News and Notes

• Basically every major news outlet is reporting that Rich Harden is on the DL again. This is the 4th consecutive season that "Rickety Rich" has landed on the DL, he hasn't pitched over 100 innings since 2004. Currently every Harden fantasy owner that gloated after 2 great starts has put the bib on and is eating a nice steamy plate of their own words.

• Rice-product Jeff Niemann, who has been a uber-prospect for the Rays for a while will finally make his major league debut on Sunday. Niemann, 25, will replace Matt Garza, who was the uber-prospect that the Twins traded for uber-prospect Delmon Young...you guys like it. Niemann is an enormous man, standing at 6'9'', has been solid in the minors for the Rays. His WHIP had been hovering around 1.10 up until last year when he made the jump. Look out for him.

• The list of players who have declared for the NBA Draft continues to grow with the recent additions of Donte Greene from Syracuse and Joe Alexander from West Virginia. Some of the big names now read:

Donte Greene-Fr.-Syracuse
Joe Alexander-Jr.-West Virginia
Marrese Speights-So.-Florida
Eric Gordon-Fr.-Indiana
Jerryd Bayless-Fr.-Arizona
Brook Lopez-So.-Stanford
Robin Lopez-So.-Stanford
O.J. Mayo-Fr.-USC
DeAndre Jordan-Fr.-Texas A&M
J.J. Hickson-Fr.-North Carolina State
Anthony Randolph-Fr.-LSU
Derrick Caracter-So.-Louisville
Chase Budinger-So.-Arizona
Ronald Steele-Jr.-Alabama

Some of these decisions were not very smart (I am looking at you Ronald Steele, Marrese Speights, Derrick Caracter), and some were a foregone conclusion. What this draft has that is unique is the plethora of big men. Most of the ones already declared are raw, but supremely talented, and there are still a lot of talented big men that haven't declared. For example, Hansborough, Beasley, Love...I just named the three best big men in college last year. There is such a thing as picking you spots. Sometimes someone should have gone and it hurt their status next year, and some did go and it didn't pan out. If Love stays, and the rest go, he could be the best big man available the next year.

These can't be things that only I think of right?

• Johnathan Mitchell, a sophomore forward for the University of Florida has decided to transfer. Which begs the question...Who the F%$K is Johnathan Mitchell.

• A construction worker buried a Red Sox shirt underneath the visiting dugout of the new Yankee Stadium according to the New York Post. That was a brilliant move by the construction worker and here is to hoping the curse begins anew in the Bronx rather than the Bean.

• In the past few weeks I have been wondering what happened to Dennis Dixon, I haven't heard anything about him amid all the hoopla of the NFL Draft. Well, thanks to SI.com, you can now go to Dennis Dixon's web page.
  

It's a Good Time to be a Basketball Fan

I just wanted to take the time to let you know I still think college basketball is better than the NBA. Except for one discernible difference, and that is down the stretch of the regular season. Before the conference tournaments, and even during the conference tournaments teams play with a sense of urgency, but they can't see where they fit into the scheme of the playoffs. Their fate is figuratively in their own hands, but in reality their fate is held by a bunch of grumpy old men from the NCAA.

But the NBA? Down the stretch, especially this season and especially in the Western Conference, it seems like every night of the week another huge game is going on with playoff implications on the line. Last night we had 2, the Mavericks sealed a playoff berth with their 97-94 victory over the Jazz, and Golden State continued their not-so-fun streak of losing every important game since the end of March when they got drubbed by the Nuggets last night 115-104.

In both of these games the teams played with a sense of urgency, and the playoff atmosphere (especially in Dallas) was palpable. Aside from the playoffs, which were awesome to watch last year as well, the home stretch of the regular season is the best time for the NBA because Baron Davis, and Dirk Nowitski, and David Stern, and Dennis Rodman, and my grandmother can all see how everything is going to shake out, and what exactly each team needs to do...its f*%&ing exhilarating!

First, in the most exciting game of the night in Dallas. Dirk may have finally shaken some of the demons that have been haunting him since he won that MVP award last season. He used to be feared in crunch time because of his ability to hit the big shot. But this season it seems like every big shot he has tried to take he has missed, and the pundits and fans alike have reamed him for it.

Now, since his injury, it seems like Dirk is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He is back to being that sweaty mess who yells and yanks on his jersey after every key bucket, and I like it. Last night he played like a man possessed. It seemed as if every defender who Utah stuck on him was getting abused by Dirk's various array of trick shots.

They needed every single one of those buckets too because Josh Howard left early in the second half when he re-aggravated his bruised knee. With the third scoring option out of the lineup in the second half, Utah closed the gap and were only down one at the end of the third quarter. But Dirk combined with Jason Terry to score 25 of the team's 30 4th quarter points, in an insane display of shooting prowess.

But the real issue was Utah, after watching Deron Williams' miracle bank shot go in to tie the game, the rest of the Jazz stood and half-celebrated, but certainly didn't get back and play any defense. Instead they let Jason Terry surreptitiously take the inbounds pass, fly past a few weak swipes at the ball, and hit Dirk open to the left for an open 3-pointer. I understand they got caught up in the moment, and most likely I would have stood there and basked in the ridiculousness of Williams' shot, but knowing there was over 6 seconds on the clock they should have been aware of the situation.

The Nuggets, on the other hand, didn't earn the win as much as the Warriors handed it to them. There of course is the obligatory remarks regarding the Warriors pathetic attempt at defense. But that is not the real reason the Warriors have choked in every meaningful game in the past week. Johnny Ludden wrote an article for Yahoo today about the dangers of the Warrios playing the style that they do, but he really under-stated just how dangerous that style can be.

For example, last week, when the Warriors dropped a game to the Mavericks 86-111, the team shot 4-16 from behind the arc, not the worst number in the world, but for a team that makes it's living lobbing grenades at the rim, you would certainly hope for a better number. Just 4 nights later, in a battle against the West-leading New Orleans Hornets, the Warriors didn't bother to show up, shooting an egregious 3-29 from behind the arc. Then again last night, they were marginally better, shooting 6-27 from behind the three-point line.

For a team that everyone, including themselves, knows cannot play any defense, maybe a little more time selecting their shots would be wise because frankly Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson are just plain rash in their decision-making, and it leads to poor shooting percentages. As much as I love the lovable cast of characters on the Warriors, and as fun as watching them hurl it up from everywhere on the court is, this team is not built for the playoffs, and they continue to prove it with their play down the stretch.

Biggest Stories of Baseball

I want to start off by saying that there are certain topics that the media beats to death, that I consequently will not address in the biggest stories. For example, the Detroit Tigers starting 1-7 are a big story, but everybody already knows about their struggles. The Baltimore Orioles are 6-1, but of course everyone already knows that as well, instead I will address a number of different things so that hopefully, someone can learn something from my writing.

1) Cardinals Pitching
The Cardinals were supposed to have an off year because despite a solid lineup, they didn't have very many reliable starters. Let me break it down for you.

Adam Wainright 2007: 14-12, 202.1 innings, 13 home runs allowed, 136 strikeouts, 3.70 ERA, and a mediocre 1.40 WHIP

Braden Looper 2007: 12-12, 175 innings, a whopping 22 home runs allowed, 87 Ks, 4.94 ERA, and 1.39 WHIP

Todd Wellemeyer 2007: 3-2, 63 innings, 7 home runs allowed, 51 Ks, 3.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

Kyle Lohse 2007 (w/Phillies and Cincy): 9-12, 182.2 innings, another 22 home runs allowed, 122 Ks, 4.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

Brandon Thompson 2007: 8-6, 129.1 innings, 23 home runs allowed, 53 Ks, 4.74 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and opponents hit .301 against him.

So there you have it, 2 converted relievers (Looper and Wellemeyer), one mediocre starter (Wainright), one over-priced mediocre pitcher (Lohse), and one throw-away (Thompson). This starting 5 is scary bad for the Cardinals. But, somehow this season they have done a miraculous job. Wellemeyer has struck out 17 batters combined in his 2 starts, Lohse hasn't allowed a run in 12 innings pitched this season, Wainright ate up 8 innings in his only start, Thompson has been a little bit better than ordinary, and Looper has won both his starts and his WHIP is barely above 1.

I know, I know, they have only played 9 games, but in an extremely tough NL central, if these numbers are even remotely indicative of what the Cardinals can look forward to, their offense might be able to push them into the playoffs.

