Brought to you by these three great men:
1) A few things Texas fans should want to hear between now and August
Freshmen football players have arrived at Texas, and we’re now officially in that final two-month stretch before preseason football camp becomes something Texas fans can actually look into the distance and see on the horizon.
As most of you are well aware, summer workouts do occur, and information finds a way to make it to outsiders. What should Texas fans want to hear during these next two months? A few thoughts:
Shane Buechele is leading the charge
In terms of makeup, Buechele rates highly. He comes from a heavy sports background and from a family that knows a thing or two about big-time athletics. Buechele is regarded as the kind of guy that’s going to eat, breathe, and sleep football. Longhorn fans will want to hear that he’s one of the leaders when it comes to summer workouts, and honestly, it would be a surprise if that doesn’t happen.
The coaching chemistry remains in good shape
Remember when Texas went through its entire preseason and then had to demote its offensive coordinator after one game? Sure you do even though you don’t want to. For probably the first time under Charlie Strong at Texas, the conversation behind the scenes about the football staff is positive; coaches are getting along, on the same page, and genuinely excited about what’s ahead. In order for Texas to have a successful 2016 season, that can’t change.
No injuries and no suspensions
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Someone is emerging at safety, and likely to command a starting position
Dylan Haines is probably going to have one starting spot at safety, but who will the other be? Texas has no shortage of candidates, but it desperately needs a difference-maker to emerge, and that starts over these next couple of months.
2) Who is the closest?
The recent conversation on the board about the Texas/Notre Dame matchup being moved to Notre Dame being just a 3.5-point favorite made me wonder what the responses would be to this question:
Which of the big three Texas sports is the closest to finishing in the top five nationally?
It’s not as easy as you might think, or at least it’s not for me. Obviously, baseball’s chances depend on the program’s upcoming hire, and baseball is a sport where a quick turnaround is possible every year. Texas just landed Jarrett Allen, but a top-five finish next season seems too ambitious. Charlie Strong’s program has a massive year coming up and has too many questions that still need to be answered.
And when you get to 2017-18, you could make a case – some stronger than others – for all three, couldn’t you?
3) Five things I’m looking forward to at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge
Later today, I take off for Atlanta for the annual Rivals.com Convention and Five-Star Challenge. OB had to make sure its good looks made an appearance. Five things I'll be following this week:
--- Anytime the nation’s No. 1 prospect is at an event, he’s going to get a lot of attention. For the first time in a long while, that prospect is from Texas and is Episcopal (Houston) defensive tackle Marvin Wilson. Watching Wilson in one-on-ones is probably worth going out to Atlanta alone, but he’ll be up against a stacked group of offensive linemen. Does he retain that No. 1 spot after the camp, and will he dominate again in one-on-ones? Plus, what’s he saying about Texas and his recruitment?
--- Fresh off a new five-star ranking and status as the nation’s No. 6 overall prospect currently, I expect linebacker Baron Browning (Kennedale; Kennedale) to turn some heads. Thanks to his rare blend of impressive size, strength, athleticism (he lined up at safety some last season) and instincts, Browning could put on a show in Atlanta and should win Linebacker MVP. It’s often difficult for linebackers to stand out when the pads aren’t on, but Browning will have a chance to prove that he’s a rare prospect and exception to that rule.
--- Will any of Texas’ 2018 offers really stand out? The Longhorns recently offered Lamar defensive back Anthony Cook this past weekend, and he’ll be participating along with Angleton athlete/safety B.J. Foster and Ridge Point (Missouri City) tight end Mustapha Muhammad. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 2018 class looks a little overmatched by the best of the 2017 class. But every year there are a few 2018 prospects that look like they belong, and outperform some 2017 names.
--- Remember when Dylan Moses was all the rage when it came to the No. 1 overall spot? He’s now down to – and I use the words “down to” loosely because he’s still a very elite prospect – No. 13 overall in the latest update. Will Moses make a statement this weekend and move his way up? He’s a veteran of the camp scene, so he’ll be at home competing in that setting.
Also, I’ve yet to see five-star South Grand Prairie safety Jeffrey Okudah in person. That should be fun, and it’ll be a chance to see if he could legitimately line up at every defensive back position on the field.
