THE BOOK--Playing The Percentages In Baseball

I find it interesting that Russia gets penalized for Canada playing poorly in its pool play.  I wonder if anyone in Canada will be watching the 7:30PM game? 
vr, Xei

Yeah, it’s weird, but that’s bracket play.  Applies in NCAA, Tennis, etc.

NHL playoffs USED to be bracket play, but now they reseed after every round.  Certainly makes more sense.

The streets and hiways of Canada will be empty from 7:30 til 10:00—well maybe a quick run to get some more beer around 8:45.  (For the Russians, Moscow is 8 hours ahead of EST, so they’re pretty much going to be vodka’d up the yingyang before the game starts at 3:30 AM.)

Russia didn’t start out so hot either. Can’t hardly criticize the Canadians for this quarterfinals showdown. Guess: Canadians wear out Russian defense and win.

USA, with 2 days rest, dominates Swiss.

The Czechs came within an eyelash of getting beaten by the Latvians yesterday (3-2 OT win). Not clear whether Jagr is fit to play (thanks to Ovechkin?). I think they lose to the Finns tonight.

Swedes should beat Slovaks.

whatever happens with team canada, i hope all their supporters dont get too bummed if they dont win gold.  i dont know their chances at this point because i’m not a big hockey fan, but even if they lose tonight to russia, it doesnt mean that canada all the sudden doesn’t produce the best hockey players or have a good ‘system’ or anything like that. 

it’s like when the USA basketball team started losing to teams in international games, and everyone started saying how the US system was ‘broken’ and how we need to ‘fix’ the way players are developed.  well, if you want to win international tournaments, yes things would have to change.  but if the goal is to create the most entertaining and competitive pro league (ie the NBA) then it was fine.  the best basketball players still come from the USA (for whatever that’s worth) and the best basketball is played in the US, so whats the big deal?

anyway, not that you shouldn’t care about national sports teams if thats what makes you happy, just all the media hype trying to make this stuff mean the ends of the world and whatnot gets a little tiresome.

There will be an inquiry, I can guarantee you.

I am planning an angry blog post about how everyone expects Canada to win when it all depends on three best-of-1 series.  Although, if the “World Baseball Classic” can decide a BASEBALL champion in one game, I suppose I don’t have a whole lot to complain about.

My biggest complaint about the Olympics is that there isn’t enough time to know who the real best competitors are.  That’s why I don’t take it too seriously.

Team USA locked in a 0-0 tie headed into the 3rd period against SUI and their very good goaltender.
vr, Xei

i guess i can’t fault the people who spent heaps of time and money on a goal not to expect some answers if they fall short off said goal.  maybe its just that i’ve watched too much off NBC’s typical wretched coverage and their countless mention of Canada’s unparalleled passion for hockey that make other countries passions look like piddling hobbies or otherwise worthless distractions.  according to bob costas, if you didnt skip work on monday to spend all day weeping over the loss to america than youre not really a canadian.

wait - would reseeding have made a difference in this tournament?  so far anyway?  all the lower seeds lost in the first round.  if the “seeds” from group play are what one is basing things on then there’d be no reseeding because there hasnt been any “upsets”. right?

I wasn’t paying close attention because, well, Mike Milbury was talking. But did Milbury just refer to the Russian team as Euro-trash?

ken: I would think that because Canada trounced Germany and Czech and Slovakia barely squeaked by theirs, then the updated standings for the 4 non-bye teams might push Canada to the top of those 4.