South Florida Continues to Disappoint

Can we ever take South Florida seriously as a Big East contender year in and year out? Every time South Florida enters the rankings, it seems as if the team loses the very next week and is unable to prove the skeptics wrong. Last year, the Bulls climbed all the way to second in the nation before losing three in a row. This season, the Bulls started 5-0 and were ranked tenth in the country, but have now lost three of their last four games. I love the tenacity and the moxy of Matt Grothe, but the QB threw three interceptions last night in a 24-10 loss to Cincinnati. Grothe now has seven picks in his last two games against the Bearcats, who beat a ranked opponent for the fourth time since last season and have defeated the Bulls three straight times. The worst part for Grothe is that he lost to a guy playing with a broken arm. Bearcats QB Tony Pike, despite wearing a soft cast on his non-throwing left forearm, completed 20-of-28 passes for 281 yards and a couple of touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the Big East. I really thought that the Kansas victory earlier in the season would propel the Bulls to the Big East title, but it could be these tenacious Bearcats--undergoing a QB carousel all season long--that come out on top at the end. The no-huddle spread attack employed by coach Brian Kelly is giving teams fits--and giving AD's across the nation looking for a football coach a reason to give this guy a call.

Phantastic Phillies Capture World Title

Finally, the Philadelphia Phillies captured a world championship for the city of Philadelphia again. In one of the most bizarre final games of a baseball season, the Phillies won a three-night extravaganza 4-3 over the Tampa Bay Rays, exuding a mental toughness that they have displayed throughout the postseason. Shrugging off past playoff disappointments, the Phillies won 24 of their final 30 games to close the regular season and continued their stellar play through October, never losing a home playoff game to become the first team since the 1999 Yankees to accomplish the feat. It was the city of Philadelphia's first major championship for any pro sports teams since the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers claimed the NBA crown.

Phillies, Rays Hope to Continue Series Tonight

The Philadelphia Phillies will finally--hopefully--be able to attempt to earn the franchise's second World Series championship in its 125-year history and first since 1980 tonight when they resume their series with the Tampa Bay Rays. The weather is still dreary in Philly with strong, heavy winds, but the teams are expected to be able to continue their game that began on Monday night. The one thing we know for certain is that Cole Hamels and Scott Kazmir will not be returning to the mound to restart the game, though Hamels is due up for the Phils in the bottom of the sixth. In all likelihood, we will see a relief pitcher throw the "first pitch" to a pinch hitter in what has been one of the most unique World Series in recent memory.

By the way, did the NBA season really open up last night?

Willingham Out As Huskies Head Coach

Two days after falling to 0-7, Tyrone Willingham was fired as Washington's head football coach effective at the end of the season. The Huskies were coming off a 33-7 home dismantling at the hands of Notre Dame, the team Willingham previously coached for three seasons before coming to Seattle with hopes of restoring the program to national prominence. But Willingham could not break through and resurrect the program. Since the Huskies defeated Boise State to move to 2-0 in 2007, Washington is just 2-16 in its last 18 games. He never surpassed five wins in a season, and the Huskies have also lost 13 of their past 15 home games as attendance has dwindled at Huskie Stadium while the boo-birds have increased.

Georgia and Florida meet this Saturday afternoon in (oops, I'm gonna say it) The World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville with both teams peaking at just the right time. Georgia absolutely dominated LSU this past weekend, scoring 54 points at Tiger Stadium and thoroughly outplaying the defending national champions. Florida has really hit its stride, though, as Jeffery Demps and Chris Rainey are finally providing Tim Tebow with backfield options he can count on. The Gators are also seeking revenge for the end zone celebration after the Dawgs' first touchdown last season, so there's no question that both teams will be fired up for this one. I think the Gators have too much firepower for a defense that misses too many tackles, and the young Georgia offensive line still scares me. The winner most certainly will be playing Alabama for the SEC championship in December.

And wasn't there supposed to be a baseball game last night?

Penn State Clamps Down Against OSU

I know that everyone is penciling in Penn State for a spot in the BCS Championship Game now that the team has disposed of incumbent Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State, but I would caution against this as anything can happen in the Big Ten in November. While I think that the Nittany Lions have a great chance to run the table and finish as undefeated league champions, Kinnick Stadium is a very dangerous place to play anytime, albeit in November. Kirk Ferentz has his Iowa Hawkeyes playing some pretty good football, and there's no question that the black-and-gold clad fans will be at a fever pitch if an undefeated team is coming into town. Just don't take the Hawkeyes too lightly...