--- Want to feel old? Heck, I’m only 30 and I feel old thinking about this – 2018 prospects Al Blades Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr. will be in Atlanta, and both play for Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. They’re part of a defensive back group heavy on youngters. It’ll get real for them quickly against five five-star receivers.
4) Jarrett Allen’s impact beyond his 2016-17 production
There’s no doubt that Shaka Smart’s 2016-17 Longhorns needed Jarrett Allen more than Oklahoma City needed Klay Thompson to turn off the NBA Jam fire mode during game six of the Western Conference Finals. For basically the entire 2016 recruiting cycle, the Longhorns had a gigantic hole that they hoped would entice Allen to fill. He did. And even though the 2016-17 roster for Texas isn’t perfect, it went from a potential almost disastrous scenario to good shape thanks to the five-star local product.
But Allen’s immense impact won’t be limited to the 2016-17 season, and no, I’m not referencing his tough-to-project NBA timeline.
By landing Allen, the Longhorn coaching staff, which is still just barely a year into this gig in Austin, made a gigantic statement.
Even though Allen attended St. Stephen’s, this recruitment wasn’t a layup for the Longhorns. Far from it. Heck, it wasn’t even an open corner three. Think more like a contested 30-footer to end the shot clock. So Texas finally reeling in the McDonald’s All-American really helped solidify the new Texas coaching staff as a staff able to go to battle in the very tough-to-recruit Lone Star State and win.
Gaining a commitment like Allen surely caught the attention of a lot of 2017 prospects and families. Even during the EYBL session I attended in Brookly during late April, there was conversation then about Allen and if Texas can get him or not. So if Allen and Texas put together an impressive season next year, that’s probably going to act as a performance-enhancer for a 2017 Texas class that has a chance to be one of the consensus top five classes in the country.
5) Checking in on former Texas Longhorns in the minor leagues
Obviously, the most popular discussion point involving Texas baseball right now is its search to find Augie Garrido’s successor. If you missed our report last night, click here and if you missed our story on what Garrido was like at Texas and how he’ll be remembered, click here.
It’s been a long while since we’ve checked in on former Longhorns in the pros, and here’s a look at how some recent UT standouts are performing in the lower levels:
Mark Payton (AA – New York Yankees)
After hitting .309/.418/.469 in 21 games at A+ this year, the Yankees moved the lefthander up to AA where he’s hitting .269/.313/.397 in 21 games. Although the average and on-base percentage might be a tad concerning, six of Payton’s 21 hits have gone for extra bases and the strikeout number (12) isn’t that bad. I still think he’s going to eventually make the big leagues as a fourth outfielder.
Erich Weiss (AA – Pittsburgh Pirates)
Weiss has settled in as the second baseman for a loaded AA team, and is more than holding his own. So far through 51 games, the former Longhorn is hitting .283/.356/.439. Now 24-years-old, Weiss is starting to slug more as he continues to get stronger. Lefties are still giving him a bit of a problem this year (.232 average), but if he can post that kind of slash line all year, it’s going to be a strong statement that he’s going to make the big league club sooner rather than later in his career.
C.J Hinojosa (A+ - San Francisco Giants)
Let’s just start with the slash line: .330/.413/.477 with 30 walks and 31 strikeouts in 53 games. For the second year in a row so far, Hinjosa is hitting righthanders better than lefthanders, which is an encouraging sign about his future. If he keeps this up, a look in AA should be on the horizon. The jump from A+ to AA is the toughest for minor leaguers, and often a great representation about that player’s future ability. Hinojosa getting to AA as a 22-year-old would be a big statement.
Ben Johnson (A – Kansas City Royals)
Swinging-and-missing was sometimes an issue for Johnson at Texas, and he’s struck out 63 times in 48 games this year. With just 15 walks and a .229 average, he’s in need of a strong second half. He’d benefit from the KC big league approach of putting the ball in play often and using speed.
John Curtiss (A+ - Minnesota Twins)
Curtiss has found a home as a reliever, and batters are hitting just .174 against him this year in 25.0 innings. He’s punched out 33, walked 13, and scouts are giving him favorable reviews right now.
