Bleacher Report - Front Page

Derrick Rose Can't Be Too Happy About What Bradley Beal Had to Say

Jesse Dorsey — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:01:55 -0400

Everybody has an opinion on the season that wasn't for Derrick Rose. But it seems like whenever a basketball player talks to a local radio station, he's asked to offer his opinion, which is what happened with Bradley Beal.

This has been one of the most unusual situations surrounding an injury that we've seen in a while. Rose was medically cleared to play, but he never felt confident enough to return to the court, leading to a constant back-and-forth about whether or not he would end up playing.

The Chicago Bulls' season ended after the Miami Heat knocked them out of the playoffs. That was the end of the speculation, but it was hardly the end of the interest in everything that's gone on with Rose.

Beal appeared on a Washington-based radio show and was asked his opinion on Rose not playing this season. Per Sarah Kogod of the Washington Post, he said:

That’s hard, because I’ve never experienced that injury. And I know what type of injury that is, it’s possible it’s gonna happen again. Knock on wood. But at the same time, you might have to give it a go. If you’re practicing for two months and everybody in practice is saying you’re practicing well, I figure you gotta give it a shot in a game.

But it’s his decision. I can’t really have a say so in it. If he doesn’t feel he’s mentally confident to be able to go out there and help the team, I guess I can’t really blame him for it.

Beal was then asked whether or not he would lose respect for a player who sat out despite being medically cleared to play:

A little bit. Yeah, I would. The type of player he is, and the mentality and competitiveness that he has, I think he would have gave it a go. I don’t know what was holding him back. I think he’s scared it’s probably going to happen again and he won’t be the same. But you’re never the same after an injury. But you just have to fight through it and do something else to be able to impact the game. I’m not sure what it is he has to do. I really can’t speak for him.

So, was Beal right to call Rose scared?

There had to be more than doubt in Rose's mind that kept him from getting back on the court after doctors told him that he was good to go.

This seems like one of those situations where we're never truly going to know what Rose's mentality was throughout the season, so the conversation will continue until we hear something from Rose himself.

Preakness 2013 Weather: How Rain Will Improve Orb's Triple Crown Chances

Richard Langford — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:53:53 -0400

While rain can be the kind of wild card in a race that allows for a lightly touted horse to steal an upset win, in the 138th Preakness, it simply tips the odds in favor of Orb. And the Kentucky Derby champ is already a huge favorite.

The rain may not be a factor anyway. It is looking like mother nature may be a Preakness fan. The Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. has been getting hit with rain on race day, but we might not be able to tell once the 6:20 p.m. ET post time for the Preakness arrives.

The Doppler radar via Weather.com tells us that the storms are expected to be on their by 4:30 p.m. ET.

Still, we all know that predicting the weather is not quite an exact science. In fact, it's a more fickle prognostication business than handicapping horses. So, in case the rain does persist, let's take a look at why Triple Crown hopeful Orb will be just fine with a little precipitation.

First, take a look at the field for the Preakness.

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Morning Line
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	1-1
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O’Neill	8-1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	30-1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr	Albert M. Stall, Jr	6-1
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	5-1
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	15-1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12-1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12-1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10-1

As you might have noticed, the track was a bit damp during the biggest victory of Orb's career: the Kentucky Derby.

Orb was simply dominant. He looked extremely comfortable in the two-and-a-half length win. There was nothing to suggest that any horse in that field would be able to really push Orb for the victory.

The Preakness offers a slightly shorter and tighter track, but it is a comparable race. So, given the same type of conditions, there is no reason to think that Orb won't be able to display similar dominance.

Five of the horses (besides Orb) who ran in the Derby—Goldencents, Mylute, Oxbow, Will Take Charge and Itsmyluckday—will be running in the Preakness.

And they need to be hoping for a dry track. In this instance, that has become their wild card.

The other contenders—Titletown Five, Departing and Govenor Charlie—won't have the same psychological damage from the Derby hanging over their heads, but they also won't have the confidence running in the mud that Orb has.

Also helping Orb out is the fact that he is starting on the rail. The track will get sloppier farther away from the rail. So, while the first post has been home to just one winner in the past 60 years, if it rains, any disadvantage from being on the inside will be neutralized.

On top of all of this, Orb will be completely acclimated to the rain, as he was working in the rain at Belmont leading up to the Preakness.

It is hard to find a way to look at the Preakness without seeing a victory by Orb, and that is even more true if it happens to rain.

Preakness 2013 Post Positions: What Experts Are Saying About Draw

Donald Wood — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:51:33 -0400

The 2013 Preakness Stakes is approaching fast, and the excitement over where each horse will start the second leg of the Triple Crown has horse racing fans at a fever pitch.

Preakness Stakes' official Twitter revealed the post positions that were drawn earlier this week, and the experts have come out in force to give their options on where each horse starts on Saturday:

All of the following top contenders are under a microscope at Pimlico Race Course, and which post position each breaks out of the gate will play a role in where each of these horse's finish.

Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore

When: Saturday, May 18, 2013

Post Time: 6:20 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

2013 Preakness Stakes Post Positions

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	1/1
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O’Neill	8/1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	30/1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr	Albert M. Stall, Jr	6/1
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	5/1
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	15/1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12/1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12/1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10/1

*Odds via Preakness.com.

Orb

The favorite coming into the Preakness has been Orb all along. With Weather.com forecasting rainy conditions in Baltimore Saturday, the Triple Crown contender looks to run his way out of the No. 1 post position and to the front of the pack.

While the wet conditions at Pimlico Race Course will play into orb’s favor, Daily Racing Form’s David Grening reminds us that the No. 1 position is less-than-ideal:

Orb proved at Churchill Downs that he can come through the pack in sloppy conditions to steal a win. As long as he avoids falling all the way to the back of the pack or getting trapped along the rail, the Derby winner will steal the Preakness Stakes.

Mylute

After a solid finish at the Kentucky Derby (fifth place), Mylute will look to prove the critics that say the colt can’t win on a track longer than a mile wrong by stunning Orb and taking the Preakness Stakes victory.

Mylute’s jockey Rosie Napravnik—one of the best in the sport and one of the few females in the male-dominated profession—took to Twitter to talk about her post position (No. 5) and her feeling about the draw:

Not only does Mylute have the speed and acceleration out of the gate to get an early lead, the experience running on sloppy conditions at Churchill Downs and the talent of jockey Napravnik will be enough to help this horse finish in the top three and contend for the win.

Oxbow

While Oxbow isn’t a betting favorite for Saturday’s race, this is a horse that was built for the course and conditions at this year’s Preakness. After finishing sixth at the Kentucky Derby, Oxbow starts in the No. 6 post position and is ready to prove his dominance.

Horse racing insider Stephen Panus reveals on Twitter what makes Oxbow's draw for the 2013 Preakness Stakes very favorable:

Not only did Oxbow draw a favorable starting spot, the horse is trained by the legendary D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. With everything going his way, watch out for Oxbow to contend Saturday.

NASCAR All-Star Race 2013: Drivers to Watch in Unique Charlotte Race

Alex Ballentine — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:47:17 -0400

The NASCAR All-Star race always offers an exciting change of pace from the weekly points race. The 2013 edition should be no different.

Because the race isn't for points, there's a real winner-takes-all mentality that will make the action all the more intense. Throw in the fact that the biggest names in racing will be vying for a $1 million purse and you know that this is one of the most unique races of the year.

Many of the sports biggest names have already qualified. The Sprint Showdown and a fan vote will allow three more drivers to get in on the action. There's plenty of star power to make this a must-see event for any racing fan.

Here's the current lineup along with the top contenders to watch.

No.	Driver	Make
2	Brad Keselowski	Ford
5	Kasey Kahne	Chevrolet
9	Marcos Ambrose	Ford
11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota
14	Tony Stewart	Chevrolet
15	Clint Bowyer	Toyota
16	Greg Biffle	Ford
18	Kyle Busch	Toyota
20	Matt Kenseth	Toyota
22	Joey Logano	Ford
24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
29	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet
34	David Ragan	Ford
39	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet
48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet
55	Mark Martin	Toyota
78	Kurt Busch	Chevrolet
88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet
99	Carl Edwards	Ford

Drivers to Watch

Jimmie Johnson

If you're talking about the All-Star race, no one does it better than Jimmie Johnson. In addition to winning the 2012 edition, he's one of the few racers in history to win the event multiple times.

Even though the race is just an exhibition, Johnson has made it clear that he's coming to compete, per the USA Today.

I don't spend a lot of time looking at stats, but I'm very proud of what I've done and very excited to put my name up there with Jeff and Earnhardt. It's one of the majors for us. When drivers map out the year and set goals, the All-Star Race is one of the top three for everybody

Johnson's three wins has him tied for most all time with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt. If he wins this time around, he'll have the record all to himself.

As one of the best racers in the sport right now, he has to be the odds on favorite.

Kyle Busch

There are some drivers who really benefit from the win-or-go-home nature of the All-Star race. Because ending the night on a crash is just as bad (financially) as finishing in second place, there's more impetus to "go for broke".

Kyle Busch, for one, embraces that challenge, per the Sports Network.

It's just no holds barred... Go for everything, go for broke and see what you get. Literally, it's going for broke, because you either come home with a million bucks or you're broke, so it's a great race just for the fans, I think, and for the drivers, because it's a non-points race. You get to go out there and put everything on the line.

Busch already holds two wins and six top-10 finishes in 11 starts this season. It wouldn't be surprising if his aggressive style leads to a strong showing in this race.

Jeff Gordon

Gordon may not be having the best season. He has yet to earn a win in 2013. But as Johnson alluded to, he's also tied for the most All-Star victories of all-time.

Despite the lack of wins, he's been on the cusp a few times. He has two top-five finishes, including a third-place finish in the Bojangles Southern 500 in his last race.

A return to the familiar All-Star format might be just what he needs to get back to the winner's circle.

Tottenham's Biggest Summer Transfer Window Needs to Get into Top 4 Next Season

Thomas Cooper — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:37:13 -0400

Andre Villas-Boas and his players know that even if Tottenham Hotspur manage to finish fourth this season, it is going to take a big effort to get there again next year.

Several clubs share similar aspirations, ensuring plenty of competition between seasoned top-four campaigners and dreamers alike in the coming season.

The difference-maker, especially for the more aspirational of the bunch (like Tottenham, rather than the genuinely successful Manchester United), is the work done in putting together a squad for the season in the summer transfer window.

Back in March, this writer wrote about what Spurs and Villas-Boas' biggest transfer objectives for the summer might be.

Little has changed in regards to some of those suggestions.

A backup goalkeeper to challenge Hugo Lloris and replace the aging Brad Friedel is still needed. As too is competition on the wings—though Andros Townsend has only helped his own prospects with his impressive performances at Queens Park Rangers.

The need for reinforcements at left-back, strengthening what has been an occasionally porous defense, remains. There have been, though, some intriguing developments and rumors in relation to the position.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto's assertion in an interview with The Guardian's David Hytner that he "would be quite happy to see out my playing career" at White Hart Lane was a statement not in keeping with previous rumors (like this Daily Mail story) surrounding the player.

Should this be Assou-Ekotto's intention, Villas-Boas has things to consider. Despite a subpar season by his standards, the Cameroon international remains a talented full-back. But with the returning Danny Rose having given the manager food for thought on loan at Sunderland, now might be deemed the time to cash in on Assou-Ekotto.

Then there was the rumor, in The Mirror, of a swoop for Everton's Leighton Baines. Given the article's brevity, it might just have been a case of a newspaper filling up column inches. The idea of Spurs looking elsewhere for a left-back is not to be dismissed if Villas-Boas can identify a target he believes improves the position.

A similar situation is brewing further up the pitch. An outright creative midfielder has been on the club's shopping list since Luka Modric departed. Joao Moutinho and Wesley Sneijder have been among the standout names linked with Spurs at various points.

In many respects, Mousa Dembele has filled the void left by the Croatian, but there is still a feeling the team could benefit with some extra creativity when the influential Gareth Bale is unavailable or underperforming.

Spurs possess some fine players in this department. Younger guys like Lewis Holtby and Tom Carroll may yet step up and alleviate some of the pressure placed on the aforementioned players.

What is certain is that Spurs do not have someone at the level of a Juan Mata or a David Silva who can pull the strings like they do. It is a player of that pedigree that might be needed for Spurs to truly match teams like Chelsea and Manchester City, rather than just threaten them.

Then there is the Tottenham attack.

Spurs' need for a top-class addition to their front-line weaponry has been apparent for some time (and much discussed). That has not changed.

Emmanuel Adebayor's recent resurgence has certainly reinforced the argument as to why he might be kept. As someone who has been suggested as possibly being sold to make room financially, it means things might not be too clear-cut for Villas-Boas here.

The Portuguese will be attempting to find a balancing act between strength in depth and the personnel that will make for a viable and cohesive strike-force.

Any potential target will be judged in accordance to how they fit in Villas-Boas' plans for his team. Considerations here include the formation he ideally would like to progress with and how they might fit alongside the "star-man", Bale.

As for those targets, Gonzalo Higuain, David Villa and Leandro Damiao have been among the notable forwards linked with a move to North London.

The legitimacy of some of speculation relating to these names, and others, will become apparent soon enough. The transfer window does not officially open for some weeks yet, but for all intents and purposes, business gets done as soon as the Premier League season finishes.

Keep an eye on Bleacher Report, as we will be bringing you all you need to know about Tottenham's transfer activity this summer, as well as that of other Premier League clubs too.

5 NBA Teams That Should Change Their Names

Jesse Dorsey — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:20:35 -0400

Thanks to the New Orleans Pelicans giving up the nickname "Hornets," the Charlotte Bobcats are finally going to reclaim their old Hornets moniker with a name change, and it seems like there a handful of other teams who should follow suit.

According to CBSSports.com, the Bobcats are starting the process that should allow them to reclaim the Hornets nickname at the start of the 2014-15 season, officially making them the Charlotte Hornets once again.

Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning and Muggsy Bogues might not be on the way back to Charlotte, but at least the league will finally be able to rid itself of the generic Bobcats nickname, and Charlotte can get back to having the fresh blue and yellow uniforms.

Of course, the Bobcats aren't the only team in the NBA who remain misnamed. There are a few still scattered about who have an overly generic name, a silly remnant of the past or a one that just doesn't make sense.

For instance, the Los Angeles Lakers nickname comes from their days as the Minneapolis Lakers. They used to play in a city surrounded by lakes, but now they're a coastal team in a city surrounded by silicone.

At this point the Lakers are too steeped in history for anybody to even consider a name change, but the fact that they're named after a region that's a solid 2,000 miles away is rather humorous.

In the interest of righting wrongs, which the league has done quite a bit as of late, it's time to track down the teams still in need of a name change.

Begin Slideshow

Giro Italia 2013 Standings: Stage 14 Results, Leaderboard and Highlights

Steven Cook — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:11:21 -0400

Italian cyclist Mauro Santambrogio took Stage 14 of the 2013 Giro Italia on Saturday in exciting fashion, as overall leader Vincenzo Nibali extended his lead by finishing just behind in second place (via Cycling Weekly).

Saturday brought with it some of the worst weather conditions so far, as dense fog, cold temperatures, mountains and rain vastly affected the cyclists.

After two straight stage victories for sprinter Mark Cavendish, the tour finally opened up once again for another star to claim a victory. This time it was Santambrogio, as the 28-year-old completed his most impressive day of racing in some time.

As for the overall leader, Nibali came into the day with just a 40-second lead but now leads Cadel Evans by more than a minute after one of his best days on the roads.

Going through some of the toughest conditions of the tour, cyclists had to fight through the cold, mountainous and sometimes wet terrain to post solid times Saturday. That didn't stop Nibali from having a stellar day that put him one step closer to locking up the exhaustive race.

Despite now trailing by more than a minute, Evans had himself a solid day as well. He finished sixth in the stage, just 33 seconds behind the leader.

Let's take a look at the results, overall leaderboard and some highlights of the Stage 14 action.

Stage 14 Results

Finish	Cyclist	Team	Country	Time
1	Mauro Santambrogio	Vini Fantini/SelleItalia	Italy	4:42:55
2	Vincenzo Nibali	Astana	Italy	+:00
3	Carlos A. Betancur Gomez	Ag2r-La Mondiale	Colombia	+:09
4	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez	Euskaltel-Euskadi	Spain	+:26
5	Rigoberto Uran Uran	Team Sky	Colombia	+:30
6	Cadel Evans	BMC	Australia	+:33
7	Domenico Pozzovivo	Ag2r-La Mondiale	Italy	+:33
8	Robert Kiserlovski	Radioshack-Leopard	Croatia	+:33
9	Sonny Colbrelli	Bardiani Volvole-CSF	Italy	+:55
10	Damiano Caruso	Cannondale	Italy	+:58

For a complete list of Stage 14 results, visit the race's official site.

Stage 14 Route

Overall Leaderboard

Place	Cyclist	Team	Country	Time
1	Vincenzo Nibali	Astana	Italy	57:20:52
2	Cadel Evans	BMC Racing	Australia	+1:26
3	Rigoberto Uran Uran	Sky Procycling	Colombia	+2:46
4	Mauro Santambrogio	Vini Fantini/SelleItalia	Italy	+2:47
5	Michele Scarponi	Lampre-Merida	Italy	+3:53
6	Przemyslaw Niemiec	Lampre-Merida	Italy	+4:55
7	Domenico Pozzovivo	AG2R La Mondiale	Italy	+5:12
8	Rafal Majka	Saxo-Tinkoff	Poland	+5:32
9	Carlos A. Betancur Gomez	AG2R La Mondiale	Colombia	+5:39
10	Benat Intxausti Elorriaga	Saxo-Tinkoff	Poland	+5:51

To see where every cyclist stands after 14 stages, visit the race's official site.

Highlights and Recap

While Stage 13's results were filled with cyclists that were nowhere to be found in the overall leaderboard, Stage 14 was the complete opposite.

We saw the cream rise to the top Saturday as six of the top 10 Stage 14 finishers are also in the top 10 overall. This usually means that conditions weren't ideal for the sprinters, causing the more talented cyclists to make the surge.

Nibali, as he's seemed to do for the whole race, was the one leading that charge. He attacked late in the stage to get out in front before being overtaken by Santambrogio. Despite that, they both finished with the same time.

Other than Nibali and Evans, the rest of the field sits nearly three minutes out of the lead. Although anything can happen, you'd like to imagine this is now a two-man race for the most part.

It'll be interesting to see if Nibali can hang on to his lead and keep growing it as the race wears on. Evans is certainly hungry for victory so he can establish his status as one of the best cyclists around, but it won't be easy.

