BASEBALL: St. Louis at Cincinnati

I was hoping for a preseason football game tonight. But after being teased last night with the Eagles-Raiders game, we have to wait a few more days before getting another fix of meaningless football. So it's back to baseball. The ESPN game between the Angels and White Sox should be good. However, more is at stake when the 1st place Cardinals visit the 2nd place Reds to kickoff a critical 4 game series. So despite ESPN passing on it, I'm making this game TOTW.

The pitching matchup leaves much to be desired. Jeff Weaver tries to salvage his miserable season once again tonight. Apparently living in the shadow of his rookie younger brother wasn't the problem, afterall. He's now 4-12 with a putrid 6.71 ERA. Another Scott Boras client laughing all the way to the bank. Even Chan Ho Park is embarassed by those numbers! In contrast, the Reds start rookie Elizardo Ramirez. He has done a little better with a mere 4-7 mark and decent 4.47 ERA. Nothing special, but at least he's not making $8 million to pitch like Jose Canseco.

The Reds are atop the NL wildcard race and also only 3 games back of the slumping Cardinals in the NL Central. They catch the Cards if they can sweep this series. The Great American Ballpark is a hitter's paradise and leads all ballparks in HRs this year. And it makes Reds slugger Adam Dunn look like a reincarnation of Dave Kingman or Rob Deer - 40 HRs/year along with a .220 average!

My pick: St. Louis. The Cards are a better team and will hold their own in this series. I don't expect much from Weaver. But I see the Cardinals winning a 10-8 type game. Closer Jason Isringhausen gets the last out with the bases loaded and Ken Griffey on deck.

Today's female athlete is one of the LPGA's many young, talented, and good looking players, 18 year-old Morgan Pressel from Tampa. She placed 56th this weekend in the Women's British Open, but she's still top 5 for me!