2013 Seattle Mariners Predictions

Edited to include players more likely to make roster, name's are in RED.

With my 2013 MLB Predictions already out, it is time to stick to my favorite team, the Seattle Mariners, and talk about how they will do this year.  I have already predicted a record of 79-83, which would be an improvement of 4 games.  We'd like to see more improvement than that, but I just don't see it happening until either the Rangers or Angels become mediocre/bad again.  I just think 79-83 is a good benchmark for this season.  If they do worse than that, then I would not consider it a successful season.  If they do better, then I would consider it a successful season.  Like I've done previous years, I will go over each potential player for the 25 man roster and at the end I'll pick who will lead the team in certain categories.  First, the hitters:

Catchers:
Jesus Montero - .260 avg, 29 home runs, 91 RBI
I expect Montero to have a better season than last.  He should start almost every game, most at catcher.  He may even see time at 1st base.  I'd like to see him at the #5 spot in the order.  I feel that's a spot in the order without too much pressure on it.

Kelly Shoppach - .250 avg, 5 home runs, 20 RBI
Shoppach will only see spot duty as the backup catcher this year, and with the youngster Mike Zunino waiting in the wings (and probably promoted this season), Shoppach could be on his way out before the end of the season.  I highly doubt he'll be this year's John Jaso.

Infielders:
Dustin Ackley - .300 avg, 15 home runs, 51 RBI
I expect this to be a breakout season for Dustin.  He doesn't have to hit too many home runs.  He worked on his batting mechanics a lot this offseason, and he is willing to do anything to improve on his dreadful previous season.  I may be too optimistic with my .300 batting average prediction, but if anyone on this team is going to hit .300 or better, it's him.  He's a guy who could someday earn a batting title--if he gets his act together.

Robert Andino - .240 avg, 2 HR, 12 RBI
I don't expect much from Andino this season.  He's virtually the replacement for Munenori Kawasaki and he will put up similar numbers.  He'll primarily be used to give guys like Ackley, Seager, and Ryan days off.

Kendrys Morales - .270 avg, 21 HR, 95 RBI
Morales is a much-welcomed addition to this hitting-deprived team.  He will be a middle of the order mainstay this season, so I expect 20+ HR and 80+ RBI this season from him.  Hopefully he will make the Vargas-Morales trade look like a good move by Jack Zduriencik. 

Brendan Ryan - .230 avg, 10 HR, 45 RBI
I don't know why we continue to go with Ryan other than his defense.  He is a below average hitter and always is found at the bottom of the lineup card.  However, he is a defensive wizard who actually makes guys around him (Seager, Ackley) play better defense too.  I definitely feel I am being generous with my offensive prediction for him, but he might surprise us. 

Kyle Seager - .260 avg, 18 HR, 60 RBI
I think Kyle has a limited ceiling.  What I mean by that is I think he played his best baseball last season.  Let's hope not.  I want to believe he can hit even better.  Maybe with talent around him in the lineup he can get even better.  Let's hope he doesn't have to carry the team offensively again.

Justin Smoak - .250 avg, 24 HR, 72 RBI
It's time for the big southern guy to step up.  We traded Cliff Lee to get this guy.  I would love to be surprised and see him hit .270 with 30+ HR and 100+ RBI, but I feel that is being too optimistic.  I think this year is his final time to prove to everyone in the organization he can be an everyday starting 1st baseman. 

Outfielders:
Jason Bay - .210 avg, 2 HR, 12 RBI
I don't expect Jason to play much, if at all this season.  I may be wrong.  But if he does make the opening day roster, he may not last too long.  You can't keep washed-up players for too long wasting a roster spot, which is something the Mariners have been notorious for the past decade. 

Franklin Gutierrez - .280 avg, 15 HR, 65 RBI
This guy simply cannot catch a break.  It's not that he's injury prone (technically he is).  It's that he is unlucky.  Getting beaned in the head while going back to first on a pickoff attempt.  Having stomach problems.  He needs to just get a healthy season in.  And this year, I believe he will and he will put up some decent numbers. 

Raul Ibanez - .260 avg, 12 HR, 32 RBI
Raul is something of a wild card with this team.  He could not even make the team.  He could make the team and only be used as a bat off the bench.  Or he could start at least half of the team's games.  No one really knows at this point.  I'll go with the middle option, having him as a bat off the bench (and occasional DH). 

Michael Morse - .275 avg, 20 HR, 65 RBI
I think Morse's numbers will go down now that he is back in the unfriendly hitters confines of Safeco Field.  But even with the above numbers that I predicted, he will still be a good middle of the order bat.  There just seems to be a logjam of corner outfielders/1st basemen/DH's. 

Michael Saunders - .280 avg, 25 HR, 91 RBI
I think the Canadian Condor will have a breakout season.  He will get most of his starts in right field and I think it's his time.  The fences have been brought in, and he will utilize every bit of the Safeco Field... field.  I also think participating in the World Baseball Classic will give him a little bit more motivation for this season. 

Casper Wells - .240 avg, 5 HR, 17 RBI
I don't see Casper having much playing time this year for some reason.  He's a decent player and a heck of a 4th outfielder, but he's run out of options.  I'm thinking someone else will pick him up this year.  Only time will tell.

