Phightins

Eh...definitely better than the 2nd one. It's getting such crazy praise right now because they waited 11 years to do it. But without even considering that, I thought it was a fantastic movie. People of our generation definitely have a connection with it, so the fact that Andy "grew up" at basically the same pace as all of us makes it pretty cool.

It was really really good.

Not that I know of.

Lulz. Beat me to it.

Matchups for Twins series... Today: Nick Blackburn @ Joe Blanton Tomorrow: Kevin Slowey @ Cole Hamels Sunday: Carl Pavano @ Roy Halladay

That was cool. Not the two games I expected to win in this series, but I will certainly take it. Breaks finally starting to even out and come back to our side.

I've been gone all day so I didn't get to post that Scott Mathieson has been called up. Long overdue. He has been tearing up AAA. Really cool story too. Promising prospect a few years ago, had to have Tommy John surgery, and finally worked his way back. He still can hit 100 with his fastball. When Madson comes back (assuming Mathieson sticks around), we will have 4 legitimate power arms in the bullpen, with Mathieson, Madson, Baez, and Contreras.

Ian Schultz is the younger brother of Jeff Schultz from the Capitals, FYI.

http://www.mcall.com/media/photo/2010-06/54395805.jpg Also, the goalie situation got a whole lot more interesting today. Kind of surprised the Blues got Halak for that little.

As one of Sammy's few fans, it sucks to see him go. Looks like a good deal, though. I wonder if they trade down and draft Cousins now? Certainly hope not, but seeing this certainly makes one think. Also, a lot of the beat writers seem to think another trade is certainly coming.

It's okay. Wilson "Double Play" Valdez is up. This rally shouldn't last long.

This is the first time Jamie Moyer has pitched in new Yankee Stadium. This is the 49th ballpark he has pitched at in his career, if my math is correct.

Too bad he didn't have Lakers and Cowboys attire on as well.

Jamie Moyer has actually been very solid this year. His horrendous (actually, horrendous does not even begin to describe it) outing in Boston on Friday totally skewed his numbers. For example, his ERA went up by over a full run. With that said, against this lineup and in this stadium, I am not holding my breath waiting for something special tonight.

That, or a 77 mph fastball. Either way, he shouldn't have much trouble tonight.

No denying that.

The Pirates released Akinori Iwamura today, to make room for Pedro Alvarez. I am wondering if the Phillies give Iwamura a look if they DFA Greg Dobbs.

If somebody wants to join, great, but keep a few things in mind. We probably need somebody with Mogul experience, otherwise I don't think it will be enjoyable. We are in our 2024 season, so the number of "real life" players from today's MLB is very small, and will be 0 in a few years. Obviously, every season we have a draft and the players drafted are fictional (we started in the real-life 2006 season). It's kind of confusing, I know. That is why somebody with Mogul experience, who can appreciate a good Mogul league and doesn't need recognizable players to enjoy it is preferred.

Well, he is playing in a rehab game tomorrow night, so I'd call that good news lol. If all goes well, he should be back this weekend, or the Cleveland series next week.

The pitching has been fine, actually. Obviously it has not been for the past 4 games (except for Hamels on Sunday), but through most of this bad stretch, it has been 100% on the bats. And I have said all along that Jimmy Rollins is the least replaceable hitter in this lineup.

Can't wait until next week when the Phillies schedule finally lightens up (although it probably won't make a difference) and the Mets start playing some real teams.

Diesel!

Pedro Alvarez called up by the Pirates. The top-prospect bonanza continues.

Well, he's only faced 2 AL teams (Yankees and Red Sox), who coincidentally are probably the 2 best lineups he has faced this year period. So, I'm not sure if we should read much into it. He will face the Twins and Blue Jays to finish out his interleague schedule, so if he gets hit around in those starts too, then maybe there is something to it.

With this team looking more pathetic by the day, I have to keep reminding myself that they do this every year and come out of it every year (in fact, their big slump last year was worse than this, record wise). With that said, I do not remember them looking this awful during their slump last year. Good god.