There's certainly plenty of reasons to tune into the rest of the action in Italy as the race gets closer to reaching its finale.

Follow me on Twitter:

Follow @steventerrycook

Rafael Benitez: Could Liverpool Legend Make Move to Everton from Chelsea?

Ian Rodgers — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:58:02 -0400

Here's a thought: You have achieved legendary status at one club after guiding them to an incredible Champions League success, but you have not worked in full-time management since December 2010.

You were gifted an opportunity to take over another leading English club in a temporary move and ended up taking them to another European trophy, reminding the football world of your abilities.

However, despite that success, you are a surplus to requirements, most notably with a number of the club's supporters, and are looking for a full-time role.

Only one exists, though, and it's with a team you once described as "a small club," incensing the fans there while you were managing their local rivals. Do you put yourself forward for that position?

Rafael Benitez for Everton? On the face of it, it sounds like a marriage made in the depths of Dante's worst nightmares.

However, there would be a logic behind the idea which should not go unnoticed by the Goodison Park hierarchy.

Benitez made his mark on Merseyside when he guided Liverpool to that remarkable comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005.

With the Anfield side facing humiliation in front of a global television audience at 3-0 down to the Italian team, Benitez provided a change of tactics and a half-time team talk which prompted a revival never to be forgotten by Liverpool supporters, as The Mirror reported.

That match alone would have been enough for Benitez to seal his place in Anfield folklore, but his feud with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, culminating in his "fact" press conference in 2009, as chronicled in The Guardian, assured him of even greater respect in the eyes of Reds fans.

The Spaniard's comment that Everton were "a small club," after a goalless Merseyside derby at Anfield in February 2007, drew the fury of Goodison Park officials, players and fans, according to BBC Sport.

Benitez left Liverpool in June 2010, as BBC Sport reported, and took up the reins at Inter Milan a week later, but was sacked six months later with the Serie A giants 13 points behind league leaders and rivals, AC Milan.

The final straw for Inter president Massimo Moratti and the board came when Benitez asked for money for squad strengthening immediately after the FIFA Club World Cup win over TP Mazembe in December 2010.

Benitez would be in the managerial wilderness for two years before Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich brought him to Stamford Bridge as the interim replacement for Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked in November.

As outlined in the Daily Mail, the former Valencia coach's arrival was greeted with jeers and catcalls from a sizeable number of Chelsea supporters, who had been angered by comments he made while in charge of Liverpool.

However, Benitez will finish the season for Chelsea on Sunday with a Champions League place assured and the Europa League trophy in the Stamford Bridge cabinet.

Benitez has also introduced a squad rotation system to Chelsea which has not disrupted senior professionals at the club. He has also balanced the phasing out of club legends, such as John Terry, without lighting fires, as outlined by ESPN.

The West London club will finish their campaign with the visit of Everton, with whom David Moyes will be making his final appearance in the dugout before succeeding Ferguson at Old Trafford.

It should be a ready-made vacancy for Benitez. He is a trophy winner, has a home on the Wirral and hasn't ruled himself out for the job, although he concedes it may be "difficult" for either party to accept the job, according to the Liverpool Echo. And, importantly for Everton, no compensation payment will be required.

Perhaps the most intriguing comments on the possibility come from Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, an Everton fan as a boy but now an Anfield legend, in a Talksport interview.

Everton are looking for a manager and he’s looking for a job. He wants to stay in the Premier League and he’s stated that a few times, that is his priority.

It might ruffle a few feathers with the Liverpool and Everton side of it. I don’t know how difficult that sort of thing is. I know it happened between Tottenham and Arsenal with George Graham and I think eventually it was a problem for him.

Everton would love to get someone with his CV, but with the Liverpool situation it makes it difficult. If all parties come together and they are willing to give it a go then I’m sure he would do a good job.

For a Merseysider like Carragher, who has had a foot in both camps as a fan and player, to suggest it is a workable appointment must mean there is some merit to the idea.

Everton would love to have someone with Benitez's CV as their manager to replace Moyes. Under any other circumstances, it would be a tremendous coup for the club.

But the name Rafael Benitez carries some venom for Everton supporters, and chairman Bill Kenwright's vow to seek guidance from the supporters, according to the Liverpool Daily Post, may see the former Liverpool boss out of the frame.

However, Everton fans pride themselves on being distinct from others, and Benitez's treatment by Chelsea supporters could act as a catalyst for the Spaniard being afforded more respect than he may previously have expected.

Benitez's appointment as Everton manager is a situation which will probably never arise, but it would be remiss of Kenwright not to speak with the man in the home dugout at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Bleacher Report's Premier League coverage has been nominated in the 2012-13 EPLTalk awards. Cast your vote here.

5 Big-Name Starting Pitchers in Danger of Losing Their Jobs

Nathan Palatsky — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:48:01 -0400

Most teams are paying their big-name starting pitchers a fortune to provide 200 innings this season. But for a few of those pitchers, their performance is crippling teams that hope to contend, and that brings their job security in question.

Some of these pitchers have long track records that afford them a longer leash. They may not lose their jobs based on a bad first month, but if the struggles continue into June, teams may begin looking for alternatives.

Some of these pitchers will turn it around and finish just fine, but others will either be demoted, traded or pushed to the bullpen.

Begin Slideshow

Rome Masters 2013: Highlighting Biggest Disappointments at Italian Open

Patrick Clarke — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:44:13 -0400

The Rome Masters is the last stop for a majority of tennis' top stars before they gear up for the season's second Grand Slam: the French Open at Roland Garros.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been strong to this point on the men's side, and top-ranked female players Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have cruised through the women's draw.

But not all of the top stars brought their A-game to the Italian capital.

Here we'll recap some of the biggest disappointments in Rome this past week.

Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has been inconsistent since knocking off Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo last month. He lost in the second round of the Madrid Masters to Grigor Dimitrov and was defeated by Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals of Rome this week.

Djokovic struggled mightily in his return game against Berdych, winning just 20 percent of his first-serve return points for the match.

You have to believe he'll patch up his game before heading to the French Open, but he's missed another golden opportunity to put some doubt in Rafael Nadal's mind before the year's second major.

The fact that Djokovic is considered to be the one guy capable of upending Nadal in Paris this summer is what makes his Rome performance so disappointing.

Agnieszka Radwanska

Following a first-round bye in Rome this week, women's world No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska turned out a disappointing effort in her first match of the tournament: a second-round loss to Simona Halep.

The 24-year-old Polish star has never been particularly dominant on clay, winning just two career singles titles on the surface and never getting past the fourth round at the French Open. But there's no excuse for dropping the final two sets 1-6, 2-6 to a player ranked No. 64 in the world.

Halep is a clay-court specialist, but if Radwanska is going to contend for the No. 1 ranking, she has to be able to overcome lesser players on challenging surfaces.

After early exits in Madrid and now Rome, Radwanska looks poised for another early exit in the French Open this summer.

Juan Martin del Potro

It's hard to believe that Juan Martin del Potro hasn't strung together consecutive match wins since Indian Wells last March.

The 6'6" Argentine lost his first match at the Miami Masters soon after Indian Wells and fell in the third round at Monte Carlo last month. And in Rome on Thursday he dropped his third-round match against Benoit Paire, falling in straight sets to the unseeded Frenchman.

The result is a huge disappointment for the 2009 U.S. Open champion, who has won four clay-court tournaments over the course of his career.

Delpo reached the quarterfinals at the French Open in 2012 and the semifinals at Roland Garros four years ago. In between those impressive runs at the French Open, he bowed out in the third round in 2011.

And it looks like he will do the same in 2013 based on what we've seen from him on the red stuff thus far.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Preakness Picks: Challengers Most Likely to Upend Orb's Triple Crown Bid

Justin Onslow — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:39:26 -0400

The 2013 Preakness Stakes is like many others in the last 35 years. With Orb’s win at the Kentucky Derby, the colt is now in line for a historic Triple Crown bid—an accomplishment not completed since Affirmed won thoroughbred racing’s ultimate prize in 1978.

But like so many of those previous Derby victors, Orb faces an uphill battle to secure the second and third legs of the Triple Crown. His pursuit commences Saturday evening at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Shug McGaughey-trained colt drew the No. 1 post, pinned between the rail and 9-1 challenger Goldencents. While Orb has 4-5 odds of triumphing at Pimlico (per Bovada.lv), poor positioning and a few strong challengers may be enough to keep the Triple Crown out of reach for another year.

Let’s take a look at three challengers most likely to derail Orb’s Triple Crown hopes prior to the final leg at Belmont on June 8.

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	Orb	Shug McGaughey	Joel Rosario	4-5
2	Goldencents	Doug O'Neill	Kevin Krigger	9-1
3	Titletown Five	D. Wayne Lukas	Julien Leparoux	33-1
4	Departing	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	Brian Hernandez, Jr.	7-1
5	Mylute	Tom Amoss	Rosie Napravnik	17-2
6	Oxbow	D. Wayne Lukas	Gary Stevens	18-1
7	Will Take Charge	D. Wayne Lukas	Mike Smith	12-1
8	Govenor Charlie	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	12-1
9	Itsmyluckyday	Eddie Plesa Jr.	John Velazquez	10-1

*Odds acquired from Bovada.lv

3. Itsmyluckyday (Post 9, 10-1)

Itsmyluckyday didn’t produce a strong finish at Churchill Downs (15th place), but the Eddie Please Jr.-trained colt is by no means a long shot at the Preakness.

