Introductions? We don’t need no stinkin’ introductions. Here are your games for a Friday:
American League

Mariners at Blue Jays, 4:07 p.m. PT — This is the only weekend series in the AL that features two winning teams. You’ve also got the whole “battle of ‘77 expansion teams” going in this one. Whatever happened to Leroy Stanton and Otto Velez, anyway?

National League

Mets at Braves, 4:35 p.m. PT — The Mets just got swept in Philadelphia and now lead the Phillies by a mere 2 games. The Braves, for their part, are only 4 1/2 back in the NL East. If the Mets …read more

I have to admit, I’m not a fan of the All-Star game. That said, the notion that Sammy Sosa, a designated hitter who can’t crack an 800 OPS while playing half his games in Arlington, might make the American League squad offends me more than a little bit.
Mark Teixeira would be the obvious choice to represent the Rangers, but he’s hurt. Pitchers? Not the rotation — nobody has an ERA under 5.90. Okay, then, reward Akinori Otsuka for his fine 2006 season. Or Eric Gagne for mostly staying healthy. Or ditch the rule that says every team has to be …read more