text:
hippelsportshub
Sports from Hunter Hippel
Most Beautiful Ballparks
Sports Czar 2016
On April 27, 2017 By Hunter Hippel
I think is the best draft since I've launched the site. Fitting, because the upcoming NBA Draft is also the best we've had since 2014.
As always, my mock draft is a combination of what I think should happen and what I think will happen, and features no trades.
No.1, Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
In no way is there another pick you make here. Garrett is a once-in-a-generation talent as an edge rusher. He demolishes people on the offensive line. He's not only the best player in this draft, but the best prospect coming into one since Andrew Luck in 2012.
I've always believed in the rebuilding process of taking the best guy available and figuring out the rest later. The Browns don't need a quarterback right now. They're years away from contending even with a good quarterback (Spoiler: There's not a really good QB in this draft). Take Garrett so he can get 12+ sacks a year and give your defense a guy to build around while you wait for your quarterback. It's the easiest decision Cleveland has ever had to make, and yet, it seems that they're still split.
No.2, San Francisco 49ers: DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama
This is much higher than other people have him going, but I've been in love with Jonathan Allen all season. He's explosive, versatile, and makes things happen.
His skill set fits in more with Chicago; a guy who you can use in multiple schemes and in different ways. But his versatility gives San Francisco exactly what they need: A plug in the middle of their defensive line. Allen's played on the edge and inside throughout college. The 49ers are good on the end with Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. Adding Allen to stuff the run and rush the quarterback creates a dominating defensive front.
No.3, Chicago Bears: S Jamal Adams, LSU
It's a tough call here for Chicago between Adams and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker. Both are awesome prospects. But Chicago needs a play-maker in the secondary. Adams is fast and physical, while Hooker is more a drop back and then make-a-move type safety. Chicago needs that desperately. I see Hooker only lasting a few more spots.
No.4, Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
Remember the rules of the mock. All the Jaguars need is a quarterback. We've waited on this roster for two seasons now, and they only got better this Winter, signing Calais Campbell and A.J. Bouye. Inserting Blake Bortles under center wastes their potential. I thought Jacksonville should have thrown all the money they had at Tony Romo before he retired; this team would have been a contender with him guiding the ship.
I don't think Trubisky is great. I don't think he's the best quarterback in the draft. He feels extremely average. The lack of starts scares me. The inability to make big plays is worrisome. Granted, his accuracy and footwork is there. He has the basis, but how much better can he be?
I have Jacksonville taking him to 1) Get rid of Bortles and 2) Upgrade at quarterback. Trubisky isn't great, but he's a step up from Bortles, and that might be all this Jaguars team needs.
No.5, Tennessee Titans: DL Solomon Thomas, Stanford
The Titans should be ecstatic if Thomas falls this far. I'm even a little surprised I let him fall to No.5, but it makes all the sense in the world for both involved.
Tennessee has a hole on their line, and Thomas brings a wonderful skill set to the table. He's super explosive, which is a trait the Titans currently lack up front. He can gets sacks and stuff the run. He's the perfect player for the Titans, and No.5, he's more than you could ask for.
No.6, New York Jets: QB DeShaun Watson, Clemson
The quarterbacks once again bring out my "Don't think it should happen but it will" theory. I battled with who I wanted New York to take, and then ended up here. How?
The Jets kinda need everything but also kinda don't. Run through their offensive weapons. Upgrades at wide receiver and running back could be nice; quarterback definitely. But at the same time, they have two viable receivers in Eric Decker and Quincy Eniwua, and the Matt Forte/Bilial Powell duo isn't terrible.
Defensively, they could use another defensive lineman, but someone like Taco Charlton is a reach at No.6.
No matter what, I expect the Jets to do something splashy. I believe Watson is the best quarterback in the Draft. Yes, the accuracy and lack of pocket play is concerning, but the guy has a great arm and just makes plays. I don't project him as a star, but the earning of best QB in a certain draft is enough praise.
One of the running backs could very well be in play here. I'd take Leonard Fournette, but reports the last few weeks suggest that Christian McCaffrey is flying up boards and could be the first back taken.
New York's quarterback situation is in worse shape though, and this team is closer than people think. Take Watson and hope to build your future around him.
No.7, Los Angeles Chargers: S Malik Hooker, Ohio State
I think Adams and Malik Hooker go 3 or 7; it all depends on who Chicago likes at No.3 overall.
Hooker is a great cover safety, but isn't a thumper tackling others. He's extremely small for his position, which may scare some. However, I've heard of none of the Chargers' current safeties, so Hooker has to be an upgrade.
No.8, Carolina Panthers: RB Leonard Fourntte, LSU
Here is a pick where I combine my two draft principles. Reports have Christian McCaffrey not getting past the Panthers here, which seems insane because he's not the best back in the draft, and because that would mean two running backs would have to go in the top eight. I don't see either of those happening.
So, to compromise, I had Carolina go with Fournette, who on my Big Board is the best running back available. His skill set fits in a lot more with the Panthers offense; McCaffrey seems like a disaster in the making unless they're gonna try and play fast and start calling wheel routes.
Fournette is a smasher. He can run over, mash, pound, and outrun dudes. He has it all. Putting him in Carolina's backfield gives Jonathan Stewart less snaps (Which means reducing the odds that he gets injured) and takes some pressure of Cam Newton and his dopey group of receivers.
No.9, Cincinnati Bengals: WR Mike Williams, Clemson
I think a trade-down is a possibility here. The Bengals lack wide receiver depth. Imagine A.J. Green opposite Mike Williams with Brandon LaFell in the slot! That is a nightmare for opposing corners.
No.10, Buffalo Bills: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
The Bills had a reset to do on this secondary, and adding Marshon Lattimore, who's the best cover player in this Draft, kicks it off pretty nicely. Adding him and Micah Hyde establishes competency in a position group they need it desperately in.
No.11, New Orleans Saints: CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
This is as deep of a secondary draft as I can remember. I think Adams going No.2 will convince teams to take these guys higher than they thought they would.
Humphrey is excellent all around. He's great in coverage, is athletic, and is probably the most underrated corner in the draft. He would replace P.J. Williams in the Saints depth chart, giving New Orleans a massive upgrade in a suddenly very competent secondary.
No.12, Cleveland Browns: DL Taco Charlton, Michigan
I think Cleveland will be disappointed that no quarterbacks will be available here. It won't surprise me if they trade up to land Trubisky or Watson. But assuming they stay here, Taco makes a ton of sense. Adding him to Myles Garrett would be a huge haul, and would beef up their defensive line majorily. If you're rebuilding, the one thing you want immediately is having good lines. With a great O-line and a now stacked D-line, the Browns can focus more on skill positions.
No.13, Arizona Cardinals: WR Corey Davis, Central Michigan
Some have us going quarterback, others linebacker, others wide receiver. Corey Davis makes the most sense. I expect Mike Williams to be long gone by this pick, so settling for Davis is something Arizona will do kindly. I like John Ross, but he's a speedster slot type receiver. The Cardinals have a million of those. This could be Larry Fitzgerald's last season. Davis is a big, physical receiver who you can throw the ball up to and he'll go get it. He's the perfect Fitz replacement.
No.14, Philadelphia Eagles: DL Haason Reddick, Temple
This where the ridiculous depth of this draft begins to show. Guys like Reddick, Derek Barnett and Tim Williams are all still available.
I'm not super educated on Reddick, but his presence added to Flecther Cox, Chris Long and Timmy Jernigan makes this defense very, very scary.
No.15, Indianapolis Colts: LB Reueben Foster, Alabama
I understand the diluted sample will scare teams, but it just seems unfathomable that Foster could fall any lower than this. He's one of the best guys left at this point, and is the best value for what the Colts need.
Adding Foster gives them options in the linebacking core. There's no stars (Maybe Foster is the one?), but there's competency, and with the current state of this defense, that is all they can ask for.
No.16, Baltimore Ravens: WR John Ross, Washington
Three receivers in the top 16 is a lot, but with the talent in this class, it makes sense.
Ross is the last of the big three to go, not because of talent, but because of the need of teams. The Ravens can take Ross and turn him into a speedy slot threat to go along side Breshad Perriman, who's more of a down-field receiver.
I could see Baltimore going defensive end or linebacker, but helping out Joe Flacco should be priority number one.
No.17, Washington Redskins: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State
There are definitely other possibilities here, but as my feelings about Kirk Cousins have shifted, I think this pick makes sense.
In any other year, Dalvin Cook would be the best running back in the Draft. This class is just loaded. I think Cook is a better prospect than Ezekiel Elliot last year.
The Redskins have Rob Kelley, who's destined to turn into Eddie Lacy, Matt Jones, who lost his job, and Chris Thompson, who's like the weekly fantasy pickup who never does anything.
Enter Dalvin Cook, who's just as powerful as he is fast. The dude can break off anything. He reminds me of David Johnson, while Fournette is more Zeke-ish.
Helping out Kirk Cousins should be Washington's priority in the first round. Cook will do that immediately.
No.18, Tennessee Titans: TE OJ Howard, Alabama
If there's a spot Tennessee is gonna trade out of, it is this one. I struggled with this pick. Tennessee needs defensive help everywhere, so Derek Barnett makes sense, but they already took Thomas at No.5. Jabril Peppers is a massive reach here, and the cornerback/safety selection has hit the lower tier.
So, I went with the best player available. The Titans need a receiver, but like the secondary, we've entered the 2nd tier. They have Delanie Walker, who fills a nice hole, but Howard is a different specimen. This guy runs people over after the catch. He's a massive tight end who is impossible to tackle. He's a weapon. Marcus Mariota needs one of those.
No.19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
Jamies Winston was on the ground way too much last season. Tampa Bay desperately needs help at the tackle position. Ryan Ramzyck figures to be a plug-in for the Bucs. This guy has been through everything. He's pro-ready.
No.20, Denver Broncos: OT Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
I don't know a lot about Lamp, but he fills a hole on the blind side for the Broncos. I considered D-line here, and also Jabril Peppers (It's a very John Elway pick), but Lamp just makes the most sense.
No.21, Detroit Lions: LB Jabril Peppers, Michigan
It is high, I know. I'm not necessarily on the hype-train either though.
This is about need. The Lions lack someone super versatile on defense. They need a play-maker; someone to be a spark. They desperately need linebacker help. Peppers is perfect.
He's a tough evaluation though. He can play linebacker, safety, running back, wide receiver, even a little but of corner. But he's small for practically all of those positions. He might get the crap beat out of him. But he's fast and sneaky, making him still prominent on the field.
He's a risky pick, but is also a safe one. With so much talent, it's hard to see him not being able to figure out one of those positions. The Lions need help everywhere. Why not??
No.22, Miami Dolphins: DL Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
There's going to be a lot of good defensive players that fall, including big, burly defensive lineman that just don't fit the needs of teams. I have McKinley going around his range, but this pick made me stop and consider the way my mock has panned out. Guys like Malik McDowell and Derek Barnett are still available. Teams are gonna get steals.
As for Miami, they could go a lot of places on defense, but McKinley's addition would give them a terrifying defensive line.
No.23, New York Giants: DL Malik McDowell, Michigan State
The Giants could use some upgrades at linebacker and offensive line, but the premier linebackers are gone and their offensive line needs are on the interior (This is a tackle draft). Picking Malik McDowell plugs a hole in their defensive line, creating a monstrous front, and if you have a line, then you have the start of a really, really good defense.
N0.24, Oakland Raiders: DL Caleb Brantley, Florida
Here go the defensive tackles. The Raiders defense is the complete opposite of their offense: Depleted. They could go anywhere in the front seven, but taking the best player available is the way to go.
No.25, Houston Texans: OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
I'm sure Houston would love to take a quarterback, but at the same time, they only have themselves to blame for not doing what it took to get Tony Romo. I could see them trying to trade up for one of Watson or Trubisky.
Though settling, I think Cam Robinson fits here. Some may worry about his performance late in the season, but the guy was a beast for most of his career. Yes, there's off the field issues; those are why he fell to here. Houston needs another tackle; I think you can play Robinson at right or left (They need him on the right at the moment). Once Duane Brown starts to decline, they can transition him back to left.
No.26, Seattle Seahawks: OT Garrett Boles, Utah
Regarded by some as the best offensive line prospect in the draft, Boles would be a massive upgrade on this putrid Seahawks front. This guy is a beast, and would raise the number of "Guys I've heard of on the Seahawks offensive line" to two.
No.27, Kansas City Chiefs: DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Barnett falls, but goes to a team that desperately needs him. Essentially a replacement for Dontari Poe, Barnett possesses dominant pass-rushing abilities and blows up backfields. He's a smaller, more athletic Poe. Opposing offenses do not want to see Barnett lined up against them in addition to the athletic freaks the Chiefs already have.
No.28, Dallas Cowboys: LB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
You know Jerry is gonna do something splashy. I contemplated JuJu Smith-Schuster here; he'd give them another weapon offensively, but I feel like Watt is more likely because 1) It is more of a need and 2) Jerry creates a Watt-on-Watt rivalry in the state of Texas! It's the most Jerry thing ever!
No.29, Green Bay Packers: DL Tim Williams, Alabama
Most mocks have Williams falling due to off-the-field issues, but I can see the Packers taking a chance on him here. The Packers are the type of team to turn dudes around. That and their need for a dominant pass rusher make Williams worth the risk here.
Not educated enough on these guys, but here's my picks for the final three teams, based on need.
No.30, Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
No.31, Atlanta Falcons: LB Jarrad Davis, Florida
No.32, New Orleans Saints: DL Charles Harris, Missouri
A list of dudes who somehow didn't go in my first round:
Christian McCaffrey: I think he's the 3rd best running back in the draft. Top ten seems insane to me.
Tre'Davious White
Teez Tabor
Previewing The NBA's First Round Playoff Matchups
Alas, the NBA playoffs are here. After doubting the contenders, watching the Knicks implode, the Timberwolves suck, Utah prove me right, Portland playing defense that replicates a turnstile, Boogie getting traded and the Colangelos getting their Colangelo on in Philadelphia, we're here. But we're also not here because we all know that Cleveland and Golden State are playing in June and that nothing really matters until then. Anyways, here's my first round picks.
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
The fact that the Bulls made the playoffs show the lack of competency in the East. This team has been a disaster all season, equipped with no good point guards (Except National TV Rajon Rondo! Who might play a big role in this series if his playoff/national TV self shows up!), no three point shooting, and a now-terrible coach.
I expect Boston to coast, but they've had their own issues lately, getting blown out by Cleveland and not really playing like a No.1 seed. In any other season, they're probably the 3rd or 4th seed, and in my opinion, they're behind Cleveland, Toronto and Washington in terms of having the best chance at the title. I just think they don't have enough firepower to get by those teams, who are all loaded with star-power. By Chicago? Definitely.
The defensive problem with Isaiah Thomas won't take effect this series. The Celtics have enough guys to throw at Jimmy Butler, the one guy on Chicago who you have to worry about. Avery Bradley can lock him down; it'd also be a nice test for Jaylen Brown, who needs minutes against superstars if the Celtics are gonna take down Cleveland or Toronto.
Thomas' weakness defensively won't show against Rondo, unless he realizes that he may not get a contract next season and decides to show up for the audience.
Boston has the depth and shooting to win this series handily. There's a chance Jimmy Butler wins a game for the Bulls, probably on a game-winner if the Celtics have one of their "We're kinda not ready for this yet" games.
The Bulls are gonna have to rely heavily on Butler, who's the single reason they're in this. Nikola Mirotic might be able to contribute a little bit, given his hot streak and the fact that Boston has no good power forwards. Then again, Mirotic isn't beating you in a series (He's about to get paid like he can though… Good Lord this money is nuts).
The Celtics will cruise, but I think as much as Jimmy Butler wants this season to be over (And also wants to be out of Chicago), he won't let it happen too easily.
Pick: Celtics in 5
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Can we stop freaking out about the Cavaliers not getting the No.1 seed? Boston isn't playing them in the Eastern Conference Finals (Though I picked them, it's clear to see that I'm not high on Boston this postseason.), so they'll have home-court over anyone.
Then again, they did allow the Celtics to get the No.1 seed. Boston obtaining the top spot wasn't about Boston playing well, it was about Cleveland playing poorly. The Cavs have not looked great lately. They're taking games off, which makes sense considering how many minutes their stars are playing. Their defense has been poor, which was not unexpected. Turns out you can't rely on old wing shooters anymore! They have to be somewhat athletic!
Like Boston, Cleveland's issues won't haunt them yet. Indiana, like Chicago, doesn't really deserve to be here. They've been average and inconsistent all season. The only reason they're here is because of Paul George and the benching of Monta Ellis. Yeah, not great.
Cleveland should roll through Indiana. The Pacers have no one for Kyrie Irving, who's capable of winning a series by himself if he has to. The Paul George-LeBron duels should be fun, but it's hard to see George (Who's really good, don't get me wrong) keep up with the best player in the world for seven games (That's what it would take).
Where Indiana could find success is in keeping up with possessions. They're gonna out-rebound Cleveland like it's nothing. Myles Turner and Thaddeus Young are no match for the small ball lineups of Cleveland. But, if the Cavaliers are hot from three, then it's over. It's a common trend now: If you make more threes than your opponent, you're probably gonna win. Simple as that. It's a math game now, and Indiana and other teams have to realize that.
Indiana could get two games: 1) The game where PG outduels LeBron and 2) The game where Cleveland goes cold and Myles Turner grabs every rebound in sight.
With Cleveland's 2017 slump (It started when the new year hit), Indiana could very well give Cleveland a run. And whoever plays the Cavs next will give them a big middle finger, cause a pissed off Cavs team/LeBron is no fun.
Pick: Cleveland in 6
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors
I think this is the best series out East. It has the most potential for an upset.
Everyone is super high on Toronto, but I'm just not feeling it. First of all, everyone has turned on Drake, so there's that.
Secondly, I just think they're a little too slow and herky-jerky. But that does mean they are physical, and that's something that is very lacking in today's game. It makes them unique.
That size, plus their depth, allows them to be very unpredictable with their lineups. They have a lot of versatility with their looks; a nice thing to have these days.
I understand the case. They have two really good players in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, two guys who can score in many ways and form a backcourt that's almost impossible to handle. Then again, Giannis Antentkoump might be able to guard both of them at the same time.
Giannis is the one reason why I think there's upset potential here. He's the one guy in the league who thinks he's better than anyone (Including LeBron) and isn't afraid to show it. That guy is a beast. Do you really think he's scared of Lowry and DeRozan?
Toronto has a big problem to address in Giannis. They don't have one guy who can lock him down. And when you're pitted against a guy who can do whatever he wants on the court, that's a big problem.
Elsewhere, the Raptors don't match up very well with Toronto either. The likes of Thon Maker and Tony Snell can run very well. The speed and lack of quick athleticism is something I've worried about with Toronto for awhile now. Milwaukee won't get massive offensive contributions from those guys, but those occasional points matter as the Raptors will struggle to score just as much.
Unfortunately for Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, he's the one guy who might be sheltered in this series. DeRozan can handle him. If the Raptors lock him down, it takes away a big time scoring option for the Bucks. That could be the difference in the series.
I think Milwaukee is gonna give Toronto a run, but the Raptors' star power will overwhelm.
Pick: Raptors in 7
Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards
I think the Hawks are the league's biggest fraud this season. I don't enjoy watching them. I've never been amazed by anyone on that team (Ok, maybe Tim Hardaway Jr.'s breakout year has been fun). I just don't think they're worth the 5th seed! Even in the East!
The Hawks have nice depth, but they work too hard for points as the ball is either getting posted up by Dwight Howard, iso-ed by Dennis Schroder, or danced around with by Kent Bazemore.
Paul Millsap, God bless him, has been the only real important guy on this team. I would throw in Hardaway Jr., but he's about to get paid $8 million more per year than he should, so he doesn't count.
Millsap is a problem for the Wizards, but as good as he is, he's not winning a series for you, especially against the Wizards, who possess John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter.
Atlanta just won't be able to counter the offensive output of the Washington. John Wall is going to carve up Schroder, presumably leaving Beal open somewhere. The Hawks have no one for Otto Porter, who needs much more respect and deserves a max contract this Summer. He's sneakily becoming a guy, like Giannis, where he can do whatever he wants on the court. Not many dudes have that type of athleticism at his size. He's finally taking advantage of it.
I expect this series to be over quickly. I have no idea how Atlanta will score enough to keep up with the Wiz, or how they will defend Porter/Wall.
Pick: Washington in 4
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors
For the Warriors, the West is their's to lose.
For Portland, winning a game in this series would be considered a win.
In whats been an up and down season, the Trail Blazers are here, thanks to a post-All Star Break resurgence from Damian Lillard and the addition of Jursuf Nurkic, who may or may not be available for the start of this series.
Dame single-handily dragged them in here. Playing the Warriors is a nice reward.
Portland can't guard anyone; Golden State might average 130 points a game this series.
This isn't the Portland team of past year's that can pull off upsets in the first round. They have two guards who both need their own teams and thats it. Nobody else is contributing in an impactful way. That's a problem against Golden State.
Defensively they're just as screwed. They have literally no one for Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, yeah, you catch my drift.
A Warriors sweep seems inevitable, but Dame has those games where he's hot and nobody can stop him. If that game falls on a night where Golden State is cold, then Portland might be able to steal one.
Pick: Warriors in 5
Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs
Before I started thinking critically about it, I might have picked the Spurs in 3. I thought this was a massacre in the making.
But, the Grizzlies, like always, are gonna put up a fight.
The series history is interesting here. Every time these teams meet each other in the playoffs, we seem to think it could be an epic, old-school style series. But in the previous two meeting, the Spurs have swept Memphis both times. The chances of that happening again are high.
The Tony Allen injury is devastating to Memphis and is also a perfect example of how ravaged this team has been by injuries since 2014. Every year, multiple guys are hurt. Yet they push through and still end up here.
Allen could have given Kawhi Leonard (AKA Sharkpotus, God, and so on) some fits defensively. A lockdown performance by Allen would have driven the Spurs to use Kawhi more off the ball, leading to LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green getting many more shots. While the Spurs would still cook the Grizzlies, Allen would have made things much more difficult for Popovich and Co.
Memphis still might be able to do some things to slow down the Spurs. Kawhi is gonna murder you offensively, but JaMychal Green, who I really like, can take LMA out of the game, and Marc Gasol is much better than Dwayne Dedmon or his brother Pau.
Memphis and San Antonio possess similar types of big men. The difference is that Memphis actually has the athletic edge here, with Gasol and Green able to spread the floor a little better than say, David Lee and Dedmon.
Memphis can sneak in a win if two thing happen: 1) They out-rebound Memphis. 2) Mike Conley dishes 20 assists or something crazy. Besides that happening, Kawhi will coast.
Pick: Spurs in 5
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
No matter how few games, what a delight this will be.
I think they should name the MVP right before Game 1 of this series, so that whoever doesn't get it unleashes all hell on the other for however many games. Even with how great this season has been, we deserve this.
Unfortunately for Russell Westbrook, this series might not last very long. The Rockets take an insane amount of threes (50, which I am in no way against) while the Thunder are the worst three point shooting team in the league.
Enough said? Numbers never lie!
There will be zero defense in this series, and even though OKC has some good perimeter defenders, the reduced amount of threes (compared to normal) that will Houston will make due to that defense will still outweigh the dancing around/missed shots of Russ at the end of the game.
Russ is the MVP, but you just can't play like he does – dominating the ball and being inefficient. It's gonna really show in this series.
I expect Houston to win easily, but there will be a game where Russ does something insane like 59-16-12 and makes literally every shot. If they would announce the MVP before the series and Harden wins, then Russ would probably average 65 points a game this series. Your loss, NBA.
Pick: Rockets in 5
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers
At the season's beginning, I warned of two things: 1) That Utah was gonna be really good and 2) That they'd finish ahead of the Clippers and grab the 3rd seed in the West. I was 75% correct. The 4-5 difference doesn't matter, and the Jazz are really good. The 3rd seed prediction was ambitious, and it failed because I didn't see the Rockets being this good.
The Clippers just don't have it anymore. This team is due for major changes this offseason unless they make the Finals, which, I can guarantee you, will not happen. They're always hurt, always mad at each other, and just don't pass the eye test anymore. This series is where everything hits the fan.
The Jazz's creativity and lineup flexibility is the difference here. Utah has so many lineups – big, small, crafty, shooting – that they can throw at you. That's a nightmare for the Clippers, who usually play two big guys who don't space the floor at once, and lack a super good bench (Though it's better than it has been in the past).
I think Utah can outrun Los Angeles and put them in uncomfortable spots on the court. Rodney Hood is a terrible matchup for the Clips, and he's a guy who can torch you. Gordon Hayward is gonna show the country that he's pretty freaking good (There's a large majority that think he's just fine). George Hill and Chris Paul guarding each other will be fun.
The Clippers have the talent to win this series, but I think the matchups aren't in their favor whatsoever. If the Jazz can't contain Blake Griffin and the Clips get supplemental shooting, then maybe they have the advantage. But I see this being an ugly ending for a Clippers trio that could just never figure it out.
Pick: Jazz in 5
2017 PECOTA Over/Unders And Season Predictions
Teams are ordered by win total
AL East:
Boston Red Sox: PECOTA Prediction: 90 wins Verdict: OVER
The depth, rotation and youth of this Boston team is going to make them not only one of the best teams in baseball, but also one of the most enjoyable. I cannot wait to watch them at one o'clock on a Summer day. The outfield of Andrew Beintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts is a stunning collection of talent, though Bradley needs his bat to start coming alive (He just went on the DL, so that will have to wait).
