Day 8: Morneau, Dice-K, Bronx Rumble and more

HEADLINES

1) Yesterday the Twins announced that Justin Morneau is done for the rest of the season. With Minnesota 4 1/2 games behind Detroit are you sticking a fork in the Twins?

Ben: In my view, they are done. Not necessarily because of Morneau going down, but because they only have 16 game remaining. Granted, 7 games are against the Tigers, but 4 of those 7 are in Detroit. And, while neither schedule is very difficult (Kansas City and Cleveland show up a lot in the last few weeks) I think the games at home favor Detroit, and I think picking up 4 games in this time span will be difficult, especially without your best player. I suppose it wouldn't shock me if it came down to the last 4 games between the two, but I think Minnesota would have to win 3 of 4 to have a chance.

Boz: No. I'm not predicting that they are going to win the AL Central, but I am not ready to stick a fork in them yet. They are only 4 1/2 games behind the Tigers but they still have seven games remaining head-to-head with Detroit. They still have Mauer as their top hitter. They'll need Kubel and Cuddyer to step up at the plate but if the pitching holds up, I still consider them very much alive in the AL Central.

2) Daisuke Matsuzaka returned after three months on the DL and pitched six scoreless innings with five strikeouts in the Red Sox's win over the Angels? Does Dice-K's return give Boston a legitimate chance at getting back to the World Series?

Ben: I would say, no. But just because I thought Boston had a pretty decent chance without Dice-K. I think too much is made of good initial comebacks off of the disabled list. I imagine he's going to pitch better then that 1-5 record he went to the DL with, but I doubt he pitches 6 scoreless very often the rest of the way. He's a good pitcher, and helps them significantly, but what has hurt the Red Sox the most in the 2nd half has been the absence of offense for stretches. Their pitching will be fine, there offense will need to step up to make sure they are threatening deep in the playoffs.

Boz: Yes. I'm willing to pencil in the Red Sox as the AL Wild Card team and once you're in the playoffs, pitching wins. They'll have a four-man rotation of Beckett, Lester, Buchholz, and Matsuzaka. Buchholz has been pitching well his last four or five starts and if Dice-K continues to pitch like last night, that makes the Red Sox four man rotation very strong. They already have one of the best closers in the game. They'll be able to contend with the Yankees for the AL title.

3) Matt Cassel might be ready to start for the Chiefs on Sunday against the Raiders. The Chiefs played well in a 38-24 loss to the Ravens in week 1. Does Cassel's return make the Chiefs a contender in a weak AFC West?

Ben: Not at all. Cassel will give them a few extra wins this year, but he will not single-handledly get them to the playoffs. Last year he rarely had to win a game by himself, this year, almost every game will be on his shoulders. I still think Denver will be ahead of them, as well as San Diego. Too much firepower from the Chargers, means the Chiefs won't win the division, and either the Colts, Titans, Ravens, Steelers, Patriots, Dolphins, or Bills beat them for the Wild Card.

Looking at that list shows me that the AFC is a killer conference this year!

Boz: No. They'll beat the Raiders but they'll probably would beat the Raiders with Brody Croyle under center. It looks good that the Chiefs put up 24 points against the tough Ravens' defense but they gave up A LOT of points against an average Ravens' offense. Cassel improves the Chiefs offense and gives them a better chance at winning, but they won't catch the Chargers. Kansas City has too many issues on defense to even contend for a playoff spot in the AFC. Chief fans shouldn't count on any extra football after week 17.

4) After two Blue Jays were hit by pitches earlier in the game, Toronto pitcher Jesse Carlson threw behind Jorge Posada in the eighth inning. When Posada came around to score, he gave an elbow to Carlson who was backing up home plate. This started a brawl between the two teams and Posada and Carlson were ejected. Was this a smart idea as the Yankees are nearing the playoffs?

