Ebs’ Hot Takes: World Series, Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees, Al Pedrique

WEST PITTSTON, PA – It’s been quite the week in the sporting world.

A couple of bonehead mistakes took place – I’m looking at you Yuli Gurriel, Bob McNair and Martavis Bryant – but at the same time a lot of great things happened.

There was that EPIC Game 5 of the World Series Sunday night, the Buffalo Bills won on Sunday, improving to 5-2, Houston Texans star JJ Watt threw the first pitch prior to Game 3 of the World Series, crutches and all, Steelers rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster got his bike back after it was stolen two weekends ago and the Orlando Magic sit first atop the Eastern Conference (with four other teams) two weeks into the NBA season.

Wow!

But hey, it’s time for some Ebs’ Hot Takes.

Enjoy!

I’m going with the Houston Astros. Honestly, I wrote this hot take like three different times. It’s currently 1:15 a.m. and I need to go to bed, so I’m going with this… I’m in the minority in that I’ve thought since the beginning of the postseason that the Houston Astros were going to win the World Series.

I still believe that.

Sure the Astros are heading back to LA, trying to do what the New York Yankees couldn’t in the ALCS, but Ken Giles aside, I like the AL Champs’ pitching staff more than the Dodgers’ arms. Not to mention that Houston’s offense is much more well-rounded, too.

This is going to be a fun finish to an exciting baseball season.

The Buffalo Bills are for real. I’ve been very hesitant at including the Bills in my columns this season.

I didn’t have too high of hopes heading into the season. I set the bar at eight wins this season and many thought that was way too high.

However, they’ve been extremely impressive and seem to be a year ahead of schedule, but I still didn’t want to get my hopes up. Until Sunday.

I trust the process and you should too.

Tyrod Taylor has taken a step this year. LeSean McCoy still has it. And this defense is phenomenal.

Let me repeat this… This defense is the real deal. The Bills lead the NFL in turnover differential, Micah Hyde leads the league in interceptions and Tre’Davious White is making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. That is if Matt Milano doesn’t steal it from him.

Will Bills dethrone the New England Patriots this year? I don’t know. Probably not. But if Buffalo beats the New York Jets Thursday night they’ll be 6-2 and just need to finish .500 to end up with a 10-win season. That should get them into the playoffs this year.

Big game Thursday night and the Bills have to be ready.

Don’t panic, Yankees fans. Was firing Joe Girardi surprising? Yes. Was it shocking? No.

The Yankees have two options from here. They go outside to look for their next manager, which seems like the stronger possibility.

The Yankees want to go younger and cheaper. A manager that is comfortable using analytics and can relate to his players, which was something Girardi struggled with.

This is what FanRag Sports MLB writer Jon Heyman suggested over the weekend:

Then to me there is a dark horse candidate.

If the Yankees are committed to this youth movement like they say they are, than why not hire the man who knows these guys best? Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders manager Al Pedrique.

Pedrique has managed more than half of the current 40-man roster and had his hands on a lot of the Yankees’ top prospects still in the minors. He’s also the back-to-back International League Manager of the Year. Pedrique has mentioned his desire to return to the managers as well.

Not to mention, his players swear by him. He’s the ultimate player’s coach. He’d be a perfect fit.

Come back tomorrow for Ben Whitney and please follow us on Twitter at @ByDJEberle, @MeetTheMatts & @Matt_McCarthy00, Instagram @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.

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About DJ Eberle 223 Articles
DJ Eberle: The youngest of our team, DJ is also the largest. Offensive Tackle Large. In fact, this Albany native used OT for Western New England University - until he graduated in May of 2014. Like Junoir Blaber, he's a regular on Rugby Wrap Up - his dad played rugby with The Matts. His cross to bear, however, is his love for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. As for baseball and basketball, it's the Yanks and Atlanta Hawks. Follow him on Twitter: @ByDJEberle.