The infield went through some major changes, resulting in downgrades at first and third base. Pablo Sandoval starting is extremely concerning, but chances are he's hurt before he can start really negatively impacting the team. The Red Sox depth could be showcased by Chris Young, who could go into one of those weird hitting streaks if Hanley takes over 3rd base.
Pitching seems like it could finally be a strength for Boston. Equipped with Chris Sale, this is a really good rotation. Granted, Rick Porcello is due for a regression season, and David Price is only good until the playoffs. Still, Steven Wright is pretty awesome, Eduardo Rodgrizuez could eat some innings (I'm very close to giving up on him), and Drew Pomeranz is also here, which is a trade that looks like a complete disaster for Boston.
Chances are Pomeranz ends up in the bullpen, which went through an overhaul in the offseason and looks pretty good on paper.
Boston has some issues like usual, but the young talent and Sale addition should make them one to be reckon with.
Tampa Bay Rays: PECOTA Prediction: 84 wins Verdict: PUSH
Ughhhhhh…
PECOTA has always had a weird fetish for the Rays. It's frustrating, cause the roster wants to make you believe that they can be good, and PECOTA is also there to sway you. But they never come through. Whats the problem?
First of all, Chris Archer struggled majorily last season, and if your ace isn't having it well, your team won't. Archer, when good, is good enough to have that drastic of an impact. That's huge on a team like the Rays.
Tampa Bay's roster is made up of a ton of underrated guys, which is good and bad. Underrated players have a ton of value, but sometimes they're not enough. They can be streaky. Stars aren't streaky. They're consistent one way or the other. The Rays have been bothered by this in past years. They don't have a guy who can carry the offense when it's struggling.
Tampa Bay lost some talent too. I wasn't a huge fan of the Logan Forsythe trade, even though they 1) Got Jose De Leon and 2) Traded him to the Dodgers, who seem to never get total output from the big trades they make. Forsythe was one of those underrated players. But, his value in Los Angeles is much greater than in Tampa Bay. I mean, he's playing 2nd base instead of Chase Utley.
Anyways, Archer should return to form. Jake Odorozzi is a really nice No.2 starter, and Alex Cobb is decent. The back of the rotation bothers me, as does the bullpen (besides Brad Boxberger), but the Rays are destined to be a frisky, fun team that just can't break into the postseason.
New York Yankees: PECOTA Prediction: 82 wins Verdict: PUSH
Oh yeah! It's happening!
Turns out, PECOTA practically nailed the AL East, which is extremely hard to do! This division is a weird mix of mediocrity and friskiness. They're all fun teams but only Boston has what it takes to make things happen in the playoffs.
The Yankees fit the friskiness and mediocre description perfectly. Loaded with multiple top prospects, they're gonna be insanely entertaining. Gary Sanchez is a offensive machine, Aaron Judge is an interesting piece, Gleyber Torres seems to be the second coming of Javier Baez, and GREG BIRD IS BACK BABY.
AND SO IS C.C. SABATHIA!!!
Yeah, um, there's also some problems with this Yankees team.
With all the fun young guys, there has to be some negatives. And there most definitely are. This rotation is putrid. Masahiro Tanka has to stay healthy for this group to have any dignity. Sabathia isn't even worth words, Micahel Pineda is also done. Luis Severino is the one Yankees prospect who didn't work out, and I don't even know who their 5th starter is. Maybe Nathan Eovaldi's buyout number?
The weird mix of vets and youngsters doesn't help either. Guys like Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury (Who still has an ungodly four years and $89,571,429 left on his contract) and Chase Headley are still hanging around. Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorious are fine, but Castro isn't special and Didi is likely to lose his job due to a shoulder injury/Torres.
New York's bullpen is the Giants' wet dream, but how much will it really matter when the rotation will already put them in a deep hole?
The Yankees are going to be entertaining yet frustrating, which makes them a perfect fit for the wonderful AL East.
Toronto Blue Jays: PECOTA Prediction: 81 wins Verdict: OVER
I struggled with the verdict on Toronto. I could see the over very clealy, but also tangled with the push. There's a chance this is the year they fall off, giving that Edwin Encarnacion is gone and that this could be Marcus Stroman's make or break year. 1st and 2nd base are causes for concern, but Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitski can balance that out.
In the outfield, the Blue Jays are also complicated. Ezequiel Carrera has been a favorite of mine for awhile, but I'm doubtful that he will be a contributor with a limited bat and sketchy defense. He's expected to start this season.
Kevin Pillar is awesome, and Jose Bautista is Jose Bautista. You never know what you're gonna get.
Toronto still has good depth. Guys like Melvin Upton Jr., Kendrys Morales, Darwin Barney and Ryan Goins are nice players to have. But it's nothing special. Though I'm picking the over, I can't be sure that Toronto will be playing in October, which for baseball's sake is unfortunate.
Baltimore Orioles: PECOTA Prediction: 73 wins Verdict: OVER
Before you get excited, it's not much of an over. 73 just feels a little too low.
I think there's no doubt that this is the worse team in the division. Man, they really miss Dexter Fowler (I will never stop joking about that). Season two of Hyun Soo Kim will be enjoyable; the Orioles need his bat to be what it was last season. Defensively… Yikes! Seth Smith is the least Orioles player ever, but hey at least Adam Jones can catch a baseball.
The middle infield and the Chris Davis contract is cause for concern, but Manny Machado is pretty good.
Baltimore's rotation is still pretty bad, but a nice bullpen could help late in games. That is, if they use Zach Britton.
It's not a terrible team, but it's not a good one either. High 70s feels right.
AL Central:
Cleveland Indians: PECOTA Prediction: 92 wins Verdict: OVER
The World Series runner-ups got better. The Edwin Encarnacion signing, though an overpay, gives them a powerful new addition. Michael Brantley is back until he is not; who knows what to expect from him offensively. I love Tyler Naquin, who hits the crap out of the ball. Lonnie Chisenhall is extremely streaky, but they can afford to use some of the depth they posses to limit his liabilities. Brandon Guyer and Abraham Almonte are fine backups.
The infield is solid as usual. The Jason Kipnis injury is something to be a little concerned about giving his past two seasons and their lack of depth, but it sounds as if this a single DL stint. I cannot wait for Year 3 of Francisco Lindor; the guy is a star. I worry about the Jose Ramirez extension giving that we're a season off of him batting less than .200 and essentially losing his role, but last year's recovery is a sign for hope.
Yan Gomes, despite a slow spring, is a solid catcher. I also like Roberto Perez, who can't hit but is an excellent framer.
The Indians' pitching staff is one of the best in the league. Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar as your 1-2-3 doesn't suck. I'm still not sold on Josh Tomlin and Trevor Bauer's finger as quality starters, but they're fine when you're top-heavy.
Cleveland should dominate this division, like Boston. They only got better in the offseason, and look ready for another World Series run.
Minnesota Twins: PECOTA Prediction: 80 wins Verdict: UNDER
This Twins team, like always, is complicated. There's A LOT of different paths they could take. We're gonna order them in terms of likelihood.
A fun but flawed mid-high 70s win team.
A terrible, poor pitching team with underperforming prospects.
A surprisingly good, low-mid 80s win team that hangs around in the Wild Card race
There's too many variables with the Twins. We know the pitching, Joe Mauer and Jason Castro are problems (It's not great when your new signing is already a problem). Granted, Castro's framing could help out the rotation, but I'm under the opinion that frame-help is only necessary with young pitchers.
The looming question with Minnesota is: How many of these prospects are gonna turn into something? I think Byron Buxton will figure it out, but besides him, what's left?
Eddie Rosario figures to be a decent to solid MLB player, Miguel Sano is a boom or bust batter, though the move to 3rd base should increase his overall value. Jorge Polanco is a tough evaluation since this is his debut season, but Minnesota was confident enough to give Eduardo Nunez's spot to him.
The other Twins prospect I can say only positive things about is Max Kepler. The overall hitting needs work, but he can smack the ball. Last season Kepler hit 17 dingers in 113 games, an impressive number. If he can put up similar numbers, he's the best to 2nd best hitter on this team, depending on how streaky Sano is.
Byung Ho Park is another variable. The OPS (.684) and RBI numbers have to be higher, but will they actually?
It's hard to foresee a 30 year old who probably already had his best years in another league adjusting to the MLB. I mean, statically, he had negatives runs against fastballs last season. Yeesh.
Prospects and offense are gonna have to save this team. This rotation is putrid. When Ervin Santana is your ace, uh, yeah. Not great. I guess you'd hope for improvement from Kyle Gibson and Tyler Duffey, but from what I saw last season, that is a long shot.
I don't know what to expect from this Twins team, but I am definitely ready for them to make me wrong, one way or the other.
Detroit Tigers: PECOTA Prediction: 78 wins Verdict: OVER
I'm confused by this projection. It feels insanely low.
I don't think the Tigers are a guaranteed playoff team, but you have to consider their chances, which are solid.
Looking at this roster, there's not a lot of holes. Sure, JaCoby Jones in center is cause for concern. Nick Costellanos is fine. James McCann needs to recover his bat. But elsewhere, there's quality players. Oh, and this rotation is very pleasing.
The case against this team is that they added Mike Pelfrey to the bullpen.
They aren't the Indians, but talent-wise, Detroit can be playoff bound. OVER. DEFINITELY OVER.
Chicago White Sox: PECOTA Prediction: 76 wins Verdict: UNDER
It's a slight under. I still think they're a mid-70s win team.
This team is very confusing. It's what happens when you're caught between a rebuilding and contending roster, but it's also not on the Yankees' scale.
Tim Frazier and Melky Cabrera are the main two guys that need rescue missions sent for them. It's a travesty they're still on this team (especially Frazier).
Truthfully, I've never heard of a couple dudes in this lineup. But guys like Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu and Matt Davidson could give them some extra wins. The rotation is in rough shape after the Chris Sale trade, and Carlos Rodon's injury makes it pretty brutal.
There's a chance this whole thing collapses on the White Sox this Summer, but hey, at least they know what they're doing now.
Kansas City Royals: PECOTA Prediction: 71 wins Verdict: OVER
Like the Rays fetish, PECOTA has an anti-fetish against the Royals. This is probably the 3rd or 4th straight season it has crapped on Kansas City.
Granted, that doesn't mean this team is the same as the World Series Champion one.
Kansas City's biggest issue stems from the offseason tragedy of Yordano Ventura. His ace status is left up to the Danny Duffy, which is fine, but behind him lies a slew of guys who are on the edge of competency. The Jason Hammel signing was nice, but he's 34 and seems to be declining. Ian Kennedy hasn't been good in six seasons, and Nathan Karns was overpaid for.
Elsewhere though, the Royals set up quiet nicely. I liked the Brandon Moss signing, and they have a nice balance of power and on-base guys. I worry about Raul Mondesi at 2nd base, but he's only 20 and didn't play much last season. Kansas City has some nice depth too; Cheslor Cuthbert and Christian Colon are valuable utility men.
This is also Jorge Soler's chance. He's had a rough Spring and probably won't play Opening Day due to an injury, but the Royals had enough confidence in him to acquire him straight up for Wade Davis, a price that seemed way too high. I'm skeptical to believe in him, but won't be surprised if he puts it together.
It's hard to see this team being terrible, but some streakiness could put them somewhere in the high 70s. PECOTA sold them short, and that motivation could wind up leaving Kansas City in the playoffs at the end of the season.
AL West:
Houston Astros: PECOTA Prediction: 94 wins Verdict: PUSH
PECOTA's numbers came in really wonky for this division, but you can't totally blame it. This is a really good division.
The Astros, projected for 94 wins, have two fronts: 1) An extremely talented team with the right mix of youth and veterans 2) A good team with pitching problems, completely anathema from where we saw this team two years ago.
Last season, Dallas Keuchel struggled, Lance McCullers was hurt, Colin McHugh was a disaster, and Mike Fiers was disappointing. They signed Charlie Morton to add depth, and Joe Musgrove figures to add some value.
Offensively, the Astros have no issues. This is a nightmare lineup. Their infield is stunningly young and talented; the DRS's are going to be extremely high. I liked the Josh Reddick signing, and George Springer is awesome.
The problem with the Astros? Their division is stacked.
Seattle Mariners: PECOTA Prediction: 87 wins Verdict: OVER
Seattle has the chance to be the team that comes out of nowhere and heads to the World Series. They're that good. But a couple things could hold them back.
First, the pitching is not that good. Felix Hernandez is still the King, but behind him is a bunch of average or worse pitchers. It's hard to see Hisashi Iwakuma rebounding at age 36, who put up career-worst numbers that included a 98 ERA+. James Paxton and Yovani Gallardo are barely competent, and Drew Symly is out for two months. The poor rotation could hold them back early, and in this division, that's not the easiest thing to recover from.
Offensively, the Mariners are frightening. They overhauled quite a bit in the offseason, getting rid of Seth Smith, Nori Aoki, Adam Lind and Ketel Marte. But, shipping out those guys only led to upgrades. Jean Segura is coming off a great year, Jarrod Dyson is a nice player to have and Leonys Martin could be in for a big season.
Mike Zunino, Danny Valencia and Mitch Haniger are some weak spots, but they're not terrible for how Seattle is going to use them. Haniger is entering his 2nd season, Mike Zunino has good framing to possibly help out this pitching staff, and Danny Valencia is a competent (but not good) 1st basemen.
Seattle needs to get and stay healthy, and hope their offense can carry them in 2017. If it can't, they're probably looking at 3rd place. However, guys like Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager are great at driving runs in and possess that "it" factor. I believe one of them can carry a team.
Texas Rangers: PECOTA Prediction: 84 wins Verdict: OVER
You know a division is good when you're betting over for the top three teams. The Rangers' biggest enemy the past few years has been injuries, and they've already taken their toll.
A weak back-of-the-rotation has already been plagued by injuries. Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, while not super viable options, are already on the DL. Cashner's had a rough past two seasons, and Ross missed all of 2016. It's hard to be excited about A.J. Griffin and Martin Perez as your No.3 and No.4 starters… That's only the start of my concerns with this Texas team.
A Rangers fan would point to Jonathan Lucroy's 2nd season with the team, and while he is an offensive juggernaut, his framing stats have declined quite sharply over the years, dropping from 14th in the MLB in 2014 to 34th last season. That's not an encouraging sign either.
To add to the concerns, Adrian Beltre is on the DL to start the season. Granted, Joey Gallo is taking over at 3rd base. If he shines in the time Beltre is injured, I foresee a move to DH or even 1st base in his future. It's the age 34 season for Shin Soo Choo, and last year's numbers were not great. Mike Napoli is coming off a great year, but he's an extremely hot and cold hitter, and enters his age 35 season. There's too much old hitting on this team, and I haven't even addressed Carlos Gomez in centerfield.
The Rangers are in a tough spot. Their youth of Gallo, Nomar Mazara, and Delino DeShields provides a lot of hope, but unproductive hitting, sketchy pitching and injuries could easily hold them back. 84 wins seems low, but this over is a slight one.
Los Angeles Angels: PECOTA Prediction: 78 wins Verdict: OVER
Oh yeah! I even went over on the Angels!
It's not a good team, but I think they're getting a little more than they deserve to. Mike Trout is the best player in baseball, Kole Calhoun is a nice player and Andrelton Simmons is very good at baseball (Though that trade is an absolute disaster right now). Besides that, yeesh.
There's a lot of meh here. Yunel Escobar and Danny Espinosa in the same infield is problematic. C.J. Cron is no one to be excited about. Cameron Maybin is probably not hitting .315 again. Yeah, please don't watch this team.
Oakland A's: PECOTA Prediction: 75 wins Verdict: PUSH
I think the revamped outfield is competent and can add some unexpected wins, but a crappy rotation and poor infield hitting won't get them far. This is barely a push.
New York Mets: PECOTA Prediction: 88 wins Verdict: UNDER
I just don't feel it with this Mets team. It's basically the same roster, with the same infielders, with the same people injured… which means the same problems.
David Wright is already hurt. Lucas Duda is still playing 1st base. There's depth, but it's quite underwhelming. They couldn't find the right Jay Bruce trade, creating a dilemma in right field (Although, with the way he's playing, they may not need to). There's just not a lot to like here.
BUT, this might be the best rotation in the MLB and Yoenis Cespedes is amazing in so many ways.
It's not gonna get them to 88 wins. I think the on-base and hitting issues are gonna plague the Mets. Washington is just more well-rounded.
Washington Nationals: PECOTA Prediction: 87 wins Verdict: OVER
They're always battling injuries, but on paper, this Nationals team is pretty scary. You can't really point to a weakness on this roster. The Adam Eaton trade was a total overpay, but it moves Michael Taylor (thankfully) to the bench. Him along with Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper form one of the best outfields in the MLB.
Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon just need to stay healthy. Adam Lind is a nice backup, but his bat proves to be extremely boom or bust. Stephen Drew is also a nice utility piece to have around.
I'm extremely excited for year three of Trea Turner, and am done doubting Daniel Murphy. That guy is an offensive machine.
Washington's rotation isn't as good as we thought it'd be in 2015, but it possess five to six quality starters. The Nationals would like for Gio Gonzalez to have a better season, but if he's platueded it's not a disaster.
Washington still wants to add a long term, high quality reliever. Mark Melancon was a nice rental, but someone has to step up in that bullpen.
Washington is the best team in this division. Their hitting is far superior to New York's, and their simply a more competent team.
Miami Marlins: PECOTA Prediction: 78 wins Verdict: UNDER
The Marlins are sneakily terrible. Equipped with only a talented outfield, Miami's roster is in pretty bad shape. Dee Gordon is fine at 2nd base, but he's not carrying your team. I've never heard of Derek Dietrich at 3rd, and Justin Bour at 1st base isn't exactly ideal.
Miami's rotation, still recovering (and forever will be recovering) from the death of Jose Fernandez, is one of the worst in the MLB.
This team could be putrid. Thank God for Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton.
Atlanta Braves: PECOTA Prediction: 77 wins Verdict: OVER
I don't know what this team is exactly, but it's certain to be entertaining.
The Braves, who open a new stadium this season, simply wanted to put a competent team on the field for this year. And while it has plenty of faults, it's mildly intriguing.
We're getting Year 23,939 of Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey in the same rotation, topped off by Julio Teheran, who STILL hasn't been traded and might not ever be at this point. I liked the Jaime Garcia trade too. Again: competence.
Freddie Freeman is awesome, Dansby Swanson is not a Diamondback, and Brandon Phillips is in the swan song. It's not half-bad, and it will be fun to watch.
The Matt Kemp-Ender Inciarte-Nick Markakis outfield is not good; Inciarte is the only productive player we can count on here. But Kemp draws fans and Markakis, well, is Markakis.
This Braves team might be constructed extremely oddly, but they're somewhat frisky, and will get eyes, and to the front office and ownership, thats all that matters right now.
Philadelphia Phillies: PECOTA Prediction: 74 wins Verdict: PUSH
They slide perfectly into the 4th spot in this terrible division. They don't match Miami's crappiness, but lack of the friskiness of Atlanta.
Cesar Hernandez is an interesting player. Already at 27 (I know, he seems 23), you have to wonder how much better he will get. Last season was by far his best, posting a WAR of 3.3 and 11 triples (11!). But it's hard to see him becoming a star at this age. That gives me pause when regarding this Phillies infield. Maikel Franco has promise, and Freddy Galvis is coming off a good year. But there's no standout guy here yet, which is okay, cause it's not like they're contending anyways.
Howie Kendrick is a bridge in left, and so is Michael Saunders, who's quite undervalued. Odubel Herrera could be a budding star in centerfield, but right now, the Phillies are close to irrelevant.
Chicago Cubs: PECOTA Prediction: 91 wins Verdict: OVER
Is there anything to be concerned about here? OVER. DEFINITELY OVER.
Pittsburgh Pirates: PECOTA Prediction: 81 wins Verdict: OVER
I'm struggling with this team. They're intriguing yet frustrating to evaluate. A lot depends on their rotation, which has two paths it could travel on. I'd expect a rebound year from Gerrit Cole, who's numbers weren't terrible last season, but weren't ace-like. Jameson Taillion figures to improve, but at 25, how much better can he really be? Ivan Nova is just kinda there. I guess yay for mentoring?? Rounded out by Chad Kuhl and Tyler Glasnow, Pittsburgh's rotation hinges on the development of these young arms. They could all excel, or could still be a year away.
No matter what rotation we get, Pittsburgh's offense can support them. Josh Bell and Josh Harrison are productive players, and Jordy Mercer can drive guys in. This could be it for Andrew McCutchen; he hits 30 this year and the numbers have already gone down. The move to right field should help the Pirates immensely defensively, and allows Starling Marte (Who, by the way, is a star) to take over in center.
The Pirates are gonna have to search for runs, but they have productive hitters on the roster; it's hard to see all of them not hitting. The rotation will have its ups and downs, but this team is better than 81 wins.
Milwaukee Brewers: PECOTA Prediction: 76 wins Verdict: PUSH
I think this team is a little better than people think. Plagued by a bad rotation, they won't get above 80 wins, but there's some quality to competent players still left on this roster.
Jonathan Villar is a nice player, though I can't picture him staying with the Brewers much longer if the numbers stay high (He's got value). Eric Thames is hitting home runs already, which is probably one of the most unlikely events of the season so far, but hey, Milwaukee will take it. Orlando Arcia has a ton of promise and will be here for the long run (He's gonna be a fun watch). Travis Shaw came over in that extremely lopsided Tyler Thornburg trade, and figures to be a quality infielder for awhile.
The outfield for the Brewers is their weak spot. Is this the year Ryan Braun finally gets traded? Danny Santana is an every day starter? What? Keon Broxton has a lot of promise, but he's a liability defensively, which is the common trend in this outfield.
The Brewers rotation also figures to hold them back. Zach Davies was decent last year, but he's young and might still be a year away. Wily Peralta, I mean, whatever. Chase Anderson and Tommy Milone round this thing out, which, well, yikes.
The Brewers might be one of those teams that go on a weird streak and get everyone fired up for no reason at all. Besides that, they're not worth paying attention to. But they're competent enough to hang around 76 wins.
St. Louis Cardinals: PECOTA Prediction: 76 wins Verdict: OVER
I have no idea how PECOTA's number came in so low for this Cardinals team. Yes, the outfield is pretty weak, but that's the only thing I can point to. Matt Carpenter, Yadier Molina and Jhonny Peralta can still hit. Dexter Fowler is a massive boost. Aledmys Diaz is awesome. This offense is really good!
And so is the rotation! They have excellent depth with Michael Wacha and Lance Lynn; Carlos Martinez and Adam Wainwright make a pretty nice 1-2 combination at the top. The Alex Reyes news sucked, but they'll be alright.
St. Louis has Stephen Piscotty and Randall Gruichick starting in the outfield, two average at best, backup/role players. This had to be what scared PECOTA. Piscotty just got starter money; I'm conflicted on it. Piscotty's not a great batter, and is below average defensively, but that and Grichick in a bigger role is not enough to drag down PECOTA's number this low.
The Cardinals are better than Pittsburgh. They're more proven and have higher quality players. OVER. DEFINITELY OVER.
Cincinnati Reds: PECOTA Prediction: 74 wins Verdict: UNDER
It's a slight under, but let's face it: This team is not good.
They have a bunch of pieces to sell in order to really push forward with this rebuild. Joey Votto has a ton of value with the numbers he continues to put up (which are insane considering his age and consistency). Adam Duvall is a tough case, considering that he'll probably be 30 by the time the Reds contend again, and we know that it's never a good thing when a power hitter turns 30. For now, he's smacking the ball, which gives them a couple more wins.
Their infield is fine. Zach Cozart figures to be decent. Jose Peraza has a bright future. I don't know who Eugenio Suarez is at 3rd base, but it's okay. Hey, at least Reds fans have Billy Hamilton in centerfield.
NL West:
Los Angeles Dodgers: PECOTA Prediction: 99 wins Verdict: UNDER
Slight under. 99 just seems too high. Thats a lot of games!
Then again, the Dodgers are pretty loaded. Adrian Gonzalez, Corey Seager, Justin Turner and the new addition Logan Forsythe in the same infield is just unfair. Add that to Yasmani Grandal's hitting and astonishing defense and Clayton Kershaw, and yeesh, we have a dang good baseball team.
The Dodgers concerns are always the same: Outfield consistency and pitching depth.
You never know what you're gonna get from the Dodgers in the outfield. Yasiel Puig, was can officially say, is extremely streaky. Andrew Toles is fine but a liability defensively. The only sure thing is Joc Pederson, who is yet another young star in the Show.
Pitching wise, the loss of Zach Greinke still (somehow) looms large. Kershaw is Kershaw, but Kenta Maeda is still an unknown, Brandon McCarthy is still pitching, Hyun-Jin Ryu is finally back. Alex Wood rounds out the rotation. Yeah, not great.
They'll get through it, but those issues will hold them back from 100.
San Francisco Giants: PECOTA Prediction: 86 wins Verdict: OVER
I see the NL West playing out the same way it does every year: The Giants and Dodgers battling it out till the end.
The Giants are good, but there's a good chance the same issues as last year hold them down. That is: A bad bullpen and holes in the outfield.
Mark Melancon was a great signing to be the closer, but the Giants lack set-up men, and didn't address it in the offseason. It's gonna haunt them.
Elsewhere, Jarrett Parker may not be ready for a big role in left field. He batted poorly last season, and though it was a limited sample size, he's already 28. You are what you are then.
The Giants have enough talent to get over these issues. Besides those holes, there are practically no weaknesses.
Arizona Diamondbacks: PECOTA Prediction: 78 wins Verdict: PUSH
Not gonna lie, we're pretty average. I can't say that we're bad; there's too many really productive players who just don't have enough to support them yet.
You can't deny that Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollack are awesome players. But whats around them? Jake Lamb at 3rd base? Chris Owings (Who's, uh, somehow hitting home runs so far) at short?
There's a lot to be concerned about. Yasmany Tomas could be a disaster as an outfielder. The pitching is incredibly sketchy. Goldschmidt and Pollack are gonna have to put up amazing numbers for the Diamondbacks to break 80 wins this season.
Colorado Rockies: PECOTA Prediction: 76 wins Verdict: OVER
This Rockies team has so much potential, but the same problem plagues them every year: Pitching.
It's hard to put into the words the immenseness of the problem. Colorado has tried and tried to develop pitchers and has consistently failed, and the team's coaches, management and scouts are not to blame. It's the park and the city, where the baseball flies.
It's why the Rockies posses one of the best offenses in baseball, but can never win a substantial amount of games. An offense featuring Nolan Arenado, D.J. LeMahieu, Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon AND Carlos Gonzalez is a World Series caliber lineup. That's a murderer's row. But when Jon Gray is your ace, it hurts your team's success.
I don't know what Gray is; I don't know what any of these Rockies pitchers are. Tyler Chatwood has some potential I guess. Besides him, I haven't heard of anyone else in this rotation. I warned you it was bad.
Colorado could make a Wild Card push if they score 1000 runs, but without a quality pitching, they're screwed.
San Diego Padres: PECOTA Prediction: 69 wins Verdict: UNDER
The Padres suck and that is all.
Season Predictions:
Red Sox, 93-69
Blue Jays, 86-76
Rays, 84-78
Yankees, 82-80
Orioles, 78-84
Indians, 95-67
Tigers, 86-76
Royals, 81-81
Twins, 76-86
White Sox, 74-88
Astros, 94-68
Mariners, 91-71
Rangers, 88-74
Angels, 79-83
A's, 75-87
Nationals, 92-70
Mets, 86-76
Braves, 81-81
Phillies, 84-78
Marlins, 71-91
Cubs, 100-62
Cardinals, 90-72
Pirates, 85-77
Brewers, 76-86
Reds, 70-92
Dodgers, 94-68
Giants, 88-74
Rockies, 85-77
Diamondbacks, 78-84
Padres, 60-102


When smoking damaged dozens of genes that are critical for local respiratory tract immune system. A number of these changes increases the risk of bacterial and viral infections, and other inflammatory processes. Scientists from the Medical School at the University of North Carolina (USA) reported that veyping or smoking electronic cigarettes and vaporizers, hurt the same genes as the common tobacco, and even beyond that, which impairs the immune defense of the upper respiratory tract.
In a study of 39 people took part, having a different attitude to smoking, including 12 used electronic vaporizers. In the latter group was determined by inhibition of the expression of 358 genes, including 53 that are also affected by tobacco smoke.
The results are published in the American Journal of Physiology (American Journal of Physiology), suggest that inhaled flavored smoke from electronic evaporators does not pass completely, affecting, at least on gene expression in epithelial cells - a key process by which based on genetic material synthesized proteins of the immune system.
However, these results can not yet be associated with long-term effects of using electronic cigarettes on the development of diseases that are commonly associated with tobacco smoking, such as lung cancer, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
As acknowledged by Jan Jaspers, the main author of the work and the Head of the Department of Toxicology at the University of North Carolina, it is too early to talk about long-term consequences of smoking electronic cigarettes and veypinga. However, the researchers suggest that "the effects of e-cigarettes are not the same as an ordinary tobacco."
Higher risk of death from pulmonary embolism in the amateurs TV shocked the public.
How to make warning labels on tobacco products more effective?