Parker French (A+ - Colorado Rockies)
The sinker must be dancing for French. After dominating the A level, the righthander was moved up to A+, and has posted a 2.96 ERA in 54.2 innings with 34 strikeouts, 11 walks, and a .238 batting average against. His 2.53 ground outs to fly outs ratio is a promising sign.
Dillon Peters (A+ - Miami Marlins)
Over 53.1 innings this season the lefty has issued just seven walks and has struck out 42. So he’s missing a solid amount of bats while also pounding the zone, and has a 3.04 ERA. Surprisingly, lefties are hitting .286 against him, but that’s a small sample size and should go down. From what I heard from scouts, his velocity is turning heads right now, and higher than college.
Taylor Jungmann (AAA – Milwaukee Brewers)
After making a case to be considered the NL Rookie of the Year last season, Jungmann is going the wrong direction and quickly. His five disastrous starts at the MLB level resulted in a 9.15 ERA before he was sent down, and it’s actually been worse at the much easier AAA level. The righthander has a 9.67 ERA over 27.0 AAA innings with 32 walks and a .306 batting average against. At 26-years-old, it’s looking like Jungmann is in desperate need of confidence on the mound or his road in Milwaukee might meet its end. He made his living with a deceptive, cross-body delivery and sinker that missed a lot of bats last year, so it’s in there somewhere.
6) Scanning the sports globe…
--- Sometimes, a lot of what is going on in a NBA series can be explained in a tweet:
Seriously, what are the Cavs doing? And what is LeBron doing?
Cleveland was able to nearly go up 3-0 in last year’s NBA Finals by playing a certain way, which included LeBron taking a ton of shots and Cleveland trying to make the game half-court and physical. This year, they’ve thrown that approach into the trash and that’s resulted in their performances reeking like a dumpster outside a seafood restaurant on a 100-degree day.
There’s plenty of blame to go around, but if LeBron doesn’t find a jumper and doesn’t decide he needs to try to score 40 tonight, Cleveland is going to head to the offseason wondering what the hell happened and if they should blow it all up.
--- Honestly, Cleveland is probably better off without Kevin Love. I hope his head is okay. I really do. But he’s looked Charmin soft and Golden State exposes him on defense every chance it gets.
--- The Stanley Cup Final has delivered with four exciting, tight contests. Fortunately for me, the Penguins have established a 3-1 lead and can win a championship at home, which would make them the first Pittsburgh franchise to do so since 1960 despite 11 titles.
San Jose played games like a video game – go for all the big hits and sacrifice what needs to be done to score goals and win the games. By the time it changed its ways, it was often too little too late.
If you’re a hockey-watching novice that loves football, watched No. 71 on the Penguins Evgeni Malkin. His a big, physical presence with the size, speed, skill and strength to simply overpower a defense and often skate right through it.
--- I can’t figure out the direction of USA soccer right now, but Jurgen Klinsmann using the same lineup to hammer Costa Rica 4-0 after the 2-0 loss to Columbia probably means he knows the direction.
--- If you haven’t already, make some time for this:
and this:
a collection of some of the best pieces of journalism on Muhammad Ali, The Greatest.
7) MLB thoughts
--- Until proven otherwise, the Rangers own the Astros. In MLB’s Dallas versus Houston debate, the team up north has won 12-straight over the team that’s brushes up against the Gulf, including all eight this year. While Houston makes all the wrong plays at the worst time, Texas makes the right plays at the right time, and Houston looks like a team that severely needs to wipe away its baseball brain data and reboot.
Then, there’s stuff like this too:
The Rangers currently occupy the minds of the Astros like a Ric Flair promo. It’s June, and making a huge deal out of June baseball is more silly than sane. But the Astros desperately need to win one of these next two against the Rangers just so the conversation can end, and so they can start to get that screaming Flair out of their heads. Because beating Texas in September – the two teams play six times that month – isn’t going to get any easier if it can’t win in June.