But it was great to see Joe Paterno finally able to take a Penn State team into Columbus and get a win. Since joining the conference in 1993, the Nittany Lions were 0-7 at the Horseshoe in Big Ten play.

Al Groh has done a masterful job of salvaging--and awakening--the season for his Virginia Cavaliers. The Cavs, who were slaughtered by USC, Duke and Connecticut this season, went into Atlanta and stole a huge game from Georgia Tech to move to 3-1 in the ACC and 5-3 overall. Could the Virginia Tech-UVA game at the end of the year be for a spot in the ACC Championship game? This is the same group of players that lost to 'SC 52-7, UConn 45-10 and Duke 31-3! Groh certainly has quieted his critics with this impressive four-game run led by returning tailback Cedric Peerman and suddenly pretty good quarterback Marc Verica.

After thoroughly dismantling the Kansas Jayhawks, Texas Tech will now host top-ranked and hated rival Texas on Saturday night, as Mike Leach's squad finally gets the chance to prove the doubters wrong and show that the Red Raiders deserve to be on the national stage. Graham Harrell had his usual big day with 386 yards passing and five touchdowns, but it was the dominant defense that made Todd Reesing look brutal that was the story on Saturday. The Red Raiders scored 49 straight points to dismantle the Jayhawks 63-21 in Lawrence. Texas Tech's Darcel McBath picked off three of Reesing's first four passes of the second half, single-handedly preventing any comeback hopes for a disappointing Kansas team coming off an Orange Bowl appearance.

Did anyone see that Navy did not attempt a pass in its 34-7 victory against SMU on Saturday? The academy became the first major college team in 11 years to not throw a single ball. Then again, can you blame 'em? Coming into the game, the team was fourth in the nation in rushing, averaging 296 yards per game. Against SMU, the Midshipmen ran 77 times for 404 yards. The last team to withold from throwing a pass was Ohio U. against Akron on October 25, 1997. Great stuff.

And not to forget about the World Series (but you see that football holds the key to my heart in October)...the Philadelphia Phillies are one win away from becoming World Series champions after Joe Blanton allowed just two runs in six innings in a 10-2 victory last night. Ryan Howard clubbed two home runs and drove in five and even Blanton himself went yard to put the Phils up 3-1 in the series with a potential series-clinching game tonight.

West Virginia Extends Misery for Auburn

Pat White threw three touchdowns, Noel Devine ran for a career-high 207 yards and West Virginia rallied from a 17-3 deficit to score 31 straight points and beat Auburn 34-17 last night in Morgantown. The Tigers, who fell to 4-4, managed just 33 second-half yards, were shut out over the final 40 minutes and now have a three-game losing streak for the first time since 1999, coach Tommy Tuberville's first season. The heat will certainly turn up on Tuberville, as the team still must navigate its way through a brutal SEC and is in danger of finishing below .500. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers may have just saved their season with an inspired second-half performance, displaying the kind of explosive offense we have been accustomed to seeing in recent years.

On Saturday night in Tempe, Dennis Erickson's disappointing Arizona State Sun Devils look to avoid a five-game losing streak against the high-powered Oregon Ducks. At 2-4, ASU is in must-win mode. The Sun Devils rank third-to-last nationally in rushing and will look to senior tailback Keegan Herring to provide a boost, as he will start for the first time this season.

If you haven't had a chance to see Boise State in action yet, tonight is a great opportunity to do so, as the BCS-busting Broncos will visit San Jose State in a matchup of the top two teams in the WAC. Kellen Moore has played exceptionally well for the Broncos, quarterback has become a position of stability for the Broncos no matter who steps in for a graduating senior...and they of course still have tailback Ian Johnson.

The last two times Boise visited San Jose State, the Broncos nearly lost their quests for undefeated seasons. In 2004, they needed two overtimes before escaping with a seven-point victory. Two seasons ago--the year they beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl--they scored 10 points in the final six minutes to win 23-20.

On the baseball beat, James Shields pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in outdueling Brett Myers and the Tampa Bay Rays salvaged a split of the first two games of the World Series in Tampa. Games Three and Four are scheduled for this weekend in Philadelphia.

