(Sporting News)

A disgraced hero's homecoming highlights the start of baseball's second half today. But enough about Manny Ramirez. Three other story lines worth following as the National League recovers from the embarrassment of another All-Star Game loss:

Parity and the pennants

The Red Sox are 20 games over .500 and own a three-game lead in baseball's toughest division, but they're like most teams. They have yet to play their best ball.
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"We're happy with where we are," Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay said. "But we haven't hit one of those stretches where we run off 10 straight wins. We know we're capable of that."

Bay realizes the same is true of the Yankees and Rays, the Red Sox's closest pursuers in the A.L. East. Both ran off seven-game win streaks in the weeks leading into the break, before stumbling a bit going into the break. The Yankees were swept by the Angels, while the Rays lost two of three to the A's at Tropicana Field, where they once again have posted one of the best home records in the majors.

Looming on the schedule for the A.L. East contenders: the Yankees will visit the Rays for three-game series (July 27-29); the Red Sox will visit the Rays for a two-game series (Aug. 4-5); and the Red Sox and Yankees will play a four-game series at Yankee Stadium (Aug. 6-9).

 CONTINUE READING

MLB jason bay, red sox, mlb, second half, manny ramirez, roy halladay, toronto bluejays

It's time to announce my fantasy all-stars, we start with a look at the hitters...

C – Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
.381 BA, 15 HR, 49 RBI
Mauer has been one of the most valued commodities in all of baseball. His production gets a hike when you consider he is doing it as a catcher, one of fantasy’s scarcest positions.

Biggest Surprise: Kurt Suzuki (OAK); Biggest Bust: Geovany Soto – CHC;

1B – Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
.338 BA, 32 HR, 85 RBI, 72 R, 10 SB
Nobody is even close to Pujols this year as he is hands down fantasy baseball’s top producer. He has a legitimate shot to become baseball’s first Triple Crown winner since 1967.

Biggest Surprise: Todd Helton (COL); Biggest Bust: David Ortiz (BOS)

2B – Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
.310 BA, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 61 R, 9 SB
Utley is healthy and producing as normal for the Phillies and fantasy owners alike. He gets the slight nod over Ian Kinsler, who also has been lights out.

Biggest Surprise: Ben Zobrist (TB); Biggest Bust: Placido Polanco (DET)

3B – Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
.286 BA, 17 HR, 66 RBI, 48 R
The hot corner offers up plenty of options, but Longoria has been as productive as any and still the most dangerous threat at the position.

Biggest Surprise: Russell Branyan (SEA); Biggest Bust: Garrett Atkins (COL)

SS – Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
.345 BA, 14 HR, 60 RBI, 51 R, 12 SB
Ramirez is one of the game’s top performers and a five-category producer for owners at a position that offers few options.

Biggest Surprise: Marco Scutaro (TOR); Biggest Bust: Jhonny Peralta (CLE)

OF – Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
.315 BA, 16 HR, 58 RBI, 61 R, 7 SB

OF – Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays
.310 BA, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 58 R, 44 SB

OF – Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners
.361 BA, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 44 R, 19 SB

Picking three outfielders is a challenge, but I would put these three up against any other three that could be offered up. Braun offers the most balance of power and average. Crawford is producing in all categories, but has separated himself from the pack with his production on the base paths and Suzuki is as consistent as they come.

Biggest Surprise: Adam Lind (TOR); Biggest Bust: Manny Ramirez (LA)

Fantasy Baseball fantasy all-stars, joe mauer, kurt suzuki, geovany soto, albert pujols, todd helton, david ortiz, chase utley, ben zobrist, placido polanco, evan longoria, russell branyan, garrett atkins, hanley ramirez, marco scutaro, jhonny peralta, ryan braun, carl crawford, ichiro suzuki, adam lind, manny ramirez

The All-Star rosters were announced by Major League Baseball on Sunday. Here are few notes of interest:

REDS - Closer Francisco Cordero gets the nod and is the team's lone representative. The right-hander will be making his third trip to the mid-summer classic. He made it in 2004 as a Texas Ranger and then again while playing for the Brewers in 2007. There was speculation that Johnny Cueto would be the choice from the team, but a deep pool of starters and Cordero's solid numbers (20 of 21 save conversions) made the veteran the pick.

