defense, which has to get better if they’re ever going to win another Super Bowl in the Brady/Belichick era. Pick: Revis.
No. 2 Koji Uehara vs. No. 15 Junichi Tazawa: Not many closers I’d ever try and compare to Mariano Rivera, but the 2013 numbers for Koji were extremely Marianoesque. Mike and I attended a Sox game at Fenway in early August when Uehara walked a batter, and little did we know that Koji wouldn’t issue another BB over his final 35 appearances the last three three months of the season. If the soon-to-be 39-year old has any adverse effects from the 88 total innings he pitched last year, then perhaps Tazawa or even former Cardinals closer Edward Mujica will get a crack at the job. But how can you best against Koji right now? Pick: Uehara.
‘GARDEN’ REGION
No. 1 Tom Brady vs. No. 16 Ryan Mallett: Sixteen seeds never beat one seeds, hence this matchup. No question that if the Brady/Belichick-led Pats are to win a fourth Lombardi trophy they’ll need both parts of that equation to make it happen. Keep in mind Mallett is not the second coming of Matt Cassel, and if new Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is willing to give up a second or third round draft pick for the Pats’ backup, Belichick should accept the offer yesterday. Pick: Are you serious? Number 12 is Number 1.
No. 8 Jackie Bradley Jr. vs. No. 9 Grady Sizemore: The youngster wouldn’t normally get the higher seed, but he has been the heir apparent to Jacoby Ellsbury in the centerfield succession for the Sox, while Sizemore hasn’t played a regular season game since September of 2011. The 31-year old former Indians star has been a great story this spring, and if he can prove durable enough he fills two needs—centerfielder and leadoff hitter—something that Bradley at present cannot offer. Doesn’t mean the Sox should deal JBJ, but if Grady can recapture any of his former brilliance it’s not a big deal to have the kid start the season in Pawtucket, or if roster space allows, in Boston where he can rotate regularly with all the other outfielders. Pick: Sizemore.
No. 5 Jarome Iginla vs. No. 12 Reilly Smith: Bruins came up two wins short of the Stanley Cup a year ago and then added these two seeds, who have combined for 45 goals this season. Smith has been an unexpected but pleasant offensive surprise and wasn’t even the featured player coming over from Dallas in the Tyler Seguin trade. But Iginla (nine goals in his last ten games) has simply taken his game to the next level with the playoffs just a month away. Think there’s any player hungrier to win a Stanley Cup than the 36-year old Iginla, one of the best players who has yet to reach the NHL’s Holy Grail? Pick: Iginla.
No. 4 Vince Wilfork vs. No. 13 Sealver Siliga: Two questions regarding Wilfork—is he going to continue making noise if his demands for the Pats to release him are not met, and can the 32-year old still perform at the level both he and Pats fans are accustomed to? No matter what the answer to the first question, if the answer to the second is ‘no’ then it makes zero sense for the Pats to carry his bloated salary cap number. In case you’re wondering who the Siliga is, he was one of many called on to fill in for Vince following his injury. Sealver (whose real first name is actually ‘Tupaimoefitpo’) weighs about the same as Wilfork and is nearly ten years younger. Might want to start learning how to pronounce that name. There’s usually one 13-seed stunner. Pick: Siliga (sorry, Vince).
No. 6 Daniel Nava vs. No. 11 Jonny Gomes: As if the Sox centerfielder battle isn’t enough, then there’s the platoon in leftfield where the lefty-hitting Nava (and what a story he continues to be) should see the majority of the action. But if this is one game, it’s hard to pick against the loquacious Gomes, even if he’s now clean shaven and looks to be putting all his big hits of 2013 behind him. This matchup screams bracket buster, even if Nava winds up with the better overall numbers. Pick: Gomes.
No. 3 Rajon Rondo vs. No. 14 Jerryd Bayless: I am of the mind that the Celtics cannot win another championship if Rondo is ‘the man’, but as the third component to a trio of elite players there is no question that Rajon should be one of the points of that winning triangle (message to Danny Ainge: don’t trade this guy). Bayless is currently second on the C’s behind Rondo in assists so he draws the short straw here. Not a bad backup, but that’s all he is. Pick: Rondo.
No. 7 Stephen Drew vs. No. 10 Xander Bogaerts: Despite the fact he’s currently the man without a team, Drew draws the higher seeding because he’s a very solid veteran player who will make your team better if you are in need of a shortstop, evidenced by his glove work for the Sox last postseason. On the other hand, I have no problem with the Sox turning the page and handing over the shortstop reigns to the 21-year old wonderkid, who is being considered as one of the next breakout stars in all of baseball, plus 10-over-7 upsets are hardly uncommon. Pick: X marks the spot.
No. 2 Zdeno Chara vs. No. 15 Torey Krug: If Rask is key in goal, Iginla is key up front, then Chara is without a doubt the key to the B’s blueline success this coming postseason, especially in light of Dennis Seidenberg’s absence. Chara’s minutes need to be managed effectively down the stretch so that he’ll be able to step up and give the black and gold thirty solid minutes for every playoff game. Krug has had a nice rookie year and his scoring punch would again be helpful during the playoffs, but not necessarily required. Pick: Z marks the spot.
Our next LIVE show is coming up on Monday, March 24 from 8-9pm. You can post your questions via Twitter using the hashtag #TOSTmar24 or call in at (617)484-2443.
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