Postseason Players

 I'll have to admit that my mind has been solely focused on football—on and off this blog—but with baseball season at its peak, it's time for some baseball love. My apologies to those who are completely sick of my everything-football posts, but with the Padres' season long gone, I had to switch my focus to avoid serious depression.

After a crazy past week of baseball, some teams are starting to drop like flies, while others continue forward towards the World Series. 

Tampa Bay celebrates winning the AL wild-card spot

photo via NJ.com

Here's a little run down on the current MLB sitch: Wild-card spots (no freaking clue what a wild card is?—click here) have been won, and there are eight teams left in the running. Four teams from the American League and four teams from the National League. This is called the AL and NL Division Series and which ever teams win three games first move on to the next round, the AL and NL Division Championships.

Here's who's left:

American League

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 
[Texas leads series 2-1]

 New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers
[Detroit leads series 2-1]

National League

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
[Series tied 1-1]

 Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers

[Milwaukee leads series 2-0]

After this week, four teams will be left (two from each league). There will eventually be one team left from each league and they will play in the World Series—but more on that later. 

photo via You Play Ball

I'm personally hoping for Detroit (shout out to my Michigan fam!) to take home the ring this year, but you can't beat a face like Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels (above). Enjoy the end of baseball and all the babes that come with it!

Cosmo Clue:

The MLB is currently in the AL and NL Division Series of the playoffs.

Schedule of games

Something You Should Know

Just in case you missed Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals last night, the Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-0. The Americans beat out the Canadians (whose fans did not take it well) in the final game of the series, making them the best of the best when it comes to hockey.

Congrats to Boston and all of it's fans!

Cosmo Clue:

The Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup Finals.

Game recap here

Drama Kings

Though girls are usually better known for being the more dramatic of the sexes, the guys competing in the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals over the past couple weeks really bitched it out. Both exciting and competitive series, the boys playing in the finals did not disappoint in the drama department.

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals Sunday night and the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins are heading to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Dallas Mavericks celebrating their first championship

 picture via SB Nation

Some off-court fuss happened when Miami Heat's LeBron James and Dwayne Wade got caught mocking Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, who had been sick in a previous game.

Dirk threw the comment in the overconfident gossipers face, taking not only the series and championship, but the MVP honors as well. 

There was also a little commotion between the two teams in the final game, with emotions running high and forcing the station to go to an immediate commercial break.

When it comes to the ice, this series has produced quite the frenzy when it comes to brawls and injuries. The NHL boys have played rough and have been going back and fourth trash talking all series.

 photo via All Live Sports

Game 7 (the final game) of the Stanley Cup Finals is on tomorrow at 8 pm ET. Winner takes all - don't miss it!

Ladies, the time has come for you to get your basketball and hockey-loving bf's attention back. Let's hope your boys aren't as dramatic as the athletes playing.


Cosmo Clue:
When it comes to drama, male athletes take the cake.

 More on Stanley Cup Game 7 here.

Getting Pucked Up

The Stanley Cup Finals are in full swing and these hockey stars are nothing short of badass. From punches to knockouts, these guys are bringing toughness to a whole new level. 

The Boston Bruins are down to the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in this intensely aggressive series. Check out some of these crazy man-on-man scuffles we've witnessed so far.  

  Vancouver's Aaron Rome gives a hard late hit to Boston's Nathan Horton

Aaron Rome is suspended for the rest of the series and Bruins player Nathan Horton is out of the hospital (but he won't be able to play anymore this season). More on the story here.

Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas body checks Canucks player Henrik Sedin

Bruins star Milan Lucic delivers a punch to Cauncks player Alex Burrows 

In my opinion, and these videos back it up, hockey is definitely one of the most brutal professional sports. Not only are these guys competing in a highly stressful game, but they are throwing out hits and watching their backs all while on ice! Most of us can barely stand up in an ice rink, let alone skate, strike and score. 

Not only does that require some major talent, but it also brings hockey studs to the brink of bad-boy hotness (with or without the teeth).

Game 4 of this exciting series in on tonight, 5 pm ET. Don't miss it.

Cosmo Clue:

Make sure to have a hockey player on your side if you ever find yourself in a bar fight.

More on the Stanley Cup Finals here.

Championship Swag

While many of you ladies are celebrating Memorial Day with drinks, vacations and red white and blue, some sports junkies have been glued to their TVs on a weekend full of games.

