Are the St. Louis Cardinals still the underdog? They beat the favored San Diego Padres three games to one. Then they beat the heavily favored New York Mets four games to three. Now, they lead the favored Detroit Tigers two games to one in the 2006 World Series. Did you see a pattern? Favored, heavily favored and favored. Thats the pattern. Thats right folks, the Cardinals were not suppose to beat the Padres. They definently weren't suppose to be in the World Series, e####ally if you listen to Dayn Perry. Heck, you can make a case that they shouldn't be anywhere near the postseason. I mean, this team had three losing streaks that added to 23 games lost. Can this team really be this close to winning their 10th World Series title?
     The Cardinals are, despite what you hear from Perry, real close to winning this year's title. Perry says that the Cardinals aren't good enough to be this good. They can't a series if they tried. He wants you to believe the Cardinals basically suck. Well, suck on this Dayn Perry: Cardinals are almost World Champions.
     After that rip at Perry because his writing this postseason has really irked me, I will leave you with this (e####ally since I wrote this in the 15 minutes I had before class started) the Cardinals are the best. They have the best manager, the best team and the best closer. Please accept this. Don't be part of the 90% of the world against the Cardinals. If you are part of that 90%, please don't overflow the oceans with your tears when the Cardinals win.
     Just to let you know, this article basically has no information in it. It's just a rip at the Cardinal haters because I'm gloating. That 90% of the world stat is probably not right (more than likely higher), so don't go by that. Made that up. Comment badly if you must, but I think St. Louis Cardinal fans will agree with me. It's been long enough, it's time to gloat because we're up two games to one and we have Jeff Suppan pitching tonight. So eat this article you Cardinal haters, e####ally the following: Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Jeff Brantley, Dayn Perry, Steve Phillips, Dayn Perry and Joe Morgan (I don't like Dayn Perry and Joe Morgan is the worst announcer in history, so they get listed twice =P).

     So, now that there's only a week left in the regular season, it's time to get down and dirty with the playoff predicitions. Now, only two divisions have been clinched, two more will be clinched in three days or less and the other two will go down to the wire, along with the Wild Card races (of both leagues). So, I'm going to show you my predicitions below, and all the teams I have in are the teams I think (or all ready know) will be in the playoffs.
     First, the best league out of the two, the National League. This is how the National League side will break down:
NEW YORK METS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs. SAN DIEGO PADRES
The Dodgers will be the Wild Card team and the Padres won the West. The Cardinals blow out the Padres, again, in a three game sweep. The Mets, with their pitching lacking, get beat by the Dodgers in five games. The Mets have a great offensive team; however, you need pitching to help you win. Ask the Boston Red Sox what all offense and no pitching gets you. Sure, the Mets have Pedro Martinez (who is very inconsistent and still a little injuried) and Tom Glavine (inconsistent) and Steve Trachsel (enough said). That's it though. Oliver Perez is a joke, ask the PITTSBURGH PIRATES! If you get sent down by the Pirates, and then traded, you're pretty much useless. Sure, he has pitched ok in New York, but only ok. In retrospect, he pitched ok in Pittsburgh too. John Maine, a guy that hasn't smelled the postseason. You want to count on him? Good luck with that. The Dodgers, though, have a proven force of attack. They have three starters with World Series rings (two coming in the last three years), a pitcher who won 15+ games a year for more than a decade who is also a 300 game winner and a very good, hard throwing rookie. Their rotation is much better than the Mets and thats what will stop their offense. The Mets' pitching staff will not be able to halt the Dodger's offensive enslaut and they will end up winning the series.
     The Cardinals will sweep the Padres. I know I'm a Cardinal fan and everything so my answer is kind of bias, but still: Cardinals have a better team. The Padres have two good starters and a starter with a good postseason history (whose numbers are flawed because he pitched with the New York Yankees in their World Series run). The Cardinals have the regining (and more than likely repeat) Cy Young Award winner, a starter who has been nothing short of dominate in the second half, and two vets that can eat innings. The Cardinals have a balanced offense with David Eckstein back and three guys that have put up a combined .291 AVG, 60 HR (Juan Encanracion needs one more to be the fourth Cardinal with 20 bombs this year) and 211 RBI behind the regining (and more than likely repeat) Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols. In June, the Cardinals missed his bat a lot and these players (Encarnacion, Chris Duncan and Scott Rolen) didn't step it up to make up for Pujols' bat, proving they need him in the lineup to win. Now that Pujols and Eckstein ar ehealthy, and the three backing up Pujols are having decent seasons (Duncan by the way doesn't even have 300 at bats yet and has 20 homeruns), the Cardinals can blow the Padres out of the water.
     The next series, the League Championship Series, will be a tough one. You have the well balanced Dodgers who just beat the best National Leagaue team during the regular season and the Cardinals, who have been the best team in the National League the last two years. This series will go all seven games, most definently. The Cardinals will come out on top, but by a slim margin. The Dodgers have three great starters and then a so-so starter, whereas the Cardinals have one great starter, a good starter and then two so-so starters. If the Cardinals get their way and have Jeff Suppan and Chris Carpenter start Games 1 and 2, then get Jason Marquis and Jeff Weaver to start Games 3 and 4, they'll be in good shape. With the Dodgers being the Wild Card team, the Cardinals would have homefield advantage and Carp and Supp have pitched better at home and vice versa for Weaver and Marquis. Game 5 would belong to Anthony Reyes so Carp and Supp could pitch at home, if needed. The Dodgers would throw Greg Maddux in Game 1 against Carp, Derek Lowe in Game 2 against Supp, Brad Penny in Game 3 against Marquis and then Chad Billingsley in Game 4 against Weaver. This is where the Dodgers need to be creative. They could pitch Maddux in game four and save Billingsley for Game 5, and then pitch Lowe and Penny in the final two games. This would also assure Maddux to be ready for Game 1 of the World Series (if they make it, which won't happen). This could also assure the Dodgers a better suited matchup for an important Game 4 and it lets Billingsley pitch against a fellow rookie. I'll stop myself from my rambling to move on and say the Cardinals are in the World Series.
     Tune in on Thursday for the American League AND World Series Matchup blog!

     Yes folks, it's true. The Cincinnati Reds are stacked up for the 2007 season. They made a real attempt to compete in 2006, but they knew it was a long shot. Now, they're looking forward to 2007. They have a real chance next year. Lets look at what the Reds have done this year to build for next year.
     First and most importantly, the Reds hired someone that knew what he was doing to run the club in the front office, General Manager Wayne Krivsky. Krivsky spent all of his years in Minnesota, a place where all they do is develop young talneted players. Krivsky came in and addressed the Reds needs as fast as he could. He added Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips and David Ross. These three have been key aquisitions. Phillips has been spectacular at second, offensivly. On defense, he's been average with 14 errors. Ross has been hitting the snot out of the ball and has finally been named the everyday catcher for the Reds.
     Bronson Arroyo pitched great, in the first half. His season stats look this: 12-9, 3.33 ERA, 1.21 WHIP. In the first half, his stats were: 9-6, 3.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP. Since the All-Star break, 3-3, 3.70 ERA, 1.25 WHIP. Those numbers since the break are decent, but not great (like before the break). This guy was suppose to be the ace of the staff. Instead, that has fallen upon Aaron Harrang, yet again. This guy has been the head of the staff for years. To make a long story short, Arroyo needs to step up next year and be the number guy everyone knows he can be.
     Kyle Lohse was a good pickup and can be a decent number four guy in the rotation. Eric Milton is a number three pitcher. Do you see something? There's no legimate ace of the staff here that can set the rest of the pitchers in place. I mean, look at the Marlins, Cardinals, Mets and Yankees. They all have that ace that can set the rotation in place. The Reds need someone like that, and I assure you Krivsky will be shopping for plenty free agent pitchers. Thats his basic need. His bullpen is pretty set. You, hopefully, have Eddie Guardado coming back next year to be your closer. You've got Dave Weathers and Todd Coffey to be the setup men in front of the lefty. Rheal Cormier as the lefty specialist and Ryan Franklin to be a long relief guy out of the pen. All they need is a guy that can face both lefties and righties equally and is a power arm (Kerry Wood?) to make this bullpen complete. Plus, yoiu have Gary Majewski and Bill Bray to make the bullpen better.
     The offense is together. All you need is a shortstop (because Royce Clayton SUCKS). You can entrust right field to Ryan Freel and make him your leadoff hitter. Another thing you can do is go spend money and add that ace for the staff and a power outfielder (to compliment Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr.). This of course means you move Dunn to first and LEAVE HIM THERE. He's a liability in the outfield. So, your order kind of looks like this: Freel, RF; Shortstop; Dunn, 1B; Power Left Fielder; Griffey, CF; Ross, C; Edwin Encarnacion, 3B; Phillips, 2B; pitcher. Thats a dangerous lineup (no matter what power left fielder they add). Then, all of the sudden, your team is rebuilt and refueled and ready to make a real run in 2007. The 2006 team was a good start, now they just have to build on it.

