Seahawks take division lead with 22-10 win over Cardinals

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks took a big step towards reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2007 with a 22-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The win wasn't pretty but in the NFL a win is a win. The Seahawks defense for the second consecutive week shut down their opponent. The Seahawks offense kept the turnovers down and with a new and improved running game with Marshawn Lynch they did just enough for the win. The Seahawks ended their four game losing streak to the Cardinals at Qwest Field. Mike Williams for the second straight week recorded double digit receptions. The Seahawks under Pete Carroll are starting to become a team that thrives on toughness.

The Seahawks on their first series started off with the run to newly acquired Marshawn Lynch. Lynch would bust a 39 yard run to get the Seahawks in scoring position. The Seahawks then had a first and goal from the one yard line but Sean Locklear committed a five yard false start penalty. The Seahawks then were stuffed and force to kick a field goal. In what would be the theme of the day Mare would have several field goal attempts and some of them didn't count. Mare's first attempt was blocked but the Cardinals were offsides then Mare drilled the field goal from 20 yards out giving the Seahawks an early 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals who have struggled on the road this season without Kurt Warner who retired in the offseason were starting undrafted rookie QB Max Hall. Hall was making his first career road start at Qwest Field. Hall was terrible all game with constant over throws and was ineffective. Hall would throw an interception to Earl Thomas who is now tied with the NFC lead in interceptions on the year with four. After a Hasselbeck fumble the Cardinals would again miss another great opportunity when Hall would over throw a wide open Larry Fitzgerald for a potential touchdown.

Turnovers would continue to hurt the Cardinals on the day. With the Cardinals driving while running the ball effectively against the number two rush defense in the NFL Tim Hightower would fumble on a 13 yard run. Marcus Trufant forced and recovered the fumble stopping the scoring drive. The Seahawks would again force another turnover on the Cardinals when the Seahawks punted the ball. Arizona punt returner Andre Roberts who was a rookie fumbled the punt then recovered the punt and as he was trying to run Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson hit the ball out of Roberts hands and then Roy Lewis recovered the fumble on the Cardinals two yard line.

The Seahawks trying to take advantage of the Cardinals third turnover of the game. With second and goal Matt Hasselbeck hit Mike Williams for a two yard touchdown pass. That would be Williams first touchdown reception since 2006. Williams the former first round bust has found new life for the Seahawks. The Seahawks went into the half time up 10-0.

In the second half the Seahawks continued to harass Max Hall. On third down Chris Clemons sacked Hall and forced the fumble which the Seahawks recovered on the 11. The Seahawks had to settle for a 31 yard field goal from Olindo Mare to increase the lead to 13-0. Then on the ensueing kickoff the Seahawks forced another turnover which set up a 51 yard field goal by Mare. Mare originally nailed a field goal but the Seahawks committed a penalty so Mare had to then kick a 41 yard field goal which again another penalty occurred by the same player which forced Mare to make a 51 yard in the rain giving the Seahawks a 16-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the Seahawks Clemons hit knocked Hall out of the gun. Normally it's a good thing when you knock the starting quarterback out of the game but in this case it wasn't. Hall was ineffective completing just 4 of 16 passes for 36 yards passing and an intercetpion for a quarterback rating of 13.5. Hall's replacement was former pro bowl quarterback Dereck Anderson who hit his first five passes of the game. Anderson led the Cardinals down the field and the drive was capped by a Beanie Wells rushing touchdown from two yards out cutting the lead to 16-7.

The Seahawks would respond with a long drive on their next series. The drive took over four minutes but once again the Seahawks would stall in the redzone and settle for another Mare field goal from 24 yards out giving the Seahawks a 19-7 lead. Anderson again led the Cardinals down the field and the Cardinals were getting some good runs from Hightower and Wells. The Seahawks defense got tough and held the Cardinals to a field goal which made the game 19-10.

The Seahawks fearing that the game was getting away from them rode Lynch and Hasselbeck was finding Williams early and often on the drive. Mike Williams would only have 87 yards receiving but grab 11 passes extending drives. The Seahawks would settle on another field goal in the red zone to give themselves a 22-10 lead. Seattle would hang on for a 22-10 win improving to 4-2 and are now in first place in the NFC West for the first time since 2007.

Seattle for the second straight week had a good defensive game. The Cardinals Anderson started off 5 for 5 but was just 8 of 17 passing for 96 yards passing and a rating of 64.8. Matt Hasselbeck was 20 for 38 passing and at times didn't look like his old self. The key though was Hasselbeck for the second straight week didn't turn the ball over. Hasselbeck threw for 192 yards with a touchdown. The Seahawks with Lynch and Forsett have a running game. Lynch would carry the ball 24 times for 89 yards while Forsett would run 9 times for 41 yards. The Seahawks are finally starting to be a tough team who stops the run, runs the ball well which is a recipe for success in this league. The Seahawks will take on Oakland next week but it feels good to see the Seahawks in first place again.

Observations:

- The Seahawks secondary going into the year was supposed to be a huge weakness. The secondary is still a work in progress but they have impressed me a lot this year. Holding a perenial Seahawk killer Larry Fitzgerald to just 3 catches for 30 years was impressive. The Seahawks for the first time in a long time have really good safety play in Lawyer Milloy and the playmaker in Earl Thomas. The corners with Trufant, and youngsters Thurmond and Roy Lewis have played great as well.

- Under Pete Carroll the Seahawks have changed drastically. No longer can you out physical the Seahawks. The Seahawks can now get the tough yards on the ground. The Seahawks stuff the run forcing teams to pass therefore they send blitzes from the corners. The Seahawks have found their nitch which is a tough team.

- For the second straight week Matt Hasselbeck wasn't exactly on his "A" game but the important part is he is playing within himself. He isn't throwing bad interceptions which gives the defense a chance. The Seahawks defense especially against teams who have crappy quarterbacks will really be tough to beat.