As seasons begin to change to fall there is a particular yearly event that many foodies begin to think about, that is Oktoberfest. Luckily as a cuisine the traditional dishes aren't that difficult to recreate for the Autoimmune Protocol. There are a lot of steps to creating Sauerbraten, but it is a labor of love. All of the steps create layers of flavor and the end result is a delicious, tender roast beef that the whole family will love. And the gravy that it creates, to quote George Takei, Ohhh Myyyyy! Definitely take the time to make this for you and your family.
Season beef liberally with sea salt in large bowl.
Bring both vinegars, 1 onion, carrot, bouquet garni, and 4 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan; pour over beef.
Cover and refrigerate, turning once or twice a day, for 3 days.
Heat the olive oil and bacon in an 8-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat; cook until bacon renders its fat, about 10 minutes.
Transfer bacon to a plate; set aside.
Add beef; cook, turning, until browned all over, about 15 minutes.
Heat oven to 325°. Add remaining onions to pot; cook, stirring, until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
Return beef to pot, pour over reserved marinade, lemon juice, ginger root and sachet and bring to boil. Cover with foil and put in oven.
Braise until beef is very tender, about 3 hours.
Transfer beef to a platter; pour cooking juices through a fine strainer into a bowl.
Place a pot over medium-high heat.
Add strained cooking juices, coconut sugar, and raisins.
Simmer for a few minutes, add diluted arrowroot, bring back to simmer, then return beef to sauce, cover pot, and cook until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes.
Thinly slice beef; arrange on a platter. Spoon sauce over top; sprinkle with bacon and parsley.
Serve with potato dumplings and braised red cabbage.


