Weekend Wrap-up May 15th – May 17th

Hometown Highlights:

1. The Red Sox lose 2-1 to the Mariners (May 15th) but won 4-2 in the next game (May 16th).
   • May 16th: Buchholz pitched extraordinarily well going 8 IP 1 ER and striking out 11 batters. That’s actually Ace-like.
     • The loss should have fallen on John Farrell after he chose to have Layne not walk Nelson Cruz in the 9th.
       • Cruz would drive in the winning run off a single to left.
   • May 17th: Rick Porcello out-pitched King Felix, who may have aggravated his ankle injury.
     • Despite allowing 2 HRs from Brad Miller, Porcello was lights out going 6.2 IP 2 ER 6 SO.
     • Pablo Sandoval (5) and Ortiz (5) each hit a HR off King Felix (6 IP, 4 ER, 5 SO), who received his first L on the year.
2. Tom Brady and the NFLPA are still trying to get Roger Goodell to recuse himself as arbitrator for Brady’s suspension appeal.
3. The Celtics reportedly have interviewed Kentucky C Willie Cauley-Stein and show moderate interest in him.
4. Paul Pierce is debating retirement after his Washington Wizards were eliminated Friday.
   • I’m not a betting man but I can assure you Pierce will retire a Celtic, whether it’s an one-day or (less likely) an one-year contract.
5. The Revolution play to a 1-1 tie versus Toronto FC (May 16th).
   • USMNT members Juan Agudelo (32′) [NE] and Michael Bradley (53′) [TOR] found the nets for their respective teams.

Around the Nation:

1. #1 seeds Atlanta and Golden State eliminated Washington and Memphis respectively from the NBA Playoffs on Friday.
2. The NY Rangers took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals from the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 (May 16th).
3. American Pharoah wins the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown taking The Preakness handedly despite the rainstorm.
   • AP is the third favorite to win the Preakness from the rail since 1950, no horse had won in that position since 1994.
   • AP and jockey Victor Espinoza will be the 14th pair to try and be the 1st to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978.
4. Steven Gerrard played his last English Premier League game Saturday, but his Liverpool team lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace.

Today’s Buzz: 

1. The Red Sox and Mariners wrap up their 4-game series this afternoon at 4:10 PM.
   • Steven Wright (1-0, 4.22 ERA) takes the mound for the Red Sox in place of Justin Masterson (15-day DL, fatigue) against James Paxton (1-2, 4.31 ERA).
2. The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks face-off in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals today at 3 PM.
3. The LA Clippers and Houston Rockets will play a Game 7 to decide who moves on and who goes home.
   • Tip-off at 3:30 PM (Winner plays GS).
4. The Wells Fargo Championship wraps up today.
5. Rory McIlroy is the leader at -18. Webb Simpson (-14) and Robert Streib (-11) trail in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

***All times in EST

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The Daily Buzz – April 27

Last Night’s Highlights

1. The Red Sox lost 18-7 against Baltimore, and lost their second straight series.
   • Wade Miley gets the loss as he went 2.1 IP allowing 6 runs, 7 hits, and 0 SO.
     • The Red Sox cycled through 6 pitchers in the loss.
   • Hanley Ramirez continues to be a shinning star for the Sox as he hit 2 HR (7th/8th on the year)
   • Sandoval hit his 1st HR in 2015
2. The Celtic’s season is officially over as they lost Game 4 to Cleveland 101-93.
   • Cleveland wins series 4-0
   • Kevin Love left early in the game with what was eventually diagnosed as a separated shoulder.
     • Kelly Olynik may have slightly hurt the C’s chance to land Kevin Love after delivering an arm-bar which caused Love to leave game.
   • J.R. Smith was ejected later in the game after blatantly punching Jae Crowder in the face.
     • Cleveland apparently forgot they were winning by double digits at the time.
     • Jae Crowder would leave game with injury to left knee.

Around the Nation

1. The Canadians and Wild both wrap up their series with wins over Ottowa and St. Louis respectively.
   • MTL 2-0 OTT (G6) [MTL win series 4-2]
   • MIN 4-1 STL (G6) [MIN wins series 4-2]
     • Over the weekend Calgary, Chicago, and New York (Rangers) all won their respective series.
2. Cleveland and Washington sweep their opponents while Dallas and Los Angeles keep themselves alive.
   • HOU 109-121 DAL (G4) [HOU leads 3-1]
   • TOR 94-125 WSH (G4) [WSH wins series 4-0]
   • LAC 114-105 SA (G4) [Series tied 2-2]
3. UFC fighter Jon Jones is being investigated for an alleged hit-and-run incident.
4. It’s officially fight week as the days tick down to Mayweather vs. Pacqiauo (May 2)

