The Skinny on this years U.S. Open

The most challenging 4 days in golf, (aside from those days at Troon or St.Andrews when the wind blows 40 mph)

This year the players will tackle Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY.

The tournament hasn't started yet, and already players are squealing.
Mickelson was quoted as saying,
"the putts will look similar to the pucks you will see in the finals tonight."

Goosen,
"With any rain at all this course will become unplayable. The rough will be too wet, and the greens will be too slick."

and you thought NBA players had egos. No one remembers the +7 win that Hale Irwin notched in 74 at the foot, but the players know the numbers. Looking like duffers or average joes frightens players, and only the true shot makers go into this tournament with the idea that they can win.

Lefty has played the course six times in the last month, studying it like 3rd period french. Tiger has played it 4 times in the last 2 weeks, and Ben Crane put in more than 5 extra hours yesterday at the range. What does this mean? These guys are scared to death.

Swami thinks you should hedge your bets. Don't take Tiger over the Field, take the true shot makers. Furyk, Couples, Els, Campbell, and my sleeper Jose Maria Olazabal.

Since I am en route to NY for this years tournament, the blog will not be updated till my return. Hopefully everyone that reads will be able to cope with my absence. Have a great weekend everybody.

Pretenders or Contenders?

Ok sure, it's not even the all-star break yet, but it is never too early to make predictions sure to be scoffed at when it comes to baseballs creme de la creme.

For the next week I will give a quick synapses of the current standings and those teams that as of day are in "contention" for sake of the argument, I am gonna say teams more than 12 games out are eliminated. I have been wrong once (curse you 93 Braves!)

Here goes.............

Let's start with the best division in baseball.........The NL West (screw you AL east)

Every team in the division has a .500 record or above

The Dodgers can thank Nomar,
the rockies can thank God,
and the Padres can thank the Giants because Bonds sits out every game vs. them

as of 11:24pm EST
we stand at

Dodgers 35-28
DBacks 34-29
Padres 32-31
Giants 32-31
Rockies 32-32

How the swami sees things

the dodgers are clinging to great starts by Brad Penny and Aaron Sele (3-0 2.33 era),yeah I was surprised too, did someone reincarnate the 2000 Mariners? They are the frontrunner because of timely hitting by the MLB comeback POY Nomar Garciaparra (.354 7Hr 41 rbi) and Matt Kemp (.357 6hr 15 rbi). While many in SoCal are Thinking Blue, I am not sold on this bullpen or their starting pitching. Odalis Perez hasnt impressed and Derek Lowe isn't the ace they hoped we would be. If Lowe can string together some wins and eat up more than 5 2/3 innings per start the Dodgers could be in the thick of the race come September. Rest assured if the Dodgers want to play in October Grady Little must find ways to keep from imploding his squad.

If the dodgers don't take the division don't be surprised if.........

last year's champ the San Diego Padres make a run to take the West. Behind newcomer Chris Young (6-3 3.25 era) the Padres have made themselves a possible back to back division champ. However, the disappearance of Jake Peavy has Padres fans scratching their head. A 4-7 record with an era at nearly 5 is a far cry from the Cy young stuff he has displayed over the past couple seasons. San Diego doesn't have the deepest staff, but consistency out of Chan Ho Park and lights out appearances by Scott Linebrink have kept the Pads from feeling the effects of Peavy's poor efforts. The Padres play great Defense boasting one of the best middle infields in baseball. Dave Roberts and Mike Cameron have played well in the outfield, and somehow the Padres have scraped enough runs out to win 34 games.

Look for the Padres and Dodgers to vie for the league title in the final weeks of the season as the two teams square off 4 times at Chavez ravine in late September.

The Swami's prediction?

Take the Dodgers to win the division. Not only do they have a deeper staff, they have deep pockets and can go out and get a quality arm near the trade deadline. Look for LA to seek out a lefty for the pen.

You heard it here first, the SWAMI HAS SPOKEN!