A Look Around the MLB: Brewers dealing for aces

C.C. Sabathia has a new home park in Milwaukee. But was it the right move for the team? (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

By Harold McIlvain II

The Milwaukee Brewers made a very bold move acquiring pitching ace C.C. Sabathia, dealing away stud prospect Matt LaPorta.

It goes against conventional thinking for Sabathia to head to Milwaukee. It’s a small market; the best player available isn’t suppose to head to a place that is currently more worried about whether or not Brett Farve will retire.

He was supposed to go to a big market like Chicago. Or to L.A. maybe even to New York.

But in a deal that could make or break the team, he went to a club that hasn’t been to the postseason since reaching the World Series back in 1982.

And the ride toward the postseason with their newest ace starts tonight with Sabathia on the mound against Colorado.

He goes to a team that is stepping away from it usually formula for success: prospects and time. The majority of the team’s key players all hail from the Brewers minor league system: Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy, Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Manny Parra, Yovani Gallardo and Ben Sheets.

In a small market, a team has to take advantage of the draft to keep up with other team that can spend some money on big time free agents but giving away a prospect such as LaPorta goes away from that thinking.

He isn’t just a minor leaguer. If you are an SEC baseball fan, you might remember him from Florida, where he hit .402 with 60 runs, 20 home runs and 52 RBI in his senior season. Currently ranked the No. 4 prospect by Baseball America, he is the type of player that is on a sure path to stardom.

There is no doubt that the deal was a fair one. But the deal could work out to be a terrible one for the Brewers if they don’t make a big push into the playoffs, because at the end of the year both Sheets and Sabathia are free agents. And going back to the small market theme, a team like the Brewers will more than likely not keep both, and if they are not careful could lose both.

The logical move looking toward the future (after the season) would be to sign Sheets rather than Sabathia, who isn’t the home town guy. Plus, Sheets is one of the most dominating pitchers in the majors when healthy.

So the good and the bad. Good: Sabathia brings a whole new level to the rotation. Bad: the trade could end up being for nothing if the team doesn’t make the most out of the deal down the stretch and can’t sign Sabathia.

It’s a gamble some wouldn’t take. Actually, it’s a gamble that most wouldn’t make.

The ultimate formula of building on prospects has been showing signs of being very successful for the Tampa Bay Rays, but it is a formula that the Brewers are stepping away from for at least the time being with the addition of an ace.

But it isn’t like the Brewers are out of prospects. The team has one of the best double-A teams that has been seen in baseball, and it is filled with big time positional prospects. And with Braun moving to the outfield this year, one less spot in the field is available heading toward the future. Perhaps LaPorta didn’t naturally play into the big picture of things down the road and he was expendable for a run at the postseason.

Even considering both perspectives, the move is still a gamble.

But one thing is for sure, the pressure is on for the Chicago Cubs to get a deal done now to improve its rotation.

Talks have headed up a bit for Oakland A’s starter Rich Harden, but it appears that the asking price has gone up a bit and that deal could happen closer to the trade deadline. San Diego’s starter Randy Wolf is also an option for the Cubs, and it appears they are exploring those possibilities.

Edit:  In a bit of a surprise move, the A’s dealt away Harden to the Cubs today, and I think it is a slam dunk move for the Cubs.  For one, he is under contract for five million dollars next year and he has lights out stuff when he is healthy, which has been an issue.  But he has never had major arm surgery and he is on a mission to lose his “soft” label that has been put on him because of his inning pitch total.  This is a move that puts the Cubs back in the driver seat for this year and (just as importantly) for next year.

A Look Around the MLB, published every Tuesday, will take a look at a different team each week and discuss its current situation.

A Look Around the MLB: Reason to celebrate

With Curtis Granderson back in prime form, the Detroit Tigers are starting to look like the offensive force the team could have been before the season. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

By Harold McIlvain II

Watching an Arkansas Razorback 87-61 routing of the LSU Tigers at Bud Walton Arena, a statement was made about the up coming baseball season: “On paper, the Detroit Tigers are the best offensive lineup in all of baseball history.”

Replied one in the group, “Ever? In baseball history? What about all those great Yankee lineups?”

The statement was bold at the time, and it seemed right. Best in baseball history. The statement turned out to be quite incorrect though.

Who said that statement?

It was yours truly, but I wasn’t out of my mind at the time. ESPN’s own Steve Phillips said the same thing in a segment previewing the season weeks after I said it.

The starting lineup looked like a lock to win the division as the order projected to be great: 1. CF Curtis Granderson, 2. 2B Placido Polanco, 3. DH Gary Sheffield, 4. RF Magglio Ordonez, 5. 3B Miguel Cabrera, 6. 1B Carlos Guillen, 7. SS Edgar Renteria, 8. C Ivan Rodriguez and 9. LF Jacque Jones.