PUJOLS TO VOTE GETTER - The NL MVP is well on his way to another amazing year, leading the majors with 31 homers and 82 RBIs. He collected 5,397,374 votes to finish with the second-highest total in history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr.'s six million votes in 1994. Pujols has made the NL team eight times in nine seasons and will be making his sixth start.

WAKEFIELD FINALLY GETS NOD - Starter Tim Wakefield made his first All-Star roster in his 17th season, one of a major league-high six Red Sox headed to Busch Stadium for the July 14 game. The 42-year-old right-hander is tied for the big league lead with 10 wins.

LEFT OUT - Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez and Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, both 12-time All-Stars, weren't expected to make the rosters, but their absence was compelling nonetheless. Ramirez was suspended for the first 50 games of the season for violating MLB's drug policy and A-Rod missed time following hip surgery after admitting in spring training to using steroids when he played for the Rangers.

FINAL VOTE - The 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote on MLB.com will determine the 33rd N.L. roster spot, a competition that will feature shortstop Cristian Guzman of the Nationals, outfielder Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, third baseman Mark Reynolds of the D-backs, third baseman Pablo Sandoval of the Giants and outfielder Shane Victorino of the Phillies. Fans can now begin voting to select the final player for each League's 33-man roster via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote on MLB.com, casting their votes from a list of five players from each League over a four-day period. In the A.L. third baseman Chone Figgins of the Angels, third baseman Brandon Inge of the Tigers, second baseman Ian Kinsler of the Rangers, outfielder Adam Lind of the Blue Jays, and first baseman Carlos Peña of the Rays will be competing for the final spot.

COMPLETE ALL-STAR ROSTERS

MLB mlb all-star game, reds, francisco cordero, cardinals, albert pujols, red sox, tim wakefield, dodgers, yankees, manny ramirez, alex rodriguez

As expected, the Dodgers have emerged as the team to beat in the NL West with a smoking hot start. They currently sit at 10-2, one game up on the surpising San Diego Padres. In addition, to the team's success on the field there are several individuals wearing Doger Blue helping out fantasy owners early on:

SP Chad Billingsley - The right-hander has been nasty early on for LA, picking up a victory in each of his three starts while posting a 2.84 ERA. His 21 strikeouts in 19 innings has given owners and a boost and only reaffirms his potential fantasy ace status.

SP Clayton Kershaw - Despite not having a win to show for it yet this season, the Dogers' young hurler has gone from top notch prospect to solid producer. Through two starts he has yielded just two runs 12 innings of work. His 19:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio is a great sign of good things to come.

RP Jonathan Broxton - Broxton brings the heat and is going to see plenty of save chances ahead closing down games for Joe Torre.  He's converted 4 of 4 chances so far and opponents are only batting .050 against him. The only concern could be the offesne is so good, there could be a ton of Dodgers' blowouts ahead.

LF Manny Ramirez - The power numbers haven't been spectacular early on (2 HR, 7 RBI), but it's hard to complain about his .326 batting average and .491 OBP. He is going to keep on producing at a high level as long as he stays healthy.

RF Andre Ethier - Even though he's no longer hitting in front of Manny Ramirez (batting 4th, behind Ramirez), the young outfielder is picking right up on last year's solid finish. Through the first two weeks of the season Ethier leads the NL with 16 RBIs and is batting .298 with 4 HR's (2 two-homerun games). He's solid No 3 fantasy outfielder already with big time upside.

CF Matt Kemp - With Juan Pierre having played his way out of the lineup, Kemp is finally getting enough at bats to be considered a legitimate starting fantasy outfielder. He has delivered for those who have given him the chance early on with solid numbers (.383, 3 HR, 14 RBI) and steady play.

2B Orlando Hudson - O-Hud has already hit for the cycle and is off to a hot start. Second base is a thin position in fantasy baseball, making Hudson's .385 average, team-leading 12 runs, and 4 for 4 stolen base success rate that much more valuable.

