Arizona begins a 3 game series against San Diego tonight followed by 3 against the Rocks. These are games they have to win.
I'm anxious to see Kyle Blanks. He's been hurt most of the year. He's back playing LF for the Padres and hitting 6th. I always thought he had a chance to be a good hitter if he wasn't playing at Safeco. That place is just death valley.
The Diamondbacks will face former Indians prospect Alex White in the Rockies series. Tonight Ubaldo Jimenez didn't look good against the Royals. Again. He just isn't sharp on the mound, missing his spots and not getting calls on the corners.
It was great to see Jim Thome in an Indians uniform. Progressive Field (still The Jake to me) was sold out.
Why is Ozzie dead set against bringing Dayan Viciedo up to the big leagues? Now with Carlos Quentin hurt, isn't this a chance for the team to see what Viciedo can do in RF? Nope. As of now they go into the weekend without Quentin or Viciedo.
How long can the Yankees go with Burnett? As long as they don't have another starter he's their guy. If they can find someone to take his starts, they'll have no choice. Burnett has had several bad outings in a row. And yes-it does matter if the Yankees are the AL Champ or the Wild Card. It means possible home field advantage. It means a different match-up. And it's psychological as well. Right now the Red Sox look much more solid than the Yanks.
Heath Bell will not be going to the Giants. It was probably a question of the player to give up in trade for Bell.
David Ortiz looked in good form when he returned to the lineup. He hit a majestic home run and ran without pain. The Red Sox need that bat to keep the momentum.
The crowd tonight at Chase Field should reach 30,000. For Phoenix, that's outstanding in late August. That's what a pennant race does.
Mark Reynolds has something like 30 home runs for the Orioles. He hit one tonight. It's amazing how the guy hits them in spurts. He gets hot for a week and hits homers. He has amazing power, but he just can't make contact on pitches down and away.
Why haven't the Reds traded one of their catchers yet? Ramon Hernandez was allegedly on waivers but pulled back. I just don't understand how decisions are being made in Cincy. They really have to shore up their starting pitching before next season.
With a month left in the season we still don't know if we'll see the Rangers or Angels? The Diamondbacks or Giants? The Red Sox or Yankees? I think the Angels story the last month has been outstanding. Mark Trumbo has been a huge part of their success. But they're really playing as a team. The Rangers pitching, for all its depth, is still an issue for me. Facing Weaver, Haren and Santana in a row is no easy task. Watch out for the Angels.
Eric Hosmer has lived up to his press clippings this season. He's one tough out at the plate. He defies my own rule that says hitters need at least a season to a season and a half in the big leagues to adjust. He's the exception.
Football will be King this weekend as lots of the east coast baseball games have already been canceled.
If you're on the east coast-please be careful this weekend as Irene is a nasty, nasty lady. Stay inside and watch sports. Better yet, spend some time reading my article on RotoWire.com about Nick Franklin. You may also want to catch my MLB.com article about Kevin/Towers and Kirk Gibson. I'll be tweeting tonight from the press box at Chase.
Follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff.