The King of Clay Storms to Another Title

    Like a championship boxer rebounding before the final bell, Rafael Nadal threw an uppercut to Novak Djokovic's chances to win a fourth consecutive Grand Slam, winning his seventh French Open title in four sets and ending talk of a "Novak Slam."
    Djokovic was looking to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four of tennis' major titles at the same time. Laver won each title in the same season, meaning Djokovic's run did not hold quite the same mystique but still dominated headlines. His quest may have even overshadowed Nadal's run for a record-setting title. Since Nadal is 222-9 on red clay since 2005, there was a sense that Nadal would be in contention for another title.
    At least in the media's eyes, the near-invincibility of Rafael Nadal is Paris, shifted the pressure to squarely on Djokovic's shoulders. After a few years of playing third wheel to the intense rivalry between Roger Federer and Nadal, Djokovic turned the tables last year with one of the greatest single seasons in men's tennis history. With three Grand Slam titles in 2011, the rivalry shifted to Djokovic-Nadal, and these two have now met in four straight major finals.
    After Nadal dismissed Djokovic in straight sets in Monte Carlo and Rome leading into Paris, the tennis world could sense the tables starting to turn toward the King of Clay on familiar soil. 
    With punishing topspin strokes, Nadal breezed through his opponents in quick fashion, winning every set heading into a much-anticipated clash with Djokovic who nearly lost on multiple occasions along the way.
    Djokovic dropped the first two sets to Andreas Seppi, an Italian player who has been hanging consistently in the top 30. Finding his form in the third set, the Serbian battled back to win in five sets. Little did he know, perhaps a tougher test awaited him in the quarterfinals. With the French crowd cheering on countryman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Djokovic fiercely saved four match points to escape in five sets.
     After two comeback wins, Federer to be an easy opponent by comparison, falling in straights to sets to Djokovic.
    In a match steep in history, the world number one, Djokovic faced off against Nadal. Djokovic seemed lost in the first two sets, perhaps burdened by the possibility of winning four consecutive majors against Nadal and his vicious topspin, only accentuated by the red clay. After consistent rain, the court started to slow and the balls became heavier, meaning Nadal's high-bouncing balls were now landing directly in Djokovic's strike zone, enabling the Serbian to rebound, taking the third set 6-2, and leading the fourth set 2-1 before the match was postponed. With the court now dry and Nadal rested, the Spaniard quickly regained momentum, taking the clinching fourth set, 7-5.
    As if Nadal needed any more evidence as to why he could be considered the greatest player on clay in men's tennis history, his seventh title at Roland Garros gave him sole possession of the record for most French Open titles, passing Bjorn Borg.
    With just eight days until Wimbledon, the tennis world will now shift to London for an intriguing major where Roger Federer could potentially break through for another title to add to an impressive resume as arguably the greatest player to step on a tennis court.

What is wrong with Tim Lincecum?

    It has been a scary scene so far this season for the pitcher known as "The Freak," Tim Lincecum.
    Lincecum has struggled to find his typical form early on, with an ERA over 10. After already winning two Cy Young awards by the time he was 26, any dip in his performance will be highly scrutinized, and many theories will be made as to why he is not playing well.
    Coming off of a year where he posted an ERA under three and struck out slightly over a batter an inning, it's difficult to say that we are witnessing a different type of pitcher. While some critics will point to the fact that his strikeout totals have diminished in each full season, I think that can be attributed to his natural development as a pitcher. While some pitchers will keep very high strikeout rates throughout their careers, it is infrequent and most of them will adapt their pitching as their careers progress to move away from being a flamethrower to an all-around pitcher.
    Lincecum's durability has been questioned since he was drafted due to a slight frame and an unusual pitching motion. However, analyzing his pitching mechanics, every part of his body stays in sync until he releases the ball. Most shoulder and elbow injuries in pitchers occur when the arm is behind the timing of the rest of the body. This practice can easily to Tommy John surgery and a lengthy recovery. By keeping his timing correct in his delivery, he reduces some of the strain on his arm when he releases the ball.
    Lincecum's fastball has been hovering in the low-90's this season, leading to concerns about his health and performance. It is still early in the season, and with one strong start with movement and velocity on his fastball, the negative comments will disappear.
    Every pitcher goes through struggles at some point in their career, and these few starts may just be Lincecum's rough patch. He has pitched well since he arrived at the major league level leading to very high expectations every time he walks to the mound. If he still holds an ERA over 10 in July and his fastball has not gaining life, there may be cause for concern, but the season is still young.
    Personally, I don't think there is anything physically wrong with Lincecum, and one start where he pitches well and goes deep into the game will bring back his usual success.
    Lincecum faces the Mets tomorrow afternoon on the road and will look to get on track this season with a win. If he pitches well against the Mets, it could easily jump-start a strong year for him.

A Look at Freddy Galvis

    Due to Chase Utley's continuing injury issues, the Phillies needed to find a replacement for Utley at second base.
    It has been an unfortunate last few years for Utley who had established himself as one of the top 5 second basemen in baseball before a recent battle with injuries. Utley did not debut last season until late May and will miss at least the beginning of this season with ongoing knee trouble. While no date for his return has been set, Utley has been quoted as saying that he expects to play in 2012.
    To play second base in Utley's absence, the Phillies turned to Freddy Galvis, a second base prospect who split time between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season.
    A 22-year old infielder from Venezuela, Galvis has worked his way through the minor leagues, earning a reputation as a skilled defensive infielder while his bat has started to come along. Before last season, Galvis had never hit above .240 in any season, but had shown some speed on the base paths. While he had more strikeouts than walks at every stop, his strikeout rate in the minor leagues was never alarmingly high, meaning he makes consistent contact.
    Last season, something clicked for Galvis and he improved his numbers in almost every category. Whether it was a change in his batting stance or approach, or natural skill progression, Galvis improved immensely as a offensive threat. Galvis hit .273 at Reading with eight home runs and 19 stolen bases, earning a promotion to Lehigh Valley where he hit .298 in 33 games.
    The increased offensive potential made Galvis an attractive major-league option even before it was announced that Utley would miss the beginning of the season. Before Jimmy Rollins re-signed with the Phillies in the offseason, Galvis was thought of as a potential replacement for Rollins. After Utley was declared out for the beginning of the season, it was clear that Galvis would get his chance.
    If Galvis continues the progression that he showed last season, he could become a nice addition at the back of the Phillies lineup this season. With a stellar season, Galvis could throw himself into the debate for a long-term replacement for Utley. Regardless, it will be interesting how Galvis handles his first chance at the major league level.