     The Most Valuable Player award this year has three strong candidates again this year. Now, being a Cardinal fan and loving Albert Pujols, my vote is to Albert Pujols; however, I'll have to say Ryan Howard and Carlos Beltran both have a good shot. Each player's breakdown include their accomplishments this year, a reason why they should win and a reason why they shouldn't win.
ALBERT PUJOLS, CARDINALS 1B: Pujols has a batting line of .321/.423/.681 (AVG, OBP, SLG). He has 101 runs scored and is third in the league with 43 homeruns, and second with 115 RBI. He needs just three more homeruns to match his career high (46 in 2004) and 15 RBI more to match his career high in that category (130 in 2001, 117 RBI last year). He has put up his sixth straight 30+ HR, 100+ RBI, 100+ runs season. He has only made five errors at first base and is probably looking at his first ever gold glove (his previous low was 2003 with five, but was in the outfield and at first base. His previous two season he had 10 and 14 errors at first). Now, you're thinking these numbers are awesome stats and another Pujols like season. Well, you're wrong. He has only played in 118 games and can only play in maximum of 144 games (a career low. Previous was 154 in 2004). He was out for 18 days in June. So, you have to wonder about the lost numbers because of that injury AND the effects he is still feeling.
REASON WHY HE SHOULD WIN: He is the regining MVP and he is playing on a first place team. He is the main reason why the Cardinals have been in first or shared first since May 12.
REASON WHY HE SHOULDN'T WIN: He will more than likely not be the leader in any offensive categories, and he was injuried for awhile and you can't assume his numbers would be better.
PREDICTION: MVP

RYAN HOWARD, PHILLIES 1B: Howard is the MLB leader in HR and RBI (53 HR, 134 RBI). Those are some impressive numbers. In fact, his numbers are better than Andruw Jones' numbers from the end of last season (51 HR and 128 RBI), and Jones led the NL in both categories (the MLB in HR). Thats imprssive. Whats more impressive is the Howard won the Century 21 Homerun Derby back in July and Rookie of the Year last year. He played in only 84 games last year and hit 22 HR. The downside: he's 26, the same age as Pujols. So, are those numbers as impressive after knowing that? Yes and no. It does take tremendous skill to hit 50+ homeruns, and it also takes a lot of skills to overcome the effects of the Homerun Derby (ask former Fightin Phil Bobby Abreu).
REASON WHY HE SHOULD WIN: He does lead the planet in HR and RBI, and is hitting over .300. He is also one of two reasons why the Phils are back in the hunt for the Wild Card.
REASON WHY HE SHOULDN'T WIN: It took him 16 days to pass Pujols in HR and RBI (while Pujols was on the DL) and is playing a team that more than likely will not go to the playoffs and could more than likely end up under or just barely above .500.
PREDICTION: VERY CLOSE 2nd

