Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Dodgers and Brewers

Today’s previews are on a pair of teams that made the National League playoffs last season. One has a good chance to return, but the other figures to regress somewhat. First up, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the defending NL West champs. Unless a major surprise from the projected back of the division occurs, the Dodgers [...]

Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Twins and Mets

Today’s reports are on a pair of teams that narrowly missed postseason play in 2008. I believe both teams have the stuff to get to October this season, but neither is a sure thing by any stretch. The Minnesota Twins should have won the AL Central last season. They failed to do so because they [...]

Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Royals and Angels

Two-a-day previews continue with a pair of entries that have established very definite tendencies over the last several seasons. One hasn’t won in ages, the other is in the hunt every season. The Kansas City Royals haven’t been relevant for many moons. A combination of an unwillingness to spend money, along with what can only [...]

Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Marlins and Astros

Today’s previews are on a pair of teams that produced winning records in 2008. One looks like it might be better than projected again, the other would appear to be in major trouble. The Florida Marlins have actually already scored their biggest win of the year. They’re finally going to get their new stadium after [...]

Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Rockies and Tigers

Two-a-day previews continue today with a pair of teams that fell dramatically short of expectations in 2008. For one, there’s optimism that the new season will see a return to contention. For the other, things look mighty bleak once again. Is it only one year ago that the Colorado Rockies were entering the season as [...]

Sweet 16 and Elite 8: Will favorites rule again?

Last year during the NCAA tournaments, I discussed how college hoops had become top heavy. The elite teams were REALLY good…and had moved further ahead “of the pack” than the betting markets had realized. Ultimately, the top four seeds all advanced to the Final Four for the first time ever. They were able to do [...]

Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Reds and Indians

Today’s previews are on the two Buckeye State entries, the Reds and Indians. The Cincinnati Reds are garnering lots of support as one of this year’s surprise teams. Well, first of all, it’s not exactly a surprise if it’s being talked about by so many analysts. Secondly, I’m not seeing why the Reds are suddenly [...]

Jorge Gonzalez’s Free NIT Winner!

Kentucky (22-13) has shown that it’s still motivated despite not making the NCAA tournament and the heat that Billy Gillespie is under in just his second year as the head coach. The Wildcats escaped the second round of the NIT with a thrilling 65-63 victory over Creighton in front of a raucous crowd in Omaha, [...]

Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Cubs and White Sox

Big League Baseball ‘09 previews continue today with a look at the two Windy City entries. The Chicago Cubs were the class of the NL Central in 2008, and seemed poised to get to the World Series for an opportunity at ending a century of frustration. Instead, it was just another brutal ending for their [...]

Jorge Gonzalez’s Free NBA Play: Lakers at Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder (20-50) have suffered a tough first season after moving from Seattle and are not looking forward to facing the high-scoring Los Angeles Lakers (55-14). This young team has problems scoring and has been looking tired as of late. Offensively the Thunder have really struggled failing to score a 100 points in [...]