From soccer, to lacrosse, baseball, basketball and finally hockey, I think I've broken a record for the amount of sporting events watched in a week. (Thanks in big part to my brother who is staying with me for the weekend and is too young to branch out to the bars.)

NHL and NBA playoffs have come to the peak of professional sports...the FINALS.

photo via Bleacher Report

The Boston Bruins (third seed) will take on the Vancouver Canucks (first seed) in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, only one team taking the Cup with them. Game 1 is on Wednesday at 8 pm ET. First to take four games wins it all. 

photo via Bleacher Report

When it comes to basketball, the Miami Heat will be battling the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Whichever team can pull off four wins first will be the 2011 NBA Champs. Game 1 is on Tuesday at 9 pm ET.

By now you should all know that the NHL champs get the Stanley Cup per winning, and the NBA champs get a championship ring. Trophies and jewels...what's the big deal, right? But that's not it. Let's take a look at what else comes with the championship honor:

• Most likely more $ in their near future, as many winners will get endorsement deals, sign larger contracts and their individual salaries may increase.
• Smack-talking reign. When you are the champs, you can run your mouth until the next season starts (and even longer if you remain on top).
• More $ again. (Bandwagon) fans would rather wear the jersey of a championship team and championship players, putting more in the bank with merchandise sold.
• Ladies. Obviously girls want to date champions. Like these athletes weren't getting enough before...
• More love from your city. The moment a team enters the playoffs, let alone the finals, people in the competing city go nuts. Sports fan or not, when your team is fighting for 1st, you'll become a fan (at least until they get knocked out). 
• Pride. Winning a championship isn't something that happens everyday, and most athletes go without ever sitting on top. Winning is literally the dream come true for these guys.
• A chance at MVP awards. On top of being a champ, a player from each team gets to be the best of the best. Doesn't get much better than that.

So beyond the legendary bling these winners get to call their own, they also take home the honor of being champions and making a whole city happy. 

Make sure to check out some games during the Finals, ladies. Good luck to all the teams and the fans rooting along!

Cosmo Clue:

NBA and NHL Finals are starting this week.

Want some predictions and more on the finals? Click here for NHL and here for NBA.

Boy Hunting

Single and ready to mingle?

No matter if you're looking for Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now, knowing what's going on in the sports world can never hurt your chances at scoring a major babe.

It's Thursday and you know what that means - It's time to let loose, enjoy happy hour and count down the final day until the glorious weekend. With a lineup of jam-packed sporting events this weekend, clear your schedule and head to the sports bars. You're guarenteed to catch a game and maybe even a guy.

Let's see what's on tap for the weekend...

Hockey

There are four teams left in the NHL playoffs. Reppin' CA are the San Jose Sharks, who are down two games to the Vancouver Canucks. Out of Florida, the Tampa Bay Lighting are tied with the Boston Bruins at one game a piece. Whoever takes four games first in each series will head to the championship and play for the Stanley Cup.

photo via Fox News

Thursday
Game 3

Tampa Bay vs. Boston, 8 pm ET

Friday 
Game 3
San Jose vs. Vancouver, 9 pm ET

 Saturday

Game 4
Tampa Bay vs. Boston, 1:30 pm ET

Sunday
Game 4
San Jose vs. Vancouver, 3 pm ET

Basketball

The Miami Heat are tied with the Chicago Bulls, as both have won one game. The Dallas Mavericks are up a game over the Oklahoma City Thunder. First team in each series to win four games heads to the Finals to see who gets crowned NBA champs.

photo via CBC

Thursday 
Game 2

Dallas vs. Oklahoma City, 9 pm ET

(no games Friday)

Saturday
Game 3

Dallas vs. Oklahoma, 9 pm ET

Sunday
Game 3

Chicago vs. Miami, 8:30 pm ET


Grab the girls, grab some drinks and catch the games tonight and throughout the weekend.
Happy man hunting!


Cosmo Clue: 
NHL and NBA playoffs are happening all weekend.

Beat LA

In every professional sport there are the teams that everyone loves to love or loves to hate. If you are a die-hard (or bandwagon) fan, you rep these teams 'til your death. And if you're the opposite, the haters, you despise these teams more than anything. In the MLB, we have the Yankees, in the NFL, the Raiders, and in the NBA, we have the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Whether you're a purple and yellow loving follower, or you'd rather break every bone in your body before you watch the Lakers win a championship, you were watching the Lakers fail in the playoffs.

