With the Stanley Cup Playoffs well under way I thought it was time I write down some of my thoughts about the teams that are left and my predictions for the conference and Stanley Cup finals.

Let's start with the Western Conference.

Chicago-Vancouver

There was a time I would cheer for a team in the playoffs because they were the only Canadian team left. Not anymore because really it is a dumb reason to cheer for a hockey team. Considering how many Canadians play on teams from all over the US I think it makes the whole cheering for a Canadian team irrelevant.

Clearly from my above statements it is obvious I am rooting for Chicago in this series. Chicago is sitting pretty heading into game 6 tonight @ home with a 3-2 series lead. Chicago is a young explosive team with all the right pieces. Young star forwards, solid d and a goalie who has been outstanding. Vancouver also has a great team but it's going to be a tall order for them to win these next 2 games. Then again you just never know in sports but as of right now I say Chicago wins tonight and moves on to the Western Conference finals.

Anaheim-Detroit

With the Stanley Cup Playoffs well under way I thought it was time I write down some of my thoughts about the teams that are left and my predictions for the conference and Stanley Cup finals.

Let's start with the Western Conference.

Chicago-Vancouver

There was a time I would cheer for a team in the playoffs because they were the only Canadian team left. Not anymore because really it is a dumb reason to cheer for a hockey team. Considering how many Canadians play on teams from all over the US I think it makes the whole cheering for a Canadian team irrelevant.

Clearly from my above statements it is obvious I am rooting for Chicago in this series. Chicago is sitting pretty heading into game 6 tonight @ home with a 3-2 series lead. Chicago is a young explosive team with all the right pieces. Young star forwards, solid d and a goalie who has been outstanding. Vancouver also has a great team but it's going to be a tall order for them to win these next 2 games. Then again you just never know in sports but as of right now I say Chicago wins tonight and moves on to the Western Conference finals.

Anaheim-Detroit

Pre Game Notes April 19, 2009

Mariner will be looking for their 3rd series win in a row today as they try to defeat the Tigers at Safeco Field.

Pitching Match ups

Seattle -- Carlos Silva (0-1, 6.00 ERA)

Silva was outstanding his last time out. He needs another great game in front of the home crowd today against a tough Tigers lineup.

Detroit -- Rick Porcello (0-1, 7.20 ERA)

Only his second career start the Mariners will surely be looking to get to him early and not allow him to gain any confidence or momentum.

Starting Lineups

Seattle

Ichiro RF
Endy Chavez LF
Ken Griffey Jr. DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Jose Lopez 1B
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Jamie Burke C
Ronny Cedeno 2B
Franklin Gutierrez CF

Branyan still has a sore back so Lopez will get the start at first today while Cedeno draws in at second base. Burke gets his first look behind the plate this season.

Detroit

Curtis Granderson CF
Placido Polanco 2B
Magglio Ordonez RF
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Carlos Guillen DH
Brandon Inge 3B
Josh Anderson LF
Ramon Santiago SS
Matt Treanor vC


Tidbit of the day:

Wakamatsu was still smiling about Ken Griffey Jr.'s mad dash home to score standing up from first base on Adrian Beltre's double on Friday night. "I told him, I said he tried to go 'Invisible Man' there," Wakamatsu said. "No one could see him. Again, it's neat to be able to watch the dugout and the players' reactions to him coming all the way around and scoring is priceless." --MLB.com

Angela @ Mariners - Game 9 Mariners 11 Angels 3

Honoring the great Jackie Robinson!!

Nothing makes me smile more than a good butt kicking of our division rivals the Angels. Some quick thoughts...
Washburn was sick as a dog in this one but pitched a heck of a ball game.
Chavez and Griffey had back to back solo HR's in the 5th inning. Jr's was his 400th home run in a Mariner uniform. How exciting for him to get that one at home.
Ichiro tied former Japanese league legend Isao Harimoto for most hits ever by a Japanese player. And Ichiro did it exciting fashion when he hit a grand slam in the 7th inning. Not bad for his first game of the season!
Another great game by the M's. I am really enjoying watching these guys play.

Pre-Game Notes April 16, 2009

Mariners go for the sweep over the Angels, and their 7th straight win.

