Special 2 Minutes - Let's Go Giants!

Well, it was an occasion worthy enough of having a 2 Minutes Special. Yes, it is yet another big sporting event in 2012 which has turned into a rather boring anti-climax as a result of yet another dominant display - only British cycling fans will remember what was actually a rather boring 2012 Tour de France just as only Giants fans will remember this edition of the World Series.

Nevertheless, it is still an event worth celebrating and here's my thoughts on why the team in orange came out on top in this year's World Series -

1. They're masters of the cold autumn conditions - they've got enough practice at that given the climate in San Francisco in summer isn't exactly that warm. Detroit on the other hand appeared to have frozen out at the wrong time of the season.

2. Deep pitching rota and bullpen - all their pitchers have contributed - be it some previous no-names like Ryan Vogelsong or of course stars like Zito, Cain and Lincecum. They outshone the much-vaunted Detroit mound and made Justin Verlander look like a pitcher with only puff but no huff.

3. Defence - San Francisco's defence has been superb all season and again they were stunning in the field.

4. The ability to build an innings - The likes of Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey may have got the big home runs in the post season but like every good ball team, the Giants were a team that focused on manufacturing runs and accumulating RBIs. The Tigers may have had the game's first Triple Crown winner in Miguel Cabrera but the rest were unable to make any meaningful contributions on the scoreboard.

So well done San Francisco Giants! Time for the NBA now!

October 23, 2012 - A Year On

On Tuesday, October 23, 2012, a year would have passed since we witnessed one of New Zealand sport's greatest moments.

I'm talking about winning the Rugby World Cup for only the 2nd time in our proud rugby history, and the 2nd time at Eden Park, the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby. Yes, that night of drama which saw plenty of nails on the floors of bars and homes nationwide between 10pm and 10:40pm that Sunday night will long live in the memory along with the image of our soon-to-be greatest All Black, Richie McCaw, lifting the William Webb Ellis trophy - the first All Black to do so since David Kirk did it in the winter sunshine of 1987.

The tension of that second half will be enough to give many nightmares for years to come - it seemed like the All Blacks would yet again choke against their great nemesis of every 4 years, Les Bleus, and this could have been the greatest choke and tragedy of them all - losing a Rugby World Cup Final on your own turf, in what would have been the greatest upset in the Final of a Rugby World Cup, against a team you've lost twice in the past, a team who you trounced comfortably earlier in the tournament, a team so widely written off by the media that an All Blacks victory was really not about if but by how many.

Yes, little would we have known that our fourth-choice first-five, the most maligned player in this country since Mark Carter to that point, a player who was preparing to leave our shores by doing a bit of fishing when he got the SOS call from the three wisemen, yes, Mr Stephen Donald aka "Beaver", would be the one to kick the most important penalty goal in recent All Black history, the one that would keep the All Blacks ahead "just" in that encounter.

For shortly after Beaver kicked that goal at Eden Park to give the All Blacks a 8-0 lead, inspirational captain, Thierry Dusautoir burst through the usually sturdy, iron-cast All Black defence to score under the sticks and close the gap to one solitary point - a gap that would remain till the final whistle had blown from Craig Joubert.

Indeed, the period from that try to the time Joubert blew that whistle was one of the most excruciating and painful in All Black history. Yet for the All Blacks, this was what they had been playing for and they stepped up, becoming this impenetrable black wall against this white wave.

Make no mistake, the French on the night were unbelievable, unstoppable in the backs and the scrum, the better team on the night you could say. Well, not quite because they would have put away the All Blacks even with the ABs stout defence.

As it was defence that won the night and the All Blacks showed why they were still the best team in the world and on the night - they won despite being on the back foot and having to defend, despite being inferior in the scrums and in the kicking game.

And hence, why victory was sweet and for once why we were glad the All Blacks triumphed that glorious autumn night in Auckland.

A year has passed since. Legends have gone - Sir Wilson Whineray, Sir Fred Allen, Jock Hobbs, amongst the All Black eternals who have died this year. Europe's economy continues to plummet. The New Zealand cricketers have won a test in Australia for the first time in 20 years. And Great Britain has supplanted Australia as sporting power in the Commonwealth. Plenty has happened in the 12 months since that glorious night - yet the memories of that night still linger, and will linger on until our next triumph. Hopefully, it won't be another 24 years before we wait for the next triumph.

Best Overseas All Black XV

With so many New Zealanders now playing their rugby overseas now in Europe or Japan, it is now possible to pick an All Black XV if we were to hypothetically reverse the rule and pick only players based overseas - note will pick only players who can still represent New Zealand and not players who have gone on to represent other countries, e.g. Thomas Waldrom who now plays for England.

1.Neemia Tialata, Bayonne
2.Aled de Malmanche, Stade Francais
3.Carl Hayman, Toulon
4.Brad Thorn, Leinster (returning to the Highlanders soon though)
5.Isaac Ross, NTT Shining Arcs
6.Jerome Kaino, Toyota Verblitz
7.Chris Masoe, Toulon
8.Sione Lauaki, Bayonne
9.Jimmy Cowan, Gloucester
10.Nick Evans, Harlequins
11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, Clermont
12.Luke McAlister, Toulouse
13.Sonny Bill Williams, Panasonic
14.Doug Howlett, Munster
15.Mils Muliaina, NTT Docomo Hurricanes

BENCH
16.Saimone Taumoepeau, Castres (can play hooker/prop)
17.John Schwalger, Agen
18.Ross Filipo, London Wasps
19.Josh Blackie, Kobe Steelers
20.Byron Kelleher, Stade Francais
21.Benson Stanley, Clermont
22.Isaia Toeava, Canon Eagles

2012 ITM Cup Semifinals

A last-minute change was made by the New Zealand Rugby Union to the semifinals of the ITM Cup meaning both Championship and Premiership semifinals will be played in sequence rather than the Premiership semifinals bookending the Championship semifinals as originally planned.

So here is the lineup for the 2012 ITM Cup semifinals -

Friday, 19 October, 7:35pm, Otago v Tasman
Saturday, 20 October, 2:05pm, Counties Manukau v Southland

Saturday, 20 October, 4:35pm, Wellington v Auckland
Saturday, 20 October, 7:05pm, Canterbury v Taranaki

Stop the Witch-Hunt on Armstrong!

We all know about the damning report from the USADA regarding Lance Armstrong and his sophisticated schemes of trickery and about his foot soldiers who testified against him. Its release has polarised the sporting world in a way not seen since Tiger Woods crashed his SUV against a tree in 2009.

But what now on Armstrong's "achievements" & his "legacy"?

Well we have to really look at the whole point of USADA's investigation. And I mean that in a rhetoric sense.

Let's have a look back at professional road cycling since 1995.

Everyone knows that cycling from the mid 1990s to as recent as this year has long been dogged by its association with drugs - it's a bit like the stain from that spag bol months ago that just wouldn't come off your white shirt. Yes, cycling has made great strides to stamp out the drug taking culture in its sport - the recent bans of Alberto Contador and Frank Schleck have been examples - but given the brutal nature of the sport as well as the money involved, it is still very much evident.

However, it has to be said that cycling has gone a long way since the height of the doping culture, i.e. the time Armstrong and his contemporaries were competing the Grand Tours and classics of Europe. The very top of it was the 1998 Festina affair when banned performance-enhancing substances were found in which destroyed the Tour de France that year.

That Tour de France was won by the late Italian cyclist, Marco Pantani, whose career was eternally beset by drugs allegations; ironically a drug overdose would claim Pantani's life in 2004. The year before, German Jan Ullrich took home the yellow jersey after Paris - a cyclist who did test positive in 2005 and was subsequently banned from the sport. The winner the year before, Bjarne Riis, another cyclist to admit using banned substances to win the old tour.