C Russell Martin - It hasn't been the most triumphant of starts for Martin, but he has heated up of late. He's much better than his current .244 average would indicate and should be considered a top three fantasy backstop until further notice, particularly in this line-up.

Fantasy Baseball dodgers, chad billingsley, clayton kershaw, jonathan broxton, manny ramirez, andre ethier, matt kemp, orlando hudson, russell martin

David Whitley, Orlando Sentinel looks at the economy as compared to that in MLB:

A job's value to mankind has nothing to do with its market value. And the crazy money wouldn't be there if consumers weren't providing it.

That won't make you feel any better this morning if you're standing in an unemployment line. But it's not Grady Sizemore's fault that he has a skill you don't, or that society has a fascination with his specialty.

Oh, sports leagues are feeling the pinch. There have been front-office layoffs, and poor Manny Ramirez can't find a team willing to pay him $75 million for three years.

If things really tank, we might even see teams fold. But the passion of the sports fan is not going to die. And passion means dollars.

Even if baseball revenue dropped 50 percent this year, it would still make $3 billion. Who deserves that money more, George Steinbrenner or CC Sabathia?

COMPLETE ARTICLE

MLB salaries, economy of sports, manny ramirez, george steinbrenner, cc sabathia

Here are some of the latest headlines from around the MLB Hot Stove to heat you up:

DODGERS STILL WAITING FOR MANNY (ESPN.com)
The Dodgers made a $45 million offer to Ramirez in November and then withdrew it when Boras did not respond, and then the Dodgers made an offer of arbitration, and again, Boras did not respond, according to L.A. officials. So the Dodgers have sat back and waited for any other serious bidder for Ramirez to emerge, waited to see if there was any reason to extend their own offer...MORE

VARITEK STAYING IN BOSTON (Boston Globe)
The captain is not going anywhere. Ending a three-month saga hours before a team-imposed deadline, the Red Sox and catcher Jason Varitek agreed to a one-year contract with a team option for 2010, two sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed yesterday. Varitek, who turns 37 in April, will receive $5 million in 2009. The Sox hold a $5 million option for 2010...MORE

SHEETS RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS (MLB.com)
Ben Sheets and the Brewers have not spoken since the Brewers asked whether Sheets would consider an incentive-based contract similar to John Smoltz's ($4.5MM in incentives) or Brad Penny's ($3MM in incentives). It appears that Sheets was not open to an similar offer, but the Brewers won't offer a multi-year deal. GM Doug Melvin maintains the club isn't likely to sign Sheets, but he hasn't completely ruled out the possibility...MORE

CUBS SHOPPING HILL (Baltimore Sun)
The Orioles and Chicago Cubs are again involved in trade talks, this time about Cubs left-handed starting pitcher Rich Hill. According to industry sources, the teams have had talks about Hill, a one-time top prospect who is struggling to regain his command. Tne industry source said it's a "strong possibility" that Hill will wind up with the Orioles, perhaps as early as next week. The Orioles will likely give up a player to be named, who could be contingent on Hill's success in Baltimore...MORE

IT'S OFFICIAL, CUBS ADD BAKO (Cubs.com)
The Cubs signed catcher Paul Bako, who had been with the Reds, to a one-year, $725,000 contract. The deal was done a month ago, but Bako had to wait for the Cubs to open a roster spot before it was made official. Bako was no longer a fit for Cincinnati with the emergence of Ryan Hanigan and following the trade for veteran Ramon Hernandez...MORE

FOGG LANDS IN COLORADO (ColoradoRockies.com)
Rockies signed RHP Josh Fogg to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. With Jeff Francis potentially starting the year on the DL, there could be room for Fogg at the back of the rotation. Fogg, 32, went 10-9 with a 4.94 ERA in 2007 and won several matchups with big-name pitchers. Fogg signed with the Reds last season and went 2-7 with a 7.58 ERA in 22 games, including 14 starts...MORE

MLB dodgers, giants, manny ramirez, red sox, jason varitek, brewers, ben sheets, cubs, ken hill, paul bako, rockies, josh fogg

from MLBTradeRumors.com:

Buster Olney reports that Scott Boras seems to be taking the same approach with Manny Ramirez as he did with Derek Lowe; that is, to wait.

Olney says "Camp Manny" is "waiting for some other team to be tempted by what Ramirez could do for them, waiting for an offer larger than that made by the Dodgers to develop."

The Dodgers are waiting as well. Olney reports they are not likely to increase their offer of 2 years, $45MM that was offered and promptly ignored in November. Also waiting for something to happen are Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn. Should Manny wind up on the Giants, Abreu and Dunn may find themselves with leverage to negotiate with the Dodgers. Olney writes, "And given that Dunn and Abreu know that they can find homes at any time for one-year deals, there really is no downside for them to see how the Ramirez situation plays out."

MLB dodgers, giants, manny ramirez, adam dunn, bobby abreu

Say it ain't so Walt.  The Reds cannot be finished with their off- season plan.  There must have been an oversight in the general vacinity between centerfield and the leftfield line.  Can't they put Chris Dickerson in left field?  He is an unproven, but probable fourth or fifth outfielder who may be better than starting center fielder, Willy Taveras, but that says as much as Paris Hilton on any given day.  Can Jerry Hairston Jr. play left field?  Its possible, but, in all likelihood, he will be playing shortstop because there is no indication that Alex Gonzalez will be healthy enough to play there this year.  Even if Gonzalez is healthy enough to play, the money here says that his mobility is severely hampered by his injury.  So what is the answer to the left field problem (usually one of the easiest spots to fill)?  There must be some answers still out there or this team's offense will land it squarely in fourth place at the absolute best.  Fear not, there are some options available and here they are, in order of preference...

Plan A:  Sign the controversial Manny Ramirez to a two- year $40 million contract.  Yes, he is an idiot, plays porous defense, and has none of the leadership qualities so badly needed in this clubhouse.  But there is nobody that fits into this lineup better than he.  Manny would hit cleanup between Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, providing protection for both.  The power he generates will only be boosted at GABP.  He is also an on- base machine, which means Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion could see monster RBI totals which can only help the Reds in the long run.  Finally, Ramirez would put bodies into the seats and could pay for much of his salary at the turnstiles as he keeps the Reds near the top of the division.  But alas, this is a pipedream because the sticker shock on him prevents Walt Jocketty from even reaching for his phone.

Plan B:  Sign the aging Bobby Abreu to play left field.  He has never been a prolific power hitter, but he is still getting on base, stealing bases, scoring runs and playing average defense.  He could bat second or even first after the Willy Taveras experiment fails (that will be sometime in late May).  Check out his qualifications:

2006: .297/ .424/ .462, 15 HRs, 107 RBIs, 98 Runs, and 30 SBs
2007: .283/ .369/ ..445, 16 HRs, 101 RBIs, 123 Runs and 25 SBs
2008:  .296/ .371/ .471, 20 HRs, 100 RBIs, 100 Runs and 22 SBs

Abreu turns 35 next month and is definitely on the decline.  His price tag is also on the decline and if Pat Burrell is worth $16 million over two years then Abreu should eventually realize that his cost is about the same.

Plan C:  I have always said that I would never move Brandon Phillips off of second base.  It represents a big downgrade of that position and who knows how he will react to playing shortstop, his likely destination.  There is one exception to this stance.  The only person who can fill in for Phillips at second base and make it an upgrade is Orlando Hudson.  He is an elite defensive second basemen who is above average on offense;  his last three years, he has compiled on- base percentages of .354, .376, .367.  Phillips would move to shortstop, the position he played his whole life until just a few years ago.  He may have some initial struggles getting used to the position again, but Phillips is the most athletic player on the Reds and he, of all players, can make a transition like this happen.  Think about it; the Reds did the exact same thing to Jeff Keppinger last year.  Phillips will make the transition quicker, easier and better than Keppinger.  Once he adjusts, the Reds will have the best middle infield defense in the Major Leagues.  Baseball Prospectus recently reported that Hudson had received no contract offers from anyone because his asking price was too high and because he has been injured a lot recently.  Once his price comes into the Reds stratosphere, sign him and move Hairston to left field.

