Last Home Stand Sabo's Padres swept the snakes, hanging them with the dreaded "~0" in the SDDC race. Next up: Sabo's Padres play three @Blue Jays, then three @Yankees... two teams that don't let dogs in. The dog games are: Braves @Card's (debut), Marlins @Nationals, Rangers ("~0" w/loss) @Mariners (X w/loss), and Tigers ("~0" w/loss) @Orioles.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics — bz,cr(May25 br) 4% rs 3% an 2% mt(3-3 ex/),gn(2-3 \dm),mz(1-2 \tg May26 @ex),dm(3-8 gn\ ///pd),or(0-1 May29 tg),ry(0-2),mr(0-3 May28 rn),at,in,tw,yn ~0. X — bj(0-1). Team abbv — key. /=home win, \= home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}

In SDDC news, during the most recent no-dog-games road trip by Sabo's Padres: the Rangers X'd the Mariners. Next up: the Marlins visit the Barkyard for three, followed by the Phillies for three, then then Nationals for four. A ten game home stand... which for reasons, only the first four will concern us now. The Phillies are hung with the dreaded "~0" if they lose that fourth game. There'll also be dogbox game in Pheonix with the Mets (X w/loss) and Dodgers.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— bz 4% rs 3% an 2% mt(3-3 Jun2 @dm),gn(2-3),dm(3-8 Jun2 mt,dd),mz(1-3 /ex May31 @pd3),or(0-2 tg\),ry(0-2),at,in,tw,yn ~0. X— bj(0-1),mr(0-4 rn\). Team abbv— key. /=home win, \= home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}

News: the D'backs eliminated the Mets yesterday. Today Sabo's Padres hung the dreaded "~0" on the Phillies. Next up: Tuesday so a dog game in Pittsburgh, and... Sabo's 2nd biggest day of the year, his Padres big Dog Days of Summer game. Yes, Sabo once again won the lotto, and we're off to see the Phillies tomorrow... for Sabo's 50th ball game.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— bz,rs 4% an 2% mz(3-4 /\\pd),gn(2-3),ph(1-2 /pd Jun4 @pd),dm(4-9 mt/,dd\),or(0-2),ry(0-2),at,in,tw,yn ~0. X— mt(3-4 /dm),bj(0-1),mr(0-4). Team abbv— key. /— home win, \— home loss. Sabo games in red !!!1!. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: even though his Padres lost, Sabo had a great time out at the ballpark backing his Padres. Sabo never gives up the faith for his Padres. This was Sabo's 6th annual Padres Dog Days of Summer game... and his 50th professional baseball game overall. He's a good guy !!!1!

• May 4: Minvan to SAN. Fly to DFW. Lyft to Humperdink's @Arlington TX. Bar shuttle r/t Globe Life Park. Blue Jays @Rangers.
• May 5: Last call Lyft to DFW. Fly to SAN. Minvan back to Sabotat.

and...

• June 7: Lyft to SAN. Fly to PHL. Lyft to hotel. Lyft r/t to Citizens Bank Park. Reds @Phillies.
• June 8: Lyft to PHL. Fly to MIA. Rent car. Drive to hotel (2 nights).
• June 9: Drive r/t to Marlins Park. Braves @Marlins.
• June 10: Drive to Port Charlotte hotel. Drive r/t to Charlotte Sports Park. Bradenton Marauders (pr A) @Charlotte Stone Crabs (dr).
• June 11-14: Drive to Bradenton hotel (5 nights). Optionally, and while Sabo guarded the hotel room... I could have gone to MiLB in Tampa, Clearwater, there in Bradenton, as well as MLB in St.Petersburg.
• June 15: Drive r/t to Tropicana Field. Angels @Rays.
• June 16: Drive to MIA. Fly to SAN. Lyft back to Sabotat.

