October 05, 2008 08:20 am
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By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
WELCOME TO MY world, Cubs’ fans. Wait, make that Cubs’ and Brewers’ fans. Hey, throw in Steelers’ fans, also.
We Indians’ rooters have a lot in common with Cubs’ fans especially. Every time it seems like our teams might snap a long World Series championship drought, things fall apart. Now, admittedly, the Tribe did win the Series in 1948, which is far better than the 100 years of anguish that Cubs’ fans have endured.
But this was to be the Cubbies’ big breakthrough. Steve Bartman was not there so nothing was going to stop them. Nothing except themselves.The Cubs’ fans booed their team off the field after two straight losses at home to the Dodgers this past week. Of course, some people are happy — local Dodgers’ fan Jeff Turnbull of Hermitage for one.
Meanwhile, Brewers’ fans are getting a taste of what we Tribe fans have seen with CC Sabathia. The guy gags in the playoffs. He served up a grand-slam homer the other day that put Philadelphia up 2-0 in that series. I told Assistant Sports Editor Ed Farrell, devoted Phillies’ booster, not to worry with Sabathia on the mound. For once, I got a prediction right.
Then there’s the Steelers. While fans of the Black and Blue may not want to be compared to Browns’ fans, the Steelers are now experiencing the injury plague which has hampered the Browns this season and for many seasons. The Browns’ luck has been so bad with injuries that the one guy you want to get hurt — quarterback Derek Anderson — is still in the lineup. It’s a curse.
The Steelers’ offensive line has been horrible and now they lost Kendall Simmons for the season. Pittsburgh is in trouble. How much more of a beating can Ben Roethlisberger take? We’ll find out tonight when the Steelers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags seem to have Pittsburgh’s number, although they haven’t been that outstanding this season either.
Pittsburgh survived last week against the Baltimore Ravens, but it won’t be so easy this week. The Steelers have no running backs with Willie Parker still out and first-round draft choice Rashard Mendenhall out for the year. I don’t think the Jags will be worried about Mewelde Moore, so you can bet they’ll be coming after Big Ben on every play. They better change Ben’s number from 7 to 9-1-1.
Tim Herrmann of Sharon has been a long-time Jags’ fan so he’ll be wearing a big smile tonight when Jacksonville mauls the Steelers, 27-3.
Last week my picks went a pathetic 6-7 for a season mark of 31-28. Following are the rest of this week’s predictions (betting line in parentheses just for fun):
Browns over Bye
Tennessee (-3) over Baltimore
Philly (-5) over Washington
Tampa (plus 3) over Denver
NY Giants (-7) over Seattle
Minnesota (plus 3) over New Orleans
New England (-3) over San Fran
Dallas (no line) over Cincy
Indy (-3) over Houston
San Diego (-7) over Miami
Atlanta (no line) over Green Bay
Buffalo (plus 11/2) over Arizona
Detroit (plus 3) over Chicago
Carolina (-91/2) over Kansas City
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Lynn Saternow The Herald