- Mike Williams in the teams first four games had just 11 receptions. In his last two games he has had 21 receptions. Williams has been a huge pick up for the Seahawks. He gives the Seahawks a real #1 threat that they didn't have before. He is a safety blanket for Matt Hasselbeck especially on the third and shorts because of his size.

- The Seahawks I wish would run the ball more to Lynch in the red zone. I understand the Seahawks had problems especially when Russell Okung got hurt who was so effective last week. The Seahawks against a better passing team will lose a game like today. The Seahawks scored just one touchdown in six red zone trips.

The Seahawks this year are now 3-0 at Qwest so it's good to see the Seahawks making Qwest field a homefield advantage yet again. Pete Carroll changed the culture of this team. The Seahawks are no longer the team that you can beat up and push around. The Cardinals since 2006 have beat up the Seahawks even in the Seahawks wins it was because the Hawks were more talented. This game was the Seahawks matched if not surpassed the Cardinals physical edge. It was great to see the Seahawks play a meaningful game at Qwest Field. Hope this trend continues for the Hawks.

Wildcats destroy Huskies 44-14 down in Tucson

By Kshell

The #15 Arizona Wildcats(6-1,3-1) got some revenge on the Washington Huskies(3-4,2-2) destroying them 44-14. The Wildcats shut down the Huskies offense shutting them out in the second half. The Wildcats were without their starting quarterback Nick Foles but it didn't matter as Matt Scott sliced the Huskies up completing over 80% of his passes. Yes this is a game where the Huskies yet again must go back to the drawing board and figure out what wrong.

The Huskies after forcing a turnover looked great on their first possession. The Huskies began the game with a run to Chris Polk for a gain of five. Then Polk ran to the left breaking a tackle for a gain of 18. After Polk had sliced up Arizona, the Huskies decided to pass where Jake Locker found a wide open Jermaine Kearse for a gain of eight yards. Then on 2nd and 2 Locker faked the run to Polk, rolled out and found an open Kearse and threw a beautiful pass for a 31 yard touchdown pass. That made Jake Locker the third Husky ever to throw for 50 touchdown passes. For Kearse that was his 10th receiving touchdown of the season. Then it was all downhill for the Huskies after that.

The Wildcats pretty much did whatever they wanted to do against this Huskies offense. If they wanted to pass they could as quarterback Matt Scott was 18 of 22(81.8%) passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns. If Arizona wanted to run they could do that too. Running backs Keola Antolin and Nic Grigsby pounded the Huskies along with quarterback Scott. Antolin ran for 114 yards on just 14 carries for two touchdowns while averaging 8.1 yards per carry. Grigsby added 50 yards on 12 carries and also had two touchdowns while averaging 4.2 YPC. The quarterback Scott filling in for Foles ran for 65 yards on seven carries while averaging 9.3 YPC. Overall the Wildcats did whatever they wanted to the Huskies.

Arizona tied the game in the first quarter on a similar play that Locker did to Kearse. Scott rolled out then found an open David Roberts for a 17 yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats took the lead on a Alex Zendejas 29 yard field goal. Mike Stoops decided to instead of going for it on fourth and one to kick the field goal to go up 10-7. The Huskies continued to do nothing on offense as they decided to not run Chris Polk enough and keep Locker in the pocket. After punting and pinning the Wildcats on their on eight yard line the Wild Cats then marched down the field. The Wildcats would cap that drive with a Antolin one yard touchdown run giving the Wildcats 17-7 lead.

The Huskies appeared on this drive to making this a game again. Locker would hit D'Andre Goodwin on three straight passes to set up Chris Polk for a six yard touchdown run right up the middle to cut the lead to 17-14. The Huskies had fought back and made this a game again. Then just 11 seconds later the Huskies defense would allow Antolin to bust a touchdown run up the middle for a 78 yard touchdown. Then Grigsby would add a four yard touchdown run but the PAT was blocked by Mason Foster. Arizona led 30-14 going into halftime.

In the second half the Huskies offense continued to do nothing and the defense continued to not stopping Arizona. Grigsby would score another four yard rushing touchdown giving the Wild Cats a 37-14 lead. The Huskies last chance at making this a game was blown when Jake Locker would over throw a wide open Goodwin for a touchdown. The Huskies then self destructed and turned the ball over on downs. The Wildcats would finally punt for the first time all game with four minutes to go in the third.

In the fourth quarter Scott would find Juron Criner for a 21 yard touchdown pass to give the Wildcats a 44-14 lead. This game got to be so ugly that Keith Price played the whole fourth quarter in relief of Jake Locker. Locker was 17 of 29 passing(58.6%) for 183 yards and just one touchdown. He would also have negative 24 yards rushing on the day from all the sacks he had. He was sacked four times on the day. The Huskies after that first drive just couldn't move the ball at all. The running game again appeared to be effective but not used enough. Chris Polk had 65 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries(4.6) and his backup Jesse Callier who was used in some "wildcat" formations ran 36 times on 8 carries(4.5). I feel the Huskies should feature the run more and the pass second if they want to win more ball games.

At the end of the day this is a huge setback for the Huskies program. This isn't the end of the world by any means but losing by 30 to a middle of the conference team with their backup quarterback isn't the kind of play you'd expect. This team is featuring a first round pick at the most important position on the field there is no excuse for the offense to be this lousy. This is now four games where the offense performed their capabilities. The Huskies will have to regroup as they face off with Stanford. Steve Sarkisian needs to find a way to get his team to play on a consistent level. The Huskies are now 3-4 the chances of making a bowl game take yet another hit. Here is hoping the Huskies continue to the trend of bouncing back after a loss.

Observations:

- I know Locker was banged up but they have been saying this every week now. I don't get why Sarkisian is so stubborn on Locker. When the Huskies decide to roll Locker out of the pocket they are so successful like in the USC and Oregon State games. The games where Sarkisian is dead set on making Jake a pocket passer like against BYU, ASU and now today against Arizona the Huskies lose. The offense looks terrible in the process, Jake is a great athlete let him be that athlete like how Auburn uses to Cameron Newton. Jake as a pocket quarterback isn't effective plus the offensive line isn't very good.

- Senio Kelemente should be stripped of his captain duties. First of all Kelemente was getting destroyed all game long. Then on one series when the Huskies were down 30 points he not only gets a holding penalty but then gets a personal foul late hit after the whistle. You want your captains to set the tone for the rest of the team and mainly the younger players. The example he set was that of a player who is a loser and has been on a losing program. Instead of getting frustrated and getting dumb penalties just kick the crap out of the guy in between the whistles.

- The Huskies in their losses this year have scored 17 points(0 2nd half), 21 points(7 2nd half), 14 points(7 2nd half) and now 14 points(0 2nd half). The defense is a work in progress and other than Mason Foster it is hard to find any NFL talent in that group. The offense on the other hand was supposed to be a strength going into the year. At times this year the offense appears to have progressed with Locker throwing for now 14 touchdown passes. The offense is just inconsistent. In fact this offense doesn't have an identity. Sarkisian appears to be like former offensive coordinator Tim Lappano in 2007 who didn't know what to run. During that year the Huskies would run an I-formation play then run a spread play. Last year the Huskies ran the pro style offense that Sark ran while at USC. This year he started off with the pro style offense, changed to some spread with the fly sweep to Callier(which I love please more of those) to now it appears the Huskies are running this new Pistol offense. I wish the Huskies would focus on offense and get really good at that instead of being average at every type of offense. Jake Locker, Chris Polk and Jermaine Kearse will all be playing on Sunday's for years to come and yet the offense has been shut down in four games already.

- I don't know why Chris Polk doesn't get more carries. He runs hard and is fast. He averages over five yards a carry on the year and runs over defenders. He is the type of back most coordinators throughout the nation would give him 25+ carries a game instead he has had 25 carries just once and that game went double overtime. I understand keeping him fresh but Polk constantly getting under 20 carries is starting to become extremely frustrating. When you run the ball to Polk you win games, when you have Jake roll out you win games. Sarkisian has coached Locker for 19 games now and still insists on giving Polk less than 20 carries is just insane.

- The Huskies defense allowed almost 500 yards and for the second time this year has allowed over 40 points. In fact in Don James 18 years of coaching the Huskies his teams allowed over 40 points just six times and I'm counting a game from his first season as coach. Nick Holt the highest paid defensive coordinator in the Pac-10 has already seen his Huskies allow 40+ four times already. Which actually is a huge improvement from the previous two years (2007-08) when the Huskies allowed over 40 points 10 times. This group of seniors have allowed over 40 points 14 times in just 44 games. While Don James allowed over 40 points just six games in 18 years of coaching. The defense still has a long ways to go and unfortunately Mason Foster is a senior.

- This is the second time I've seen the Huskies flat out quit. The Huskies to their credit and Sarkisian's credit last year I didn't see them quit. They got blown out a few times but never quit. I don't know why any college athlete would quit first of all and second I don't get why after not doing it once last year they have already done it twice this year. I'm not even counting the Arizona State game where the team acted like they didn't even want to be there. I'm also sick of stupid penalties like when our fifth year senior has two delay of game penalties that tells me this team doesn't have any discipline.

All in all you win with recruiting and getting better athletes. Having said that, that alone won't do the job. These kids on this roster who we rag on every week we were praising just four years or three years ago. If you look back at the recruiting rankings sure UW isn't at the top but they aren't at the bottom either. The Huskies need to do a better job of developing their players. This is Sarkisians second season and for the most part I believe the program is going in the right direction. Unfortunately for the Huskies they are losing Locker, Foster and a good chance both Kearse and Polk leave early. If your team can't go to a bowl game with those guys how can they without those guys? Sarkisian needs to find a way to keep this team motivated on a week to week basis or else come christmas time the Huskies for the eighth year in a row will be watching the bowl games instead of participating in them. The Huskies must win three of their final five games which includes three on the road to be bowl eligible.

Game six NLCS recap

By Kshell

With one team already punching their ticket to the World Series in a game six another team was looking to do the same. The San Francisco Giants were hoping for the first time in franchise history to win a postseason series when up 3-2 on the road. The Giants missed a great chance losing game five at home with ace Tim Lincecum on the mound. The Philadelphia Phillies won game five behind their ace Roy Halladay gave the ball to game four loser Roy Oswalt. Oswalt won game two but lost game four out of the bullpen. The Giants bullpen who has been shaky this series came up huge in today's contest.

Giants win NLCS 3-2 over Phillies; Bullpen pitches 7 shutout innings

The San Francisco Giants had their season rest on the shoulders of their all-star closer Brian Wilson. With the Giants holding a one run lead in the ninth Wilson had first and second two outs for former NL MVP Ryan Howard. He was a bit wild and had Howard on a full count then Wilson froze Howard for strike three to end the game which capped the greatest bullpen outing during this playoffs. The Giants had advanced to the World Series with a 3-2 win at Philadelphia.

The two time defending National League champion Phillies got off to a great start off Giants starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. In the very first inning the Phillies got to Sanchez early. Chase Utley hit a double scoring Polanco then after a Howard base hit, Jason Werth hit the ball to deep left field just missing a home run to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead on the sacrifice fly. With the Giants struggling to hit and Roy Oswalt on the mound the situation didn't look good for the Giants at all.

The game completely changed in the third inning. First in the top third with the Giants finally having a rally with second and third and only out Huff singled up the middle to score the pitcher Sanchez but Torres was thrown out at the plate for the second out. The Giants cut the game to 2-1 and Huff advanced to second on the play. Then catcher Buster Posey was safe on Ryan Howard's fielding error scoring Huff from second on the play to tie the score at 2-2. Then in the bottom half of the inning the game really got crazy and a managerial decision might have saved the game for the Giants.