Starting Pitchers:
Felix Hernandez - 17-12, 3.23 ERA
I see Felix having a very decent, but not oustanding season.  He will of course lead the ballclub in many pitching statistics, but it'll be a season just shy of Cy Young consideration.

Joe Saunders - 12-12, 4.20 ERA
Saunders will step in as the #2 on this team and will put up Vargas-like numbers (which is slightly above average). 

Hisashi Iwakuma - 13-10, 3.45 ERA
Iwakuma is going to be consistent this year, hopefully.  We resigned him for good reason.  He's probably a good #4 or 5, but until one of our big three emerge (Hultzen, Walker, Paxton), Iwakuma has to be a #3.

Brandon Maurer - 4-7, 4.69 ERA
I believe Brandon will have an up and down season.  He will have really good starts, but he will have really bad starts, too.  More of the latter, I am afraid.  But him being up in the bigs gives one of the big three time to develop in the minors.

Blake Beavan - 9-12, 4.34 ERA
My same day birthday buddy (Both of us were born January 17, 1989) apparently worked on his mechanics.  I'm worried, though, because Beavan is a flyball pitcher who gives up a lot of home runs, and we just moved the fences in at Safeco.  Just keep the ball down, Blake.

Previously included: Jon Garland, Erasmo Ramirez

Bullpen (No stats except for the closer):
Charlie Furbush
Furbush did really well in the relief role last season, when he was healthy.  I think he'll be continued to be used as a situational lefty and occasional two inning guy.  His best spot clearly is the bullpen.

Josh Kinney
Starts the year on the 60 Day DL

Kameron Loe
Many consider him mediocre, but he has pitched in Texas for a lot of his career.  I think he'll settle down more in Seattle.

Lucas Luetge
Here's a guy who could be a dominant LOOGY (Lefty One-Out Guy).  He is still pretty young so he can only get better.

Stephen Pryor and Carter Capps
I expect big things from both of these guys in the bullpen.  They both have great stuff and they're both young.  Someday, one of these guys will be our closer.  The question is though: Which one?

Oliver Perez 
We almost have too many lefties in the pen, but I guess better to have too many than too few.  Oliver Perez, a former starter, has shown he is definitely better suited for the bullpen now.  Heck, if the rotation suffered a lot of injuries, I'm sure he could step in if need be.

Tom Wilhelmsen, 37 saves, 3.01 ERA
Here's hoping he has just as good 2013 as he did 2012.  Wilhelmsen stepped in for League last year at closer and did marvelously.  But he's got a couple of young arms in Capps and Pryor waiting in the wings.  If Tom struggles, Wedge might be quick to put Pryor or Capps in as closer, especially if one of those two pitch well enough.

Alright, now that you know how each player will do, here's the lineup I expect to be the most-used (or at least the opening day one):

1. Michael Saunders, LF
2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
3. Kendrys Morales, DH
4. Michael Morse, RF
5. Jesus Montero, C
6. Justin Smoak, 1B
7. Kyle Seager, 3B
8. Dustin Ackley, 2B
9. Brendan Ryan, SS

Bench:
Robert Andino, INF
Raul Ibanez, OF/DH
Kelly Shoppach, C
Casper Wells/Jason Bay, OF

Now, for the statistical leaders, in case you couldn't gather it from above:
HR leader: Jesus Montero
RBI leader: Kendrys Morales
Avg. leader: Dustin Ackley
Stolen Bases leader: Michael Saunders
Pitching wins leader: Felix Hernandez
Strikeouts: Felix Hernandez
Saves: Tom Wilhelmsen

Now, some of my personal awards, just for the fun of it:
John Jaso unsung hero award: Raul Ibanez
Kyle Seager breakout star: Michael Saunders
Carl Everett/Milton Bradley waste of space award: Jason Bay
Brandon League unreliable pitcher award: Kameron Loe
Rookie of the Year: Danny Hultzen
Clutch hitter award: Dustin Ackley

Well, let's hope for a positive 2013.  I expect the hitting to be improved with perhaps the pitching taking a step down.  If everyone is able to play to their potential, this is a 2012 A's type dark horse team.  This team really could surprise people and make a run for the playoffs just like the 2012 Oakland A's did.  I'm looking at the lineup, and having Michael Saunders hitting 8th is making it looking like a stacked lineup.  Haven't been able to say that for a while.  Here's to 2013!  GO MARINERS!

My 2013 Major League Baseball Predictions

Well, it's already March so that means that spring training is underway in baseball and it's time for my predictions for the 2013 MLB season.  First off will be my predictions for all the teams, awards, and post-season (including my pick for World Series Champs).  I correctly predicted the Giants to win the World Series last year.  We'll see if I can make it two straight.  We'll start with the NL East and head west, so that I do the AL West last.

NL East
1. Atlanta Braves, 97-65
I think the Braves are going to be scary good this year.  They have an outfield full of Uptons (and a Heyward), they have Freddie Freeman who, with a consistent season could even garner NL MVP talk, and they have the best closer in baseball right now in Craig Kimbrel. 