The team added Renteria and Cabrera to a lineup that was already great last year. The Tigers finished No. 3 in runs (887), No. 2 in RBI (857) and No. 4 in OPS (on-base percentage + slugging) last year.

Add the .300, 100 run and 12 home run potential of Renteria while adding Cabrera’s .309 career average with projections of 30 home runs and 115 RBI, the Tigers would have an offense ready to challenge records.

It sure seemed that way. I even pumped up the deal back in January in an article for the Arkansas Traveler.

So what went wrong? An injury at the start of the season to Granderson sure didn’t help. A slumping Rodriguez, Cabrera and Sheffield didn’t either. Throw in injuries for Sheffield as well.

The Tigers jumped out to a pretty good start after the first full month, hitting .268 (ranked No. 9) while placing top five in runs scored.

But a cold May sent the team in the wrong direction. While other teams were heating up, the Tigers were not. The team hit .260 for the month and finished No. 17 in runs scored, leaving the team with a 23-32 record heading into June, trying to not fall to last in the division as it was up one and a half games on the Royals.

But a great June put the team back on path and looking like the offense it could be, hitting .297 while finishing No. 8 in runs scored. Heading into today’s action, the team is now 42-40 and only five games back of the Chicago White Sox.

And a healthy Granderson has been a big part of the success of the ball club. He is a table setter that gets on base and scores, as he leads the team by two in runs (44) while playing 19 fewer games. He is a guy that gives it all he has and frequently finds himself in scoring position after a hit (10 doubles and four triples).

Tigers manager Jim Leyland insists that the way the Tigers go on a particular night and throughout the season is the way Granderson goes.

“When Curtis doubles and triples, he gets the fans excited and he gets his teammates excited,” Leyland said in a mlive.com article. “There is enthusiasm on the field, on the bench and everywhere else.”

After recently coming off the disabled list, Sheffield has proven many wrong who though that his career was on the verge of being over. Numerous whispers shadowed his return, saying he has lost his power. Scouts said that he was finished as a productive major leaguer.

Sheffield is 8-for-24 with four runs, two home runs and four RBI in seven games after rejoining the team. And he could be heating up when the team will need offensive production the most.

Ordonez has been great for the team so far (.307, 42 runs, 12 homers and 50 RBI), but a pulled right oblique muscle will keep him out for at least 15 days as he was placed on the disabled list today. He is optimistic that he will be able to play after the allotted days, saying he just needed to take care of the problem now and be on the safe side.

It hurts the potential for the month, but players that were not factored into the “greatest lineup in baseball history (on paper)” have stepped up for the team this season.

Marcus Thames and Clete Thomas have stepped up for the team in a reserve role. Thames is hitting .277 with 15 home runs in 53 games while Thomas is hitting .329 in 30 games.

The Tigers haven’t quite filled up to the statement said back in Bud Walton, but the team has new life and has a shot at making the playoffs when at times it didn’t seem was possible.

A Look Around the MLB, published every Tuesday, will take a look at a different team each week and discuss its current situation.

Fantasy Matters: Get them for when they are hot

You just might be doing the “Robinson Cano” if you can get some second half players at a good value to help your fantasy team down the stretch.  (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

By Harold McIlvain II

It’s been a terrible start for Robinson Cano.

Fantasy owners drafted him hoping he would build on his .306, 93 run and 97 RBI production last year.

But that has not quite happened this year, as he is hitting .241 with a little production.

He doesn’t look like a guy you would want to go out and trade for, but I think he is a guy you can go and get for good value to help your team down the stretch run of the season.

The Yankees are ranked No. 11 in runs per game and that should be going up as the summer rolls into full force (rank No. 2 in both batting average and on-base percentage for the month of June), and Cano is a guy that will benefit.

He is a known second half type of player, as he hit .343 last year with 13 home runs in the second half of the season.  In 2006, Cano again hit more than half his home runs in the second half with 11 while hitting for a high average (.365).

Last night he also went 3-for-5 with a home run, his first since May 8.

If you are need of a second baseman and think you can get Cano cheap, set your sights on him to produce for your team soon and by the latest of mid-July (when he started his tear last year).

Here is a list of under performers I think could turn it around and help your team in the second half, provided you can get them for a discount (in no particular order):

Curtis Granderson has under performed from where most people took him in the draft, so you might be able to get this outfielder for a discount before he breaks out in the second half.  Last year, Granderson hit half of his home runs down the stretch and hit .326 while stealing 17 bases.  The Tigers will get things together and boost a No. 9 rank in runs per game, and Granderson will be atop that line up.

