tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985204394180949060.post1080376328574660016..comments2023-10-17T03:08:23.300-07:00Comments on Seattle Sluggers: CHANGESEddie Changhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12584393261976136162noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985204394180949060.post-76596420432183865312009-10-13T14:51:15.119-07:002009-10-13T14:51:15.119-07:00Well Mulfish, you know that people think that Robe...Well Mulfish, you know that people think that Robert Louis Stephenson was Scottish, but actually I believe the author of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde" was from New York. I really don't have any way to explain their up and down results. I knew that making my prediction, but opted to overlook it. Actually, their team seems to do best when Charbonneau or Krush is playing, so maybe they get handicapped on that? The Dallas loss was more surprising to me. I had a feeling that Carolina was going to win a surprise match, but after getting swept last week I didn't think they would do it here. The thing that really worries me is that Miami had a surprise winner on Monday and could be looking to repeat? I just don't think soHA81https://www.blogger.com/profile/07089044510752646732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985204394180949060.post-38340031195894224332009-10-13T03:25:34.358-07:002009-10-13T03:25:34.358-07:00OK, that "D" grade on predictions is sta...OK, that "D" grade on predictions is starting to look optimistic after teh Monday matches. I hope some measure of normality returns on Wednesday.Mulfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01379554387443275018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985204394180949060.post-86377115848078249802009-10-12T16:23:16.322-07:002009-10-12T16:23:16.322-07:00I miss the days when we posted our Slugger comment...I miss the days when we posted our Slugger comments on wachess.com. Then I could initiate the discussion, while here I have to wait for you to post so I can reply. Fortunately, you don't keep me waiting very long.<br /><br />For tonight's matches, the only real suspense will be whether we can have two 4-0 matches on the same day. Probably not, but either match could go that way. This is the week for the big "D". My guess is Carolina scrapes out a point somewhere, and the Inventors manage to hold one draw.<br /><br />Fortunately, Wed night will be far more exciting.<br /><br />Boston-Queens features tossups on the bottom three boards, while Christianson is a solid favorite on Bd 1. That will be just enough for the win, even though Queens has the only "D" player on their side.<br /><br />Baltimore may weasel out 1.5 on the bottom boards, but even if they do that won't be enough to offset the Knockout's power on top. NJ by two, with Baltimore "D"riving to victory on board 4.<br /><br />The Tempo could conceivably sweep this match. They won't, but a two point victory will be enough to leave them on the fringes of contention in the West. Shabalov will finally get on track, which is bad news for the rest of the division.<br /><br />At their best, San Francisco is hard to beat. They aren't at their best this week. The rule of "D" only clarifies matters on board 4. On Board 2 we get to find out if it's better to put your "D" at the beginning or use it on the last name. Or not. It's a draw. On Board 3, the "D"aniels are evenly matched as well. So it all comes down to board 1. The Stingers have a higher rated, lower titled player. No guidance there. Since there is no "D", the attacker will win. Can Bhat sieze the initiative and tie the match? Last year Rogelio played the Exchange Lopez against Vinay, using the unusual 5. Nc3. They drew. The next week he tried it again, against Becerra, again sharing the point. All this tells me that no one will end up attacking anyone, and thus the lack of "D" won't matter. They draw, and Arizona wins the most exciting match of the night.<br /><br />OK, I've put off the Slugger's match as long as I can. Becerra will slow down the Nakamura Express, but he won't stop it. Slava is solid, and I don't see him losing even with Black. Bd. 3 is impossible to predict, so I won't give the nod to either player. That leaves it all up to board 4, where Sinanan needs to win with Black to secure the match. He's playing a USCL rookie, but not not a kid. Josh will do the job. If he doesn't, I still think one of the top three boards will show everyone I'm too conservative. Sluggers win yet another squeaker and strengthen their grip on the top spot in the West.<br /><br />Hopefully Thursday morning I'll wake up and find that my predictions did not earn - a "D".Mulfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01379554387443275018noreply@blogger.com