NL West Prediction

With the acquisition of Manny Ramirez the LA Dodgers are looking poised to make a run at the NL West pennant. And I predict they will overcome the Diamondbacks to win the NL West.

With Ramirez in the lineup this weekend, the Dodgers whipped the Arizona Diamondbacks twice in three games to move back to within one game of first place in the National League West. Manny smashed two dingers and now has eight hits in 13 at-bats since joining the Dodgers on Friday. He's receiving standing ovations as he jogs out to left! His arrival should make the Dodgers the favorite to win the NL West pennant, especially since star pitcher Brad Penny is slated to resume his position in the starting rotation later this week against San Francisco. Shortstop Rafael Furcal will also rejoin the team at the start of September, another move that should help the boys in blue make the playoffs this season.

Face it, the Diamondbacks have no offense. They just can't score runs. Granted they have great 1-2 pitchers in their rotation and that's mostly it. Their only chance is if Upton and Co. heat up BIG TIME like they did in April. I'm not really a huge fan of Manny Ramirez but I do truly feel like he makes the Dodgers favorites to win the division. He's the dynamic power bat that club needed. Even though they are 1.5 games back right now I predict that the LA Dodgers will win the NL West this season.

Quick Thoughts and Headlines

Super fast, lightning strike thoughts and opinions...

Winner Winner, Turkey Dinner
The USA made a mockery of Turkey in an Olympic exhibition game Thursday. Lebron was impressive with 20 points as was Kobe Bryant. This team was just so impressive on the offensive end. They truly showed they were the superior team out manning the Turks with their physicalness and strength inside. But one question in this game was their defense. They gave up way too many points to a mediocre team. But I think they'll be fine and adjust.

Manny is a disgrace to Outfielders everywhere
Speaking as an outfielder myself, Manny is an embarrassment. With his antics in the outfield, like cutting Coco Crisps throw to cut-off man Julio Lugo. Making an unnecessary dive at a ball in LF then diving at it again like a dumb ass and rolling over on it. I swear he just did it for craps and giggles. I really hope he actually tries in Los Angeles instead of embarrassing himself and his teammates.

Time for real NFL News
I am sick of the Brett Favre debacle lately. Can we start to focus on the real sports news? Can we get some reports from team training camps? Player injuries and other reports? I am starting to think Favre is just doing this just for attention and glamour, which is really tough for me to revert to this.

Say what you mean and mean what you say
Is it me lately, or is everybody that says some kind of comment just ending up apologizing for it later? Really, what is the point of making a comment, whether it's controversial, outlandish, or not, if you're going to apologize later? For example, Carson Palmer trash talking Buckeye Nation on the September match up of OSU vs. USC. Seriously, what is the point of making these comments if you're just going to apologize for it? Who cares if you offend anyone... in most cases you have a right to say what you say. Nobody has a guaranteed right to be offended. Why should you care about what others think about you? If you come out and say something, stick with it. (Note: There are exceptions. For example, Don Imus).

Manny Ramirez and Brett Favre Trade Talks

I'm really super tired after a day at the lake and so I simply offer up some breaking news and links for you readers tonight and you can most likely expect some posting on these topics in the very near future!

• Manny Ramirez for Favre Straight Up!?
• Manny Ramirez to be a Marlin
• Packers offer Favre something...
• Brett vs. Manny Quiz
• Manny Being Manny for 3 and a Half Minutes

While I'd love to chime in with my thoughts on each of these matters I think we're all sick of hearing about them so I'll leave my opinions on hold for now. I'm going to bed. Be back tomorrow.