In the bottom of the third Sanchez was continueing to be wild. Sanchez walked the leadoff hitter Polanco then he hit Utley in the back. Utley as he was running to first tossed the ball gently back to the pitchers mound. Sanchez then took that as an insult and started to bark at Utley. The benches cleared and nothing had happened as there were no player ejections. Sanchez was hot and livid which is why Bochy despite being up 3-2 in the series and the game was tied at just 2-2 in the third inning he pulled Sanchez and brought in lefty set up man Jerramy Affeldt. It was a gutsy call by Bochy knowing he was putting his bullpen in a tough spot especially if there was a game seven. Bochy was playing agressive which most managers who are up in the series do not. Why worry about a game seven? If you win today the series is over. Affeldt struck out Howard then retired the next two batters to escape the jam. Bochy's gamble appeared to have paid off.

The Giants bullpen were asked to carry the team as their manager made a strong statement to win the game today and not even wait until a game seven. Affeldt gave him two shutout innings then Bochy brought in game four starter Madison Bumgarner to pitch the fifth inning. Bumgarner found himself in a jam with bases loaded and two outs facing Shane Victorino who Bumgarner got to ground out to him to end the threat. Bumgarner would also give Bochy two shutout innings of relief.

The Phillies received great pitching from Roy Oswalt who battled. Oswalt who shut down the Giants in game two but received the loss in relief in game four pitched six innings, allowed two runs only one was earned and struck out five. Then Charlie Manuel turned the game over to his bullpen Ryan Madson who was great all postseason. Madson would make just one mistake and it was costly. With two outs in the top of the eighth inning and having already struck out two Giants hitters Madson allowed a home run to Juan Uribe. Uribe who is typically a pull hitter went the other way for only his second career home run to give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

Even though Lincecum threw in game five Bochy was managing this game like this was a game seven and he went with his ace in the eighth inning. Lincecum struck out the first batter he would face. After Lincecum gave up back to back hits Bochy again didn't waste any time and went with his closer Brian Wilson to get the five out save. Last time he asked Wilson to get a multi inning save Wilson blew the save in game two of the NLDS. This time Wilson on the first pitch would get Carlos Ruiz to line out to first base for the double play as Huff threw the ball to second since Victorino was running.

The Giants who had never won a clinching game six on the road in franchise history were just three outs away. In typical Brian Wilson fasion the game got pretty intense in the ninth. Wilson would get the leadoff hitter but then walk Jimmy Rollins. Wilson got Polanco to ground out in a fielders choice with his hustle he beat out the throw to first base. Wilson then had Utley 2-2 but lost him and walked him. Now came up former MVP Ryan Howard who had zero RBI's on the series and struck out 11 times. A base hit and the game is tied, a double in the gap and the Phillies win. Wilson had yet another full count but struck out Howard on a back door slider that froze Howard for his 12th strikeout of the series. The Giants are champions of the National League. The team that clinched the division on the very last day of the season is going to the World Series.

The Giants are an unlikely team but they are a team who is advancing in the World Series. Since the National League won the All-star game for the first time since 1996 the Giants will host game one of the World Series on Wednesday by clinching today Lincecum should be ready to pitch the game one against Cliff Lee and Texas. Cody Ross who was let go on waivers by the Florida Marlins was NLCS MVP hitting 7 for 20(.350) having an OBP of (.409) belting three home runs and driving in five guys while scoring four runs on the series. The Giants also had great work from their closer Brian Wilson who was 1-0 with three saves in the series and gave up zero runs.

I must hand it to Giants manager Bruce Bochy for finding a way to win all these close games. The Giants in seven playoff wins have won by one run in six of those games. Those close wins are because Bochy knows how to use his bullpen. I also love the fact that Bochy was agressive today when he didn't need to win this game. Most managers would have left Sanchez in there to bury the team and save the bullpen for a must win game seven. Most managers wouldn't have used Lincecum or their closer for five outs with a possible game the next day. I like that Bochy treated today like a game seven which is smart. When you are up 3-1 you don't want to let Philly win two in a row and face a must win in Philly. Bochy took a mid market team the Padres to the World Series in 1998 and I know his record isn't great but he also doesn't manage teams who have high payrolls. Bochy is proving time and time again he is one of the better managers in the game.

This upcoming World Series should be fun. First of all this World Series will feature a first time champion to that teams city. The fans of San Francisco and Texas have never tasted a World Championship in baseball before. This series will feature Tim Lincecum against Cliff Lee in one of the better game one World Series pitching matchups we have seen. Unlike the World Series from 2004-2008 I expect this series to be a great one. The Giants-Phillies was one of the best league championship series I've ever seen. With the exception of game two which was closer than the score indicates the series came down to the ninth every game. I expect this World Series to be the same. The betting line in game one should be interesting can Tim Lincecum really be an underdog at home?! Well when Cliff Lee is on the mound I think he can. Ultimately I think Texas has to much offense for the Giants and look for the offense to come through. Then again I picked against both these teams so what do I know. Should be a great World Series and congrats to the Giants and mainly manager Bruce Bochy for going for the throat.

Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals for first place in NFC West

By Kshell

This Sunday at Qwest Field the Arizona Cardinals(3-2) travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks(3-2) in a NFC West showdown. These teams have won the last six division titles yet don't really have much history with each other. So I'll touch briefly on the past but mainly focus on the present.

The Cardinals are the answer to a trivia question having been the first NFL team to win at Qwest Field back in 2002. The Cardinals rallied from 10-3 and then 13-10 to win 24-13. When the Seahawks were moved the NFC West they had to contend with the Rams, the 49ers who were in transition then the lowly Cardinals. The Cardinals were a mess in the NFL bringing in coaches every other year, changing quarterbacks had no stability or tradition. The Cardinals had never hosted a playoff game since they moved to Arizona.

The Cardinals used to play their games at Sun Devil stadium which was the deadest atmosphere in the NFL. The Seahawks dominated this series early on winning three out of four at Sun Devils stadium. The Seahawks in 2003 on their way to the playoffs swept the Cardinals by a combine score 66-10. The Cardinals finished the year 4-12 and last place as usual.

Then in 2004 heading into the Cardinals game down in Sun Devils stadium the Seahawks had acquired hall of fame wide receiver Jerry Rice. The Seahawks were upset to the Cardinals 25-17. That was Matt Hasselbeck's worst game in the Mike Holmgren era completing only 17 of 41 passes with four interceptions. The Cardinals were led by the all-time leading rusher in NFL history Emmitt Smith who ran for 106 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals in the rematch at Qwest field 24-21 even though the Seahawks almost blew a 24-7 lead. The Seahawks win that win clinched their second straight playoff berth. Shaun Alexander led the way with 154 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The following year in 2005 Alexander continued to crush the Cardinals. The Seahawks spanked the Cardinals in a game at Qwest field which I happen to attend 37-12. The Cardinals new free agent acquisition Kurt Warner was knocked out of the ball game. Alexander ran for 140 yards and four touchdowns in the blowout win. Then the Seahawks faced the Cardinals in lowly Sun Devils Stadium again and won 33-19 which marked Mike Holmgren's first win for the Seahawks after the bye week. Again Alexander crushed the Cardinals rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns. That would be the last time the Seahawks would win in Arizona.

The Cardinals in 2006 opened up a new stadium in Glendale and the atmosphere changed in Arizona. The Seahawks raised their NFC Championship banner against the Cardinals in their home opener in 2006. The Seahawks won 21-10 and Alexander ran for just 89 yards and a touchdown. The return trip to Arizona saw the Seahawks get upset 27-21 to the Cardinals.

In 2007 the Seahawks were upset again in Arizona 23-20 in a game that the Seahawks gave away when Hasselbeck and Alexander collided in the backfield for a fumble. The rematch in Qwest was electric as the Seahawks had a chance to clinch their fourth straight division title. The Seahawks won 42-21 and at that point in their careers Alexander was done so Hasselbeck was asked to carry the team. Hasselbeck sure responded in front of his family who was there because his brother Tim was on the Cardinals. Hassebleck was 22 of 33 for 272 yards and four touchdowns while the Cardinals Kurt Warner threw five interceptions. Little did anyone know that would be the Seahawks last win over the Cardinals.

In 2008 and 2009 the Cardinals have dominated the Seahawks and won the last two NFC West championships. The Cardinals in 2008 even reached the Super Bowl. The Cardinals in 2008 handed Mike Holmgren in his last game as head coach a loss. The series hasn't featured many great games and there is no tradition between these two teams. The Seahawks are 0-4 all-time at the Cardinals new stadium but just 5-3 at Qwest Field against the Cardinals.

This year look for Qwest Field to be rocking this Sunday. The Seahawks haven't hosted a big game since the 2007 season when they defeated the Washington Redskins 35-14 in the Wild Card playoffs round. The Cardinals will be bringing in an undrafted rookie quarterback Max Hall who is 1-0 all-time in Seattle dating back to his BYU days. The Seahawks under Pete Carroll are dominant against the run making teams one dimensional. In fact Seattle is second in the NFL behind just Pittsburgh against the run. The Seahawks as long as they hang onto the ball look for them to jump on the Cardinals early. The Cardinals with an undrafted rookie quarterback in the loudest stadium in the NFL with no run game could be a good day for the Seahawks.

All in all, this isn't a must win by any means but it would sure give the Seahawks a leg up. The city wants a winner so badly with the Sonics leaving, Huskies football struggling and the Mariners being terrible. Qwest field despite having a team who won just 9 games the last two years is still loud. I was at the first preseason game and it was loud the entire game. In fact in the fourth quarter you could have thought it was a regular season game. If the Seahawks keep winning look for the Qwest to be even more impossible to win at. Be loud 12th man this Sunday and lets get the Seahawks to first place.

Mariners hire Eric Wedge

By Kshell

The Seattle Mariners are hoping that Eric Wedge who had previously managed the Indians can lead the Seattle Mariners back to the playoffs. Wedge will be the seventh manager since Lou Piniella left after the 2002 season. Despite the picture you may see up there the Mariners didn't hire a sex offender instead they hired a man who had the Cleveland Indians one win away from going to the World Series.

The Indians back in 2005 appeared to be that team ready to make a big jump and be like the Indians of the 90's where they dominate the central but that never quite happened. When Wedge took over the Indians he took over a situation similar to this Mariners situation. The team he inherited was no good but featured plenty of young talented guys. The Indians were in a transition from the 90's teams who won the AL Central from 1995-99 then again in 2001. Wedge inherited a team with some young talented guys like Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia, Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta and Jake Westbrook. The Indians appeared to rise up again and so they hired the 35 year old Wedge back in 2003.

In Wedge first year on the job the team struggled. The Indians finished with a lousy 68-94(.420%) record but Wedge was in charge of the five year plan and the Indians were going to stay patient with Wedge. In 2004 Wedge saw a huge improvement guiding the Indians to an 80-82 record(.494%)which saw 27 year old DH Travis Hafner emerge as a slugger for the club. Then in 2005 the Indians surprised everyone going 93-69(.574%) and almost beat out the eventual World Series champions the Chicago White Sox. In fact the Indians had a chance to make the playoffs but got swept by the White Sox second stringers. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise great season by the Indians. The Indians saw such youngsters emerge as Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and pitching from Cliff Lee who went 18-5 with a 3.79 era, as well as Jake Westbrook and C.C. Sabathia who each won over 15 games. They also had the veteran presence of Kevin Millwood who had a 2.86 era on the year.