Ben: Ridiculous. Posada, and the Yankees are incredible. They feel like when it happens to them it is some type of injustice, as oppose to every other team in the Majors, that expects it. Posada is very much in the wrong and made a very stupid move here. Pitchers are suppose to "stick up" for their teammates, and catchers know this. Posada, who has been around plenty of "headhunters" in his time with the Yanks, should have been ready and just gotten over it. 2 of the Blue Jays were hit, what did you expect? Let's not act like you are better then the rest of the players in the Majors.

Boz: No. Not at all. The last thing that the Yankees need is an injury with the playoffs less than a month away. Posada already has a sore shoulder and who know what could have happened to him in that pile. With all of those players in the pile, you never know what could have happened to Sabathia or Jeter trying to seperate players. Posada has to keep is head in this type of situation and stay out of the way of trouble. I understand that you aren't happy that a fastball was thrown behind you, but its part of baseball. Edwin Encarnacion was hit after hitting a home run and Toronto's best player, Aaron Hill, were both hit. You have to expect that one of the Yankees are going to be hit. If Posada has that big of a problem with hit, take it up with the Sergio Mitre who beaned both of those players.

OVER/UNDER

1) Chad Ochocinco has stated that he will attempt a Lambeau Leap if he scores a touchdown this Sunday at Green Bay. Over or under three seconds that Ochocinco will stay in the stands during his Lambeau Leap?

Ben: OVER, if he scores. C.O.C is a showman, and I imagine he wants to make sure he makes the news. The Cheeseheads in the endzone will try to stop it, but  85 will do his best to get up there, even if he has to try a couple times.

Boz: UNDER. He has to score first, which seems to be a problem for the Cincinnati Bungles. Even if he does score, he isn't making it in those stands at all. Packers fans don't take kindly to visiting players attempting to partake in their tradition. Some players have successfully made it into the stands, only to be immediately tossed out. Now that the cheeseheads know what Ochocinco is planning, they'll never allow 85 into the stands, I repeat, NEVER.

2) Bears QB Jay Cutler has vowed to play better this week against the Steelers. Over or under two interceptions for Cutler against the defending champs this Sunday?

Ben: OVER. He has to hope to throw under 2 picks, but the Steelers are an amazing defense. If he he throws 2 or more, I will be able to hear Chicago fans throwing their remotes against the wall. Cutler has got plenty of time to turn it around, but I don't think Sunday is the time he gets things straightened out.

Boz: UNDER. I think that Lovie Smith and Ron Turner are going to get back to Bears football and return to being a running football team. Which means that Cutler won't be throwing the ball 36 times during the game. I know that the Steelers defense is much better than the Packers, but I got to believe the Bears want to take much better care of the football against the Steelers.

3) Over or under a deficit of three points in a one-on-one game to 15 between Byron Russell and Michael Jordon?

Ben: Over. 15-0. Russell, you couldn't guard him back in the day, and you can't now. Jordan would ball you up, and if it was make-it-take-it, you wouldn't sniff the ball.

Boz: OVER. I don't care if Byron Russell still works out regularly and thinks he can guard Michael Jordan. He can't. And hears a news flash, Jordan was pretty good at defense himself. Russell can't shoot nearly as well as MJ. I would love to watch this game as I got MJ winning 15-9.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 54th Birthday Robin Yount. The Hall of Famer spent his entire 19-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers collecting 3,142 hits and batting .285. He won the AL MVP twice, '82, '89, along with a Gold Glove '82. Along with that, he's a native of Danville, Illinois -- I always back athletes from Illinois, gotta rep' the home state.

Boz: Happy 51st Birthday to Orel Hershiser. He had one heck of a year in 1988 with the Dodgers when whe won the NL Cy Young Award, a Gold Glove, was named the NLCS MVP and eventually helped the Dodgers win the World Series. He was also the 1995 ALCS MVP with the Indians and won 204 games in his career. Now he is a very good baseball broadcaster and analyst with ESPN. He is also apparently a professional poker player for PokerStars.com, which is kinda cool.