Betting Odds - Graffiti - Podcast

By Mike Tanier

FootballOutsiders.com

When ranking NFL quarterbacks, it’s pretty easy to fill in slots three thru 32. Picking No. 1 and No. 2, on the other hand, is a real headache.

Who do you prefer? The reigning champion or the three-time champion? Which stat do you find more impressive — 12 playoff victories or 275 career touchdown passes? Do you like the guy who silenced his doubters last year or the guy who never had any doubters?

The following rankings are based on team depth charts, not just starters. So we’re really pitting Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, and John Navarre against Tom Brady, Matt Cassell, and Matt Gutierrez. Does it really matter? When you think about Patriots vs. Colts, do you think of Sorgi vs. Cassell? If Matt Gutierrez fell in the woods, would he make a sound?

At Football Outsiders, we’ve done our homework. We’ve ranked the quarterbacks from all 32 teams based on our groundbreaking DVOA and DPAR metrics, our scouting and game charting data, and a healthy dollop of horse sense. For rookies and prospects, we used the Lewin Career Forecast System, a projection method so accurate that it has generated some sizzle among NFL insiders (you can read more about DVOA, DPAR, and Lewin’s Career Forecast System in Football Prospectus 2007, available wherever fine paperbacks are sold). Armed with this arsenal, we can definitively say who’s tops among NFL signal callers.

Here’s a hint: he does a lot of commercials.

1. Colts (2006 Rank: 1)

If you lumped together all of Peyton Manning’s third down pass attempts from the last three seasons, you would get this stat line: 243-of-384 (63.3%), 2889 yards, 38 touchdowns, eight interceptions. The dude is pretty good on third downs.

Take four years of Peyton’s fourth quarter performances and add them together to get this stat line: 304-of-454 (66.9 percent), 3,589 yards, 22 touchdowns, 10 interceptions. He’s pretty good late in the game, too. If you are only interested in “late clutch” situations (fourth quarter, game within seven points), Peyton is 229-of-335 (68.3 percent) for 2,768 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He’s not too shabby with the game on the line.

In short, Manning is the guy you want to give the ball to in pressure situations. The “playoff choke artist” isn’t dead; he never existed. The Peyton Manning we saw in January and February — the guy who battled back from a 21-3 lead in the AFC title game against the Team of the Decade, who threw for 247 yards against the league’s best defense in the rain-drenched Super Bowl — is an all-time great, a legend in his prime.

Jim Sorgi has been in the system for four years and has looked good in mop-up duty. John Navarre provides much needed preseason comic relief as the third stringer.

(Note: Manning naysayers should email their complaints to me at mtanier@footballoutsiders.com, not Aaron Schatz or Rupert Murdoch.)

2. Patriots (2006 Rank: 2)

Fourteen wins. Twenty-four touchdowns. Over 3,500 yards. Another 724 yards and five touchdowns in the postseason. Welcome to an off year, Tom Brady style. When Brady comes within four points of reaching the Super Bowl, he’s a disappointment. With three rings on his fingers and a new crop of receivers to throw to this season, he’s sure to find a way to bounce back in 2007.

Brady is best in the league at spraying the ball to his backs and tight ends in space, and he has the best pocket awareness since Troy Aikman. Only Peyton is better at dissecting and dismantling coverage schemes. Some micro-analysts think he can’t throw the deep ball. Just wait until Brady sees Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth streaking down the sidelines. He’ll show you a deep ball.

Backup Matt Cassel has been with the Patriots so long that he once fumbled in Nickerson Stadium. In a preseason game, of course. Cassel is a swashbuckling scrambler with a case of fumble-itis, but he knows the system. Rookie Matt Gutierrez posted marginal numbers at I-AA Idaho State but has NFL size and arm strength.

3. Eagles (2006 Rank:

Donovan McNabb surprised many by participating in a May mini-camp; it was an encouraging sign that he is ahead of schedule in his ACL rehab. McNabb underwent a grueling off-season program of knee exercises that included, among other things, long games of tag. Yes, as in “you’re it.” Don’t laugh; children’s games can help athletes improve the strength and flexibility in their legs. In fact, legend has it that Dan Marino overcame his collegiate knee injuries by riding the Double Dutch Bus.

When healthy, McNabb is an elite quarterback. He’s great at launching deep passes, but he’s even better when the Eagles offense is balanced and he has the chance to throw underneath. McNabb underthrows some passes and is starting to lose his scrambling ability, but he’s a great decision maker in the pocket and one of the hardest quarterbacks in NFL history for players not named Ronde Barber to intercept.

McNabb has missed 13 starts in the last two seasons and is coming off a major injury. Luckily, the Eagles have the best quarterback depth in the NFL. A.J. Feeley is an Andy Reid disciple who knows the system and takes what the defense offers. Rookie Kevin Kolb is a shotgun quarterback with great touch and mobility; the Lewin Career Forecast ranks him as an excellent long-term prospect. Kelly Holcomb, acquired in the Takeo Spikes trade, may be the odd man out, but he’s a heady veteran who can win a game or two if called upon.

4. Bengals (2006 Rank: 6)

As Carson Palmer continues to recover from that devastating ACL injury, the Bengals could move up this list. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

Carson Palmer slipped a bit after his tremendous 2005 season. The lingering effects of his ACL tear troubled him early in the season, and injuries on the offensive line resulted in 36 sacks. Still, 4,000 yards and a 28/13 touchdown-to-interception ratio are nothing to apologize for. Palmer may have the quickest release in football and excels at throwing deep outs and comebacks. He also knows how to check down and can buy time in the pocket. The Bengals would rank third, but mediocre backup Doug Johnson and rookie Jeff Rowe wouldn’t win many games in Palmer’s absence.

5. Seahawks (2006 Rank: 3)

You may have seen Matt Hasselbeck sporting a blonde wig during mini-camp. Do not be alarmed. Hasselbeck and Mike Holmgren just had some communication issues. Holmgren said that the quarterback had to be more like Montana. Holmgren meant “Joe.” Hasselbeck thought he meant “Hannah.”

After suffering through his worst season in five years, Hasselbeck probably felt the need to wear a disguise and lay low. Hasselbeck missed four games with a knee injury, then started forcing balls into coverage when he returned. Dropped passes and instability on the offensive line didn’t help. Hasselbeck is healthy again (the minor off-season surgery on his non-throwing shoulder is not an issue), so look for him to return to form as soon as he loses the wig. He’s a consummate West Coast quarterback who breaks down coverages well and puts tremendous touch on the ball.

Backup Seneca Wallace is a 5-foot-10 scrambler with an average arm. Mike Holmgren changes the offense when Wallace is in the game, calling more shotgun formations and rolling pocket plays. Despite his physical limits, Wallace has a little bit of Flutie Magic and can surprise opponents.

6. Saints (2006 Rank: 10)

He’s short. His passes don’t exactly whistle in the air. He can run a little, but he’s no Michael Vick. He came from the type of spread college offense that has been churning out NFL busts for two decades. Drew Brees’ measurables don’t add up to a Pro Bowl quarterback, but here he is. Brees has now enjoyed three straight outstanding seasons for two different teams, so it’s time to give him his due. Brees is a mechanically sound technician with great touch and accuracy who has good pocket awareness and gets rid of the ball quickly. Combine all of those “little” skills, and you get 4,400 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a deep playoff run.

Backup Jamie Martin has been in the NFL for 13 seasons, most of them as a third stringer. He’s auditioning for an offensive coordinator’s job. Second-year pro Jason Fife is a project. 7. Rams (2006 Rank: 17)

Another year, another 4,000 yards or so and 24 touchdowns. Bulger may be the most consistent quarterback in the league. He rarely has a truly bad game, and when he does (like last season’s 151-yard, zero touchdown, seven-sack effort against the Panthers), it’s pretty obvious that there were breakdowns elsewhere on offense. If Rex Grossman could take Marc Bulger pills, Bears fans wouldn’t need so much ibuprofen to get through the fall.

Backup Gus Frerotte is a streak shooter with a great arm and tons of experience. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a fleet-footed Ivy Leaguer who throws well on the run. Neither could lead the Rams to the playoffs, but both could win a game in a pinch.

8. Steelers (2006 Rank: 4)

He led his team to a 15-1 season. He won a Super Bowl. Then he turned 24. He accomplished so much that it was easy to forget how young Ben Roethlisberger was. He crashed his motorcycle. He needed an appendectomy. He battled back, but he couldn’t overcome the distractions and the expectations. He was awful early in 2006, throwing no touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first three games. He got better, but he kept pressing. Roethlisberger was a terrible fourth quarter passer in 2006: four touchdowns, 11 interceptions, many of the picks coming at the worst possible times. He was trying too hard, playing outside the system. It was a miserable year.