2. Washington Nationals, 91-71 (Wild Card)
I see a dropoff year for the Nationals, if ever so slightly.  I think Bryce Harper will have a Mike Trout type season and get some MVP consideration.  Strasburg should be fresh and ready having sat out last postseason.   I think the Braves' talent is more ready to win the division this year, but the Nationals are strong enough to get the Wild Card.

3. New York Mets, 80-82
I think the Mets will have a lot of positives this season, but they still have a ways to go before contending again.  This season will definitely be seen as moving in the right direction for them, but signing so many oft-injured has-been in recent years has really set them back. 

4. Philadelphia Phillies, 80-82
What happened to the Phillies?  Used to be perennial pennant contenders.  Now, they are barely a .500 team.  I'll tell you what happened: Age caught up with them.  They will have to undergo a youth movement which has sort of started, but they have a ways to go. 

5. Miami Marlins, 73-89
Boy, what a letdown year last season, which I correctly predicted.  You can't have too many egos on one team.  The Marlins underwent a massive overhaul this offseason, including their coach.  But something tells me they could be slightly better than last year.  At least they still have Giancarlo Stanton.  They just have to hope he stays healthy.  Getting beaned by a ball in spring training is not a good sign for Stanton.

NL Central
1. Cincinnati Reds, 88-74
Despite no longer having the Astros to beat up on, I think the Reds will have fewer wins this year, due to increased competition from other NL teams.  I see the NL Central being a tight race all season long.  I expect Joey Votto to return to near his usual form.

2. St. Louis Cardinals, 86-76 (tied for Wild card)
Somehow this team CAN survive without Pujols.  And they almost made it to the World Series, being up 3 to 1 to the Giants.  I don't see a repeat of success this year.  But I'll have a major league first this year: Two teams tied for the 2nd wild card spot.

3. Pittsburgh Pirates, 82-80
And, on the final game of the season against the Reds, the Pirates pull off a miracle and secure a winning season for the first time in 21 years.  They are definitely a team on the rise, and if there ever is a time to break the streak of losing seasons, now  is the time. 

4. Milwaukee Brewers, 80-82
I told you this would be a tight race, with the 4th place team only 8 games back at the end of the season.  I don't know what it is about the Brewers, but they just don't scream post-season.  I don't see any sort of awful season for them, but there is just too much competition in the NL Central.

5. Chicago Cubs, 69-93
And then there are the Cubs.  The good ol' Cubbies.  Well, someday, they will again contend for the NL Central crown, and it doesn't hurt to have one less team to compete against.  But someone has gotta be in last place and every other team in their division just have too much talent.

NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers, 95-67
The Dodgers lavish amount of spending will finally pay off in a division title.  Sorry, Giants fans, but I think 2013 will be the Dodgers year, at least in the regular season.  Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Andre Eithier, and Carl Crawford all in the same lineup?  Yes please.  Oh and the signing of Zack Grienke should give them an ace to carry them throughout the season. 

2. San Francisco Giants, 86-76 (tied for wild card)
The Giants come off their championship run with another solid season, but one that they just manage to squeak in to the post-season.  I think the Giants will have trouble with the Dodgers next season, so a 2nd place finish would be the landing place I see them in.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks, 79-83
The Diamondbacks had a letdown season after their great 2011 run, but I just don't see them climbing back up.  They just don't have the talent.  They traded away Justin Upton, so they have even less talent.  I don't see a last place finish for the D-Backs, but a first or even second place finish would be quite a surprise.

4. Colorado Rockies, 77-85
I see the Rockies having a bounceback season from last, when they finished dead last in the NL West.  I think CarGo and Tulo will regain their hitting prowess and make the Rockies one of the NL's best hitting teams again.  But, like always, they have to work on their pitching.

5. San Diego Padres, 62-100
I don't know what it is about these guys, but I just can't see many wins this year from them.  Someone has got to lose a ton of games in the NL, and this year I'm picking the Padres.  Worst team in baseball?  No.  Worst team in the NL?  Possibly.

AL East
1. Baltimore Orioles, 89-73
Who would have thought a couple years ago that the Orioles would have any shot of a division crown?  They have arguably some of the best young talent in the division.  The AL East, in my opinion, is the hardest division to predict for 2013. I'll pick the young O birds to come out in top.  A good 12 months for Baltimore sports teams.

2. Tampa Bay Rays, 88-74 (Wild card)
What?  No Red Sox OR Yankees in the top 2 in the AL East?!  That has to be a first, right?  No, but it hasn't happened in 21 years.  There is too much young hitting with the O's and too much good young pitching with the Rays.  They will barely miss the division, but get a wild card. 

3. New York Yankees, 81-81
The Yankees without a winning record.  Hasn't happened since 1992.  But with injuries (Jeter), age (Rivera, Pettitte), and scandal (A-Rod) surrounding the team, I can see it happening.  I know it's probably Mariano Rivera's last season, but I just don't see how he can have his dominant stuff.  No storybook ending for him.

4. Toronto Blue Jays, 79-83
While I'd like to give the Blue Jays a better record, I just can't.  They had probably the best offseason of any team, getting RA Dickey, Melky Cabrera, and Mark Buehrle.  But like I've said earlier, too much talent in this division. 

5. Boston Red Sox, 75-87
The turnaround won't happen overnight, even for the BoSox.  New manager John Farrell won't do much, and with the BoSox not selling out all their games this year like they usually do, fan support will be down.  But they'll come back, obviously.  Just not this year.

AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers, 95-67
The reigning AL Champs will have an even better regular season than last, motivated by their loss in the World Series to the Giants.  If they stay healthy and motivated, they're one of the best teams in the AL.  Verlander will more than likely dominate again.

2. Cleveland Indians, 85-77
The Indians are my surprise pick for 2013, with 17 more wins than last year.  They play in a division that isn't too difficult, and they made some great moves in the offseason, the best probably being hiring Terry Francona as manager.  The Indians will break out and give the Tigers some competition, not just this year, but for years to come.

3. Chicago White Sox, 81-81
The ChiSox always seem to hover between mediocrity and decent for years and years.  This year, I expect mediocrity.  With the Indians breaking out, someone has to slide down in the division a bit, and that would be the White Sox.

4. Kansas City Royals, 75-87
The AL equivalent of the Pirates (Former contending team now a laughingstock), the Royals will have another ho-hum season.  They made very few moves in the offseason and could have gotten a big haul of prospects for Billy Butler, but I guess the Royals have renounced their ways of letting good players go and just trying to hang with them.

5. Minnesota Twins, 67-95
Wow, an improvement of ONE game!  What a turnaround!  Joe Mauer for MVP!  In all seriousness, however, the Twinkies will need more than a new park to return to prevalence.

AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 99-63
2013 will be the year for Los Angeles area baseball teams.  The Angels were really mad after being TWO SPOTS behind the low-payroll Oakland A's last year.  The same won't happen again.  Hamilton, Pujols, Trout, and co. (Wow that's a lot of talent) will muscle their way to a division crown.

2. Texas Rangers, 90-72 (Wild Card)
Losing Hamilton will hurt.  His presence, more than anything was felt throughout the clubhouse.  Who is the big star of this team now?  Elvis Andrus?  Yu Darvish?  Despite that, they will continue to compete and earn a wild card berth. 

3. Oakland Athletics, 83-79
The A's do have a lot of good young players, but even the biggest of A's fans would admit last year had to do a bit with luck.  Alas, their luck ran out and they lost to the Tigers in the division series.  They will get back to that level some year, but not 2013.

4. Seattle Mariners, 79-83
Finally.  Our Seattle Mariners.  It just seems we are so slowly inching our way toward prevalence.  Who knew the rebuilding process could take so freaking long?  Nevertheless, I'll take an improved record any day.  We just have to wait until one of our AL West contenders falls on their face, similar to the 2012 Boston Red Sox.  But hey, at least we won't be in last place! 

5. Houston Astros, 52-110
The Astros are such a laughingstock right now.  Only one guy is making a million or more.  Quick, name five Houston Astros players!  I can only name one: Jose Altuve, only because he was their All-Star last season.  It's odd to see a last place team 27 games behind.... the 4th place team, but it could happen.  They might not beat the Angels or Rangers once this year. 

2013 MLB Post-Season Predictions
Tie-breakers and wild cards:

NL Wild Card tiebreaker: Giants over Cardinals
NL Wild Card: Nationals over Giants

AL Wild Card: Rays over Rangers

Divisional Round:
NL: Nationals over Braves
Dodgers over Reds
AL: Angels over Rays
Tigers over Orioles

NL Championship: Nationals over Dodgers
AL Championship: Angels over Tigers

World Series: Angels over Nationals, 4-1
Award winners:
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
NL MVP: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
AL Cy Young: David Price, Rays
NL Cy Young: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
AL Coach: Terry Francona, Indians
NL Coach: Fredi Gonzalez, Braves
AL Rookie: Wil Myers, Rays
NL Rookie: Darin Ruf, Phillies




There you have it.  Again I pick a California team to win it all, but hey, I'm slightly west-cost biased.  The Nationals advance to the World Series to make the Seattle Mariners the only current team to have never gone to the World Series.  Congrats, Angels.  Up next: My predictions for the Seattle Mariners.

Things in the Harry Potter series that have made me shake my head

I just finished reading the Harry Potter series for what feels like the 50th time (probably closer to 15 or 20), and I really praise JK Rowling on one of the most captivating and best-selling book series of all time.  She did such a great job.  But if there's one thing (or several) that I would change, it would be the logic used by some of the characters, but not just that: the reason for introducing certain plot devices, characters, etc.  Here are my list of things, by book, that I felt the series could have done without, or needed some change.  Basically, the Harry Potter things that made me shake my head:

Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone
- Dumbledore gives Harry to a family that won't love him
Seriously, why would anyone do that to a baby, other than to maybe toughen him up?  Dumbledore easily could have given Harry to a wizarding family and had them change his name to protect his identity.  Either that or given the family extra protection, such as the fidelius charm.  Sure, the Dursley's just happened to be Harry's only living relatives, but I wouldn't have given a child to a family that wouldn't love him.  This was later explained because their house contained magical protection (since Harry's mom died to save him--she and Petunia have the same blood), but I still would not have subjected a kid to such torture.  I would've had another family adopt him and give him a different name--then when he's old enough tell him the truth.