One of the fastest sprinters in the field, Itsmyluckyday won’t be deterred by the No. 9 starting post. In fact, the colt has more than enough tactical speed to emerge from the outside down the stretch, unaffected by the bunching that will likely occur closer to the rail.

Orb’s position next to the rail may mean trouble toward the end of the race, when top challengers like Goldencents and Departing are positioning for a strong finish on the inside. If the Derby winner gets pinned to the rail and can’t break free, Itsmyluckyday could be the horse to take advantage.

The Holy Bull Stakes winner has a rare blend of tactical speed and endurance that will allow jockey John Velazquez to adapt to the pace and positioning of the rest of the field. Without a challenger to his outside, Itsmyluckyday could easily come from off the pace to take down a first-place finish.

2. Goldencents (Post 2, 9-1)

Like Itsmyluckyday, Goldencents failed to impress at Churchill Downs, despite favorable odds and adequate post positioning.

But the Doug O’Neill-trained colt isn’t without the ability to triumph at Pimlico. Arguably the fastest pure sprinter in the field, Goldencents could be an extremely dangerous challenger if he can manage to position himself ahead of Orb out of the gate.

Running from the No. 2 post, Goldencents can gain a huge advantage by assuming the lead ahead of Orb. Without adequate space between Goldencents and the rail, Orb will be cut off from setting the pace, forced to wait for an opportunity to emerge from the pack later in the race.

Orb certainly has the ability to do just that, but Goldencents won’t make it easy. Look for the latter to break quickly from the gate and assume an early lead at Pimlico.

1. Departing (Post 4, 7-1)

One of the three new shooters in this race, Departing doesn’t have the benefit of having run with Orb at the Kentucky Derby.

That may not be much of an issue, however.

The Albert Stall-trained colt has the best odds of derailing Orb (7-1), due in large part to his success on longer tracks.

Unlike many thoroughbreds in this year’s field, Departing has raced most of his events on tracks of a mile or longer. With four wins in five starts (three of which were a mile or longer), Departing shouldn’t struggle with Pimlico’s 1 3/16-mile track.

The colt also benefits from a good post draw that should keep the inside wide open. At 33-1, Titletown Five is unlikely to pose much of a threat to the Illinois Derby winner.

We already got a good look at Goldencents and Itsmyluckyday at the Derby, but don’t be surprised it the field’s best new shooter surpasses all the Derby challengers en route to a dominating first-place finish at the Preakness.

Preakness 2013 Weather: How Horses Will Fare in Muddy Track

Steven Cook — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:31:37 -0400

Horses, trainers and jockeys at the 138th Preakness Stakes hoping for conditions opposite of those at the Kentucky Derby just weeks prior may be out of luck, as rain looks to be pouring down all over Baltimore in the hours leading up to the race.

The Doppler radar (via Weather.com) isn't showing promise for sunny skies and a dry track. In fact, there looks to be scattered showers at Pimlico starting at noon ET that will keep the track's surface wet and muddy throughout the day.

If it's raining all day leading up to the race, we could see absolutely dreadful conditions similar to those at Churchill Downs earlier this month.

But if it can hold off in the mid-afternoon and move out of the area like it's looking around 3 p.m. ET, things will be much more bearable.

Here's the forecast for the hours of the race (via Weather.com), which shows likelihood of precipitation at 6:20 p.m. ET.

Judging from the weather reports, there's no doubt that Orb and his eight opponents will be racing through some less-than-ideal circumstances and that will make things quite difficult for certain horses.

One of those horses whose difficulties were made clear after Churchill Downs was popular pick Itsmyluckyday. Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. admitted to the Miami Sun Sentinel that the sloppy conditions were a huge factor in his poor performance there.

Plesa said it was evident to him early in the race that the colt was having a difficult time with the sloppy surface. Itsmyluckyday had trained sharply at Calder Casino & Race Course leading up to the Derby, but never managed to get closer than sixth in the 1 ¼-mile Derby.

The muddy conditions at Churchill Downs were so extreme that some trainers referred to it as creamy peanut butter, according to ESPN. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure if I could walk on a peanut buttery floor, much less compete in a prestigious race.

Despite the poor conditions there, though, the horses seemed to handle the mud tremendously and still posted scorching times that didn't resemble any issues with the surface. This was obviously highlighted by Orb, who galloped his mud-coated frame to victory on the outside stretch.

All of the talk heading up to Churchill Downs was on how the conditions of the race track would affect the competitors, but it didn't seem to show up much when the race got started. That was all done amidst a crowded 19-horse field, mind you.

Though just because the Kentucky Derby was finished without a major mishap doesn't mean Saturday will follow suit. It only takes one off step for a thoroughbred to come tumbling down, and those chances are definitely amplified on a muddy, slippery track.

But with 10 less horses competing and a much less muddy track at Pimlico, these subpar conditions shouldn't affect the outcome of the race too much. Unless your pick is on Itsmyluckyday, don't start second-guessing who you're going with in the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans."

Follow me on Twitter

Follow @steventerrycook

Chelsea vs. Everton: Premier League Live Score, Highlights, Recap

Sam Tighe — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:28:01 -0400

Stamford Bridge—London, England.

Chelsea vs. Everton

Sunday, May 18, 11 a.m. ET

Chelsea's final game of the season doesn't have the colossal ramifications of Arsenal and Tottenham's, but it's still well worth tuning in for.

A playoff for third place with Arsenal after the season's end isn't exactly top of the Blues' wishlist, and a final win for Rafa Benitez at the Bridge would ensure that's not a possibility.

It's also the small matter of David Moyes' final game of a 10-year tenure as Everton manager, and both sets of fans will be eager to give their head coaches good send-offs.

Chelsea fans may not have warmed to Benitez, but they'll certainly be grateful for delivering the Europa League trophy midweek.

Follow @stighefootball

Arsenal Transfer News: Analyzing What Makes Target Yaya Sanogo Special

Tim Daniels — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:24:57 -0400

Most of the early transfer talk surrounding Arsenal concerned links to marquee names such as Wayne Rooney and Stevan Jovetic. But it appears the first splash Arsene Wenger wants to make involves lesser-known striker Yaya Sanogo.

Wenger confirmed that the Gunners are working toward an agreement with the 20-year-old French youth international but cautioned no deal is complete yet, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

We are advanced with him, but it's not done. I'm very confident (it will be done).

He's a young striker who is promising. He has some talent. Big talent.

Sanogo has shown terrific ability in front of goal for both Ligue 2 side Auxerre and France's youth national team. He's found the net eight times in 12 league matches during the current campaign—an impressive rate even against a lower level of competition.

The most important thing to realize about the Gunners' target is that he's still very raw. He's had no trouble scoring, but the difference between where he's played so far and the Premier League is gigantic. It would be a major jump.

There would be a transition period before he's ready to make an impact with Arsenal. While he possesses the potential to fill the void atop the club's formation in the future, it won't happen right away next season. So that search should continue into the summer.

That said, it's hard not to be intrigued by his upside. Sanogo is 6'3'' with a combination of strength and speed that makes him an ideal player to lead an attack. He can win a ball in the air one minute and run past a defender the next.

Injuries have held him back, though. Robin Bairner of Goal.com explains the constant issues that have held him back in recent seasons.

Looking at the player's injury record gives a clue as to why. He has been beset by problems throughout his young career, including a broken leg that kept him out of virtually the entire 2009-10 campaign and a torn adductor that saw him sidelined for much of the following season.

To make matters worse, he has been plagued by a series of more minor issues over the course of the last year and will on Friday, assuming he is selected to play against Clermont, only feature in five consecutive matches for the first time in his career.

It's a concern, there's no doubt about that. Players who receive the injury-prone label early in their careers often have a hard time shaking it. The endless issues also tend to become a mental battle, although Sanogo has bounced back strong each time.

For Wenger, it all comes down to risk and reward.

The risk is that injuries will stop him from reaching his sky-high potential and keep him from ever making a serious impact with the Gunners. On the flip side, the reward is Premier League experience allows him to grow as a player and he becomes the lead striker Arsenal lost when Robin van Persie left.

Add in the fact Wenger only has to pay a compensation fee, and it's clear the potential reward outweighs the inherent risk.

Sanogo has all the tools to become a star. Taking a chance on him while his stock is still low could pay off in a major way for Arsenal down the line.

They just have to hope he can remain healthy enough to start putting his finishing ability, strength and speed into one total package. It's going to take some patience from the Gunners, but that's something the club should understand going in.

Arsenal have to take some chances to keep up with the likes of Manchester United. Sanogo is an example of one they should take, and it sounds like they are close to doing exactly that.

The Preakness 2013: History-Making Accomplishments to Watch For at Pimlico

Mike Chiari — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:24:05 -0400

While every racing fan will have history on their minds on Saturday as they watch Orb attempt to capture the second leg of the Triple Crown, there are plenty of other horses and people involved in the Preakness Stakes who can potentially make history themselves.

Horse racing has such a long and rich history that it is truly special when something is accomplished for the first time ever or for the first time in many years. There will be plenty of chances for that to happen in this nine-horse field as almost everyone involved can potentially do something special.

Here are the top three history-making accomplishments that could potentially come to fruition at Saturday's Preakness Stakes.