It might no be easy to pry Miguel Cabrera from his current owner, but if you do you will be rewarded greatly in the second half.  Over six seasons, Cabrera is a .309 career hitter who should be able to right the ship.  His best offensive months last year were July and September, but a frigid August deflated his overall .315 average and 16 home runs.

Troy Tulowitzki clearly didn’t turn the corner in the first half of the season (.152 average while scoring 11 runs and knocking in 11) but look for a bright second half.  He is traditionally a second half guy, as he is hitting .282 after the all-star break while he is hitting .248 before it.  If you can get him cheap, his .296 average and 15 home runs from last year isn’t out of the reach this year.

Julio Lugo isn’t liked too much in Boston, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be welcomed on your fantasy team this second half if you acquire him.  Last year down the stretch, Lugo hit .280 and stole 11 bases.  If you are looking for steals, you might shy away if you are looking for more than 10 because he has traditionally stole less than half of his bases after the all-star break.  However, the Red Sox are running more this year.

If you are disappointed with your catchers production, see if you can get Jorge Posada.  After the all-star break last year, he hit .355 with 11 home runs.  His overall productivity has been down some because of injury, so you might be able to swap for him.

And always use the free agent pool as a positive to sell your trades.  If you swap for someone, it would be in your best interest to list some available players at the position on the wire, noting they would not lose too much in production.

Ty Wigginton of all people might be a solution for your fantasy team woes.  He hit .292 down the stretch last year with nine home runs.  In most leagues he qualifies at quite a few positions, so if you are reeling with injuries he might be a guy you can look at adding.

Injuries are always a concern with Moises Alou (as he is currently on the disabled list), but he might be a guy you want to look at adding if you have a weak outfield.  Last year, Alou had a productive second half, hitting .353 with 36 runs scored, 11 home runs and 36 RBI.  Keep an eye on the old man because he might be of use still.

Mark Grudzielanek could slide into a second base slot and be productive for your squad.  He is having a pretty decent season, and he hit .325 with 40 runs and 23 RBI after the all-star break last year.  Go get him if you need some help in the middle infield.

Kazuo Matsui is a guy you might be able to pick up as a free agent to help your team in the middle of the diamond.  Matsui has traditionally hit for a higher average down the stretch, as he is hitting .292 after the all-star game.

Ryan Garko could be primed for a big second half.  This draft day sleeper has disappointed many fantasy owners so much that he could be a free agent in your league.  Garko is traditionally a better hitter (.287 three more home runs and four more RBI) in the second half.

Mike Napoli has shown the power (11 home runs), but now he might be able to show the average.  Last year, Napoli hit .262 after the all-star break, but he only hit two home runs.  If he can keep up the power numbers with a slightly below average, he might be ownable in your league.

Need help with pitching?  Check back Thursday for another installment of Fantasy Matters dealing with some guys you might want to go out and get for the second half.

Fantasy Matters is your source for free fantasy baseball information every Thursday.  Have a fantasy question or just need a second opinion?  Sent it to aroundthenationsports@gmail.com for help.

A Look Around the MLB: Drew helps lift Red Sox

Despite losing David Ortiz, the Red Sox and J.D. Drew have been just fine without the slugger in the month of June.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

By Harold McIlvain II

The Red Sox line up lost quite a bit of productivity when designated hitter David Ortiz felt something wrong with his wrist May 31.

Ortiz is hitting .252 for the year, which isn’t quite his career average of .287.  Or his .332 average last year.  But he was still on pace to match his home run (35) and RBI (117) totals from last year before the injury.

Missing a bat of that caliber could have halted the Red Sox in the month of June.  But J.D. Drew took it upon himself and guys like him in the line up to step up without Ortiz in the line up.

And he did just that.

Drew caught fire with the bat this month, hitting 28-for-74 (.378) with 23 runs scored, 10 home runs and 23 RBI.

And it has been needed.

The team has cut back a bit on hits this month, currently No. 12 in June but No. 3 over the course of the season.  However, the Red Sox have still been getting on base at a high rate, ranking No. 4 in on-base percentage for the month (.355) while No. 2 (.353) for the season.

Mike Lowell and Manny Ramirez have both kept their play at a high level throughout the month so far, too.

Lowell is 21-for-74 (.284) since Ortiz has been out of the line up, and he has nearly matched his production in May already with 11 runs, five home runs and 17 RBI.  He has also improved his batting eye, as he has cut his strikes out from last month in half and has drawn more walks.  Ramirez, hit .228 in May, has regained his stroke at the plate, hitting .311 (19-for-61) with 12 runs and 14 RBI for the month of June.