The Indians were ahead of their five year plan schedule. Wedge had turn them into winners in just his third year. Wedge also finished second in the American League Manager of the year award behind White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. Wedge was defiantly at that point in his career a hot name who almost every team in baseball at the team would have love to have as their own manager. Then in 2006 the Indians took a step backwards perhaps over achieving in 2005 falling 78-84(.481%). The Indians by falling backwards though pulled off two great trades with the Seattle Mariners trading Eduardo Perez for young shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and then later trading Ben Broussard for Shin-Soo Choo. The Indians would emerge yet again in 2007 under Wedge.

In 2007 there was no more five year plan as the five years was now time for Wedge. He led the Indians that year to their first playoff appearance in six years with a 96-66(.593%) record. The Indians had the second best record in the American League that year. They also had great seasons from their young nucleus Sizemore, Martinez, Hafner and pitching Sabathia at just 26 years old won the 2007 Cy Young award. Another youngster emerged as well in Fausto Carmona who was just 23 years old but went 19-8 with a 3.06 era. The only thing that went wrong for the Indians was their other youngster who wasn't so young anymore Cliff Lee who at 28 years old was 5-8 with a 6.29 era and was sent to the minors. He was also left off the postseason roster. If Wedge in 2007 had the 2008 version of Cliff Lee and beyond we would be thinking about him totally different.

The Indians upset the New York Yankees in the first round. In fact Eric Wedge is the last manager to ever win a playoff game at old Yankees Stadium. When the Indians won that also ended the Joe Torre era in New York. The Indians then had a 3-1 lead over the heavily favorite Boston Redsox. With his ace going at home in game five Wedge was pretty confident trailing 2-1 going into the seventh inning the Indians bullpen imploded and lost 7-1. Then in game six with youngster Carmona on the hill the Indians got crushed early losing 12-2. In game seven the Indians were trailing 3-2 heading into the seventh and again the bullpen imploded and the Indians season was over as they lost 11-2. That was a tough playoff defeat to swallow for Wedge. After the season Wedge was named the American League manager of the year in 2007. At just the age of 39 Wedge was runner up two years earlier and now was the manager of the year.

Unfortunately for Wedge that wasn't the start of a run for the Indians instead that was his peak. The 2008 season started off bad for the Indians as staff ace C.C. Sabathia was set to be a free agent at the end of the year. The Indians traded Sabathia in June to the Milwaukee Brewers after just 18 starts where he was 6-8 with a 3.83 era. The team took a big step backwards with Victor Martinez only playing in just 73 games and hitting just two home runs. Travis Hafner who had given the team plenty of power was just awful that season. Hafner in just 57 games hit .197 and hit just five home runs. The only positive for the Indians that year was Cliff Lee who was 22-3 with a 2.54 era. Not bad for a guy who was just in the minor leagues the year before. Had the Indians had that Cliff Lee the year before good chance they are the World Champions instead of the Boston Red Sox. The Indians finished the season 81-81(.500%). Things would only get worse for Wedge the following year.

In 2009 the Cleveland Indians were a mess. The Indians were just 65-97(.401%) only two years from being one game away from the World Series. The fire sale of quality players continued as in the off season the Indians in a three team trade traded away Franklin Guiterez to the Seattle Mariners. The Indians for the second straight year traded away the reigning American League Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Indians also traded Victor Martinez to the Red Sox. Grady Sizemore would have a terrible season hitting just .248 on the year. As what usually happens when the team falls apart and the team loses a bunch of game the manager in this case Eric Wedge was fired. After seven seasons with the Indians Wedge was 561-573(.495%) he produced just two winning seasons.

Now the Mariners are hoping Wedge can do with them what he did in Cleveland minus the last year debacle. Before the 2009 season Wedge was a hot candidate and had the Mariners somehow hired him after the 2007 season this would be a huge hiring. As is I waited a week to write something and it was a boring pick. The only exciting thing about this hire is he is reunited with Milton Bradley who in 2004 wore a shirt that said "F*** Eric Wedge". Now both guys will say all the right things and pretend that's not a big deal but it is. Just like last year with Griffey and Wakamatsu athletes never blame themselves. When Bradley isn't in the lineup every day instead of thinking he isn't playing because he is terrible he will think Wedge is holding a grudge against him. Mariners management has never cut their losses on a player before but it would be crazy(funny word given I'm talking about Bradley I know) to have Bradley on the team when spring training rolls around. Why let Bradley even have a shot at infected the team clubhouse like Griffey did last year with Wakamatsu.

Personally I didn't like the hire at first. In sports I want my favorite team to get a guy who is on the rise not a guy who was just fired. I was excited when the Seahawks got Holmgren but not with Jim Mora for an example. I was excited when the Huskies hired Sarkisian who is on the rise but upset when the hired Willingham who was just fired. Lately the Mariners haven't done anything to get the fan base excited. Since Piniealla has left the Mariners have hired bench coach with no managerial experience(Melvin), a manager who had previous success but was ultimately fired from two different jobs and bombed at his last(Hargrove), a career bench coach who was never considered for a managers job ever(McLaren) then a bench coach with no managerial experience(Wakamatsu). You start to see the pattern now the Mariners are going back to manager who had previous success but was ultimately fired.

I understand the Wedge hire he was in a similar spot with Cleveland. He does have an all-star every year in Ichiro(He would be regardless of that stupid every team rule), he has a young staff ace in Felix Hernandez like he did with Sabathia. He also has several youngsters like Justin Smoak, Adam Moore, Michael Saunders,Franklin Guiterez and eventually Dustin Ackley. The problem for Wedge is the Mariners don't seem to have a plan at all. The Mariners wouldn't have allowed him to even see the 2007 season because they would have overreacted at the dissapointment of the 2006 season and fired him. I do think Wedge is a quality manager like most managers when he has players. Its not a coincidence he fell flat on his face in 2009 when the team traded away two Cy Young award winners, an all-star catcher, possible gold glove outfielder and his two all-stars(Sizemore and Hafner) became a shell of who they used to be.

