The dog days of summer have turned many fans to football preparation. There's still plenty of baseball to be played. Let's look at some of this past week's stories.

Dan Haren's second half struggles seem to continue. In the past few seasons Haren has been phenomenal in the first half and an average pitcher at best in the second. Haren still has good stuff, but one or two fat pitches seem to doom him. Like all pitchers, he has to stay away from the middle of the plate to be successful.

Fausto Carmona had a very good outing today (Sunday.) Are his troubles behind him? It's all about control and command. He still has great stuff and he induces ground balls, but he has to throw strikes. He could be a sleeper going forward.

Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo announced that Stephen Strasburg will pitch in the Arizona Fall League. He will pitch in the Instructional League in Florida, the Fall League and then get ready for spring training. If all goes well, Strasburg will be on the opening day Nationals roster. The Fall League games he pitches will be widely covered by the media. His home ballpark will be Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Fall League begins Tuesday, October 13th.

Brandon Allen made his debut for the Diamondbacks this week against his home team Houston Astros. Brandon got a single in his first game. His family was in the stands as the big first baseman began his big league career after being acquired from the White Sox. It looks like the DBacks are counting on Allen to play first next season. Josh Whitesell, who never did hit in the majors was sent out to Reno to make room. Allen will be my featured player in Minor League Report this week for RotoWire.com

The Rockies came back at home against Tim Lincecum and proved once again that they are a team to be treated with respect. They are creeping up in the standings with a balance of some good hitting and good pitching. Their schedule the rest of the way has games against lower division clubs. Watch em!

Manny is really looking like he is pressing. He is in a major slump and it isn't helping his team. It's so hard these days to hit a five run homer. But that's what he's trying to do.

I love to watch Sam Fuld play ball. He hustles on every play. He is a small guy with a big heart and a great attitude. A few more of them on the Cubs and they'd be dangerous. But they don't have em, so they aren't. They're fading away into the sunset. Time remains, but they have to step it up.

Have you ever seen Julio Borbon play? He's 3.8 home to first! The Rangers have begun to play him (even using him as a designated hitter) and he's making a difference. He can run with anyone in the game. In his case, it seems like he also gets on base. What a novel idea.

The Twins farm system really does baffle me! But they do have a player we all must watch. Ben Revere is probably the cream of a minor league system that hasn't produced much lately. Revere will be the subject of my Minor League Report on RotoWire.com before the year is out. He reminds me so much of the late Kirby Puckett. The cupboard is far from full in Minnesota.

Matt LaPorta is playing. That's right folks. He's playing both left field and first base for the Tribe. That's good news. Why didn't it happen the first time he was called up? I have no idea. It's one of the mystery's of 2009.

Chris Young had a very good week at Triple-A Reno for the Diamondbacks. They want him to relax and use his natural ability. He was pressing and every aspect of his approach at the plate was messed up. Good to see him rebound a little. I don't need to remind you though, the Pacific Coast League is a hitter's paradise.

If you passed on Brad Penny, good for you. The Red Sox have decided to do the same thing. Tim Wakefield gets Penny's next start. And then?

Readers of my work know that I don't think John Smoltz has much left in the tank. St. Louis is going to find out. This week Smoltz said he would work out of the pen if that's what the Cardinals want. He's set to start. We'll see what happens. When I saw him his arm slot was not where it once was. I felt he was compensating for pain by dropping the arm lower .

Supposedly, Jake Peavy is approaching game readiness. If he can pitch down the stretch it gives the White Sox a big boost. I do believe Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard will help San Diego in that park. It really was a good deal for both clubs.

I give credit to Houston General Manager Ed Wade for sending Pudge to a contender and a comfortable situation with the Rangers.

Man, Travis Snider has some big time power. His stock is on the rise with the dumping of Alex Rios from Toronto to the White Sox.

Travis Hafner can't hit off speed pitches. What a shame! The Indians invested the sun, the moon and the stars in Hafner and Jake Westbrook and they are both a drain on the budget for the future. That's why long-term contracts are so tricky. When they work out we don't hear about it. When they bomb, the General Manager gets hammered. And the ones that worked out? Albert Pujols and...well Carlos Lee has played well. There are plenty. I just can't think of them all now. Right, Michael Young and Todd Helton. That's at least four out of say, dozens and dozens.

Is Ichiro amazing, or what? Give the Mariners credit for doing a fine job of blowing up their club and starting fresh. It can be done and they aren't finished yet. I think we see a bunch of baseball Mulligan's in the coming year by other clubs. Teams like to start over whenever practical.

The season is no longer a marathon, but a sprint. As we head to the final month, we still can't predict all the playoff teams. That's the way it should be. The Wild Card the best thing the Commissioner ever did. Give him credit.

Do you think we'll ever see the flashy tools of one B.J. Upton? Just asking again.

Have a great week. I'll catch up with you during the week.