- Harry is allowed on Quidditch team despite being a first year
This bugs me more than it does other people.  The school rules clearly state Quidditch is open to second years and above.  And yet Harry is allowed on.  To top it off, he got on the team by disobeying a teacher.  Realistically, allowing Potter on the team should have made every first year want to be on a Quidditch team.  Just isn't fair to the others.

- The trio manage to get through obstacles designed to stop the smartest of wizards. 
This wouldn't have bothered me at all if they were near the end of their schooling and ready to become adult wizards.  But they were only FIRST YEARS, having only studied magic for a mere 9 months.  So the part of this that really bothers me is that is wasn't terribly difficult for first years (none of them died).  If it wasn't terribly difficult for them, then the obstacles certainly weren't difficult enough.  There should have been some advanced magic that even competitors in the Triwizard Tournament would have trouble with.

Chamber of Secrets
- Chamber of Secrets never found?
I find it hard to believe that the Chamber of Secrets was never found by someone until Harry and Ron.  Professor Binns (McGonagall in the movie) stated that the school had been searched thoroughly many times.  Yet somehow, they passed over a mysterious sink in the 2nd floor girl's bathroom which had a snake etched into it.  I mean, wouldn't they be looking for a symbol like that, knowing it's SLYTHERIN's chamber they are looking for?  This isn't too big of a head scratcher for me, but maybe I overestimate grown wizards. 

- Harry survives encounter with basilisk
There were a number of things that bothered me with this.  First off, Harry is just 12 here.  Just 12.  He not only manages to avoid its deadly stare (until Fawkes takes out the basilisk's eyes), but he manages to kill it as well.  The basilisk did indeed bite him, and its venom is extremely poisonous, only having one antidote.  And guess what?  That antidote conveniently happened to appear in the form of Fawkes' tears.  Logically speaking, if a 12 year old wizard with a sword and a bird face off against a monstrous basilisk, the basilisk wins every time. 

Prisoner of Azkaban
- The Time-Turner
JKR introducing the Time-Turner was probably her biggest mistake as a writer.  As soon as she introduced it, Harry Potter (the series, not the character) went from fantasy to a bit science fiction.  She strayed away from her book's own genre.  Let's not forget the fact that anyone who has a Time-Turner can reverse any bad thing happening.  She explains it by having them under strict Ministry of Magic control in the Department of Mysteries.  And the fact that they'd trust a 13 year old girl (Honors student or not) with one is astounding. 

- Peter Pettigrew is Scabbers... Fred and George didn't see?
So in Book 3 we learned that Ron's pet rat was actually one of Harry's father's old school friends (and the one that betrayed him).  That was actually a good plot twist that I did not see coming the first time I read the book.  However, also in this book, we learn that Fred and George were in possession of a certain magical map known as the Marauder's Map.  This map shows EVERYONE in Hogwarts, whether they are an Animagus like Pettigrew or not.  Wouldn't they have seen a "Peter Pettigrew" dot in the boys dormitory, often right next to Ron as he slept?  Or how about knowing there is a "Peter Pettigrew" in Gryffindor somewhere but never meeting one with that name?  A real head shaker here...

Goblet of Fire
- Harry has to participate in the Triwizard Tournament just because his name came out of the goblet
I find one of the premises in Goblet of Fire to be the most hard to believe.  So, someone (Barty Crouch Jr.) put Harry's name into a magical tournament that clearly states you must be 17 to participate.  Harry at this time is only 14.  His name comes out and all of Europe's brightest wizards conclude he just has to compete.  They refer to a "binding magical contract", but where is this contract?  And why can't they just reverse it or change it?  They know magic, don't they?  They have the greatest wizard in Albus Dumbledore presiding over the tournament but not even he can get Harry out of it?  So they let a 14 year old (who only was introduced to the magical world three years prior) compete?  And they allow one of the three schools to have two competitors?  That's like allowing an extra basketball team for the USA in the Olympics.  A real head-shaker here.

- Making the Triwizard cup a portkey--why not something easier?
This has been brought up before.  Why go through all the hassle of A) Getting Harry into the Triwizard Tournament, B) Making sure he does well enough to win and C) Making a valuable object a portkey and making sure Harry gets to it first, when you could just trick him instead?  Seriously.  All Moody/Crouch Jr. had to do was get Harry alone on the grounds, give him a portkey disguised as something non-threatening that Harry would grab (A wizard's card, a quaffle?), and boom, Harry gets transported to the graveyard.  It just seems weird to go to all that trouble. 

Order of the Phoenix
- The Ministry of Magic is mysteriously deserted when Harry and the gang arrive
When Harry and the others (Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna) arrive at the Ministry of Magic to save Sirius, they find it mysteriously deserted.  Absolutely no one there.  You'd think that in such an important place there'd be at least security guards.  This is the equivalent of six American teenagers arriving to the White House and being able to go in and finding absolutely no one inside.  I don't think this was ever explained.  Obviously, it needed to be empty for the plot to continue as it did, but why was it empty?  Why would the Ministry of Magic EVER be empty?

Deathly Hallows
- Voldemort orders Narcissa Malfoy to check if Harry's dead instead of just checking himself
We learned one of two things here.  Either Voldemort is the laziest douchebag in the wizarding world or he trusts all his Death Eaters with ANYTHING.  Voldemort should remember he's a bad guy with bad guy henchmen, and bad guys tend to betray and lie to one another.  Not once did Voldemort check on Harry until Harry finally opened his eyes and began fighting.  I find it hard to believe that Voldemort, being a pretty smart guy, would just assume Harry was dead.  Or even trust a Death Eater.  

