The Kentucky Derby wasn’t the only closely watched race last week. Another time-honored event took place on more familiar hallowed ground - the parking lot out behind the FansEdge loading docks - and pitted members from different departments against each other for the glory of…well, of their respective departments.

The race was scheduled for midday - high noon, to be exact. Tensions began to mount as each rider chose his steed and eyed his competition. At the stroke of noon, they took to the starting line and readied themselves for the task ahead. A hush fell upon the masses as, for a few moments, they forgot about the freshly grilled hamburgers they were consuming and instead focused on the spectacle in front of them. The judge raised his arm; one of the horses whinnied….and then they were off!

Relive the excitement with the video embedded below and set to a familiar tune from the Wild West. After wards, be jealous that your workplace isn’t as cool as FansEdge!

The Nationals are a baseball team. They are not the national team however, that would have to be the Yankees…some might say the Cubs…but it is definitely not the Nationals who lost more games than anyone in baseball last year. My favorite team plays the Washington Nationals 19 times a year. Out of those 19 games I expect to win 16 or so. These are all indirect ways of saying the Washington Nationals are a franchise with some problems.

The Nationals were the Expos. Wait let me backup…Before that, I’m told the Nationals played in Washington D.C. and then moved to Minnesota to become the Twins. A new team was founded in Washington and called themselves…the Nationals. They stayed for awhile and then moved to Texas to become the Rangers. The Expos were their own team, and decided to move to Washington to become…that’s right…the Nationals. It’s all very confusing, but if you’re a National’s fan…well maybe you should prepare yourself for an eventual move because this marriage of team and town seems to be a fleeting one at best.

But there is promise in the Nationals organization. They have been relatively bad for some time, and have been able to parlay that badness into high draft picks. This past year, the Nationals selected Stephen Strasburg (Cy Young reincarnated) with the first pick of the first round. Stephen Strasburg throws the ball 214 miles per hour. Or 100 miles per hour. One of those two. He has some pretty terrifying secondary pitches. He likes to smile.3

Stephen Strasburg, as well as the first pick of this coming year’s draft, are supposed to be the twin pillars of the Nationals franchise in the coming decade.

But that’s tomorrows news. Let’s look at what’s happening today in the nation’s capitol.

C – Ivan Rodriquez
1B – Adam Dunn
2B – Adam Kennedy
3B – Ryan Zimmerman
SS – Cristian Guzman
LF – Josh Willingham
CF – Nyjer Morgan
RF – Elijah Dukes

UTL – Willie Harris, Ian Desmond, Jesus Flores

Rotation – Jason Marquis, John Lannan, Scott Olsen, Craig Stammen, J.D. Martin

Closer – Matt Capps

The reality is that the Nationals will be able to field a really respectable everyday lineup. Morgan is a fine leadoff hitter and has the ability to swipe maybe 40 bases. Adam Dunn is a lock to hit 40 home runs with 100 RBI. Cristian Guzman usually has about 175 singles at the end of every year. Pudge, Willingham, and Kennedy are all solid veterans that can help a locker room cope with losing 95+ games.

Ryan Zimmerman is the star of the team and after a 2009 that saw him compile a .292/30/106 line…as well as a 30 game hitting streak, Nationals fans have to be excited that the team has an All Star locked up for the foreseeable future.

But back to that losing 95+ games bit…The Nat’s pitching staff—while I’m sure are a bunch of nice guys—is going to really struggle in that division this year. The Phillies, Mets, Braves and Marlins all boast fastball killer lineups. And that’s what the Nationals have. A bunch of pitchers that throw fastballs that don’t move so fast.

Marquis is a great third or fourth starter on a playoff bound team, but he’s no ace. Lannan is really aided by their huge stadium, but he quietly posted nice numbers last year. Scott Olsen looks to regain some of the promise he showed in Florida while Craig Stammen and J.D. Martin are two gentlemen I couldn’t pick out of a lineup…and I watch this team 10 or 15 times a year. Washington’s other young Zimmerman, Jordan, will miss the 2010 season following surgery to his pitching arm. If you’re a home run ball collector, you could have a worse business plan than buying season tickets in the left field seats this summer.