`A nice uncomplicated booklet, that are utilized by the amateur qualitative researcher. the recommendation is pleasant, virtually folksy with transparent conceptual rationalization of the way this system works. a really welcome contribution to this box' - Martha Ann Carey, Albert Einstein university of medication, manhattan This booklet invitations readers to profit tips to use qualitative info research software program within the context of doing their examine venture.
Begin growing dynamite shows with PowerPoint 2010PowerPoint, the number 1 presentation software program, has been revised and better with the advent of Microsoft workplace 2010. greater than one hundred twenty million everyone is utilizing PowerPoint to create enterprise and academic shows around the globe. either new and veteran PowerPoint clients will enhance their abilities with the joys and pleasant recommendation in PowerPoint 2010 For Dummies.
Even if you're learning or already utilizing electronic imaging thoughts, constructing skillability within the topic isn't really attainable with out gaining knowledge of sensible talents. during this ebook, Prof. Yaroslavsky gives you a whole utilized direction in electronic imaging geared toward complex scholars and practitioners. masking all parts of electronic imaging, the textual content offers an summary of outlying ideas of every subject whereas supplying greater than eighty MATLAB® established workouts.
It could also be used for player/missile data or alternate character sets. Unfortunately, most commercial software does not support Bank Switching. The Mosaic 64K RAM Select board allows this technique. BASIC - BASIC is the most universally used computer language for beginners. It is easy to write short utility programs in BASIC. Atari BASIC is available on an 8K ROM cartridge for the 400, 800, and 1200 models and is built into the XL series computers. BASIC is a programming language which is entered through memory location $AOOO (40969 decimal).
BAN K SE LECT ME M ORY - An extra4K of RAM can be addressed without modifications to the operating system of the 400 and 800 Atari computers. This 4K block starts at $COOO and is used by the Operating System in the XL series. This means that 52K of memory can be addressed in a contiguous block. By installing a board with 16K of memory in addition to the regular 48K in a 400 or 800, the extra 4K can be BANK SELECTED. Since it can be switched on by writing to a special location, the4K block of 32 BASIC memory can be switched in and out by a technique called BANK SWITCHING.
Conveniently, two bytes will serve as an address for each of the bytes. Since each byte can have one of 256 values, two bytes will address 256 X 256 bytes or 65,636 bytes. A two byte address is represented in a format such as FF FF. The leftmost part is called the high byte or MSB (most significant byte). The rightmost byte is the the low byte or LSB (least significant byte). To get the decimal value, the MSB must be multiplied by 256 and added to the LSB. This is commonly done to find the value of an address stored in two locations.


