Feeling Drafty

It’s time, once again, for me to look at the mock drafts of professionals and aggregate their mocks into “my own” mock. This “time” is also known as Spring.  Without further ado, further ado:

Kidding aside, everyone is just sort of stealing from everyone else. I am always very amused during NFL Mock season at how similar all of the experts’ mocks are. Are we really that much in agreement on the list of the 32 best eligible college players? No. Some poor sap has to be the first guy to publish a mock draft. That “poor sap” carries the proverbial water for every other mock draft. Writers might say that they don’t read what others write, but they’re lying to you. They’re not all getting the same info from sources. Yet rarely do you see someone straying too far from the mainstream. When one writer says, “I’m hearing that Team X really likes Player B,” every other mocker is welcome to take that piece of information and use it. And so, here we are, on draft day, and everyone’s mock looks relatively the same.

Mine will be no exception, really. These picks are a bit of a blend of what teams should do/will do. Every year, some team picks a guy no one had them targeting. Christian Ponder and Jake Locker last year. Tyson Alualu the year before. Darrius Heyward-Bey the year before that. The 2012 NFL Draft will be no different. It spoils the moment when you spend a mock draft trying to pick surprises. This ain’t March Madness. And this really ain’t a science. It’s fun (or at least should be). Now, without further ado:

1.) Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck (QB/Stanford)
I’ve been trying, desperately, to envision a doomsday scenario for the Washington Redskins, where the Colts draft Robert Griffin III and a dark cloud quickly hangs over the District. It’s not happening. Luck is the right pick.

2.) Washington Redskins select Robert Griffin III (QB/Baylor)
Never has a team so embraced the second overall pick in a draft quite like DC has embraced RGIII.  I was at a DC United game in March and people were chanting “RGIII! RGIII!”  Griffin has already appeared at a card show where he signed Redskins memorabilia. If Luck is the right pick for Indy, and he is, Griffin is the “rightest” pick for DC. He’s exactly the kind of energizing player that the Redskins fan base so fervently desires. He’ll be a marketer’s dream in the District. Time will tell how well he can play professional football.

3.) Minnesota Vikings select Matt Kalil (OT/USC)
The first two picks are sure things. Barring some terrible injury to either Luck or Griffin III (though, I sincerely believe that if RGIII (God forbid) died before the draft, the Redskins would still pick him second overall) this is where the draft will really begin.

Kalil is what most scouts would regard as the safe or “correct” pick. The Vikings desperately need a franchise Tackle. Kalil is, by most accounts, a franchise-type Tackle. The intrigue comes from two other directions. Minnesota also could use a cornerback and there’s a potential star at that position (a couple, actually. Morris Claiborne is the name you’ll see most often.). This is also a spot that a desperate, QB needy team like Miami could trade up to. But for the sake of the sanity of Vikings fans and the health of Christian Ponder, let’s go with Kalil.

4.) Cleveland Browns select Ryan Tannehill (QB/Texas A&M)
If it was my decision, I wouldn’t give up on Colt McCoy. Cleveland could use a receiver like Michael Floyd or Justin Blackmon in this spot. But you don’t make a big deal about how you couldn’t trade up to get one Quarterback (Griffin III) and then tell your incumbent (in this case, McCoy), “But, hey buddy, we really love you.”

I think Tannehill will be an enormous bust. Although, he did play WR at Texas A&M. And the Browns do have a hole at that position….

5.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Morris Claiborne (CB/Louisiana State)
He of the (reported) 4 out of 50 on the Wonderlic exam. Claiborne might not be able to tell you which number comes next in the sequence, but he can certainly play football. He’s as versatile a corner as you’ll find in this draft. And he fills a position of need for a team that plays 6 games per season against Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, and Drew Brees.

6.) St. Louis Rams select Justin Blackmon (WR/Oklahoma State)
If Blackmon is available, there’s really no need for the Rams to use any time on the clock. They should have the slip of paper ready. The Rams haven’t had a great WR since Torry Holt. Blackmon will not be as good as Torry Holt. But frankly, “not as good as Torry Holt” is a lot better than “Brandon Gibson.”

7.) Jacksonville Jaguars select Michael Floyd (WR/Notre Dame)
The Jaguars have a number of needs. They need help at each level of the defense, for example. Floyd, though, much like Blackmon with St. Louis, offers a young quarterback a really good target. Floyd is bigger and stronger than Blackmon, with less production in college because, well, Dayne Crist.