Plan D:  Go to Spring Training and hope youngsters Todd Frazier, Chris Valeika and/ or Drew Stubbs are more ready than you thought they were.  This is highly unlikely and it brings us back to the current situation... who plays left field.... legitimately?  Entering a season with Dickerson in left and Taveras in center cannot really be the final draft.  The Royals and Pirates have better plans than that.  Some options- good options- are still out there.

MLB reds, walt jocketty, jerry hairston jr., willy taveras, bobby abreu, manny ramirez, orlando hudson, todd frazier, chris valeika, drew stubbs

Let's check out some of the latest Hot Stove rumors and moves:

BREWERS GET CLOSER (Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel)
The Brewers have agreed to terms with free agent Trevor Hoffman on a one-year, $6 million contract. The deal carries $1.5 million in incentives, but it does not carry an option for 2010. Hoffman, baseball's all-time saves leader, posted a 3.77 ERA last season while closing out 30 games in 34 opportunities. This is a win-win move for the veteran who could still cash in next year with a good effort and for the Brew Crew, who struggled after losing Francisco Cordero last off-season...MORE

MANNY LIKELY TO GET THREE-YEAR DEAL (SI.com)
The Giants "look like a major threat" to the Dodgers for Manny Ramirez and are "making a serious run at him." Former teammate J.T. Snow apparently raved about him. Nonetheless Heyman says the Dodgers are "probably still considered the favorite." Heyman lists the Rangers as "intrigued." He believes Ramirez will get three guaranteed years somewhere. The Giants are in excellent position to outbid the cautious Dodgers if so inclined. San Francisco has an excellent TV situation and has now paid off more than half its debt on its beautiful franchise-owned AT&T Park...MORE

RED SOX SIGN SMOLTZ, PENNY, AND BALDELLI (Boston Herald)
The Yankees may be spending the big buck, but the Red Sox are going bargain shopping in this slow baseball economy.  With the signing of outfielder Rocco Baldelli, and deals with starters Brad Penny and John Smoltz, as well as first baseman-outfielder Mark Kotsay close to being finalized, the Red Sox' offseason kicked into another gear yesterday. Considering the Yankees already entered hyperspace with three high-profile signings at the end of last year, the Red Sox’ non-splashy entry, with catching still on the docket, puts the three-way American League East battle in 2009 with the Yankees and Rays into better focus...MORE

GIAMBI RETURNS TO OAKLAND (Oakland Tribune)
Athletics signed first baseman Jason Giambi, who had been with the Yankees, to a one-year, $5.25 million contract with a club option for 2010. Giambi, who already received a $5 million buyout from the Yankees, will make $4 million this season. The option for 2010 is worth $6.5 million and includes a $1.25 million buytout.  Giambi batted .247 with 32 home runs and 96 RBI in 145 games with New York last year, reaching the 30-homer plateau for the eighth time in his career. He tied for eighth in the American League in home runs and was second in at bats per home run (14.3) and at bats per RBI (4.8)...MORE

YANKEES READY TO DEAL OUTFIELDER? (FoxSports.com)
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports that the Yankees would prefer to trade Xavier Nady rather than Nick Swisher for three reasons, according to a rival executive. Swisher is A) under control for four years and Nady only one, B) a switch-hitter while Nady is right-handed and C) a more versatile defender, playing all three outfield positions and first base. Nady does not play center...MORE

METS ADD A STARTER (ESPN.com)
The New York Mets have agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million contract Friday with free-agent starter Tim Redding, a baseball official told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand. He must pass a physical before the deal will be official. Redding, 30, posted a 10-11 record with a 4.95 ERA in 182 innings covering 33 starts with Washington last season. The right-hander has a career record of 34-51 in seven seasons with Houston, San Diego, the Yankees and Nationals...MORE

MLB brewers, trevor hoffman, giants, dodgers, rangers, manny ramirez, red sox, john smoltz, brad penny, rocco baldelli, a's, jason giambi, yankees, xavier nady, nick swisher, mets, tim redding

Over the last two days the last two awards in baseball were given out. The Most Valuable Player honor is considered the greatest award in the game and this year it went to St. Louis Cardinals' first baseman, Albert Pujols, and Boston Red Sox second baseman, Dustin Pedroia.