Next up: this afternoon, the Phillies finish up their visit to the Barkyard, then the Nationals invade for four games. Afterwards Sabo's Padres head out on San Francisco and Denver on their 5th road trip of the season... none of which are dog games. Meanwhile, there's another dog game in DC, and... Sabo & my 2nd lost road trip of the season (cancelled itineraries above). This trip was also scheduled before the airline companies forced me to cancel Sabo's stadium tour last month. Boo... hiss... at those airline companies !!!1!

Scenarios: Phillies rehung with ~0 by a loss, X'd if swept. Nationals ~0 with three losses, X'd if swept. Angles (debut) ~0 with loss.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— bz,rs 4% an(Jun13 @dr) 2% mz(3-4 Jun9 br),gn(2-3),dm(4-9 Jun13 @ex),or(0-2),ry(0-2),at,in,tw,yn ~0. X— mt(3-4),bj(0-1),mr(0-4). Team abbv— key. /— home win, \— home loss. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: The D'backs hung the dreaded ~0 on the Nationals.

Next: Sabo's Padres return to the Barkyard for a short three game home stand. The visiting Brewers (debut) are hung with the dreaded ~0 if they lose this series. We also have the favorite Astros @Reds, and Tigers @Pirates in dog games. In both cases the loser is hung with the dreaded ~0. An Astros win would also eliminate the Indians, Royals, and Yankees.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— bz(Jun17 @pd3),rs 4% ex(5-5 //\\pd,dm\),gn(2-3),mz(3-5 br\),dm(5-9 \ex),or(0-2),ry(0-2),at,in,tw,yn ~0. X— mt(3-4),bj(0-1),mr(0-4). Team abbv— key. /— home win, \— home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}

News: Three teams were hung with the dreaded ~0... the incoming favorite Astros by the Reds, the Pirates by the Tigers, and the Brewers, who were swept by Sabo's Padres.

Next: Sabo's Padres head out on the road to Pittsburgh and Baltimore... none of which are dog games. The dog games are the Rays (~0 w/loss) @A's (debut, X'd w/loss), and two games by the Rangers in Seattle and Detroit. Two wins by the Rangers would, in addition to proly making them the new favorites, cause a mass extinction, eliminating seven teams: the A's, Astros, Brewers, Indians, Royals, Twins and Yankees. Any loss by the Rangers would hang them with the dreaded ~0.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% ex(5-5),as(1-1 /rd),pr(4-5 tg\),gn(2-3),mz(3-5),dm(5-9),or(0-2),ry(0-2),bz(0-3 ///pd),at(Jun21 dr),in,tw,yn ~0. X— mt(3-4),bj(0-1),mr(0-4 Jun22 rn). Team abbv— key. /— home win, \— home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}

Correction: The Rangers had only one dog game this period, not two as previously blogged. Game number revised. News: The Rays eliminated the A's, and in Detroit on June 25th, the Rangers beat the Tigers.

Next: The second place Card's, and then the Giants, invade the Barkyard for three games each. This starts a pivotal stretch for the Cards, who play four dog games in 10 days. A Card's sweep would proly make them All-Star Sabo-Metrics SDDC favorite, hang the dreaded ~0 on the Tigers, and lead to a mass extinction: eliminating the Brewers, Indians, Royals, and Yankees. A 2-1 series win by Sabo's Padres would hang the dreaded ~0 on the Card's, a Padres sweep would eliminate the Card's. In addition, the second place Cubs play in front of the dogs of Pittsburgh.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 2% ex(5-5),as(1-1),pr(4-5 Jul2 cb),gn(2-3 Jul1 @pd3),mz(3-5),dm(5-9),or(0-2),ry(0-2),bz(0-3),in,yn ~0. X— mt(3-4),at(0-1 dr\),bj(0-1),mr(0-4). Team abbv— key. /— home win, \— home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}

News: Sabo's Padres hung the dreaded ~0 on the Cardinals.