2) Johnny Cueto
Hi, My name is Johnny Cueto, my 22nd birthday was less than 2 months ago, and I am now the best hope the city of Cincinnati has for a revitalized pitching staff. Last season I jumped around more than the NBA's Jim Jackson, and was downright filthy at every level. This spring I was a revelation for the Reds and story-hunting sportswriters alike.

But no one thought I could keep it up in the regular season, and they were right, all I have done is strikeout 18 batters in a little more than 13 innings, have a ridiculous WHIP of .45, and aside from 2 home runs, make hitters look stupid trying to hit the baseball.

My buddy Edison Volquez and I were talking the other day about how we might be just the guys to finally get the Reds back into playoff contention. We know we have a strong offense, but the past years we have been doomed because our number 1 starter has been a white boy that wears corn-rows. Now, with a revamped bullpen, and a bonafide stopper at the end in Cordero, we are poised to make some noise in what has undoubtedly become the most difficult division in all of baseball. We are sick of being the whipping boys and cellar-dwellers, we are going to do it this season.

3) Mets Pitching Woes
This is almost as much a non-story as it is a story. I want to let the record show that I never doubted for a minute that Pedro would get hurt before the end of May. Granted only 4 innings wasn't exactly how I predicted, but granted the way he was pitching and the serious lack of velocity he displayed, the Mets should be almost be glad he is gone.

Now for the Amazin's it's back to square one. Last season pitching depth, and lack of Major-League ready starting pitching doomed them, maybe wasn't the reason for the collapse, but it certainly contributed to it because they didn't have a free-fall stopper. Enter Johan Santana, the Mets got their free-fall stopper, but lost Pedro, and Orlando Hernandez, and Duaner Sanchez, and Matt Wise. The Mets are going to have to make a deal at the trading deadline, maybe for an Ian Snell type player who can shore up that rotation and give this team 5 starters they feel comfortable with.

For the time being they will try to stop the flooding with a combination of Nelson Figueroa, Jorge Sosa, and maybe Aaron Heilman, the 2001 first-round pick. But even when or if Pedro and El Duque make it back, it seems unlikely these guys will be able to give the Mets a steady starter as they run towards the playoffs. My guess...the Mets will be major players at the trading deadline.

This Day in Baseball

Ahh we are 3 or 4 games into the season depending on who you follow, already writers have begun to fall in love with...Kosuke Fukudome, Kansas City, Rich Harden, the fact the Tigers can't hit, Ryan Zimmerman, etc. So what I want to try to do is breakdown key games today.

Tigers v. White Sox
N. Robertson v. J. Contreras
Both of these teams have started slow, but the White Sox have a legitimate excuse, they can't pitch worth a shit.....oops, I mean they played the Indians. The Tigers really have no excuse for scoring 5 runs in three games against the formidable trio of Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, and Zach Grienke. Hopefully today we will see the bats awaken from their slumber, especially against Contreras, who could possibly be 50 and just have a forged birth certificate. One thing is for certain...the Tigers need Curtis Granderson back in their lineup, I don't know who Clete Thomas is, but he sounds like his parents were a little out of the loop when they had a child way back in the 80s.

Mets v. Braves
J. Maine v. T. Hudson
This is probably my favorite rivalry in the National League, with apologies to the new Cubs and Brewers rivalry. We should see another good game here tonight with John Maine making his debut looking to build on a stellar 2007 season (15-10, 3.91 ERA, 180 Ks) facing Tim Hudson, who is basically as steady and consistent as they come. Texeira, McCann, and Chipper will have their hands full facing Maine, but I think the Braves still have a terrific team. My fearless prediction is Francoeur will go deep for the first time this season tonight, and David Wright will continue to mash.

*On a semi-related note, Mike Hampton has once again injured himself, now it's a strained chest. Either this guy is frailer than my grandmother, or he has some bad luck. Either way I feel bad for him and the Braves, but I think its time for Hampton to retire.

Royals v. Twins
J. Bale v. S. Baker

Hooray for the Royals! Feel good story 2008!...Please, give me a break, every year this happens, everyone remember Chris Shelton hitting in April like Gehrig? Sure you do, did it last very long? Nope. Does he still play on the team? Nope.