8.) Miami Dolphins select a box of tissues to fill with tears and Melvin Ingram (DE/South Carolina)
The Dolphins want Ryan Tannehill, apparently.  Michael Floyd would have been a great replacement for Brandon Marshall.  Neither is available. So what better way to excite your fan base than by drafting a defensive end? Right?

Ingram is good. Really good. But this pick will only further upset the Dolphins fan base. If there’s even a fan base left.

9.) Carolina Panthers select Luke Kuechly (LB/Boston College)
A draft board riser and a smart, stable pick for a team that really needs bodies on the defensive side of the ball.  Plus, ESPN’s Sports Science says that Kuechly is more powerful than Dwight Freeney. So that’s something.
10.) Buffalo Bills select Stephen Gilmore (CB/South Carolina)
The Bills have said they need to improve at cornerback. So, yeah…

Gilmore is one of three first-round CBs (Claiborne and Janoris Jenkins are the others) with potential star written on them. Gilmore came in to South Carolina as a highly regarded recruit, but never became a star there. People seem to believe he will be better in the pros. I’m not terribly confident.

11.) Kansas City Chiefs select David DeCastro (OG/Stanford)
KC going with the OG. DeCastro is as highly regarded as any Guard in recent memory. He’s quick. He’s a fabulous pass blocker (his college Quarterback will likely agree). He’s a solid run blocker. And he’s got, according to those who now, quite the nasty streak. In short, he might be the perfect interior lineman. There’s no reason why DeCastro won’t be an All-Pro multiple times in his career. This would be one of the smartest choices of the draft.

12.) Seattle Seahawks select Quinton Coples (DE/North Carolina)
Coples is not David DeCastro. He’s a high upside/high risk player. He’s had weight issues, run-ins with coaches, and was investigated (though exonerated) by the NCAA for attending illegal parties. He’s being taken here because of his potential and the need for a rush end in Seattle. Coples is often compared, in terms of skill level, with Julius Peppers, another former Tar Heel.  Julius Peppers is very good.

13.) Arizona Cardinals select Riley Reiff (OT/Iowa)
Arizona is a team with a huge, gaping need at OT. Reif is a huge, talented OT, who comes from a school that churns out prospects like this on a yearly basis, Robert Gallery notwithstanding.

14.) Dallas Cowboys select Trent Richardson (RB/Alabama)
Richardson is not a player of any need to Dallas. They have needs in the defensive secondary, but Richardson is a top 5 talent, who I think might fall because of the notion that you can draft Running Backs late. Jerry Jones would see the value in getting a guy like Richardson here. Dallas hasn’t had a Back like him since Emmitt Smith.

This is certainly one surprise in my mock. Most mocks I’ve seen have Richardson going in the top 5.

15.) Philadelphia Eagles select Fletcher Cox (DT/Mississippi State)
Cox is another guy I have dropping. And unlike Richardson going to Dallas, Cox would fill a big need for Philadelphia. Primarily because he’s a defensive, front 7 player. And Philadelphia doesn’t have a lot of those.

16.) New York Jets select Mark Barron (S/Alabama)
Mark Barron is a Rex Ryan-type player. He’s an Ed Reed-type safety. Enough said.

Well, actually, look for Barron to be gone if Richardson does not fall in the first round. Dallas will take him. Right away.

17.) Cincinnati Bengals select Courtney Upshaw (OLB/Alabama)
We’re in the SEC portion of the draft. Upshaw is a pass rusher extraordinaire.  He also has a domestic violence arrest on his record. So he’s the perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals.

18.) San Diego Chargers select Michael Brockers (DT/LSU)
Brockers is thought to be a Top 10-type talent who hasn’t fully realized his potential. Chargers GM AJ Smith must really like him then.

19.) Chicago Bears select Whitney Mercilius (DE/IL)
I have no idea who he is. I mean, c’mon, do you actually think I watch a lot of Illinois games?

20.) Tennessee Titans select Donatri Poe (DT/Memphis)
He of the underachieving, often invisible, Dontari Poe from Memphis University. You’ll remember that he had the best combine of any prospect. All of a sudden, a player with little to no consequential game tape became the prospect du jour. So someone will take him in the first round. Congratulations, Tennessee Titans fans!