All in all, this is a wait and see hire. Wedge isn't the type of hire that will make fans rush to buy tickets like the Seahawks did with Pete Carroll. Wedge isn't the type of guy who will call out management when they are being boneheads like Bobby Valentine would. Wedge is the type of guy who has proven if you give him time players will develope under his watch and he is capable of taking a team far into the playoffs. The Mariners hired their man now its time to stop hiding behind their managers and getting the manager some players. It won't matter who the manager is until Chuck Armstrong is no longer associated with the Mariners.

Game six ALCS recap

By Kshell

Before the season began the Texas Rangers were the only team in major league baseball who had never won a postseason series. Not even when they were the Washington Senators from 1961-71 did they win a postseason series. Now the Rangers again find themselves in a position to cross their names off the list of being just one of three teams to have never reached the World Series.

Standing in the way of the Rangers is the defending world champion New York Yankees. The Yankees bats finally woke up in game five and were hoping to use that momentum in game six against unproven Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis who was pitching in Japan the last two seasons. The Yankees were giving the ball to unproven Phil Hughes who pitched brilliant in the clinching ALDS game vs the Twins but was miserable here in game two at Texas. The Rangers offense hasn't been slowed down all series long and they weren't going to start today.

Rangers win first ever American League Championship 6-1 over Yankees

With two outs in the ninth all that was standing in the Rangers way of the American League Championship was former Ranger Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez who the Rangers are still paying is a big part of why the Rangers went bankrupt. A-rod only played three seasons of his 10 year/250 million dollar deal. Now he was standing in the Rangers way. When the Rangers closer who just turned 22 years old this year Neftali Feliz was set to pitch he froze A-rod to strike him out looking and start the biggest party to date in Texas Rangers history. The crowd erupted as the Rangers stamped their ticket to the World Series. Most importantly by winning today Cliff Lee will be able to pitch game one of the World Series.

The Rangers won again by a total team effort. For the fourth time this series they received great pitching, the defense was again excellent, and of course the Rangers offense pounded out some hits and this time scored some runs.

The Rangers got on the board the first with some small ball. The Rangers actually led all of baseball in productive outs. Productive outs is when you get an out but advance the runners or drive in the runner. With first and third and one out Vladmir Guerrero who hadn't driven in a single run this whole series grounded it in the hole to the second baseman. Since Hamilton was running there was no possible double play and the Rangers struck first 1-0.

The Rangers starter Colby Lewis who got the first every win at home in Rangers postseason history was lights out all game especially early on. Lewis had given up zero hits through the first four innings. He would finally give up a hit to A-rod. Then with A-rod on third and one out he would hit Nick Swisher in the shin, Swisher went down in pain. Only the ump thought it was a wild pitch so A-rod scored from third to tie the game. This is yet another case of why instant replay should be in use. At first it appeared the Rangers got robbed. Then Swisher got out and Posada hit a double down in the corner. Had Swisher been awarded first like he was supposed to he might have been able to score from first base.

The Rangers offense which let C.C.Sabathia off the hook several times in game five were letting Hughes off the hook as well. Then in the fifth inning they finally took advantage and erupted. After intentionally walking Josh Hamilton the Rangers had first and third two outs for Guerrero who ripped a hanging slider into the gap in the outfield scoring Mitch Moreland and Hamilton flew from first base and scored giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead. That would end Hughes night making that back to back starts he wouldn't even reach five innings. Giradi then brought in David Robertson who was bombed in game three and Robertson then gave up a two run two out home run to Nelson Cruz giving the Rangers a commanding 5-1 lead as the place was going crazy.

The Rangers then rode Colby Lewis who was dominant. Lewis allowed just three hits in eight innings and allowed just one run and struck out seven Yankees. Then in the ninth Feliz who along with Andrus was acquired for Teixeira when Teixeira was traded to Atlanta in 2007. The Rangers celebrated their first every American League Championship series. Now only the Washington Nationals and our Seattle Mariners are the only franchises who have never made a World Series appearance.

The American League Championship Series MVP went to Josh Hamilton. Hamilton hit 7 for 20(.350) with 4 home runs, 7 RBI's and 6 runs scored. He also stole 3 bases and walked 8 times meaning he reached base 15 of 28(.536) plate appearances. The Josh Hamilton story is pretty amazing. I remember when he was supposed to be the first Devil Ray's star being the first pick overall in 1999. I also remember watching a piece on him on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel in 2006 when Hamilton was finally recovering from his demons and was just in single A. I also remember the panelist saying he has less than a five percent shot at reaching the major leagues. It appeared Hamilton like many athletes you never hear about pissed his talent down the drain. Only this story is different since Hamilton got his act together and rebounded. He made the major leagues in 2007 then was traded to the Texas Rangers. Now he has been a three-time all-star and could win the American League MVP this year. It truly is a great story and someday you'll see this story made into a movie. In that movie they'll probably get 90% of the facts wrong but I remember watching this unfold live in person and its been a pleasure to watch.

I have to hand it to Nolan Ryan and the rest of the front office. He easily could have fired Ron Washington this offseason with him admitting he had tried cocaine but instead the team rallied around Washington. The team who is led by Josh Hamilton who started the "Claw" and the "Antlers" is really a fun team to watch. It's hard for me as a Mariners fan to not like this guys but I have to. If this team wasn't in my division or if I was shopping for a team to like Texas would certainly but up there. So no matter who they play in the World Series the team that Vegas had as the longest shot will have the games best postseason pitcher on full rest pitching in game one. Nobody gave the Rangers a chance and counted them out the problem is they forgot to inform the Rangers. Way to go Texas and Mariners take notes because this is how a good franchise is ran.

Game five NLCS recap

By Kshell

In most sports momentum can start rolling and there is nothing the other can't do. In baseball momentum only goes as far as the next day starting pitcher. As we saw yesterday with the Yankees who were trailing 3-1 but rallied to stay alive with their ace the Phillies were in a similar situation. The Phillies this off season in a controversial move traded for Roy Halladay but then traded Cliff Lee away. The Phillies were hoping Halladay could keep their season alive and bring this series back home to Philadelphia.