GIVE YOUR CAREER A GREAT FOUNDATION..
Games: Archery, Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cricket, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi (N/S), Kayaking, Karate, Kho-Kho, Pistol Shooting, Power-Lifting, Pencak Silat, Rifle Shooting, Rowing, Rugby, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Softball, Swimming, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Wrestling, Weight-Lifting, Wushu.
At a glorious 52, BBK DAV College for Women stands tall as a provider of Quality Higher Education on the national horizon. It was founded in the year 1967 under the aegis of DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi, with the avowed aim of spreading the benefits of education to women, synchronizing tradition with modernity. A multi faculty institution, that aims to blend professional & vocational education with traditional courses, it is an excellent model of what a women's college can do for women's development.
The thrust of the college is on the highly innovative and efficient management of all its resources – human and Infrastructural. The history of fifty years shows an endless desire to be in pace with vocation-oriented education and challenges of technology, communication & media.
The choices that you make today determine the quality of your tomorrow. By choosing BBK DAV College for Women, you have chosen an institution where excellence is pursued and perfection is achieved, where methods and materials are constantly overhauled to meet the ever-changing trends and where challenges are turned into possibilities of exploration, advancement and enrichment.
Dainik Savera honoured Dr. Pushpinder Wala for excellence in the field of education.


The best way to get American Netflix in the UK is by using a VPN such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, or one of the other VPNs listed in our best streaming VPN round-up, which fool the service into thinking you're browsing from the US.
We explain these steps in much more detail to help you through the process below. However, it's not guaranteed to work, and you should proceed with some caution. Read on to find out why and get more detailed instructions on how to get US Netflix in the UK. Also find out how to get Netflix on Sky Q.
You might also find that there's more available on the UK version of Netflix than you realised. Take a look at our round-up of the best TV shows and best movies on UK Netflix.
Netflix has been enforcing the ban on many popular VPN services, so they're having to continually determine workarounds. This means that the services mentioned in this article may temporarily stop working from time to time as Netflix catches up to them – there's no VPN that can guarantee to always give you US Netflix access.
Netflix doesn't say that people using VPNs or proxies will have their accounts banned, but only that they will be limited to watching content available in their own country.
This has implications on those using VPNs to 'virtually cross borders' and means you access a foreign Netflix service at your own risk – the company is unlikely to ban you or remove your account, but it does have the right to.
Now you've read all the warnings, it's up to you whether you still want to use a VPN to watch US Netflix.
Assuming you do, the first step is to download a VPN to your computer or device (some are browser plugins rather than apps, but they all work in very similar ways). We're using NordVPN as an example, but the steps will be similar for any of our recommended VPNs.
Go to NordVPN's website and click Buy Now. Normally, there are three versions available, and depending on which you choose it can work out as cheap as £2.29/US$2.99 per month. Note that you'll need to pay for the entire subscription upfront, so if you opt for two or three years, it will cost you close to £100/$120. This is the case for any VPN service you opt for.
Once you've signed up and downloaded and installed the app, you'll need to launch it on your computer or device.
Once the app is open, you'll need to connect to the country you're trying to trick Netflix into thinking you're in. In this case, you want to choose US. You can do so by navigating to the US on the Map view and choosing a pin in the US, but a simpler method is to click 'list' and choose US from there.
If you still struggle to get Netflix working, try choosing a different US server. It could be that one particular server has been recently blocked and your VPN provider hasn't quite managed to fix it yet, but the company has technology working in the background that should prevent this from happening.
While most of the major VPNs now have apps for smartphones and tablets, as well as PCs and Macs, there are probably still some devices you use that aren't supported, like a game console or smart TV (though some VPNs do support those directly). Don't worry though, you can still use a VPN to watch foreign Netflix on them too.
The easiest way is simply to install your chosen VPN to your home router, which will run all of your internet traffic through the VPN. That means you can appear to browse from the US or another country no matter which device you use – though it also means you can't easily set specific devices to not use the VPN.
The way to set this up will vary depending on your VPN and your router, but generally you'll have to go into the web configuration panel of your router from a computer connected to it, and use your login details to connect to your chosen VPN.


