Andy

In a nutshell, an extra conference game on the schedule means half the teams in the league get one more loss. That extra loss, depending on which teams take it, could make the difference between the SEC winning another title and not ever having the chance. If Bama had played in Athens last year instead of playing Western Kentucky, maybe they lose that game. All else being equal, that would've sent a 2-loss team from the West to the SEC title game, and that game would no longer have been a de facto semifinal, but an elimination game for Georgia.

There will be, that is unavoidable, but at least the B1G is addressing that by moving to 9 league games, which will help defray the impact the schedule can have. (The ACC isn't, but until they get a title-contending team to come out of the league, who plays whom isn't really relevant nationally.) When teams can get to the conference title game playing 2 teams with a pulse all season (Georgia last year and Alabama and South Carolina this year), that's not a good thing - except for the SEC's title streak, of course, which is why it won't change until somebody makes them, whether that's ESPN for SEC Network reasons or the playoff selection committee for SOS reasons. Wow. Ok. I know some of you guys really, really dislike the SEC and there are a few very valid reasons for that, but that's just insane. To say teams like Vandy, Ole Miss, Clemson or even Va Tech are without a pulse is just letting your emotions get in the way of logic. I can't stand Ole Miss but that is going to be a damn good team this year. They may beat out LSU for 2nd in the West. And the SEC's run on national titles won't end until someone beats them in the title game. Vanderbilt's success relative to their history of late has been remarkable, but the fact of the matter is they beat 0 teams who were any good last year. I meant conference opponents when I was referring to 'without a pulse', so I omitted Clemson and Va Tech, and that was my fault.

There will be, that is unavoidable, but at least the B1G is addressing that by moving to 9 league games, which will help defray the impact the schedule can have. (The ACC isn't, but until they get a title-contending team to come out of the league, who plays whom isn't really relevant nationally.) When teams can get to the conference title game playing 2 teams with a pulse all season (Georgia last year and Alabama and South Carolina this year), that's not a good thing - except for the SEC's title streak, of course, which is why it won't change until somebody makes them, whether that's ESPN for SEC Network reasons or the playoff selection committee for SOS reasons.

If someone is signed up for YES on the cable package are they subject to blackouts? If not, then isn't that the perfect solution? They are still subject to blackouts. If the Yankees are being carried as a "national" game, right? I think you would need to have Extra Innings (or MLB.tv) to watch their games outside of their area even if you get the YES network. Correct, the same applies to any pro sports team. If you're out of market you have to get the out of market package.

Until the SEC knocks it off with this 6-1-1 schedule, there will always be at least a couple of top SEC teams that catch every scheduling break and ride it to a high ranking. Last year it was Georgia - this year Bama and South Carolina (dodges every decent SEC West team and gets Florida at home) are the winners of that honor. ETA: As West teams go, A&M doesn't have it very bad either - they get Bama at home and don't have to play any good SEC East team (and play 8 home games because they don't feel like playing anyone OOC). That conference's scheduling philosophy seems intentionally designed to ensure 5 or 6 teams get into the top 12

He may not be a good defensive outfielder, but damn if he won't run all over the place trying to be.

Nothing if not consistent

Aaand bullpen

Rizzo is sizzling right now

Of all the people to hate on for the stretches, at least he's an actual Cubs fan. A tool, but a Cubs fan.

Nice throw from DeJesus to get Puig

Blown save #23

I don't hate any other franchise besides STL and to a much lesser extent the Marlins. Individual players or managers (Dusty) might annoy me on other teams but not really enough for it to carry over to the whole team.

I still hate that 2012 and 2013 were essentially punted, but I have to give a thumbs-up to basically everything else. Hard to do much better than the FO did this last off-season and got a nice return for Garza.

Coaches poll: 1 Alabama (58) 2 Ohio St. (3) 3 Oregon 4 Stanford 5 Georgia 6 Texas A&M (1) 7 South Carolina 8 Clemson 9 Louisville 10 Florida 11 Notre Dame 12 Florida St. 13 LSU 14 Oklahoma St. 15 Texas 16 Oklahoma 17 Michigan 18 Nebraska 19 Boise St. 20 TCU 21 UCLA 22 Northwestern 23 Wisconsin 24 USC 25 Oregon St.

Rizzo should have 3 - he hit a rocket to left his last AB, just right at Bianchi Bianchi's playing SS... Gindl in LF And now you all know how closely I'm paying attention. :-)

Rizzo should have 3 - he hit a rocket to left his last AB, just right at Bianchi

No one's gonna jump on this? Also, why would the Cardinals have an interest in Navarro? Molina on the DL. But no deal. According to multiple reports, STL wouldn't meet the Cubs' asking price.

They do, but at the moment there's only one such channel. Wouldn't be enough for a full load of baseball. Aren't the Cubs and Sox typically on at different times? With all the night games Wrigley is adding, inasmuch as that's true now, it probably won't be much in the future (except for Fridays).

Why? Norris? As much as some of their starters are overachieving, you aren't going to replace, say Locke, with Norris. Is he an upgrade over their other guys? i didn't mean norris, i meant the fact that they didn't do anything at all. they had areas where they could have improved, and a good farm system. i'm not saying they should have traded any of their top guys, but it feels like they should have done at least something. None of the other major offensive pieces are being moved either, and I have no doubt the Cubs are asking for the moon for Schierholtz (as they should be). It's a big-time sellers' market.

They do, but at the moment there's only one such channel. Wouldn't be enough for a full load of baseball.

I wouldn't.

What I'm worried about is that they would seem to have no leverage...where are they gonna go if WGN doesn't ante up? Will the other locals be bidding? Couldn't they just move all of the games to Comcast? Would create logistical nightmares, especially in April when Cubs, Sox, Hawks and Bulls are all playing.

Padres closing in on Ian Kennedy per Rosenthal.

Curious of the justification. Wonder if we will find out.