--- The odd thing about the Astros is they’re not a horrible team when you look at the numbers. Consider this:
Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers, Michael Feliz, Luke Gregerson, Mike Fiers, Ken Giles, and Josh Fields all have ERA numbers higher than their FIP and x FIP numbers. So what does that mean?
Well, according to BaseballReference.com, the Astros are 26th in defensive efficiency, and 28th in Total Zone (total fielding runs above average; basically, combines four statistics into a total defensive contribution). So while Houston rates well in defensive runs saved, its efficiency and total zone ratings are at the bottom of the league, which could help explain why the pitching indicators more reflective of the pitcher’s true performance rate the pitchers higher than ERA, which is impacted by things like defense.
Combine that with Houston’s issues at the plate behind a couple of bats, and you have a team that struggles to win close games (9-12 in one-run games while Texas is 12-4; only Philadelphia at 15-5 has a better one-run game record) and one that isn’t quite performing up to the level it should.
All that being said, this Houston roster is not a 90-win season roster. But it’s certainly better than the pace it’s on.
--- Is it just me, or is this year’s MLB Draft generating the least amount of conversation and interest among a lot of recent drafts? OB will preview the Texas side of the draft later this week, but just overall there doesn’t seem to be the interest that there normally is, which is probably due to the lack of star power among the projected top picks.
8) Anything and everything
--- The grade for The Jungle Book: Solid B. Obviously, the story has already been told, and the remake did in a new way that was kind to the classic. There were some laughs, particularly because of who voiced some of the characters (easy to look up, but I won’t spoil it).
--- Ever wondered what it would be like if your sense of smell was totally overwhelmed by what could maybe be described as an atomic bomb of pink Starburst? Open up a packet of Crystal Light strawberry banana and get a big whiff.
---
We’ve all been there, Florida Man.
--- Anyone else experiencing Amy Schumer fatigue? She’s talented and funny, but you can’t look anywhere without seeing her right now. And she’s like the pitcher with the great fastball but no secondary stuff.
9) The best non-sports thing I read this week
I found this story on Kim Jong Un’s relatives fascinating. They escaped North Korea, and left “royalty” behind, to live a secret life in the United States.
1) A few things Texas fans should want to hear between now and August
Freshmen football players have arrived at Texas, and we’re now officially in that final two-month stretch before preseason football camp becomes something Texas fans can actually look into the distance and see on the horizon.
As most of you are well aware, summer workouts do occur, and information finds a way to make it to outsiders. What should Texas fans want to hear during these next two months? A few thoughts:
Shane Buechele is leading the charge
In terms of makeup, Buechele rates highly. He comes from a heavy sports background and from a family that knows a thing or two about big-time athletics. Buechele is regarded as the kind of guy that’s going to eat, breathe, and sleep football. Longhorn fans will want to hear that he’s one of the leaders when it comes to summer workouts, and honestly, it would be a surprise if that doesn’t happen.
The coaching chemistry remains in good shape
Remember when Texas went through its entire preseason and then had to demote its offensive coordinator after one game? Sure you do even though you don’t want to. For probably the first time under Charlie Strong at Texas, the conversation behind the scenes about the football staff is positive; coaches are getting along, on the same page, and genuinely excited about what’s ahead. In order for Texas to have a successful 2016 season, that can’t change.
No injuries and no suspensions
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Someone is emerging at safety, and likely to command a starting position
Dylan Haines is probably going to have one starting spot at safety, but who will the other be? Texas has no shortage of candidates, but it desperately needs a difference-maker to emerge, and that starts over these next couple of months.
2) Who is the closest?
The recent conversation on the board about the Texas/Notre Dame matchup being moved to Notre Dame being just a 3.5-point favorite made me wonder what the responses would be to this question:
Which of the big three Texas sports is the closest to finishing in the top five nationally?
It’s not as easy as you might think, or at least it’s not for me. Obviously, baseball’s chances depend on the program’s upcoming hire, and baseball is a sport where a quick turnaround is possible every year. Texas just landed Jarrett Allen, but a top-five finish next season seems too ambitious. Charlie Strong’s program has a massive year coming up and has too many questions that still need to be answered.
And when you get to 2017-18, you could make a case – some stronger than others – for all three, couldn’t you?