No, I'm not on the USCGC Healy. The icebreaker doesn't leave until July 31, but there is much to be done first. A research mission involves a huge amount of planning for everyone involved. The lead scientist I am working with, Dr. Peter Michael from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, has spent days- weeks- months-planning for this mission to Gakkel Ridge. The mission involves 20 scientists, tons of equipment, and a huge icebreaker with a Coast Guard crew of 75. Planning and preparing is important in order to have everything come together in Norway on July 31.
I must also prepare. Sure, I've started packing, but preparing mentally is important, too. So here I am in Tulsa to gain an understanding of the science behind our mission. I am spending a week with Dr. Michael to gain an understanding of the concepts that will be important as we make our way through the Arctic Ocean and collect rocks from the ocean floor 3 miles beneath the surface of the water.
I hope that you will follow along on this research mission over the next few months and learn with me as I journey to the top of the world!
Learning about the atomic structure of minerals can be complicated!
My mentor, Dr.Peter Michael from the University of Tulsa. Dr. Michael is an expert in the field of geoscience.


The following vendors will have booths in the Exhibit Hall. View a map of where each exhibitor's booth location. For additional information about exhibiting vendors and for an interactive map of the Exhibit Hall, download the 2013 conference mobile app.
K2, a division of SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc.
The following vendors will be attending the conference as consultants. For additional information about these consultants, download the 2013 conference mobile app.
Paragon Legal Technology Support, L.L.C.


text:
Pour Some Sugar on Me – utwór brytyjskiego zespołu Def Leppard, wydany w 1987 roku jako trzeci singel z albumu zatytułowanego Hysteria. Piosenka okazała się sukcesem, docierając do 2. miejsca listy Billboard Hot 100 w USA. W 2006 roku utwór zajął 2. pozycję w spisie 100 najlepszych utworów lat 80. według stacji VH1. W 2012 roku grupa nagrała nową wersję utworu, która została wydana jako singel.

Teledysk
Zespół stworzył dwa klipy do utworu. W pierwszym muzycy grają w domu, który jest powoli niszczony przez kobietę stojącą na zewnątrz. Po tym jak utwór stał się popularny w Stanach Zjednoczonych, postanowiono stworzyć drugą wersję teledysku, z zespołem wykonującym utwór na scenie.

Pozycje na listach

Przypisy

Piosenki brytyjskie
Piosenki wyprodukowane przez Roberta Johna Lange'a
Single Def Leppard
Single wydane w roku 1987

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The work will accelerate research on all kinds of sheep traits – from reproduction and lamb growth to wool quality, milk yield, methane production and disease resistance. These applications will lead to better breeding strategies and new approaches to sheep management.
The U.S. components of the project were undertaken at USU, Baylor College of Medicine, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and Washington State University.
Specific findings include the DNA sequence of sheep, the locations of the genes and an extensive index showing where in the body each of the genes is active. In the past, researchers studying particular traits had to do extensive DNA sequencing – often over months and years – to understand just a few genes at a time. Now the complete set is available in seconds.
Another key finding from the study involved the rumen, which is an essential organ for sheep to convert plant forage into animal protein. Sheep and some other livestock species have a rumen as well as a stomach to help with forage digestion. A number of novel genes have been identified that are only active in the rumen. Finding these genes is the first step toward a better understanding of how sheep process forage so efficiently.


Q:Let's talk a bit about your work and what is the secret behind your success ?
A : In my opinion, modeling is fun, but not as easy as it might seem. Especially in the beginning. I think that being patient, friendly and kind is important. Also, I love really love my job, and i never give up, it is crucial.
Q : Please tell us more about your style ?
A : It has changed over the last few years. I used to be more into grange/ alternative kind of look, like over sized boyish sweaters and shirts, ripped jeans. I also had face piercings. Then it turned into more polished, all black New York model type of style, black jeans and leather jacket. And now I have added more feminine stuff and more colors and florals. I even sometimes wear a nice skirt with a fitted top. I also like shiny metallics in my look now.
Q : Who is your role model and why?
A : Coco Chanel. I admire her talent, wisdom and the brand she created.
Q : Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to be a professional model ?
Q : Have you set some goals to achieve ?
Q : If you could shoot modeling anywhere, in the world, where would it have to be?
Q : Please share with us your proudest moments ?
A : Hm… I just don't think I am really proud of anything yet. I certainly don't have pride.
Q:Have you attended fashion modeling courses?Or any other related courses or studies?
A:I have never attended a modeling school or catwalk classes, but have taken some photography classes.
Q:How can we follow you on social media ?


text:
Wireless broadband: There's a gap for that
Johna Till Johnson
Back in 2007, Nemertes Research predicted a "broadband access" gap that would begin affecting Internet connectivity by the year 2012.
Specifically, we noted that although core routing, switching and transmission capacity in the Internet were growing exponentially, access capacity (including both wired and wireless) was growing merely linearly — meaning that the edges weren't keeping up with the core. More importantly, Internet traffic was also growing exponentially — meaning that bottlenecks would soon begin to occur at the edges.
Turns out our predictions were spot-on — just a little too conservative.
Fast-forward to 2010, and AT&T's recent announcement that it's plowing $2 billion into network capacity, primarily to handle wireless applications running on iPhones and the newly released iPad. Meantime, Verizon has reportedly sped up its planned rollout of Long Term Evolution (LTE) to try and stay abreast of capacity issues.And things are going to get a whole lot worse before they get better. Several trends are converging that will bring the wireless Internet capacity gap front and centre to the attention of network managers. These include:
* Device convergence. The distinction between a wireless PC and a smartphone continues to blur, with devices increasingly serving both as computers and communicators. This, in turn, shifts traffic that might have previously traversed a wireline network onto the wireless network.
* Cloud computing. Increasingly, companies are looking at putting some or all of their computing resources in the cloud, increasing Internet traffic substantially. Combine this trend with device convergence (above) and the stage is set for an increase of cloud-based applications across wireless networks.
* Desktop virtualization. Although I'm not predicting as sharp an increase in desktop virtualization as server virtualization (for one thing, the cost savings aren't nearly as clear), companies are increasingly looking into desktop virtualization as a way to maintain control over corporate data. And once again, device convergence means desktop virtualization is increasingly driving traffic across wireless networks.
* Videoconferencing. Last year, we predicted (and saw) a dramatic uptick in the use of videoconferencing, both high-end telepresence suites and low-end desktop video. As companies adjust to a virtual workforce this trend will continue — with users seeking to videoconference from wireless devices.
* Virtual workers. Applications such as social networking, unified communications and other collaborative technologies can unify far-flung workforces. As these folks increasingly move to wireless devices, these applications will increase demand on wireless networks.
The bottom line? These scenarios and applications will increase demand for Internet capacity — and wireless Internet capacity in particular. That means network managers will need to pay close attention to the current and future data capacity of wireless service providers. It will be a key differentiator in years to come.
Leo Apotheker is out as CEO of SAP
Kaspersky announces new VP of North American channel sales
More from Johna Till Johnson
From IT to ET: Cloud, consumerization, and the next wave of IT...
Johna Till Johnson - April 23, 2012
Making the business case for mobility
Johna Till Johnson - December 21, 2010
Can UC me now?
Johna Till Johnson - September 2, 2009

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I have been busy, I have recommenced studying this year. It's exciting and I am throwing myself into it with gusto. I study while Amy is alseep which is convenient. The only downside is, I seemto have no spare time left anymore. Not to worry, stuvac will be here before I know it. LOL. Then I might finally finish catching up on our New Zealand holiday posts.
Kate is 8 today. I bought her Nintendogs for her DS as she has been asking for it for ages and also the first book in the Lemony Snicketts Series of Unfortunate Events. You know, every year I think 'woah, that's gone quick' but this year it has flew at a remarkable speed. My baby girl is older and it makes me sad that with every impending birthday it means she will become more and more independent until she has matured into an adult. I will refuse to think about that for the moment!
I do have some layouts to share though. These layouts were created for The Scrapbook Establishment's newsletter. I was fortunate enough to getto work with Little Yellow Bicycles Love Letters range.