Now, the good news: Big Ben is healthy and focused. The new coaching staff plans to maximize his strengths by introducing more spread formations and a no-huddle package. And he’s still only 25 years old. Think of last season as his “rookie lumps” year. He just had it out of order.

Backup Charlie Batch has a poor arm and has lost much of his athleticism, but he’s crafty and played well in relief over the last two seasons. Brian St. Pierre has been hanging around practice squads for four years. Brian Randall, a former standout at Virginia Tech, will try to make some noise in camp.

9. Ravens (2006 Rank: 12)

Steve McNair is Captain Checkdown, a dink-and-dunk specialist who never met a slant, hitch, or curl route that he didn’t like. McNair still has the arm to throw deep but rarely does; just 13 percent of his passes traveled 16 or more yards in the air, easily the lowest figure among starters. McNair is a marksman on short routes, and while he isn’t very fast, he knows when to tuck and run for positive yardage.

Backup Kyle Boller has plenty of experience, throws a great deep ball, and can run away from trouble. Boller played well when McNair was hurt last year but still overthrows too many receivers. Rookie Troy Smith has all the intangibles but must prove that he is more than a shotgun-option rollout quarterback.

10. Chargers (2006 Rank: 22)

Philip Rivers finished fifth in the league in DPAR (88.6), threw for 3,388 yards, and led his teams to a 14-2 record. Still, his performances against the Raiders in Week 12 (14-of-31, 133 yards, one interception) and Chiefs in Week 15 (8-of-23, 97 yards, two interceptions) suggest that Rivers is still suffering through some growing pains. New coach Norv Turner will focus on fundamentals to improve Rivers’ awkward backpedal and delivery style. But Turner’s system lacks creativity, and Rivers may struggle when opponents figure out the game plan. Backup Billy Volek went from heir apparent to dirty dishrag in Tennessee in just a few weeks last year. Volek has a live arm and has proven he can win games off the bench.

11. Cowboys (2006 Rank: 21)

Tony Romo is no half-year wonder. Romo spent three years on the Cowboys bench learning the ropes from Sean Payton before bursting into the spotlight last October. When he’s focused, his mechanics are solid, his release is quick, he makes good decisions, and he can make plays on the run. Focus, though, is the key. By December, Romo seemed to be reading his press clippings; he started scrambling around in search of highlight-film touchdowns and carrying the football like it was an overfilled diaper pail. With a season to settle into his role as a starter, Romo will calm down and return to the form he displayed during his nine-touchdown, one-interception November run.

Backup Brad Johnson aged quickly last year. He’s a fine sounding board and mentor for Romo, but the Cowboys are in trouble if he plays.

12. Jets (2006 Rank: 26)

Chad Pennington is the best play-faker in the NFL, and few can match his touch and timing on crossing routes. The Jets would rank much higher if Pennington could throw deep. Only five percent of his passes traveled more than 25 yards in the air, one of the lowest figures in the league. The handful of bombs he did throw fluttered like plastic bags in an autumn breeze. Pennington looked like a budding star before the shoulder injuries; now, he seems destined to have a Brad Johnson career. There are worse fates; Johnson, after all, won a Super Bowl.

Sophomore Kellen Clemens gets high marks from the Lewin Career Forecast, and Eric Mangini hinted early in the off-season that Clemens would get a chance to challenge Pennington. But Clemens didn’t perform well in mini-camp and may face a challenge from fleet-footed ex-Raider Marques Tuiasosopo for the backup role.

13. Cardinals (2006 Rank: 14)

Matt Leinart started as a rookie and should only get better. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

Matt Leinart’s completion percentage was 51.6 in October, 59.3 in November and 61.3 in December last season. He averaged 5.9 yards per attempt in October, 7.2 in November, and 7.5 in December. By season’s end, he ranked 16th in the NFL in DPAR, ahead of such veterans as Jake Delhomme, Eli Manning, and Matt Hasselbeck. Leinart has a great arm, lightning-quick release, and the decisiveness to improvise when plays break down. He should benefit from Ken Whisenhunt’s guidance.

Kurt Warner fumbled 10 times in five starts last season and is a rickety, jittery shell of the quarterback who threw 41 touchdowns and won a Super Bowl in 1999. Still, his football IQ and big-game experience make him an ideal mentor.

14. Titans (2006 Rank: 28)

The Lewin Career Forecast predicts that Vince Young will grow into a very good passer, not a great one. Add exceptional running to very good passing and you have one heck of a player. We caught a glimpse of a possible future during Young’s late-season hot streak: he beat opponents with his arm and his legs, demonstrating more grace under pressure than the typical rookie.

The fear in Tennessee is that Young may have experienced too much success too soon. If Young lets the Pro Bowl berth, Rookie of the Year award, and press clippings go to his head, it could stunt his development. Don’t be surprised if Young suffers through a serious sophomore slump this year. Everything broke right for him in 2006, and he may be asked to do too much while breaking in a new receiving corps on a still-rebuilding team.

Kerry Collins joined the Titans late in the 2006 off-season and was unprepared to start on opening day. He’s through as a starter, but he’s a quality backup who can still make all the throws. Tim Rattay played very well in a late-season trial with the Bucs last season. He can look like Joe Montana for short stretches, but he lacks the arm and athleticism to contribute on a regular basis.

15. Chiefs (2006 Rank: 7)

Brodie Croyle spent June mini-camp taking reps as the Chiefs starting quarterback while preparing for his wedding. Compared to the wedding, the sophomore told the Kansas City Star, “football is a piece of cake.” Speaking of cake, Brodie, Bridezilla just called. It’s a triple-tiered tiramisu with white chocolate fondant or else she marries Casey Printers.

Damon Huard finished second in the NFL to Peyton Manning in DVOA last year. So why isn’t he the starter? Huard is a 34-year old career backup coming off a charmed season. Croyle is an athletic, strong-armed youngster with a head for the game who would have been a first-round pick in 2006 if he hadn’t suffered numerous college injuries. The Chiefs’ run-heavy offense is very quarterback-friendly, so why not install the youngster now? If he falters or gets hurt again, Huard is a capable backup.

16. Packers (2006 Rank: 19)

You know when you are over the hill: it’s when your mind makes a promise that your body can’t fill. Favre sees the coverage converging, thinks back to 1996, and truly believes he can rifle the ball to his receiver before the safeties arrive. Unfortunately, his release is a bit slower and his fastball a few degrees cooler, so 1990s touchdowns have become new millennium interceptions.

Still, DVOA grades Favre as an average passer. His gunslinger mentality resulted in 47 interceptions in the last two seasons, but it also produced a fair share of big plays. Many teams, like the ones further down this list, would be thrilled to have a veteran quarterback with some big-play ability who never, ever misses a start.

Backups Aaron Rodgers and Ingle Martin are true unknowns. Rodgers took over for a briefly injured Favre last season and promptly suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Martin, a small-school project, took some reps with the starters in mini-camp and threw two interceptions in his first practice session. He needs more work.

17. Panthers (2006 Rank: 15)

While his overall stats didn’t look bad, Jake Delhomme grades out as a below-average quarterback according to DVOA. Our system evaluates things that aren’t obvious in the stat totals, like six interceptions, 12 sacks, and a 50.4 completion percentage on third down. Delhomme has great accuracy and throws an excellent deep ball, but he forces lots of passes, makes bad reads, and doesn’t feel the pass rush until after the ball has been stripped. Too many Panthers losses last season were decided by Delhomme miscues.

Backup David Carr completed 68.3 percent of his passes last season, but most of his receivers were three yards away in the Texans’ dink-and-dunk attack. Carr is a tough competitor, but he’s wobbly after enduring 249 sacks in five seasons, and he never had great athleticism or fundamentals. Sophomore Brett Basanez is smart and looks the part, but the Steelers defense ate him up in his lone outing last season.

18. Bills (2006 Rank: 32)

J.P. Losman improved tremendously in the last two seasons. He’s still a mad bomber who likes to take chances deep, but last season he learned to check down and use his underneath receivers more effectively. Losman still takes too many hits, but he no longer tucks and runs before his receivers have time to flash open. Losman’s emergence keeps Craig Nall on the bench, where he must be mighty comfortable. Nall has never started an NFL game, but he has a gaudy 139.4 career passer rating thanks to some mop-up work in Green Bay. Rookie Trent Edwards is smart but injury prone and doesn’t have a great arm.

19. Giants (2006 Rank: 18)

Eli Manning appeared to turn the corner at the start of last season. He threw nine touchdown passes in his first four games, completed 67.1 percent of his passes, and brushed off an eight-sack pounding by the Eagles to lead an improbable comeback. Then came a miserable November stretch; the Giants kept losing, and every Manning pass seemed to be two seconds too late or five yards too high. Manning has a quick trigger and can drop a bomb into a receiver’s arms 40 yards downfield like he’s sinking a free throw. But zone blitzes mystify him and, unlike his brother, he makes some awful game management decisions. Eli is no lost cause, but it will be tough for him to get better while battling opponents, his own overmatched coaches, and the often hostile Big Apple media.

The Giants backups are more interesting than effective. Jared Lorenzen looks like Billy Kilmer after a White Castle Crave Case binge. Tim Hasselbeck’s wife hates Rosie O’Donnell.

20. Lions (2006 Rank: 24)

Jon Kitna put up good numbers on a bad team. (Nick Laham / Getty Images)

Jon Kitna finished 11th in the NFL in DPAR, but even Football Outsiders stats can be snookered once in a while. DVOA ranked him as a league-average quarterback, but an average quarterback who throws 596 passes is a pretty valuable commodity. Kitna was exceptional in the final two weeks of last season — 589 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception against the playoff-bound Bears and Cowboys — but he surrendered too many sacks and turnovers before the yuletide surge. He’s a serviceable custodian who reads defenses well and can pick apart zones.

Dan Orlavsky and Drew Stanton are vying for the heir apparent role. Orlavsky, a third-year player from Connecticut, has NFL size and athleticism, but he hasn’t distinguished himself. Stanton survived the John L. Smith era at Michigan State, so he’s ready for the worst the Lions can throw at him. He’s a scrambler who throws a nice short ball but needs to work on his mechanics and recognition.

21. Broncos (2006 Rank: 5)

Jay Cutler fared well for a rookie in five late-season starts. He play-fakes and throws deep well, making him a perfect fit in Mike Shanahan’s offense. He has the arm to throw deep outs and can take a licking in the pocket. Cutler doesn’t have the elite ability of a Leinart or Young, and he still must work on ball security and blitz pickup, but he’s a legit prospect. Patrick Ramsey has lost his youthful glow and must settle into a career as a backup-for-hire. He’s a heady player with average talent.

22. Jaguars (2006 Rank: 9)

Byron Leftwich is a big-armed, immobile passer with a funky windup delivery. He is at his best when standing in the shotgun and firing the ball down the field. Leftwich is the most experienced quarterback on the roster and the nominal starter, but Jack Del Rio lacks confidence in him. David Garrard is a “makes things happen” type, a scrambler who is more effective than Leftwich on short routes. He had big games against the Titans and Dolphins last year, but the more defenses see of him, the worse he looks. Third-stringer Quinn Gray has Leftwich’s arm and Garrard’s legs, and after four years in Jacksonville he expects a crack at the starting job. There’s a quality quarterback here somewhere. The Jaguars might waste the whole season trying to find him.

23. 49ers (2006 Rank: 29)

Alex Smith’s mechanics and decision making improved last season, transforming him from an awful quarterback into a mediocre one. Smith’s small hands are a liability, and he still produces some ready-for-the-blooper-reel fumbles, but he’s an athletic specimen from the wrist up. Smith is just five months older than Brady Quinn, so he still has plenty of time to develop. Backup Trent Dilfer is a straight-off-the-rack mentor who can share horror stories with Smith about the high expectations that come with being a player taken high in the draft.

24. Buccaneers (2006 Rank: 24)

Jeff Garcia is only as good as the offense around him. He led a great Eagles team to the playoffs last year but floundered in his stints with the Browns and Lions. Garcia’s tendency to tap dance in the pocket sometimes results in great plays, but he’ll often dance right into harm’s way behind Tampa’s work-in-progress offensive line.

Chris Simms is still technically in the hunt for a starting job but won’t beat Garcia in camp. Simms got off to a terrible start in 2006 before rupturing his spleen against the Panthers in Week 3. Simms is streaky and has confidence lapses. Sophomore Bruce Gradkowski is a fiery scrambler who won a few games before the league figured him out last season. He still has some long-term potential. If Jake Plummer comes out of retirement, he’ll only add confusion, not quality.

25. Bears (2006 Rank: 27)

Lovie Smith stuck with Rex Grossman through hell and high water last year. Hell came in the form of a two-game, zero-touchdown, six-interception stretch against the Patriots and Vikings. High water came in the Super Bowl, when Grossman laid a two-interception, two-fumble ostrich egg on the biggest stage in sports.

Grossman is a five-year veteran who still makes basic mistakes when reading defenses. He throws a fine deep ball and will have some hot streaks, but he has awful lapses in timing and judgment. Grossman admitted that he didn’t adequately prepare for the Bears’ meaningless season finale. He needs to take practice and film study more seriously if he hopes to become more consistent.

They’re ranked 25th, but in many ways the Bears have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. Grossman will have to blast a hole 10 feet below rock bottom for Smith to switch horses. The other horse, Brian Griese, is an injury-prone dink-and-dunker who doesn’t fit the system. Grossman could mature this off-season, but if he succumbs to bad practice and in-game habits, the Bears are doomed.

26. Falcons (2006 Rank: 16)

Michael Vick has enjoyed a distraction-free off-season. A consummate student of the game, he memorized every page of Bobby Petrino’s playbook down to the watermark. He spent six hours every day mastering his delivery and footwork, then spent two more hours studying game film of NFC South opponents. It has been a blissful couple of months, unmarred by obscene gestures, suspicious bottles, restaurant openings, or animal abuse allegations.

Vick is poised for a breakout year. He’ll complete 72 percent of his passes, rush for 1,100 yards (while only running when he has to), and lead the Falcons to an undefeated season. He’ll then accept a cabinet position as Secretary of Education. His backups won’t be needed, but all are excellent options. Joey Harrington is coming off wildly successful stints in Detroit and Miami, D.J. Shockey is a known commodity with gobs of experience, and Chris Redman is well rested after several years out of football.

(The preceding comment was furnished by the Ill-Informed Wishful Thinkers of America and does not represent the opinions of Mike Tanier, Football Outsiders, FOXSports.com, or anyone with half a clue.)

27. Dolphins (2006 Rank: 11)

If Trent Green were a used car, his Carfax report would reveal that his odometer has turned over and he was totaled in a collision on Sept. 10, 2006. Green was once an excellent system quarterback, a point guard who always got the ball to his receivers in space on short routes and could pick his spots downfield. But he was very shaky when he returned from last year’s concussion. Take away his 297-yard, four-touchdown game against the Browns, and he threw for just 1,045 yards, three touchdowns, and eight picks in seven starts. Green turned 37 last week, making him an old dog trying to learn the new tricks of Cam Cameron’s offense in a shortened off-season.

Green will be an excellent mentor for John Beck, the 26-year-old rookie from Brigham Young who, like Green, is a ball distributor with good pocket presence. Cleo Lemon, who didn’t embarrass himself in some late-season action, is also in the mix.

28. Redskins (2006 Rank: 13)

Jason Campbell fared well in seven late-season starts last year. He didn’t make the highlight reel very often, but he avoided sacks (just seven) and fumbles (one) and proved that he was a decent decision maker. Campbell must improve his accuracy and show that he can handle the entire playbook. Backup Mark Brunell is on his last legs. His arm is spent and he bails on too many plays. Todd Collins is a well-traveled third stringer. Rookie Jordan Palmer is Carson Palmer’s brother, but most of their similarities are buried in the DNA sequence.

29. Texans (2006 Rank: 23)

Matt Schaub impressed as a backup in Atlanta. How will he do now that he’s a starter? ( / Getty Images)

Where were you on Oct. 9, 2005? Matt Schaub was in Atlanta, earning $48 million with a three-touchdown effort against the Patriots. Schaub looked great in that game, but it was two years ago, and we’ve only seen him in exhibition and mop-up duty since then. Until we have more than 161 career attempts to analyze, Schaub ranks among the rookies and the unknowns. Backups Sage Rosenfels and Bradlee Van Pelt won’t threaten Schaub’s status as the starter. Rosenfels looked good in a relief appearance against Tennessee last year. Van Pelt is a discount rack scrambler who spent a few seasons with Gary Kubiak in Denver.

30. Browns (2006 Rank 25)

The Lewin Career Forecast predicts great things for Brady Quinn, a four-year starter in a complex, pro-style offense at Notre Dame. Quinn displayed the accuracy, touch, and decisiveness to succeed in the NFL, and he held up under intense media scrutiny in college and at the draft. Yes, he looked bad against top competition, but Peyton Manning never beat Florida, and he turned out OK.

That being said, Quinn won’t succeed immediately. The Browns will probably open the season with either Derek Anderson or Charlie Frye at quarterback. Anderson is a one-half wonder who led the Browns in their comeback against the Chiefs in Week 13. He can run, and his arm looks great after watching Frye for a few weeks. Frye couldn’t throw a football 50 yards if you pumped the pigskin full of helium. Quinn will rank in the top half of the league by 2009. But this year, he and the Browns are mired here.