Kobe Bryant mourns the loss 

 photo via Lakers Blog

I'm neither a fan or foe, but even I got a glimpse of this desperate attempt and playoff end. The Lakers choked. Big time. (Sorry to all of my Laker-loving So Calers).

Kobe & co. lost in four straight games to the Dallas Mavericks, with last night's game sealing the deal of a semifinal sweep. And on top of that, long-time and influential Lakers coach, Phil Jackson, is retiring. Somebody get the Lakers some tissues - they are going to need them. 

Lakers head coach, Phil Jackson

photo via Sports World

After a farewell to the Lakers season and coach, there are still teams fighting to make it to the conference finals and beyond.

The Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls are tied at 2-2, and they will play Game 5 tomorrow at 8 ET. 

The Miami Heat is currently up a game over the Boston Celtics at 3-1. The next game is Wednesday at 7 ET. 

Oklahoma City Thunder is (as I type) down a game to the Memphis Grizzles at 2-1. The game is on right now, so we'll see who picks up Game 4. No matter who wins tonight, they'll play again later this week. 

Cosmo Clue:

The Los Angeles Lakers get swept in the semifinals, as other teams continue to battle. 

Everything playoffs here.

Playoffs and beyond

While hangin' at a sports bar last night, one of my not-so-into-sports girlfriends asked me a sincere question: "Wait..why is there a baseball AND hockey game on?!" 

This may sound ridiculous to some of you ladies in love with the game, but I can see where she's coming from. There is a lot going on in the world of sports right now, and it's not always easy to keep up. NBA Playoffs, NHL Playoffs, MLB regular season and an NFL Draft on the horizon...it's a busy, busy time.

Let's get caught up on all the latest sports buzz - short and sweet style.  

NBA Playoffs:

16 teams are currently competing in the first round of playoffs. The series lasts until the first team wins 4 games. More here.

Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics makes a game-winning shot in Game 1 vs. the New York Knicks

 photo via NBA

NHL Playoffs:  

Hockey is also in playoff mode and it runs a lot like basketball. 16 teams are dueling it out in Round 1, trying to win 4 games first. More here.

San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings in overtime in Game 3

 photo via Fox News

MLB: 

 The season is in full swing and the Los Angeles Dodgers seem to be the team with the most controversy so far. First, a San Francisco Giants fan was brutally attacked at a Dodger game, and the victim ended up in critical condition. Now, the Dodgers owner is leaving the team $400+ million in debt and in the hands of the MLB. More on the Dodger drama here.

Dodgers owner, Frank McCourt

photo via zimbio

NFL: 

Though the league is in a lockout, as I mentioned in my last post, there is still a draft. The draft will start Thursday, April 28th and will continue until the 30th. Stay posted for a blog post committed to draft day soon! If you want to get ahead of the game, look here.

One of the most talked about players going into the draft, QB Cam Newton

photo via Every Joe

Whether you're a football, baseball, basketball or hockey junkie, you're a happy girl right now. Plan your weekend around the TV and all the sporty goodness that spring has to offer. It doesn't matter if you're couch sluggin' in your favorite sweats, or being a social butterfly at the bar, just don't miss out.

(And by the way, my beloved San Diego Padres have been in somewhat of an early-season slump. Go ahead and say a pray for them tonight. Thank you.)

Cosmo Clue:

Baseball, basketball and hockey are all in season and the NFL Draft happens next week.

Hockey Heaven

For all you hockey-loving ladies, congratulations! Today marks the start of the 2011 NHL Playoffs.

The 16 NHL teams who have advanced to the playoffs will start making their way towards the Stanley Cup today. 

 photo via The Hockey Zone

The Stanley Cup is the trophy that the top team is awarded. The coolest thing about the Cup? Unlike other professional trophies, there is only one Stanley Cup. There isn't a new one made every year—it's passed from champion to champion. All members of the winning team not only get their names etched into the trophy, but they also each get to spend one day with it. They can bring it home to share with their loved ones and locals, or drink champagne out of it solo on the couch. It's up to them.

For all my CA girls...the San Jose Sharks, LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks have all made it to the playoffs this season. So whether for you rep The Bay, LA or Orange County, try to catch some hockey hunks duking it out this week. 

Warning: If you don't like fights, blood and really hot guys, hockey might not be for you.

photo via Hockey God Online

Cosmo Clue:

The NHL Playoffs start today.

For a full schedule and more info, click here.