So hopefully I can save some people from jumping on the Royals bandwagon, although I am sure any baseball fan worth his salt is jumping anywhere near it. Case and point, John Bale is 34 years old, he has less than 150 total innings in his career, before 40 innings with the Royals last year, he hadn't pitched since 2003, yet now he is the Royals number 4 starter? I am sorry Royals fans, I like rooting for you guys, I really do, but when a 34-year-old journeyman and Brett Tomko are your 4th and 5th starters, you aren't going to have a good season.

*But, Royals fans can take solace in the fact that with Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, and Mark Teahan, they now have a legitimate 3-4-5 crew that can strike some fear into pitchers hearts.

*On another note, Brendan Harris and Adam Everett are a combined 5-21 with 1 RBI, and 1 extra-base hit...I wouldn't be surprised to see those numbers stay the same...that's just pathetic production from the middle of your infield.

Diamondbacks v. Rockies
M. Owings v. M. Redman
The Rockies will be hoisting their first NL pennant today at Coors Field. Meanwhile, in the bleachers, fans will be given obligatory hard hats because everybody's favorite batting practice pitcher (Redman) and everybody's favorite silver slugger/mediocre pitcher (Micah Owings) will be squaring off.

The NL West is so even this season it's impossible to determine where these teams will finish because there are so many different factors that go into making these teams successful. Will anyone regress on Colorado? Will 'Zona's youngsters step up this season? Can the Rockies even pitch? We can predict all we want, but no one knows, not even the players. This one will be fun because combined this game will eclipse double-digit runs, but it really won't matter in the grand scheme of things...but thats why we have sports writers, because the viewers and fans are too lazy to create dramatic reality themselves.

Until Monday everybody....

Random Thoughts

I figured, since I am down in Washington D.C., and since for some reason the Maryland/Virginia area doesn't carry NESN, I would offer up some random thoughts in small sample sizes about how the season has started out. Enjoy!

Everyone from ESPN, to some of my friends who watch ESPN have been harping on Scott Hairston. I, however, am not impressed. So, in 16 games the guy has 7 home runs at PETCO Park...that's a really small sample size, yet everyone is anointing him as the guy to look out for in San Diego. I am not saying he is a bad player, because I think when it is all said and done he will be productive in San Diego, but he certainly isn't a stud that people looking for a hot waiver wire pick up should be looking for. Also, he is 28.


Yunel Escobar looks like the real deal for Atlanta. Remember, this is the young guy who came up last year for the Braves and played some second base and just smoked the ball all over the park in half a season. What really impresses me about Escobar is that he walks aaa lot for a player with less than 400 career at bats.

He already has 4 walks this season, and I know the opening series has been against the Pirates, but he looks like the player who the Braves thought he would be when they dumped Renteria in favor of the younger, and cheaper replacement.

If their opening series is any indication, the Minnesota Twins aren't going to need the starting pitching help they thought they would after all...instead they will need people to hit the ball. I think Morneau and Mauer, and even Cuddyer will all play up to their potential and be good offensive players.

But Carlos Gomez is still a year away I think, Craig Monroe is a free-swinger who really can't be counted on to produce, and the middle infield of Adam Everett and Brendan Harris doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. For example, in 3 games, the Twins have managed 4 extra base hits, 0 home runs, and a terrific .240 batting average. But the most telling stat for this young team is that they have walked a whopping 6 times as a team....let it sink in....as a team! Gary Sheffield is halfway there by himself. Well maybe you guys can take solace if Jesse Ventura is able to run for president....

Folks I am ready to pick my NL MVP. My traits for an MVP include being able to mash, being handsome, and being well-spoke, plus the New York media has to fawn over you like they did over Sinatra, and DiMaggio, and Artie Lange....oh wait, not Artie. David Wright, come on up and collect your prize. The guys from Firejoemorgan.com picked him last year based on some stats I tried to become familiar with and all I ended up doing was hurting my head.

But while I assume those stats lend creedence to the argument, I know that the way Wright looks locked in this season he is due for a monster, monster year. I would like it to be known I picked him first, before anyone does their mid-season awards or any bullshit like that, I picked him...he's my precioussssssss

If the Red Sox only had to pitch Matsusaka and Lester, they would be due for their third world championship in 5 years, but unfortunately, Tim Wakefield and the young Clay Buchholz still have to pitch...oh well, it was worth wishing.