21.) Cincinnati Bengals select Janoris Jenkins (CB/North Alabama)
Most scouts like Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick more than Jenkins, but that is more of a reflection of Jenkins’ off-the-field problems than his on-the-field skills. If Jenkins can keep his life together (and stop creating other lives…four children) he could be the steal of this first round. He could also continue down the path he was on at Florida, where he was eventually dismissed.

He may be the best man coverage corner in the draft. Since losing Jonathan Joseph to free agency last year, the Bengals have had a void in that department.

22.) Cleveland Browns select Stephen Hill (WR/Georgia Tech)
Hill is a lengthy speedster with a ton of upside. His college numbers weren’t great because he played in a run option offense. The Hill pick makes a world of sense for the Browns, especially if they go with Tannehill with their earlier pick. And no, I won’t make a joke about how now they’ll have two more Wide Receivers after the first round.

23.) Detroit Lions select Dre Kirkpatrick (CB/Alabama)
This has to be a dream scenario for a team with a giant hole in their secondary. Kirkpatrick could go much earlier in this draft. Kirkpatrick is a prototypical corner with enough size to be an effective shutdown corner in press coverage. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m saying that he should be good.

24.) Pittsburgh Steelers select Cordy Glenn (OT/Georgia)
Cordy Glenn has sizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

25.) Denver Broncos select Devon Still (DT/Penn State)
Denver hasn’t drafted a Defensive Tackle in Round 1 since 1997. Considering how important the DT is, that’s kind of stunning. This pick comes down to Still and Jerel Worthy. Still comes with more size, which could greatly help a team that couldn’t stop my grandmother if she was walking slowly at their front 4 with her eyes closed and cinder blocks tied to her ankles.

26.) Houston Texans select Shea McClellin (OLB/Boise State)
Mario Williams is gone. DeMecco Ryans is gone. Needing players who can rush the quarterback from the edge, Houston turns to a guy with a huge motor, much in the vein of current Texans Brooks Reed, Connor Barwin, and Brian Cushing. Of course, this pick does have me thinking that the Texans linebacker corp will have a certain kind of pale hue to it.

27.) New England Patriots select Amini Silatolu (OG/Midwestern State)
First, I have an issue with making fake draft trades. It messes with the whole nature of picking the best, most logical guy for each team. That said, if I was going to project a trade, it’d be here.

This is about as “New England Patriots” as a draft pick can get. Boring position (check). Guy no one has ever heard of (check). College no one knew existed (check). Guy getting drafted a round early (check).

28.) Green Bay Packers select Nick Perry (DE/Southern California)
The Packers are weak on the outside of the D-line. Perry is a bit undersized, but his quickness is unrivaled at this juncture in the draft. He also comes with the same USC pedigree as Clay Matthews. Teams sometimes like that stuff.

29.) Baltimore Ravens select Dont’a Hightower (ILB/Alabama)
Eventually, the Ravens will draft Ray Lewis’ heir apparent in the first round. Hightower would be a very good choice. High motor. Good run-stuffer. Smart defender. Might not have top-end quickness, but he makes up for it by not wasting steps.

30.) San Francisco 49ers select Coby Fleener (TE/Stanford)
It’s probably too easy for Harbaugh to take a Stanford player in the first round of a draft and it’s not like the Niners need another TE (Delanie Walker and Vernon Davis do the job well). Fleener is versatile enough, though, that he could serve as a hybrid type player. Harbaugh will find ways to use him. And no one knows him better.

31.) New England Patriots select Vinny Curry (DE/Marshall)
So, we’ve got an Offensive Lineman from Midwestern State and a Defensive End from Marshall. Perfect.

32.) New York Giants select Reuben Randle (WR/LSU)
Randle would be a more than adequate replacement for Mario Manningham.  There’s a fair amount of Dwayne Bowe potential with Randle.  He’s big. He’s quick enough. His numbers in college weren’t stellar, but let’s be honest, Jordan Jefferson was throwing him the football. So let’s cut him some slack and make him a first rounder.


*********************************************************************************************
And that concludes the first round. Before I sign off, here are a few guys who I think can be a real sleeper at each position (that people care about. Sorry Guards.). These are players projected to go in the 4th round or later by most prognosticators. I will not be held accountable for the Patriots reaching for any of these players in the second round.

QB: Nick Foles (Arizona). I like his size. I like his mobility. I like him. Is he a “winner?” No. But he was an effective QB for a series of mediocre-to-bad Arizona teams.

