Sweeps Weekend

Tigers in Trouble

The White Sox swept a crucial series with the Tigers in Chicago, winning the Sunday finale 7-3. With Chicago's pitching coming together again, and Detroit's fifth loss in a row (their biggest losing streak thus far this season), is the AL Central no longer a lock? Absolutely. The Tiger's MLB best pitching staff is fading fast- Justin Verlander gave up 13 hits in five innings Friday, and missed the start prior to that bashing with arm fatigue. For a young pitcher in his first full season, being on pace for 192 innings can do that to you. The best thing the Tigers can do is give him a long rest- they have the depth to let him rest a few starts- and hope to have him back in form in time for the pennant race and hopefully postseason. Kenny Rogers, meanwhile, has completely lost his All-Star form (0-3, 5.61 ERA in the past month), not a complete surprise for the 41-year-old lefty (Detroit city cameramen- this is your warning).

The bottom line: Detroit fans, its time to worry about that 5.5 game lead. Jim Leyland should be more worried about his Tigers than Roy Horn.

1. Sweeps Weekend- In addition to the White Sox's critical sweep, two other sweeps this weekend changed the landscape of baseball's standings.

The last place Pirates wrecked the Redbirds, outscoring the Cardinals 17-3 while sweeping the three game series. St. Louis has now lost 13 of 17, their lead in the NL Central plummeting to 1.5 games over the latest version of the Big Red Machine. If they aren't careful, they'll soon be fighting for the Wild Card as well as the pennant.

The Red Sox also capped off a three game sweep of the Orioles with a dramatic 11-7 win. Mike Lowell has a spectacular game, with a grand slam Sunday and a game-saving back handed stab with the bases loaded in the ninth. However, the most impressive game of his weekend might have been Friday, when Lowell was drilled by an Adam Loewen fastball. However, the veteran third baseman refused to be removed from the game, and recovered the make an amazing catch diving into the stands in the third inning. He's emerged as a critical leader of this Boston team, especially in Jason Varitek's absence. With the Yankees losing two of three to the Angels, the BoSox are just one game back in the AL East.

2. 'Get me out of that game'- Washington Redskin's running back Clinton Portis dislocated his shoulder in the team's first preseason game Sunday night.

On the team's first series, Bengal's cornerback Keiwan Ratliff intercepted an errant Mark Brunell throw, and Portis attempted to stop Ratliff's return. The running back made a bone-jarring tackle, unfortunately extending his left arm out of its socket in the process.

As Portis noted after the game, "After that 8-yard run, I was like, 'Get me out of that game.' That's what I was thinking. It's football. It can happen to anyone. It happened to me."

"For whoever's watching: Let's get rid of some of these games," Portis said. "Four games is ridiculous. Then you play a 16-game season and the playoffs behind that."

Maybe new commish Roger Goodell and the NFL will finally listen to the players, fans, and coaches, and cut down the preseason. As a Falcons fan who lost Michael Vick in a meaningless game, 'Skins fans, I feel your pain.

Also, a few sources have speculated that Jet's QB Chad Pennington was injured in the team's first preseason game against Tampa Bay. Pennington claimed to be alright after taking a few hits on the previously injured shoulder, but I'd keep an eye on how to Jets handle him the next few weeks to make sure. An injury would be devastating- neither draft pick Kellen Clemens nor free agent acquisition Patrick Ramsey have enough experience in the team's system to start effectively. Then again, the Jets didn't have an effective starter last year either, so what else is new.

3. Weekend Warriors on the Diamond- Around baseball this weekend there were several outstanding games and performances, one of which included history in the making in Cleveland.

Travis Hafner, the Indian's star designated hitter, hit his sixth grand slam of the year Sunday night, tying Don Mattingly's single season record. It was the Cleveland slugger's 35th of the year, and RBI's 100-104, party of an eleven run first inning for the Tribe in a 13-0 victory over the Royals.

Greg Maddux and Jason Schmidt lived up to their billing as a classic pitcher's duel in Los Angeles, neither ace allowing a run and pitching eight innings each. And just for everyone who thought the four-time Cy Young award winner was over the hill, here's Maddux's stats in two games with the Dodgers: 14 innings, no runs, TWO hits.

The deadline deals have made the Dodger's the team to beat in the NL West, regardless of the current cluttered standings.

4. Preseason Performers- All news out of the NFL preseason was not gloomy, however. A few of the top rookie draft picks and new acquisitions showed their potential value over the weekend. One such player was new Raven Steve McNair. The veteran QB led a spectacular touchdown drive, culminating in a gutsy dive into the endzone. "He's just an incredible competitor" quipped Baltimore head coach Brian Billick.

Highly touted first round picks Jay Cutler, Reggie Bush, and Vince Young also had great efforts over the weekend. Cutler put up perhaps the best individual performance of the weekend in the Broncos 20-13 loss to Detroit, completing 16 of 22 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. Last year’s Heisman winner showed he can be just as electrifying in the NFL, lighting up the Titans for a 44 yard highlight run en route to a solid 59 yards rushing on six carries. Vince Young had an overall average performance, passing for 56 yards and rushing for 28. Bush's Saints, however, won this rematch, 19-16 over the Titans.

5. Monday Night Football Returns- But Different- Tonight Monday Night Football debuts not only for the 2006-2007 season, but for the first time ever on ESPN. The new broadcast team features Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann, and Tony Kornheiser.

Personally, I love the new broadcast team. Al Michaels will be sorely missed, but it's worth it not to have to deal with John Madden's ramblings and poor coverage. Mike Tirico is a great play by play choice, and will definitely excel in his role. Theismann is a little below average in the booth, but I really love Kornheiser's selection. He's insightful without trying to sound overly intelligent, has a great sense of humor, and provides a great connection with viewers. I look forward to watching a little of Randy Moss's return to Minnesota in a Raider's uniform tonight.

That's all for today, thanks for reading, and comment like you need it.