So for now, the last really clean winner of the Tour de France at this stage was Spanish 5-times winner, Miguel Indurain, the Tour's most successful cyclist until Lance Armstrong won his 7 titles.

Now, let's look at the list of Armstrong's contemporaries besides his 11 US Postal Service team-mates who have admitted taking banned substances and testified against him - we've covered Pantani, Ullrich, Riis.

Michael Rasmussen? The great climber, banned July 2007 to 2009 for lying about his whereabouts after missing drugs tests.

David Millar? Banned for 2 years from 2004 after admitting to using performance enhancing drugs.

Stephen Roche? Strongly linked with drug usage but never prosecuted due to the statute of limitations

Alex Zuelle, Alexandre Vinokourov, Alberto Contador, Frank Schleck, Floyd Landis, and there's probably a few no-names who have been banned by the UCI along the way.

In light of the evidence provided by USADA, it is irrefutable now to call Lance Armstrong a drugs cheat and in a perfect world, he should no longer be entitled to call himself a 7-times Tour de France winner. But really, as Tour de France boss Christian Preudhomme has said regarding this saga, who would you give the titles to?

The fact of the matter is Armstrong was really just the flag-bearer of a very bad generation and perhaps the witch-hunt should not be aimed solely at him but the entire sport in the 1990s - which in a way it has been. Really, they should just erase the history of the Tour de France between 1995 to 2006 and put a big footnote on it - but that of course will never happen.

So the question is: do I still consider Armstrong a hero? For his efforts to raise awareness of testicular cancer and develop a new generation of cyclists and people who believe they can do it in spite of adversity, yes. For his success on the cycling, I'd say yes - he was really trying to succeed in an era where his contemporaries were cheating to succeed. Let's just leave it at that and stop the witch-hunt.

And to those who say he was lying, I dare you to ask him to pull down his boxers and say the same once you spot that he is short of a testicle.

World Football XI - 2012

Haven't done this for a while so thought will do one now.

Gone for 4-3-3 as that is probably the most common formation in world football nowadays - and it is a very attack minded lineup.

GOALKEEPER
Joe Hart, Manchester City - In my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment - certainly one who is right on top of his game right now. His latest performance against Borussia Dortmund to keep Man City in their Champions League game was top-notch and another to add to his growing and glowing list of top performances with the gloves for club and country.

DEFENDERS
Marcelo, Real Madrid - Best left-back in the world right now. Superb going forward and getting better covering the left flank without the ball. Has wonderful technique with his feet too when in front of goal too.

Vincent Kompany, Manchester City - Man City's defence has been rocky this season, but Kompany has still been Mr Consistent as he was last season. One of the most respected players in world football at the moment, Kompany is another fine defender to emerge from Belgium and is not too bad with his head in front of goal either.

Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid - Ramos played mostly at right back for club last season but ended up playing every minute of Spain's EURO 2012 campaign at centre back when regular Carlos Puyol was ruled out and did not look at all out of place. In fact, he was so convincing there and one of the reasons behind Spain's success at retaining their European crown. Ramos' future could be at centre back especially with Puyol's age and recent spate of injuries

Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich - Germany's captain has been a consistent performer at right back since he blasted onto the scene at the 2006 World Cup. He seems to have been around for years but isn't even 30 - a testament to Germany's new philosophy on young, emerging players. And I'm sure he'll be around for a while yet and will be certain to win trophies on an international stage after missing out last season with club and country.

MIDFIELDERS
Xavi, Barcelona - Xavi seems to be one of those players who doesn't seem to age - in fact, the older he gets, the better he seems especially going forward and scoring. He became Spain and Barcelona's rock when Puyol was ruled out and will be for a while yet.

Andres Iniesta, Barcelona - Spain's best player at the tournament, whether he was playing as a makeshift forward or in midfield, and deservedly European Footballer of the Year this season after his heroics at the EUROs. Out injured right now for Barca, but should slot in nicely once he returns.