Matt Capps had varying levels of success as Pittsburgh’s closer over the last few years, but he’s probably not going to surprise anyone this year. If he notches 30 saves…it’s a good year.

The real story in Washington is when will Strasburg arrive, and how will he do against major league hitters? If you haven’t seen his stuff, take a look at this. Those college kids look like they’re swinging blindfolded up there, but who knows what major league hitters will do against him…

Predictions:

Team MVP – Zimmerman…he’s simply their best player on offense or defense and he should improve upon last year’s legitimate breakout campaign

X-Factor – Again it’s Strasburg…if he comes up in the early summer months and dominates, fans in Washington will give the team a free pass for another season or two

Standings – 5th in the NL East

NFL players and coaches like to talk about the four quarters of the season. As we wrap up week 4, the first quarter comes to a close and we can start to see some emerging trends from the 2009-2010 season. Quarterbacks are running the league as usual, but defensive schemes and time share running backs are the en vogue modifications that separate winning and losing teams at the ¼ mile mark of the season.

The Role of a QB

My girlfriend and I have been together for a long time now; six years or so. We share household chores, one of which is the laundry. Despising the task, we agreed to split it up: I take the clothes into the basement and then move them around between washing machine and dryer all day. I don’t mind doing this too much, and even if I did, our roles are predestined as her allergies won’t allow her to enter the cat haven that is the basement of our 4 flat. Then I bring up all the laundry before dinner and her job is to fold it all and put it away. It’s a fair deal; you should try it. However one of my firm beliefs in life is that anything worth doing is worth doing completely. Don’t just half donkey it; commit!

Sunday night, as I stumbled into bed around midnight, wanting nothing more than to collapse into the sweet embrace of my 19 year old, perfectly broken in pillow, I was harshly greeted with a sharp pillow zipper across the face. Why you ask? Because she didn’t complete her part of the bargain. Clearly she is trying to kill me.

This relates to the NFL most aptly in the Jets semi-humiliating loss at New Orleans. Rookie phenom Mark Sanchez looked a lot more rookie and not very phenomenal as he turned the ball over four times, twice leading to scores for the Saints. The defense held the NFL scoring leaders to only 10 points, a miracle by any standards, but Sanchez’s turnovers led to the Jets first loss of the season. Coupled with the pillowcase disaster, it made for a difficult Sunday.

Defensive Indifference

Defense, like pitching, wins playoff games. But currently, it’s winning regular season games as well. Take a look at early season division leaders, and you’ll notice a shutdown defense as the common thread. The Giants continue to stifle opponenst wit ha scheme developed by current St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spaguolo. Apparently, the language isn’t translating in the Lou. The Giants dominated the Chiefs and look forward to hosting Oakland, who should springboard them to the 5-0 start they were unable to secure last year.

The Jets’ blitzing defense has given Houston QB Matt Schaub, New England QB Tom Brady, and even New Orleans QB Drew Brees, fits of rushed inaccuracy. Even after Sunday’s loss, the defense still has them atop the division.

Speaking of the Saints, their defense looks to be much improved this year. The 2009-2010 Saints look much like the 2006 Colts. Amazingly skilled quarterback, with enough knowledge of a complex offensive system to change plays on the fly and lead a team on a long run in the playoffs as well as a multi-faceted run game, multiple quality receivers and now a defense that has the speed to keep opponents off balance…this team could be the one you don’t want to face this year. Plus they have this hilarious commercial that cracks my brother up every time they play it.

Other division leaders include Ray Ray’s Ravens, who haven’t missed a beat following the Rex Ryan exodus that saw Bart Scott, Jim Leonard and the Juggs machine leave for the NY/NJ border.

Last but not least, the Minnesota Vikings put on a pass rush clinic last night in the first annual Brett Favre Homecoming Game. So much happened in this matchup that it probably deserves its own post, so I’ll just focus on the defense. The Williams wall pretty much locks down any opposing running back, as the Vikings have led the league in rush yards allowed over the last 3 seasons. Jared Allen, his mullet, and his 405 horsepower engine simply abused whichever combination of linemen, tight ends and running backs that the Packers put out there to stop him. The Vikings are another team that feature a potent running game, stalwart defense and savvy quarterback combination that frequently succeed in the playoffs.

Split Backs

Gone are the days of the 30 carry a game RB, much to the dismay of fantasy owners around the country. When our league started, San Diego Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson was the unquestioned number one player in the game. Today he splits carries with Darren Sproles. Dallas RB Marion Barber was thought to have entered last year as a primary feature back in the league. He ended up splitting carries with Felix Jones and now is in a triple time share with Tashard Choice as well. Edgerrin James was unseated by Joseph Addai from his long tenured role in Indianapolis a few years ago, and today, only four years after being drafted we see Addai splitting carries with newly drafted Donald Brown.

Ronnie Brown can’t shake Ricky Williams down in Miami, despite being probably the most effective director of the Wildcat system in the league. At least 3 guys are running the ball in Pittsburgh, after U of I standout Rashard Mendellhall’s coming out party. Heck, even the unstoppable Adrian Peterson yields occasional carries and third down responsibilities to veteran Chester Taylor.

The point is that teams understand that the most effective running game is one that never stays the same. Certain guys are better between the tackles, certain guys catch the ball better out of the backfield, certain guys pick up the blitz, and most importantly, history has shown us that only the rarest of running backs can stand up to season after season of abuse suffered at the line and the bottom of pileups. You need to distribute your carries among a bigger group of players if you hope to have any or all of them around for a prolonged period of time. It’s not fun for fantasy, and maybe it takes a little away from real life football and its records, but in the end, your team will be better served by a committee.

Not much of a recap I guess. Maybe somebody else will do a better one.

Item of the week is this that’s perfect if you’re a quarterback, running back, and especially if you’re a speedy, mulleted lineman.

Here is the first post from our other new copywriter, Ariel Sandler. Ariel and Brent will be providing much of the content going forward, but still I’ll sneak in an occasional post. Enjoy…

Football, football, football.

That’s all Chicago sports fans have on their minds these days:

Can the Bears overcome a full season without Brian Urlacher? Will Jay Cutler do what the likes of Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman and others couldn’t? Is Johnny Knox a real person or reality show alter-ego?

And understandably so.

2009 was yet another disappointing baseball season in the Windy City. Mental mistakes and lackadaisical plays led White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen to question his team’s effort and GM Kenny Williams to deem his team “underachievers.”

Don’t even get me started on my Cubbies. A season full of hope quickly soured to angst and anger. The baseball gods did everything in their powers – even delaying the final crosstown matchup until September- but to no avail.

At least Jake Peavy ended up in Chicago…

But before I dive head-first into the football deep-end, a post-season baseball tournament remains. And who doesn’t love playing prognosticator?

Now that this year’s guests have all but arrived (Atlanta and Detroit, you are out. Colorado and Minnesota, you can stay), let’s begin:

American League Divisional Series

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Well wouldn’t you know it…just when I had written the Twinkies off, both literally and figuratively, they go and win four straight games to close out the season and force game no. 163. And the little team that could – did it again! Who needs home run slugger Justin Morneau when you have the best player in the world not named Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, on your team? Or when lesser known players like Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel combine for 59 homers? What is there to say other then, Thank you, Minnesota,” for once again proving a team doesn’t need barrels of cash to field a winner. Speaking of which…

The recession-proof Yankees are back on top, sporting a $200 million payroll and the league’s best record. Unlike the Cubs, New York’s offseason acquisitions worked out swimmingly. Mark Teixeira, the other switch-hitter, leads the American League in RBI and the golden arm, CC Sabathia leads the AL in victories.

It’s your classic David vs. Goliath. Only this time, Goliath snatches the slingshot out of the air and suddenly whips it right back in David’s face. Minnesota’s emotional high may net them a win against the Bronx Bombers, but I say Yanks in four.

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Thought about starting with a joke concerning the Angels name, but let’s be honest – that joke’s not funny anymore. So stop.

