STRATFORD, P.E.I. – I felt from the outset the key to the Kings County Baseball League championship would be Northside Gill Constructions Brewers ace righty Jordan Stevenson and I haven’t changed my mind.
After Stevenson’s strong Game 1 performance, the Brewers got another great pitching outing from Jason MacLean, who tossed a complete game four-hitter, as the Brew crew blanked the A’s 1-0 Wednesday to take a 2-0 series lead.
Game 2 is set for 2 p.m. Sunday in Stratford.
It is likely Stevenson, one of top senior pitchers in the New Brunswick league last year with the Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders, will get the start and that could be another tough day for The Alley A’s.
It’s always been said great pitching beats top hitting in the playoffs whether the major leagues or here and once again that appears to be true.
Fundraiser
The Face Off Against Cancer hockey tournament featuring NHL stars gets underway Friday at 7 p.m. at Rodds Charlottetown with the draft of NHL players, an auction of NHL jerseys, Alan Andrews hockey school, Connor McDavid’s autographed jersey and dinner for two at the Claddagh House with popular NHL hockey analyst Doug MacLean. There’s also trivia with Jamie MacLeod and, of course, the hot stove panel.
Hockey fans can now bid on these items by going to the Faceoff Against Cancer Facebook page.
Harness racing
Live harness racing continues tonight at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park with a 12-dash card and a 6 p.m. post time.
The $3,500 feature has the likes of Rose Run Quest, Czar Seelster, Machinthesand, Keep Coming and Euchred. Also, today at Northside Downs in North Sydney, N.S., is hosting the Atlantic Sire Stakes two-year-old colts and fillies. The colts race for $9,230 with five pacers in each division while the fillies chase a purse of $17,340. The two undefeated fillies, The Realdeal and Magical Mistress, meet in this one and the Mistress may get the nod, based on homefield advantage.
Congrats to Cambridge, Ont., trainer Blake MacIntosh on his victory in the Little Brown Jug with Courtly Choice in what was one of the closest finishes in years with five across the wire at the end. Dave Miller handled the reins on the Art Major colt.
Last Monday evening, Mark MacDonald captured the $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington, Delaware, with Sunfire Blue Chip in a sizzling 1:51:1 over Scott Rocks, Evening of Pleasure, Rockin Ron, Somewhere in LA and three others.
Yonkers is hosting The Night of New York Sire Stake champions tonight with numerous $250,000 finals.
At Mohawk tonight, the Milton Stakes and the Metro featuring many of the best two-year-old colts a great card.
Pigskin picks
The first installment of my NFL picks is here as we enter Week 3.
If you’ve been following our video show via your computer or smartphone, you will have realized The Prophet is off to another fast start. Before the season even began, I told my video partner Jason Malloy the surprise team will be the Kansas City Chiefs and a new star will emerge in QB Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are 2-0 and Mahomes has tossed 7 TD passes. You can review these videos connected with this column any time.
My handicapping pal Nick Coulter jumped on the Prophet’s advice and he’s off to a fast NFL handicapping start. So, let’s take a look at a few weekend games:
Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Carolina Panthers (1-1) – The Bungles and head coach Marvin Lewis, who should have been axed long ago, have a history of failing in big games. This is big for the Bengals, but the Panthers are tougher defensively, have dual threat in QB Cam Newton and are at home. The Panthers will cover the -7 points.
New England Patriots (1-1) at Detroit Lions (0-2) – Just when the Pats appeared vulnerable, they land outstanding, six-foot-three, fast receiver Josh Gordon from Cleveland. Pats QB Brady should have a field day against a porous Detroit pass defence. New England now has Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Gordon; looks like a New England blowout.
New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-1) – The Falcons are without running back Devonta Freeman and are playing with a banged-up pass defence against QB Drew Brees and an explosive Saints air attack. Atlanta is at home and are favourites by Las Vegas oddsmakers but not by the Prophet. I like the Saints outright.
Tennessee Titans (1-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0) – The Titans beat the Jags last year but there’s too many question marks, especially the health of their QB Marcus Mariota and offensive line against a Jacksonville club that man-handled New England last week.
Those are the four I’ll be playing. If you’re feeling lucky. . . New York Giants (0-2) over home Houston (0-2) and Dallas (1-1) over home Seattle (0-2).
Fred MacDonald's column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at [email protected].