Mesut Ozil, Bayern Munich - Led Real Madrid to La Liga glory last season and was also key in Germany's march to the semifinals. Germany's Turkish delight may only be 23 but he is passing and holding up whichever midfield he's in with aplomb - bad news for the likes of Mario Goetze, Julian Drexler and Sven Bender who are probably just as good but are only behind because of their age.

FORWARDS
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid - He may have been melancholic at the start of the season, but he still managed to get at least one hat-trick each in La Liga and in the Champions League. Ronaldo remains his enigmatic self and perhaps should have shocked Portugal's Iberian rivals out of EURO 2012 had they taken their chances in their semifinal. Ronaldo seems to be getting better in Spain's capital and looks set to break a lot of records at the Bernabeu in the near future.

Lionel Messi, Barcelona - What more can be said about the little Argentine maestro? He has broken plenty of records already at the Camp Nou along with won all he probably can win there - so what next? Probably winning the World Cup with Argentina would seal his name as one of the greatest footballers ever - he probably needs to do it soon though although question marks still remain over the mercurial Argentina team and the lack of goals he has scored with them.

Robin van Persie, Manchester United - It was either going to be van Persie, Aguero, Rooney or Ibrahimovic. In the end, I went for van Persie on current form; beyond Messi and Ronaldo, only van Persie has been as hot in front of goal, single-handedly leading Arsenal into the Champions League last season after a disastrous start to the season, and he has continued his hot scoring form with Manchester United - already scoring a hat-trick in the league.

SUBS:
GK - Iker Casillas, Real Madrid - Now an ever-present for club and country and one of the most recognisable footballers in the world, hard to believe the still youthful looking Casillas is in his 30s. Age hasn't dulled his reflexes though and he has made some fine saves for club and country.

DF - Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund - Along with Ramos, Dortmund's star at the back was one of the stars of EURO 2012. Hummels has burst onto the international scene a bit out of nowhere and is now one of the best defenders in the world. He can also play in defensive midfield, but wherever he is, Hummels is critical to allowing Dortmund's young, vibrant midfield to excel.

MF - Sergio Busquets, Barcelona - He can play at the back but mainly plays in defensive midfield - Barcelona and Spain's enforcer is versatile and enables Xavi and Iniesta to move forward.

MF - David Silva, Manchester City - A key artisan for club and country, Silva has emerged ahead of a rather big list of Spanish playmakers, playing in a makeshift forward position at EURO 2012. Definitely one of the most entertaining players to watch at the moment.

FW - Wayne Rooney, Manchester United - 10 years after scoring "that" goal against Arsenal for boyhood club, Everton, Rooney has become Mr Manchester United and England - his absence left both woefully short in attack. The fact that Manchester United stayed in the title race last season was down to Wayne Rooney's goals and persistence despite one of the weakest midfields in United's history. Mercurial, enigmatic, but definitely world XI material.

Most Underwhelming and Remarkable Comebacks in Sport

German F1 great, Michael Schumacher's announcement of his pending second retirement, capped off what has been a rather underwhelming comeback to the sport for the former 7-times champion.

So how did Schumi's comeback rate amongst the most-hyped comebacks in world sport? Here are some comebacks that had a lot of build-up but really came to nothing.

Luke McAlister
Ah yes, 2009. When Dan Carter went off on sabbatical and the All Blacks were down to the then-maligned Beaver, Stephen Donald and Mike Delany as their first-choice first-fives, it was no surprise that the NZRU initially had a big grin when McAlister announced he would be making a swift return to New Zealand rugby after a brief stint with the Sale Sharks in England. McAlister had been hailed a star there but of course, going straight into the rough and tumble of putting on the All Blacks jersey at home after so long would be a huge test - add the pressure that he was being considered a saviour at the time. Unfortunately, McAlister showed none of the form that saw him become a key player for the All Blacks in the lead up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup and played his last game in the black jersey against France in the 2009 end of year tour. After missing out on the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad despite injuries to Dan Carter and Colin Slade, McAlister bid au revoir to New Zealand rugby for a stint with Toulouse, never having quite shown what he could really do.

