The past? So yesterday. Sportspress Northwest to look ahead with a weekly feature, Crystal Balls, by Deidre Silva.
In the world of prognostications, last week wasnt so bad. The favored Sounders’ match against Sporting Kansas City was decided only after the full 90 with a goal in injury time. And at the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Animal Kingdom, was bumped at the gate yet made a dramatic run to finish half a length back. Finishing second has to be worth a little something, right?
Seattle Mariners at Minnesota; Yankees at Safeco
PREDICTION: Mariners take Twins series, 2-1; Yankees 2-1.
Pitching-dominant Seattle rides a two-game winning streak into Memorial Day Weekend against a Yankees team that is fighting with Tampa and Boston for the top spot in the AL East. The YankeesFriday night get their first load of rookie phenom Michael Pineda, and swoon. Saturday and Sunday, the Yankees grab their bats, take it out on the Mariners and leave town with the AL East lead.
FC Dallas v. Sounders FC, 7 p.m., Wednesday
PREDICTION: Dallas win 3-0, Sounders continue to add Facebook friends at an alarming rate.
Dallas and Seattle are tied for second in the Western Conference, albeit having played two less games, and has played some of the MLS’s best soccer but comes to town off a disappointing draw vs. Real Salt Lake. The Dallas offense will pepper Sounders keeper Kasey Keller, inducing an entertaining tirade against his defenders. Dallas midfielder Andrew Jacobson gets first score for his new team.
Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Speedway, Sunday
PREDICTION: Graham Rahal takes the checkered flag.
Canadian Alex Tagliani battled storms at the Brickyard to win the prestigious pole position at this years Indy 500. But the pole and all the ensuing parties and publicity wont be enough to hold off American Graham Rahal and his Ganassi satellite car. Grahams win adds to the family Indy 500 trophy case (dad Bobby won in 1986) and to his teams bragging rights over the slick Penske team, which is best represented this year by driver Will Power, the second-place finisher.
NBA Western semifinals, Oklahoma Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
PREDICTION: Oklahoma evens the series, 2-2, at home on Monday; Dallas wins in seven.
The Mavs favored status in this series is compromised because the teams four-game sweep of the Lakers included a hobbled Kobe and an imploding Pau Gasol. Fact is, the Mavs and Thunder are well-matched. Dallas wins Sundays game seven in OT and the Miami Heat, having roasted the Bulls in six games, awaits.
Foosball, Northwest Regional Playoffs (teams) – Country Inn & Suites, Bothell, Friday night Sunday
PREDICTION: Foos Sharks Fosner and Boyle take team trophy
Jason Sherrill can employ the Snake and Justin Shaw can work his Surfer move to the hilt but neither has enough to elevate their respective teams through the finals. The only question will be whether Fosner and Boyles high individual rankings will translate to the level of team play required to share the table and the glory.