Managing to keep the team going when a key player goes down is a big part of the regular season, and the Red Sox have had the production at the plate to make up for the absents of Ortiz.  But when postseason rolls around, the team will need the 60-for-189 (.317) career postseason bat of Ortiz at the No. 3 spot in the line up.

With the focus being placed on the positional players to step up for Ortiz, starting pitcher Jon Lester has stepped up quietly to take the role of statistical ace for the ball club.  Lester (6-3) currently sports a 3.13 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP.  He also has 65 strike outs while walking 39.

In the last four starts, Lester has been very efficient, allowing just five earned runs in four starts.  He lowered his ERA from 3.67 to 3.13 in that span while cutting back on walks, issuing just three while striking out 16.

Staff ace Josh Beckett had a rocky start to his season (4.67 ERA after eight starts), but he appears to have found himself in the last four starts.  He has lowered his ERA from 4.30 to 3.73, permitting only seven earned runs in that span while striking out 22 and walking just five.

But the team still has issues with the bullpen.  Boston ranks No. 17 in the league with a 3.88 bullpen ERA, but that number was No. 2 last year when the team had a 3.10 bullpen ERA.

Closer Jonathan Papelbon is still getting the job done (2.16 ERA with 21 saves), but the guys around him are not.

Hideki Okajima was a crucial part of the World Series run last year.  He finished last year with a 2.22 ERA and a .97 WHIP.  He allowed only 17 walks while striking out 63, holding opposing hitting to a .202 average.

This year he has a 3.00 ERA with a 1.33 ERA and has already issued 11 walks, and he has had problems all season long with  inherited runners, which makes his 3.00 ERA deceptive.  If his ERA was based on the hits and walks he allowed, rather than actual runs (called ERC, or component ERA) his ERA would be 3.69 this year.

Acquiring a reliever did not quite work out for the Red Sox last year (Eric Gange), so the team will have to hope that Okajima rights himself or that someone, perhaps Manny Delcarmen, establishes their stuff.  In spring training, manager Terry Francona was very high on Delcarmen, saying he could be the eight inning guy this year.  He has lights out stuff (29 strikes outs with 10 walks in 31 innings), so he could be the guy.  He has a 3.48 ERA but has a lower ERC (3.21).

But on the bright side, Ortiz could be in line to start swinging the bat this up coming week, according to reports.

“David is doing real well,” Francona said on the team Web site. “He’s doing his strength and conditioning, doing mobility with his wrist. I think there’s a hope that he may be a week to 10 days from picking up a bat.”

A Look Around the MLB, published every Tuesday, will take a look at a different team each week and discuss its current situation.

Fantasy Matters: Rookies making impact now

Chase Headley is one of many rookies that you will want to keep an eye on as the fantasy baseball season rolls along.  (AP Images)

By Harold McIlvain II

The growing trend in baseball is to allow minor league prospects to learn at the major league level.  Just look at Ryan Braun, Ryan Howard and Tim Lincecum among many others that have broke into the league, making a major impact.

And as a fantasy baseball player, you should keep an eye on these minor league players as they are being called up to the majors.

An interesting guy that has just been called up is Padres third baseman Chase Headley.  On a scale, he is more than likely a B minus type of prospect because of his skill set and the major league park he plays his home games.  He will be produce like Jay Bruce currently is for the Reds, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t ownable in deep 12-team mixed leagues.  An NL only league would benefit from Headley, who can also play in the outfield.

If you are looking for a guy who can get some hits and play a third base or corner infield spot, Headley is your man.  He has been raking with the bat in AAA ball this year, as he his hitting .305.  But Last year over a full season at AA, he hit for .330 with 82 runs, 20 home runs and 73 RBI.  His approach at the plate needs to improve, as he has struck out 327 times while walking 214 times.

In his first two games, he is 3-for-8 with a home run.  He hasn’t gotten too much hype, so fantasy owners can take a wait and see approach on the 24-year old.

Atlanta Brave outfielder Brandon Jones is making an immediate impact and could be worthy of a roster spot in a 12-team mixed league right now.  He has started off his second stint in the majors to a 10-for-25 with four runs, four RBI and a homer tune.  Over five minor league seasons, he has shown to make good contact (.286) with a little pop in the bat (15 homers in one season).  He is a must add in NL only leagues, if you have a need for a bat.

Seattle Mariners catcher Jeff Clement was just recalled recently after having an unsuccessful run with the team.  In 48 at bats with the big league club, Clement tallied four hits while scoring four times and driving in two.  He also struck out 20 times and walked seven.

For that effort, he was sent back down.  But with a new front office, Clement has been giving another chance.  And it could be because he has performed well since the demotion, hitting nine home runs and 23 RBI.  Some fantasy providers do not have him as a catcher yet, so if you need help at the backstop you might want to wait on Clement, who is a career .289 hitter over four minor league seasons.  He can provide some pop with that bat, too, as he has had 20 and 14 home run seasons in the minors.

For those of you in need of pitching, Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Max Scherzer might be a must own at this point in time. If you follow baseball closely,  Scherzer received a much hyped major league call up earlier in the year and didn’t fail to produce.  As a starter in four appearances, he had a 2.33 ERA with 23 strike outs while walking seven.

If he is available in your league and you need pitching help, Scherzer could be just what the doctor ordered.  He is a hyped prospect that can get the job done in the starting rotation, but the Diamondbacks currently do not have a rotation spot open for him, so he was sent back down to the minors after working some relief efforts at the major league level.

But a starting rotation spot could soon be coming for the young pitcher.  Micah Owings is currently supporting a 5.18 ERA on the season and has pitched terribly after starting the season off to a good note.  Through his first 10 starts, Owing was 6-2 with a 3.73 ERA.  But he has since gone down hill; and in his last start, he allowed a season-high seven earned runs to the Kansas City Royals.  A roster spot could open up by injury as well.  Randy Johnson isn’t prone to a disabled list stint here and there.

If he is already owned or want another option to keep tabs on, Francisco Liriano might be who you need.  Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has hinted that a promotion will come sooner than later, setting a deadline before the all-star break as a possibility.  However, there appears to be no open rotation spot, and the team will no longer use him as a reliever as they did earlier in the season.  He currently has a 3.94 ERA at the AAA level, but he has vastly improved those numbers over his last few outings.  Go get him and stash him if you are in need of pitching help and can do without a player for a week or two.

Fantasy Matters is your source for free fantasy baseball information every Thursday.  Have a fantasy question or just need a second opinion?  Sent it to aroundthenationsports@gmail.com for advise.

A Look Around the MLB: Is this the year for the Cubs?

The Cubs will miss Alfonso Soriano in the short term but could this be the team that ends the World Series winning drought? (AFP/Getty Images/File/Lisa Blumenfeld)

By Harold McIlvain II

The year 1908 was a good one for the Chicago Cubs organization.

It capped off back-to-back championship campaigns against Detroit and it had fans forgetting the past World Series upset from the crosstown rival White Sox in 1906.

The team has had its opportunities since that promising year, but championships have evaded the Cubs since that title in 1908.  Could this be the year that the Cubs snap the 100-year drought that has plagued the franchise and its fans?

The team took a small step back with the loss of Alfonso Soriano for four to six weeks, but the team is still sporting baseball’s best record (45-25) heading into today’s action.

The .283 average, team leading 15 home runs and 40 RBI production will be missed from Soriano, no doubt.  But the team has done a great job overall at the plate that it could survive the summer months without its lead off man.

The Cubs are No. 1 in batting average (.283), No. 1 in on-base percentage (.361) and third in on-base plus slugging (.803) this year.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez is having his usual offense production (.300/48 R/10 HR/45 RBI) and Ryan Theriot his displaying his potential at the plate with his .310 average, 42 runs, 18 RBI and 13 stolen base.

But key additions have been all the difference this year for the team.

Japanese free agent signing Kosuke Fukudome has been true to his hype so far, as he is hitting .293 with 46 runs, five home runs and 29 RBI.  He also has 45 walks and six stolen base.

Fukudome has provided that everyday left handed bat the team has needed to make the line up a powerful force from both sides of the plate.  Lefty Jim Edmonds, recently picked up off waivers from the Padres, has been a contributor, too, as he is hitting .309 with four runs and 14 RBI in 22 games.

The Cubs are No. 2 (.296) in average, No. 1 in on-base (.383) and No. 1 in on-base plus slugging against left handed pitching this year.  The team finished No. 26 last year in on-base percentage (.325).

Rookie catcher Geovany Soto was primed to make a pretty big impact this year but perhaps not this big of an impact.  The backstop is hitting .288 with 25 runs, 11 homers and 42 RBI.  He has helped the team crush southpaws this year, hitting .344 for the year.  But the most important impact he has made is handling the pitching staff.

The Cubs starting pitching has been phenomenal this year as the staff is No. 6 in starting pitching ERA (3.85) this year.

Staff ace Carlos Zambrano leads the staff with a 8-2 record and 2.98 ERA in 15 starts this year.  He was a little shaky last year, but a healthy (physically and mentally) Big Z is something the Cubs will need when primed for postseason action.

