Rookie McGehee's two-run shot bails out Brewers

A hot series in St. Louis has vaulted the Brewers' Casey McGehee near the top in several offensive categories for NL rookies. A look at where he ranked entering Friday: Category Rank Average (.299) 2nd RBI (49) 2nd Slugging % (.511) 2nd Home runs (13) 3rd

INSIDE PITCH PLAYER OF THE GAME Third baseman Casey McGehee capped a fantastic series with a two-run homer and sacrifice fly to account for three of the Brewers' four runs. In the three games, McGehee was 5 for 11 (.455) with a double, two homers and nine RBI.

If you ever wonder about the difference in pitching in the National League in comparison to pitching in the American League, than just look at the performances of Brad Penny and John Smoltz. With the Red Sox Brad Penny and John Smoltz were both dreadful. In 8 starts with the Red Sox John Smoltz pitched to a 8.32 ERA. With the Cardinals in two starts he's pitched to a 0.82 ERA...

Pitching Coach.Yeah, that's two words, but, anyone take the time away from bashing the National League to wonder, maybe the Red Sox don't really know what they're doing over there?I mean, Smoltz goes on down I-55 to the Redbirds and pitches like a born-again superstar. Penny goes into San Fran and struts his stuff against the defending champs. And Beckett looks like he's wondering...

Milwaukee can mash the ball, so today's 1:15 p.m. game will be a good test for John Smoltz.

John Smoltz, in his third start for the Cardinals, allowed four runs and six hits over six innings.

John Smoltz, undervalued by the Braves after his latest surgery, signs with the Red Sox.  After making a late debut, Smoltz goes 2-5, pitches 40 innings, strikes out only 33 batters, gives up eight home runs, and posts an 8.32 ERA, his highest ever for a 40 inning stint.  Smoltz is released, stating he does not want to go to the bull pen, and is signed by St. Louis.  In his...

Even after tonight's ****-fit in shytown, we're still within a couple games of the first-place teams in all the other divisions. I'm just sayin', that's how good our record is. Halladay one-hit the Yanks tonight. I love it when Joba looks like this! Which is all the time! That ERA is gradually climbing.... I've been feeling all year like it's lower than his performances have suggested...

This past offseason, the Red Sox became the land of the reclamation projects. The signings of Takashi Saito, John Smoltz, and Brad Penny were seen as low-risk, high-reward moves. Saito has worked out pretty well, but Smoltz and Penny were largely seen as busts. Theo Epstein cut ties with both pitchers, who then found new [...]

No, that wasn't James Lipton, Marty Culp or even John Smoltz who made his way into the Braves clubhouse on Thursday night.  It was actually Atlanta reliever Peter Moylan(notes). In one of the best clubhouse stunts I've seen, the awesome Aussie shaved only the top of his head on Thursday. He then pronounced it the team's official "Rally Head" and said he hopes it will have an effect...

Flotsam and JetsamMiscellaneous thoughts and observations.I love that football is back! Yeah baby!... I also love that the old Pedro is back. I was somewhat afraid that he'd come back and embarrass himself. He could actually walk away from this season back on top no matter what he does with the rest of his starts. And given how John Smoltz and Brad Penny fared - it was a good thing...