Starting Order

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	10-13
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O'Neill	9-1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	33-1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr.	Albert M. Stall Jr.	7-1
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	17-2
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	18-1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12-1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12-1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10-1

*Odds courtesy of Bovada

Rosie Napravnik First Winning Female Jockey

Rosie Napravnik acquitted herself quite well aboard Mylute in the Kentucky Derby as they finished fifth in a stacked field. While she was unable to become the first female jockey to win the Derby, her fifth-place finish was the best for a female jockey in the premier race at Churchill Downs. Napravnik is hoping to build upon that on Saturday as she can become the first female jockey to win the Preakness Stakes.

While Mylute is only No. 3 in terms of the betting-line favorites, he certainly has a chance to come out on top. He surprised a lot of people with a strong run in the Kentucky Derby, and nobody is questioning Napravnik's status as an elite jockey at this point.

Even if Mylute finishes dead last, Saturday will be a big day for Napravnik. According to Mike Gathagan of Pimlico Race Course, Napravnik will be only the third female rider in Preakness history.

That, in and of itself, is pretty special. Napravnik probably looks at herself as just another jockey, though, so simply starting the race won't be enough in her book. She wants to win just like the other eight jockeys involved. Outlasting Orb will be an extremely tall order, but Napravnik is up to the task.

Kevin Krigger First Black Jockey Winner since 1898

Much like Napravnik, jockey Kevin Krigger is looking to ride into the record books at the Preakness. He also had a chance to make history at the Kentucky Derby as he could have become the first black jockey to win The Run for the Roses since Jimmy Winkfield in 1902. Goldencents ultimately faltered, though, as he couldn't keep up the break-neck pace that he set and ended up finishing 17th. Krigger will look for redemption at Pimlico.

If Krigger wins the Preakness, it will be even more historic. According to Baltimore City and Press, Krigger would be the first black jockey to win the Preakness Stakes since 1898.

It has been a very long time since an African-American jockey has been relevant, so Krigger is breaking the mold no matter how well Goldencents runs on Saturday. If Goldencents struggles in the Preakness like he did in the Kentucky Derby, though, Krigger will likely consider this endeavor to be a failure. Goldencents should be one of the most talented horses in the field, so Krigger should be able to contend.

Expect redemption to be on Krigger's mind more so than anything as he wants to prove that the Kentucky Derby was a fluke. A victory would certainly accomplish that, but it would also give hope to aspiring black jockeys who hope to be like Krigger one day.

D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert Look to Move Up All-Time List

D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert are two of the greatest horse racing trainers of all time. Whenever they have horses entered in a big event, they are always a threat to win.

Since their horses comprise four-ninths of the Preakness field on Saturday, there is certainly a decent chance that one of them will be celebrating. If either Lukas or Baffert manages to win, they will move up to No. 2 on the all-time Preakness victory list.

According to The Associated Press, Robert Wyndham holds the record for Preakness wins with seven. Both Lukas and Baffert are in hot pursuit as they have five victories apiece, which makes them the winningest active trainers at Pimlico, according to Racing Stats & Info on Twitter.

Although Shug McGaughey is in the driver's seat with Orb to his credit, both Lukas and Baffert are in the mix. Lukas actually has three horses entered in the form of Will Take Charge, Oxbow and Titletown Five, who happen to be the longest shots on the board. Baffert has everything riding on Govenor Charlie, who also is not considered to be among the top contenders.

Both legendary trainers know that they have their work cut out for them as Orb is a heavy favorite, but they are hoping that strength in numbers will prevail. It isn't as if either man needs to add anything more to their respective résumés, but they both want to win nonetheless.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Yankees Acquire Infielder Reid Brignac from Colorado

Matt Barbato — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:12:31 -0400

According to a report from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the New York Yankees have acquired infielder Reid Brignac from the Colorado Rockies. Brignac, a utility infielder, was designated for assignment by the Rockies earlier in the week. According to NBC Sports, Heyman later tweeted that the Rockies will receive $75,000 in return.

Brignac has been in the majors for six seasons, five in Tampa Bay. In his first season in Colorado, he hit .250 with a .294 OBP, with one home run and six RBI.

Brignac's best quality is that he is a guy who can play almost everywhere on the diamond. He primarily plays at second base or shortstop, but has also played in left field, right field and third base. With Derek Jeter, Eduardo Nunez, Kevin Youkilis and Alex Rodriguez all on the disabled list, Brignac could be used in numerous situations to give the healthy players a much-needed rest.

This is another nice move by GM Brian Cashman. Brignac adds depth at three of the four infield positions and can even play in the outfield if necessary.

Brignac is the second player the Yankees have acquired from the Rockies this season, the first being Chris Nelson. It is unknown when Brignac will join the Yankees.

Bay to Breakers 2013: Date, Start Time, Route and Race Preview

Timothy Rapp — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:09:02 -0400

The Bay to Breakers run, a 12K race in San Francisco, is one of the most entertaining races in the country. At the annual running, you will see both serious runners and folks running in full costume (and yes, even a few streakers).

Would you expect anything less from San Francisco?

Let's take a closer look at this annual spectacle.

When: Sunday, May 19th at 7 a.m. PT

Where: San Francisco, CA

Route: Info on the race's route can be found here.

Preview

Bring your costume!

One of the time-honored traditions is both registered runners dressing in costume and non-registered runners dressing up and joining the fray for a few blocks at a time.

While alcohol is not permitted at the race, there's no shortage of participants that have imbibed before the race, to say nothing of the hordes of people gathered to watch the race, one of San Francisco's largest annual parties.

And yes, nudity is permitted, though not encouraged. So if you are bringing your kids, well, get ready to cover their eyes.

Sure, there are plenty of serious runners at the race who are there to beat personal bests or challenge themselves at the longer distance. But the real color of the run comes from the costumed participants.

Will Kane of the San Francisco Chronicle has more info on the race:

"It's a 12-kilometer art project," said Matt Striker of the San Francisco Travel Association. The race is a "pressure release valve for those of us that live here."

More than 30,000 registered runners will start the 7.5-mile course at Howard and Main streets at 7 a.m. Organizers expect another 50,000 to 70,000 people will turn up to watch the mobile mob huff and puff up the Hayes Street hill or sprint for the finish through Golden Gate Park.

As Kane notes, police and race officials will be at a heightened state of awareness following the bombings at this year's Boston Marathon, and additional security will be enlisted, as well as surveillance cameras being added to several points along the race.

But, of course, the expectation is that the race will go off without a hitch and once again be a blast.

The race dates back to 1912 (then called the Cross City Race) and was started to lift morale alongside rebuilding efforts in the city after a devastating earthquake rocked San Francisco in 1906. It's now evolved into one of the largest—and most memorable—races in the United States.

If you've never seen pictures of the event, it's quite the spectacle. It may not be the most traditional of races, but it's arguably the most fun.

Preakness 2013 Horses: Speedy Thoroughbreds Sure to Fly Out of Gate

Steven Cook — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:04:12 -0400

All talk surrounding the 2013 Preakness Stakes has surrounded Triple Crown hopeful Orb, to nobody's surprise. But that's only where you start as far as talking about elite thoroughbreds capable of victory at Pimlico.

While a handful of Orb's opponents have followed him from Churchill Downs after the Kentucky Derby, there's no shortage of fresh horses who skipped this year's Run for the Roses in the efforts to have a better shot at victory in the Preakness.

That move has paid off for some trainers and owners, while at other times, the horse with the hot hand or the most recent experience takes the crown. With this year we have a combination of both, and each side of the spectrum shows incredibly talented horses who are capable of stealing Orb's thunder and ending his Triple Crown bid.

Post position to start out the race is a huge deal as well, despite the nine-horse field making things a bit less crowded and easier to move around in. Some horses found just the gate to suit their style.

Let's take a look at the speedsters Orb will have to fend off to keep the Triple Crown hopes alive.

Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Md.

When: Saturday, May 18

Post Time: 6:20 p.m. ET

Purse: $1 million

Television: NBC

Post Positions and Odds for 2013 Preakness Stakes

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	10-11
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O’Neill	8-1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	28-1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr	Albert M. Stall, Jr	13-2
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	13-2
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	16-1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12-1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	10-1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10-1

Odds via Bovada

Mylute

It just seems like the perfect time may have finally presented itself for Mylute to make history for the jockey and trainer he follows.

For starters, jockey Rosie Napravnik is trying to become the first female jockey to win the Preakness Stakes. And it's a long time coming, as she's boasted a few consecutive seasons of solid racing and figures to be one of the sport's elite horse riders.

Napravnik and Mylute are coming off a fifth-place finish at Churchill Downs amidst a muddy, crowded track. Her resolve and ability to stick with it through tight spots will pay off in the much more spacious Pimlico.

As crazy as it is that respected trainer Tom Amoss has never won a Triple Crown race, this is likely his best shot at doing so.

And with the experience Napravnik has in following Orb throughout the Churchill Downs race earlier this month, it shouldn't be too tough for Mylute to stick with the derby champion and make a late push.

Goldencents

It's hard to see a scenario where Goldencents doesn't come firing out of the gate. The only question is how the last half of the race will treat the scrutinized thoroughbred.

Part-owned by Rick Pitino and trained by I'll Have Another star Doug O'Neill, Goldencents has all of the training and preparation necessary to become the horse to upset Orb's chance at the Triple Crown.

We could talk all day about Goldencents' championship-caliber pedigree and training, buti t's the position that will help him the most. Starting out in the No. 2 position, he'll be able to get out to an early lead with little to no issues considering Orb will be saving his best for last.

O'Neill wasn't shy about how his contender looked on the track the eve leading up to the big race, according to his personal Twitter.