RB: Terrance Ganaway (Baylor). A big, physical running back. Lacks breakaway speed. Cut in the mold of a slimmer Brandon Jacobs.

WR: T.Y. Hilton (Florida Int’l). He’s not likely to make it as a WR because of his tiny frame (5’8”, 183 LBS), but there’s definitely a future for him as a kick/punt return guy. Ran a 4.37 at the combine. Scouts tout his great vision and crisp cuts.

Defense: Duke Ihenacho (San Jose State). A low-profile school will diminish his stock, but Ihenacho has good size and great instincts at the safety position. If the Patriots are going to reach for someone in the second round, Ihenacho wouldn’t surprise me.


Enjoy the happiest evening of the year!!!!!


(Fans of the Oakland Raiders need not apply)

Every morning, I send an email to my sports-averse coworkers detailing the biggest events in the sports world that day. This is to help them better converse with the sport-obsessed among us. I will publish this email every morning as the Bias Bulletin.

Perfection

If you read Friday’s Bulletin, you were left with a bevy of options for the “Game of the Weekend.” Nowhere, on Friday, did you read that Saturday’s Seattle Mariners/Chicago White Sox game would be the game we’d remember. But the truly great thing about sports is that you just never know. That’s why you never leave a game early. And that’s why you should never take for granted a pitching matchup that features Blake Beaven and Philip Humber.

On Saturday afternoon, Humber pitched 21^st perfect game in MLB history. No hits. No walks. Not a single base runner. 27 men came to the plate. All 27 were retired. It was a great moment for a really nice guy who has, over the course of his career, had some tough times. Humber was once the top prospect in the New York Mets system, drafted 3^rd overall in 2004 out of Rice University. He was the centerpiece of the prospect package that the Twins received from New York when they traded Johan Santana, even after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Then, like many Rice pitchers before him, Humber’s arm continued to fail him. He bounced around Minnesota’s system, before landing in Kansas City briefly. The Royals would waive him. He’d be claimed by the Athletics. The Athletics would waive him. He would be claimed by the White Sox. Entering last season, Humber appeared as though he’d enter the long list of top pitching prospects to wxit the game more quietly than they arrived (let’s call this the Bryan Bullington All-Stars). Then, something happened. Humber was the most reliable starting pitcher for the White Sox last year. His numbers were not elite, but he found a way to pitch effectively with slightly diminished stuff. His location was better. In short, he was better.

Saturday was the continuation of a long journey back for a guy who could have easily given up. Instead, Humber, on a weekend replete with sports stories, became the headliner. It was a much deserved return from (and for some, introduction to) the brink.

Ron Artest Elbowed a Man in the Head Because He is Ron Artest

Yesterday’s Thunder/Lakers game could easily have led the sports news on merits alone. The Thunder controlled most of the first three quarters. Then the Lakers surged, forced two overtimes, and pulled away late to win by 8.

Instead of talking about a really good basketball game though, wouldn’t you know it, we’re talking about Ron Artest being Ron Artest. Late in the second quarter of the game, Artest made a nice move to the basket and executed a dunk, as Thunder forward Serge Ibaka trailed him. It was, for any player, a solid move. Artest, in celebrating, pounded his chest and bumped into Thunder guard James Harden. He then took his left arm and swung it wildly at Harden, connecting directly with his head. Harden crumbled to the floor cradling his head. Meanwhile, Artest, with Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins pursuing him, backpedaled, mugging angrily at the Thunder players, and grabbed his crotch. Artest was ejected and will face a suspension that most experts believe will be for 5 games. Harden, meanwhile, suffered a concussion and will be out until he can pass a series of tests. The NBA playoffs begin on Saturday.

Enjoy The President’s Trophy

The National Hockey League gives out a trophy annually to the club with the regular season’s best record. This year, the Vancouver Canucks were the recipient of that trophy. Ironic then, that the Canucks now find themselves eliminated from the playoffs, after just five games. Last night, behind the solid goaltending of Jonathan Quick, the Los Angeles Kings won their first playoff series in a decade, beating the Canucks 2-1 in overtime. The Kings won the series 4-games-to-1.

Elsewhere in the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers closed out their series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Boston Bruins, after losing Game 5 at home, returned the favor yesterday in Washington, forcing a Game 7, back in Boston, on Wednesday night.

Your Daily Washington Nationals Update

The Nationals have today off and had yesterday’s game postponed due to rain. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to talk about today.