Next: Sabo's Padres head up the 5 to play four against the hated Dodgers, then it's onto Cleveland for Sabo's favorite Padre, Kirby Yates, to the All-Star Game... none of which are dog games. The two dog games are on All-Star break eve: the Rockies need a win in Phoenix to remain in first place and favorite, while the Cardinals need a win in San Francisco to stay alive.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 3% ex(5-5),cr(2-2 //\pd;Jul7 @gn),as(1-1),mz(3-5),dm(5-9 Jul7 rc),or(0-2),ry(0-2),bz(0-3),in,yn ~0. X— mt(3-4),at(0-1),bj(0-1),mr(0-4). Team abbv— key. /— home win, \— home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}

News: On All-Star eve, the Giants eliminated the Card's, while the D'backs knocked the Rockies out of first. Of course, coming out of the All-Star break is a good time to review how our teams are doing...

MLB Race: Baseball Prospectus has only five teams with a better than 8% chance to win the World Series: the hated Dodgers 27.4% (60-32 1st NLW), Astros 19.1% (57-33 1st ALW), the hated Yankees 10.4% (57-31 1st ALE), Twins 8.6% (56-33 1st ALC) and Braves 8.1% (54-37 1st NLE).

Sabo's Padres: the good news is that don't have a losing record at the break for the first time in Sabo's life (45-45), and BP gives them a 13% chance to make the playoffs. Let's dwell on that. The bad news is they are in 3rd, 14 games back of the hated Dodgers, and BP gives them ~0 chance of winning the division, and a 0.3% chance of winning the World Series. Sabo would if he could sez "Let's go Padres !!!1!".

My Red Sox: the defending world champions are in third at 49-41, which is good enough for 3rd in the division, nine games behind the hated Yankees. BP gives them a 3% chance of winning the division, and a 1.6% chance of repeating as champions. Even though my Red Sox are doing better than Sabo's Padres... it seems they are doing about the same, or worse, because of the much higher expectations. BP still gives them a 36% chance of making the playoffs... and the key to winning championships is the get to the playoffs, then get on a hot streak. So I'll yell "Go Red Sox !!!1!"

SDCC Race: All-Star Sabo-Metrics has four teams over 8% to win the race: the Braves 16% (5-2, 7 games remaining), Rangers 15% (4-1, 2), defending champion and hated Dodgers 13% (3-2, 9), and Rockies 9% (3-1, 10).

Sabo's Padres: they started the season as favorites, but their losing record at home (23-24) has whittled their chances down to just 5%.

My Red Sox: they haven't played a dog game yet, but have an identical 5% chance to win. To Sabo's chagrin, I'll be attending all four of the Red Sox dog games... and Sabo won't be attending any of them. Three of these dog games will be huge... as they'll be Sabo Bowls, with yapping|taunting rights on the line.

Next: Coming out of the All-Star break, the new favorite Braves open a pivotal stretch where they play four dog games in five days. The first three comprise an entire short home stand in the Barkyard... where a sweep by Sabo's Padres would hang the dreaded ~0 on the Braves. A Braves sweep would eliminate the Indians, Royals, and Yankees.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 3% ex(5-5),as(1-1),dm(6-9 rc/),mz(3-5 Jul14 mt),or(0-2),ry(0-2),bz(0-3),in,yn ~0. X— mt(3-4 Jul14 @mz),cr(2-3 /gn),at(0-1),bj(0-1),mr(0-4). Team abbv— key. /— home win. A gratuitous sports post.}

News: The Mets won in front of the dogs of Miami. The real news was the Braves sweeping in the Barkyard, which made them substantial favorites, while eliminating the Indians, Royal, Yankees, and re-hanging the dreaded ~0 on the Pirates and Tigers.

Next: Sabo's Padres, reeling out of the All-Star break, head off to play the Marlins, Cubs and Mets. Sabo is in shock from the sweep... but he's keeping the faith. None of these are dog games.

The dog games are all elimination games for the Brewers... Tuesday at home vs. Braves, and Sunday in Phoenix. A Braves win will make them odds-on favorites, while also eliminating the Astros, Marlins and Orioles.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 4% tw 1% ex(5-5),pr(5-5),as(1-1),tg(1-1),dm(6-9 Jul21 bz),mz(3-6 mt\),or(0-2),bz(0-3 Jul16 br,Jul21 @dm) ~0. X— mt(4-4 \mz),cr(2-3),at(0-1),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),mr(0-4),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. A gratuitous sports post.}

News: The Brewers avoided elimination by winning twice.