Jockey Kevin Krigger will have to magnificently work the opening gate to make sure his horse gets out in front and can take the inside. Doing so is so crucial at Pimlico, where it's much tougher to caddy-corner the turns.

Inside position is huge in the Preakness, and Goldencents can prove that if he can win Saturday.

Govenor Charlie

Starting in the No. 8 spot, Govenor Charlie will have a great opportunity to attack from the outside late in the race just as Orb did in Churchill Downs.

But it's not the starting position that has trainer Bob Baffert excited. It's his decision to skip out on the Kentucky Derby in the efforts to rest his thoroughbred that has Govenor Charlie boasting a unique advantage over most of the field.

Baffert knows what he's doing at Pimlico. He's won five races in 13 appearances there and certainly has the knowledge part of the track down.

The trainer seems to be a fan of his horse's post spot as well, according to his personal Twitter account.

Led by one of the sport's legendary trainers and ridden by jockey Martin Garcia, Govenor Charlie seems to have a solid shot at upsetting the field and proving his worth. A victory is certainly too much to ask for, but it's not impossible and he should at least be finishing in the first three.

Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Results: Joel Rosario's Win Is Excellent Omen for Orb

Timothy Rapp — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Joel Rosario has a winning touch these days. And that's good news for Orb—and horse-racing fans in general—as the Preakness Stakes approach.

After leading Orb to a victory in the Kentucky Derby, the jockey kept his hot streak alive, riding Fiftyshadesofhay—one of the better horse names in recent memory, for what it's worth—to victory in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in the lead-up to the Preakness.

From Claire Novak of ESPN:

Jockey Joel Rosario's remarkable run continued May 17 when he cleverly brought Fiftyshadesofhay from off the pace to win the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Rosario, who will ride Kentucky Derby winner Orb in the Preakness Stakes May 18, took his mount in hand to rate sixth early on, atypical of her usual running style. After closing well and altering course to the outside in the upper stretch, the Bob Baffert-trained filly reached the wire in front under strong right-handed urging to win by a neck over 12-1 shot Marathon Lady.

This is how hot Rosario is right now—he ran a totally different style of race than what Fiftyshadesofhay generally runs and still led the horse to a win, according to the horse's trainer, Bob Baffert (via Novak):

"I said 'Ride her the way you feel,' and then when he had her back, I thought 'Oh boy, this is something new!'" Baffert remarked. "Is he a riding sunofagun or what? I thought she'd run well, but I was surprised when he took her back like that."

But Rosario's plan was to keep the horse to the outside and let it progressively build up to speed, and the plan worked to perfection.

Rosario now has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, however, as the entire horse-racing world hopes Orb can be the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978. And Orb isn't just the favorite, it's an overwhelming favorite, currently coming in at 4-5 odds, according to Bovada.

The next closest horse on the odds is Departing at 7-1. In other words, it will be a huge shock if Orb doesn't win the Preakness.

The Preakness could potentially cause Orb some problems, however. While the horse has proven in the past it can run off the leaders and handle a shorter track, Rosario had Orb run well off the pack in the Kentucky Derby and close in the end.

That strategy won't be viable in the Preakness, a shorter track that will require Orb to remain for closer to the pack then in the Derby. A slow start in this race could potentially cost the horse a shot at the Triple Crown.

But given Rosario's hot hand of late, it seems unlikely Orb will be done in by a poor strategy. If Orb gets out to an early start and keeps pace with the leaders, its hard to imagine the horse—or its jockey, Rosario—losing.

Results

Purse: $500,000

Age: 3-year-old fillies

Grade: 2

Length: 1 1/8 miles

Place	Horse
1	Fiftyshadesofhay
2	Marathon Lady
3	Toasting
4	Maracuya
5	Petit Trianon
6	Emollient
7	Lady Banks

Horse	Win	Place	Show
Fiftyshadesofhay	$6.60	$3.80	$3.00
Marathon Lady	-	$8.40	$4.80
Toasting	-	-	5.40

Report: New York Yankees Acquire INF Reid Brignac in Trade with Colorado Rockies

Kenny DeJohn — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:58:51 -0400

The New York Yankees continue to make moves in order to maximize the effectiveness of a roster decimated by injuries.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that New York has acquired infielder Reid Brignac from the Colorado Rockies. According to NBC Sports, Heyman reported the Rockies will receive $75,000 in the deal for Brignac.

No corresponding roster moves have been announced just yet, but Alberto Gonzalez will likely be the odd man out in this equation. There's no reason to have two versatile reserve infielders on the roster. Brignac also has much more upside than Gonzalez.

Yankees fans will remember Brignac from his days with the Tampa Bay Rays (2008 to 2012). During his time there, he hit .227/.268/.317 with 10 home runs and 67 RBI. He played 113 games in 2010 and hit eight home runs and drove in 45—his best season to date.

General manager Brian Cashman has been notorious for making these scrappy deals this season. He acquired infielder Chris Nelson from the Rockies just a few weeks ago, though he's already been designated for assignment as well.

The Yankees won't be looking to get much out of Brignac, but his experience in a bigger role (2010) likely prompted the move. He has the potential to at least hold his own at the plate, whereas Gonzalez often seems lost in the batter's box.

We'll have to wait to see how this move pans out, but it has all the makings of another Cashman steal. Maybe Brignac can end up challenging Jayson Nix for the reserve infielder's role when the injured stars return.

Even if he can't, the Yankees likely won't have given up much in the process. This is another smart move by the Yankees GM.

Dwight Freeney Reportedly Reaches Agreement on 2-Year Deal with Chargers

Mike Hoag — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:31:35 -0400

Former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

ESPN's Ed Werder later confirmed the report, courtesy of a quote from Freeney that showed he was in fact San Diego bound.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio provides details on the deal:

"Per a source with knowledge of the deal, Freeney’s two-year contract with the Chargers carries a base value of $8.75 million.

The deal pays $5.25 million in 2013, via a $3.25 million signing bonus, $1.5 million in base salary, and a $500,000 roster bonus tied to Freeney’s presence on the weekly 46-man roster.

Freeney is due to earn $3.5 million in 2014, $500,000 of which is linked to weekly roster bonuses."

Freeney, drafted by the Colts No. 11 overall in the 2002 NFL draft, solidified the defensive nucleus of the Colts teams of the past decade.

He went to seven Pro Bowls, was selected to the NFL’s All-Pro first team on three occasions (2004, 2005, 2009) and set the franchise record in sacks (107.5) while playing with Indianapolis over the last 11 seasons.

The 6’1”, 268-pound defender expressed his desire to stay with the team but said he understands that the nature of the business might not make that possible.

The Chargers scooped him up after his worst statistical performance of his career. He was a member of the old guard in Indy, the team that was built by the now-departed Bill Polian.

The writing was on the wall for 33-year-old when the Colts transitioned to the 3-4 defense during the 2012 offseason. Freeney spent the first 10 years of his career lined up as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme and is more suited for that role.

That much was apparent by his diminished role last season. His attempted transition to outside linebacker didn’t pan out, and he struggled dropping back in coverage when not rushing the passer. He still racked up five sacks in his limited opportunities, but he was nowhere near the dominant force of years past.

The Chargers present an interesting opportunity for Freeney to get back into his groove in the twilight of his career. They’re hoping the aging pass-rusher can regain his double-digit sack form in 2013, but it's still just a short-term deal.

Freeney will get a chance to square off against his old team on Monday Night Football in San Diego on Oct. 14 this season.

Phil Jackson Reveals True Story of Lakers Snub

Jesse Dorsey — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:24:53 -0400

After a miserable 2012-13 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers following a huge offseason, many fans are now left wondering what could have been had Phil Jackson taken over the team. Well, at the very least, he's finally telling us all why he didn't end up back in L.A.

On a tour to promote his new book Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, Jackson showed up on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to talk about the Michael Jordan versus Kobe Bryant debate and give his side of the story on why he didn't end up coaching the Lakers.

Much as the story was told when it happened, Jackson recalls talking to Lakers vice president Jim Buss for an extended period of time, telling Buss he was positive he could coach the roster they had put together.

Jackson requested the weekend to think about it.

But late on that Sunday night, Jackson got a call from Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who informed Jackson that the team had decided to hire Mike D'Antoni.

The decision caused a rift between Buss and his sister (and now Jackson's fiancé) Jeanie, who didn't speak to each other for an extended period of time.

You know the story from there. Los Angeles was barely able to squeak into the playoffs with a 45-37 record and was swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. D'Antoni's future with the team is shaky at best.

Jackson is now looking for a job elsewhere in the NBA, either in a front office role or once again as a head coach.

He's currently aiding the Detroit Pistons with their search for a new head coach, but his role in the NBA beyond that point is still up in the air.

I think we can rule out anything with the Lakers.

Preakness 2013 Post Positions: Horses with Least Advantageous Starting Spots

Mike Chiari — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:18:32 -0400

Although post positions may not be as important in the Preakness with nine horses entered as opposed to 19 in the Kentucky Derby, they are likely to come into play to some degree. Perhaps they won't prevent a horse from winning, but they can make the task far more difficult.

A poor draw shouldn't necessarily deter you from betting on a horse, but it should definitely make you think twice and consider other options. There are a number of different things to take into account, and post positions are definitely among them.

Here are three horses that will have to overcome poor starting spots if they hope to make an impact in Saturday's Preakness Stakes.

Starting Order

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	4-5
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O'Neill	9-1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	33-1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr.	Albert M. Stall Jr.	7-1
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	17-2
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	18-1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12-1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12-1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10-1

*Odds courtesy of Bovada

Goldencents

Arguably the most disappointing horse in the Kentucky Derby was Goldencents. He entered the race among the top contenders, but he got caught in a very dangerous game. Goldencents and Palace Malice set an unsustainable pace early and Goldencents ended up fading. He ultimately finished 17th and crippled a lot of bettors in the process. It'll be tough for him to do much worse in the Preakness, but that doesn't mean that he'll rebound.

Goldencents drew the No. 2 position, which means he will likely have wait to make his move. While going straight to the front hurt Goldencents in the Kentucky Derby, that is his strength. He should set the pace, but he just needs to do it more reasonably.

Starting second will probably force him to come from behind as he will be right on the rail. Trainer Doug O'Neill believes that the Derby should be thrown out as things didn't break Goldencents' way, according to KY Derby Contenders, but things are unlikely to go well for him in this race either.

Jockey Kevin Krigger will certainly have his work cut out for him. Orb is technically in a worse position at No. 1, but being inside could actually play to Orb's strengths. The same can't be said for Goldencents as he may have to go outside his comfort zone in order to prevail.

Itsmyluckyday

Much like Goldencents, Itsmyluckyday went from darling to dud in the Kentucky Derby as he finished 15th after wasting his energy early in the race. He is looking to rebound in the Preakness, but it won't be easy.

Itsmyluckyday is starting on the extreme outside post at No. 9. That obviously isn't as disadvantageous as starting No. 19 in the Kentucky Derby, but it definitely limits jockey John Velazquez's options.

Generally speaking, it is best to be near the middle as that is where the most avenues open up. Starting outside means that Itsmyluckyday will almost be forced to hang back and make a late move. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when you're facing a closer like Orb, it's very difficult to make progress.

Itsmyluckyday's best strategy would probably be staying near the front early so that he can build a lead and possibly hold off Orb, but he'll be hard pressed to do that from No. 9.

It wouldn't be fair to say that Itsmyluckyday has no chance because he is obviously a talented horse. His dominance at Gulfstream Park prior to the Derby proves that. At the same time, he needs everything to go perfectly in order to contend for the win. That already can't happen because the outside lane won't give him the trip that Velazquez desires.

Titletown Five

As the longest shot in the entire Preakness field, the odds are already stacked against Titletown Five. Starting in the No. 3 position won't do him any favors either. The unheralded colt hasn't gotten much love from the bettors heading into the Preakness, and that probably has more to do with his light track record than his post draw. With that said, starting No. 3 is likely to hurt Titletown Five much more than it helps him.

The D. Wayne Lukas-trained horse obviously has some ability as he was able to make it into the Preakness field, however, he only has one career victory, which occurred way back in October of last year. One thing that Titletown Five does have to his credit, though, is finishing ahead of Kentucky Derby winner Orb last August at Saratoga, according to Mark Singelais of the Albany Times Union.

That happened a very long time ago and Orb has gotten significantly better since then. If Titletown Five is able to finish ahead of Orb once again, it will be considered a monumental upset. While the No. 3 spot doesn't necessarily preclude Titletown Five from getting to the front early, it makes it much more difficult.

Trying to close late alongside Orb is pretty much a death wish as Orb has proven capable of flying down the stretch. Titletown Five's chances aren't great anyway, but the No. 3 slot won't help.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Preakness 2013: Poor Post Draw Won't Stop Orb from Winning at Pimlico

Patrick Clarke — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:18:26 -0400

Triple Crown hopeful Orb will have to overcome a poor draw in order to become the sixth horse since 2002 to win the first two legs on Saturday at the 2013 Preakness Stakes.

The Kentucky Derby winner will run out of post No. 1 this weekend. That's the only real bad news for Orb considering Tabasco Cat was the last to win the Preakness from the rail back in 1994.

But before you count out the talented colt, consider the following reasons why he's poised to win the 138th Preakness Stakes on Saturday.

Pimlico Is Not Churchill Downs

While it's usually game over for any horse that draws the rail at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness is often more forgiving.

Pimlico Race Course is similar to Churchill Downs in terms of surface and distance of course, but there isn't so much trouble looming at the start according to Orb's trainer Shug McGaughey (via ESPN.com):

It's not nearly the problem it would be in the Derby. The Derby is kind of catty-cornered. You got to shove your way out of there or you get shut off down in there. It's pretty straightforward here. There are only nine horses. There's not going to be that kind of jockeying into the first turn. We'll just hold our position and see how the race plays out.

McGaughey also touches on another key reason why no one should be betting against Orb on Saturday.

Small Field

There are only nine horses racing in this year's Preakness Stakes, which bodes well for Orb, who won't have to worry about being freight trained by the pack early on.

While a quick start is important, it won't be the end of the world for jockey Joel Rosario and Orb if they don't break away early considering there are only eight others horses to contend with, as opposed to 18 others at the Kentucky Derby.

In a large field there is a better chance for a closer like Orb to get swallowed up in the pack, but this year's Preakness field is small enough where Orb can recover from his poor draw.

Lack of Elite Competition

While Orb will be pitted against Kentucky Derby horses like Goldencents, Mylute and Itsmyluckyday on Saturday, he won't be pitted against of the horses that finished toward the top at Churchill Downs two weeks ago.

Golden Soul, Revolutionary and Normandy Invasion, who finished second through fourth at the Derby, are all absent from this weekend's race.

Fifth- and sixth-place finishers Mylute and Oxbow will race, but neither came close to matching Orb's world-class speed down the stretch at the Derby.

The other top contender, Departing, didn't race in the Derby, running in the Grade III Illinois Derby instead. But unlike Orb, Departing has yet to prove he possesses the greatness to win a Triple Crown event.

2013 Preakness Stakes Post Positions

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	1/1
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O’Neill	8/1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	30/1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr	Albert M. Stall, Jr	6/1
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	5/1
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	15/1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12/1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12/1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10/1

*Odds via Preakness.com.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Preakness 2013: Biggest Keys for Orb in 2nd Leg of Triple Crown

Tim Daniels — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:15:02 -0400

A picture-perfect morning at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will soon give way to anticipation as Orb attempts to back up his Kentucky Derby victory in the Preakness Stakes. A win would move him within one triumph of the elusive Triple Crown.

Orb was downright dominant during the stretch run of the Kentucky Derby. He breezed past horses with ease, and it still didn't seem like he was forced to give 100 percent effort. He was simply the best horse in the field, and he will try to replicate that performance today.

Eight other talented horses will attempt to end Orb's Triple Crown run before it reaches Belmont Park. Let's check out the biggest keys to success for the Kentucky Derby champ to ensure that doesn't happen in the second leg.

Early Pace

The Kentucky Derby was a perfect race for Orb. Jockey Joel Rosario watched as several other horses, including Preakness counterparts Goldencents and Itsmyluckyday, helped set an unsustainable lightning pace in the first half of the race.

By the time Orb was ready to make his move around the final turn, the other top contenders were already burnt out from trying to keep up early. It allowed him to go from near the back of the field to the front it what seemed like a blink of the eye.

It's up to Rosario to read the race again. If the lead pack decides to fly through the first turn again, he has to hold Orb back. If it's a slower pace, he'll want to stay closer to the leaders. By the middle of the backstretch it will be clear if Orb is in good position.

Staying Inside

One of the most impressive things about Orb's derby triumph was the fact it could have been even better. He won by 2.5 lengths, but Randy Moss of NBC Sports points out it would have been six lengths if the factors were equal.

The biggest difference for Orb was the extra amount of distance he traveled, which isn't a surprise considering his outside post position. In the Preakness, he'll start from the inside gate, and that should help eliminate that disadvantage.

Rosario should do his best to ride the rail around the entire track. Fellow jockey Calvin Borel, who doesn't have a Preakness mount, has made a career out of that strategy. It's the best option to put Orb in position for a victory.

Energy Level

Endurance is a major factor during Triple Crown season. A horse has to win three races over a five-week span—easily the most grueling assignment of his young career. It helps explain why no horse has pulled off the feat since 1978.

The good news for Orb is that he's won on a two-week turnaround before. His first career victory came at Aqueduct last November, 14 days after a fourth-place finish. DRF passed along a picture of the talented colt eating some pre-race fuel with hopes of matching that success.

The true test will come as the field turns for home. Rosario will once again ask Orb for that finishing kick. Whether or not he's able to provide it will show where his energy level stands. Should he win, it will be an even bigger concern in the Belmont Stakes.

Preakness 2013 Entries: Breaking Down Best Bets in the Triple Crown Field

Alex Kay — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:14:51 -0400

The 2013 Preakness Stakes is set to run in just a few hours, meanings there’s just enough time left for bettors to get to the nearest OTB and place down some bets on the action at Pimlico.

With such a small field and so many non-contenders competition, it shouldn’t be too tough to turn a profit—albeit small—during the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.

If you haven’t yet decided on how your tickets will look, keep reading to find out which three horses have the best shot at hitting the board and paying dividends on Saturday evening.

*Odds via Preakness.com.

Win: Orb at 1-1

Orb is the heavy favorite heading into this race, and for good reason.

During his winning Kentucky Derby run, the colt proved that he’s an absolute beast in the slop. That experience and skill will be perfect with rains expected in the Baltimore area prior to—and possibly during—the Triple Crown race.

