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Saturday statistics: After considerable research, the statistical-analysis squad at elliottharris.com has uncovered evidence that teams that win Game 5 in a best-of-series that is tied 2-2 (which is the case with the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks whose next game is Saturday) go on to win in six or seven games. Either that or lose in seven games. But no team that has ever had a 3-2 lead has lost a series in six games. You have no idea how long it took to research all that (OK, maybe you do, but it’s after 3 a.m. while this is being crafted typed, and deadline was approaching way too rapidly — if it hasn’t passed already).
For those tired of Miami Heat dancers, here are Miami Dolphins cheerleaders at their 2014 calendar photo shoot. Credit: Miami Dolphins
* Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford is 3-0 in Game 5 performances this postseason. As far as statistical samples go, this one doesn’t go too far. although that effort has allowed the Hawks to get advance this far (you do recall the Detroit Red Wings had a 3-1 lead before the Hawks rallied to win that series in seven games, don’t you?) The Bruins and goalie Tuukka Rask are 1-1 in Game 5s — or is that Games 5? — this postseason.
* Speaking of the Hawks and Crawford (who has a 1.86 goals-against average in the postseason), the team needs to win two of three games to capture the Stanley Cup crown. He is 14-7 this postseason. Meaning all he needs to do is keep up that pace to have a celebratory Chicago parade in place. And if there are any more overtime games vs. the Bruins, let the record show Crawford is 5-2 in OT this postseason.
* Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a home run Friday in 3-1 victory against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field was his first homer since May 18. White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo hit his first home run since May 15 in a 9-1 victory against the host Kansas City Royals. To put this all in perspective: Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney has two in the last week.
* The White Sox position players with at least 100 at-bats and an on-base percentage of .320 or better? One: Alex Rios (.341). Gordon Beckham (83 at-bats) is at .337.
* The Cubs position players with at least 100 at-bats and an on-base percentage of .320 or better? Four: Luis Valbuena (.363), Nate Schierholtz (.338), Rizzo (.330) and Welington Castillo (.324). Cody Ransom (81 at-bats) is at .359, Ryan Sweeney (86 at-bats) and Dioneer Navarro (85 at-bats) are at .337
* If it’s any consolation to Sox fans (and heaven knows they could use some), first baseman/designated hitter Adam Dunn is second among big-league ballplayers in the category of “at-bats per home run” at 12.7. Baltimore’s Chris Davis leads at 9.9 for batters who have qualified for the batting title (3.1 plate appearances per team’s game).
* If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans (and they, too, could use some), third baseman Ransom hits a home run every 10.1 at-bats. Of course, the concern is whether he can continue that production with expanded exposure. And the answer to that comes only with playing more.
* The Detroit Tigers have designated underperforming closer Jose Valverde for assignment. Maybe the Cubs could make a Carlos Marmol-for-Valderde deal. Which probably eventually would be described as one of those deals that helped neither team.
* These numbers should not be considered an endorsement of any kind (or anything meaningful to anyone other than perhaps those folks at the networks and advertisers involved): Game 7 of the NBA Finals drew 26.3 million viewers. The series averaged 17.7 million per game. Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals drew 6.46 million viewers with the series averaging 5.36 million viewers.
Speaking of impressive figures, here is where we go for our daily dose of non-gratuitous videos (thanks to the diligence of the editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com and a broad definition of “gratuitous”) featuring fetching females (even if they are not fetching anything):
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