The Giants had other plans as they were pitching their ace and two-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum. The Giants were hoping to sweep the Phillies in San Francisco and let the party begin in front of the home town fans. Both aces weren't perfect like in the NLDS but in what was to be expected pitched well enough for their teams to win and each only gave up two earned runs. Unfortunately for one ace his defense left him down.

Phillies take advantage of Giants mistakes, sends series back to Philadelphia with 4-2 win

The Phillies found a way to get it done against Giants ace Tim Lincecum who minus one inning was about as good as expected. The Phillies pitched their ace Roy Halladay who didn't have his best stuff managed to get out of jams and show everyone why he is still the ace. The Phillies took advantage of two bad defensive plays the Giants to send the series back to Philadelphia where they must win both games to keep their National League pennant hopes alive.

The Giants were hoping to seek their first National League pennant since 2002 and had a chance to finish off the Phillies at home. The Giants got to Halladay early when Halladay walked Andres Torres then gave up a base hit to Freddy Sanchez giving the Giants a first and third nobody out situation. After Halladay got Aubrey Huff to line out to Ryan Howard the Giants would score a run in a strange way. Halladay would jam Posey who hit the ball weakly to second baseman Chase Utley. The ball was hit so slow Utley charged and over ran the ball but was still able to get the lead runner out. Posey was safe at first and Torres scored the games first run. The team who had scored first in this series was 4-0.

The Giants appeared to be in great shape after just two innings. Lincecum had yet to allow a man to reach base and Halladay's pitch count was over 40 already. Then in the top of the third the Phillies would finally get to Lincecum for the only time all game. It ended up being all that would matter. Raul Ibanez would lead the inning off with a base hit ending the small hope that Lincecum could throw the postseasons second no hitter. Then Lincecum with two strikes on Carlos Ruiz would bing him giving the Phillies first and second with nobody out. What would happened next was a bizarre play that would change the inning and eventually the game.

With Roy Halladay up it was obvious he was going to try and bunt the ball to advance the runners to second and third. Halladay would bunt the ball but the ball never crossed home plate thus making it a foul ball. The problem is the ump called it fair and Posey picked up the ball and fired a strike to Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval to try and get Ibanez out. The problem for the Giants is Sandoval's foot wasn't on third base and by the time he reach back to third Ibanez had then got in there safely. Sandoval then fell down got back up and threw out Halladay at first because Halladay knowing that the ball should have been called foul never ran. The Phillies caught a break there instead of a runner on second base and two outs there was a runner on second and third and just one out.

With runners on second and third and only out with the Giants clinging to a one run lead Lincecum got Shane Victorino to ground out to first only the ball hit off Huff's glove scoring both Ibanez and Ruiz. Had Huff fielded the ball cleanly that would have made it two outs and there is a good chance Ibanez doesn't score. Instead the Phillies took the lead on the two base error by Huff 2-1. The next hitter Placido Polanco got a base hit to left scoring Victorino from second base giving the Phillies a commanding 3-1 lead. With better defense that inning at most Lincecum gives up a run and that is being very generous.

The Giants would answer off Halladay in the fourth with NLCS hero Cody Ross went the other way to right for a double scoring ex-Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell. Halladay would face a couple of more jams but would get out of them. The Giants would waste early opportunities to get to Halladay and let him off the hook. The Giants had first and second and two men out in the sixth when Halladay on a full count strike out Uribe on a pitch in the dirt. That would be Halladay's last pitch as he would only go 6 innings, gave up 6 hits and walked 2 men but he also struck out 5 and most importantly gave up just 2 runs.

The Giants ace and former University of Washington Huskies ace Lincecum cruised the rest of the game until the seventh inning. After Rollins reached base and striking out Ibanez the Phillies began running on the young catcher. Rollins stole second and third off of Lincecum/Posey with just one out. With the Phillies bullpen and the way the Giants weren't hitting it felt like a two run lead would be the equivalent of a five run lead. Lincecum would then walk Ruiz giving the Phillies a first and third one out situation. With Halladay over 100 pitches Manuel pinch hit for Halladay with Ross Gload. Bochy who had a lefty ready in the bullpen decided to stay with his ace. On the first pitch Lincecum threw he got Gload to line out to Huff and get the double play to keep his team in the game. The ex-Husky and current Giants ace ended up going 7 innings, allowing just 4 hits, walked a batter, struck out 7 and allowed 3 runs but only two of those were earned.

In the eighth trailing by a run the Giants sent up Posey, Burrell and Ross the three best hitters you could have asked for. The Phillies setup man Ryan Madson strike all three of them out on just 13 pitches. In the ninth the Phillies would add an insurance run with Jason Werth's home run. That was Werth's 13th career home run which makes him tied for first place in National League history with postseason home runs. Brad Lidge would retire the side in order for his 12th save in 12 chances in the postseason for the Phillies and the two time defending National League Champions are going back home down 3-2.

Both teams are in the position they wanted to be in to start the series. If someone had told the Giants they would go back to Philadelphia up 3-2 needing one win from Jonathan Sanchez or Matt Cain they would have took that scenario. If someone told the Philadelphia Phillies they would be returning home trailing 3-2 but regain homefield advantage and pitching Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels they would have took that scenario. In this series it all comes down to which ace can out pitch the other ace.

The Phillies took a giant step in coming back in this series knocking off Giants ace Tim Lincecum but they still have a long ways to go. Beating Lincecum, Sanchez, and Cain would go down as one of the biggest comebacks in baseball postseason history. That is until someone brings up they threw Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels. The Giants are trying to be the first team since the 2005 Astros to clinch the World Series berth on the road after losing a potential clinching game at home.

Both teams are in the postion they wanted to be in. It just comes down to who will out pitch the other team. Look for errors and the running game to continue to be a factor. I personally think the Giants are in trouble and blew their chance at going to the World Series but we'll find out on Saturday.