Although he’s been saddled with the dreaded No. 1 post, there’s just not enough traffic around him to keep him pinned down. Jockey Joel Rosario should be able to position his stalker just off the lead with plenty of room to surge ahead after the turn.

Even if he’s positioned in the far back midway through the race, there shouldn’t be any doubt about this colt’s ability to make up ground in a hurry. His Beyer Speed Figure clocked in at a ridiculous 104 two weeks ago, which means he will be able to catch any other competitor in this event.

Bet against Orb at your own peril, as this superstar is going to claim the second jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico.

Place: Goldencents at 8-1

While Goldencents was mired in the slop and irritated by the kickback at Churchill Downs, he’s not going to have as much trouble with the conditions on Saturday.

Due to the small nine-horse field, jockey Kevin Krigger will be able to position his mount either ahead of the pack or away from the splashing muds that killed his chances during the Run for the Roses.

The former way would be ideal for Goldencents, as he’s a wire-to-wire runner that dominated his prep races by taking an early lead and never relinquishing them. He certainly has the speed to accomplish this, evident by his 105 BSF recorded at the Santa Anita Derby.

Unfortunately, his stamina may fail him down the stretch of this 9.5-furlong sprint. Orb simply possesses a longer stride and elite closing abilities, which is why it’s extremely possible Goldencents will be surpassed in the final lengths and finish in second.

Doug O’Neill’s polarizing horse may not win it this weekend, but he’s not a bad bet at all to place and place in exacta, trifecta and superfecta boxes.

Show: Govenor Charlie at 12-1

Speaking of trifectas, those looking for a sleeper to round theirs out should highly consider Govenor Charlie.

He’s a relatively unknown and untested colt, but one that hasn’t failed to hit the board during any of his three early races, finishing with two wins and a place in that span.

In fact, Govenor Charlie set a new track record at the Sunland Derby and comes into this with fresh legs and plenty to prove after being held out of the Kentucky Derby due to injury.

At 12-1, he’s an absolute value and could even give Orb a major scare toward the finish line. There’s no doubting his speed, but endurance could be an issue for this horse at the Preakness.

Regardless, Govenor Charlie is the perfect contender to place in exotic bets and will likely surprise the world with a close second- or third-place showing on Saturday.

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Latest Odds
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	1-1
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O'Neill	8-1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	30-1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez, Jr.	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	6-1
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	5-1
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	15-1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12-1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12-1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10-1

Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks Game 2: Live Score, Updates and Analysis

Franklin Steele — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:08:30 -0400

The second period of Game 2 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings is underway, and the Wings have knotted things up early on a goal from Jakub Kindl.

In the first period, Patrick Kane finished a 3-on-1 break to give Chicago a one-goal lead. It was Kane's first goal of the playoffs.

Detroit appears to have bounced back from a flat effort in Game 1. The wear and tear from Round 1 against the Anaheim Ducks was evident in that game, and Chicago took advantage with its brutal forecheck and by getting bodies on Detroit's young defensemen.

Game 2 between these Central Division rivals hasn't seen an escalation in emotion yet. Both teams have been very workmanlike, with the ice not tilting one way or the other through the first 20 minutes of play.

Detroit Red Wings 1, Chicago Blackhawks 1 (2nd Period)

Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce's Potential Departure Means Jeff Green Is 'The Guy'

Michael Christina — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:06:28 -0400

With the pending departure of Celtics captain Paul Pierce on the horizon, many fans will be looking to Jeff Green to fill the sneakers of the Boston mainstay for at least the near future and hopefully the long term as well.

Pierce’s shoes are certainly big ones to fill.

There is no doubt that his No. 34 will one day hang in the rafters amongst all of the Green Team’s legends, which is the biggest honor that can bestowed upon a Celtics player.

And for Pierce, it is well-deserved. He owns a myriad of team records and is the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer behind John Havilcek. He is also second to Larry Bird in Celtics career scoring average.

Any time you can be mentioned in the same sentence as Hondo and Larry Legend, you know you’ve had a great career. Throw in the fact that Pierce is a 10-time All-Star, an NBA Finals MVP and a bona fide Hall of Famer and it will certainly not be the easiest transition for the young Georgetown alum.

Jeff Green’s talent and potential are undeniable. We saw glimpses this season of just how dominant he can be on any given night.

The performance that obviously sticks out is his national breakout show in March against the Miami Heat. Green scored 43 points and went toe-to-toe against the world’s best player in LeBron James.

James would ultimately score 37 of his own, including the go-ahead basket at the end of regulation to seal the deal for the Heat, but fans walked away from that game knowing that the Celts have a legitimate budding superstar on the roster.

The problem for Green has been consistency. Couple that with the fact that some of his best games during the regular season came while Kevin Garnett was out due to injury and it was hard to gain a complete understanding of how he could ultimately fit into the lineup.

He definitely seemed to thrive as a starter and, should Danny Ainge make the move to trade The Truth, will be thrust into Pierce's spot.

Many analysts have also questioned if Green has the same natural killer instinct that Pierce has exhibited throughout his Celtics career.

At times this season, it seemed as though head coach Doc Rivers was desperately trying to pull that side out of him. Yet there were other times when Green showed his merciless side, knocking down big shots in pressure situations—particularly in Game 5 of the playoffs against the Knicks.

Green has not yet been given the opportunity during his NBA career to be "the guy." If Pierce is ultimately traded, then he will certainly be pushed into that role.

Even though it may not be the flawless transition fans are hoping for, Green Teamers should take solace in the fact that Green has the potential to be the best player on the court on any given night.

It’s certainly sad to see Pierce go, but it will be exciting to see what Green can ultimately do for this team. His inconsistencies this year will certainly lead many to question whether or not he can be that type of franchise player.

It must be remembered, though, that Green was coming off of major heart surgery and missed an entire season. Not only did he have to adapt to a new team essentially, he also had acclimate himself to simply playing the game of basketball again.

As the season went on, fans got to see Green gain confidence with each game back and having a more solidly defined role this upcoming season will only help his progress.

Many have speculated on Rivers' role in a possible rebuilding stage for this team. Ainge recently stated (via The Boston Globe's Gary Washburn) that the Celtics coach would be coming back next season, quashing any rumors that had been floating around previously.

One theory for him staying may be that he knows he has something here with the young combination of Green and Rajon Rondo. Garnett has previously said that he believes Green will ultimately be one of the best players to ever play the game.

Could that be Doc’s feeling as well?

Amid the doom and gloom that have been thrown out there regarding this team’s future, Green should be looked at as a bright spot. Will he have the same impact that Pierce had on this organization over the past 14 years? It’s way too early to tell.

One thing is for certain, though. He has the potential to be everything Pierce was and then some.

Potential, however, will only get you so far. It’s up to Green whether or not he wants his number hanging in the rafters next to the captain’s.

Preakness Odds 2013: Live Updating the Race Day Movement

Jessica Paquette — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:02:45 -0400

After two weeks of anticipation since the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes Day has finally arrived. Many questions will be answered today including the one on everyone's mind: Will Orb move one step closer to becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978?

Today we will watch the action from Pimlico and keep an eye out for track biases, hot jockeys and the unexpected as the odds on each horse change before the big race. Stay tuned as the excitement unfolds.

Nate Diaz Missed the Message, Makes Another Twitter Misstep

Trent Reinsmith — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:43:31 -0400

The UFC acted quickly when Nate Diaz sent out an ill-advised tweet on Thursday. The promotion almost immediately suspended the fighter pending an investigation. That investigation was completed on Friday evening and Diaz’s punishment for stepping outside the bounds of the UFC code of conduct was handed down.

The punishment that was handed down by the UFC? A 90-day suspension and a $20,000 fine.

Call it harsh, call it over the top, call it what you want, but make sure to call it a clear message from the UFC. The message is that this type of behavior, perhaps once accepted or at the very least tolerated, is no longer something that will be laughed off as “boys being boys.”

When Diaz’s penalty was announced on Friday night and there was no response from Diaz or his manager, Mike Kogan, there was hope that maybe the fine and suspension had served as a wake-up call for Diaz. There was hope that maybe being fined more than he made in his last fight would be enough of a deterrent to make Diaz realize he should think before he hits send on his twitter account.

Wrong.

Early Saturday morning an unrepentant Diaz sent out the following:

So, with attention clearly on him, with a lot of eyes watching what his next step would be, Diaz decided he was going to go out there and keep it real. Where others would have kept silent, Diaz decided that blasting away with yet another offensive, misogynistic message was a good idea. It was not a good idea.

Look, I get it. Diaz is upset that Pat Healy was popped for weed and that Bryan Caraway, the man the tweets were directed at, took the $65,000 bonus for “Submission of the Night” that Healy forfeited. Diaz is upset that Caraway then blasted the use of marijuana, but let’s be honest, that conversation is best kept out of the public eye. Diaz should have kept his complaints among friends and not made it a public issue.

The minute that Diaz put his feelings out there on Twitter it reflected poorly on his employer, the UFC, and they had to act, especially since they now have a code of conduct in place that discusses this type of fighter behavior.

So now what? The UFC is in a quandary. It’s fairly obvious that the message the promotion was hoping to send didn’t sink in for Diaz. Do they need to pull him in and have a conversation with him face to face explaining how to act? Do they need to fine him again for sending out a misogynistic tweet (and yes, "bitch" is a misogynistic term, no matter how you try and defend it)?

Clearly the UFC needs to do something with Diaz, something that allows the message to sink in.