This is Pujols' second MVP award as he won it back in 2006 also. He came up just short in 2006 when the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard was voted as the MVP. That was the same season the Cardinals won the World Series thanks in large part to Pujols. When Howard was given the award Pujols said that he didn't think any player whose team did not make the playoffs, which the Phillies did not in 2006, should win the award. Well, the Cardinals didn't make the playoffs this year, but of course that just mean that Pujols would retract what he said about Howard a couple years ago. And he did just that.

Pujols beat out Howard this time around receiving 18 of the possible 30 votes. Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers came in third in voting with Los Angeles Dodgers' newcomer Manny Ramirez finishing fourth. Pujols finished the 2008 season batting .357 with 37 homers and 116 RBIs playing with an elbow injury that required surgery. Howard his 48 homeruns and had 146 RBIs.

Pedroia became the first second baseman to win the AL MVP award in almost half a century (Nellie Fox of the Chicago White Sox, 1959). Last season he won the AL Rookie of the year in addition to a World Series championship ring. Earlier this month he also received his first Gold Glove award.

Batting .326 with 17 homeruns and 83 RBIs to go with 20 stolen bases, Pedroia beat out Minnesota Twins' first baseman Justin Morneau and teammate Kevin Youkilis. He received 16 of the 28 possible first place votes. Pedroia lead the AL in hits, runs and doubles and helped get the Red Sox to a wild-card berth. With this award, Pedroia becomes the 20th player to win both the Rookie of the Year award and an MVP honor in their career.

MLB mvp, albert pujols, dustin pedroia, ryan howard, ryan braun, manny ramirez, justin morneau, kevin youkilis

How in the world can Manny Ramirez be looked at as a team leader? T.J. Simers wrote today in the LA Times that others may criticize him, but the left fielder has become the main man for the Dodgers in the postseason. I am not sure I can aruge against the numbers either.

Sure, I do not like what ManRam did in Boston this season, it's everything that's wrong with professional sports. Still, his performance in the playoffs can not be argued. No player has hit more homeruns in October when the games count. His arrival completely took the Dodgers' line-up to another level and catapulted the team into the NLCS.

Simers went on to write, "It's just despicable what Manny Ramirez is doing to baseball."

Just ask the folks in Arizona, Chicago and now Philadelphia, everyone of them probably agreeing with broadcaster Tim McCarver, who said the other day, "Some of the things he did were simply despicable."

He's "deserving to be despised," as dictionary.com puts it, the Diamondbacks in first place until he arrives, the Cubs poised to break a 100-year-old streak until folding under his onslaught, and now the Phillies turning to meek mush."

The Dodgers took Game 3 in convincing fashion on Sunday night and will attempt to pull even as Game 4 unfolds Monday evening at Dodgers' Stadium.

MLB dodgers, manny ramirez, tim mccarver, nlcs

Man I love playoff baseball. Granted as a Reds' fan it is hard to remember what it is like to have your team in the mix, but that won't stop me from enjoying these League Championship Series. The NLCS kicks off on Thursday night with the Philadelphia Phillies welcoming the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 1 of a best-of-seven series. I picked the Phillies to win it all at the beginning of the playoffs, but you can't help but be impressed by the way not only the Dodgers finished the season. but the manner in which they dismantled the Cubs in the divisional round.

The Dodgers have Joe Torre, one of the winningest managers in playoff history, and the postseason's all-time homerun leader in Manny Ramirez. Meanwhile, the Phillies have been here before too and Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard lead one of baseball's most feared lineups. 

