As expected

Two ace pitchers in opposition, two runs scored, two losses, too predictable.  Once again the Twins exit Seattle with their tails between their legs, it's been a bad run against the Mariners these last few years, which is confusing given the fact they typically stink.  This year's version featured a blown call leading to a loss on Wednesday (another 1-run outburst) and general offensive ineptitude from the second game onward.  Final tally: 1-3 record, 8 runs scored, about 6 hours that would've been better spent sleeping.  On to Oakland and hopefully some stirring in the bats.

Speaking of things that offered little intrigue, the NBA Finals started with a rout last night.  I was mildly interested by the fact the Lakers were playing the Celtics, the one truly worthwhile NBA rivalry; but that quickly dissapated when I realized that the Celtics blew their wad in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Kevin Garnett has the vert of a poor YMCA pickup player at this point, and his teammates aren't that much better.  Unless they can find one of those alien pods from "Cocoon", this one will be over quick.

What has been intriguing?  The NHL Finals.  In case you hadn't noticed, and, to borrow a line from Bob Uecker, judging by the TV ratings you haven't, we've got the best final round series in a long time developing between Chicago and Philly.  Full disclosure, I want Chicago to win in a big way, they have taken over as my surrogate team during these lean Wild seasons, due to the presence of my favorite all-time college hockey player (Toews) and that fact I know several diehard Blackhawks fans who deserve a title after all they've been through.  Coming into this thing, I wanted a Blackhawks title, any way, any how, the faster the better.  However, at the risk of having my seat on the bandwagon revoked, I'm really enjoying this series so far and was only mildy perturbed when the Flyers pulled out Game 3 in OT, thus guaranteeing at least a 5th game.

Does that mean I've wavering at all on wanting Chicago to win?  Hell no, just saying if they can do it in dramatic fashion, well that's always better, right?  This might be a playing-with-fire approach to things, the sports gods do not look favorably on getting greedy with playoff series, but any hockey fan (save the aforementioned Blackhawks diehards) has got to want 6 or 7 games out of this thing, it's been too good not to!  (It's a shame that 80% of America missed Game 3 because it was on Versus, but they probably weren't interested anyway, pretty sure the ladies softball gets better ratings.  The lesson, as always, people are stupid.)

Going into Game 4 tonight, this Stanley Cup Finals is also bordering on the historic, after starting the series with 3 one-goal games, to quite from this story on NHL.com (http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=530929):

"A fourth consecutive one-goal game would move the Blackhawks and Flyers into rarified territory in terms of playing tight games. Not since 1968 have teams started a series with four one-goal games (Montreal won all four games against St. Louis in the only series sweep comprised of one-goal victories). The only other time it's happened was 1951, when Toronto beat Montreal in five games -- all of which went to overtime."

Here's hoping for another one-goal contest, perhaps some more overtime, then 3 more just like it, with the Blackhawks coming out on top of course!