The Nats are currently 12-4. They’re 8-2 in their last 10 games. They won both games this weekend against the Miami Marlins, a team that has given the Nationals fits over the previous 5 years. Saturday, the Nationals won 3-2, despite batting Mark DeRosa and Chad Tracy in the 3 and 4 spots, respectively. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was a late scratch with some minor shoulder inflammation. Zimmerman says he will be good to go tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, the Nats will begin a 6-game West Coast swing tomorrow night in San Diego. They’ll follow that up with a trip north to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers.

Game of the Day

A couple of elimination games in the NHL today, but I know my audience. So….

New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers (7:05/ESPN). CC Sabathia takes the mound against Derek Holland and his gorgeous mustache. The Rangers are 13-3 and if you’re a fan of any other team, you’re terrified of the Rangers. As good as Washington, St. Louis, and Los Angeles (NL) have looked, the Rangers have looked that much better. They have the American League’s best rotation and best lineup. Meanwhile, for the Yankees, CC Sabathia is trying to get his season on more solid footing. This will be a good, early series.

Or you could watch hockey…

Every morning, I send an email to my sports-averse coworkers detailing the biggest events in the sports world that day. This is to help them better converse with the sport-obsessed among us. I will publish this email every morning as the Bias Bulletin.

Clark Kent Has A Backache

-Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard was, for a while, regarded as an affable, talented, unmatched physical specimen. Now, only the last two are relevant. Yesterday, his agent announced that Howard will miss the remainder of the NBA season (including the playoffs) as well as the Summer Olympics, leaving the United States team with a large hole at the Center position. Now, Howard is out with a herniated disk in his back. And a herniated disk is certainly nothing to scoff at. But Howard, over the course of the previous year, has done himself no favors by playing a near constant game of “I want to stay (in Orlando)!” “I want to leave Orlando!” “I love my coach.” “I hate my coach and I want him fired!” In short, harsh words, he’s been a drama queen, who distracted from a good basketball team and managed to make it worse by damaging its chemistry. Many are now questioning whether Howard is essentially quitting on his team, just days before the NBA playoffs begin, rather than try to play through the injury as others have done. We’ll, of course, never know the severity of Howard’s injury. The only guarantee in this story is that Orlando’s playoff run will not last very long without Howard. They are currently lined up to play the Indiana Pacers in the first round. The Pacers, of course, feature a rapidly improving 7’1” Roy Hibbert. With no size inside, the Magic are poised to make a quick and quiet exit.

100 Years and All We’ve Got Is This Manager That We Hate

–Today, the Boston Red Sox will celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Fenway Park. The stage is set for some incredible drama, some unintentional comedy, and an immense quantity of awkwardness. The Red Sox have invited back a bevy of former players (including, according to his Twitter feed, Jose Canseco). Pedro Martinez will be there. Carl Yastrzemski, Nomar, Jim Rice. Legends in Boston sports. But no appearance will cause more drama and awkwardness than the return of former manager Terry Francona to Fenway Park. By now, everyone knows that someone in the organization dragged Francona’s name through the mud on his way out of town. Now, the team is floundering. And the appearance of the most successful manager, perhaps, in the franchise’s history, will do nothing but continue to stir the pot (as well as the emotions of Red Sox Nation). Oh, yeah, and the Yankees are in town.

Capital Performance

-Missing their best player, yet desperately needing a win, the Washington Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins last night to even their best-of-7 series at two games apiece. Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby, a playoff neophyte, gave the Capitals a veteran performance last night, stopping 44 shots, en route to a 2-1 victory. The Capitals took a 2-1 lead late in the second period on a power play goal by Alexander Semin and were able to hold the Bruins scoreless in the third period. The teams will continue their series with a pivotal fifth game on Saturday in Boston. The winner of that game can wrap up the series on Sunday night in Washington.

Your Daily Washington Nationals Update

After all of those wonderful things I said yesterday, the Nationals were blown out last night, as the Houston Astros managed to salvage one game from the four-game series. Washington starter Edwin Jackson didn’t get the “starting” thing quite right yesterday, as he surrendered 5 runs in the first inning (including 3 triples). Jackson recovered well, just in time for Tom Gorzelanny to come in, pitch two inning of relief, and surrender 6 runs.