3) Five things I’m looking forward to at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge
Later today, I take off for Atlanta for the annual Rivals.com Convention and Five-Star Challenge. OB had to make sure its good looks made an appearance. Five things I'll be following this week:
--- Anytime the nation’s No. 1 prospect is at an event, he’s going to get a lot of attention. For the first time in a long while, that prospect is from Texas and is Episcopal (Houston) defensive tackle Marvin Wilson. Watching Wilson in one-on-ones is probably worth going out to Atlanta alone, but he’ll be up against a stacked group of offensive linemen. Does he retain that No. 1 spot after the camp, and will he dominate again in one-on-ones? Plus, what’s he saying about Texas and his recruitment?
--- Fresh off a new five-star ranking and status as the nation’s No. 6 overall prospect currently, I expect linebacker Baron Browning (Kennedale; Kennedale) to turn some heads. Thanks to his rare blend of impressive size, strength, athleticism (he lined up at safety some last season) and instincts, Browning could put on a show in Atlanta and should win Linebacker MVP. It’s often difficult for linebackers to stand out when the pads aren’t on, but Browning will have a chance to prove that he’s a rare prospect and exception to that rule.
--- Will any of Texas’ 2018 offers really stand out? The Longhorns recently offered Lamar defensive back Anthony Cook this past weekend, and he’ll be participating along with Angleton athlete/safety B.J. Foster and Ridge Point (Missouri City) tight end Mustapha Muhammad. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 2018 class looks a little overmatched by the best of the 2017 class. But every year there are a few 2018 prospects that look like they belong, and outperform some 2017 names.
--- Remember when Dylan Moses was all the rage when it came to the No. 1 overall spot? He’s now down to – and I use the words “down to” loosely because he’s still a very elite prospect – No. 13 overall in the latest update. Will Moses make a statement this weekend and move his way up? He’s a veteran of the camp scene, so he’ll be at home competing in that setting.
Also, I’ve yet to see five-star South Grand Prairie safety Jeffrey Okudah in person. That should be fun, and it’ll be a chance to see if he could legitimately line up at every defensive back position on the field.
--- Want to feel old? Heck, I’m only 30 and I feel old thinking about this – 2018 prospects Al Blades Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr. will be in Atlanta, and both play for Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. They’re part of a defensive back group heavy on youngters. It’ll get real for them quickly against five five-star receivers.
4) Jarrett Allen’s impact beyond his 2016-17 production
There’s no doubt that Shaka Smart’s 2016-17 Longhorns needed Jarrett Allen more than Oklahoma City needed Klay Thompson to turn off the NBA Jam fire mode during game six of the Western Conference Finals. For basically the entire 2016 recruiting cycle, the Longhorns had a gigantic hole that they hoped would entice Allen to fill. He did. And even though the 2016-17 roster for Texas isn’t perfect, it went from a potential almost disastrous scenario to good shape thanks to the five-star local product.
But Allen’s immense impact won’t be limited to the 2016-17 season, and no, I’m not referencing his tough-to-project NBA timeline.
By landing Allen, the Longhorn coaching staff, which is still just barely a year into this gig in Austin, made a gigantic statement.
Even though Allen attended St. Stephen’s, this recruitment wasn’t a layup for the Longhorns. Far from it. Heck, it wasn’t even an open corner three. Think more like a contested 30-footer to end the shot clock. So Texas finally reeling in the McDonald’s All-American really helped solidify the new Texas coaching staff as a staff able to go to battle in the very tough-to-recruit Lone Star State and win.
Gaining a commitment like Allen surely caught the attention of a lot of 2017 prospects and families. Even during the EYBL session I attended in Brookly during late April, there was conversation then about Allen and if Texas can get him or not. So if Allen and Texas put together an impressive season next year, that’s probably going to act as a performance-enhancer for a 2017 Texas class that has a chance to be one of the consensus top five classes in the country.
5) Checking in on former Texas Longhorns in the minor leagues
Obviously, the most popular discussion point involving Texas baseball right now is its search to find Augie Garrido’s successor. If you missed our report last night, click here and if you missed our story on what Garrido was like at Texas and how he’ll be remembered, click here.
