Opinion

Yesterday afternoon, Lou Piniella managed his final game with the Chicago Cubs. 

And in typical Cubs fashion, they lost, bad, 16-5.

Its hard to believe that, save for a few players, this is the same Cubs team that posted the best record in the National League in 2008. Now the Cubs are in 5th place, with only the bargain basement Pirates keeping them from last in the NL Central (but only by 9.5 games mind you).

In the past month, we've seen half of our infield and a starting pitcher traded away, as well as  Piniella's recent retirement.

The Phillies have had some games in which their offense was not as good as it could have been, games in which they were held to very few runs, and games in which they had many base runners but just couldn't seem to get hits in important situations.  Even some of those games were against pitchers who were not all that great.

When I looked at the score from one of those games, my initial thought was that maybe the reason they couldn't knock in the runners was that their lineup wasn't very good.

Being a fan of the Boston Red Sox is never easy. After spending decades of relishing in the role as the lovable losers, the Red Sox finally won a World Series ring. In fact they went on to win more than one championship and people began to expect them to win. As a fan, I also began to believe that every year the Red Sox, my team, could win it all.

A story in today's New York Post quotes CC Sabathia after his 17th win yesterday, "I'm here," Sabathia said. "Hundred percent."

Sabathia is referring to the clause in his contract to opt-out after next season. CC was not sure he or his family would like the hustle of New York, and being Californians, wanted the option to go back to the west coast.

For a team to do what the Phillies have done in the last three seasons, it goes without saying that the list of players to come up big along the way is going to be, as Goose would say, long, but distinguished.

Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins might headline the list, but it's safe to say there are plenty of other role-players (Victorino, Ruiz), relievers, (Madson, Lidge), and even bench players (Matt Stairs), who won't be paying for a drink in Philadelphia anytime soon.

The Reds are starting to receive some nationwide recognition for the first time in years, but with that comes scrutiny as well.

Simply put, some people on a national level don't believe that what they are seeing is legit.  Some of the criticism is founded, and some not so much.

A lot of what I hear is people just simply hitting the "high points."  Stats can be found everywhere, but they don't tell the whole story.

The Houston Astros will limp into Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia tonight, 54-69 and with virtually no chance to make the playoffs. 

Since the team's World Series appearance in 2005, there's been a lot of limping finishes in Houston.

While the Philadelphia Phillies were in the process of reaching their first post-season in 14 years in 2007, the Astros were in the final stages of a search for a new general manager.

What a rare opportunity for rookie pitcher Ivan Nova to make his mark in New York Yankees pinstripes, by making his Major League debut tonight vs. the heavy-hitting Toronto Blue Jays.

Getting called up from Scranton-Wilkes-Barre is every rookie’s goal, but to start against another AL East ball-club, in middle of a tight pennant race is a lot of pressure. Can Ivan Nova do his job?

Johnny Damon was placed on waivers on Thursday, according to MLBTradeRumors.

Today would be the last day that a team could claim him, which presents an interesting situation.

Would the Yankees think of bringing back their former World Series hero?

Even with the fiasco between the Yankees and Damon this past offseason, this move would make tremendous sense for the Yankees.

Last Week: 4-3
This Week: KC (8/23-25); at Tor (8/26-29)

So, What Happened?

The Tigers had a "sandwich week."

Their bread was a win over the Yankees on top and a sweep of the Indians on the bottom. In between there were three losses to the Yanks.

Kind of like good rye bread with head cheese inside.