Hamels Continues Dominance, Phils Up 1-0

Cole Hamels continued to be the best pitcher in the 2008 playoffs and Chase Utley homered in his first World Series at-bat as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 last night to capture Game One of the Fall Classic. Hamels allowed just two runs in seven innings and Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge were perfect in relief as the Phils opened up a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Ten of the last 11 winners of Game One have gone on to win the World Series.

Scott Kazmir found himself in multiple jams during his six innings of work for Tampa, but managed to allow just three runs on six hits and four walks. The Rays' offense could not get untracked, with their best opportunity against Hamels coming in the third. The Rays loaded the bases with one out, but B.J. Upton hit into a double play to end the threat. Upton left five men on base in the game.

The Rays now find themselves down 1-0 as they were after Game 1 of the ALCS, so they certainly have proved before that they can rally under adversity. James Shields will take the hill for the Rays against Philadelphia's Brett Myers tonight in Game Two.

Phillies, Rays Open Fall Classic Tonight

The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays open the 2008 World Series tonight in St. Petersburg, as red-hot Cole Hamels takes the mound against fellow lefty Scott Kazmir. The Rays own home-field advantage in the Fall Classic due to the American League once again winning the All-Star Game in July. The Rays will host Games One and Two and Games Six and Seven--if necessary.

Both teams are looking to finish storybook seasons on the brightest of notes, as the Rays never had a winning record in their first 10 years of existence, while the Phillies are trying to win their first world championship since 1980 after failing to win in 1983 and 1993. Perhaps Game One is more important for the Phillies, as the squads in '83 and '93 lost Game One while the eventual champs in '80 were able to take Game One en route to the title.

Patriots Finally Look Dominant Once Again

It's really hard to figure out the Denver Broncos. You see the talent on the paper, yet when you watch the games you see a squad that just hasn't quite figured it all out. Last night on Monday Night Football in Foxborough, the Broncos fell behind 20-0 at the half and eventually 34-0 before Jay Cutler found Daniel Graham for a ten-yard score early in the fourth to get the team on the board in an eventual 41-7 thrashing at the hands of the Patriots. The team with the league's worst pass defense also can't stop the run, and I just don't see how this team can make the playoffs while playing so sloppy and lifeless. It won't get any easier for the Broncos, as both Champ and Boss Bailey left the game with injuries in the first half. The loss was the third in the last four games for the reeling Broncos.

Meanwhile, Matt Cassel played the best game of his young career, perhaps easing some of the lingering doubts of Patriots Nation as to whether or not he could suitably lead the Pats into the playoffs minus the Golden Boy. Cassel tossed three touchdowns and received help from backup running back Sammy Morris, who rushed for 138 of the team's 257 yards in place of injured Laurence Maroney, and New England's defense suddenly didn't look so old anymore, as the unit forced five turnovers. It'll be interesting to see if this game jump-starts the Patriots' season and whether or not the Broncos can rebound from this dismantling on national television.

Rays Advance to Franchise's First World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays advanced to the World Series with a thrilling 3-1 Game Seven victory over the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS on Sunday night at Tropicana Field. Matt Garza, who was named ALCS MVP, was magnificent, striking out nine in seven innings and only giving up a single run. Jon Lester took the hard-luck loss, tossing seven frames and giving up all three Rays runs while striking out eight.

Tampa's David Price, the 23-year-old rookie left-hander, looked like The Next Big Thing in major league baseball, striking out J.D. Drew to end the eighth and retiring Mark Kotsay and Jason Varitek on strikes in the ninth before inducing a forceout from Jed Lowrie to end the game. The Rays will meet the Philadelphia Phillies in Game One of the World Series on Wednesday night in Tampa.

This just in: The Dallas Cowboys looked really awful yesterday afternoon. The St. Louis Rams embarassed the 'Boys 34-14, as Brad Johnson threw three interceptions and looked terrible in the first half en route to the Rams taking command of the game 24-7. With Tony Romo out--along with Pacman and Felix Jones--and an unhappy T.O., this looks like a possible combustible situation in Big D.

Finally, we will find out a lot about the Indianapolis Colts a week from tonight when Peyton & Co. go into Tennessee to take on the unbeaten Titans. The Colts have not shown any rhythm on offense this season and continue to play sloppy defense, two uncharacteristic traits of a team looking to rebound from a disappointing finish to last season.

Red Sox Stave Off Elimination, Beat Rays 8-7

The Boston Red Sox came back from a 7-0 defecit in the seventh inning and staved off elimination in the ALCS by downing the Tampa Bay Rays 8-7 last night, becoming the first team to rally from seven or more runs down when facing postseason elimination.

After Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, Ortiz launched a three-run homer against Grant Balfour, cutting the margin to three runs at 7-4 and giving Sawx fans renewed hope. Ortiz finally produced a big hit, as Big Papi hit his first home run in 15 games and 61 postseason at-bats. J.D. Drew then went yard against Dan Wheeler, a two-run shot to pull to within one. A Coco Crisp game-tying RBI single set the stage for Drew to hit the walk-off single that ended the game.

I know Joe Maddon is taking a lot of heat today for pulling Scott Kazmir, but the guy threw 111 pitches, and I don't find it fair that the unquestioned AL Manager of the Year is being doubted with his team still in an enviable position to advance to the World Series. The Rays still have a 3-2 lead in the series with James Shields taking the mound in Game Six in Tampa. Blowing a 7-0 lead is quite brutal, don't get me wrong, but the Rays' bullpen had been a strength all year, and Kazmir has not been a pitcher that fares well when being extended deep into a game. Certainly, the Red Sox seem to have a knack for keeping things interesting in the postseason.

Phillies Best Dodgers, Advance to World Series

The Philadelphia Phillies earned a return ticket to the World Series last night for the first time since 1993, as Cole Hamels turned in another dominant performance in a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Just as he did in the clinching game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a homer, and the Phillies were off and running from there. With the NLCS MVP on the mound, it was lights out for the Dodgers. The lefty pitched seven innings of five-hit ball, allowing just one run and striking out five.

The Phillies will be making their sixth appearance in the Fall Classic, and the franchise will be looking for its second championship. A Phillies title would end a 25-year championship drought for the city's four major sports, as no professional team in Philadelphia has won it all since the 76ers won the NBA title in 1983.

The loss ends a great run by a Dodgers team that was not even expected to advance into the playoffs. Aided by a terrible collapse by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers won only 88 games en route to capturing the NL West. But they pulled together in September behind a stingy pitching staff and an offensive resurgence led by Manny Ramirez, and the team was able to dominate it series with the Cubs en route to a three-game sweep. The team will now turn its attention to resigning Manny Ramirez, who is reportedly seeking a four-to-five year HUGE deal.

So will the Phillies find out tonight who their opponent will be in the Fall Classic? The Tampa Bay Rays have a chance to close out their ALCS series with the Boston Red Sox tonight in Fenway Park, as Scott Kazmir--not James Shields--will throw against Daisuke Matsuzaka. Something tells me this series is going back to Tampa.

Rays Push Red Sox to the Brink

The Tampa Bay Rays throttled the Boston Red Sox once again last night at Fenway Park, pounding knuckleballer Tim Wakefield for five runs and three homers in 2 2/3 innings en route to a 13-4 victory to take a 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series. Evan Longoria clubbed his rookie-record fifth homer of the postseason, and Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar also went deep for the Rays, who are within one victory of their first World Series appearance in franchise history. Andy Sonnanstine was steady again for the Rays, tossing 7 1/3 innings and allowing just three earned runs, while Carl Crawford went 5-for-5, scored three runs and drove in two to send the Rays to a comfortable lead in the series with Game Five on Thursday at Fenway.

Spring NFL football? League owners in St. Petersburg are reportedly discussing with commissioner Roger Goodell the possibility of playing exhibition games during the spring, much like colleges hold their spring games. Terrible idea. Doesn't the annual April NFL Draft provide enough media attention for these franchises? This idea will never come into fruition.

And finally, the Detroit Lions finally traded away disgruntled wideout Roy Williams, shipping him to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-, third- and sixth-rounder in 2009. The Lions will also give up a seventh-round pick in 2010. Of course, Jerry Jones then gave Williams a five-year extension worth around $45 million, including more than $20 million guaranteed, as Jones believes that Williams can be a game-breaker opposite Terrell Owens and Owens' potential replacement.