So there you have it.  I'd love to be able to ask JK Rowling some of these.  Perhaps some of these WERE answered or explained better in the books, but somehow in my 20 readings of them I missed it.  If you feel the need to explain anything further, be sure to leave a comment. 

My Extensive Super Bowl Prediction

The big game is just three days away, and I am going to make quite a few predictions when it comes to the game.  In fact, I will predict how each quarter goes, who will be the MVP, even what happens at the halftime show.  Some of these predictions might be a bit out there, but others will be spot on. 

Pregame
Alicia Keys has stated she will not sing the traditional version and instead perform it as it were "a brand new song".  This will cause many fans in the Superdome to boo her, mainly those 30 and older.  She won't forget the lyrics, but she will be criticized for her runs and her notes she holds way too long.

Coin Toss
The Ravens are the away team and will call Tails, as ravens have tails.  It will be tails.  Why?  Because I voted for Tails at Papajohns.com.  If I'm right, I win a free pizza.  Who doesn't want free pizza?  Oh, and the Ravens will receive the ball to start the game.

First Quarter
The game will get off to a slow start, scoring wise.  San Francisco has shown in these playoffs to be a team that takes a while to get warmed up.  Neither team will score on its first possession, but Baltimore will get a field goal to make it 3-0.
After 1 Quarter: 3-0 Ravens

Second Quarter
The most exciting play of the first half will happen with an Ed Reed pick six off of Colin Kaepernick, about midway through the 2nd quarter.  However, just before the half, the 49ers drive for a last-second field goal that David Akers does not shank, surprisingly. 
After 2 Quarters: 10-3 Ravens

Halftime
Beyonce will perform, obviously.  Midway through her performance, her husband, rapper Jay-Z, will come on stage and perform.  They will kiss on stage, which will cause a bit of backlash after the game from some pretentious mothers who say the kiss scarred their child. 

Third Quarter
The 49ers receive the ball and drive down the field, but again have to settle for a field goal.  The Ravens score another touchdown after Flacco hooks up with Torrey Smith for a 30-something yard touchdown. 
After 3 Quarters: 17-6, Ravens

Fourth Quarter
With the ball and driving, Colin Kaepernick takes off on a run but gets decked by a Raven (possibly Ray Lewis... my vision is a little cloudy).  He is helped off the field and has to leave the game.  Alex Smith comes into the game, and hooks up with Vernon Davis for a touchdown.   After a back-and-forth possession swing, the 49ers get the ball with 3 minutes left and Alex Smith leads them to a game-winning touchdown (although Gore will score it), proving to be the hero.  The Ravens do get the ball back with less than a minute left, down by 3, but Justin Tucker's 64 yard field goal attempt to tie falls short. 
Final Score: 20-17, 49ers

Super Bowl MVP: Frank Gore, 49ers
Even if Alex Smith takes over, I don't think playing for less than a quarter qualifies for MVP.  Frank Gore will have a decent game and take home MVP honors.  I'll say 105 yards, 1 touchdown. 

Postgame
There are 30+ cameras rolling on the Harbaughs as they shake hands and embrace at midfield.  Jim, the 49ers coach, will finally take off his stupid sharpie necklace and toss it aside, poking Ray Lewis in the eye as he is giving a tearful interview. 

So there you have it.  20-17 49ers is my prediction.  Ray Lewis does not get to retire on a high note, and the 49ers remain perfect in the Super Bowls, getting their 6th ring in their famed history.  

Why the 2012 Seahawks are My Favorite Team Ever

These 2012 Seattle Seahawks are my favorite Seahawks team ever.  They play the game with so much energy, so much fun, and best of all, they are the tightest knit group of Seahawks I've ever seen.  Every game  this year has either been a close game or a Seahawks victory.  They have yet to be blown out.  They are currently perfect at home, with two games left.  And they have managed incredible victories against some very tough teams.  And the best part about it all?  They're young.  This Seahawks team could be very good for a very long time.

One of my favorite things about these Seahawks is that they have characters. They have the 5'10" quarterback who has defied the odds in Russell Wilson.  They have the toughest running back in the league.  They have a very fun-to-watch receiver in Golden Tate.  They have arguably the best defensive backfield in the league, nicknamed the Legion of Boom.  If you ever watched the "Real Rob Report" (Filmed, narrated, and posted by Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson) on YouTube, you would see the Seahawks have some very likeable players.  Here's one of the videos in the season-long series:


But like I said above, these guys are tight-knit, they have fun, and they work hard.  The 2005 Super Bowl-era Seahawks were good too, but they didn't have as many likeable players.  This team is fun to watch and they (more often than not) get the job done.  I give a lot of credit to Pete Carroll and John Schneider who put this team together.  Over the last few years, they have drafted EXTREMELY well, finding a pro bowl cornerback in the 5th round, a talented rookie quarterback in the 3rd, and a talented starting linebacker in the 4th.  There are a lot of players on this team who weren't expected to succeed in the NFL, or they weren't expected to succeed as much as they have been.  Guys like Brandon Browner, Breno Giacomini, and Paul McQuistan all faced difficult odds, but Pete and Co. gave them a chance. 