Next: Tomorrow is Sabo's Roll-Your-Own MiLB Doubleheader !!!1! We're going to our second ever morning game in San Bernardino, the Modesto Nuts (now Mariners) at Inland Empire 66ers (Angels), 11 am. Later, at 6 pm in Lake Elsinore, it's the Visalia Rawhide (D'backs) at the Storm (Sabo's Padres). In between the games Sabo, who likes trains, gets to go to the Southern California Railroad Museum (fka Orange Empire Trolley Museum) in Perris.

In addition to being a Sabo Big Day, the Mariners organization is having a "doubleheader" by the MLB team hosting the Rangers tomorrow. All this, and Tuesday's regular dog day in Pittsburgh, have huge implications for the SDDC race.

Wins by the Nuts, Rawhide, Mariners, Card's hang the dreaded ~0 on the first place Angels, Sabo's Padres, Rangers, Pirates respectively. A loss by the Mariners eliminates the Astros, Brewers, Marlins, and combined with a 66ers loss, the first place Angels.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 2% ex(5-5),as(1-1),tg(1-1),bz(2-3 br/ \dm),dm(6-10 \bz;Jul22 @pd MiLB),mz(3-6),or(0-2) ~0. X— mt(4-4),cr(2-3 Jul23 @pr),at(0-1),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),mr(0-4 Jul22 @an MiLB & rn),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. /— home win. Sabo games in red !!!1!. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: Monday, Sabo got more than even he had bargained for... as he got 10 innings of MiLB in San Bernardino, including witnessing the new gimmicky way the minors do extra innings now, starting with a runner on 2nd... and 8½ innings of MiLB in Lake Elsinore, as the home town Storm didn't need the bottom of the 9th to win. Sabo had a blast at both games... and I dare say was ready to "play three". There were at least five other dogs at the 66ers game, but none were out in the LF lawn section, so once again I let Sabo roam free. Unlike the previous morning game where I got two foul balls, there were -zero- foul or home run balls hit down the LF line this game.

It was warm but nice at both games. However, in between games for the drives and at the railroad museum it got really hot, 103+, and Sabo started melting. Sabo spent his time at the museum sprawled out on the cool cement floor of the air conditioned gift shop. So... I owe him another visit when it's a bit nicer.

Oh yeah, the Angels, Pirates and Rangers were each hung with the dreaded ~0.

Next: For the second time this month, and the third and last time this season, the Giants invade the Barkyard. After those three games, the Orioles invade for two. A Giants series win would lead to a seven team mass extinction: the Angels, Astros, Brewers, D'backs, Marlins, Orioles and Rangers. A Padres series win re-hangs the dreaded ~0 on the Giants. One loss also eliminates the Orioles. Three loses hang the dreaded ~0 on Sabo's Padres.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 2% rn(4-2 /mr),ex(5-5),an(1-1 mr\),as(1-1),tg(1-1),pr(5-6 cr\),bz(2-3),dm(6-11 /pd),mz(3-6),or(0-2 Jul29 @pd2) ~0. X— mt(4-4),cr(3-3 \pr),mr(2-4 rn/,\an),at(0-1),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. /— home win. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: The Giants eliminated those seven teams, then the Orioles hung the dreaded ~0 on Sabo's Padres.

Next: On their 9th road trip, Sabo's Padres play the hated Dodgers, then the Mariners. None of those are dog games. Instead the Nationals and Pirates have elimination games. Those aren't the feature game. The feature game has -zero- SDCC implications, as both organizations have been eliminated. The feature game is Wednesday...

The New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins AAA) at the Las Vegas Aviators (A's). Yeah, the old 51s have re-branded as the Aviators (in honor of late Howard Hughes). They have a new working agreement with the A's (instead of the Mets). And they have a brand new stadium: Las Vegas Stadium, in suburban Summerlin (instead of Cashman Field, which is now a soccer stadium). This will be Sabo's 20th stadium.

It'll also be his first overnight trip in more than a year... which is very much unlike Sabo, a "go" dog. Friday we'll swing through Kingman AZ, then visit Sabo's Uncle D in Lake Havasu. Sadly, unlike the last five years, Sabo won't be visiting our Uncle J while in Kingman. My Uncle John, my late mom's brother, recently went onward.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 6% tw 2% pd (28-30 gn\/\,or/\),ex(5-5 Aug4 @dm),tg(1-1),pr(5-6 Aug6 bz) ~0. X— rn(4-2),mt(4-4),cr(3-3),an(1-1),as(1-1),bz(2-3 Aug6 @pr),dm(6-11 Aug4 ex),mr(2-4),mz(3-6 Jul31 @at MiLB),or(1-3 /\pd),at(0-1 Jul31 mz MiLB),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. /— home win. Sabo game in red. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: The Nationals and Pirates were eliminated.

The big news was Sabo (& my) first out of town road trip in over a year. I picked up our rental car Tuesday. This time we got a Toyota Camry in car-roulette. Wednesday we cruised up I-15 to the Aviators game. The new Las Vegas Ballpark was very nice, and the home team won. Thursday Sabo faithfully guarded our room, as I went and played some poker. It really was a "suburb trip" as I never visited Downtown Vegas or the The Strip, the ballgame was in Summlin, and I played at South Point and Green Valley Ranch in Henderson.

Friday day we were in meetings in Kingman AZ with lawyers and bankers regarding our late Uncle John. Sabo attended, and was the star, at all these meetings. Friday night we spend with Sabo's uncle, and my brotherman, D in Lake Havasu City AZ. Saturday we cruised back to Dago. I was able to find some "new mileage" for Sabo: we crossed into CA over the Parker Dam, then took the Back-Country Byway to CA-61; CA-78 from Brawley up Banner Grade through Julian to Santa Ysabel; and CA-67 from Ramona to Lakeside. Sabo had a blast on this trip, like always... and showed what a great "go dog" and travel companion he is, like always. That Sabo... he's a good guy !!!1!.

Next: Sabo continues his MiLB streak with another game tomorrow: the Lancaster Jethawks (Rockies A) @Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers). This proxy match of 2nd and 4th favorites has huge implications for the SDDC race. This also starts a pivotal stretch for the Rockies organization, who have six dog games in seven days.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 2% tg(1-1),pd(28-30) ~0. X— rn(4-2),mt(4-4),bz(3-3 \pr),cr(3-3),an(1-1),as(1-1),at(1-1 mz/),ex(5-6 /dm),pr(5-7 bz\),dm(7-11 ex/),mr(2-4),mz(3-7 /at),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. /— home win. Sabo game in red. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

In case you missed it last Thursday, Week -3 and the start of the semi-annoying NFL exhibition season got underway in Canton Ohio. I was at Green River Valley in Henderson NV playing in a $4-8 HORSE game. The NFL was on tv, but I'll admit I didn't pay it much attention. Neither team "won", as it was an exhibition. Denver scored more points than Atlanta.


The feature exhibition for Week -2 is my Patriots, beginning the defense of their Superb Owl Championship, visiting Detroit, tomorrow at 4:30 pdt. It's not on tv here. But sure, I'll yell it... Go Patriots... score more points, I guess.

News: We made it! After two aborted attempts last season, we finally made it to Loanmart Field last night. The drive up was a PITA, as it was traffic pretty much all the way. The drive back was 100% better. Like always, Sabo enjoyed his visit to a ballpark... and he got the overhanging ends of two Dodger Dogs, one from a Quakes fan. The team Sabo was secretly backing, the Jethawks, won.