CARLOS BELTRAN, NEW YORK METS CF: Beltran plays on the New York Mets, the best team in baseball. He has Carlos Delgado, David Wright and Shawn Green following him in the batting order. The guy is in the top five of every offensive category and is having a career year on top of it. There is a downside, he has Carlos Delgado, David Wright and Shawn Green following him in the batting order. Thats some of the best offense in the game right there. So, if he played somewhere else, would he have this good of numbers? Probably not. Look back to last year when he only had David Wright, who really wasn't a big offensive threat last year. His numbers were extremely down. So, does having someone good behind make a difference? Damn straight. Pujols' numbers last year came with Yadier Molina and Abraham Nunez batting after him following Reggie Sanders injury. Then, when Larry Walker and Sanders got back, Pujols' numbers raised. Howard's numbers this year came because of Pat Burrell and Chase Utley batting after him. Pujols has had Scott Rolen and Juan Encarnacion. So, you figure that Pujols and Howard have had less offense behind them and have better numbers than Beltran, who has had some big fire power behind him, you know Beltran's name shouldn't be muttered in the MVP voting.
REASON WHY HE SHOULD WIN: He has had a career year on a winning team.
REASON WHY HE SHOULDN'T WIN: He is on a team that could win without him. He has a lot of protection around him, and his numbers are inflated because of that.
PREDICTION: 3rd
     Now, you may be wondering about the name of the article. It's pretty simple. In M V P, there is a P. Does it stand for Pujols, Phillie (Howard) or Puerto Rican (Beltran)? See, it's simple.

     Folks, I think it's offical. Take out the gun and shoot them now. Walt Jocketty has done everything he can to keep the farm system intact and try to win. He has done a pretty good job too. Bringing in Preston Wilson to help off the bench and start once in awhile. He has also added Ronnie Belliard to help spark the offense. However, none of these plans of Jocks have worked out the way he wanted them to. Lets break these down, shall we?
     Belliard has floped as a Cardinal. He has posted a batting line of .264/.312/.361 (AVG, OBP, SLG) in 19 games. Also in those 19 games, Belliard has hit one homerun and put up nine RBI and six runs. How can this help, honestly? I know the platoon of Hector Luna and Aaron Miles wasn't producing a lot, but they produced better numbers than Belliard has put up so far. My hope for this move is that Belliard understands he's not as good as he has been and takes a paycut for next year. I would love to see him back in a Cardinals uniform and see how he produces in a full year in the STL.
     Wilson, for only being around for five games hasn't been bad. He's been himself, really. He has a .235 batting average and he's played center and right field. He's got two taters and three RBI as a Cardinal so far. Now, thats not bad for five games. Wilson was picked up for his veteran skills. He can play all three outfield positions, and all well. He has a Jim Edmonds like arm and defensive skills. He also has Carlos Beltran speed. The guy packs a wholap as a five tool player. His downfall is that Chris Duncan is in left and will not move. Edmonds is in center and Juan Encarnacion is in right. Now, if I were Tony La Russa, I would do this with Wilson. Against lefties, play him in center and give Edmonds a day off. Do NOT put him in right and move Encarnacion to center. Encarnacion needs to stay in right field and not be moved around. Also, use Wilson in right or left field every fourth game (fill in for Duncan) and fifth game (filling in for Encarnacion). This way, Wilson gets to play at least twice every five games and it keeps the outfield fresh for October (assuming they get there).
     Almost done. Not only does that explain the story, it explains this next person: Jose Vizcaino. Vizcaino was released by the San Francisco Giants. He's a utility infielder (like Scott Spezio) and can play all four infield spots. The advantage Vizcaino has over all these other new comers: Playoff Experience. Thats huge my friend. Now with David Eckstein on the disabled list, Vizcaino was desperately needed. Here's the scoop though: what to do afterwards?
     After Eckstein gets off the DL, what will the Cardinals do? Assuming Edmonds gets healthy, the Cardinals will have two outfielders on the bench (Wilson and So Taguchi), three infielders (Spezio, Vizcaino and Miles) and a backup catcher (Gary Bennett). Then you think about the bullpen (and yes I know, if you add up everything, there will be 26 players, don't worry) consisting of: Randy Flores, Braden Looper, Adam Wainwright, Jorge Sosa, Tyler Johnson, Jason Isringhausen and Josh Hancock, what will happen? You have to drop someone to get to 25. A bench guy or a bullpen pitcher? Who knows. My planning would be to drop Johnson, being a rookie how would he handle the pressure of the playoffs?
     Last, but not least, closer. This has not been the year of the closers. Ask Brad Lidge, Francisco Cordero (before going to Milwaukee), Derrick Turnbow, The Braves, Bobby Jenks, The Reds, Eddie Guardado (before going to Cincinnati) and Eric Gagne. Oh, I forgot one, didn't I? Isringhausen. What will the Cardinals do with Isringhausen? Some people want La Russa's head for going with him all the time. Some are cutting Isringhausen slack (like I did). My idea: bump Isringhausen to the seventh and eigth innings and use a combonation of Brad Thompson (in September), Jorge Sosa and Braden Looper in the closers role. A closer by committee group. It can work for the rest of September. This gives Isringhausen a chance to make his cutter better in earlier innings and it won't blow the game.