31. Raiders (2006 Rank: 30)

From draft day until the start of Raiders mini-camp in June, JaMarcus Russell spent an average of nine hours per week on the telephone with his coaches learning the playbook. Two thoughts here. 1) Nine hours per week isn’t a whole lot. Some people spend that many hours per week stuck in traffic. Maybe they should get on the phone and learn an offense instead of honking their horns and cursing. 2) The telephone may not be the best device for imparting complex football information. The Raiders could invest in some video conferencing equipment, but Al Davis is probably too old school.

Despite phoning in his off-season study sessions, Russell fared well in mini-camp. The organization is saying all the right things: he’s in shape, his arm is as good as advertised, he’s the coolest cucumber in the crisper, and so on. Still, he’s a rookie who will likely be the Opening Day starter for a team that won two games last season. He has a promising future, but 2007 will be a long year. Backup Andrew Walter is out indefinitely after knee surgery, leaving Josh McCown as the only experienced quarterback on the roster. McCown played for the Lions last year — at wide receiver. ‘Nuff said.

32. Vikings (2006 Rank: 31)

Tavaris Jackson started two games at the end of last season and looked helpless. Jackson is a decent athlete who has the arm and IQ to succeed, but he faced a huge adjustment from a Division I-AA spread offense to Brad Childress’ quantum physics scheme. Jackson’s first instinct last season was to run at the first sign of trouble. Brooks Bollinger, who may challenge Jackson, went 2-7 as a starter for the Jets in 2005; the teams he beat had a combined 9-23 record. Bollinger is an undersized high-effort guy with decent mobility but little else. Tyler Thigpen, a rookie from Coastal Carolina, will get a long look in camp. Thigpen, like Bollinger, lists at 6-foot-1, an inch shorter than Jackson. Childress may want to hire some roller coaster attendants to make sure that his quarterbacks meet minimum height requirements.

Drew Henson, who is pretty tall, is also in Vikings camp. He’s still hoping for a September call-up from the Yankees.

Not much has slowed down the surging Chicago Cubs over the past three weeks. Meanwhile, little has gone right for the slumping Barry Bonds recently in his pursuit of baseball’s all-time home run record.

The Cubs look to win their fourth straight game and prevent Bonds from getting closer to history at Wrigley Field when they open a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

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Chicago (47-43) defeated Houston 7-6 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep in its first series after the All-Star break. The Cubs have won 15 of 19 overall, and are 3 1/2 games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee after trailing by 8 1/2 games on June 23.

While Chicago has been on a roll, Bonds is hitless in a season-worst 20 consecutive at-bats after an 0-for-5 showing in Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco (38-51) has lost four straight games and 17 of 21.

Bonds’ last homer - the 751st of his career and his 17th this season - came on July 3. He’s just 1-for-24 since.

The slugger had a hitless stretch of 21 at-bats from April 5-12, 2001 - the year he broke the single-season home run record with 73 - and had a career-worst 0-for-23 drought from July 6-20, 1986, during his rookie year.

Bonds is 0-for-2 with a walk in his career against Chicago’s Monday starter Rich Hill (5-6, 3.81 ERA), and went 3-for-16 (.188) against the Cubs last season. He did manage to homer in each of his two games at Wrigley a year ago, and has 26 home runs in 109 career games on Chicago’s North Side.

The Cubs’ play at Wrigley has triggered their turnaround. They started the year just 10-17 at home, but have won four straight and 13 of 17 there.

Chicago rallied from a five-run deficit in Sunday’s win. All-Star first baseman Derrek Lee sparked the comeback with a three-run homer - his first since June 3 - in the second inning.

The Cubs now hope Hill can return from the All-Star break rejuvenated.

Hill opened the season 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA in his first six starts, but is just 1-5 with a 5.20 ERA in his last 11 outings. The left-hander has not won since June 7, and has given up at least five runs in three of his last four starts.

In his final appearance before the break, Hill was tagged for six runs and a season-high 10 hits in six innings of a 6-0 loss to Washington on July 4.

He is 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA in three career games against the Giants.

San Francisco counters with rookie Tim Lincecum (4-2, 4.63), who looks to win his third straight start.

Lincecum has yielded just three runs in 20 innings in his last three starts after allowing 22 runs in 18 2-3 innings in his previous four.

On July 7, the 23-year-old right-hander gave up three runs and six hits in six innings of a 7-6 victory over St. Louis.

This will be his first start against the Cubs.

For Pizza I’m on the Cubs backing Hill -146

Good Luck,

Tommy Mac

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Tommy Mac’s FREE Baseball Picks - Pizza Plays - are “What I will be watching on TV tonight” as posted on Graffiti Wall blogs and askthebookie.com

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MLB 07/16/2007 7:05 PM EDT 901 st. louis cardinals (r) looper, b -105 9o15/9o25/9.5u15 9o30 +1.5(-200) 902 florida marlins (r) kim, b h 9o15-110/-114 / -115 -116 -1.5(+170) NATIONALE LEAGUE

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Time of Play Game Date Game # Team line 11:18:22am 2007-07-16 912 MIL -152 8:43:16am 2007-07-16 924 SEA -140 8:28:07am 2007-07-16 916 LAD -155 8:07:18am 2007-07-16 920 BOS -166

7:05 PM EDT 903 cincinnati reds (l) livingston, bobby 9.5o25/10o15/ 10o25 +1.5(-135) 904 atlanta braves (r) davies, k -185-170/ -168 / -164 -162 -1.5(+115)

7:05 PM EDT 905 colorado rockies (r) buchholz, t -105-106/ -107 / -109 -110 -1.5(+140) 906 pittsburgh pirates (r) van benschoten, j 10u20 10u20 10u25 +1.5(-160) COL (OF) Taveras Questionable; PIT (3B) Bautista Questionable

7:05 PM EDT 907 houston astros (r) williams, w -107-111/ -110 / -107 -109 -1.5(+145) 908 washington nationals (l) bacsik, m 9o20 9o20 9o15 +1.5(-165)

7:05 PM EDT 909 san francisco giants(r) lincecum, t 9o15 / 9u20 / 9o15 9 +1.5(-160) 910 chicago cubs (l) hill, r -152 -137 / -141 / -144 -146 -1.5(+140) ***TIME CHANGE*** (ESPN); Wind OUT to CENTER at 5 MPH; CHC (OF) Floyd Questionable

8:05 PM EDT 911 arizona diamondbacks(r) owings, m 9 / 9o15 / 9 9u20 +1.5(-155) 912 milwaukee brewers (r) bush, d -156-154 / -153 / -152 -150 -1.5(+135)

10:05 PM EDT 913 new york mets (r) sosa, j 8.5o15 / 8.5 / 8.5u15 8.5 +1.5(-220) 914 san diego padres (l) wells, d -110-107 / -114 -110 -1.5(+180)

10:10 PM EDT 915 philadelphia phillies(l) moyer, j 8u20 / 8u15 8 +1.5(-150) 916 los angeles dodgers (r) penny, b -150 -151/-153/-155 -157 -1.5(+130)

7:05 PM EDT 917 chicago white sox (l) danks, j 10u20 / 10u15 / 10 10o15 +1.5(-130) 918 cleveland indians (l) lee, c -172 -177 -1.5(+110)

7:05 PM EDT 919 kansas city royals (r) bannister, b 10.5u20 /10o15 10o20 +1.5(-130) 920 boston red sox (l) gabbard, k -152 -167/-162/-165 -166 -1.5(+110) BOS (C) Varitek Questionable

7:05 PM EDT 921 toronto blue jays (r) towers, j 10.5o20 / 10.5o15 10.5o20 +1.5(-145) 922 new york yankees (l) igawa, k -150 / -154 / -156 -158 -1.5(+125)

10:05 PM EDT 923 baltimore orioles (l) burres, b 9.5o15 9.5o15 +1.5(-155) 924 seattle mariners (l) ramirez, h -150 -133/-136/-138 -140 -1.5(+135) SEA (OF) Ichiro Questionable

SEATTLE - OF Ichiro Suzuki (leg) left last game, “?” Monday vs Baltimore.

10:05 PM EDT 925 texas rangers (r) wright, jm 9.5o15 9.5o15 +1.5(-155) 926 oakland athletics (l) braden, dallas -145 / -155 -148 -1.5(+135) OAK (OF) Cust Questionable

TAKE THE BET33.COM “EARLY BIRD FOOTBALL CHALLENGE” & BET MLB ACTION with your FREE $50 Today!

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WNBA - Jul 17 WNBA - TUESDAY Jul 17 651 MIN LYNX +8½-110 o155-110 7:30 PM 652 CONNECTICUT SUN -8½-110 u155-110 Jul 17 653 SEATTLE STORM +5½-110 o169½-110 9:30 PM 654 PHOENIX MERCURY -5½-110 u169½-110 Jul 17 655 SA SILVER STARS -5½-110 o143-110 10:30 PM656 LA SPARKS +5½-110 u143-110

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL - Jul 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE - MONDAY Jul 16 901 STL B LOOPER -R EV o9-130 +1½-200 7:05 PM 902 FLA B H KIM -R -120 u9+110 -1½+170 Jul 16 903 CIN B LIVINGST-L +155 o10-130 +1½-130 7:05 PM 904 ATL K DAVIES -R -175 u10+110 -1½+110 Jul 16 905 COL T BUCHHOLZ-R -110 o9½-110 +1½-225 7:05 PM 906 PIT VAN BENSCN-R -110 u9½-110 -1½+185 Jul 16 907 HOU W WILLIAMS-R -115 o9-115 -1½+140 7:05 PM 908 WAS M BACSIK -L -105 u9-105 +1½-160 Jul 16 909 SFO T LINCECUM-R +120 o9-110 +1½-165 7:05 PM 910 CUB R HILL -L -140 u9-110 -1½+145 Jul 16 911 ARI M OWINGS -R +135 o9EV +1½-150 8:05 PM 912 MIL D BUSH -R -155 u9-120 -1½+130 Jul 16 913 NYM J SOSA -R EV o8½-105 +1½-215 10:05 PM 914 SDG D WELLS -L -120 u8½-115 -1½+175 Jul 16 915 PHI J MOYER -L +135 o8-110 +1½-160 10:10 PM 916 LOS B PENNY -R -155 u8-110 -1½+140

AMERICAN LEAGUE Jul 16 917 CWS J DANKS -L +160 o9½-135 +1½-135 7:05 PM 918 CLE C LEE -L -180 u9½+115 -1½+115 Jul 16 919 KAN B BANNISTE-R +155 o10½-110 +1½-125 7:05 PM 920 BOS K GABBARD -L -175 u10½-110 -1½+105 Jul 16 921 TOR J TOWERS -R +135 o10½-120 +1½-145 7:05 PM 922 NYY K IGAWA -L -155 u10½EV -1½+125 Jul 16 923 BAL B BURRES -L +125 o9½-120 +1½-165 10:05 PM 924 SEA H RAMIREZ -L -145 u9½EV -1½+145 Jul 16 925 TEX JM WRIGHT -R +130 o9½-115 +1½-160 10:05 PM 926 OAK D BRADEN -L -150 u9½-105 -1½+140

GRAND SALAMI NO LISTED PITCHERS - ALL GAMES MUST GO 8.5 Jul 16 941 AWAY RUNS +180 +4½-110 7:05 PM 942 HOME RUNS -220 -4½-110 Jul 16 943 OVER RUNS o128-110 7:05 PM 944 UNDER RUNS u128-110

1ST HALF - 5 INNINGS First Half Lines - Jul 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE Jul 16 1901 1H STL B LOOPER -R EV o5-115 7:05 PM 1902 1H FLA B H KIM -R -120 u5-105 Jul 16 1903 1H CIN B LIVINGST-L +150 o5½-120 7:05 PM 1904 1H ATL K DAVIES -R -170 u5½EV Jul 16 1905 1H COL T BUCHHOLZ-R -110 o5-125 7:05 PM 1906 1H PIT VAN BENSCN-R -110 u5+105 Jul 16 1907 1H HOU W WILLIAMS-R -115 o5-115 7:05 PM 1908 1H WAS M BACSIK -L -105 u5-105 Jul 16 1909 1H SFO T LINCECUM-R +120 o5-120 7:05 PM 1910 1H CUB R HILL -L -140 u5EV Jul 16 1911 1H ARI M OWINGS -R +135 o4½-120 8:05 PM 1912 1H MIL D BUSH -R -155 u4½EV Jul 16 1913 1H NYM J SOSA -R -110 o4½-105 10:05 PM 1914 1H SDG D WELLS -L -110 u4½-115 Jul 16 1915 1H PHI J MOYER -L +135 o4½+105 10:10 PM 1916 1H LOS B PENNY -R -155 u4½-125

AMERICAN LEAGUE Jul 16 1917 1H CWS J DANKS -L +160 o5½-110 7:05 PM 1918 1H CLE C LEE -L -180 u5½-110 Jul 16 1919 1H KAN B BANNISTE-R +150 o5½-120 7:05 PM 1920 1H BOS K GABBARD -L -170 u5½EV Jul 16 1921 1H TOR J TOWERS -R +140 o6-110 7:05 PM 1922 1H NYY K IGAWA -L -160 u6-110 Jul 16 1923 1H BAL B BURRES -L +125 o5½EV 10:05 PM 1924 1H SEA H RAMIREZ -L -145 u5½-120 Jul 16 1925 1H TEX JM WRIGHT -R +130 o5½EV 10:05 PM 1926 1H OAK D BRADEN -L -150 u5½-120

BOXING - Jul 21 THURSDAY ***HOPKINS VS WRIGHT*** Jul 21 1001 Bernard Hopkins +110 10:50 PM 1002 Ronald Wright -140

BERNARD HOPKINS VS RONALD WRIGHT TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 21 1003 Over 11½ rounds -565 10:50 PM 1004 Under 11½ rounds +415

The Chicago Cubs will try to continue their recent success this month when they open a four-game series versus the San Francisco Giants tonight at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs are 8-3 in July and just pulled off a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros over the weekend at home. They completed the sweep with Sunday’s 7-6 win, as Derrek Lee went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer to lead the way.

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Ryan Theriot and Angel Pagan also went deep for the Cubs, who have won five of their last seven games and sit 3 1/2 games off the lead in the NL Central. Starter Jason Marquis was tagged for six runs in just four innings of work before the bullpen combined for five innings of shutout ball. Michael Wuertz earned the win and Bob Howry posted his fifth save of the season.

Taking the ball for the Cubs tonight will be Rich Hill, who is 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 17 starts this season. Hill is 0-2 over his last five starts and was beaten by Washington the last time out on July 4, allowing 10 hits and six runs over six innings of a 6-0 loss.

The left-hander, who is 2-2 in seven home starts in 2007, owns a 1-1 mark in three career starts against San Francisco.

Meanwhile, the Giants have dropped four in a row, including Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the finale of a three-game series from AT&T Park. Barry Bonds went 0-for-5 and is hitless in his last 20 at-bats. The future Hall of Famer is still stuck on 751 career home runs, four shy of tying Hank Aaron for the all-time record.

Dave Roberts went 3-for-5 and scored twice for the Giants, who are last in the National League West standings — 12 1/2 games off the pace. Starting pitcher Noah Lowry had a three-start winning streak stopped and saw his seven-game home winning string come to an end after giving up 10 hits and five runs — four earned — over 5 2/3 innings.

San Francisco will send rookie pitcher Tim Lincecum to the mound Monday night and he is 4-2 with a 4.63 ERA in 12 starts this season. Lincecum is riding a personal two-game winning streak and is unbeaten over his last three starts with a 1.34 earned run average.

In his previous performance on July 7 against St. Louis, the right-hander posted the win after yielding three runs in six innings of a 7-6 triumph.

Lincecum will face the Cubs for the first time in his career tonight.

Chicago and the Giants are meeting for the first time since San Francisco took four of six games during the 2006 campaign. The Giants went 2-1 at Wrigley Field that season.

Monday, July 16th

American League

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

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Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

Baltimore Orioles at Seattle Mariners, 10:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 80.

Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics, 10:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 80.

National League

St. Louis Cardinals at Florida Marlins, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Houston Astros at Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 95.

San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75. New York Mets at San Diego Padres, 10:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 75. Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Monday, July 16th (All times eastern) CHICAGO WHITE SOX (40-50) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (54-37), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - John Danks (5-6, 4.62) Cleveland - Cliff Lee (5-5, 5.23)

The Cleveland Indians try to move back into first place in the American League Central this evening, when they open a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Jacobs Field.

The Indians enter this series a half-game back of division-leading Detroit, which is idle tonight, meaning a win tonight would put the Tribe into a first- place tie with the Tigers.

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Cleveland took two of three over the weekend from the lowly Kansas City Royals, as it captured a 5-3 win in Sunday’s rubber match. Fausto Carmona hurled seven solid innings and Travis Hafner and Ryan Garko both homered to power the win.

Carmona (11-4) allowed just two runs on eight hits for the Indians, who won for just the third time in eight games. Hafner finished 3-for-4 and Garko was 2-for-3 in the game.

Heading to the hill tonight for the Indians will be lefty Cliff Lee, who was hammered by the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start before the break. Lee gave up six runs and six hits in four innings of that one, as he fell to 5-5 on the year and had his earned run average raised to 5.23.

Lee has faced the White Sox 14 times and is 4-4 with a 6.07 earned run average against them.

Chicago will counter with rookie lefty John Danks, who is unbeaten in his last five starts (2-0) and is 5-6 with a 4.62 ERA on the year. Danks earned the win in his last start before the break, as he defeated the Baltimore Orioles despite giving up five runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings on July 5.

Danks lost his only career start to the Indians despite a pretty solid effort. He served up a pair of runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of that one.

The White Sox dropped the final three tests of their four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, dropping a 5-3 decision on Sunday at Camden Yards.

Jermaine Dye hit a pair of solo home runs for the White Sox, who had won three straight before their current slide

Jose Contreras (5-11) continued to struggle on the hill for Chicago, as he gave up five runs on 10 hits in six innings of action. He has lost six of his last seven starts, including four straight.

Chicago will be starting a difficult stretch tonight, as it plays 12 games in the next 11 days against three of the top four teams in the American League. After this series the White Sox will visit the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox for four games, then will head home to face the Detroit Tigers in a five-game set that includes a doubleheader.

The Indians have won four of six from the White Sox this year and are 15-10 against them since the start of last season, winning seven of the eight series played between them in the process.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (39-52) AT BOSTON RED SOX (55-36), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Kansas City - Brian Bannister (5-5, 3.71) Boston - Kason Gabbard (2-0, 4.87)

The Boston Red Sox hope to continue their home dominance of the Kansas City Royals as they open a three-game set against them this evening at Fenway Park.

Boston, which took two of three from the Royals in Kansas City earlier this season, has won 12 of its last 15 at home in this series since the start of the 2003 campaign.

The Red Sox, though, enter this series on a sour note after dropping a 2-1 decision to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. David Ortiz went 2-for-4 and knocked in a run for Boston, which has dropped five of its last seven but still maintains a nine-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East.

Josh Beckett (12-3) took the loss despite allowing seven hits and two runs over eight strong innings. The All-Star fanned eight and walked two.

Getting the call for the Red Sox tonight will be rookie left-hander Kason Gabbard, who is 2-0 with a 4.87 earned run average. Gabbard received a no decision in his last start before the break, giving up two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings of his team’s 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers on July 7.

Gabbard, who is a perfect 3-0 in his career at Fenway, has never faced the Royals.

Kansas City will counter with Brian Bannister, who like Gabbard, will be facing his opponent for the first time tonight.

After winning four straight starts, Bannister has struggled of late, losing two of his last three. He was saddled with the loss back on July 4 against the Seattle Mariners, as he allowed four runs and seven hits in seven innings to fall to 5-5 and raise his ERA to 3.71.

The Royals dropped two of three to the Cleveland Indians over the weekend, dropping Sunday’s rubber match, 5-3, at Jacobs Field. Jason Smith hit a solo home run for the Royals, who remained mired in last place in the AL Central. Billy Butler and Ross Gload also drove in a run apiece for Kansas City.

Jorge De La Rosa (7-10) surrendered three runs on two hits in just 3 1/3 innings en route to the loss. The Royals starter struggled with his command throughout, walking six before leaving with a bruised left thumb.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (45-46) AT NEW YORK YANKEES (45-44), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Josh Towers (4-5, 5.07) New York - Kei Igawa (2-2, 7.14)

The New York Yankees try to stay on the winning track this evening, when they open a four-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

After losing eight of 11 games to close the month of June, the Yankees have responded by winning eight of 12 to open the month of July, including taking three of four over the weekend from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to get back above the .500 mark (45-44).

In Sunday’s finale, Andy Phillips drove in a pair of runs, scored twice and saved the game with a great defensive play at first to lead the Yankees to a 7-6 win at Tropicana Field.

Derek Jeter homered and knocked in three runs for New York, which has won four of five but is still nine back of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

Mike Mussina got the start for the Yankees and allowed 11 hits and three runs over six innings. Luis Vizcaino (5-2) was awarded the win despite pitching only a third of an inning, while Mariano Rivera slipped out of trouble in the ninth for his 13th save.

Kei Igawa takes the hill for the Yankees tonight as he tries to put a miserable first half of the season behind him and post his first victory since April 28. Igawa was just 2-2 but pitched to a miserable 7.17 earned run average in his nine games (eight starts) before the break.

Igawa, who has never faced the Blue Jays, did not receive a decision in his last start on July 5 against the Minnesota Twins. He surrendered five runs and seven hits in five innings of his team’s 7-6 win.

Toronto will counter with right-hander Josh Towers, who is 4-5 with a 5.07 ERA. Towers was sensational in his last start back on July 8, but had nothing to show for it.

The right-hander scattered three hits to the Cleveland Indians over eight scoreless innings in that one, but did not factor in the decision of his team’s 1-0 win.

Towers is 2-7 lifetime against the Yankees with a 4.62 ERA in 12 games, eight of which have been starts.

Toronto earned a split in its four-game series with the Boston Red Sox over the weekend, as Jesse Litsch gave up nine hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings in the Blue Jays’ 2-1 win Sunday at Fenway Park.

Litsch (2-3) struck out two and walked one, needing 94 pitches to hold a usually explosive Red Sox offense at bay. Jeremy Accardo hurled a perfect ninth to pick up his 13th save.

Lyle Overbay finished 3-for-3 and scored a run for the Blue Jays, who have won three of five. Royce Clayton was 2-for-4 with an RBI single and Aaron Hill drove in a run and scored once.

Toronto has won three of four from the Yankees already this season, but is just 24-35 in the series since the start of the 2004 season. The Blue Jays are also only 11-18 in the Bronx over that time, but won in their only visit there this season.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (41-50) AT SEATTLE MARINERS (51-38), 10:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Baltimore - Brian Burres (4-3, 4.18) Seattle - Horacio Ramirez (4-2, 6.47)

The Seattle Mariners could be without superstar Ichiro Suzuki when they open a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles this evening at Safeco Field.

Suzuki was hit by a pitch in Sunday’s 11-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers and had to leave the contest with a thigh contusion. He is listed as day-to-day and will be re-evaluated again on Monday, although he told manager John McLaren after the game that he should be ready to go.

Suzuki, who recently agreed to a $90 million, five-year contract extension, is the only Mariner to play in all 89 games this season. He is batting .350 - the second-best mark in the AL - with 40 RBI and 23 stolen bases.

Seattle split its four-game series over the weekend with the Tigers, but is still 14-5 in its last 19 games and just three games back of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the AL West. The Mariners are also only two games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL wild card chase.

Heading to the hill for the Mariners tonight will be left-hander Horacio Ramirez, who will be activated from the disabled list to start tonight’s contest. Ramirez has not pitched since May 24 because of left shoulder tendinitis and is 4-2 with a 6.47 earned run average this season.

Ramirez is 2-0 in his career against the O’s with a 2.40 ERA in two starts.

Baltimore will counter with lefty Brian Burres, who is 4-3 with a 4.18 ERA. The Orioles, though, have lost four of his last five starts.

Burres pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, but was roughed up in his last start. On July 5 against the White Sox, Burress surrendered seven runs and six hits in just 1 1/3 innings.

Burres did not pick up a decision against the Mariners in his only career start against them, allowing a run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

The Orioles enter this tilt on a three-game winning streak, after Brian Roberts and Corey Patterson each hit solo homers in Baltimore’s 5-3 win over the White Sox in Sunday’s finale of a four-game set at Camden Yards.

Aubrey Huff hit a two-run triple and Nick Markakis drove in a run for the Orioles, who have not won four in a row since a season-high six-game run from May 26-31.

Garrett Olson (1-0) picked up his first win in the majors, as he gave up two runs on six hits in five innings of work.

Seattle took two of three from the O’s earlier this year and is 8-5 against them since the start of last season.

TEXAS RANGERS (39-52) AT OAKLAND ATHLETICS (44-48), 10:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Jamey Wright (2-2, 5.55) Oakland - Dallas Braden (1-3, 6.08)

The Oakland Athletics try to stop a seven-game losing streak when they open a three-game set with the Texas Ranges tonight at McAfee Coliseum.

Oakland’s latest setback came on Sunday, as it dropped a 4-3 decision to the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. Travis Buck drove in two runs while Eric Chavez hit a solo home run for the Athletics, who are now a season-worst four games under .500 after being swept in the four-game series.

A’s reliever Joe Kennedy (2-8) dropped his fourth straight decision after giving up the game-winning run in the ninth inning. Dan Haren had a good start on the mound for Oakland, as he gave up just two runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

The A’s, who trail the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by 11 1/2 games, are in the midst of their worst stretch since falling in seven straight from May 20-26 of last season. They haven’t lost eight in a row since May 21-29, 2005.

A big reason behind Oakland’s skid is its lack of offense. The team has not scored more than three runs in 10 straight games, which matches a team record set in 1978.

Hoping to get Oakland back in the win column tonight will be young Dallas Braden, who is 1-3 with a 6.08 earned run average. Braden, who will be recalled from Triple-A to make the start, has not started for the A’s since back on May 17, when he was tagged with the loss against the Kansas City Royals. He has had three relief stints with them since, though.

