Bob Haynie: A Fun Sports Weekend Ahead
As we hit the second weekend of June, the weather is nice and the yard work is plenitful. However, if you can manage to find some free time, there is plenty of sports entertainment for your viewing pleasure.
After a 3-6 road trip through Toronto, Tampa and Boston, the Baltimore Orioles return home to face the reeling Philadelphia Phillies. The Birds have been struggling. But they enter the Philly series tied for first with the Rays in the AL East.
The Phillies have lost six straight and are bringing up the rear in the NL East. This could be the team Baltimore needs to get right again.
On Saturday, Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO welterweight title against undefeated junior welterweight king Timothy Bradley Jr. Pacquiao has not dominated lately and barely got by Juan Manuel Marquez in his last bout. With his politcal and singing careers and some internal strife in his camp, Manny's distractions are growing.
So much so, that I think Bradley pulls off the upset.
I'll Have Another will try to become the first Triple Crown winning horse since Affirmed in 1978. The Belmont Stakes has taken down many thoroughbreds who have tried to make history. Hopefully, as a strong favorite, I'll Have Another can break through and give the sport what it desperately needs.
A Triple Crown king.
After getting blown out at home on Friday, the Boston Celtics will travel back to Florida to battle the Miami Heat is game seven of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals. LeBron James dropped 45 on he Celtics in game six and played like an unstoppable superstar.
If he can come close to duplicating that performance, Boston has no chance and James will take his reputation to that of a big-game dominator.
Look for the Heat to finish the Celtics and advance to The Finals to face the Thunder.
So, go shopping and cut the grass early and then settle in for some sports fun.
Have a great weekend.
BH
