MLB

Filed:July 12th, 2009

Chicago Cub Carlos Zambrano (Cubbie Nation/file photo)

He sings. He dances. He tells jokes. He beats catchers with his bare hands. Oh, and he pitches pretty well, too, and knows to hit. The latter two were on display Sunday, as Zambrano carried the Cubs to a 7-3 win over the Cardinals in Game 1 of their day/night doubleheader.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (56-32) played their final game before breaking for the All-Star game. They took two out of three from the Milwaukee Brewers (45-43) over the weekend and capped off the first half with a 7-4 win on Sunday afternoon.

The offense kept on rolling for the Blue Crew as James Loney went 2-for-4 with two RBI, Brad Ausmus hit his first home run of the season, and All-Star second baseman Orlando Hudson homered from both sides of the plate.

Some guy named Manny Ramirez also went 3-for-3 with two doubles.

Donald Fehr did his job, whether you like it or not. 

That is because Fehr's job was to protect players in contract negotiations.

The fact is that the juicers made big money thus that is where many of the big contracts went. Thus, that money and those contract negotiations affected all players.

The reality is that the players aren't solely to blame. You can't call the players greedy without saying the same thing about the owners and Bud Selig. 

Rumors have been swirling around Kansas City Royals infielder Mark Teahen, with most of them seem to have Teahen going to the Boston Red Sox.

Teahen could fill the third base role vacated by the recently injured Mike Lowell. Kevin Youkilis has moved across the diamond to his natural position of third, with Jeff Bailey and Mark Kotsay platooning at first.

If Lowell's laid up for an extended amount of time, Teahen can play both first and third, and provide a decent bat in the lineup. And when Lowell does return from his hip injury, Teahen would be a great bat off the bench.

Last time around we checked out the American League closers (click here to view), so this week we turn to the National League (all stats given are through Saturday):

"Feel the wind and set yourself a bolder course...you'll sail the perfect line...in your time."

—Bob Seger, "In Your Time"

It should have been this year, 2009, but it's coming for Pablo Sandoval.  Sooner or later, he will get his due and the entire baseball world will realize how special this player is.  Until then, I'll do my best to hasten that day's arrival.

With that in mind...

What's the matter, Charlie Manuel?  Couldn't figure a way to get Matt Stairs and Carlos Ruiz on the team?

More struggles in Anaheim.

On July 10th, and 11th, the Yankees sent out Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte to the mound to counter the Angels lineup, who were missing Torii Hunter and Vladimir Gurrerro to injuries.

Both times the Yankees stormed out of the gates fast, holding 5-1 and 4-0 leads respectively. Joba, and Pettitte were on their way to quality starts, and the Yankees' reliable bullpen was set slam the door in the late innings. However, they started to wilt, and the Angels took advantage.

After de-internetting myself for the past two weeks, I get to come back to this.