This could end up being a huge trade for the Lions' franchise. With two first-round picks, a second- and two third-rounders in the upcoming draft, a roster with holes at nearly every position could begin to be restocked by the incoming GM. This is a must-offseason for the Ford family and the Lions, who will be setting up the future of the franchise with their selection of GM, presumable new head coach and 2009 draft talent to go along with active pursuit in the free agent market.

Goodell Gobbles Up Pacman

The rain has stopped in Dallas. At least for four weeks. Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones was suspended on Tuesday by commissioner Roger Goodell for at least four games for his most recent violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Jones reportedly was involved in an alcohol-related incident at a Dallas hotel on October 8th, where he scuffled with one of his bodyguards. Goodell will decide after the team's game against Washington in Week 11 whether or not to reinstate Jones.

When Goodell reinstated Jones from suspension before the regular season began, sources said one of the commissioner's conditions for Jones to remain an active player was that he remain in compliance with all aspects of his three-year probation from when he pleaded no contest last February to a felony in Fayette County, Ga. This violation comes at a time when the Cowboys can ill afford any distractions, as the team is playing in the toughest division in football with the highest of expectations for the season.

Goodell also said his decision on whether Jones can return to play will be based on Jones' strict compliance with the NFL and the Cowboys in relation to treatment plans and evaluations by clinical experts.

Really folks, raise your hands if you did not see this coming...

Bowden Fired; Romo Breaks Finger

ACC championship-favorite Clemson fired football coach Tommy Bowden on Monday, four days after the Tigers fell to Wake Forest and dropped to 3-3. Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Dabo Swinney was named interim coach for the final six regular-season games.

Clemson never seemed to recover from a 24-point opening game loss to Alabama. After the loss to Wake, senior QB Cullen Harper was benched as the expected high-powered Tigers offense never materialized. An inexperienced offensive line troubled Harper all season along with the Thunder and Lightning pairing of James Davis and C.J. Spiller.

Bowden, who signed a huge extension after the 2007 season, was in his tenth season at Clemson, and many expected the Tigers to contend for the ACC title. Ranked ninth in the AP preseason poll, the Tigers were routed by Alabama 34-10 in the Georgia Dome. The Tigers then lost to Maryland at home and again to Wake Forest to drop its record to 1-2 in the ACC.

Bowden finished 72-45 and coached in eight bowl games at Clemson.

On the NFL beat, Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo broke his right pinkie on Sunday and could be out for up to four weeks. The injury occurred on the first play of overtime in Dallas' 30-24 loss at Arizona. Romo, who has started 30 consecutive regular-season games for the Cowboys, will not need surgery. 40-year old Brad Johnson will assume the starting quarterback duty for the 'Boys. Romo, who has thrown for 14 TD's with 5 INT's on the season, should actually only miss three games as Dallas has an upcoming bye. Johnson, in his second year with the Cowboys, has seen only mop-up duty in Dallas, going 7-for-11 for 79 yards.

By the way, are Brian Urlacher and Tommie Harris still playing for the Bears?

Hamels Pitches Phils to Game One Win

The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays begin their American League Championship Series tonight in Tampa, as Daisuke Matsuzaka will oppose James Shields in a battle of right-handed hurlers. Don't expect the bad blood between these teams to carry over to this series, as both teams are intent on focusing on balls and strikes.

On the National League side last night, Derek Lowe was brilliant through five innings before surrendering solo home runs to Chase Utley and Pat Burrell as the Phillies took Game One of the NLCS 3-2. The team that led the National League in home runs went deep twice against a pitcher known for his tendency to keep baseballs in the park. While Lowe gave up the two blasts, Cole Hamels was simply filthy for Philly. Hamels struck out eight in seven innings and allowed just two runs as the Phillies opened up a 1-0 lead in the series.

A huge weekend is upon us in the Big 12, as top-five heavyweights Oklahoma and Texas are set to battle in the Red River Shootout, while conference brethren Missouri and Oklahoma State will duke it out later in the day in Columbia. Quarterback play will be the focus for both of these games, as Sam Bradford of Oklahoma matches up against Colt McCoy of Texas, while the unflappable Chase Daniel squares off against underrated Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State.

The big game of the week in the SEC will be played in Gainesville on Saturday night, where the Florida Gators look to stick around in the national picture by defeating defending champion LSU. Tigers lineman Ricky Jean-Francois has already provided some nice bulletin board material by saying that he will take out Tim Tebow. Not a good idea Ricky.

Dodgers Look To Stay Hot in Philly

The National League Championship Series begins tonight, as Derek Lowe takes the mound for the Dodgers against Cole Hamels and the Phillies in Philadelphia. I mentioned the starting pitching of the Dodgers yesterday, but the return of Rafael Furcal to full health has also been crucial to the late-season surge exhibited by L.A. His table-setting presence at the top of the lineup eases pressure on Russell Martin, and we saw just how effective he could be as he gave Carlos Zambrano fits in Game Two of the NLDS series against the Cubs. Besides Furcal, Manny Ramirez's presence has provided not only instant barrages of offense, but has helped Andre Ethier see better pitches and allowed him to find his stroke on his way towards a strong September. I do believe the Phillies will swing the bats better in this series, but Jimmy Rollins must be the catalyst at the top of the lineup because I don't think Charlie Manuel can rely on his big boppers to carry the load.

Starting Pitching Has Dodgers Primed

Twenty-five years later, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies meet again in the National League Championship Series. While the Phillies received some strong starting pitching efforts in their NLDS series with the Brewers, I give the edge slightly to the Dodgers in this series because of their own starting pitching. Derek Lowe is 4-0 in his last six postseason starts. and he was as excellent a pitcher in baseball in August and September. His hard sinker is beautiful and his slider has been on the last few months. Chad Billingsley has a moxy about him that I like, and Hiroki Kuroda was very good against the Phillies this season. And will the Phillies' offense be able to produce--Dodgers starting pitching aside?

Trail Blazers center Greg Oden made his NBA debut last night, playing his first game since the 2007 national championship game with Ohio State. Oden finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds in 20 minutes of play and looks to finally be healthy again. I've had reservations about Oden's chances for NBA success--and I know it was just a preseason NBA game--but the kid looked good. By the way, Rudy Fernandez looked good, too. Kevin Pritchard is building a really nice team in Portland that has a lot of versatility, size and skill.

Rays, Red Sox to Meet in ALCS

The Tampa Bay Rays won their American League Division Series, eliminating the Chicago White Sox in four games with a 6-2 win early Monday evening at U.S. Cellular Field. Rays center fielder B.J. Upton blasted two homers, and the Rays bullpen dominated once again, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing only one hit. Starter Andy Sonnanstine pitched into the sixth inning, expressing a calm demeanor on the mound while allowing only two solo homers. The White Sox offense never became untracked in the game, managing a meager four hits, including two solo home runs. Chicago's roller coaster season finally ended after winning three straight games against three different opponents to close out the regular season, including a one-game playoff with the Twins to decide the AL Central Champion.

Meanwhile, rookie Jed Lowrie stroked a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth to send the Boston Red Sox into the American League Championship Series against AL East rival Tampa Bay. Boston received seven more scoreless innings from Jon Lester, making it 14 ALDS innings without allowing an earned run for the southpaw. Game One of the ALCS will be played on Friday evening.

Sox Survive, Phils Advance

John Danks kept the White Sox season alive--again--pitching 6 2/3 gritty innings to help Chicago stave off elimination against the Tampa Bay Rays in their American League Division Series. Aided by production out of the lower part of the order, Danks handed the ball over to a steady bullpen with a 5-3 lead--and that's exactly where the game ended, forcing a Game Four today. Unheralded veteran journeyman DeWayne Wise once again was an offensive force for the Sox, doubling home two runs during a three-run fourth against Tampa starter Matt Garza to give the White Sox a 4-1 lead and breathing room for Danks. The southpaw was certainly the story once again on Sunday. After tossing eight shutout innings in Tuesday's AL Central tiebreaking win over the Twins, Danks struck out seven and snatched some momentum from the Rays, who will now face Gavin Floyd this afternoon, as the right-hander looks to send the series back to Tampa for a Game Five.

The Philadelphia Phillies, meanwhile, advanced to their first National League Championship Series since 1993 with a 6-2 Game Four victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. The Phils jumped on veteran Jeff Suppan for five runs in three innings, and will now move on to play the surprising Los Angeles Dodgers, who stunningly swept the Cubs in the other NLDS. Mid-season pickup Joe Blanton was stellar again, allowing just one run in six innings with seven strikeouts, while Pat Burrell hit two home runs and knocked in four.

So the Phillies and Dodgers will have an extended break to rest before opeing their best-of-seven NL Championship Series on Thursday in Philadelphia. I still can't get over the fact that for the second straight postseason, the offense for the Chicago Cubs absolutely failed to show up. The Cubs came into the series with the NL's best average with runners in scoring position during the regular season. However, they batted just .179 (5-for-28) in such situations this series, while the Dodgers hit .333 (11-for-33) after struggling in this category all season long. I've said it before and I'll say it again: The Cubs will never win a postseason series with Alfonso Soriano leading off and Aramis Ramirez being looked upon as a go-to hitter. GM Jim Hendry has some serious tweaking to do to this roster in the offseason, although it'll have to be done with the impending sale of the team.

Windy City Blues As Sox, Cubs Fall

The Tampa Bay Rays opened up postseason play for the first time in franchise history in style Thursday afternoon in St. Petersburg, defeating the Chicago White Sox 6-4 in Game One of their American League Division Series. The Rays overcame a third-inning DeWayne Wise three-run homer behind two Evan Longoria blasts, a solid James Shield start and another commanding bullpen outing. The atmosphere at Tropicana Field was raucous--and the place was shockingly filled to capacity. To the fans' credit, though, they were into the game from the very first pitch to the very last celebrated Rays punchout.

Meanwhile, White Sox starter Javier Vazquez continued to show manager Ozzie Guillen that he indeed is not a big-game pitcher. Guillen questioned Vazquez's ability to deliver in big games before the start of a crucial series with the Minnesota Twins two weeks ago, and Vazquez responded with a poor start. Thursday afternoon at Tropicana, Vazquez gave up six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, putting the Sox in must-win mode early this evening when Mark Buehrle takes the hill against Scott Kazmir in Game Two.

But unquestionably the biggest story of the day is the shocking ineptitude of the Chicago Cubs in the 2008 postseason. Already trailing in the series after an absurdly poor Game One performance by Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano went from dominant in the first inning to putrid in the second as five Dodgers runs crossed the plate--aided by two head-scratching Cubs errors on potential double-play balls--stunning and silenting a raucous Wrigley Field crowd. For the second consecutive game, the Cubs' offense was nowhere to be found. But the Dodgers certainly brought their clout, as Russell Martin's three-run double highlighted the five-run second, and Manny Ramirez hit his Major League-record 26th postseason homer. Holding a 2-0 lead in the series puts L.A. in an enviable position. Teams that have held a 2-0 lead in the NLDS are unbeaten in 16 series, and have gone onto sweep 13 times.

Dodgers Slam Cubs in Game One

Wow. At some point we really do have to wonder if the multiple curses of the Chicago Cubs are for real. Pitcher Ryan Dempster had been absolutely dominant at home all season long, yet he walks seven Dodgers--including the bases loaded--before James Loney belted a grand slam to absolutely take the life out of the Wrigley Field capacity crowd. The Dodgers, who won only 84 regular season games, beat the Cubs 7-2, and the North Siders now must turn to Carlos Zambrano in Game Two tonight to even up the best-of-five series at one game apiece. Dodgers starter Derek Lowe gave up a two-run home run to Mark DeRosa--and that was it. I know postseason experience is often overrated, but the former World Series champion looked in command all night in pitching L.A. to a huge Game One win.

White Sox Claim AL Central

Pitching once again on three days' rest, young southpaw John Danks allowed a meager two hits in eight innings and veteran slugger Jim Thome launched a LONG home run as the Chicago White Sox won the American League Central division title last night with a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins. The Sox improbably defeated a third different team in three consecutive days to capture the crown after the team looked to be dead following a three-game sweep last week at the Metrodome. But the Twins, who lost two of three at home to Kansas City, could not put the final nail in the coffin this past weekend and were unable to win in front of Chicago's raucous crowd. Young right-hander Nick Blackburn nearly matched Danks, but Thome was able to connect on a solo homer to lead off the seventh to provide all the scoring the Sox would need. The South Siders now join the North Side Cubbies in the playoffs for the first time in the same season since...1906...the year the Sox beat the Cubs a crosstown series that more than a few fans are dying to see this year. I certainly consider myself lucky in operating out of the Windy City.