Fearless Forecast 08/16/09

Events to watch

MLS » Los Angeles Galaxy at D.C. United
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

The controversy surrounding David Beckham’s return to Major League Soccer may have simmered down. But his presence on the field overshadows the fact that the Galaxy had already turned things under head coach Bruce Arena and with or without Beckham are well on their way to returning to the playoffs for the first time since winning MLS Cup in 2005.

2009 Little League Baseball World Series
Aug. 21-30, ESPN

For the third consecutive year, the entire Little League World Series is scheduled to be televised by the ESPN family of networks, giving young players from all over the country and world a chance to play in high definition before they reach their teens. Last year Waipahu, Hawaii, claimed its state’s second title in four years.

MLB » Giants at Rockies
Fri. (9:10, FSN), Sat. (8:10FSN, MLBN), Sun. (3:10, FSN)

At this point of the season, it seems likely that the NL Wild Card winner will be found in the NL West. Colorado and San Francisco are neck and neck and this series could be the proving ground for who moves on to October.

NFL preseason » Steelers at Redskins
Comcast SportsNet HD/NBC4, 7:30 p.m.

After last Thursday’s game, we really hope there is something to see in the second preseason game. This week, the team that beat the Ravens three times last year will take their shot at the leaky offensive line and a defensive front that will possibly be, again, without Albert Haynesworth.

Bold Predictions

1. National League wild card will go down to final day of the season » Unlike the American League — where the Red Sox should pull away for good — the fight for the National League wild card is going to play out like a WWE battle royal. There are five teams within five games of the final spot — and, yes, we’re including the fading Cubs. A team that talented still has plenty of time to get hot. The attention has been on the Rockies and Giants, who have led the way most of the summer. But how about the Braves? Atlanta has an impressive group of starting pitchers with Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vasquez and Derek Lowe. Even No. 4 starter Kenshin Kawakami has an ERA near 4.00. The Marlins are also in the mix. But can they really win with a roster that has so little experience in a playoff chase? In the end, we’ll take Atlanta — especially if Chipper Jones can stay healthy and carry them for seven more weeks.

2. Remember last year in the NL? » This season won’t have any changes when it comes to Cy Young, MVP and NL champion. Last year’s MVP Albert Pujols has surpassed Alex Rodriguez as the hands down best player in baseball. Hanley Ramirez and his over .350 batting average will keep Pujols from winning the triple crown, but the St. Louis slugger is on pace to end the year with career highs in homers and RBI. The Giants’ Tim Lincecum is reminding people of Pedro Martinez — back when he could pitch. Last year’s Cy Young winner leads the NL in ERA and strikeouts — which sounds like another trophy for the 25-year-old righty. The defending World Series champs have actually improved this season. The Phillies’ additions of Raul Ibanez and Cliff Lee seem to be working out. The 37-year-old All-Star outfielder is having a career year and last year’s AL Cy Young winner has allowed just three earned runs in his three starts in Philadelphia. NL fans get used to it. Pujols, Lincecum and the Phillies aren’t going anywhere.

3. Michael Vick turns Eagles from pretender to contender » Don’t believe all the hype. The Eagles were arguably the worst team in the NFC East when training camp started. RB Brian Westbrook enters the season coming off ankle surgery in June and is already a shaky commodity. The offseason exit of Correll Buckhalter left the Eagles as lame ducks should Westbrook go down. Enter Vick. Philadelphia has a superstar in QB Donovan McNabb — so expect Vick’s role to provide either a two-back situation with Westbrook or the key weapon in a Wildcat formation. It makes a dangerous offense into an explosive one. Vick has single-handedly added a few hours of preparation time for defensive coordinators. Miami’s Ronnie Brown has shown us what kind of threat the Wildcat is when it’s run-oriented (he only threw three passes last season). You’ve just upgraded the threat with a legit throwing arm. Watch for the fears to quickly turn to cheers with lots of spelling chants from your friends in the green & white.

Player to watch

Cliff Lee • SP • Phillies

Maybe it isn’t quite the splash Milwaukee made last season when it traded for CC Sabathia. But new Phillies left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee has made quite a first impression in Philadelphia. In just three starts since his acquisition from the Cleveland Indians, Lee has already pitched 24 innings and allowed just one earned run in each. He beat wild-card contenders Colorado, San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs, so it isn’t like he’s feasting on the dregs of the National League. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has allowed just 16 hits and six walks for the Phillies. He also has 23 strikeouts and — along with teammate Cole Hamels — has given Philadelphia a one-two punch to match any team in baseball. Not a bad addition for a club coming off a World Series title. Overall, Lee is 10-9 with a 2.86 ERA. He next starts Wednesday against Arizona.

Five Up & Five Down

Up

1. David Ortiz » Maybe it was his story, maybe it was his manner, but somehow his PED explanation worked.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers » If Leon Powe’s knee does heal, he’ll be plenty motivated when it comes to a playoffs series vs. Boston.
3. Adrian Peterson » Don’t you dare think about not taking him with your No. 1 overall fantasy pick.
4. Clint Dempsey » The contract extension with Fulham had to be completed before his disappearing act in Mexico City.
5. Flavia Pennetta » Italian dynamo follows title-winning week in L.A. with an upset of Venus Williams in Cincinnati.

Down

1. John Paramore » Mr. PGA Tour official, please put your watch away, for goodness’ sake.
2. Rick Porcello » Dropped the appeal of his five-game suspension as fast as Kevin Youkilis dropped him.
3. Rick Pitino » It just feels like there are more layers of this rotten onion yet to be peeled back.
4. Landon Donovan » Tells Sports Illustrated following U.S. soccer’s 2-1 loss in Mexico that he has H1N1 virus.
5. Dante Stallworth » The road back to the NFL will be long and exceedingly difficult after a one-year suspension.