Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

MLB Playoff Predictions - The World Series

I was right about Texas, but incredibly wrong about Philadelphia.

2010 World Series

Texas over San Francisco in six

This was a hard decision to make. The Rangers and Giants have great pitching, with the edge going to San Fran. However, Texas has a better batting lineup, which will lead them to the title.

Pitching will always be the most important part of baseball. But pitching cannot be the sole contribution to a victory. A team still needs to swing the bats. It takes great pitching and great hitting to win. Texas is closer to that than San Francisco.

- ER

Friday, October 22, 2010

Murray 4 Mayor

Episode 37 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition features Steve Murray, Toronto's most unique "Mayoral Candidate."

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Nov. 5, 2010

- ER

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

A (brutal) Joke

Why do vampires avoid the stock market?

Because there's too much at steak.

Booyah!

- ER

Monday, October 18, 2010

Re. The Champlaine Bridge

If you were driving on Montreal's Champlain Bridge Saturday around 5pm and saw two people pushing a dead car in the right-hand lane....that was me and my uncle. Thanks for not running us over.

And a big THANK YOU to the person who used his van to push the broken vehicle to the nearest exit. My family really appreciates it.

- ER

Thursday, October 14, 2010

MLB Playoff Predictions - League Championship Series

In the first round, I was three out of four. Of the three, one was a perfect prediction. I knew the Twins wouldn't have enough to beat the Yankees, but I didn't expect them to just roll over. Wow.

Onto the next round:

American League Championship Series

Texas over New York in seven

National League Championship Series

Philadelphia over San Francisco in six

NOTES: If you're like me and love the art of pitching, then you are going to enjoy the next few days. The LCS will feature the best pitchers in the game and they will dominate. Hate to be the hitters right now...The Rangers, a team known more for their hitting, has made it to the ALCS because of Cliff Lee and CJ Wilson. As long as those two keep doing what they're doing and the Rangers' bats stay hot, Texas will win its first pennant. New York has Sabathia, which is why the series will be close...The Giants have Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez. The Phillies have Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels. Advantage Philadelphia. Another pennant is coming to the city of brotherly love.

- ER

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Re. The Social Network

The Social Network is an exaggerated interpretation of a true story. Make sure you take everything with a grain of salt.

However, it's entertaining; a bit of a dark comedy.

It's also a humbling experience for me.

Mark Zuckerberg and I are around the same age. We were 2nd year University students at the same time (Fall 2003; when Facebook was created). I'm running around Carleton, writing sports articles, growing my hair out and thinking I'm a poet. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg is running around Harvard creating a $25 billion company.

Man, where did I go wrong?

- ER

Friday, October 08, 2010

I am an Artist. I vote.

Episode 36 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition features ArtsVote Toronto, a group of volunteers who ensure the arts have a presence during the municipal election

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Oct. 22, 2010

- ER

Thursday, October 07, 2010

My Blue Jays Wish List

- Travis Snider plays every day next season

- J.P. Arencibia plays every day next season

- Alex Anthopoulous finds a better third baseman than Edwin Encarnacion. Could be someone currently on the team (Bautista, Aaron Hill) or someone acquired via trade or free agency. Nothing against Encarnacion - he has potential at the plate, but is lousy in the field.

- A stronger and clearly defined bullpen. The only players I see being in the 'pen next year are Shawn Camp and David Purcey. Those two should be Toronto's 7th and 8th inning set up men. The remaining five spots, including the closer, are up for grabs. I will be very surprised if Scott Downs, Jason Frasor and Brian Tallet are back with the team in 2011. If I had to keep one, it would be Downs.

- A fifth starter from the following group: Shawn Hill, Marc Rzepczynski and Kyle Drabek.

- Keep the following backups: John McDonald, Dwayne Wise and Jose Molina.

- A designated hitter. I can see Lind in that spot if they don't move him to first, Buck if AA resigns him or Encarnacion if he can do what he did during the final week of the season.

- ER

PS: Congrats to Roy Halladay. What a performance!

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

MLB Playoff Predictions - League Division Series

American League Division Series

Tampa Bay over Texas in four
New York over Minnesota in five

National League Division Series

Philadelphia over Cincinnati in three
San Francisco over Atlanta in five

NOTES: I can't see the Twins winning without Morneau. They're still a good team, but he's a valuable piece to the puzzle...The Rangers and Reds had great seasons, but they're about to run out of gas...The Braves got in by the skin of their teeth. They're just as good as the Giants, but San Fran's pitching is better and that's why they'll move on.

- ER

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Blue Jay Awards

Best hitter: Jose Bautista

Best fielder: Jose Bautista

Best starter: Brett Cecil

Best reliever: Shawn Camp

Overall, it was a very pleasant season. However, it's important to be cautiously optimistic for 2011. There are problems that need to be addressed (more on that later this week).

- ER

Monday, October 04, 2010

This Is Toronto - Facebook Fan Page

This Is Toronto, the podcast dedicated to Toronto's arts and culture community, now has a FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

The fan page will offer many more features. It's also a better way for Torontonians to connect with each other and discuss art and culture.

Join the movement and tell all your friends.

- ER