Pitching Matchup:

SEA: RHP Chris Jakubauskas (1-0, 4.50 ERA)
An injury to left-hander Rowland-Smith gives Jakubauskas the first start of his Major League career but the 63rd of his professional career. The former Independent League hurler was the biggest surprise of Spring Training, compiling a team-best 1.99 ERA. That was good enough to earn a spot in Seattle's bullpen, where he has made two appearances this season. He has been able to handle left-handed and right-handed hitters equally well, but will be on a strict pitch-count limit in his first start, probably around the 60-pitch mark.

LAA: LHP Joe Saunders (1-1, 2.63 ERA)
Saunders seemingly made just two mistakes against the Red Sox on Saturday, but they both came in the form of two-run home runs in the Angels' 5-4 loss at Angel Stadium. Saunders actually pitched well despite the loss, allowing seven hits over seven innings while striking out two. The loss also marked the first time in his career that he's lost in April. Saunders is 4-1 with a 4.61 ERA in his career against Seattle.

Tidbits
The home run Ken Griffey Jr. hit on Wednesday night was his 400th as a Mariner and the 90th in April, the most of any active player and third most in MLB history behind Barry Bonds (117) and Hank Aaron (93). ... Ichiro Suzuki needs one more hit to become the all-time hits leader for a Japanese player. He is tied with Japanese Hall of Famer Isao Harimoto at the top of the list with 3,085. ... Right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley, who started last season at Class A Wisconsin, continues to pitch like he belongs in the Majors. He tossed two scoreless innings on Wednesday night.

Lineups:

Mariners

Ichiro RF
Endy Chavez CF
Mike Sweeney DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Jose Lopez 2B
Russ Branyan 1B
Wladimir Balentien LF
Rob Johnson C
Yuniesky Betancourt SS

Angels

Chone Figgins 3B
Howie Kendrick 2B
Bobby Abreu LF
Torii Hunter CF
Kendry Morales 1B
Mike Napoli C
Gary Matthews Jr. RF
Juan Rivera DH
Maicer Izturis SS

Mariners Pre Game Notes April 15, 2009

So excited to have Ichiro back in the lineup tonight. Can't wait to see how these guys look with him considering how well they have played without him.

Pitching Match ups

Seattle - Jarrod Washburn (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

If Washburn can pitch even half as good as he did last week against the Twins the Mariners could be in good shape tonight. Another win against the Angels would be huge for the M's this early in the season.

Oakland - Jered Weaver (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Weaver pitched outstanding only 1 day after good friend and fellow teammate Nick Adenhart was killed in a car accident. My guess is Weaver is going to come out with fire in him tonight to win another for his friend and to try and turn things around for the Angels.

Tidbit of the day:

Endy Chavez is just the eighth player in franchise history to begin the season with at least an eight-game hitting streak. Former second baseman Joey Cora is the all-time leader with a 16-game hitting streak coming out of the gate in 1998. Gorman Thomas hit in nine straight to start the '86 season. David Segui ('98), Ken Griffey Jr. ('97) and Dave Henderson ('83) had eight-game hitting streaks. --MLB.com

Angels @ Mariners - Game 8 Mariners 3 Angels 2

What a GREAT night in Seattle. 5 game winning streak, 4 game winning streak against our division!! Who would have thought?!I don't need to go on and on about Griffey and how I had goosebumps listening to the crowd go wild for him last night when he was introduced and again when he came to the plate for his first at bat. I was so happy when he got the hit in his first at bat. Great to see him back in the stadium they built for him. I love his leadership and what he brings to the younger guys on this team. How many current MLB players can say they play with a first ballot hall of famer?Carlos Silva NEEDED to be good last night. He NEEDED to give the Mariners a chance to win and boy did he deliver. What a great outing from him. 7 SOLID innings from Carlos. 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 1BB and 4 k's. He didn't get the win but he deserves most of the credit in my opinion for giving his team a chance.

Frankin G has been struggling a little at the plate so how nice was it for him to get that huge double in the 10th inning. And how about Yuni laying down the perfect bunt that forced Shields to rush his throw. Great game and great plays at the right time. LOVE IT!!
Only 8 games in but boy is this team looking good. So many little things going right for them. I love to see their smiles and the teamwork and seeing them play and work together. Go M's!!