     Sammy Sosa says he would like to come back to Major League Baseball. Maybe the Washington Nationals? With all the trade rumors floating around, the Nationals may need a guy that can play the outfield for them. If they trade Alfonso Soriano and Jose Guillen, they can use Marlon Byrd and Ryan Church, but the Nationals haven't showed strong intrest in those two players this year. Maybe they can sign Sosa to a one year contract. It won't spark a huge comeback, but it could help them with the outfield situation after the deadline.
     Sosa is aging a little, but that's ok. He has a lot of experience in his career and if he comes back, he can continue his pursuit of 600 career homeruns. Austin Kearns will be in right field for the Nationals, so Sosa can play left until the Nationals feel they have a younger guy that can everyday for them in left. Sosa would be a good short term signee for the Nationals. E####ally with all these trade tumors swirling around.

     Oh my God (sorry for that, but you said it to after you saw that eight player trade). Jim Bowden is a genius! He traded Gary Majewski (who is a very good pitcher and a future closer), Bill Bray (a piece of ####), Royce Clayton (another piece of ####) and two minor leaguers for Felipe Lopez (a great player), Austin Kearns (another great player) and Ryan Wagner (a good pitcher). Why is this huge? Bowden basically added three good players for NOTHING. How good is that? Also, when Bowden was the GM of the Reds, all three of these players were either added to the Major League roster or to the farm system by Bowden. So, he knows how good these players are.
     Wayne Krivsky was on the other end of this deal. The Reds have a horrific bullpen, so who can blame Krivsky for adding some arms to the pen, but at what price? He traded away three building blocks for the Reds future for a shortstop that is going to retire soon, not to mention he's a piece of #### and a crappy left hander. The only bright spot is Majewski. He and Eddie Guardado are a very nice combo in the 8th and 9th innings. Lets look at this. The Nationals are desperate to get younger and they are basically trading anyone who is over 28 years old. Livan Hernandez is over 28. Instead of recieving the two minor leaguers, they could have traded Tyler Pelland and Camilo Vazquez with Lopez, Kearns and Wagner for Hernandez, Calyton, Bray, Majewski and Jose Vidro. This way, they can use Brandon Phillips at SS, Vidro at 2B and increase their offense. Also, they have better starters. Right now, Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang are their only quality starters. You add in Livan Hernandez, that makes three. That also takes the pressure off Joe Mays to be a starter and he can move back to the pen. Gee, maybe that'll help the pen?
     So, yeah, Bowden is a genius for making this trade. He improves his club and basically trades nothing for it. Krivsky trades everything and adds nothing to hurt his ballclub. Yeah, good job with that one Krivsky.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals lost a lot this offseason, and really didn't replace them with power guys. Matt Morris walked and was replaced by the twosome of Sidney Ponson and Anthony Reyes. Reggie Sanders walked and was replaced by Larry Bigbie. Mark Grudzielanek walked and was replaced by a Aaron Miles/Hector Luna/Devi Cruz/Junior Spivey combonation. Larry Walker retired and was replaced by Jaun Encarnacion. The replacements aren't as good as their predacessors, byt they work. The Cardinals still have a big offense and minor league system that is getting deeper in talent. They'll be ok this year, it's the 2007 season that panic could strike.