Zambrano is even helping his own cause at the plate, going 17-for-47 (.362) at the plate this year.

Converted reliever Ryan Dempster has been a big acquisition to the starting staff.  On the year, Dempster (8-2) has a 2.81 ERA in 14 starts this year with 75 strike outs and 35 walks.  He also sports a .185 batting average allowed.

And after a terrible start to the season (9.95 ERA after three starts), Ted Lilly (7-5) has turned things around to help secure the back end of the rotation.  Jason Marquis is doing a serviceable job, as he as a 5-3 record and a 4.24 ERA.

The bullpen is another key for continued success for the Cubs this year, as it No. 6 in bullpen ERA with a 3.20.  Former starter Kerry Wood is back and still has his dominating stuff.  He is sporting a 2.65 ERA, 18 saves with 44 strike outs and just eight walks.

Carlos Marmol pitches crucial innings for the team, and he has done a great job this year.  He has a 2.09 ERA with 63 strike outs while allowing only 15 walks in 43 innings.

Michael Wuertz has stepped up his game this year, allowing a .245 batting average with a 2.73 ERA.

With such hot bats and solid pitching, the Cubs should be able to maintain winning games without Soriano, but he will be needed at his best when postseason play rolls around.  This team has World Series winning potential, but it could benefit greatly by picking up an additional pitcher during the trading deadline for a postseason run.

A Look Around the MLB, published every Tuesday, will take a look at a different team each week and discuss its current situation.

Weekend Update: Boston aim for title, Woods leads US Open

The Boston Celtics could win its first championship since 1986 tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Boston Globe Staff File Photo/Bill Greene)

By Harold McIlvain II

Heading into game five with a 3-1 lead, the Boston Celtics will attempt to pull away with championship No. 17 against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight on ABC at 8 p.m. CST.

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen could secure a NBA title tonight with a win for the first time since the triplet of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish did so in 1986.

Both teams experienced similar dominance in the regular season as the 1986 squad finished with a 67-15 record while this year’s Celtics finished 66-16.

But Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will look to spoil those thoughts by becoming the first team in NBA Finals history to come from behind while down three games to one.

“The series ain’t over,” Bryant said to the Associated Press. “It’s far from over.

“We’ve got to take care of business on Sunday. So what are we going to do? How am I going to get my teammates in the right frame of mind, make sure they’re energetic, and that’s what it’s been all about.”

Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers knows that with Bryant on the other team, his squad will need to take things one game at a time.

“We’re up 3-1 and we know we have a lot of basketball to play because Kobe is on that team,” Rivers said to the AP. “He’s the scariest player in the NBA in a lot of ways, so you’re fearful of him all the time. A respectful fear.”

The Celtics found itself down by 24 points at one point in game four, but the team didn’t give up. The team overcame the deficit and handed the Lakers its first home loss in the playoffs.

It was a legendary come back to put the Celtics in a great opportunity to win a title, and Pierce is focused in on just that.

“It’s definitely a great win, one that you’re going to put up there in the library and break back out one day for your kids to watch,” Pierce said to the AP. “But I want nothing more than that ring right now.”

Tiger leads by one heading into final round

Tiger Woods could not have asked for a better finish to his round Saturday.

Woods eagled No. 13, birdied No. 17 and eagled No. 18, knocking down a 30-foot putt to secure a one-stroke lead over Lee Westwood at the US Open.

Coverage begins on NBC at 2 p.m. CST while Woods is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. CST tee time.

Woods, playing in his first tournament since knee surgery, is feeling pain on certain shots every so often, but it hasn’t effected his overall play too much, as he shot a 70 Saturday.

“Is it getting worse? Yes, it is,” Woods said to the AP. “Certain shots, I’ll feel it. I can’t say it’s a drive, can’t say it’s a wedge. I’m not sure what shot it’s going to happen on.”

Contenders heading into the final round include Woods and Westwood, who also shot a 70 Saturday. But relatively unknown Rocco Mediate also has an opportunity to win the tournament.

Mediate is making minimal mistakes on the golf course (nine bogeys and one double bogey in three rounds) and using his putter to his advantage (top 15 in the field in putts required).

But the odds are against an under dog pulling away with a victory as Woods has never lost a major when starting the final round with a lead.

Mediate, who last won a tournament in 2002, knows that it will take a remarkable round to claim his first major.

“You never know,” he said to the AP. “But it’ll take something crazy.”

Spotlight: NBA Finals continue tonight on ABC

The Boston Celtics could be in trouble tonight if point guard Rajon Rondo isn’t available to play. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

By Harold McIlvain II

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers continue the NBA Finals tonight with game four on ABC at 8 p.m. CST.