This team is good now, but they are only going to get better.  There are so many players on this team in their first few years in the league that will hit their primes in the next few seasons.  The Seahawks, I dare say, might have the beginnings of a dynasty.  They have their franchise quarterback.  They have a defense.  They just need these guys to get experience, and they will become one of the best teams in the league year in and year out.  And I can't wait. 

10 Greatest Seahawks Games I’ve Ever Seen

With the Seahawks season in full gear and the team on a bye week, I felt like doing a blog post about the Seahawks.  I want to do a blog post about the ten best and most exciting Seahawks games I’ve ever seen.  Some of these I’ve seen in person, some I have not (I noted each one I have seen in person).  I give extra points for if it’s in the playoffs, or if I saw it, or if it was a dramatic victory.  Final note: I can only include games from my adolescence and onward (2000-present), so these games will be fairly recent in Seahawks history.  In order, the ten best Seahawks games I’ve ever seen are:

10. Super Bowl XL vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Feb. 5, 2006
Seahawks 10, Steelers 21
Ok, I had to put this on the list for a few reasons: 1) It’s the only Super Bowl game in Seahawks history thus far, 2) It was a fairly close game for most of it and 3) It involved a lot of drama and emotion.  In fact, this is the only Seahawks game on here which was a loss for them.  Which is why it’s all the way down at #10.  But until the 4^th quarter, this really was anybody’s game, and had the Seahawks made a few plays that they didn’t (Jackson not pushing off, Stevens not dropping passes, Hasselbeck not throwing the interception), the Seahawks could have been world champs, even with the referees that seemed to be against them. 

9. Browner emerges vs. New York Giants, Oct. 9, 2011
Seahawks 36, Giants 25
This game was known for its dramatics in the 4^th quarter.  The Giants took a 22-19 lead off an incredible one-handed catch 68 yard touchdown by Victor Cruz.  After field goals by both teams to make it 25-22 in favor of the Giants, Doug Baldwin caught a go-ahead touchdown to make it 29-25 Seahawks.  The Giants got the ball back and drove into the Seahawks red zone, but eventual Pro-Bowler Brandon Browner picked off an Eli Manning pass and raced 94 yards for the game-sealing touchdown.  This was one of the most feel-good wins for the Seahawks in the last decade, which is why it makes the list for me.  It was the game in which the Seahawks showed they could play with big boys, even on the road.  The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl five months later.

8. Demolishing the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, Dec. 5, 2005
Seahawks 42, Eagles 0
Granted, the Eagles were starting their backup quarterback in this game, but the Seahawks unloaded on the Eagles on the Eagles’ own turf.  Three defensive scores helped the Seahawks to victory, and I feel this game, more than any other, gave them confidence which propelled them to the Super Bowl, which is why it made the 8 spot on my list.

7. Michael Boulware’s pick six vs. Miami Dolphins, Nov. 21, 2004 (Attended)
Seahawks 24, Dolphins 17
This was a game not many people will remember, but I do.  It was a tight, defensive battle most of the game, although there were a few highlights such as hall of famer Jerry Rice catching his first touchdown as a Seahawk.  But, with the game tied at 17, Seahawks rookie safety Michael Boulware picked off an A.J. Feely pass and ran it 63 yards for a touchdown.  It’s the kind of play you remember for a while, and since I was at that game, it’s on this list. 

6. Big Play Babs sets up win vs. Dallas Cowboys, Oct. 23, 2005
Seahawks 13, Cowboys 10
Another defensive struggle, but another dramatic win.  In this game, with it tied at 10, the favored Cowboys were looking to get into field goal range and attempt a game-winning field goal.  However, Jordan “Big Play Babs” Babineaux picked off Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe, returned it 25 yards to set up a long field goal for young kicker Josh Brown.  But Josh made the 50 yarder as time expired, and I gotta say I’ve never seen a kicker so excited. 

5. Simultaneous Possession vs. Green Bay Packers, Sept. 24, 2012
Seahawks 14, Packers 12
The most recent game on this list was certainly important.  The Packers were a season removed from being NFL champions.  It was Monday Night Football.  And, the Seahawks were a resurgent team at home.  The Seahawks totaled 8 sacks of Green Bay, and with the game on the line, down by 5, quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seahawks attempted a Hail Mary pass which was caught by both M.D. Jennings of the Packers and Golden Tate of the Seahawks.  Much controversy has surrounded the call, but outside the controversy, you have to look at this game as one of the best Seahawks games in history. 

4. Wild card win vs. Dallas Cowboys, Jan. 6, 2007
Seahawks 21, Cowboys 20
This game has become known as the “Tony Romo fumble” game in which Romo fumbled the snapped football and caused the Cowboys to not even get a field goal attempt off to take the lead.  The game was exciting and dramatic throughout.  The only thing that would have been better was if it was the Seahawks making a good play to win it, rather than the Cowboys making a bad one to lose it.

3. Shaun Alexander’s 266 yard effort vs. Oakland Raiders, Nov. 11, 2001 (Attended)
Seahawks 34, Raiders 27
This game is at #3 for many reasons.  Sure, it’s not a playoff game, but I was there and saw Shaun rush for a still team record 266 yards against the favored Oakland Raiders on Sunday Night Football at Husky Stadium.  To have Shaun gash them on prime time really started to put the Holmgren-led Seahawks on the map.  There were a ton of Raider fans at the game but they sure left Husky Stadium in a sour mood.  This was also Shaun’s breakout game with Ricky Watters still on the team at the time.

2. NFC Championship win vs. Carolina Panthers, Jan. 22, 2006
Seahawks 34, Panthers 14
This has to be the most important victory in Seahawks history, because it sent them to their very first (and so far only) Super Bowl.  The Seahawks came in as favorites, but not by much.  But they totally controlled the Panthers the entire game.  Afterward, every Seahawk fan felt euphoric: The Seahawks were going to Super Bowl!  Not a game you forget easily. 

1. Beast Mode Run vs. New Orleans Saints, Jan. 8, 2011
Seahawks 41, Saints 36
This was the game that was known for Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast mode” run or his “Beastquake” as it rocked Century Link Field.  The defending world champion Saints were heavily favored on the road against the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record.  But the Seahawks showed they deserved to be there.  The Seahawks led 34-30 in the 4^th when Marshawn Lynch broke off the most famous run (if not play) in Seahawks history.  Seahawks ended up winning 41-36.  They lost next week to the Bears, but this game really put the Pete Caroll-led Seahawks on the map.  

Why Google and YouTube Suck

If you haven’t heard, Google and YouTube are one in the same.  Google owns YouTube, so any problems you have with YouTube go straight to Google.  I’m here to say I have a beef with both of them.  I’m tired of their browser, their video website which is becoming exponentially harder to use, and the search engine I haven’t regularly used in five years (and whenever I do, it gives me headaches). 

I used to be an avid user of Internet Explorer.  Then people started complaining and switching over to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, but I wasn’t one of them—at first.  However, I encountered a game on Facebook not too long ago called Café World which suggested that I use a different browser because apparently IE couldn’t handle it.  So I switched to Chrome.  And honestly, I liked Chrome.  For a few years, Chrome and I got along together swimmingly.  Until I got problems.  First off, I have had major issues with playing flash type videos on Chrome: From videos on YouTube (ironic?), ESPN videos on their website, and even simple GIF animations.  They constantly would cause my browser to crash.  It hasn’t happened as much recently, but I still get it every now and then.  The second problem I’ve had involves switching tabs.  For the past few months, about half the time when I switch a tab, it either displays the window of a tab I had previously closed or it displays the tab I was trying to swtich from.  I have to switch to another tab and back in order to fix it.  It’s extremely annoying.  And because of what this one browser has cost me, I am switching back to Internet Explorer.

Apparently, Internet Explorer has gotten a lot better.  They even created a website for the campaign (http://browseryoulovedtohate.com/).  That’s right.  “The Browser You LoveD to Hate.”  I bolded and capitalized the D in loved because apparently we don’t love to hate it anymore.  Maybe we hate hating it now?  That aside, I am giving IE another chance.  Google Chrome pushed me too far, so I’m going to see if IE can do enough to pull me back in. 

So Chrome hasn’t been kind to me.  What about YouTube?  Well, almost a year ago now they changed their YouTube homepage layout.  What used to look like this:

Now looks like this:



There are pros and cons to each, but what really irked me was that they made it virtually impossible to “X” out any videos we didn’t want to watch.  Isn’t the point of a website to make it MORE user-friendly as time goes on?  Also, I recently have discovered there is no way to share a private video with someone anymore.  If anyone knows how to, please let me know.  They say on this support page: http://support.google.com/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=157177  that “you'll see a section to enter up to 50 YouTube usernames that will have access to your private video.” Well, that section is no longer there.  Let’s not forget the increasing number of advertisements on videos.  It seems like 1 out of every 2 videos I watch has an advertisement at the start.  What happened to only having ads to the side?  That was perfect.  It was yet another instance of a company sacrificing a customer’s convenience for money.  The problem with MY PROBLEMS with YouTube is that I don’t have another site to go to.  YouTube really does not have any competition out there.  But hey, if you’re reading this and happen to know of a site that has potential to take on YouTube, let me know, okay?

Finally, I must talk about the thing that started it all, Google’s search engine.  I’ll give them props, it’s a very good search engine.  It’s just not for me.  I really believe that Bing is just as good (if not better) of a search engine than Google.  There’s a blind test you can take (http://www.bingiton.com) and every time I’ve taken it, I’ve preferred Bing as much or more than Google.  Take the test for yourself.  Bing’s layouts on their search displays are much more user-friendly and more organized.  Google to me is too bland, too boring, and frankly, I prefer the results I get from Bing more than I do Google. 

So Google/YouTube, I still may have an account with you, but you’re not getting much else with me.  Forget about me going on Google+.  Forget about me using Google as my regular search engine.  And now you can forget about me using Google Chrome anymore.  You may be part of the most popular websites out there, but I see right through you.   So long, it’s been a real headache.

Funny thing is, this was uploaded to Blogger, which is owned and run by Google.  I don't really think you guys suck. :)