Houston Astros

The Astros added some huge punch to their offense by signing Preston Wilson, but this means that Chris Burke is yet again denied a starting job. Will Tavarez will most likely switch over to left field, Lance Berkman going to 1B and Wilson in CF. This means...yes, Jeff Bagwell is done. He'll be benched if the Astros can't get his insurance claim. They look good, but not good enough for Central title.

Milwaukee Brewers

THE BREWERS!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!! How good are they?????? Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy and the newcomers. They look good this year. They have a tough division and won't get the title. However, the Wild Card is open. Maybe there? Wait till Saturday to find out....

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs look good. They have a lot of issues though. Aramis Ramirez is coming off an injury, Derek Lee came off a season of where he could have had a fluke year or he could the the real deal offense. They have a declining Jacque Jones in right, and Juan Pierre's numbers are declining. They have Ronny Cedeno at short, and problems at 2B. They're bullpen is chalk full of injury prone pitchers, along with the rotation. They place fourth in the Central cause of all the question marks they have.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates look great. Great young talent at the big league level. However, with Jim Tracy new to the clubhouse, the Pirates will have to wait until 2007 to make a serious run at the title. They will end up over .500 this year. In fact, when they do, it'll be the first time in a long time that 5 out of the 6 teams in the Central finished .500 or better.

Cincinnati Reds

Not much to say about the Reds. A new regime in the front office, "new" manager in the clubhouse, and some new talent. They need to deepen the minors to help replace some declining talent. They don't have enough to get anywhere close to .500. They have no closer, their starting rotation sucks hardcore...they just need to make a plan and execute it correctly.

Hope you all enjoyed old school day!

Today on SS, we look at the top ten trades of the offseason. We'll go from worst of the team (10) to the best (1).

10. Larry Bigbie and Aaron Miles (COL) for Ray King (STL)

9. Sean Burroughs (SD) for Dewon Brazelton (TB)

8. Danys Baez and Lance Carter (TB) for Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany (LAD)

7. Sean Casey (CIN) for Dave Williams (PIT)

6. Johnny Estrada (ATL) for Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal (AZ)

5. Lyle Overbay and Ty Taubenheim (MIL) for David Bush, Gabe Gross and Zach Jackson (TOR)

4. Troy Glaus and Sergio Santos (AZ) for Miguel Batista and Orlando Hudson (TOR) 

3. Coco Crisp, Josh Bard and David Riske (CLE) for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, Kelly Shoppach and a player to be named later or cash (BOS)

2. Javier Vasquez and cash (AZ) for Orlando Hernandez, Chris Young and Luis Vizcaino (CHW)

1. Jim Thome and cash (PHI) for Aaron Rowand, Dan Haigwood and Gio Gonzalez (CHW)

And those are your top ten trades of the offseason. Peace.

This will show you what each team looks like in the NL Central, pitching and offense wise. Just so you know, these are my predicitions, some of these might happen, some won't. The players with slashes are possibilites.

St. Louis Cardinals: Manager - Tony LaRussa
  C: Yadier Molina
1B: Albert "The Machine" Pujols
2B: Junior Spivey
3B: Scott Rolen
SS: David Eckstein
LF: Larry Bigbie
CF: Jim Edmonds
RF: Jaun Encarnacion
BENCH: John Rodriguez, So Taguchi, Devi Cruz, Gary Bennet, John Gall/Aaron Miles/Hector Luna/Scott Seabol

SPs: Chris Carpenter (1), Mark Mulder (2), Jeff Suppan (3), Jason Marquis (4), Sidney Ponson/Anthony Reyes (5)
BULLPEN
RHP: Brad Thompson
RHP: Anthony Reyes/Sidney Ponson/Adam Wainwright/Juan Mateo
LHP: Ricardo Rincon/Tyler Johnson
LHP: Randy Florez/Tyler Johnson
SU: Braden Looper
CL: Jason Isringhausen

