Cubs management today (Sept. 20) announced that Milton Bradley has been suspended for the remainder of the season for negative comments he has made about Cubs fans. Thus, another chapter in the saga of Milton Bradley may have come to a conclusion.

Is it just me, or have you noticed that hitters are really hanging over the plate more than ever? The pitcher thinks he owns part of that plate, but it seems hitters are really moving closer and closer with each passing day.

What do you feel about a batter striking out over 200 times a season? Is that acceptable to you? How about if he hits 42 home runs and drives in 97 while hitting about .270? Where does Mark Reynolds fit your overall scheme of hitters? Adam Dunn and Ryan Howard have carved out outstanding careers with those type of numbers. Is Reynolds in the conversation with them?

How about these numbers? The Pirates have a 9-21 record vs. the National League West and a 19-55 record in road games. In general, the formula to win a division includes beating the weakest teams in your division to submission and splitting or winning against the better clubs. Toronto is 20-42 against their East rivals and the Orioles are 20-41. The Yankees are 41-25 and the Red Sox 44-21 against their Eastern opponents. Those numbers reveal it all.

I don't know about you, but I sure think Andre Ethier deserves some MVP votes in the National League. What a year he is having. Manny who? Matt Kemp isn't too shabby either.

Todd Helton took a little too much off his beard and decided to shave it all off. Same with the mustache. He looks so much younger.

Carlos Gonzalez has been the centerpiece of two major deals. He left Arizona to go to Oakland and left Oakland to go to Colorado. If he weren't included, those deals would not have been made. He drives the ball to the gaps as well as anyone I've seen in a long time. With his speed and defensive ability, Carlos should be a household name by next season. Don't sleep on him as a high average hitter good for steals and runs in 2010.

What happened to Fausto Carmona? With that stuff, he should be a winner. The Tribe has tried to fix him by sending him to AAA Columbus to gain his confidence and straighten out his delivery. Since returning to the rotation in Cleveland, he is still a mess. I hope he can get it back.

Can the Angels beat the Red Sox? We'll take a look at that in the week ahead. The addition of Scott Kazmir should help. He's certainly done well against both in his career.

It was good to see Jake Peavy come back and pitch this season for the White Sox. It wasn't the best outing, but it got him out on the mound and gave the club some confidence that he can still pitch. He should be a big factor for their 2010 rotation.

How has Jim Tracy turned the Rockies around? He decided when he took over the club that defense and pitching had to be priorities. He has gone with the hot hand in his everyday lineup and allowed his pitchers to go longer in games. Garrett Atkins has been benched in favor of Ian Stewart. The catching has been handed to Yorvit Torrealba, replacing Chris Ianneta. The Rocks are not the same team on the road as they are at home, but the club plays with spirit and makes few mental and physical errors. For now, it's the same 8 guys day in and day out.

The Dodgers remain very concerned about Chad Billinglsley. Obviously, time is short for him to figure out what's happening to his command. The club does not feel he has mechanical issues. As I indicated when they signed them, the best moves the Dodgers may have made this season could be the acquisitions of Vicente Padilla and John Garland. Are there too many pitching issues to like the Dodgers in the post season? Just asking.

St. Louis could wrap up their division this week. Very quietly I might add. We don't hear about the Cardinals like we do the Yankees and Red Sox, Dodgers and Phillies. The Cardinals just win. But will pitching coach Dave Duncan be with them next year? How about Tony?

It's possible many people's AL Central pre-season favorite Cleveland Indians could lose 100 games. Yikes!

As of yesterday, (Sept. 19) Joe Mauer was hitting .396 at home. He drops off all the way to .354 on the road. What a season. MVP? Maybe.

It now seems fairly certain that once his grievance is settled, Tony Abreu of the Dodgers will be coming to the Diamondbacks to complete a previous trade. Abreu would be in line to take over the second base role for the DBacks.

Imagine how deflating it is for the Giants when Tim Lincecum loses a late September game in a pennant race. With the Rockies on a roll and Lincecum losing, the chances of the Giants look dim. There is no sure thing, is there?

Jeff Baker is the regular second baseman now for the Cubs. Mike Fontenot struggled this season and Baker took advantage of the opportunity. Something similar happened in Arizona. Chris Snyder was injured and Miguel Montero took advantage of the playing time. He is now the regular catcher for the DBacks and will head to 2010 in that role.

I didn't think Derek Jeter would have the type of year he is having. Did you? Quickly now, who played short for the Yanks before Jeter? Man, he's been around forever and never looks a day older.

It just doesn't seem possible that the Twins have enough pitching to catch the Tigers. If it happens, credit the comeback win of Saturday, September 20th for turning the Twins season around. A ball was lost in the roof, the Twins found life and went on to win the game with a big, clutch homer from Michael Cuddyer. It's that type of game that makes us love baseball. But then, Nate Robertson came up huge on Sunday for Detroit. That after lots of people had written Robertson off.

Closer Ryan Franklin got two wins in two days. Would you rather have the wins or the saves? Are you ready to kill him or embrace him?

Ubaldo Jimenez never ceases to amaze me. He throws 96-98 with great movement on the ball. He has electric stuff. And he's 14-11. How in the world has he lost 11 games? Circle his name for next year. The entire Rockies pitching staff is improving under Jim Tracy. Ubaldo still travels under lots of people's radar.

Alex Rios is hoping he can get his batting average up to about .200 in his days with the White Sox before the season ends. That sigh of relief and the handshakes all around are coming from the Blue Jays brass who collectively can thank themselves for shedding the franchise of a killer contract.

I've said it before, but shouldn't Jake Fox get more playing time for the Cubs? He has some real power.

Maybe B.J. Upton should put his bat in a humidor. Or under his pillow. Or order new bats.