POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 47-27 ATS
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4-4 ATS
KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 47-27-1
KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 130-90-7
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4-4 ATS
KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 47-27-1
KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 130-90-7
Reports surfaced this morning that New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has yet another date with the operating table in the middle of June. The Pro Bowler appeared in 11 games for the Patriots last season catching 55 passes for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns before injuring his forearm in late November. Since then Gronkowski has had four surgeries addressing that injury and complications arising from it.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Gronkowski has made off-season headlines. Aside from dating porn stars and reported drunken debaucherous nights of partying, the tight end has been banged up on and off throughout his career. He had a similar back procedure in 2009 and had his ankle operated on multiple times after the 2011 season.
In light of his history and the recent recommendation that he go under the knife again for his disk issues, Gronkowski has now decided to opt for a very rare and somewhat dangerous Full Body Transplant (FBT) surgery. Much like heart, liver, and kidney transplants, the FBT surgery requires a donor with the same blood type, body size, and skill set if Rob wants to continue his football career. Rob has many large friends ranging from retired football players, old college buddies, and current "movie" stars, so finding a donor would appear to be a non-issue.
With FBT surgery still pending AMA approval, Gronkowski will be receiving his treatment at one of the most respected medical institutions in Mexico City. Asked by an ESPN Deportes correspondent if he's worried that he might lose some of his god given talent during the surgery, Gronkowski winked at her and said, "Yo Soy Fiesta, baby. I can't do what I want to do with all these damaged goods. Comprendez? Bueno."
No Bueno, Rob. No Bueno.
Although the procedure is in its experimental infancy, the doctors are optimistic that Gronkowski is a perfect candidate to take advantage of its benefits. Unfortunately for Rob, his original donor - a drunk friend who signed a contract while under the influence - has fallen off the grid and is nowhere to be found. Fortunately for Rob, however, method actor Tom Hanks has purchased the movie rights to the story from Disney and has immersed himself in the lead by attending Patriots mini-camps and volunteering to be Rob's FBT surgery donor.
"FG2: Forest Takes Foxborough is going to be huge."
Ninety-nine days until football...
Can't Wait.
For now, let's talk a little b-ball:
Indiana Pacers (+7.5) over MIAMI HEAT: Blame the officials all you want Miami fans, but on Tuesday night your Heat were exposed. As far as the officiating goes, you wouldn't even have a leg to stand on (meaning the game wouldn't have been nearly as close) had the refs not blown the 24 second violation against Indiana, effectively wiping out a bucket and turning an 11 point lead into a seven point advantage after Miami's points off the "turnover."
"It's hard to see the rim way up there."
Officiating ultimately balances out over the course of a series, but there was no denying the rebounding tally in the fourth quarter of Game 4: Pacers 16, Heat 4. The Pacers had more offensive rebounds (6) than the Heat had rebounds at all. Add to that the fact that Roy Hibbert and David West have combined to average 41 points and 20.5 rebounds per game on 51% shooting in the series, and you can see how Indiana is competing in this series.
Comparably, the legendary James/Wade combo is averaging 44 points and 11.8 rebounds on 51% shooting. In the post, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, and Chris Anderson combined have 23 fewer rebounds than West and Hibbert have grabbed. Bosh is averaging 3.3 rebounds/game while Roy Hibbert is averaging twice that on the offensive boards. This serious lack of inside presence cannot be masked unless the Heat are making the extra passes and hitting their perimeter shots. If Indiana can rush the shots, intercept/deflect the passes, they should keep this game and this series tight.
Over the last two season, however, Indiana Pacers are a meager 6-23 SU and 10-19 ATS as road dogs of 6.5 to nine points. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are 38-13 SU and 27-24 ATS as home favorites within that range. That being said, two of those ATS losses came against Indiana last week, and with the underdog split in the last two games, the team receiving points in this series has now won 5 of the last 7 meetings. We don't see why Indiana won't keep this a single digit game considering their efforts and successes in the first four match-ups. As much as we enjoyed rooting for Indy and backing Miami, tonight we're all in with the Pacers.
Peace Out,
Vinny and Marco
KYLE'S CORNER: Like Joe Freakin' Dimaggio...
going 0-4 with three strikeouts trying to extend his hitting streak to 57 games.
Much like Joe, I wrestled with conflicting emotions last night - relief and sadness. When asked about that night at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland 72 years ago when Joe finally had an O-fer with a walk bringing his legendary streak to an end he said, "I'm glad it's over. I've been under a strain." He later admitted losing the streak was like losing a best friend.
Unlike Joe, ending my streak did not cost me $10,000 in advertising revenues promised to him by Heinz Corporation to promote their Heinz 57 products. Much like Joe, however, I consider my continue hockey streak to be akin to the base on balls he earned in that 57th game, which continued his streak of reaching base safely - a streak which ultimately ended at 74 games, second only to Ted Williams (84 in 1949).
But enough with the history lessons and red herrings, let's get to today's MLB action.
Wednesday's Recap:
NHL:
Overall: 47-27-1
Wednesday: 1-0
MLB:
Overall: 130-90-7
Wednesday: 1-8 (Ugh!)
Thursday's Picks
NHL: No games today.
MLB:
Pichers to Follow:
NYY: Nuno (1-1, 1.93 ERA)
COL: Nicasio (4-1, 4.38 ERA)
Overs:
WSH: Haren (4-5, 5.43 ERA) @ BAL: Garcia (1-2, 4.61 ERA) O9.5
TOR: Dickey (4-6, 4.85 ERA) @ ATL: Minor (6-2, 2.47 ERA) O7.5
It's slim pickins out there today, but there's always enough to start another streak.
Good luck, everyone.
Kyle
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