The 11-4 loss was only Washington’s fourth of the season. They now enter a 3-game weekend series with the Miami Marlins. Game 1 pits Marlins starter and resident insane person Carlos Zambrano against Ross Detweiler. Stephen Strasburg will start for Washington on Saturday against Anibal Sanchez. And the series will wrap up on Sunday with perhaps the best pitching matchup of the series, as Josh Johnson and Gio Gonzalez will square off.

Also of note, the Nationals will begin a series at Los Angeles next Friday. The tentative pitching matchup in that game is Stephen Strasburg vs. Clayton Kershaw. Appointment viewing. Even a week away.

Games of the Weekend

MLB: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (Tonight/7:05)

NHL: Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins (Saturday/3:00)

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers (Sunday/3:30)

Soccer: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (Saturday/2:30 p.m.)

Enjoy your weekend!

Every morning, I send an email to my sports-averse coworkers detailing the biggest events in the sports world that day. This is to help them better converse with the sport-obsessed among us. I will publish this email every morning as the Bias Bulletin.

Not An April Classic. Rather, a Classic in April

-Yesterday’s Game of the Day answered the call. And then some. If all I wrote here was that the Giants beat the Phillies 1-0 in 11 innings, you would be impressed. But consider that this was a 2 ½ hour, 11 inning game (As a reference point, last night’s 9 inning Yankees/Twins game lasted 3 ½ hours). Also consider the pitching performances. Giants pitcher Matt Cain threw 9 shutout innings, surrendering only two hits, and was only pulled for a pinch hitter. Cain managed to throw just 91 pitches in his 9 innings, including four single-digit pitch innings. Phillies starter Cliff Lee matched him, throwing 10 shutout innings. The game was won by the Giants in the 11^th on a base hit by Melky Cabrera, who scored Brandon Belt from 2^nd base. The teams will meet again in mid-July. Let’s all cross our fingers for a Cain/Lee rematch.

Big, Fat, Strike Throwing, Bartolo Colon

-I really had no intentions to write, again, mostly about baseball. I get that it’s April and most people are either 1.) Enjoying al fresco dining, 2.) Watching playoff hockey, or 3.) Having an allergy fit. But sometimes, baseball forces itself into the headlines. While the Giants and Phillies were playing one of the best pitched games you’ll ever see, Oakland Athletics pitcher (and living testament to the virtues of a healthy lifestyle) Bartolo Colon was providing his own historic pitching performance. Between the 5^th and 8^th innings of last night’s game against the Angels, Colon did not throw a single called ball. 38 strikes. 0 balls. There’s no real analysis that one can provide here. It’s also unlikely that the folks watching at Angels Stadium were aware of the feat. But to think, after the fact, about a pitcher being that “on,” is really stunning.

How to Dominate. And Lose.

-Yesterday, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, Chelsea beat FC Barcelona, the best club team in the world (in any sport), 1-0. Now, it’s important to know that Chelsea was playing at home in the first leg, and will have to play at Barca next week and manage to lose by fewer than 2 goals. That’s not terribly likely. Especially considering how badly Chelsea was dominated by the team they beat yesterday. Do you like stats? Try these:

Total Shots: Barcelona-24/Chelsea-4

Shots on Goal: Barcelona-6/Chelsea-1

Ball Possession (as a percentage): Barcelona-79%/Chelsea-21%

To advance to the UEFA Champions League final, Barcelona will need to defeat Chelsea by at least two goals next Wednesday. Given the numbers above, I’d say that is a likely scenario.

Your Daily Washington Nationals Update

-The Washington Nationals are 10-3. I don’t need to be impartial. Writing that makes me giddy. It’s important to remember that it’s April. My significant other pointed that out to me last night as I yelled “10 and 3” repeatedly after Henry Rodriguez closed out the ninth against the Astros. It’s also important to remember that the Nationals haven’t played anyone worth a darn yet. The Cubs, Mets, Reds, and Astros aren’t going to win the World Series this year. They won’t even make the playoffs this year.

Above all else, though, what is important when it comes to the Nationals’ 10-3 record is that they have won 10 games and lost 3. They have one of the best records in baseball. Their pitching staff has been the best in baseball to this point. Their bullpen, save for a few minor hiccups, has been rock solid. And they’re missing arguably their second best hitter. 10-3 is good. It doesn’t matter what month it is.

The Nationals will try, for the second consecutive series, to accomplish a four-game sweep when they take on the Astros tonight at the Navy Yard. Edwin Jackson will take the hill for Washington and oppose Astros ace Bud Norris. Jackson is coming off of a complete game on Saturday against the Reds. A win tonight will move the Nats to 5 ½ games up on the Philadelphia Phillies, heading into an important (yes, for April) weekend series with the Miami Marlins.

