I agree completely. I can't even remember the last time the Yankees didn't snag the playoffs SOMEHOW.

I think Boston is going to lose out to the Yanks in the end. Seeing how well the Yankees are doing with only 3 (maybe 4 since Wright has been pretty good recently) starting pitchers and without Sheffield and Matsui (hell even Damon's been out some). They're only a half game back right now.

Though yeah, the AL Central has been crazy. Detroit and Chicago will both make it. Detroit's pitching - amazing for the most part.

Chipper Jones starts hitting, tying a 79 or so year old record for most consecutive games with an extra base hit, and the Braves start winning. Not a coincidence that the Braves' success hinges on Chipper's offensive production picking up. I hope they can continue putting up 10+ runs a game, because lord knows they need to if they want to win, with that pitching staff.

God knows I'm rooting for them. They've been my favorite team ever since the Pirates have failed to compete (think: my entire life). They're only 5 1/2 games back of the Wild Card spot right now, and with the way they're playing, I feel they have a good shot at making the playoffs. They may not win the division for the first time in 15 years, but at least theyhave a shot at being in the playoffs.

Ha, the Pirates. WINNERS.

I was at last night's 1-0 barnburner-of-a-win for the Red Sox over the Royals. Gotta tell you, a one-hitter is not exciting when the pitcher gives up the hit early and doesn't pitch all nine innings. Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon are the future of the Red Sox.

Peter Gammons has been saying that for a couple years now. And to think, if Boston had made the A-rod trade a couple years ago, Lester would have been included. Think they're happy to have Lester and Manny instead of Alex "Knoblauch" Rodriguez?

They can keep him as he is right now, sure. But he'd be playing shortstop and we'd have Magglio Ordonez if all the pieces fell into place. Even then, yeah, I'd still rather have Lester and Manny.

The team would look a whole lot different if they had gotten A-rod, that is for sure.

• Magglio would have left for free agency after his 2 month stay with the team.
• Renteria would not have signed
• Renteria would not have been traded, along with like $12 million, for Marte.
• Marte would not have been flipped to Cleveland for Crisp.

Instead, you would have probably seen Boston go hard for JD Drew after the 2004 season. Then when Damon leaves after the 2005 season, you see JD move to center. Hanley Ramirez is even more expendable with A-rod manning short, so you still are likely to see the Beckett & Lowell deal. Now there is an opening in left field, which can basically be filled by any warm body who can hit.

And there's no telling what the Yankees would look like right now if they don't swap Soriano for A-rod.

Stuff like this is part of why I love baseball. All the possibilities, all the what-ifs, all the speculation about off the field stuff.

You read it here, first: A-Rod is not going to be traded.

Stupid baseball pundits. O HAY LOOK THE YANKEES ARE BACK AFTER TRADING FOR GUYS.

No.

And the Pirates continue their annual purge of salary. Sean Casey and Craig Wilson are both gone, and both were first basemen. That's pretty puzzling. We did get Shawn Chacon in return for Wilson, which is good considering our lack of starting pitching. It's not like he'll make too much of a difference, though. We traded away Kip Wells, as well, another starting pitcher. That Kevin McClatchey sure runs a top-notch franchise- but what does he care? He's still making money! Hell, the games were sold out all weekend! Ugh!

I just want to say that David Ortiz is a heavy Dominican JESUS. The man is uncanny. That shot tonight was fucking ridiculous.

The Pirates are a team I'd like to see do well one of these years. Even though I'm primarily a Detroit fan, for some reason, I've always pulled for Pittsburgh teams secondly.

Speaking of Detroit though, they did pick up Casey, a guy who I followed for a while the past two years for having him on fantasy baseball teams. He should be a solid addition for them, especially with Shelton struggling the past while. The Tigers unfortunately had their second straight four error game today and lost. Hopefully they can pull themselves back together before other teams start gaining ground on them.

Since Casey is from this area I've been watching him for a long time. I followed him more closely than ever when he was acquired by the Pirates. The absolute best thing about him is his patience in the box. He always seems to work the count and make the pitcher work to get him out.

Casey goes 2/5 with a home run in his first game here. Good start. Guillen also hit for the cycle. I'm so glad Detroit has a good team this year. Any of the past ten years, after a 4 error performance, the Tigers would've mulled over it all week and pieced together a 7 game losing streak.

Tied with the damn Evil Empire again. Why can't those guys just bugger off to the AL Central or something. Leave us the Blue Jays for playmates. Or just have a whole team of E Rod. I could deal with that.

Technically the Yankees are leading the division .606 to .604. .002 is the difference between 1st and 2nd in the AL East.

And it's Javy Lopez to the rescue! -_-

Dfish... make it stop. Make the bad men stop!

I like how Greg Maddux is the best pitcher EVER along with Cy Young, I mean why even lie. Oh and don't give me other pitchers with a billion more strikeouts or a few wins.

Oh and Chipper dlin is no good. Wild Card braves better make a run. They have essentially the same lineup as last year, yet better on offense. But no pitching lol for some reason/

um...roger clemens...i just had to say it...he's amazing...he beats maddux on a career scale in everything except era (by 0.05)

Once a player reaches a certain point of greatness, it is stupid to try to say he is better or worse than some other very great player. If you had to decide between Maddux in his prime, or Clemens in his prime, there is absolutely no way that you can make the wrong choice.

It's been a bad past 15 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdLRf...elated&search=

Also, click here.

At least you have a team though.

That's awesome, knk. One of the few times The Onion has made me laugh.