Braden has never faced the Rangers.

Texas will counter with righty Jamey Wright, who is 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA. Wright has not pitched since July 4, when he allowed two runs in a season-high six innings against the Angels.

Wright has not received a decision in two career starts against Oakland despite allowing 16 runs in 12 innings.

The Rangers enter this series after a dramatic win on Sunday, as Mark Teixeira smacked a leadoff home run in the 11th inning that lifted Texas over the Angels, 5-4, to avoid a sweep in the final matchup of the three-game series.

With the score knotted at four, the Rangers got the winning run in the top of the 11th on Teixeira’s homer to right field on a full count off reliever Justin Speier.

Ramon Vazquez finished 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Rangers, who improved to 6-5 in July.

Texas’ C.J. Wilson (1-1) got the final out of the 10th to earn the win and Eric Gagne tossed a perfect 11th for his 13th save of the season.

Texas has split its six matchups with the A’s this year and holds a slim 13-12 edge in the series since the start of last season.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (41-47) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (44-48), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Braden Looper (6-7, 4.72) Florida - Byung-Hyun Kim (4-4, 4.94)

The defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals begin their lone visit to Miami’s Dolphin Stadium of the season with tonight’s opener of a three-game series with the Florida Marlins.

This evening’s game also marks the first 2007 meeting between the clubs, the last two National League squads to capture a World Series title. The teams will also play three games in St. Louis from August 21-23.

The Cardinals took five of six games from Florida last season and swept a three-game set at Dolphin Stadium during their championship campaign. St. Louis is an impressive 7-2 in South Florida since the start of the 2004 season.

The Marlins have also had struggles winning at home this year, as their 19-26 record as the host bests only Washington’s 19-27 mark among major league teams. Florida did take the final two tests of a three-game home set with the Nationals over the weekend, however, thanks to a big series from All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Cabrera slammed two solo home runs in Sunday’s 5-3 victory over Washington and went 4-for-10 with three homers, four RBI and four runs scored during the three games.

Josh Willingham homered for a third straight game in Sunday’s win, while Marlins starter Scott Olsen (7-7) held Washington to two runs over the first five innings. Kevin Gregg threw a 1-2-3 ninth to record his 20th save of the year.

Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols is also coming off a productive weekend, as the superstar first baseman finished 6-for-14 with four homers, five RBI and five runs scored over St. Louis’ three games at Philadelphia. The Cardinals dropped the first two encounters of the series, however, before rebounding for a 10-2 triumph in Sunday’s finale.

Pujols led the way with a 3-for-5, three-RBI performance that included a pair of home runs. As a team the Cardinals belted a season-high six long balls on the evening.

Chris Duncan, Juan Encarnacion, Adam Kennedy and Ryan Ludwick also went deep for St. Louis, which had lost four of five coming in.

The power surge backed up an outstanding mound performance by Adam Wainwright (8-7), who scattered six hits and a pair of walks over seven shutout innings.

Florida is seeking its first three-game home win streak since April 21-23 and will give the ball tonight to Byung-Hyun Kim. The Korean righty posted a victory in his final start prior to the All-Star break, as he limited San Diego to two runs on three hits while striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings on July 5.

It was the second straight strong outing for Kim, who allowed just one run and four hits in a 6 1/3-inning no decision against Atlanta on June 30.

The side-armer is 1-2 with a 5.28 earned run average and one save in 12 career appearances against St. Louis, nine of which have come in relief. In his only game versus the Cardinals last season, Kim was rocked for seven runs and 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings while a member of the Colorado Rockies.

St. Louis counters with ex-Marlin Braden Looper, who looks to break out of a long winless streak tonight. Since recording his last victory on May 24, the converted reliever has gone 0-4 with an awful 7.60 ERA in six starts.

In his most recent appearance, Looper was tagged for five runs (four earned) over 6 1/3 innings in a loss to San Francisco on July 7.

Looper pitched five seasons for the Marlins from 1999-2003 and saved 28 games for the club during its world championship run of 2003. He has faced his former team 16 times previously, all in relief, and is 2-2 with a 7.63 ERA and four saves.

CINCINNATI REDS (37-55) AT ATLANTA BRAVES (50-42), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Cincinnati - Bobby Livingston (1-0, 3.00) Atlanta - Kyle Davies (4-7, 5.55)

The Atlanta Braves try to continue their recent winning ways when the owners of the National League’s worst record, the Cincinnati Reds, invade Turner Field tonight for the first of three games with the NL East contenders.

Atlanta has climbed back into the thick of the division race by amassing seven victories in its last eight games, including four in a row. The surge, coupled with some late struggles of the Mets, has propelled Atlanta within 1 1/2 games of New York’s lead in the East.

The Braves are fresh off a three-game home sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates that culminated with Sunday’s 5-1 decision.

Buddy Carlyle (3-2) turned in a dominating performance on the mound for Atlanta, as the journeyman righty limited the Pirates to a run on just four hits and walked none over eight innings of work.

The Atlanta offense was led by Edgar Renteria, who finished 4-for-5 with an RBI single. Yunel Escobar added two hits and also knocked in a run on the afternoon.

The Braves’ current win streak was ignited by a strong outing from pitcher Kyle Davies on July 8. On that night, the young right-hander held San Diego to one run and four hits while fanning six over six innings to earn the victory in a 5-4 Atlanta triumph at Petco Park.

Prior to that effort, Davies had gone 0-4 with a horrid 8.06 earned run average over his five most recent starts and yielded five or more runs in all but one of those games.

The 23-year-old Georgia native is 1-0 with a 7.20 ERA in two career starts against Cincinnati, both of which came during the 2005 campaign.

The Reds will promote Bobby Livingston from Triple-A Louisville to start tonight’s contest. The left-hander made a pair of spot starts for the club earlier this season and earned his first major league win with an impressive showing at Colorado on June 1.

In that game Livingston yielded just one unearned run on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings to help Cincinnati to a 4-2 victory at Coors Field. He was sent back to the minors the following day.

The 24-year-old, who will be facing the Braves for the first time, has gone 3-4 with a 3.80 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) for Louisville this season.

Cincinnati enters this series with an NL-worst 37-55 record and did not help the Braves’ cause by dropping three of four games to the Mets to begin the second half. In Sunday’s series finale at Shea Stadium, Oliver Perez tossed six effective innings in his return from the disabled list to lead New York to a 5-2 decision.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips went 2-for-4 with an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. He is batting .375 (18-for-48) with five home runs and 15 RBI during the tear.

Adam Dunn accounted for Cincinnati’s other run with a solo homer, his 25th of the season.

Reds starter Kyle Lohse (5-11) lasted only 4 2/3 innings and was charged with five runs on six hits and three walks.

These teams have not faced one another yet this season. Atlanta won four of seven meetings with Cincinnati last year and is 11-6 in the overall series since the start of the 2005 campaign.

The Reds lost three of four games in their only visit to Turner Field last season.

COLORADO ROCKIES (45-46) AT PITTSBURGH PIRATES (40-51), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Taylor Buchholz (4-3, 4.65) Pittsburgh - John Van Benschoten (0-3, 5.40)

The Pittsburgh Pirates hope that a return home can get them back on the right track as the perennial doormats start up a three-game series with the visiting Colorado Rockies at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh did not get its second half off to a good beginning, as the club lost all three games at Atlanta over the weekend. The Braves outscored the Pirates by a 19-6 margin for the set and completed the sweep with Sunday’s 5-1 victory.

The Bucs mustered just one run and four hits in eight innings against Atlanta’s Buddy Carlyle, with the only tally coming on a Freddy Sanchez solo home run in the opening frame.

Paul Maholm (5-12) pitched fairly well for Pittsburgh in defeat, as the left- hander allowed three runs — two earned — on eight hits over the first six innings.

Prior to the All-Star break, the Pirates went 7-3 on a 10-game homestand. Pittsburgh is just 22-24 at PNC Park this season but has won each of its last five series as the host.

Colorado is in the midst of a 10-game road trip that began with three meetings with National League Central frontrunner Milwaukee. The Rockies lost the final two matchups with the Brewers after posting a 10-6 win in Friday’s opener.

Milwaukee edged Colorado by a 4-3 count in Sunday’s rubber match, scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh inning to snap a 2-2 tie.

Reliever Jeremy Affeldt (4-2) came on for the Rockies in the bottom of the seventh and was greeted by a double by Geoff Jenkins followed by Kevin Mench’s RBI triple. Mench later crossed the plate on an Affeldt wild pitch.

Aaron Cook worked the first six innings for Colorado and surrendered two runs on just four hits.

Brad Hawpe had a solo home run in the loss, the Rockies’ third in four outings following a five-game win streak, while Kaz Matsui finished 2-for-5 with an RBI double.

