In 144 games, Scutaro set career-highs in batting average (.282), on-base percentage (.379), slugging percentage (.409), homers (12), RBIs (60), runs (100), doubles (35), walks (90) and stolen bases (14). That was an impressive feat considering that he’s gotten regular at-bats the previous five seasons.

Although he was primarily a shortstop for the Blue Jays, he’s able to play multiple positions. As a result, certain teams are going after him with the idea that he’ll be a full-time player at a different position — such as third base.

Teams interesting in Scutaro include the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. Even though he’s 34, Scutaro is likely to get a multi-year deal worth a good amount of money. It’ll be interesting to see if the native of Venezuela can build off his career year.

Marco Scutaro will be a sought after free agent (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Ryan Howard started the momentum for Philadelphia. His two-run triple in the bottom of the first inning opened the gates. When it was all said and done, the Phillies had handed the Dodgers an 11-0 thrashing.

Howard and Shane Victorino finished with three RBIs, while Jayson Werth had two. Every starter for the Phillies scored — including pitcher Cliff Lee.

Speaking of Lee, he was tremendous. In eight innings, he gave up three hits and no walks while striking out ten batters. The Dodgers, on the other hand, saw starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda last only 1.1 innings.

The two teams play again on Monday. Randy Wolf will be on the hill for L.A., while Joe Blanton toes the rubber for Philly.

Ryan Howard - Philadelphia Phillies (Image: Zuma Press)

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After James Loney hit a solo shot in the second inning, the Phillies responded by putting up five runs in the fifth. Three of the runs came on the Ruiz homer, while Ryan Howard added a two-run double. The Dodgers were able to close the gap to 5-4 but then Ibanez authored his three-run blast in the eighth.

In the bottom of the ninth, Brad Lidge was able to pick up his third straight save in the postseason. He gave up a hit to begin the inning but then was able to induce a double play.

Cole Hamels, who was amazing last year in the playoffs, picked up the win despite a so-so effort. In 5.1 innings, he gave up eight hits and four earned runs. Clayton Kershaw got the loss after giving up five earned runs in 4.2 innings.

Game 2 will be played on Friday and will pit Pedro Martinez against Vicente Padilla.

Brad Lidge and Carlos Ruiz celebrate the Game 1 win (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

The ALCS should be extremely exciting. Both teams have very powerful lineups with a lot of star power. In fact, the Yankees and Angels ranked one and two in all of Major League Baseball in runs scored.

What will decide the ALCS? It will most likely come down to starting pitching. And though the Yankees probably have the best starter (C.C. Sabathia), the Angels have more depth and they have a number of pitchers throwing very well. With that said, I predict the Angels to win the ALCS.

In the NLCS, the Phillies and their powerful bats will try to topple the pitching of the Dodgers. No team gave up less runs this year than the Dodgers, while the Phillies led the National League in runs.

Who will win? I just think that the Phillies have too many dangerous bats to ignore. Their weakness in pitching — both starters and the bullpen — is worrisome, but I predict Philadelphia to win the NLCS.

The Phillies are predicted to advance to the World Series again (Image: Zuma Press)

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After Ryan Ludwick hit a single to put the St. Louis Cardinals up 1-0, the Dodgers got a two-run blast from Matt Kemp — and never trailed again. Los Angeles ended up winning the ballgame 5-3.

Chris Carpenter, who is likely to win the 2009 NL Cy Young Award, didn’t fair well. In five innings, he gave up nine hits, four walks and four earned runs. Randy Wolf, the starter for the Dodgers, wasn’t much better. In 3.2 innings, he gave up six hits, five walks and two earned runs.

Game 2 of this series is Thursday. In an intruiging pitching matchup, Adam Wainwright takes on Clayton Kershaw. Wainwright had one of the best seasons in all of baseball and Kershaw is regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in recent history.

Matt Kemp was the hero for the Dodgers (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

1. New York Yankees
After a rough start to their 2009 campaign, the Yankees have easily been the best team in baseball. As of late, they look like the clear cut World Series favorite.

2. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have been good for most of the season but right now they are playing especially well. If they can keep getting good pitching, Albert Pujols could supply enough runs by himself.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers got off to a very good start but it’s starting to look like they may have peaked too early. They need to catch a second wind to make a late push and get some momentum.

4. Los Angeles Angels
At the plate, the Angels don’t have any issues. They can score runs in their sleep. Pitching is the question mark that they will have to overcome.

5. Philadelphia Phillies
While they don’t always look elite, the Phillies can’t be overlooked right now. They obviously have the World Series experience that is very important at this time of year.

Can the Phillies win the World Series again in 2009? (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers make a lot of sense. They could use help in the starting rotation and they offer Smoltz a chance to play for a legitimate World Series contender.

Texas Rangers
If Smoltz wants to stay in the American League, the Rangers appear to be the team most interested. The Rangers recently released Vicente Padilla and could use Smoltz’s leadership.

Retirement
It’s very possible for Smoltz to simply hang up his glove. He’s a proud player and if he just doesn’t have it anymore, the 42-year-old will admit it.

Minor Leagues
The Red Sox haven’t counted out the possibility of staying in their organization. Smoltz may head to the minor leagues to figure out what is wrong and why he has a 8.33 ERA this season.

John Smoltz Destinations and Rumors (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

1) Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have been the best team virtually all season. We’ll they have cooled off a bit as of late, they have a relatively safe lead in the National League.

2) Los Angeles Angels
After a tragedy filled beginning to the 2009 baseball season, the Angels are now clicking on all cylinders. They’ve won eight games in a row and should cruise to another AL West title.

3) New York Yankees
All that money the Yankees spent in the offseason to bring in Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett seems to be paying off.

4) Boston Red Sox
Although the Red Sox have been up and down lately, they still are arguably the last team anyone in the American League wants to see come playoff time.

5) Philadelphia Phillies
The defending World Series champions appear to be one of the two best teams in the National League. At the plate, the Phillies are as deadly as any team in the major leagues.

Can the Phillies do it again? (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers held on with Manny Ramirez out of the lineup. Now that he’s returned from his suspension, the Dodgers will be difficult to stop.

2. Boston Red Sox
Although they’ve cooled off as late, the Red Sox are the one team no one in the American League wants to see in the playoffs. With their pitching improving, they’ll be a tough out in the postseason.

3. New York Yankees
All that money is starting to figure out how to win. Since Alex Rodriguez returned, the Yankees have been elite.

4. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are trying to get past their emotional start to the season. As the campaign goes along, expect L.A. to grow their lead in the AL West.

5. San Francisco Giants
The Giants are the surprise team in baseball. They have great pitching — lead by Tim Lincecum. If they get enough hits, they’ll be in the race for the duration.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Prior to being suspended due to testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, Ramirez was off to a fast start. In 27 games, Ramirez had six homers, 20 RBIs, 22 runs, nine doubles, a batting average of .348 and an on-base percentage of .492.

The 37-year-old outfielder will return to the team with the best record in all of baseball. At 50-29, the Dodgers already have a 7.5 game lead over the second place San Francisco Giants in the NL West.

Expect Ramirez to go right back into the middle of the Dodgers’ lineup. While they are good without him, Ramirez turns Los Angeles into a legit World Series championship contender.

And even though his first game back is technically a road game, expect many Dodgers fan to take the trip south to San Diego.

Manny Ramirez Returns to Action (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve