Of course the Pirates got swept in Milwaukee over the weekend. Did you expect anything else? The Pirates would have had a lot more fun taking a tour of the Miller Brewery instead of playing in Miller Park, their modern day house of horrors. Once again the Pirates pitching staff let them down. And when they did get good pitching from Steven Brault in the series finale, the bullpen blew it. Again! How many times have we seen that this year? Yes, the Pirates have injuries to many front-line pitchers. That said, the other guys just aren’t getting it done. If this keeps up, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t, it’s going to be a long season.
• I am still of the belief that Jung Ho Kang is done as a player, although I hope he can resurrect his career. Kung still has great power, which was evident when he homered off the scoreboard in dead center at Miller Park. Few guys can hit them that far. He also turned in a great play from his shortstop position. The Pirates will be much better if Kung can play like this on a regular basis.
• Though I still think the trade will end up being bad for the Pirates, I must say that I have been encouraged by the last few starts from Chris Archer. The veteran righty hasn’t allowed a lot of runs and has also given the pitching staff a lot of innings. I don’t think Archer will ever be the dominant pitcher he once was. Still, if he can give the Pirates outings like he’s done over the last few weeks he will make a lot of people happy. I, for one, am rooting for Chris Archer.
• Jim Rutherford has yet to make a trade during the offseason. I expect that to change by the time Rutherford leaves the NHL Draft next week. History tells us that the Pens’ GM likes to wheel and deal. He also is known to make deals at the draft. I fully expect that to happen again this year.
• We’ve heard nothing but positives things coming from the Steelers during their OTA’s. This week we’ll learn more when the team holds its three day minicamp. I’m anxious to see if first round draft pick Devin Bush is plugged in right away as the starter at linebacker. He’s drawn rave reviews from coaches and teammates thus far in the OTA’s. That’s why it wouldn’t surprise me if the coaches put him with the first team in minicamp. One thing I fell pretty certain of, and that is that Bush will be the starter when the regular season comes around in September.
• Le’Veon Bell just can’t stay out of the news. Now comes word that while he was attending the Jets’ workouts, his two girlfriends were stealing more than a half million dollars worth of jewelry from his house in Florida. As the old saying goes, you just can’t make this stuff up.
• Three years ago the Golden State Warriors watched as Lebron James led his Cleveland Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Title. Now, the Warriors, who look tired and defeated, need to rally for their third straight title. Even if Kevin Durant returns Monday night, and it’s looking like that might be possible, the Warriors face an uphill battle. I believe Durant is the best player in the game, when healthy. After a month on the sidelines it’s hard to imagine he will be anywhere near his usually great self if he does play. Toronto also will have the home court advantage in Game Five, and if the series goes seven games, again for the finale. To date, Toronto looks like the better and hungrier team. I was in Cleveland last year and witnessed Golden State win Game Four to win their second straight title. I thought they were one of the best teams I have ever seen. This year’s Warriors aren’t anywhere near as good. It looks like there’s a changing of the guard in the NBA and the title goes north of the border.
• It’s only fitting that the Stanley Cup Finals will go to a Game Seven. The St. Louis Blues had their chance to win their first ever Cup on home ice but couldn’t get it done. Now, the momentum shifts to the Boston Bruins who head back to Beantown with a chance to win their third Stanley Cup in recent years. I picked the Bruins from the start, so there’s no way I will go against them now. Certainly not with the deciding game on their home ice. Should be a great Game Seven.
• Golf’s third major takes place next week, if you can believe that, when the US Open comes to famed Pebble Beach. Now that I’ve been to the Masters at Augusta and saw the PGA at Beth Page, that’s the one course I have on my bucket list in this country. I love how the new schedule of majors has events in April, May, June and July. I think it’s great for the players and fans and keeps golf in the spotlight. Tiger Woods has done great at Pebble over the years and destroyed the field in a previous US Open played there. That said, I don’t think Woods will win. Yes, he won the Masters with a dramatic comeback and deserves credit for doing so. Since then, however, Tiger didn’t make the cut at the PGA and was way out of the Memorial until he had a good final day. I’d love to see Phil Mickelson finally complete his career grand slam by winning the one tournament he’s finished in six times. But with Lefty turning 49 on the final day of the tourney, I think this tournament will elude him forever. If you are going to bet, take Brooks Koepka. He’s the most dominant player in the majors these days, and should be in the hunt all four days at Pebble. And after watching Rory McElRoy destroy the field in the Canadian Open, don’t count him out either. It should be another great tournament.
• I don’t watch a lot of tennis these days, and I’m not alone if you look at the television ratings. Still, it’s hard not to appreciate the great Rafael Nadal, who won his record 12th French Open over the weekend. That’s a remarkable achievement. Nadal is one of the greatest of all time. He ranks up there with the best athletes of his era, no matter the sport. Wish I could have seen him play, just once.