Lance Armstrong
Ok maybe it is a bit harsh to consider the 8-times Tour de France champion's comeback as underwhelming especially when he did finish 3rd to eventual winner and fellow Astana team-mate Alberto Contador in his first Tour since his comeback in 2009, but the Tour the following year with the then-new Team Radioshack was a huge disappointment with Armstrong a shadow of his great self. Armstrong obviously knew his body wasn't quite up to it as he approached the grand old age of 40, and announced his retirement in 2011. Now whether he is really a great, that's for another post but I'd rate Armstrong's comeback as a bit on the underwhelming side given what he achieved in the past.

Michael Schumacher
A bit like Armstrong really - both were champions of their sport multiple/multiple times and were so dominant during the time they were champions that they bored the sport for some with their dominance. It was a bit of a surprise when Schumacher did announce his return to the sport for 2010 with Mercedes having been out of the sport since 2006; motivated perhaps by the fact that he just missed out on being Felipe Massa's mid-season replacement when the Brazilian was ruled out after a horror crash in the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. The hype was great as Schumacher, fit and lean as ever, joined a suddenly growing field of champions in 2010 - Alonso, Hamilton & Button were the other champions. Sadly, Schumacher would fail to score a podium until this season, never came remotely close to adding his record tally of grand prix wins and was often outpaced by his teammate, Nico Rosberg. Schumi was also involved in some controversial crashes and moments which led some to believe that the former great was just out for a rather expensive Sunday afternoon drive. Alas, Hamilton's arrival to partner the already-signed Rosberg, was the signal to Schumi to go and hang up the helmet.

And here are some great comebacks.

Niki Lauda
Double F1 world champion, Niki Lauda, originally left the sport after feeling disillusioned at an uncompetitive Brabham team. While away he established the now defunct Lauda Air, before realising he missed the thrill and glamour of the sport he was nearly killed in in 1976, and he made a stunning return with the McLaren team that had just been taken over by Ron Dennis. With Irishman John Watson, Lauda hauled McLaren back to the front of the field including a memorable win at the Long Beach Grand Prix from the back of the field. In 1984, Alain Prost partnered Lauda at McLaren and the two would be involved in the closest title race yet - Lauda's consistency ensured he finished ahead - by just half a point. Alas, 1985 was a big disappointment for the Austrian who took his last grand prix at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, while Prost dominated the season to win his first of four titles.

Alain Prost
Over 10 years after Lauda's remarkable comeback, Prost would make his own remarkable comeback story.  Mind you his original departure from the sport was in controversial circumstances; he was sacked by Ferrari towards the end of the 1991 season after making remarks about the team prior to the Italian Grand Prix. Without a drive for a competitive team for the 1992 season, Prost took a sabbatical from the sport before signing with the champion Williams-Renault team for 1993 albeit in controversial circumstances - he took the drive on the condition that he would be the number one driver of the team, thus ruling out then incumbent world champion, Nigel Mansell and his bitter rival, Ayrton Senna out of the other Williams car. Prost may have been outclassed by Senna in the first few races, including at Donington where he finished 3rd but a lap down on a brilliant Senna, but in a superior car, Prost was his usual consistent self, and accumulated enough wins and points to become world champion at the Portuguese Grand Prix - for the fourth time. With Senna set to join the team, Prost announced his retirement and capped a fine comeback.

Rugby Championship XV

It's going to be hard to pick this year's Rugby Championship XV without having plenty of All Blacks in it - and it's going to be hard to pick any Wallabies for this year's team. But anyway..

1.Rodrigo Roncero, Argentina - an absolute world class prop who finally got to show his prowess against the best of the Southern Hemisphere. Will be missed when he hangs up the boots.

