EVIL~! alkeiper

I think it would be very difficult to justify canning a manager who wasn't even in charge the first time around. I think the current group gets one more shot at switching around some personnel.

I was pulling for the Mets there. Despite the rivalry, I respect the franchise's players, fans and organization. Losing out is tough, particularly when you come so close. Life goes on. Appreciate the effort the players put on the field, they gave it their best shot. Nice to see Lou Marson homer in his big league debut. This kid could take the starting job next Spring.

Having watched the highlight shows, they really gloss over that Phillies' win. Especially the ninth inning, which was excruciating. The Phillies had a 4-2 lead, but four of the first five Nationals reached base. If Rollins doesn't come up with that ball, the Nats take the lead. If not the double play, it's tied. And from my vantage, it REALLY looked like it was going up the middle. I don't know who did the television announcing. They took the final out and sucked out all the drama Joe Buck would have infused, if that is humanly possible. That is a big reason you rarely hear classic sport calls anymore. Because any big moment is called by neutral announcers on national television. Harry Kalas may be losing his marbles, but he can still call a big moment.

I miss the Astrodome. That place had a lot going for it, the most being the on-field dynamic was magnificent.

I know neighborhood parks are generally preferable, but it is unbelieveably convenient as an out of towner (I drive two hours to the park, so public transit is not a realistic option) . 7pm start times are the most convenient, they don't run late and they don't conflict with work. It's games starting at 830-9 that become a problem. The issue here though is that they changed the start time with less than a week's notice. Unbelieveable experience though. Without that double play, Lidge blows his first save of the season. A very emotional and exciting experience.

My internet at the house went south, so I've been offline the last few days. No idea when that will come back on. I'm heading to Philadelphia for today's game. Once again Jamie Moyer is the man who can clinch things. It may be an absolute disaster at the sports complex though. Flyers play at one, Temple at two and the Phillies at four. Of course this could have been avoided had the Phillies game started at seven. Thanks Fox!

I don't think it's contamination or allergies as much as it simply affects the taste of the products.

Schedule highlights today: Tampa Bay (Scott Kazmir) @ Detroit (Armando Galarraga), 1pm. A win and the Rays are YOUR AL East champions. Arizona (Doug Davis) @ St. Louis (Joel Pineiro), 2pm. An Arizona loss would give the Dodgers the NL West title. Chicago Cubs (Rich Harden) @ NY Mets, 7pm. The Mets determine if they will be one or two games out heading into the weekend. Also tied with the Brewers, every game is crucial. NY Yankees (Carl Pavano) @ Toronto (Roy Halladay), 7pm. Halladay goes for win number twenty. Pavano makes his final start as a Yankee. Pittsburgh (Zack Duke) @ Milwaukee (Yovani Gallardo), 8pm. Gallardo returns after months on the DL. How will he fare? If he dominates and the Brewers reach the playoffs, they suddenly become a far more potent team. Chicago White Sox (Gavin Floyd) @ Minnesota (Kevin Slowey), 8pm. Winner takes first place in the AL Central. San Diego (Jake Peavy) @ LA Dodgers (Greg Maddux), 10pm. If the D'backs win, this is the Dodgers' chance to take the division.

I seem to recall WCW building to a match with some sort of mystery, implying it might be Hogan. But that could've been the year earlier. Steamboat/Flair occurred the month earlier at Spring Stampede. While a superior match, I doubt it had much box office appeal left.

I addressed this earlier, but I believe Minaya has done more good than bad with the Mets organization. Their bullpen is extremely shaky, but that is the one area of a ballclub that is most subject to year-to-year variation. Last year it wasn't the bullpen as much as the starting rotation, and that was addressed (the Mets are looking at Santana Sunday, a far cry from Glavine a year ago). Minaya made the trade for Santana, brought in Carlos Beltran, traded for Carlos Delgado, and made the Mets a team that wins around 90 games. Now if there's a GM around that consistently creates 95 win teams, he's not on the market. The Mets are flawed, but so are most other teams.

True, but if nothing else the Brewers control their own destiny.

As good as this result may be for the Phillies, it is MUCH more important for the Milwaukee Brewers.

And in case anyone runs the math themselves, the Rays and Red Sox have both clinched playoff berths. In the event of a divisional tie, the Rays would win the division thanks to their h2h record against Boston. ARAMIS~!

While this drama unfolds in New York, the Minnesota Twins have won again. Tomorrow's game determines the leader of the AL Central.

That honor really has to go to Randy Johnson. Arizona signed him and got FOUR CONSECUTIVE Cy Young awards! Plus a world championship.

One thing to watch this weekend regardless. Mussina is going for his 20th win. Stupid as it may be, his HOF candidacy may be on the line. (I think he deserves regardless.)

Things aren't going much better in Philadelphia, I assure you.

Myers has nothing tonight. Get him the hell out of there. Edit: No, I didn't mean Condrey.

Mickey Vernon passed away today at the age of 90.

Lincecum. Second in ERA, first in strikeouts, 17 wins in front of one of the league's worst offenses. Just an outstanding season.

My Phillies Prize Pack came in today (the incentive for winning the "Stump the Fans" contest. This year's haul. Also picked up issue seven of the Phillies magazine. I'm going to love that ski cap come winter.

That's the plan. This way they get two more starts from C.C.

The Raw after 1998 saw Rumble winner Steve Austin mix up with Mike Tyson. I'd think that almost has to be the best choice.

Yes. Three to clinch.