The Phillies have the best starter in the series in left-handed ace Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge has closed the door at will all season long without blowing a save (41 for 41). The Dodgers are deep in pitching as well with young studs from top to bottom.  A look at the NLDS numbers will show you how good both team's staffs were. Dodgers' starting pitchers gave up three earned runs in 19 innings (1.42 ERA); their relievers gave up three earned runs in eight innings (3.38 ERA) with Jonathan Broxton recording one save. Philly starting pitchers gave up five earned runs in 25 innings (1.80 ERA); their relievers gave up four earned runs in 10 innings (3.60 ERA) with Brad Lidge recording two saves. Both teams’ starters earned a decision in every game started.

The Phillies have home-field advantage though and that could be the difference. I am sticking with my Philly pick and calling the Phillies in seven!!!

SCHEDULE
Game One - Thu, Oct. 9th - Los Angeles (D. Lowe) at Philadelphia (C. Hamels), 8:22 p.m.
Game Two - Fri, Oct. 10th - Los Angeles (C. Billingsley) at Philadelphia (B. Myers), 4:35 p.m.
Game Three - Sun, Oct. 12th - Philadelphia (J. Moyer) at Los Angeles (H. Kuroda), 8:22 p.m.
Game Four - Mon, Oct. 13th - Philadelphia at Los Angeles, 8:22 p.m.
*Game Five - Wed, Oct. 15th - Philadelphia at Los Angeles, 8:22 p.m.
*Game Six - Fri, Oct. 17th - Los Angeles at Philadelphia, 8:22 p.m.
*Game Seven - Sat, Oct. 18th - Los Angeles at Philadelphia, 8:22 p.m.

MLB nlcs, phillies, dodgers, cole hamels, brad lidge, ryan howard, chase utley, jimmy rollins, joe torre, manny ramirez

Don't miss Greg Shoemaker and myself talking baseball on GetSportsRadio.com's PLAYOFF PRIMER: 

It was one of the most high-profile deal at the trading deadline, a three-team swap that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers and Jason Bay to the Red Sox. Both teams ended up in the playoffs and on the opening day of October baseball both players delivered for their new teams.

Bay’s two-run home run in the sixth inning off Angels starter John Lackey erased a 1-0 deficit as Boston added two more runs and cruised to 4-1 victory in Anaheim. Meanwhile, Ramirez hit one of the three long balls, the biggest being a grand slam by James Loney, to pace the Dodgers to a quick 1-0 lead in the series. In a five-game set it is huge to grab the first game, especially on the road.

ManRam, like him or not, is clutch (when he actually plays) and now leads baseball with the all-time mark of 25 playoff homeruns.

Jack Curry of the New York Times looked a bit deeper at the irony of the night.

"Jason Bay is not as intimidating or as goofy as Manny Ramirez. Bay is a very good player, while Ramirez is a likely Hall of Famer. Bay is bland, while Ramirez is colorful. But Bay will always be connected to Ramirez because they were involved in the three-team trade that ended Ramirez's stint with the Red Sox and started Bay's career in Boston.

For one night, Bay did what Ramirez used to do for the Red Sox. Bay ripped a two-run homer against John Lackey that helped propel the Red Sox to a 4-1 victory against the Angels in Game 1 of their division series. It was Bay's first postseason homer. Ramirez clubbed his all-time-best 25th playoff homer for the Dodgers at the same time his former teammates were taking batting practice Wednesday."

THURSDAY'S  SCHEDULE:
2:37 Eastern - White Sox (Javier Vazquez) at Rays (James Shields) - TBS - ESPN RADIO
6:07 Eastern - Milwaukee (CC Sabathia) at Phillies (Brett Myers) - TBS - ESPN RADIO
9:37 Eastern - Dodgers (Chad Billingsley) at Cubs (Carlos Zambrano) - TBS - ESPN RADIO

MLB red sox, dodgers, jason bay, manny ramirez, james loney

GetSportsRadio.com: Playoff Primer

Its October 1st. That means its playoff baseball time! It was a great season that saw the underdog become the big dog in the yard with the Tampa Bay Rays having their first winning season ever and taking the AL East away from the Red Sox and Yankees. I don't think there has ever been as much on the line in the last weekend of the season as there was this season.