Next: Sabo's Padres 10th home stand features the Rockies for four, then the Rays for three. In addition, the favorite Braves have a dog game in Miami. These are all huge games for the SDDC race... but for reasons only the first five of the Padre home games concern us in this post.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 2% tg(1-1),pd(28-30 Aug8 rc4,dr) ~0. X— rn(4-2),mt(4-4),bz(3-3),cr(3-3),an(1-1),as(1-1),at(1-1),ex(5-6),pr(5-7),dm(7-11),mr(2-4),mz(3-7 Aug11 br),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: I just finished watching the replay of yesterday's New England exhibition in Detroit. My defending Superb Owl champion Patriots, using a lot of people who won't make the team, scored a whole lotta of points, 31... versus a pitiful garbage-time three for the sad-sack Lions, against a lot of who won't make that team. Yay !!!1!

Next: My Patriots travel to Nashville TN to finish out the road part of their exhibition schedule. That'll be Saturday 17th 4pm pdt... and not on my local tv. I'll yell it. Go Patriots !!!1!... go ahead and score more meaningless points than those pesky Titans.


Review*: My plan for this and the next three weeks was to do team reviews/previews for 2018/2019. The premature demise of the AAF means there is nothing to preview. Did I mention F*** the AAF?

Looking back, I gotta feel the whole AAF was some sort of scam. The gimmicky rule changes. The buggy app that was hardly "revolutionary", and hardly even worked. The pathetic below amateur level production values of their obscure broadcasts. The vapid hype of in-game betting that never came close to materializing. All topped by the unprofessional clown show of the various transient owners and promoters... scamsters all. F*** the AAF.

The only thing they did right, for a while at least, was by the players, coaches, and other football workers actually involved in putting the product on the field the games. It wasn't major league football, not close... but it was credible as a minor league football. Which makes the whole thing into a tragedy instead of a farce. All those football workers were, in general, promised that this scam league had financing to last through three whole seasons. They dedicated their time, often relocating their families, and quit/forgone actual legitimate jobs... only to be stuck out of town with these scamster owner's hotel bills. Did I mention F*** the AAF.

Of course, one little dog doesn't equate to these real football workers getting screwed. But Sabo finally had a pro football team, even if they were minor league, all his own to back... and then nothing. I hope these scamsters are happy breaking a little dog's heart like that. F*** the AAF. Oh yeah... Sabo won't be fooled again, and he won't be following the revived XFL next year.

At least we can close out our 2018 Season Picks...


_{* For the sake of completeness, the Fleet lost their last game 3-9, finishing forever 3-5 and tied for last. F*** the AAF. A gratuitous sports post.}

Correction: Last post I incorrectly scored our pre-game Superb Owl picks. Both Sabo and myself picked my Patriots to win. Our corrected 2018 season pick records are 6-8 for Sabo and 10-7 for me.

News: The Braves won in Miami... and are now odds-on favorite to win the SDDC.

Next: Tomorrow a D'backs win in Denver would hang the dreaded ~0 on the Rockies. The feature game is the Rays in the Barkyard with Sabo !!!1! Yes, it's Sabo's first dog box game this season. It's also the first time that Sabo or myself will have ever seen those elusive Rays (Sabo's still bitter about having a game tix, but not being able to go see the Rays in St.Petersburg, Russia back in June).

Later: After seeing the Rays, Sabo will still not have seen three teams: Astros, Blue Jays (who he had game tix for back in May), and White Sox. Mark this date: Tuesday May 12, 2020 7:10, White Sox @Padres.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 5% tw 1% tg(1-1),pd(31-32 rc///\,dr\ Aug13 dr) ~0. X— rn(4-2),mt(4-4),bz(3-3),cr(3-3),an(1-1),as(1-1),at(1-1),ex(5-6),pr(5-7),dm(7-11 Aug13 @rc),mr(2-4),mz(3-7 br\),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. /— home win. Sabo game in red. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: Sabo thoroughly enjoyed his visit to the Barkyard yesterday, even though his Padres blew a lead and lost. He met a new dog friend, as my friend F, who is involved with a Tijuana animal rescue, brought international dog visitor Guero to the game. Also, the D'backs hung the dreaded ~0 on the Rockies.