2.Adriaan Strauss, South Africa - has taken over well in the absence of Bismarck du Plessis

3.Jannie du Plessis, South Africa - one of the in-form props in world rugby at the moment, an absolutely gave Tony Woodcock a hard time in Dunedin

4.Sam Whitelock, New Zealand - probably the most consistent lock out of a very good trio. Has been key in a lineout that has worked all season

5.Patricio Albacete, Argentina - one of Argentina's most consistent performers in a powerful pack

6.Liam Messam, New Zealand - has had a pretty good series - every time he's had the ball in hand, he's always managed to get over the advantage line and more

7.Richie McCaw, New Zealand - nuff said

8.Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Argentina - captain fantastico has led the way with his workrate at the back of the scrum and at the breakdowns

9.Aaron Smith, New Zealand - has really given the black backline some pace around the fringes

10.Daniel Carter, New Zealand - still got it even despite his injuries - the All Black backline is unstoppable when he's leading the line

11.Bryan Habana, South Africa - enjoying a bit of a rennaissance at the latter end of his career

12.Francois Steyn, South Africa - been a powerful influence in the Springbok backline

13.Marcelo Bosch, Argentina - solid in a no-nonsense Pumas backline

14.Cory Jane, New Zealand - Upper Hutt's Mr Consistent is still scoring a try almost every game

15.Israel Dagg, New Zealand - best fullback in the world at the moment period.

A Look at the Race for the World Series

Let's face it we always sort of knew that the Black Caps were going to be out of the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka fairly early. It means that fans of games involving a bat and ball will be deprived for a few weeks at least in this part of the world.

Oh well, you could always watch the rest of the Twenty20 World Cup which Australia will probably will win at this rate. Or if you don't want to watch another Aussie team win - mind you it hasn't happened much this year including the Olympics - then there's also Major League Baseball's playoff series which starts this Friday (Saturday NZ time).

The format for the race for the World Series has changed a bit this year, with the introduction of a one-off sudden death do-or-die game between the 2 wildcard winners of each American and National League - their one chance to keep their season going into October. They'll then play the top ranked team (division winner) in each league, while the 2nd and 3rd best division winners take on each other for a spot in the league championship series - the semis really for the World Series.

Most of the participants this October are known - just the 2nd National League wildcard team to be determined although barring a stunning collapse in the last 2 games, that should be the St Louis Cardinals. So here is my guide to following America's favourite pastime in its business end.

American League

New York Yankees - it wouldn't be the post-season without the Yankees and once again, the most talented roster in MLB will be playing for the chance of yet another world title. The Yankees probably have the best batting lineup in the country with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Texeira,  Ichiro Suzuki, Robinson Cano, Raul Ibanez and Curtis Granderson in the dug-out but the bull-pen (the pitchers) have been hot and cold this year and there are plenty of question marks over the likes of CC Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain. Phil Hughes has been very solid at the mound but the Yankees' starting rotation isn't the greatest right now. Never rule them out, but pitching could let the Yankees down especially if the Rangers and Tigers can restrict the batting lineup. 

Texas Rangers - the best team in the American League even if they won't earn the number 1 seed - that will probably go to the Yankees based on their standings at the moment. The team owned by George W Bush have played the bridesmaid role twice now when they were the raging favourites to win the World Series, but manager, Ron Washington, has continued to improve the team - especially the bullpen which was a slight weakness. Josh Hamilton is scoring like there's no tomorrow and the Rangers will be stronger after enjoying a tough tussle in their division with the Oakland Athletics. Favourites to be the American League rep in the World Series and should be favourites again for the World Series - surely third time lucky if they make it? 

Detroit Tigers - my pick as the strongest spoiler in the post-season if they can get it going. They won an almighty tussle against their division rivals, the Chicago White Sox and as a result landed the sweet prize of baseball in the fall. Like the Rangers, Jim Leyland's Tigers will be better for it having had the tough encounter and pitcher, Justin Verlander and infielders, Prince Fielder (not a pun) and Miguel Cabrera finally have the chance to show what they can do this late in the season. Likely to face the Rangers which will be a tough ask, but if Detroit carry their current form through, I can't see why they can't beat the Rangers. 2nd favourite for the American League title. Could this be Leyland's year? 