Houston Astros: Manager - Phil "Scrap Iron" Garner
  C: Brad Ausmus
1B: Jeff Bagwell/Lance Berkman
2B: Craig Biggio
3B: Morgan Ensberg
SS: Adam Everett
LF: Lance Berkman/Chris Burke
CF: Willy Tavarez/Preston Wilson
RF: Preston Wilson/Willy Tavarez
BENCH: Jason Lane, Orlando Palmeiro, Mike Lamb, Chris Burke/Jeff Bagwell, Raul Chavez, Eric Bruntlett

SPs: Roy Oswalt (1), Andy Pettite (2), Brandon Backe (3), Wandy Rodriguez (4), Ezequiel Astacio (5)
BULLPEN
RHP: Russ Springer
LHP: Trevor Miller
LHP: Mike Gallo
SU: Chad Qualls
SU: Dan Wheeler
CL: Brad "Lights Out" Lidge

Pittsburgh Pirates: Manager - Jim Tracy
  C: Humberto Cota
1B: Sean Casey
2B: Jose Castillo
3B: Joe Randa
SS: Jack Wilson
LF: Jason Bay
CF: Chris Duffy
RF: Jeromy Burnitz
BENCH: Jody Gerut, Ryan Doumit, Craig Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, Nate McLouth

SPs: Oliver Perez (1), Zach Duke (2), Victor Santos (3), Pat Maholm (4), Kip Wells (5)
BULLPEN
RHP: Ian Snell
RHP: Ryan Vogelsong
LHP: John Grabow
LHP: Damaso Marte
SU: Salomn Torres
SU: Roberto Hernandez
CL: Mike Gonzalez

Milwaukee Brewers: Manager - Ned Yost
  C: Damian Miller
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Rickie Weeks
3B: Corey Koskie
SS: JJ Hardy
LF: Carlos Lee
CF: Brady Clark
RF: Geoff Jenkins
BENCH: Bill Hall, Corey Hart, Jeff Cirillo, Chad Moeller, Gabe Gross

SPs: Ben Sheets (1), Doug Davis (2), Chris Capuano (3), Rick Helling (4), Tomo Ohka (5)
BULLPEN
RHP: Justin Lehr
RHP: Matt Wise
RHP: Jose Capellan
LHP: Jorge de la Rosa
LHP: Dana Eveland
SU: Dan Kolb
CL: Derrick Turnbow

Chicago Cubs: Manager - Dusty Baker
  C: Michael Barrett
1B: Derrek Lee
2B: Todd Walker
3B: Aramis Ramirez
SS: Ronny Cedeno/Neifi Perez
LF: Matt Murton
CF: Juan Pierre
RF: Jacque Jones
BENCH: Jerry Hairston Jr, John Mabry, Neifi Perez, Henry Blanco, Augie Ojeda

SPs: Mark Prior (1), Greg Madduz (2), Carlos Zambrano (3), Kerry Wood/Jerome Williams (4), Jerome Williams/Glendon Rusch (5)
BULLPEN
RHP: Bob Howry
RHP: Scott Williamson
RHP: Michael Wuertz
LHP: John Koronka
LHP: Scott Eyre
LHP: Will Ohman
CL: Ryan Dempster

Cincinnati Reds: Manager - Jerry Narron
  C: Jason LaRue
1B: Adam Dunn/Ken Griffey Jr/Wily Mo Pena/Austin Kearns
2B: Tony Womack
3B: Edwin Encarnacion
SS: Felipe Lopez
LF: Adam Dunn/Wily Mo Pena
CF: Ken Griffey Jr/Wily Mo Pena
RF: Austin Kearns/Wily Mo Pena
BENCH: Wily Mo Pena/Dane Sardinha, Ryan Freel, Rich Auralia, Javier Valentin, Chris Denorfia

SPs: Aaron Harang (1), Paul Wilson (2), Eric Milton (3), Dave Williams (4), Brandon Claussen (5)
BULLPEN
RHP: Jason Standridge
RHP: Todd Coffey
RHP: Matt Belisle
RHP: Grant Balfour
LHP: Jung Bong
LHP: Kent Mercker
CL: David Weathers




There we are. Enjoy!