It’s been a long while since we’ve checked in on former Longhorns in the pros, and here’s a look at how some recent UT standouts are performing in the lower levels:
Mark Payton (AA – New York Yankees)
After hitting .309/.418/.469 in 21 games at A+ this year, the Yankees moved the lefthander up to AA where he’s hitting .269/.313/.397 in 21 games. Although the average and on-base percentage might be a tad concerning, six of Payton’s 21 hits have gone for extra bases and the strikeout number (12) isn’t that bad. I still think he’s going to eventually make the big leagues as a fourth outfielder.
Erich Weiss (AA – Pittsburgh Pirates)
Weiss has settled in as the second baseman for a loaded AA team, and is more than holding his own. So far through 51 games, the former Longhorn is hitting .283/.356/.439. Now 24-years-old, Weiss is starting to slug more as he continues to get stronger. Lefties are still giving him a bit of a problem this year (.232 average), but if he can post that kind of slash line all year, it’s going to be a strong statement that he’s going to make the big league club sooner rather than later in his career.
C.J Hinojosa (A+ - San Francisco Giants)
Let’s just start with the slash line: .330/.413/.477 with 30 walks and 31 strikeouts in 53 games. For the second year in a row so far, Hinjosa is hitting righthanders better than lefthanders, which is an encouraging sign about his future. If he keeps this up, a look in AA should be on the horizon. The jump from A+ to AA is the toughest for minor leaguers, and often a great representation about that player’s future ability. Hinojosa getting to AA as a 22-year-old would be a big statement.
Ben Johnson (A – Kansas City Royals)
Swinging-and-missing was sometimes an issue for Johnson at Texas, and he’s struck out 63 times in 48 games this year. With just 15 walks and a .229 average, he’s in need of a strong second half. He’d benefit from the KC big league approach of putting the ball in play often and using speed.
John Curtiss (A+ - Minnesota Twins)
Curtiss has found a home as a reliever, and batters are hitting just .174 against him this year in 25.0 innings. He’s punched out 33, walked 13, and scouts are giving him favorable reviews right now.
Parker French (A+ - Colorado Rockies)
The sinker must be dancing for French. After dominating the A level, the righthander was moved up to A+, and has posted a 2.96 ERA in 54.2 innings with 34 strikeouts, 11 walks, and a .238 batting average against. His 2.53 ground outs to fly outs ratio is a promising sign.
Dillon Peters (A+ - Miami Marlins)
Over 53.1 innings this season the lefty has issued just seven walks and has struck out 42. So he’s missing a solid amount of bats while also pounding the zone, and has a 3.04 ERA. Surprisingly, lefties are hitting .286 against him, but that’s a small sample size and should go down. From what I heard from scouts, his velocity is turning heads right now, and higher than college.
Taylor Jungmann (AAA – Milwaukee Brewers)
After making a case to be considered the NL Rookie of the Year last season, Jungmann is going the wrong direction and quickly. His five disastrous starts at the MLB level resulted in a 9.15 ERA before he was sent down, and it’s actually been worse at the much easier AAA level. The righthander has a 9.67 ERA over 27.0 AAA innings with 32 walks and a .306 batting average against. At 26-years-old, it’s looking like Jungmann is in desperate need of confidence on the mound or his road in Milwaukee might meet its end. He made his living with a deceptive, cross-body delivery and sinker that missed a lot of bats last year, so it’s in there somewhere.
6) Scanning the sports globe…
--- Sometimes, a lot of what is going on in a NBA series can be explained in a tweet:
Seriously, what are the Cavs doing? And what is LeBron doing?
Cleveland was able to nearly go up 3-0 in last year’s NBA Finals by playing a certain way, which included LeBron taking a ton of shots and Cleveland trying to make the game half-court and physical. This year, they’ve thrown that approach into the trash and that’s resulted in their performances reeking like a dumpster outside a seafood restaurant on a 100-degree day.
There’s plenty of blame to go around, but if LeBron doesn’t find a jumper and doesn’t decide he needs to try to score 40 tonight, Cleveland is going to head to the offseason wondering what the hell happened and if they should blow it all up.