Game of the Day

Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals (BOS leads 2-1) (7:30/NBC Sports Network or Local TV)

-This series has been chippy. Of course, you could say that about each of the NHL’s playoff series. But this one appears to be on the brink of becoming REALLY chippy. The Capitals will have their backs against the wall tonight, as they’ll have to play without Nicklas Backstrom (their best player. Don’t even try to debate me on Alex Ovechkin.). The Capitals will need a performance from goaltender Braden Holtby similar to that of Game 2, when the Capitals won in Boston in 2 OT. Falling to a 3-1 deficit tonight will leave the undertaker reaching for that final nail in Washington’s coffin.

Every morning, I send an email to my sports-averse coworkers detailing the biggest events in the sports world that day. This is to help them better converse with the sport-obsessed among us. I will publish this email every morning as the Bias Bulletin.

Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number…Even When It’s A Big Number

Last night, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jamie Moyer became the oldest player in MLB history to win a game. Moyer, who is 49 years and 150 days old, passed Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Jack Quinn who was 49 years and 70 days old when he took the record in 1932. Moyer pitched his best game of the young season, throwing 7 innings, surrendering no earned runs, and even striking out one San Diego Padres “hitter.” Moyer’s battery mate last night, Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario, was born in 1989, three years after Moyer’s MLB debut.

Protest This

Last night, Ozzie Guillen returned to the Miami Marlins’ dugout after serving a five game suspension for celebrating Fidel Castro in a Time magazine interview. Those in the media who envisioned widespread protests must have been left a little disappointed, as, by the account of Marlins blogger Joe Capozzi, “As of 20 minutes ago, the protest scene outside #Marlins Park consisted of the sum total of ONE guy holding a “No apology” sign.” On the diamond, where Guillen is paid to manage a baseball team, the Marlins defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-2, thanks to an 8^th inning, three-run home run by Hanley Ramirez. Which afforded us the opportunity to see the glorious Marlins Home Run Sculpture, replete with flying fish, the color pink, and geysers.

Jon Lester Just Doesn’t Look Like He’s Physically or Emotionally Into The Game

The Boston Red Sox were scheduled to play a baseball game last night against the Texas Rangers. Writers are still unsure as to whether the Sox showed up to Fenway Park in time for the game. Sox starter Jon Lester most certainly did show up and he hung around long enough to throw 2 innings of baseball, giving up 7 runs and 4 walks. The Red Sox bullpen did nothing to stop the bleeding, as they combined to surrender 11 additional runs, including six for reliever Mark Melancon, who the Red Sox traded a starting pitcher and their starting shortstop to acquire during the offseason. The Red Sox find themselves in last place in the AL East. Following this series with the American League’s best team, the Texas Rangers, the Red Sox welcome an upstart team from the Bronx called the Yankees of New York City. It should be a quiet, peaceful affair if the Red Sox continue to struggle.

Your Daily Washington Nationals Update

If Davey Johnson can find a way to have Gio Gonzalez only start game at home, the Cy Young may be coming to the 202. In his second start of the year at Nationals Park, Gio Gonzalez threw 7 shutout innings against the Houston Astros. Gonzalez allowed just 2 hits, while striking out 8.

With just a 1-0 lead entering the 9^th inning, the situation got tenuous, when Nationals closer (by default) Brad Lidge, allowed the first two Astros to reach base. Lidge was able to get the next three outs without surrendering a run, to preserve the victory for Gonzalez, his first in a Nationals uniform.

Washington will play the third game of a four game series with Houston tonight at the Navy Yard (weather permitting). They will send Jordan Zimmermann to the hill to oppose something named Lucas Harrell.

Game of the Day

(Yesterday, I made an egregious error when I listed the Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers game as the “Game of the Day.” The problem was that the teams were not scheduled to play yesterday. They play tonight. I apologize for error. That’s still a good game, but because this is the baseball edition….)

Philadelphia Phillies @ San Francisco Giants (10:15 p.m./MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings)

Cliff Lee will opposed Matt Cain in what may be the best potential pitching matchup since Monday’s Phillies/Giants game. There’s every reason to believe this should be a gem. Cain is coming off of a near perfect game and Lee is never far from pitching perfection. There may not be a better pitching matchup. At least this week.