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Daily Tailgate: NLDS Previews, Legal Advice

NLDS Previews

Rockies vs. Phillies, Cards vs. Dodgers

Chris Carpenter leads the NL's best starting staff against LA.

The NL kicks off the '09 postseason tomorrow. The four teams are separated by only three wins during the regular season. Expect Philly-Colorado to be high scoring, while St. Louis-Los Angeles will be all about pitching.

Colorado vs. Philadelphia (Game 1, Wednesday, at Philly, 2:37 PM, TBS)

Season series winner Phillies, 4-2
Strengths Lumber, for both teams. Philly and Colorado are 1-2 in the NL in runs and slugging.
Liabilities For Philly it's Lidge-itis, which causes acute choking in the ninth (22 blown saves as a group). For the Rocks, their bullpen ERA without Huston Street is 4.75.
Something's gotta give The Phillies are first in NL road wins while the Rockies are second in home wins.
For Rockies to win Starters must go deep into games. Must split first two at Philly as two Coors Field wins aren't assured.
For Phillies to win Must get to Rockies starters early and build a huge, Lidge-proof lead.
What to expect High scoring games with a series that goes the distance. Rockies in 5.

St. Louis vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Game 1, Wednesday, at LA, 9:37 PM, TBS)

Season series winner St. Louis, 5-2
Strengths Cards have best 1-2-3 starters in playoffs. Dodgers can score runs from any part of their lineup.
Liabilities Cards pitchers bat better than their 6-7-8 hitters. For Dodgers, after Wolf and Kershaw, big drop off in pitching.
Somthing's gotta give LA is first in bullpen wins while St. Louis is first in starting pitcher wins.
For Cards to win Dominate on the mound with Carpenter, Wainwright, Pineiro.
For Dodgers to win Knock out starting pitchers and make Cards score runs.
What to expect Long games. LaRussa and Torre make every decision seem epic. Cards in 4.
-- David Young

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Erin Andrews Peeper Case

The Naked Truth

Hi Erin! It's so cool you're excited to see us! We'll represent you! Just say the word! Pro bono, because you are way beyond amateur bono.

On Friday, a 47 year-old Illinois suburbanite, Michael David Barrett, was arrested and charged with one count of interstate stalking in the Erin Andrews "peephole" video case. Here's how a criminal case could evolve, according to Herb Subin, lead attorney for Subin Associates in New York, who says Barrett shouldn't walk because "he's creepy."

The possible penalty Up to five years in the joint and a $250,000 fine.
The key point Stalking requires the prosecution to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that there was an intent to harass and the action caused substantial emotional distress.
The likely defense Questioning the "intent to harass" angle, since Barrett likely was trying to make money rather than harass Andrews. Subin would also argue that no matter how repulsive the action was, the tape hitting the Internet was good for Andrews' career. "I would say, 'This was a huge boost for your career,'" says Subin. "'You're ten times more famous now. And you went on Oprah. How substantial is this emotional distress for you?'"
The danger Any cross-examination of Andrews would have to be done very carefully, because "she was violated," says Subin.
The likely prosecution That Barrett's filming in two places does constitute harassment. And the fact that Andrews turned down a myriad of interviews and appearances demonstrates "substantial emotional distress" (along with any counseling she underwent).
The danger Andrews' possible reluctance to testify and describe the "emotional distress." "She's going to have to go through a lot to get this guy," Subin says. He also worries that a prosecutor with political aspirations may want the case to go to trial for his own career advancement.
The likely outcome Subin thinks a plea deal--with no time served for Barrett. That would leave open the possibility of a civil trial, possibly involving the Nashville Marriott--where most of the filming allegedly took place--that allowed Barrett to book a room next to Andrews'.
Subin's final word on Barrett "My legal opinion," he says, "is that this guy is a dope."

Worth a Click

Site of the Week: Sports Data Hub

Step away from the fantasy advice sites for a moment and mosey over to Sports Data Hub, which is the coolest site you'll see all day. (Yes, even cooler than the one with weird phrases photoshopped over pictures of cats).

What's so great about Sports Data Hub? Well, their performance enhanced think engine, "SDH" as they call it, has every stat from every football game played since 2004 in their database, which you can tinker with for free, and for an added fee can even play with venue, weather, and referee data. So pick a stat category, some players (or even coaches), the years you want to see, and a few seconds later it's there for you in graphs and pretty colors. Want to see the ten longest interception returns in 2005? Done with a few clicks. Who has the most dropped passes so far this year? You're 25 seconds away from the answer--in graph form.

Sports Data Hub may not be the most direct source for telling you who to pick up and drop for your fantasy squads, but playing around with it is a ton of fun. The Denver-based company's visual analytics could in fact be the real reason the surprise Broncos are sitting at 4-0. The Titans should check out Sports Data Hub pronto...

Couch Duty

Watch This Tonight

Tigers at Twins, 5:00 PM, TBS Game #163 for both teams will determine who goes to the ALDS to play the Yankees in the Bronx on either Wednesday or Thursday (the Yankees get to choose one hour after the game is complete).

Kings Ransom, ESPN, 8:00 PM ESPN's sure-to-be-awesome (seriously, no sarcasm intended!) "30 for 30" film series kicks off with Peter Berg's documentary on Wayne Gretzky's trade to the L.A. Kings.

Capitals at Flyers, 8:00 PM, Versus Yes, it's very early in this young season, but both Philly and Washington are 2-0, with a combined 17 goals scored through four games.

Middle Tennessee St. at Troy, 8:00 PM, ESPN2 Here's how big this game is for Troy: the campus is shutting down at 1:00 PM so all students can make it to the game without being bothered by silly classes. To add to the fun, Troy quarterback Levi Brown jokingly said that any student not showing up will be punched in the face by linebacker Bear Woods.


	Top 3 Headlines -- Florida State wants to put Bowden out to pasture, denies rumor to change school name to Jackass State School of Basket Weaving and Porn Surfing -- Crabtree says, "Oh, hell, you 49ers don't suck after all. Let's talk about that huge contract for me." -- Yay! Brett Favre wins, and the whole world forgets it's only the fourth week of the NFL season. See you in rehab in six week, Brett!

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