Vancouver City Strike Vote

All three CUPE locals will vote tomorrow on the reccomendations made by mediator Brian Foley. He basically offered each union local a 17.5% increase over 5 years, plus he took a little of what the city wanted and what the union wanted and added them to his reccomendations. Only one of the three locals (the outside workers) have recommended acceptance of the proposed new contract. For the inside workers, the issue has to do with job security, whereas the librarians feel they are being treated unfairly because they are women. I question whether you can really compare the job a librarian does to that of a garbage man. I'm really hoping all three unions ratify this deal (although I'm not holding my breath) otherwise this strike could go on for months and months longer. One safe prediction I will make is that if either side doesn't ratify the deal, than that side, be it the unions or the city will quickly lose public sympathy.

The Chicago Cubs season: Post-Mortem

There are a few big reasons why those lovable-losers Chicago Cubs were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Not the least of these problems lied with some questionable calls by Manager Lou Pinella. Pinella decided to throw all three starters in the short series out on three days rest and predictably, they all failed miserably. Also, whather because he was unavailable, Pinella chose to leave Jason Kendall on the bench for basically the entire series.

This early exit can't be entirely pinned on the manager. The likes of Derrick Lee, Alfonso Soriano and Jacques Jones burned out badly in the clutch. In a short series, your best players have to be just that, your best players.

Interestingly, if the Cubs fail to win the World Series next year, it'll be 100 years and counting since they last hoisted the crown.

MLB 2007 NL Series #2 Preview

Philadelphia Phillies vs Colorado Rockies

Pitching: Canadian Jeff Fancis leads the Colorado Rockies into Philadelphia to face the potent offense of the Phillies. Francis has a horrendous 8.46 Era against the Phillies in 2 career starts.g Jiminez, Fogg and Morales will follow as necessary. Aside from Morales, who has only started 8 times this season, no Rockies pitcher had a regular-season ERA undeer 4.00. Their bullpen is ranked a respectable 6th in the NL with a solid one-two punch in the late innings in lefty Brian Fuentes and rightyand hard-throwing closer Manny Corpas. The Phillies pitching isn't any better, led by a super lefty ace in sophomore Cole Hamels. After him, enter rookie Kyle Kendrick, who started the season in AA-ball, athough he was solid going 10-4 with a 3.64 ERA. After the youngsters, the Phillies have an aging veteran who is past his prime in Jamie Moyer and two inconsistent pitchers in Adam Eaton and Kyle Lohse. The bullpen is a question mark. Close Brett Myers has bought ther heat, but collapsed at the wrong time. Aging veterans Jose Mesa, Antonio Alfonseca and Tom Gordon have all shown their age at points in the season. One of these three will have to step it up and get hot otherwise it could be an early exit for the Phillies. Edge: even

Hitting: Both of these offenses are capable of putting runs on the board when it counts. The Rockies are led by MVP candidate Matt Holliday, who slid in with the winning run that punched the Rox tix into the playoffs in Monday's winner-moves-on show-down with the Padres. His supporting cast include lefty Todd Helton and emerging talented hitters Garrett Atkins, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe. The Rockies were even with the Philles with on-base % despite hitting 40 less home runs, but finished behind them in runs scored and batting average. Most importantly, the Rockies were the hottest team in baseball down the stretch. The Phillies also have a potent offense led by Ryan Howard, who despite missing 47 games to injury, managed 47 HR's and 137 RBI's. However, he also struck out a whopping MLB record 196 times. Howard must choose his pitches wisely. Speedster Jimmy Rollins became just the 4th player in MLB history to hit 20 HR, 20 doubles, 20 triples and steal 20 bases. Overall, the Phillies are a threat to to steal just about anywhere in their line-up, minus the pitcher of course. Edge: Phillies

Series Prediction: Phillies in 4

MLB 2007 AL Division Series #2 Preview

Boston Red Sox vs Anaheim Angels.

Starting Pitching: The Red Sox have 2 solid starters they can turn to in game 1 and game 2. Ace Josh Beckett will take the hill in game one and he should provide the team with a chance to win, being well-rested after a few extra days off following his final regular season start. Game 2 starter Diasuke Matsusaka has shown this year that he performs better on longer rest. However, should the series go five games, the Red Sox will have to decide whether to chance running Matsusaka out on short rest. Curt Schilling is aging and is likely more prone to injury. Lefty Jon Lester, a comeback player of the year candidate, having survived cancer, can be a fourth starter. This youngster has three solid pitches to choose from. The Angels counter with John Lackey in game 1, who tends to struggle at Fenway Park. Kelvim Escobar should match-up well with Matsusaka and give his team a chance to win the series. Jered Weaver is the wild card, as he can be inconsistent in starts. Ervin Santana can serve as a fourth starter. He was effective against the Yankees 2 seasons ago. He'll also be a long man out of the 'pen. edge: Red Sox

Bullpen: The eighth inning could be a real nail-biter for Red Sox Nation as Canadian righty Eric Gagne, acquired at the trade deadline, has been inconsistent since joining the Sox and really since suffering injuries to his elbow the last season or so. Mike Timlin can also take the ball un the later innings and shut down the offense. Lefty Hideki Okajima was very effective in the first half, earning him a spot at the all-star game. However, he suffered from a tired arm during the stretch run and was less effective after the all-star break. If he returns to his first-half effectiveness, Angels lefties beware. Closer Jon Papelbon was his usual lights-out self in the ninth, and appears to have put the arm problems that plagued him in '06 and evenually shut him down in September behind him. The key will be getting to Papelbon. Traditiionally, the Angels have boasted one of the better 'pens in the majors and this season is no exception. Closer Francisco Rodriguez was solid in the regular season, notching 40 saves and posting an ERA under 3.00. The rest of the supporting cast including sidewinder Justin Speier and righty Scot Shields has been solid. If the Angels enter the 7th inning and beyond with a lead, the Red Sox will be hard pressed to rally. Edge: Angels

Hitting: Both of these teams have question marks when it comes to hitting. For the Red Sox the question is whether the two corner outfielders in JD Drew, who struggled this season, and Manny Ramirez, who missed 24 games in September with a strained oblique muscle, can produce. Also David "Big Papi" Ortiz has a tender right knee that will require off-season surgery. In the rookie outfield Jacoby Ellsbury, did an admirable job filling in for Ramirez in his absence, however, he won't be a power threat and won't scare pitchers like Man-Ram. For the Angels, they'll be missing power and speed threat Gary Matthews Jr. who's out with a knee injury. This leaves Vladimir Guerrero, who was limited to DH duties at the end of the season due to a triceps injury and a bruised arm. The Angels make up for lack of power with speed. Look for them to produce a lot of their runs through the small-ball game. Edge: even

Coaching: Both of these managers (Terry Francona for the Red Sox and Mike Schocia for the Angels) know how to win, having led their respective teams to a championship in the last five years. Both these teams have their question marks heading into the post-season. Schocia has more experience as a manager and thus gets the edge.

Series Prediction: Red Sox in five

MLB 2007 AL Division Series #1 Preview

New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians

Season Series: 6-0 Yankees

Starting Pitching: Here is the Yankees weakness. Led by Cy Young candidate Chieng-Ming Wang, who went 19-7 with a solid 3.70 ERA in '07 will take the ball in game 1 and likely game four, if necessary. He has solid stuff and should keep the Indian hitters off-balance this series. He'll be followed by Andy Pettite, who returns to the Yankees after a 2-year hiatus in Houston. The question for the Yankees is whether the aging Pettite can win a game in the playoffs. The same can be asked of potential game 3 starter Rocket Roger Clemens. The Rocket is coming off a hamstring injury and how deep he can pitch is questionable. Mike Mussina had an off-year and it's a question mark how effective he'll be this year. As for the Indians they have a Cy Young candidtate in lefty C.C. Sabathia. He's tough on lefties and has strong movement in his pitches. Fausto Camano is equally as good but is inexperienced. Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrooke both suffer from inconsistency. Edge: Indians

Bullpen: The Indians boast a bullpen that is suspect and inconstent at best. Closer Joe Borowski tends to make things interesting in the ninth and the Yankee top hitters in Jeter and A-Rod are both solid against him. The Yankees have a one-two punch in the back end in the aging Mariano Rivera who looked very human at times this season and youngster Joba Chamberlain edge: Yankees

Hitting: In the second half, the Yankee hitters caught fire out-scoring opponents by a whopping 172 runs since the all-star break. The trick will be contuuing it into October. The Indians have a balanced line-up that can hurt you in every place in the order. Edge: Yankees

The Yankees will win if: Their young hitters like Melky Cabrera, step up and perform in the clutch. If Alex Rodriguez hits like the MVP favourite Alex Rodriguez hit since April

The Indians will win if: their starting pitchers go deep into games and the hitters build a sizable lead heading into the ninth.

Prediction: Yankees in 4