Today’s Buzz

1. The Red Sox will face AL East opponent Toronto for the first time tonight at Fenway at 6:10 PM
   • Joe Kelly (1-0, 4.08 ERA) versus Aaron Sanchez (1-2, 5.14 ERA)
2. Stanley Cup Playoff games:
   • NYI @ WSH (G7) [Series tied 3-3] 7:30 PM
   • TB @ DET (G6) [DET leads 3-2] 7 PM
3. NBA Playoff games:
   • ATL @ BRK (G4) [ATL leads 3-0] 7 PM
   • MIL @ CHI (G5) [CHI leads 3-1] 8 PM
   • MEM @ POR (G4) [MEM leads 3-0] 10:30 PM

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The Daily Buzz – April 23

Last Night’s Highlights:

1. The Red Sox blew a 4 run lead, lost 7-5 to Tampa Bay.
   • Wade Miley goes 5 IP, 7 SO, and 5 ER.
   • Dustin Pedroia hit his 4th HR of the year and David Ortiz hit his 3rd.
2. MLB Jerod Mayo restructures his contract with the Patriots.
   • Deal is for 1-year, $4.5 million with the opportunity to make $6 million and with a two-year option.
3. .David Ortiz and Larry Bird were a few of the names added to the New Boston 2024 Committee Board.

Around the Nation:

1. Stanley Cup Playoff scores:
   • MTL 0-1 OTT (G4) [MTL leads 3-1]
   • STL 6-1 MIN (G4) [Series tied 2-2]
   • NYR 2-1 PIT [OT] (G4) [NYR leads 3-1]
   • ANA 5-2 WPG (G4) [ANA wins series 4-0]
2. NBA Playoff scores:
   • SA 111-107 LAC (G2) [Series tied 1-1]
   • BRK 91-96 ATL (G2) [ATL leads 2-0]
   • POR 82-97 MEM (G2) [MEM leads 2-0]
3. Dallas Cowboys’ Greg Hardy suspended 10 games by the NFL for conduct detrimental to the league.
   • Hardy was arrested earlier in 2014 after reports of him abusing his wife came out. The charges were later dropped.
4. The Dallas Mavericks ruled out PG Rajon Rondo indefinitely for a back injury.
   • This comes after reports of Rondo wanting the Mavericks organization to choose between either him or HC Rick Carlisle.
   • Rondo is not expected to return to Dallas next season.

Today’s Buzz:

1. The Celtics play Game 3 against Cleveland in the Garden tonight at 7 PM.
   • Other NBA games:
     • CHI @ MIL (G3) [CHI leads 2-0] 8 PM
     • GS @ NO (G3) [GS leads 2-0] 9:30 PM
2. Stanley Cup Playoff games set for tonight:
   • TB @ DET (G4) [DET leads 2-1] 7 PM
   • NYI @ WSH (G5) [Series tied 2-2] 7 PM
   • CHI @ NSH (G5) [CHI leads 3-1] 9:30 PM
   • CGY @ VAN (G5) [CGY leads 3-1] 10 PM
3. The Patriots travel to the White House to meet with the President.
   • Darrelle Revis is expected to join them after leaving the team to go to the Jets.
4. If you’re a bajillionaire you can purchase your tickets for the Mayweather-Paquiao Fight on May 2.

**All times EST.

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The Daily Buzz – April 21st

Last Night’s Highlights:

1. The Red Sox and Orioles wrapped up Game 4 of their series prematurely due to rain. Red Sox won 7-1 in 7 innings.
2. Runners trekked through the rain in annual Boston Marathon yesterday.
   • Lelisa Desisa (ETH) won the Elite Men’s race with a time of 2:09:17.
   • Caroline Roitch (KEN) won the Elite Women’s race with a time of 2:24:55.
   • Marcel E. Hug (SUI) and Tatyana McFadden (USA-MD) won the Men’s/Women’s Wheelchair race with times of 1:29:53 and 1:52:54 respectively.
   • Tom Davis (USA-NY) and Francesca Porcellato (ITL) won the Men’s/Women’s Handcycle race with times of 1:17:49 and 1:34:12 respectively.
   • Marathon Bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory crossed the finish line for the first time in 2 years to thunderous applause in Copley Square.
   • Congratulations to all the other participants not recognized because I certainly could not run 2.62 miles without needing an IV bag.
3. Patriot’s LT Nate Soldier announced he played the 2014-15 season with a diagnoses of testicular cancer.

Around the Nation:

1. Stanley Cup scores:
   • NYR 2-1 PIT (G3) [NYR leads 2-1]
   • STL 0-3 MIN (G3) [MIN leads 2-1]
   • ANA 5-4 WPG [OT] (G3) [ANA leads 3-0]
2. NBA Playoff scores:
   • MIL 82-91 CHI (G2) [CHI leads 2-0]
   • NO 87-97 GS (G2) [GS leads 2-0]

Today’s Buzz:

1. The Celtics and Cavaliers begin Game 2 of their series tonight at 7 PM.
   • Coach Brad Stevens says to expect “a different Celtics team than Game 1.”
   • CLE leads series 1-0.
2. Other NBA Playoff games:
   • WSH @ TOR (G2) 8 PM [WSH leads 1-0]
   • DAL @ HOU (G2) 9:30 PM [HOU leads 1-0]
3. The Red Sox begin their series with Tampa Bay tonight at 7:10 PM
   • Wade Miley (0-1, 10.57 ERA) faces Chris Archer (2-1, 1.37 ERA).
4. Stanley Cup Playoffs games to watch:
   • TB @ DET (G3) 7 PM [Series tied 1-1]
   • WSH @ NYI (G4) 7:30 PM [NYI lead 2-1]
   • NSH @ CHI (G4) 9:30 PM [CHI lead 2-1]
   • VAN @ CGY (G4) 10 PM [CGY leads 2-1]
5. The NFL will unveil their 2015 game schedule tonight around 8 PM.
6. Convicted Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, will return to court today as the sentencing portion of his trial is set to begin this morning.

**All times in EST.

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NHL Playoffs Preview: Eastern Conference

The NHL playoffs are back tonight, the home town team didn’t make it and honestly I don’t want to hear the word Bruins until at-least August. That being said there is still some great hockey to be played. Yesterday my buddy Tom gave you a preview of the west. So now it is time for the Eastern Conference preview. 4 great series that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

First up we have Montreal (A1) vs. Ottawa (W1)

Tonight 7 pm est NHL Network

Ottawa had a strong finish to the regular season to propel them into the playoffs and lock up the Atlantic Division’s last playoff spot. The Sens added a lot of fire power this offseason and have seen a lot of improvement. That being said Carey Price is on fire. He can’t be stopped. As people from Boston know P.K Subban is an unstoppable force in the playoffs and will score goals on you draw penalties and basically change the game in the Habs favor. Don’t forget The Bell Centre in Montreal is one of the toughest places to play in the NHL and the Habs take full advantage of that

Prediction: Montreal in 5

Next up is the New York Islanders (M3) vs the Washington Capitals (M2)

Tonight 7 pm est USA network

One of the more interesting match ups from the East two of the leagues leading scorers going at in Washington’s Alex Ovechkin coming off his 6th 50 goal season Alex Ovechkin has still yet to prove himself in the playoffs. One of the leagues purest scorers has never even made it to the Eastern Conference finals. Ovechkin is starting to take a lot of criticism, he is going to need to prove himself this year. On the other end of this series the New York Islanders have been on fire this season lead by there young captain John Tavares who was in the race for leading point scorers. The islanders are a very young team made up of the likes of Kyle Okposo, Johnny Boychuck and some excellent goaltending from Jaroslav Halak. The Isles want to make a run in their last year at Nasseau Collesium. I think this series will be very entertaining. The goalies are going to be key in this one Holtby is almost unstoppable in the playoffs. We still have to wait to see how Halak performs for the Isles after a phenomenal regular season.

Prediction: Capitals in 7

The Next series I’m going to preview is the New York Rangers (M1) vs the Pittsburgh Penguins (W2)

Thursday April 16th 7pm est NBSCN

Both of these teams have been in the playoffs in the near past but one of them is not the same team. The Penguins may look the same have the same players but the Penguins hit a road block at the end of the season and tanked to just barely holding a playoff spot. Sidney Crosby and Malkin are going to have to step up if they want to make a run. Another big question in Pittsburgh is how will Marc Andre Fleury perform? The Penguins have a tough test going into Madison Square Garden and playing The President Trophy winning Rangers. They are looking to make another run for the cup but I don’t see that happening the Rangers are a good team and will beat the Penguins but I don’t see them doing much more than that. The blue shirts are going to have to depend on Martin St. Louis and Henrik Lundqvist who have both proved themselves in this league. On a side note Rick Nash sat out of practice for the Rangers today. He reportedly has the flu. He will be another key factor as this series starts.

Prediction: Rangers in 5

Last series in the east is the Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs the Detroit Red Wings (A3)

Thursday April 16th 7:30pm est CNBC

The Tampa Bay lightning have been a quiet team since they lost to the Bruins in the 2011 eastern conference finals and many questions arose this year asking if the Lightning are back. The Lightning are playing well and do have a good shot to make a run in the playoffs. Stamkos up front with Brian Boyle and Ben Bishop on the back end may seem like an unstoppable force. We are going to have to wait and see how they hold up. On the other side of the ice Petr Mrazk gets the start in net for the very familiar Red Wings who have made the playoffs every year for the past 20 years or something crazy like that Datsyuk and Zetterberg? They may have not done to well towards the end of the season but the playoff experience of the Red Wings will outweigh the Lightning’s skill 9 times out of 10

Prediction: Wings in 7

Eastern Conference Finals Prediction:
Washington vs Montreal
Washington in 6 games
Buzz ECF Predictions

Tock: Rangers vs. Lightning (Rangers in 6)

Westy: Lightning vs. Islanders (Islanders in 7)

Tom: Rangers vs Tampa (Rangers in 7)

Nick: Detroit vs Washington (Detroit in 6)

PS- Might as well throw my cup prediction in here

Washington vs Anaheim (Washington in 7)