MLB All-Star Weekend

By Dan Rodgers

I know it's been a while. This post is going to discuss the baseball all-star festivities.

Major League Baseball has a lot to offer in regards to the all-star festivities, but it is missing one huge aspect: a skills competition. Other sports have them and baseball's all-star festivities is one of the more popular ones in terms of fan interest.

I got bored and started to think of things that would be cool to see at a skill competition:

• Outfielders throw and try to land the ball in a bucket at home plate - tests arm strength and accuracy
• Pitchers try to hit a bull's-eye behind the plate - tests accuracy
• Pitchers try to throw a ball with the most break, in inches - tests nothing really, just fun
• Keep the derby, everyone loves it
• First basemen stand at first and scoop balls - tests fielding ability, scoops can be impressive

There are dozens more that could be thought up and fun to watch for the fans. Major League Baseball needs to make more of an event out of the all-star break and come up with events that will spark fan interest.

On a side note, the game shouldn't determine home field advantage for the World Series. It should be determined by record and then come up with tiebreakers. These guys are professionals and they are going to want to win regardless of whether the outcome actually means anything.

Rodgers That

San Fran wins first ever Series

By Dan Rodgers

I'm still sick and tired so this will be short and sweet. The San Francisco Giants have won their first ever World Series. The Giants first Series victory since 1954, when they were in New York, came in grand fashion.

They beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 in game five to take the series 4-1. The only thing that would have been better would have been celebrating at home in front of their fans.

Edgar Renteria won MVP. Yes, that is correct, you read that right...

With the game-deciding three-run homer in the seventh, Renteria was 7-19 with six runs, six RBI and two homers in the Series. No one was particularly spectacular for San Fran, which is why they are such a great story. Lincecum was good, Cain was fantastic but only threw one game and there is no one really good on their offense.

Giants win the Series 4-1. Renteria = Series MVP. Crazy world we live in. Until next season.

Rodgers That

World Series Preview

By Dan Rodgers

To start, I just want to say that this Series could be the greatest pitching duel of my generation: Cliff Lee, C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis vs. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez

It is basically, old veterans who worked hard to get there vs. young studs taking over...

I'll come out and say it right now, I like to Giants to win the series and it is not because the Yanks lost to Texas.

I think the Giants pitching staff as a whole is a lot better than the Rangers, and I'll take a veteran closer in Brian Wilson over a rookie (Neftali Feliz) any day.

The pitching will probably determine the series because the over/under for the entire thing is probably about 13 because of the pitching. Lee will probably take game one because while Lincecum has been really good, Lee has been unstoppable. The guy had pinpoint control and absolutely wicked movement on his pitches.

Cain and Sanchez, I believe, are better than Wilson and Lewis. The Giants have had timely hitting and somehow have scored enough to win games. Five of the Giants post season wins have come when scoring three runs or less. The Rangers have yet to win a game when scoring that little.

Different players have risen to the top for San Fran, as Cody Ross caught fire against Philly pitching and had a great NLCS. Aubrey Huff is playing like he is in his 20s again, and "small ball" is proving to be a winning style of play.

I don't feel like talking too much about Texas, but I will praise their relentless and aggressive playing style. They run as much as they can, and Josh Hamilton can hit the crap out of the ball. Let it be known, if you walk him, Vlad and Cruz can also kill the ball.

Elvis Andrus will make a name for himself as one of the top young shortstops in the MLB in the World Series. Watch out for this kid.

Giants in 6 - MVP Matt Cain

Rodgers That

Rangers advance to first ever World Series

By Dan Rodgers

Well, it's official...after winning game five and keeping their hopes alive, the Yanks lost game six in Texas 6-1. The Rangers advance to their first World Series in franchise history.

I don't really want to talk about it too much right now because of how upset I am, but it is important to get the news out. I am extremely disappointed in the Yankees and how they performed in the ALCS after sweeping the Twins in the ALDS.

I guess congrats to the Rangers...it will be a tough challenge for them whether it's in Philly or San Fran...should make for an interesting Series.

ALCS MVP: OF Josh Hamilton

As Chuck Tanner, manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the World Series championship in 1979, said, "It's hard to win a pennant, but it's harder losing one."

There's always next year boys...I love you.

Rodgers That

Midway point in MLB

By Dan Rodgers

We have reached the midway point in the Major League Baseball season. The all-star break is approaching and every team has played about 80 or so games. The all-star lineups were listed today, but I will write another post on that closer to all-star weekend.

This post is for predictions the rest of the way.

AL EAST
1. New York (1 seed)
2. Boston / Tampa Bay (tiebreaker for 3 seed)
4. Toronto
5. Baltimore

AL CENTRAL
1. Minnesota (4 seed)
2. Detroit
3. Chicago
4. Kansas City
5. Cleveland

AL WEST
1. Texas (2 seed)
2. Los Angeles
3. Seattle
4. Oakland

NL EAST
1. New York (2 seed)
2. Atlanta (3 seed)
3. Philadelphia
4. Washington
5. Florida

NL CENTRAL
1. Cincinnati (4 seed)
2. St. Louis
3. Milwaukee
4. Chicago
5. Houston
6. Pittsburgh

NL WEST
1. Los Angeles (1 seed)
2. San Diego
3. San Francisco
4. Colorado
5. Arizona

Divisional Round
New York (AL) over Minnesota
Tampa Bay over Texas
Los Angeles over Cincinnati
New York (NL) over Atlanta

Championship Round
New York (AL) over Tampa Bay
Los Angeles over New York (NL)

World Series
New York (AL) over Los Angeles
^Six game series in a rematch of the classic New York Yankee/Brooklyn Dodger series.

Look for an awards prediction post in a bit.

Rodgers That