The Boston Red Sox seem to have underachieved all season. Or maybe that’s just because I have a number of their players on my failed fantasy baseball squad. But that lineup is stacked. Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and Victor Martinez? That reads like an all-star team. And only one of them has been accused of steroids.

Out West, the Angels continue to be who we thought they’d be. A winning team. They have played inspired ball all season and do so in a style many teams (paging Jim Hendry) underrate: speed and defense. But let’s not kid ourselves –name the Angels’ home run and wins leader.

(Still waiting).

If you said Kendry Morales and Joe Saunders – find something better to do with your time. The Angels will fight and hang around…until Papi lays the hammer down and continues his power resurgence. Sox in five.

National League Divisional Series

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

I must decide: am I more excited for Manny Ramirez vs. Albert Pujols or Joe Torre vs. Tony LaRussa? “Wow…that ball must have gone 500 feet!” Or “What a pitching change! Look at that double-switch countermove!” Decisions, decisions.

Either way, this should be a good one. Both squads have received tremendous boosts from players not named Manny or Albert. The series may come down to which “role players” (Dodgers’ Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier or Cardinals’ Matt Holliday and Ryan Ludwick) step up.

As much as it hurts to say, I’ll take two of the top three National League earned run leaders, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Cards in five.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies are back! This team just doesn’t go away anymore…ever. Troy Tulowitzki is ridiculous. Todd Helton is timeless. And Jason Marquis is winning games. This team survived the Wild Card cluster and almost caught the Dodgers.

The Philadelphia Phillies remain a conundrum. They are better on the road than at home. They just demoted their closer, Brad Lidge, a guy who was perfect in saves a season ago. But they have four guys – Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley – with over 30 home runs. Add two feared pitchers, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, and you should be set. Phillies in four.

American League Championship Series

New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

Yanks and Sox. Sox and Yanks. Can you believe these teams haven’t met in the playoffs since 2004? Interestingly enough – the 2009 matchup will play very much like that series five years ago – only this time:

…with the Sox up 3-2 and mere outs away from a four-game sweep, Johnny Damon does his best 2004 impersonation (sans Jesus beard) and hits a two-run shot off Jonathan Papelbon in the 9th as “the Yankees win!…theeee Yankeeeesss win!” Hilarity ensues.

Sabathia and Burnett dominate games five and six, setting up the finale in new Yankee Stadium.
Madonna sings the National Anthem. Kate Hudson throws out the first pitch. And suddenly, Alex Rodriguez (you didn’t think I forgot about him?), realizes, “Hey, it’s good to be me,” and goes off. A four-hit night concludes with a three-run 8th inning blast for a 6-4 win.

And just like that – it’s Alex Rodriguez’s world. We’re just living in it.

National League Championship Series

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Over on the senior circuit, the Cardinals and Phillies attempt similar fireworks. But that’s like any Seinfeld-cast member starring in a new show (although I guess Elaine wins). Pitchers absolutely dominate this series. They split the first four after a number of solo shots. Once again, Carpenter and Wainwright, prove the difference. Cardinals take the champs in six.

But not before Brad Lidge plunks Pujols in the shoulder – sending everyone, except for LaRussa, into a frenzy. Can he play in the Series? Why didn’t he simply hit the destroy button as the ball approached? Ladies and gentleman, your fireworks.

World Series

New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Calm down, Cardinals fans. Pujols is in the lineup. He is “The Machine,” remember? And he delivers, too. St. Louis grabs the lead after Yankee skipper Joe Girardi inexplicably pitches to Pujols with two men on base in the 8th inning and up 3-2. Pujols places one in the gap for a double and the Cardinals take a 1-0 lead.

The Steinbrenner’s throw a fit.

Girardi regroups, as do the Yankees, and take the next three games. The Cardinals send Chris Carpenter back to the mound in game five and he wins again – making him a ridiculous 6-0 in the playoffs.

The Steinbrenner’s throw another fit.

Sabathia takes the mound in game six and dominates. Couple that with two Teixeira home runs over the short porch in right and the Yankees storm the mound.

So there you have it. Your 2009 MLB postseason. The Yankees prove you have to spend money to make money. So the economy listens. And the recession lifts.

A guy can dream, can’t he?