Next: For the aforementioned reasons we are lumping in the today's final Rays game in the Barkyard. Sabo's Padres 10th road trip starts Friday, with games in Philadelphia and Cincinnati... none of which are dog games. The feature dog game is Sunday when the Giants visit Phoenix. A Giants win would eliminate the Phillies, Reds, Rockies, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, and if they lose today, Rays.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs 4% tw 1% rc(5-5 dm\),tg(2-2),pd(31-33 dr\ Aug14 dr) ~0. X— rn(4-2),mt(4-4),bz(3-3),cr(3-3),an(1-1),as(1-1),at(1-1),ex(5-6 Aug20 @pr),pr(5-7 Aug20 ex),dm(8-11 \rc),mr(2-4),mz(3-7),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: My Patriots scored more meaningless points than the Titans too. I missed this game, unlike the Lions game which I watched in replay the next day.


Next: My Patriots host the Panthers to start the home part of their exhibition season. However, the "big next" is the start of the FBS season. Football is back !!!1!

This season is one of the 2/7 years where there is an extra Saturday between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, which by some magic means there is an extra week in the FBS season, and so most teams have two byes. It's the same 130 FBS teams, the same 10 conferences, and the same structures as 2018. New Mexico State and Liberty are playing each other twice, as they did in 2018. Army and Hawaii are playing 13 regular season games. Five FBS teams are each playing two FCS teams (arm, ec, fl, lb, vt). Two ACC members are playing a non-conference game against each other (nc@wf). This season's playoff bowls are the Peach and Fiesta on Saturday 12-28. The championship is Monday 1-13 @Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans. The whole 150th season of college football kicks off with a made for tv match up in Orlando on this very Saturday (which I'll miss).

News: Sabo's Padres finally beat the Rays in the Barkyard. The Braves remain odds-on favorites to win the SDDC.

Next: It's a Sabo Bowl !!!1! For the last 298 days, ever since I went to LA to see Sabo Bowl I'I' (where my Red Sox won the World Series), I've had Yapping|Taunting rights over Sabo. Now it's all on the line in Sabo Bowl I'II !!!1! And... I'll be there. But not Sabo. My friend F and me were all set to grab Barkyard boxes for all the Red Sox games. I was logged in the second the pre-sale went on sale, but those tickets (and several other including Dodgers and Cardinals games) were never made available. So Sabo is rightly bitter he isn't going with.

The Stakes are Huge: If my Red Sox win, they'll tie the White Sox for first in the SDDC... if Sabo's Padres win, my Red Sox are eliminated in the SDDC, and Sabo gains Yapping|Taunting rights over me.


_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— rs(Aug 23 @pd) 6% tw 2% rc(5-5),tg(2-2),pd(32-33 dr/ Aug23 rs) ~0. X— rn(4-2),mt(4-4),bz(3-3),cr(3-3),an(1-1),as(1-1),at(1-1),pr(6-7 ex/),dm(9-11 /gn),ex(5-7 /pr),mr(2-4),mz(3-7),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. /— home win. Sabo Bowl in blue. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: My world champion Red Sox put a 11-0 beat-down on Sabo's Padres in Sabo Bowl II'I. The victory tied my Red Sox for 1st in the SDDC race. The Braves remain odds-on favorites to win the SDDC.

Next: It's another Sabo Bowl !!!1! I'm going, Sabo is rightly bitter he is not. The stakes remain huge: if my Red Sox win, they would move into undisputed 1st in the SDDC race, and I would lock up Yapping|Taunting rights over Sabo starting 8-27. If Sabo's Padres win, my Red Sox would be eliminated from the SDDC race, and (gulp) Sabo would gain Yapping|Taunting rights over me.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— tw 2% rc(5-5),tg(2-2),pd(32-34 rs\ Aug24 rs) ~0. X— rn(4-2),mt(4-4),bz(3-3),cr(3-3),an(1-1 Aug24 @as),as(1-1 Aug24 an),at(1-1),pr(6-7),dm(9-11),ex(5-7),mr(2-4),mz(3-7),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. \— home loss. Sabo Bowl in blue. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: My world champion Red Sox eeked out a 5-4 win over Sabo's Padres in Sabo Bowl II". The victory moved my Red Sox into undisputed 1st in the SDDC race. The Braves remain odds-on favorites to win the SDDC.

