Before we get to baseball, two points:
1. Apologies for the missing TWiB last week – work interfered, along with preparations for Tropical Storm Towles.
2. I absolutely love the Olympics. Every 4 years, I revert to the proverbial “rip the knob off the TV” mode and just lock in to NBC. I will watch synchronized diving. I will watch equestrian. If I could find the fencing medal rounds, I would watch them. I will watch the leader of the free world give an Olympian the traditional slap on the ass.
Not to go all Bill Simmons here, but if you can’t get in to the Olympics as a fan, then I don’t think you and I are ever going to see eye to eye on anything.
The Opening Ceremonies were amazing, especially when you see just how much this country can get mass quantities of people to operate in perfect synchronization. Nothing will ever top lighting the torch with a freaking bow and arrow from across the stadium, but walking across the sky came close.
Now, with that out of the way, on to baseball:
3 UP:
Gold: Rays – 5-2 on the week, and have stretched out to a 4 1/2 game lead on the Sawks, and 6 on the Twins for the Wild Card (if necessary). They’ll have to battle through an injury to Houston native Carl Crawford, who is out for 2 to 3 weeks with a tendon injury in his finger, but Rocco Baldelli has battled back from mysterious fatigue issues that threatened to end his career and has rejoined the team. Big props to manager Joe Madden for benching BJ Upton for lack of hustle even after Crawford’s injury.
Silver: Brewers – took advantage of games with Cincy and Washington to post a 5-1 week, remaining within 4 of the Cubs, and pulling ahead by 4 in the loss column for the Wild Card. However, Ryan Braun (.360/.406/.756 since the All Star Break) is experiencing back pain, never a good sign for a guy carrying an offense.
Bronze: Astros – these guys are big believers in this:
Never stop fighting
3 DOWN:
1. Redlegs – nice 1-6 week, guys. Apparently they have been shipping mass quantities of skyline chili to Beijing:
2. A’s – also a 1-6 week. Closer and Longhorn legend Huston Street has been demoted to middle man, having allowed runs is 6 of his last 10 appearances; however, pitching isn’t the real problem here – their pitching is 2nd in the AL, but their offense is dead last.
3. Jakes – 3-3, but their ace Chris Carpenter left with a triceps strain, their bullpen is so bad that they’re looking at moving their other ace-level starter to closer, and they’re in the middle of a 10 game roadie.
ALMOST AS HOT AS BEACH VOLLEYBALL:
Well, I was all set to plug El Caballo into this slot, but instead I’ll have to go with CC Sabathia, who has only gone 6-0 in 7 starts with Milwaukee, including 4 complete games, 2 shutouts, a 1.58 ERA, and as many strikeouts as baserunners (52 in 57 innings). That’s an ace, right there. CC is about to be a very rich fat man.
SEEKING HONORARY FRENCH CITIZENSHIP:
KC Royals John Buck and Esteban German combined to go 0-30 on the week.
SnS Thread of the Week:
For a short time on Tuesday, you could seriously entertain the dream of the Astros chasing down the Wild Card, as the Astros came back from a 6-1 deficit to hold a 7-6 lead in the 7th inning, with a W on Monday already under their belt.
CHOCOLATE STARFISH OF THE WEEK:
Scott Boras, for reasons too numerous to detail, but mostly for the fact that Enron executives and politicians think that the guy’s methods are too shady.
That’s all, folks, and for the love of God, please don’t give away the women’s gymnastics results, as I will be in a self-imposed bubble on Wednesday until Mrs. MM and I can watch the TiVo that night.