--- Honestly, Cleveland is probably better off without Kevin Love. I hope his head is okay. I really do. But he’s looked Charmin soft and Golden State exposes him on defense every chance it gets.
--- The Stanley Cup Final has delivered with four exciting, tight contests. Fortunately for me, the Penguins have established a 3-1 lead and can win a championship at home, which would make them the first Pittsburgh franchise to do so since 1960 despite 11 titles.
San Jose played games like a video game – go for all the big hits and sacrifice what needs to be done to score goals and win the games. By the time it changed its ways, it was often too little too late.
If you’re a hockey-watching novice that loves football, watched No. 71 on the Penguins Evgeni Malkin. His a big, physical presence with the size, speed, skill and strength to simply overpower a defense and often skate right through it.
--- I can’t figure out the direction of USA soccer right now, but Jurgen Klinsmann using the same lineup to hammer Costa Rica 4-0 after the 2-0 loss to Columbia probably means he knows the direction.
--- If you haven’t already, make some time for this:
and this:
a collection of some of the best pieces of journalism on Muhammad Ali, The Greatest.
7) MLB thoughts
--- Until proven otherwise, the Rangers own the Astros. In MLB’s Dallas versus Houston debate, the team up north has won 12-straight over the team that’s brushes up against the Gulf, including all eight this year. While Houston makes all the wrong plays at the worst time, Texas makes the right plays at the right time, and Houston looks like a team that severely needs to wipe away its baseball brain data and reboot.
Then, there’s stuff like this too:
The Rangers currently occupy the minds of the Astros like a Ric Flair promo. It’s June, and making a huge deal out of June baseball is more silly than sane. But the Astros desperately need to win one of these next two against the Rangers just so the conversation can end, and so they can start to get that screaming Flair out of their heads. Because beating Texas in September – the two teams play six times that month – isn’t going to get any easier if it can’t win in June.
--- The odd thing about the Astros is they’re not a horrible team when you look at the numbers. Consider this:
Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers, Michael Feliz, Luke Gregerson, Mike Fiers, Ken Giles, and Josh Fields all have ERA numbers higher than their FIP and x FIP numbers. So what does that mean?
Well, according to BaseballReference.com, the Astros are 26th in defensive efficiency, and 28th in Total Zone (total fielding runs above average; basically, combines four statistics into a total defensive contribution). So while Houston rates well in defensive runs saved, its efficiency and total zone ratings are at the bottom of the league, which could help explain why the pitching indicators more reflective of the pitcher’s true performance rate the pitchers higher than ERA, which is impacted by things like defense.
Combine that with Houston’s issues at the plate behind a couple of bats, and you have a team that struggles to win close games (9-12 in one-run games while Texas is 12-4; only Philadelphia at 15-5 has a better one-run game record) and one that isn’t quite performing up to the level it should.
All that being said, this Houston roster is not a 90-win season roster. But it’s certainly better than the pace it’s on.
--- Is it just me, or is this year’s MLB Draft generating the least amount of conversation and interest among a lot of recent drafts? OB will preview the Texas side of the draft later this week, but just overall there doesn’t seem to be the interest that there normally is, which is probably due to the lack of star power among the projected top picks.
8) Anything and everything
--- The grade for The Jungle Book: Solid B. Obviously, the story has already been told, and the remake did in a new way that was kind to the classic. There were some laughs, particularly because of who voiced some of the characters (easy to look up, but I won’t spoil it).
--- Ever wondered what it would be like if your sense of smell was totally overwhelmed by what could maybe be described as an atomic bomb of pink Starburst? Open up a packet of Crystal Light strawberry banana and get a big whiff.
---
We’ve all been there, Florida Man.
--- Anyone else experiencing Amy Schumer fatigue? She’s talented and funny, but you can’t look anywhere without seeing her right now. And she’s like the pitcher with the great fastball but no secondary stuff.
9) The best non-sports thing I read this week
I found this story on Kim Jong Un’s relatives fascinating. They escaped North Korea, and left “royalty” behind, to live a secret life in the United States.
