Thursday's Theories

Brandon Morrow barely missed out on his first win of the season. He pitched five innings in a four to three Mariners win over the Padres. Morrow had a three to two lead in the fifth before he gave up a run on back to back to back singles. The righty had four strike outs and just one walk while throwing 87 pitches.

Grady Sizemore continued to show he is healthy enough to contribute to the Indians line up. Unfortuantely for the Tribe, it came in an eleven to six loss in Pittsburgh. Sizemore went deep in the ninth, salvaging what would have been an otherwise dreary day at the plate (one for five with a strike out), helping to prove the bat speed is there in spite of the elbow injury. Carl Pavano had another bad outing for Cleveland, going just three and two-thirds innings while giving up eight runs, three of them earned. Zach Duke gave up one run over six innings for the win. Watch out Pirates fans, Pittsburgh is only 7 games back in the NL Central.

The NL Central leading Cards got manhandled at Citi Field by the EXTREMELY short-handed Mets. New York beat down on St. Louis, eleven to nothing behind yet another strong performance from Fernando Nieve. Nieve went six with five strike outs and four walks. His season ERA fell to an excellent 1.31 through three starts. He will give manager Jerry Manual something to think about as John Maine and Ollie Perez creep closer to returning to the rotation.

Tonight, John Smoltz returns to a major league rotation. He'll don an unfamiliar uniform to do it though. Smoltz hasn't thrown a pitch in a major league game in over 380 games, but will take the ball tonight for the Boston Red Sox in Washington, DC, after 20 seasons with the Braves. Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe as a great story on Smotlz's return. He's opposed by Nationals youngster (who on their starting rotation doesn't fit this description?) Jordan Zimmerman.

This afternoon, the Cards and Mets tangle one more time at Citi Field and the pitching match-up is a great one. Chris Carpenter goes for St. Louis and faces off against Johan Santana for the Mets.

Rant of the Day
The entire steriod era in baseball has caused many to reflect on what was and what could have been. What if stronger rules had been in place? Why didn't the powers that be act sooner? Why didn't the players police themselves? Unfortunately for the game, and for some of its fans, it's too little too late. Rules are in place now for a player to be suspended for 50 games if he fails one of these random drug tests. Only, it seems there is a major loop pole in that suspension. I give you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Manny Ramirez. Ramirez failed a drug test, was suspended for 50 games, and decided not to appeal.

Now, the 50 game suspension is nearing a close and Major League Baseball is HELPING Manny get back into playing shape. How in the world can the MLB let Manny go on a "rehab" assignment? If suspended for 50 games, that should be across all levels of professional baseball. Mr. Ramirez should have to come back to the Dodgers line up cold, or spend ADDITIONAL time getting read in the minor leagues. He chose to take the PEDs, even under the current climate, and he and his team should suffer the consequences. Manny will have upwards of 10 to 14 games played in the minors by the time he is able to return to the Dodgers. 50 games? More like 36.

It just goes to show you how much power the MLB Players Association really has. And how little teeth Bud Selig's plan has in the long run. Yes, Manny was away from the big club for 50 games. That is a tough penalty, but the loop pole at the end that allows him to get "rehab" games in is an absolute disappointment for sure.