Six teams (if you count the Arizona Diamondbacks) had their fates decided in just a few days. The Brewers squeaked in thanks to another meltdown by the New York Mets and their acquisition of CC Sabbathia. The Phillies were helped by the Mets’ collapse as well. The Rays won the AL East with just a few games to go. The Dodgers took the NL West thanks to the D-Backs struggling down the stretch as well and thanks to the addition of one named Manny Ramirez. Even the Cubs had to wait a little long than expected to lock down the NL Central after having dominated the division for most of the season. (If ever they were primed to end their 100 year championship drought, it would be this year.) The only team that had everything locked down and were on cruise control for that last month or so of the season were the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
 
To add to the drama, we got an extra game last night to decide the winner of the AL Central when the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins met in what turned out to be one of the best and most dramatic games of the season. So after a dramatic last couple days on the South side of Chicago, we’re finally ready to get the postseason started. Naturally that means its time to make picks.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Divisional Series:
Red Sox over Angels
Rays over White Sox

League Championship Series:
Red Sox over Rays
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE
 
Divisional Series:
Cubs over Dodgers
Phillies over Brewers

League Championship Series
Cubs over Phillies

WORLD SERIES
Cubs over Red Sox in 6 games (in the highest TV ratings for the World Series ever!).

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Yeah, I went chalk for the most part, and picked a series I would really like to see. At the same time I’d love to see the Rays make it. I’m not ruling it out because I truly think that could happen as well. Had to give the Cubs their due though, it has to be their time finally…right?

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The 2008 MLB regular season is nearing its final pitch, with that in mind it's time to start debating who should win each league's Most Valuable Player awards:

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Albert Pujols - You can't argue with his numbers, he has the best in either league. He gets on base better than anybody in the business and drives in runs in the process. The writers like to vote for MVP's that are on playoff teams and that may be the only thing to cost him.

Carlos Delgado - The second-half numbers can't be ignored and if the Mets hold on to win the NL Wildcard, Delgado is going to get some much-deserved consideration. Still, where was he earlier in the season. The Mets have a few other guys that could steal some of his local votes too (i.e. David Wright and Jose Reyes).

Chipper Jones - Do you remember when they were talking about this guy hitting .400? That wasn't realistic, but him getting attention in this race is not. 

Manny Ramirez - There's no doubt the arrival of ManRam to LA pushed the Dodgers to the top of the heap in the NL West. That doesn't hide the fact that he quit on his previous team though. How can you possibly reward that selfishness with an MVP vote? I can't, but some will.

Ryan Howard - He might strikeout 949 times this season, but his September tear led the Phillies directly to claiming the NL East title. Teammate Chase Utley could steal some thunder, but he's a serious candidate and fits the "MVP must make the playoffs" criteria.

C.C. Sabathia - Had the Brewers not completely collapsed down the stretch a strong case could have been made for Sabathia to get the award. However, the team has went in the tank, he has failed to stop the losing streak in his last two times out, and his manager got canned. Maybe next year when he plays in New York.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Dustin Pedroia - The Red Sox' second baseman is a spark plug. Not only does he get on base, but he has driven in runs in the clutch as well. Couple that with his gold-glove caliber defense and he is my choice, but will he get enough love with Kevin Youkilis take away some of his votes?

Justin Morneau -  The former MVP can make his case too, as he is as clutch as they come with runners on base. He brings more power than Morneau and better run production, but he's not a complete player that Pedroia can be.  The first baseman is an extremely valuable piece of the Twins' puzzle, but the small market will cost him this time around.

Grady Sizemore - He is only the 16th player in MLB history to hit 30+ HRs, 30+ doubles, and steal 35+ stolen bases. Sizemore is one of the best young talents in the league, but his team's struggles will be his black eye in this race.

Alex Rodriguez - The Yankees did not make the playoffs and that is huge news! A-Rod had a solid year, but he plays under such a microscope that even his solid numbers will be looked at as a disappointment. He may not win the MVP, but he's still one of the league's most valuable players.

Francisco Rodriguez -  OK, the saves record deserves its recognition, but doesn't warrant him winning the MVP award. Outside the saves. his numbers weren't the best in any other major catagory and clearly benefited from the number of opportunities the Angels provided.

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