But the 2-1 series leading Celtics could be without starting point guard Rajon Rondo, who has made little progress after spraining an ankle during the third quarter of game three.

Rondo did light work in practice Wednesday and his status for the game is questionable, but he assured that he would be on the court tonight.

“Nobody in this league is 100-percent, but I’m sure I’ll play,” he said to the Associated Press Wednesday. “There’s no way I’m going to miss the game, probably. I don’t want to hurt the team and go out there and not give it my all, but I think I’m sure I’ll be playing (tonight).”

With a question mark at the point guard position, the Celtics could turn to Sam Cassell and Eddie House to lead the team at the point.

In 26 minutes of play in the NBA Finals, Cassell has scored 11 points with four assists. His best effort was in game one when he scored eight with one assist and a steal.

Eddie House played 20 minutes in game three, scoring six while pulling down three rebounds and dishing two assists in his only NBA Final appearance.

Rondo said that he doesn’t want to hurt the team by playing if he isn’t ready to go since the team has capable point guards.

“(House) and (Cassell) do a great job of running the team, so I’ll let them have it (if I’m unable to go tonight),” he said to the Associated Press.

Rondo’s effort will not only be missed on the offensive end but on the other side of the ball.

“He’s very important to this team. He’s a big reason why we win,” Kevin Garnett said to the Associated Press. “He’s the anchor of our defense. He’s totally matured over the course of the year.”

Rondo has averaged10 points, seven assists two steals this year in the postseason.

Lakers look to regain team basketball

In game three it was the Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic show.

Bryant and Vujacic scored 56 points combined while no other Laker scored in double digits.

Odom scored four points while Gasol scored nine. But both players did contribute, as Odom finished with nine rebounds and four assists while Gasol finished with 12 rebounds and two assists.

Bryant assured that the team will find its offensive rhythm tonight and that he isn’t worried about Odom and Gasol.

“They’ll be fine,” Bryant said to the Associated Press. “We’re playing a great team. It’s not like it’s going to be easy for them. It’s a matter of them figuring out where those spots are going to be and attacking them. They’re both very smart, intelligent basketball players and they’ll be fine.”

Spotlight articles will take a look at one game per week that plans be aired by a major sports network or local regional network.

A Look Around the MLB: Sleepless in Seattle

The Seattle Mariners are falling back in the standings, but it isn’t because of Felix Hernandez. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

By Harold McIlvain II

A lot changes in a year.

The Seattle Mariners know that.

A year from today the Mariners (then 33-26) sat just four-and-a-half games out of first, chasing a surging Angles team that started the summer to a 40-24 fashion.

Now the Mariners are still looking up at the Angles, but the team is now 15.5 games back heading into today’s action with a 23-41 record.

This is far cry from a team that had expectations of winning the division.

Heading into the season, the Mariners acquired lefty starter Erik Bedard to push 21-year-old Felix Hernandez out of the top spot in the rotation.

But Hernandez was soon put back in the ace role because of an injury to Bedard, who was placed on the disabled list.

Getting Bedard was a good move even though it cost the team prospect Adam Jones, but he is pitching worse than he did when he pitched in the slugging AL-East. In those 11 starts, Bedard is 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 61.1 innings. Last year for the Baltimore Orioles, he started 28 games, finishing with a 13-5 record and a 3.16 ERA in 182 innings.

And starting pitching has been a big problem for Seattle this year. Sitting at No. 27 in the league, the Mariners’ starting pitching staff has a 5.10 ERA.

Hernandez has not been a part of the problem this year, as he has a 3.07 ERA and a .230 batting average allowed in 88 innings this year.

As bad as the pitching has been, the hitting has been worse. Seattle currently sits dead last in on-base percentage and No. 27 in the league in runs scored. The team hasn’t displayed too much plate discipline this year either. The team has struck out 337 times while walking just 178 times this year.

And even when the runners do get in scoring position Seattle is unable to drive them home, as the team is hitting .230 with ducks on the pond, dead last in the league.

Things are not appearing to heat up either. For the month of May, Seattle was still last in on-base percentage and was second to last in runs scored.

The only thing that appears to be heating up are the tirades and the coaching changes (recently fired hitting coach).

Ichiro sets the table for the Seattle offense, but he hasn’t been hitting the way he has in the past. His .291 average isn’t a problem, but it is off pace from his .331 career average. Or with his .351 average last year.

Jose Lopez has done a good job this year hitting .302, but the team around him has been a disappointment at the plate.

Kenji Johjima has shown he can hit for a good average (.287 and .291 last two years), but he has looked lost at the plate, hitting .224 for the season.

Raul Ibanez was hitting for.305 on May 16, but his average has since plummeted to .261 for the year. Ibanez didn’t help his average with a 20-for-93 (.215 average) run at the plate in the last month.

Seattle signed Brad Wilkerson to a $3 million, one-year contract to help replace the departing Jose Guillen, who hit .299 with 23 home runs and 99 RBI last year for Mariners. The team was in talks of acquiring Bedard, so signing an outfielder would open prospect Adam Jones to be traded.

Guillen is hitting .269 with 28 runs, 11 home runs and 48 RBI this season for Kansas City, and in the last month he is hitting .351.

But Wilkerson, who has avoided the disabled list, has played in 19 games for the team this year, hitting .232 in 56 at bats.

This season might be over for the Mariners, but the team has a young core (Bedard, Hernandez, prospect outfielder Wladimir Balentien and catching prospect Jeff Clement) that could bounce Seattle back in the runnings for a play off spot for the next few years.

Looking toward the future, the team might think about converting Brandon Morrow back to a starting pitcher. In 20 appearances this year, Morrow has a 1.13 ERA with 23 strike outs and seven walks. He has allowed a .197 average against hitters.

Morrow, the team’s fifth overall selection in the 2006 MLB Draft, has been a starter in the past but was fast tracked through the minors and is now a reliever. He has dominating stuff that could make him a franchise closer, but the team signed current closer J.J. Putz to a three-year deal in 2007.

A Look Around the MLB, published every Tuesday, will take a look at a different team each week and discuss its current situation.

Weekend Update: Forsythe headlines draft for Hogs

The Arkansas Razorbacks have lost two player because of the MLB First Year Player Draft this year. But will there be more?

By Harold McIlvain II

The Arkansas Razorback baseball team will lose two players with eligibility left for next year, but it also might lose current commits to Arkansas as well because of the MLB first year player Draft.

Third baseman Logan Forsythe, drafted No. 45 overall by the San Diego Padres, and pitcher Cliff Springston, taken in the 11th round by the Texas Rangers, have confirmed they will not return to the team next year.

Current Arkansas commits drafted on the first day of the Draft include Tyler Sample by the Kansas City Royals in the third round, Braeden Schlehuber by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round and Colby Shreve by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round.

Sample is a right handed pitcher from Elizabeth, Colo., who was ranked the No. 42 prospect entering the draft by Baseball America.

Schlehuber, a junior college transfer from Southern Nevada, could help secure catching depth for the team and be productive at the plate, as he hit .332 with 43 runs, 42 RBI and five home runs this year.

Shreve, another junior college transfer from Southern Nevada, is a right handed pitcher who finished the year with a 5-1 record and a 2.30 ERA in 47 innings pitched. He allowed only 23 hits (.146 average) while striking out 43 and walking 20 this year.

Bobby Bundy, selected in the 8th by the Orioles, Seth Gardner selected in the 13th round by the Pirates, Zach Cox selected by the Dodgers in round 20, J.T. Forrest, a junior college transfer, selected in the round of 32 by the Pirates, James McCann selected by the White Sox and Bo Bringham selected in the 40th round by the Tigers were all potential Hogs drafted in the second day of the Draft.

Seniors Jeff Nut, picked in the 25th round by the Yankees, and Aaron Murphree, who was selected by the Padres in round No. 27, will continue their respective careers playing professional ball.

Arkansas lost nine players to the Draft last year but might only lose two this year, depending on if any Razorback commit wants to turn pro.

The team will lack next year the hitting services of Forsythe, who hit .353 with 41 runs, 33 RBI and seven home runs this year.

Arkansas’ biggest problem this year will take a blow next year without Springston, who was 5-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 87.2 innings of work this year.

Arkansas finished the season with a 4.92 ERA this year, which ranked it No. 9 in the Southeastern Conference.

Arkansas announces schedule

Arkansas announced that the 56-game baseball schedule will feature 32 home games and will feature some of the more difficult opponents Arkansas has ever put on one schedule, Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said.

“When I look at the 2008 schedule I sometimes shake my head and ask, ‘what have I done’ because this is the toughest schedule that maybe Arkansas has ever had, ” Van Horn said on the team Web site. “You throw in our 30 SEC games and then add mid-week games at Nebraska and at Arizona State, we are going to find out how good we are. “

The schedule will also feature games at Texas A&M.

Because of the NCAA moving the start of the season next year back by two to three weeks, Van Horn said the team will have to play 25 games in the first five and a half weeks of the season.

Opening day at Baum Stadium is set for Friday, Feb. 22, when Arkansas faces Wright State in a three-game series.