Klopp, Injuries and Liverpool

Liverpool are back in action this weekend with a match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. While we have been on break much has happened at Liverpool. Rodgers was sacked and we got the man myth and legend, Jurgen Klopp. Also, two season-ending injuries to Ings and Gomez are devastating for this team.

First we start with Klopp. He proved himself a great manager while at Dortmund. He helped that club to success that is rare for any team in Germany not named Bayern Munich. For him to be successful here we must be patient with him this season, though. He inherits a team built by Rodgers for Rodgers style. Given time, some players will excel under Klopp while others will leave and new players will be brought in to fill places Klopp believes is lacking. I am still excited for the rest of this season as there are many players that I see growing and getting better as Klopp takes over.

Klopp wants a team that runs, runs, and runs some more. His players will win 50-50 balls and will always out hustle the other team. I look forward to a team that will play with more energy and fervor at Anfield. That type of team brings the fans into the game and will hopefully install a fire that Liverpool definitely need. This gives every player a chance to succeed and show their true colors. I believe that Lallana and Moreno have the most to gain from this change. They have both played much better this year and could continue to improve if they take to Klopp's tactics and tireless energy.

Now for the injuries. Both Gomez and Ings had showed extreme promise already this year. I think the injury to Ings is especially unfortunate. Ings had already shown a great work rate that would have put him in a great position working with Klopp. Now he is lost for the year and our front line is the oft-injured Sturridge and Benteke when he gets back from injury. The Gomez injury hurts our back line as he has shown a great presence even at his young age. We have some depth there so it should not affect us as much, but it will certainly hurt his progression which is a shame with his youth.

In closing, I believe that Klopp is a great manager who will lead Liverpool to great things. Let's hope that starts with a win this weekend at the Lane.

YNWA

The seventh inning from Hell (or Canada)

By now if you follow baseball you've heard about the epic, crazy, insane seventh inning the Blue Jays and Rangers had yesterday. I've watched baseball my whole short 22-year-old life and never seen anything like that. First it was the inning from Hell for the Blue Jays and then for the Rangers.

First off the fans in Toronto should feel awful about the way they acted last night. They were throwing things in anger and celebration in the span of an inning. No fan base should be throwing beer cans onto the field or even onto other fans in lower sections. It is disgraceful and I hope they learn that and act accordingly throughout the ALCS.

Next the umpires got every call right that inning. While the ump trying to call time on the throw was wrong they met and got it right. With all of the emotion and craziness going on around them, they did their job amazingly. Kudos to them.

Now onto the infamous bat flip. Dyson took exemption and has made his point very clear. While he has a point, this is the playoffs and the emotion was at an all time high. Bautista let his emotions get the best of him and let his bat fly. I think that it was such raw emotion and not an act of disrespect to the Rangers or Dyson. He was showing how he felt toward his hit, his team, and his city. I loved it and thought it showed how players really feel and how amazing that is in sports.

Kudos to the Umps and Bautista, but shame on you Toronto. Keep flipping it.

Liverpool Derby!

Liverpool has definitely underperformed this year. While this has many calling for Rodgers' head and critiquing the players, I want to look at the positives so far. First off Lallana has looked really good in his Europa league games. Scoring 2 goals in 2 games and looking impressive. Many wrote him off after a bad year last year, but he has time to prove his worth still. Too many times players are written off after a year when they are sold and then thrive. I believe Lallana has deserved to be considered for the first team through his play so far. Also, another fringe player who has looked good is Ings.

While Beneteke was the big striker signed, Ings has showed tenacity in his play. He has a fire in his belly and is creating chances every time he sees the pitch this year. I believe he is showing quality and a good partnership with Sturridge even through one game. He has given himself and Liverpool a boost with his ferocious play and heart that has been lacking at Liverpool.

Ahead of the Derby Liverpool need to be cautiously optimistic. We have Sturridge returning from injury showing that he is a top class player and a couple players showing more fire and creativity in Europa league. Rodgers has shown he has trouble with a system but it is coming along nicely and he has kept us afloat through the many changes of the past two years.

While a top-four finish and ultimately a title are what we are searching for we are getting players that will contribute to it given time. Liverpool need to find a way to win the derby and that will show us if they are indeed bent on finishing in the top four. The depth and heart are coming back and should be a big factor in sustaining quality throughout this season and seasons on.

While it may seem dark now the future looks bright and some players are proving they belong at Anfield wearing the proud Red. Here's to better days and a derby win!

YNWA

Cubs Postseason roster

With the wild card spot locked up its time to speculate what the Cubs would do if they win the game and play the cardinals in a five-game set.

The Cubs along with every other team brought up a good amount of players for the September call-ups. The difference has been how well the Cubs call-ups have performed since they got their chance. In light of their performance, the Cubs postseason roster is a thing of mystery and debate.

Let's start with the position players who will definitely be on the roster: Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber, Miguel Montero, David Ross, and Chris Coghlan.

Now the Pitchers who will definitely be on the roster: Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Jason Hammel, Kyle Hendricks, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, and Justin Grimm.

So that's 15 total players. Now for the players that will most likely be on the roster but could miss out:
Starlin Castro, Travis Wood, Fernando Rodney, Austin Jackson, Javier Baez, Trevor Cahill, and Jorge Soler.

So for me that leaves three spots open and 10 pitchers and 12 position players already on the squad.

Now there is definitely going to be at least one more if not two more pitchers, but who are they? Will Maddon trust Ramirez even though he hasn't pitched in any high leverage situations or will he bring Tommy Hunter who also has been quite subpar since the trade. He also has Rosscup which would be a good lefty and Edwards who is young but talented. The other man Richard is a long relief but has performed the best out of this group. I see two of those guys making the roster for the Cubs. In my opinion, Maddon will pick Richard, and Ramirez and be happy to do so. Richard provides another lefty that can also pitch long innings while Ramirez has displayed his talent and has the best track record of any of the pitchers.

Now for the last spot which position player does he take? I think it boils down to three players. Quentin Berry, Tommy Lastella, and Chris Denorfia.

Berry is solely for his speed on the bases as a potential pinch runner late in games. Lastella has looked all right, but the cubs have Russell, Castro and Baez up the middle. Does that mean it's too crowded? Possibly. Now Denorfia is a good right handed bat but is he really worth the spot? He had a great game winning homer against the Royals, but he has not done that much. I think that out of these three I would take Lastella.
Lastella is a switch-hitter who can play anywhere on the infield. That means he can spell Castro, Russell, and Baez who are all right-handed hitters. Lastella can also play third if Maddon wants to use Bryant in the outfield.

Let me know who you want to see as the days wind down.