CanadianChris

Phillies strike first with a 2-run double by Utley. The way Hamels is pitching, that could be enough.

NATIONAL LEAGUE Most Valuable Player 1 - Albert Pujols, Cardinals 2 - Johan Santana, Mets 3 - Lance Berkman, Astros 4 - Hanley Ramirez, Marlins 5 - Chase Utley, Phillies 6 - Ryan Howard, Phillies 7 - David Wright, Mets 8 - C.C. Sabathia, Brewers 9 - Geovany Soto, Cubs 10 - Carlos Beltran, Mets Cy Young Award 1 - Johan Santana, Mets 2 - Tim Lincecum, Giants 3 - C.C. Sabathia, Brewers Rookie of the Year 1 - Geovany Soto, Cubs 2 - Jair Jurrjens, Braves 3 - Joey Votto, Reds Manager of the Year 1 - Lou Piniella, Cubs 2 - Charlie Manuel, Phillies 3 - Jerry Manuel, Mets AMERICAN LEAGUE Most Valuable Player 1 - Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2 - Joe Mauer, Twins 3 - Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 4 - Grady Sizemore, Indians 5 - Josh Hamilton, Rangers 6 - Justin Morneau, Twins 7 - Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox 8 - Ian Kinsler, Rangers 9 - Brian Roberts, Orioles 10 - Roy Halladay, Blue Jays Cy Young Award 1 - Cliff Lee, Indians 2 - Roy Halladay, Blue Jays 3 - Jon Lester, Red Sox Rookie of the Year 1 - Evan Longoria, Rays 2 - Mike Aviles, Royals 3 - Alexei Ramirez, White Sox Manager of the Year 1 - Joe Maddon, Rays 2 - Cito Gaston, Blue Jays 3 - Mike Scioscia, Angels

Beckett's injury concerns me more than anything. And why do you believe the Red Sox were the better regular season team? They got crushed by the Angels this year.

Let's all welcome Bored to his fourth decade of life.

Rays in 3 Angels in 4

Reasons I hate the White Sox: Jerry Reinsdorf Ken Harrelson Ozzie Guillen Jerry Reinsdorf AJ Pierzynski Ken Harrelson Jerry Reinsdorf Ken Harrelson Ken Harrelson Ken Harrelson

Certainly not.

I think they do that every time a pitcher leaves the mound. Killjoy.

They're playing "Hey Hey Goodbye" before the game's over. That has to be a jinx, right? Right? Please?

Aw, sheeeit. Well, if this holds up, I'll at least have someone to cheer against. For the divisional round, anyway.

Just watched the Al Davis presser. He is a looney tune. I hope Kiffin gets every single penny out of his miserable hide.

The concept of available credit has been taken to silly extremes, but credit is essential for the economy to function. Lending institutions just need to tighten their requirements for extending credit. Make people save up $40K or $50K as a down payment on a house. Don't lend to obvious credit risks. Stop sending out credit invitations to people who have more than enough available credit. My wife and I, for instance, have nearly $60,000 in available credit, in addition to two mortgages, and we still get invitations in the mail.

I had just come to post that. First time in 50 years a goalie has been named as a team captain.

What's wrong with renting or living within your means? People don't NEED gigantic houses. Well, unless you have 6 or 7 kids. Who's going to buy the houses for everyone to rent?

It's always a coin flip. They do them for every potential tiebreaker that could happen, about three weeks before the season ends. That's so the venues know in advance if they might be booked for the day after the season or not.

I'm not seeing this as a fresh start for the Raiders. From all accounts, the players liked Kiffin and played hard for him, and I question whether they'll respond as well to a new coach. I doubt this is going to be a positive move for them.

Hits: Blue Jays finishing fourth in the AL East Angels running away with the AL West Seattle being drastically overrated (I actually still overrated them) Cubs win the NL Central, Brewers win the wild card Yankees missing the playoffs Misses: Rays being a year away White Sox finishing last in the Central Tigers and White Sox still being good Braves finishing high in the standings Dodgers finishing third

I like the Phillies in 4 (they'll lose Game 2) and the Cubs in 5.

Apparently Big Al's refusing to pay him. Man, they must be just lining up around the block to take that job.

I hate to vote against either of these guys, because I really like both their teams, but if I have to pick one, I'd go for Kahran Ramsus. I think he has a slightly larger edge on offence than VX. I'm also not completely sold on Brett Favre against such a solid defence.

1. I think it just might be the Giants. They look the most solid in all areas. 2. This isn't close, it's the Rams. Just awful everywhere. Collectively, they probably have the worst group of linemen (offence and defence) in the league. 3. That requires a look at the schedule...I like Chicago to go at least 3-1, maybe 4-0, with the opponents they have (Detroit twice, @ Atlanta, Minnesota). 4. I think Chris Johnson of the Titans leads the race right now. I also like Joe Flacco of the Ravens. 5. Has to be Shawne Merriman. The Charger defence just looks really ordinary without him in there.

News of interest to pretty much just me... There's now no baseball of any kind in Ottawa. The Rapidz of the Can-Am League are folding after just one season.

1:00 Games ATL @ CAR - W CLE @ CIN - W HOU @ JAC - W DEN @ KC - L SF @ NO - W ARI @ NYJ - L GB @ TB - W MIN @ TEN - W 4:00 Games SD @ OAK - W BUF @ STL - W WAS @ DAL - L Night game PHI @ CHI - L MNF BAL @ PIT - L (Almost...) Week: 8-5 YTD: 40-20

Steelers can't cover 6.5 now. It looked ugly at times, but I escape with another win. It's especially nice to be 3-0 against the division already.

Or, you know, that it was a freak occurence.