Next: It's another Sabo Bowl !!!1! I'm going, Sabo is rightly bitter he is not. The stakes remain high (if not huge): If Sabo's Padres win, my Red Sox would be eliminated from the SDDC race, and (gulp) Sabo would gain Yapping|Taunting rights over me for today and tomorrow.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— tw 2% rc(5-5),tg(2-2),pd(32-35 rs\ Aug25 rs) ~0. X— rn(4-2),as(2-1 an/),mt(4-4),bz(3-3),cr(3-3),at(1-1),pr(6-7),dm(9-11),ex(5-7),an(1-2 /as),mr(2-4),mz(3-7),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. /— home win. \— home loss. Sabo Bowl in blue. Not quite a gratuitous sports post.}

News: Sabo's Padres won Sabo Bowl II'I. The victory eliminated my Red Sox from the SDDC, and (gulp) Sabo gained Yapping|Taunting rights over me. However, Sabo should enjoy is rights quickly, as my world champion Red Sox won the series. This means I regain Yapping|Taunting rights over Sabo tomorrow. I don't want to jinx my little boy, he's been very healthy so far... but baring three World Series game wins in a season by Sabo's Padres (and they've only won one World Series game in 50 seasons), it could be a long long time until another Sabo Bowl:


Next: Sabo's Padres 11th home stand features last year's World Series teams. They've already played my Red Sox, so next it's the hated Dodgers. A series win by Sabo's Padres would hang the dreaded ~0 on the Dodgers. A sweep eliminates the hated Dodgers.

_{Projections by All-Star Sabo-Metrics— tw 3% rc(5-5),tg(2-2),pd(33-35 rs/ Aug26 dd3) ~0. X— rn(4-2),as(2-1),rs(2-1 /pd),mt(4-4),bz(3-3),cr(3-3),at(1-1),pr(6-7),dm(9-11),ex(5-7),an(1-2),mr(2-4),mz(3-7),or(1-3),bj(0-1),ry(0-2),in,yn. Team abbv— key. /— home win. A gratuitous sports post.}

News: My Patriots scored more meaningless points than the Panthers . I missed this game too. However, it's a well known thingee that the penultimate exhibition game is the dress rehearsal for the regular season. So that's a good thing.


Next: My Patriots host the Giants to complete their exhibition season. This is the first of two visits to Foxborough by the Giants this season. They'll be back to play in their first ever Rivalry Bowl in NFL week #6.

Of more importance is Sabo's Aztecs starting their season with the traditional KGB Sky Show. Weber State is this year's sacrificial FCS opponent. The two programs have never met.

My Golden Bears also start their season against their yearly FCS opponent. This is also the first leg of this year's Mythical UC Championship. UC Davis wins if they beat Cal, then Cal beats UCLA. Cal beat UC Davis eight times in the 1930s, and once in the 2010s, all @Memorial Stadium. Actually in addition, the UC Davis varsity was 5-19-2 vs Cal non-varsity (variously “Freshmen”, “3rd Varsity”, “JV”) from 1915 to 1957, included 0-4 @Memorial Stadium.


^{FCS teams— italics. Records— 2018. Rankings—AP pre-season. Projections— ESPN RPI. Team abbv— key. Notes— 1: on field record (forfeits counted as wins), 2: inc 3-3-1 vs UC Santa Barbara, 3: inc 1-5 in Rose Bowls and 1-0 vs USC, 4: inc 1-0 in Pasadena Bowl and 1-3 vs Cal State LA, 5: inc 1-0 in Poinsettia Bowl, 6: inc 0-3 in bowls, 7: MW championship game, 8: inc 1-1 in Las Vegas Bowls, 9: inc 1-0 in Hawaii Bowl, 10: inc 5-6-1 in non-SDSU bowls, 11: Poinsettia Bowl. A gratuitous sports post.}