vivalaultra

Personally, I prefer NL ball sans DH if only because that's where my allegiance has lain since I was a kid. I just prefer the strategy and all the 'chess match' situations that happen late in ballgames with double switches and pinch-hitting and all of that. However, I don't have anything against the DH, and I think the DH has helped to make the AL hitters better and the AL pitchers slightly better than those in the NL. An AL pitcher that has to face tough hitters 1-9 as opposed to just 1-8 is invariably going to have to 'learn' how to pitch at a higher level than an NL pitcher; that's why 9 times out of 10, when a pitcher comes over to the NL from the AL, he usually shaves about a point to a point and a half off of his ERA, Barry Zito notwithstanding. Also, the DH allows older players who can still hit but can't play defense or players who are extraodrinary hitters and subpar defenders (Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz, Jason Giambi) to still play. I think a big misconception about the DH is that that spot is usually taken by a big slugger, but I personally like it when a manager uses the DH spot down at the bottom of the order as a '2nd leadoff' type slot. In that same vein, I really like the approach that TLR has been using and has used before, batting his pitcher 8th and putting a speedy or OBP guy in the 9 slot. I think if more NL teams did that, they'd score more runs (in fact, I know that they'd score more runs that way, as I've read several articles on the subject). And I think it would behoove pitchers and the NL teams that they play for if pitchers took a little more time and put a little more effort into their hitting. They don't have to hit 40 homeruns, but I don't think it would hurt their mechanics that much if they worked a little harder on plate discipline and making contact as well as bunting.

The answer is: This game show empresario died today at age 82. ...Who is Merv Griffin?

Brad Lidge might not be Joba Chamberlain, I just wish he also wasn't Kyle Farnsworth.

I should be a better bowler than I am; my parents are really good (My Dad has a 220 avg.), but I'm just...not that great. It takes me a couple games to warm up, and once I'm warmed up, I'm decent for a game, and then my arm gets tired so I'm not any good for the last game. My high game is a 170, but my average is only around 115. I do kick ass in the bowling game on the Wii, though.

There's a 100% chance that NO ONE will gain points on the tragic passing of Factory Records founder Tony Wilson today. I'm starting to consider sticking pins in voodoo dolls. Is voodoo against the rules?

Kings of Leon is more faux 70s Southern rock. And Seawolf is Will Oldham, who isn't part of any type of movement, I don't think. I've never heard of Silversun Pickups, but I do like Siamese Dream-era Smashing Pumpkins, but if I wanna listen to something that sounds like Siamese Dream-era Smashing Pumpkins, I'll just listen to Siamese Dream-era Smashing Pumpkins.

I gotta think the Cubs are just claiming outfielders for the Hell of it. Shannon Stewart...Scott Podsednik...maybe next they'll claim Nook Logan or Jay Gibbons next or something.

for injuries or booze? An 'undisclosed substance'. He got put on the restricted list, so it's either booze or dope.

Scott Spiezio went to rehab and Mark Sweeny went to LA.

Hey now! 8.5 back with the teams ahead of them playing as shitty as they have been lately + miracle comebacks the last three years='somewhat' eliminated, but not 'practically' eliminated. Edit: And if Ausmus gets his longball working, anything can happen. Before the game, Garner half-jokingly said something about putting a voodoo curse on Zambrano. I guess this game shows that if you have enemies, voodoo is always the way to go.

Well, Lance Berkman's coming around nicely. He just hit a moon shot to dead center up by the Conoco pump at MMP (458 ft.). It's about 108 degrees in Houston today; maybe Big Z didn't drink enough water.

Oswalt just got a hit and he's struck Zambrano out on slow curveballs; I imagine Zambrano plunks an Astros in oh...about the 6th inning. Edit: There's a Mike Fontenot error on a grounder that shoulda ended the inning. Change my guess to the 5th inning, maybe sooner. Maybe Lamb.

If the Astros win tonite and take 2 out of 3 against Milwaukee (or even sweep the Brewers), that's gonna make the division race more interesting for sure.

Jason Hirsh pitched five innings last nite against the Brewers after being hit by a line drive in the first inning that broke his leg. He got the win, too, and only gave up 3 hits and 2 ER. He's hardcore! Edit: Hey! Oneuhyou Cubs' fans-Why isn't Ramirez playing? Is he hurt, too?

Top 5 Acid Bath songs (Dax Riggs is a sonofabitch!): 5. 'Jezebel' 4. 'Dead Girl' (The AoO version is better, though.) 3. 'God Machine' 2. 'Cassie Eats Cockroaches' 1. 'Fingerpaintings of the Insane' Top 5 solo artists named Josh: 5. Josh Rouse 4. Josh Graves (dobro, yo) 3. Josh White 2. DJ Shadow 1. Josh Ritter

If that's the case... ONLY 33 WINS TO GO!!!!!! I STILL BEEE-LIEEVE!!!!!!! If that's not the case.... Congratulations to Ryan Braun on your NLCS MVP award.

David Lee Roth? Pfft...like that'll sell tickets. Wake me up when they get Gary Cherone back.

Mike Bascik-future answer to sports trivia questions. The fan that caught the ball was wearing a Mets' jersey. For such a crummy individual, Barry's got one of the cutest little girls I've seen recently; I bet she's spoiled as all get out. Oh well, Ryan Braun only needs 736 more.

My favorite team is beating Bruiser's favorite team.

Man, Wandy Rodriguez is pitching like a fuckin' ace. The Cubs usually suck against lefties, but this is nice to watch. I just wish someone could explain the huge differential between Wandy's home and road stats.

The last inning of the 'Stros/Marlins was about the oddest thing I've ever seen. It was tied at 5-5 in the 11th. Stephen Randolph (the Japanese black lefty) got two quick outs and IW Miguel Cabrera. So, Cabrera's at 1st with 2 outs. Randolph bounces a curveball that comes up and hits catcher Eric Munson in the throat. Munson goes down, nobody calls time, and Cabrera sneaks to 2nd base. Then, on the next pitch, Randolph throws ANOTHER wild pitch that Munson runs after. Cabrera gets to third. Munson continues to chase the ball until it rolls into the Marlins dugout out of play. Cabrera's awarded home and the Fish win 6-5 without getting a hit. And Cabrera elbowed Hanley Ramirez in the eye in the after-game celebration.

I have no idea what you're talking about, as I have conveniently edited my post to say that zee man behind zee dish was Chris Coste. Thus, I have hidden my flub and, in the process, made your retort look nonsensical. MUWHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

I'm watching highlights of the Brewers/Phillies game and I just saw the 2nd coolest play I've seen in a while (It would've been the first if not for Melky Cabrera's ground-rule double); Corey Hart was rounding third. Chris Coste had the ball and was preparing to tag Hart out, but Hart totally karate kicked the ball out of his hand. First time I've ever seen someone kick the ball out of a catcher's hand. Smart play, that.

If you've read the last book, the main plot of CoS actually didn't tread water; it was integral to the story and the first appearance of...something. (Don't read the spoiler, Bob Barron. It'll ruin everything!) I'm in agreement with PoA being the best movie, mostly because I love Alfonso Cuaron, but it was also my favorite of the books (up till the last one). It was a real turning point in the series; in both the books and the movies, it was where the series started to get less 'kiddie' and more dark.

Was that Peter Petrelli or Sylar at the end? I like Nathan's new beard.