Baltimore Orioles - one of two surprise packages this season in the American League. After years of losing records, the Orioles have pushed the Yankees hard this season and a spot in the post-season is their just reward. They will probably just lose out on the division title and first seed to the Yankees at the death but will have hosting rights for that do-or-die game against Oakland. It's been a super season for the Orioles and their very deep bullpen and whatever happens to them, fans in Maryland's largest city will be very proud of what their team has done this season and look forward to possibly more success next season. Probably will win their do-or-die wildcard game and might fancy their chances against the Yankees but inexperience and fatigue (they've featured in more overtime games than any other team in the nation this season) might hamper them if they play the Rangers. 

Oakland Athletics - the other surprise package of the season. The team that featured in Brad Pitt's Moneyball have made a return to the playoffs and just like in the movie, they have made it into the post-season on a tight budget, a bunch of no-names - apart from Coco Chrisp, whose name definitely stands out - and shrewd management. However, as in the movie, that recipe may not quite work in the playoffs. Mind you, what may stop the Athletics progressing further is the fact that they will probably have to travel to Baltimore in a short space of time for a do-or-die game away from home. Mission impossible and one where the odds might be against them.

National League

Washington Nationals - The capital once again has a professional sports team to be proud of after a long drought without success. They started the season well and rode the crest of pitcher, Steven Strasburg to set themselves up for an easy win of the division. However, Strasburg's long-term injury has meant the Nationals have actually had to stop his season short meaning Strasburg will not feature in the Nationals' first ever playoffs series since moving from Montreal. Washington's form hasn't been too flash either and inexperience could be a problem but they do have a good batting lineup. Finishing 1st may not have been the best thing especially if they have to face the seasoned Cardinals. 

Cincinnati Reds - The Reds are back in the playoffs bringing their tough, uncompromising baseball to the park - witness their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates this season where pitches from the Reds were smashing into the thighs and shoulders of the Pirates batsmen. Manager, Dusty Baker, has fashioned a well-balanced ball team although health issues may affect his involvement in the post-season. Hard to judge them having not watched them too much although Johnny Cueto is a quality starting pitcher. Lack of x-factor might count against them when they take on the Giants. 

San Francisco Giants - My team so I'll apologize beforehand for being biased here but I might not be alone in thinking that the Giants have a very strong chance of making their 2nd World Series in 3 years. Unlike the Nationals and Reds, the Giants had to work to win their division - in my opinion, the 2nd toughest after the Yankees-Red Sox-Orioles dogfight in the American League's East division - having to turn around a huge deficit to the cash-rich Los Angeles Dodgers in July to romp home to the title with 9 games to spare. The Giants have a wonderful, in-form batting lineup with Angel Pagan, Hunter Pence, Brandon Belt, Marco Scutaro, Brandon Crawford, Pablo Sandoval and of course, Buster Posey, who has just exploded in form since the All-Star Game. The Giants' bullpen is looking quite strong too - Tim Lincecum has found some of his form from the 2010 World Series and is deadly away from home, Matt Cain is having the season of his life having pitched the Giants' first ever no-hitter back in June and there's also Madison Bumgarner, Barry Zito, Jeremy Alfeldt and Santiago Casilla. The key thing is that the Giants know how to manufacture runs and they know how to shut games out at the business end of the season. Looking good for a National League title. 

Atlanta Braves - the Braves are another tough, well balanced and uncompromising ball team from the National League and if it weren't for the Nationals, they would be division champions in the East. Tim Hudson is another quality starting pitcher to contend with but there are a few other strong names in the bullpen and dug-out. Unlike the Nationals, I think Atlanta do actually have form going into this series and if they overcome their do-or-die game, they could be the spoiler in the National League. Hard to call but inexperience and a lack of x-factor could count against the Braves especially against an in-form Cardinals.

St Louis Cardinals - the Cardinals are a team who never say die - witness their remarkable rise from wildcard to unlikely world champions last year. 2012 has witnessed a repeat of sorts apart from the fact that there is no Albert Pujols in the lineup. They were all set to miss out on the playoffs altogether but have hit form at the right time and once again will be a force to beat. They are pretty much a team that is built for playoff baseball and could be a favourite for the National League and another unlikely tilt at the world title. National League championship series is in the Cardinals' grasp especially if they take on the Nationals but they may not be as good as last year to make the World Series.

Greatest Comebacks in Sporting History

Europe's comeback from a 10-6 deficit going into the final day of the 2012 Ryder Cup to win 14-13 will go down as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. But is it the greatest?

Here are some of the most memorable Lazarus stories of our time following sport -

(NB: There might be a bit of the round ball here - and one rugby game we probably don't want to be reminded about)


Manchester City 3-2 QPR, 2012

Many fans will remember this game for eternity - even if Manchester City's comeback from 8 points down on their rivals Manchester United with 6 games left was highly remarkable. In fact, City's game with QPR pretty much summed up the club's history in 90 minutes; highly dramatic and stressful. It was a game that City were expected to win comfortably having done the hard work against Champions League chasing Newcastle and their title rivals, United in the last 2 games. Alas, QPR fighting relegation saw things differently, and snatched the lead in the middle of the 2nd half. United fans were celebrating another title until Edin Dzeko popped up to score in the 92nd minute. Their anxiety soon turned to despair as Sergio Aguero scored 2 minutes later to trigger the biggest outpouring of joy in years and cap off the most thrilling comeback and finish to a Premier League title race. 

Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan, Champions League Final, 2005
Manchester United fans will argue this but there is no doubt that Liverpool's comeback is easily the greatest ever comeback in a Champions League Final. 3-0 down at halftime and completely out of the game, Liverpool - who had finished 5th that season behind Everton in the league - led by an inspired substitution in Vladimir Smicer and captain fantastic, Steven Gerrard, hauled themselves back rather quickly in the 2nd half and within minutes found themselves level with the Rossoneri. Milan were shattered and succumbed in the penalty shootout, paving the way for Liverpool's 5th Champions League title, and most stunning of them all.

France 43-31 New Zealand, Rugby World Cup Semifinal, 1999
There are All Blacks fans who will begrudgingly agree that France's comeback from 24-10 down in the 2nd half to shock the pre-tournament favourites was something quite special. Les Bleus have a tendency of pulling out their best whenever they take on New Zealand's best - especially in a sudden death game at the Rugby World Cup - and rather than surrender, they played some of the best rugby ever seen at a World Cup to lead 43-24 - a late Jeff Wilson try was only mere consolation for an All Blacks side that could easily sympathize with the Americans at Medinah Golf Club this year - they didn't quite choke, the other side just played once-in-a-lifetime stuff.

England v Australia, 3rd Ashes Test, 1981
Another once-in-a-lifetime performance, this time from Sir Ian Botham who hauled England from the brink of a humiliating innings defeat at the 3rd Ashes test at Headingley with a stunning century, and then bowled out the Australians in their 2nd innings, to lead England to the most remarkable turnaround victory in test cricket. It was a pivotal point in the series, as England would go on to win the series 3-1 and retain the Ashes.

Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees, American League Championship Series, 2004
The Bambino Series. The Red Sox went into yet another race for the pennant against their much hated rivals from the south, with Babe Ruth's 86-year-old curse weighing heavy on their shoulders. They had come close the year before losing an epic 11-inning game 7 decider to the Yankees and when the Yankees took a 3-0 series lead, order seemed set to continue. When the Red Sox won a marathon Game 4, everyone thought it would be mere consolation. Then they won another marathon in game 5 to take the series back to South Bronx. Unbelievably, the Red Sox with momentum won game 6 and become the first team ever to come back from a 3-0 series deficit to force a decider. The Red Sox duly won Game 7 at a canter and reach their first World Series in 86 years - which they won comfortably. But the story of their World title was really all about their comeback against those dirty New Yorkers.

I'm sure I've missed a few. What do you think is the greatest comeback in sporting history?