Arizona vs. Cal
(baseball)
You know, in all my years at Arizona, I’ve seen only one game at Sancet Stadium. It’s nothing against the team, which has actually been pretty good each season except for last. It’s just that how you can possibly get excited about series against so many nondescript opponents, such as Cal this weekend? Count me out for anything Berkeley if rushing the field, NFL quarterback busts and those sweet, sweet Super Bowl XLII champion Oakland Raiders aren’t on the program.
Arizona wins Friday and Saturday
Tom Knauer, senior sports writer
Anything short of the 1995-1996 Bulls returning to the hardwood will not keep me interested in sports this weekend. HBO’s “”Entourage”” returns Sunday after taking a hiatus on Aug. 27. That being said, this weekend is pretty much dedicated to re-watching every episode for the umpteenth time in preparation for Sunday night. Back to the diamond, I’d have to be higher than Turtle to not pick the Cats to finish the sweep of California.
Arizona wins Friday and Saturday
Justin Adler, sports writer
After last weekend’s spanking of the defending College World Series champs (that I called), I have the utmost confidence in the Arizona baseball team. Right now, I don’t think anyone can beat them. The Golden Bears are just over .500 and to beat Arizona at home will be too tall a task.
Arizona wins Friday and Saturday
Ari Wasserman, sports writer
Arizona vs. ASU
(softball)
I don’t understand it. UCLA head coach Sue Enquist retires after last season, and instead of Arizona reasserting itself – after winning a title, no less – as NCAA softball’s program par excellence, this year’s Wildcats are turning in perhaps their most inconsistent season since the ’80s. ASU is as overrated as Arizona is underachieving, but the Wildcats have struggled to keep the ball in the yard. The Sun Devils have enough pop to take at least one game.
Arizona splits
Tom Knauer, senior sports writer
Seriously, if the technology behind human cryogenics was perfected, I would have been chilling with Ted Williams since August, waiting for “”Entourage”” to return. Even my friends really don’t understand: “”Entourage”” isn’t my favorite TV show; it’s my favorite thing in life. What if I were to actually make a staff pick? Is that something you might be interested in?
Arizona splits
Justin Adler, sports writer
It is the Pac-10 home opener for the Arizona women’s softball team, and it is ready to impress. Although the Sun Devils are solid, the Wildcats are going to prove to be too tough. Arizona ended their road trip last weekend with an exclamation point, knocking off UCLA 11-2. Expect the Wildcats to ride the momentum wave into a two-game sweep.
Arizona sweeps
Ari Wasserman, sports writer
World Series Winner
I’ve come to the realization that there’s no point whatsoever to predicting who’s going to win in sports. (Unless, of course, your savings account or sobriety is at stake.) The logic’s always flawed, seduced by aesthetics, and it’s complete luck when you’re actually right. Like when my dad asked me Monday morning to pick the winning margin in the NCAA title game, and – first thought – I tossed out Florida by nine. I’m such a genius.
Detroit Tigers
Tom Knauer, senior sports writer
I could easily go on a profanity-filled rant, Çÿ la Ari Gold, about how the baseball season is entirely too long. It takes away from precious NBA highlights on the top-10 plays segment in SportsCenter in April. Later on in the year, as I’m trying to focus on the NFL, I’m still seeing Fox overpromote the hell out of the baseball playoffs. Do more steroids, Barry, seriously, do more steroids.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Justin Adler, sports writer
This is the year of the Tribe. Grady Sizemore is already drawing major attention after hitting a home run in each of the first three games of the season. With C.C. Sabathia on the verge of a Cy Young season, and a solid bat like Travis Hafner in the core of the lineup, this young squad is ready for greatness. At the end of the season, the Cleveland Indians fans will have a smile on their faces bigger than Chief Wahoo’s.
Cleveland Indians
Ari Wasserman, sports writer