Headlines…

Brady Quinn to start Thursday for Browns
Oh yes, it’s time. The Brady Quinn Era has begun. And it couldn’t have come at a better time too. Derek Anderson has been painfully inconsistant, ironically after receiving a long extension (odd). Either the Browns have given up all hope on the season, or they hope Quinn can put the team on his back (I’m sure he wouldn’t mind that) and lead them on a second half surge. This also makes this Thursday’s game on the NFL Network somewhat watchable. I guess that makes the major networks that scheduled them to 13 nationally televised games happy.

Brewers make opening bid for CC Sabathia
Aww, that’s cute of them. I guess it was only the right thing to do, considering the man single handedly (and Ryan Braun) put them into the playoffs. But there is no way he will even entertain the offer. He does want to stay in the NL. He would also like to be with a team on the West Coast. But from the rumblings and grumblings, the Yankees have a deal bubbling under the surface that will blow away any offer a team puts on the table. Whatever team inevitably signs him has a clear wild card on their hands. Will he be the durable innings-eater of the past few years? Or will his weight come into play as soon as he dots the ‘i’ in Sabathia? There are too many fat jokes going through my head right now. I’ll have to get back to you.

Iverson traded to the Pistons for Chauncey Billups
If this trade doesn’t work out for the Pistons, Iverson really needs to consider changing that nickname of his. This trade seems to favor the Nuggets alot more than it does the Pistons. Billups will create shots for Anthony and J.R. Smith. And A.I. will take shots away from Wallace and Hamilton. If I’m taking one guard to represent me in a 1-on-1 contest, I’ll take Iverson. But if I’m starting a real team who has the goal of winning games, I’ll take Billups.

Remember to vote tomorrow. Hell, pencil in your own name if you want to. This is your country and tomorrow is your chance to have a say. Vote Obama. Vote McCain. Me, I’m voting Tebow. Aren’t we all in a way?

Anything else? Mr. Nosey…

Ken Griffey Jr. has 611 homeruns, 1772 RBIs, 2680 hits, 1612 runs, and played in 2521 games in his long career. The guy has been playing since the 80s. Anyone want to take a guess as to how many playoff games he has been a part of? 15. Just 15 games. He hasn’t been in the postseason in over a decade (‘97). Today, at 2:30 ET on TBS, we’ll get a chance to see one of the greatest players of his generation (Omit: Bonds) in the playoffs for probably the last time. Hes turning 39 in November and as his career stats indicate, he might be on his last hurrah. You could also tell that by his noodle armed throw to Pierzynski to save a run in that one game playoff against the Twins. 1996 Griffey would of put a hole in A.J. or would of just ran the ball in to nail the runner.

It's Never Iffy When It's Griffey

Lidge sent a shiver done the collective spine of the Phillie faithful yesterday by nearly blowing Cole Hamels’ gem in the ninth. We’re all just waiting for Lidge to give up some game tying homerun in the ninth and have like a Vietnam flashback to the 2004 NLCS. But for his sanity, and the Phillie fans, I hope at least they make it to the World Series. Mike Schmidt and the 1980 team are long gone. It’s time for something good to happen in Philly. The show can’t be the only thing going for it.

And the ball was never heard from again...

Ugh. What are Cubs fans thinking right now. This is their year. Just like every year. Most wins in the NL. They had the central wrapped up. The World Series was just a formality. In comes James Loney? Who? And the rest of the “We’re just happy to be here” Los Angeles Dodgers. As soon as Loney hit that ball, Wrigley Field made less noise than silence. You could hear the wind whipping around the field. It was PAINFUL. The Cubs didn’t even attempt to make it interesting after the grand slam. They saw the season flash before their eyes and e-mailed in the rest of the game. Can’t wait to see how Zambrano pitches tonight? For him, it boils down to two outcomes: 1. A 2-hit shoutout. 2. Finds a way to give up back-to-back grand slams and eats his glove on the mound.

The 1908 Cubs: You think any of these guys can still hit?

MLB Playoffs Start Today!

That is more of a sarcastic exclamation point. I’m not THAT excited about the playoffs. This is the first time the Yankees haven’t been in it since I was 8, so for a majority of my life there has been October baseball on in my house. That being said, there are three games today, and I expect to watch at least two of them.

Brewers at Philles (3:00 ET, TBS, Gallardo vs. Hamels)
Could see a Home Run Derby break out in this one. Howard, Utley, Burrell (if he plays), Fielder, Braun, Hart, Hall. All in the little league field that is Citizens Bank Park. I’ve been there. You could THROW homeruns from home plate. I would like to see the Phillies do well, but if the Brewers don’t make a splash this playoffs, we might never hear from them again. After this year, Sabathia and Sheets are going to RUN from Milwaukee. And when they do, they’ll have bags of money in their hands. The Brewers will be based entirely on offense next year. They’ll become the Texas Rangers of the NL. Could get ugly.

Dodgers at Cubs (6:30, TBS, Lowe vs. Dempster)
Dempster had a heck of a year, didn’t he? 17-6 2.96 ERA. Cubs were smart to put him in as the Game 1 starter. He dominated at home this season. I do want to see what exactly Manny does with his pitches those. I bet he hits one of Dempster’s fastballs so far, Dempster will turn around to see it go out, and it’ll hit him in the back of the head. But seriously folks, I like the Cubs in this series.

Red Sox at Angels (10:00, TBS, Lester vs. Lackey)
Like I stated once before, Red Sox own the Angels. Even with Beckett starting Game 3. Lester is a future ace and can obviously handle the pressure. Cancer anyone? But I do like Anaheim’s nine outfielder set. I think the X factor (whatever that means) for this series will be the bullpens. Usually is for every playoffs series. I said it because it makes it seem like I know what I’m talking about.

White Sox at Rays (Tomorrow 2:30, TBS, Vasquez vs. Shields)
If there’s a playoff game at the Trop and no is there to see it, does it really happen? Apparently, it’s going to be sold out for tomorrow’s Game 1. People might be literally hanging from the catwalks. What an ugly place to host important games. It looks like the inside of a computer. I hope the White Sox take this momentum all the way to the WS. Of all the World Series scenarios, I would like to see Cubs/White Sox the most.

MY OUTLANDISH DIVISION SERIES PREDICTION:
Every Series will go 5 games!