Free clipart lion - Clipart Collection | Lion clipart, free lion clipart clip art, lion image clip art free.
HddFhm proudly present free clipart lion free vector. Stop your search here! 1-24 of 4496983 in cdr, svg, jpg, png design format. Commercial use of free clipart lion is prohibited. Download now free clipart lion.


Warren R. Copeland. Doing Justice in Our Cities: Lessons in Public Policy from America's Heartland. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2009. 138pp. $20.00.
There has been a recent spike in literature that aims to inform Christians and churches how to engage in ministries of justice. To that corpus Warren Copeland contributes an easy-to-read, compelling exposition of his triumphs and struggles to implement justice in the public square. Copeland is Professor of Religion at Wittenberg University (PhD in social ethics from the University of Chicago) but more importantly has served several terms as mayor of Springfield, Ohio. He writes with raw honesty about his Christian commitment and public service, and how he wrestled throughout his career as a public servant to maintain integrity between the two. Copeland sees the challenges that cities face as fundamental moral issues not to be ignored by Christians. Politics, for the author, is a way both to express faith and also to test it.
Copeland first narrates his journey as a local politician and then mayor of his city. In his retelling he delivers to the reader an education in urban sociology, planning, and politics; thus, he helps his audience understand the interdisciplinary agility a public official must exercise and the inherent difficulties in attempting to act for the good of all. As a social ethicist employed by the civitas, Copeland strove for a principled approach in his service, but he admits that rare was the occasion when a decision was clear cut. Indeed, his nuanced discussion of political realities and the disparate values involved is a significant reminder that justice-seeking in a pluralist society often requires careful discernment.
In a second section he offers a four-pronged ethical framework for understanding cities, again illustrating the complexity and different values inherent in the administration of justice in city life. Copeland names three principles that guided his civic service and decision making: respect for the integrity of all people, concern for the disadvantaged, and commitment to the common good. These three principles feed into the larger goal of increasing freedom and diversity in the city, two components Copeland regards as crucial for just cities.
In his third and final section, the author outlines a political agenda for creating equity in the city. He advocates for the "3 A's": access to good jobs, high quality amenities, and affordable housing. He follows this discussion by detailing "3 S's" for preserving the diversity within cities: space, safety, and quality schools. Copeland is impressive in the ease and scope of laying out his reasons for his policy proposals and demonstrating measurable results from his experience in Springfield. Time and again his discussion interacts with urban and political theory, providing valuable insight from a policy perspective on issues that will be familiar to anyone working among the disadvantaged in urban America.
One walks away from this book appreciating both the possibilities and problems of working for justice as a Christian in the public sphere. In an age when many seem to have lost faith in the political process, Copeland provides imagination and inspiration for a way forward for people of faith. Furthermore, he is quite realistic about the limits of church or any volunteer organization to tackle effectively the large scale issues in urban America: "Voluntary organizations provide a human touch and often a spiritual dimension that may be missing from government programs. However, we are not about to meet the huge needs of our urban communities through volunteerism. The decimal point is simply in the wrong place" (124). For Copeland, love of neighbor means some level of commitment to those structures that direct public life. Insofar as the reader agrees with Copeland's faith in the goodness of public life, he or she will find this book a candid but hopeful portrayal of justice seeking at the crossroads of urban politics, sociology, planning, and Christian activism. It is a welcome primer for any Christian considering political activism in an urban context.


Mr. Montero-Rosen oversees the firm's investment activities. He is responsible for the investment selection, fundamental analysis and portfolio management as the Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and a Founding Member of the firm.
Pete has been involved in the farming operation of Pistorius Farms since childhood and currently holds the primary leadership role in this sizable farming operation. Pete's main goal is to merge modern technology with traditional farming, while maintaining a strong presence within the community. For the Fund, Pete provides invaluable knowledge and insight on farms and how to operate them successfully.
Ron is a Managing Director and a Portfolio Manager of the Graham & Dodd Farmland FundTM LLC and responsible for the investment selection, fundamental analysis and portfolio management of the Fund. Ron is also the Portfolio Manager in charge of the Graham & Dodd Fund® LLC high yield credit platform.
Mark has a substantial background as a senior executive in multiple aspects of the securities industry. He has served as an Independent Consultant for the Securities and Exchange Commission where he monitored Lehman Brothers and subsequently Barclays Capital research pursuant to the Commission's Global Research Settlement.
Separately, he was President and Chief Executive of The New York Board of Trade, the world's leading soft commodities futures exchange.
Chris is Head of Operations for the Graham & Dodd Fund® LLC and runs the firm's business operations.


text:
Tyrexpo Asia Singapore Returns March 2023
Tyrexpo Asia Singapore will be held from 8th to 10th March 2023 at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.
Tyrexpo Asia Singapore All Set to Welcome Visitor Again
Tarsus Southeast Asia will be staging Tyrexpo Asia Singapore 2023 on the 8th to 10th March 2023 at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre Halls A, B and C.
Tarsus states that the Singapore Government has recently relaxed its incoming travel stipulations due to Covid-19 for international visitors who are fully vaccinated and introduced a new Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF). Taking the travel experience to Southeast Asia back to almost like before the Pandemic.
S.Iswaran, Transport Minister for the Singapore says, "Our recent shift to the VTF scheme sends out a strong signal to the world that Singapore has fully reopened its borders giving a much needed boost to international business. Therefore, the Singapore event has now been given 'the green light' to go ahead as a 'Live' show once again.
Anyone planning to visit Singapore for the March 2023 show will need to have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks and provide printed or digital proof of their vaccinations and 'mix and match' types of vaccinations will be accepted. At the same time flight schedules from around the world are once again fully open in Singapore.
Alwin Seow. Events Director at Tarsus Southeast Asia says, "We are delighted that Tyrexpo Asia 2023 in Singapore has now been approved to go ahead although throughout the three-day event we will be taking all necessary precautions to maintain the safety and well- being of all exhibitors and visitors, including the constant provision of sanitisers throughout the halls."
Posted by Mary Tang on 29 Apr 2022
Mary Tang
Mary has over 20 years experience as the editor of our Malaysian sister magazine, The Tyreman. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she writes articles for us on the Malaysian and other South East Asian markets.
Phone: (60) 3 7781 1323


Most famous in the countrysides and seasides of Greece, Italy, and France, Mediterranean landscape design has influenced landscapists all over the world.
With their soft colors, brightly patterned tiles, clipped hedges, and gravel paths – it's an inspiration to design The informal and drought-tolerant plants make Mediterranean landscape design the perfect option for your UAE landscape.
Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, generally low maintenance, and water-wise, you can easily achieve a Mediterranean landscape design with a little help from the experts at Milestone.
A key component to achieving an authentic Mediterranean landscape design is establishing defined seating areas. The UAE climate is so hot that outdoor seating areas are a must!
Shaded seating areas provide a place to unwind from the heat of the treacherous sun. They offer a relaxing place to enjoy a cup of tea early morning or a place to enjoy the sounds of the night once the sun sets. However, the key to outside seating is shade.
Milestone Project – Backyard design & transformation.
Pergolas provide the perfect shade structure to ensure your seating area is protected from the direct sunlight. Additionally, pergolas provide a lovely decorative accent for your backyard. You can accent your pergola with climbing plants.
For example, Jasmine or Rangoon Creeper (Quisqualis Indica) is a drought-resistant plant, which blooms with perfumed flowers in the spring.
There are few better ways to celebrate the Mediterranean culture than by dining al fresco with family and friends. Your shaded area is also the perfect place to establish an outdoor dining area.
Another key element associated with Mediterranean landscape design is gravel pathways and flooring. In Mediterranean areas, property owners have long grappled with too little water for their plants. As such, they have replaced green with more drought-friendly options.
Mediterranean landscape design often replaces grass with paving, stone slabs, gravel, pebbles, cobblestones, or a combination of these natural elements. The creative experts at Milestone can weave cobblestones and pebbles into intricate designs.
Pebble mosaics were the earliest types of mosaic in all areas of the Eastern Mediterranean. These stunning designs have a rich history that dates back to ancient times.
Not only do these stone accents look fantastic, but it also significantly reduces the need for water. Additionally, gravel and other stone elements are low maintenance and long-lasting.
Are you considering an ornamental pond, custom fountain, water wall, or full-scale pool? Water features are a must in Mediterranean landscape design to cool the hot summer air. The soothing sounds and gleam of rushing water add a delightful element to any backyard.
Regardless of which water feature you choose, the sounds and sights of water provide an enjoyable relief on hot summer days. Moreover, the birds and butterflies will enjoy your water features too!
One of the great appeals to a Mediterranean landscape design within the Middle East lies in the beautiful drought-resistant plants.
From attractive succulents and flowering plants, you simply can't go wrong with the stunning appeal of Mediterranean inspired plants.
Think agaves with their beauty. Jasmine plants with their serene white fragrant scented flowers. Or, yucca plants with their large leaves and creamy white flowers.
Clipped hedges are not only pleasing to the eye, but they also add to your garden's architectural framework.
Tecoma stans, Nerium Oleander, Murraya Paniculata, Thevetia are some of the more common hedges used on Mediterranean landscape design. Very versatile, this evergreen offers height and an element of dramatic flair to your garden.
Additionally, hedges can be added to your garden. These drought-resistant plants offer a year-round element of greenery that also doubles as a privacy fence.
Because of the ideal climate, the people of the Mediterranean lead an outdoor lifestyle. For hundreds of years, they have been gardening, socializing, and dining outdoors. If you are looking to add an element of the Mediterranean to your backyard, you've come to the right place.
Contact a member of our team for your landscape design consultation today! We look forward to bringing your vision to life.