A pair of young right-handers will square off in tonight’s opener, with Taylor Buchholz getting the call for Colorado opposite the Bucs’ John Van Benschoten.

Buchholz will be making his first start since he was touched for four runs in 6 2/3 innings in a loss to Cincinnati on June 1. He has been outstanding in a relief role since that defeat, having posted a 2-0 record and a 1.38 earned run average in nine games out of the pen.

The 25-year-old has been placed back in the rotation to fill in for the injured Jason Hirsh, who is currently on the disabled list with a sprained ankle.

Buchholz made a pair of starts against Pittsburgh while with Houston last season and went 1-1 with a 6.57 ERA in those games. He was rocked for nine runs and 11 hits over just 3 2/3 innings by the Bucs in his only career appearance at PNC Park.

Van Benschoten will try again to notch his first big league victory since he beat Houston on September 10, 2004. The former first-round pick’s career has been derailed by injuries since, as he did not pitch in the majors in 2005 and 2006.

The 27-year-old made it back to the big leagues in mid-June but has struggled in five starts following the promotion. Van Benschoten is 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA and 15 walks in 23 1/3 inning since being called up.

His last start was a disaster, as he was lit up for five runs on seven hits and lasted only 2 2/3 innings in a home loss to the Cubs on July 7.

This will be Van Benschoten’s first-ever start against Colorado.

The Rockies and Pirates split six encounters in 2006, with Pittsburgh taking two of three games from Colorado at PNC Park. The Rockies are just 4-9 in the Steel City since 2004.

HOUSTON ASTROS (39-53) AT WASHINGTON NATIONALS (37-54), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Houston - Woody Williams (4-10, 5.34) Washington - Mike Bacsik (2-6, 5.20)

Baseball’s worst home and road teams this season will get together for a three-game series that begins tonight at RFK Stadium, where the Washington Nationals host the Houston Astros in a matchup of two of the National League’s current also-rans.

Washington has compiled a disappointing 19-27 home mark thus far in 2007, but could improve that figure against a Houston club that is a pathetic 15-31 on the road and has dropped 12 of its last 14 contests away from home.

The Astros suffered their sixth consecutive road loss on Sunday, falling 7-6 to the resurgent Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Houston jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in that game, but the Cubs scored six times off Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez in the bottom of the second inning en route to completing a three-game series sweep.

The Astros’ bats went silent after the early uprising, as five Chicago relievers combined to hold Houston scoreless over the final five innings.

Rodriguez (6-7) was yanked after 3 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits, including a pair of home runs.

Mike Lamb went 3-for-5 with a solo home run for the Astros, while Lance Berkman had two hits and three RBI on the afternoon.

Houston will look to veteran Woody Williams tonight in hopes of turning things around. The right-hander has made a significant contribution to the team’s road woes, however, as Williams brings a 1-7 record with a 5.54 earned run average in 11 away starts into this evening’s tilt.

Williams has been pitching pretty well as of late, though. He defeated Philadelphia with seven innings of three-run ball on July 2, then held the Mets to three runs and five hits over 7 2/3 frames in a no decision five days later. Both of those starts came at home, however.

The 40-year-old has made five career starts against the Montreal/Washington franchise and owns a 2-2 overall record with a 3.48 ERA. He is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings of work over a pair of previous starts at RFK Stadium.

Washington started its second half with a wild 14-10 win at Florida on Friday, then proceeded to lose the next two games of the weekend series. The Marlins used the long ball to come through with a 5-3 decision in Sunday’s rubber match.

Nationals starter Jason Simontacchi (6-7) served up three homers, including two to Marlins All-Star Miguel Cabrera, and allowed all five Florida runs in a 4 1/3-inning stint. The right-hander also walked four and gave up nine total hits.

Dmitri Young knocked in a pair of runs for Washington, which had won three in a row prior to the back-to-back defeats, while Ronnie Belliard ended 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Journeyman Mike Bacsik gets the call for the Nationals in tonight’s opener. The left-hander is coming off a rough outing against Milwaukee on July 6 in which he surrendered six runs in five innings to take the loss. Bacsik surrendered three home runs among his eight hits allowed on the evening.

The 29-year-old hopes for a performance similar to the one he delivered two starts back, when he held Pittsburgh to two runs — one earned — on five hits in six innings to pick up a victory on July 1.

Bacsik has faced the Astros once in relief, tossing two perfect innings during the 2002 season while with the Mets. He’s still searching for his first win at RFK Stadium, as the well-traveled southpaw is 0-3 with a 5.81 ERA in five home starts this season.

Tonight’s game will be the first encounter between these teams in 2007. The Astros and Nationals split eight meetings last season, with Washington taking three of four games played at RFK.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (38-51) AT CHICAGO CUBS (47-43), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: San Francisco - Tim Lincecum (4-2, 4.63) Chicago - Rich Hill (5-6, 3.81)

The Chicago Cubs will try to continue their recent success this month when they open a four-game series versus the San Francisco Giants tonight at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs are 8-3 in July and just pulled off a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros over the weekend at home. They completed the sweep with Sunday’s 7-6 win, as Derrek Lee went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer to lead the way.

Ryan Theriot and Angel Pagan also went deep for the Cubs, who have won five of their last seven games and sit 3 1/2 games off the lead in the NL Central. Starter Jason Marquis was tagged for six runs in just four innings of work before the bullpen combined for five innings of shutout ball. Michael Wuertz earned the win and Bob Howry posted his fifth save of the season.

Taking the ball for the Cubs tonight will be Rich Hill, who is 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 17 starts this season. Hill is 0-2 over his last five starts and was beaten by Washington the last time out on July 4, allowing 10 hits and six runs over six innings of a 6-0 loss.

The left-hander, who is 2-2 in seven home starts in 2007, owns a 1-1 mark in three career starts against San Francisco.

Meanwhile, the Giants have dropped four in a row, including Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the finale of a three-game series from AT&T Park. Barry Bonds went 0-for-5 and is hitless in his last 20 at-bats. The future Hall of Famer is still stuck on 751 career home runs, four shy of tying Hank Aaron for the all-time record.

Dave Roberts went 3-for-5 and scored twice for the Giants, who are last in the National League West standings — 12 1/2 games off the pace. Starting pitcher Noah Lowry had a three-start winning streak stopped and saw his seven-game home winning string come to an end after giving up 10 hits and five runs — four earned — over 5 2/3 innings.

San Francisco will send rookie pitcher Tim Lincecum to the mound Monday night and he is 4-2 with a 4.63 ERA in 12 starts this season. Lincecum is riding a personal two-game winning streak and is unbeaten over his last three starts with a 1.34 earned run average.

In his previous performance on July 7 against St. Louis, the right-hander posted the win after yielding three runs in six innings of a 7-6 triumph.

Lincecum will face the Cubs for the first time in his career tonight.

Chicago and the Giants are meeting for the first time since San Francisco took four of six games during the 2006 campaign. The Giants went 2-1 at Wrigley Field that season.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (49-44) AT MILWAUKEE BREWERS (51-40), 8:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Arizona - Micah Owings (5-4, 4.84) Milwaukee - Dave Bush (7-7, 4.86)

The National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers will play the first of four games this evening against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park.

Milwaukee has won two in a row after a three-game slide and recorded a 4-3 victory over Colorado on Sunday at home. Kevin Mench stroked a triple in the seventh inning and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch to lift the Brewers.

Corey Hart had two hits and knocked in a run, while starter Jeff Suppan allowed two runs and five hits, walked three and struck out five batters over six-plus innings. Suppan also drove in a run at the plate. Matt Wise notched the win after relieving Suppan in the seventh inning.

The Brewers, who are 3 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs in the division, will hand the ball to Dave Bush in Monday’s series opener. Bush is 7-7 with a 4.86 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) this season and owns a 4-1 record to go along with a 2.54 earned run average over his last five trips to the mound.

Bush won his last start on July 6 against Washington and surrendered just one run and seven hits in seven innings during a 6-2 win. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two career starts against Arizona.

The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, had a two-game winning streak come to and end with Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres in the finale of a three-game series at Chase Field.

Starting pitcher Brandon Webb was reached for 11 hits and four runs — three earned — in 5 2/3 innings for the loss despite striking out 10 batters. Chris Young collected two hits for the D-Backs, who have dropped six of eight and fell 3 1/2 games off the lead in the National League West division.

Arizona, which has lost five straight on the road, will send rookie pitcher Micah Owings to the hill tonight and he is 5-4 with a 4.84 earned run average through 16 games (14 starts) this season.

Owings, though, is winless in his last four outings with an 8.04 ERA. In his past start on July 6 against Cincinnati, Owings was saddled with the loss for allowing six runs in 4 2/3 innings of an 8-1 setback. The right-hander has never faced Milwaukee in his career.

Milwaukee and Arizona are meeting for the first time since splitting six games last season.

NEW YORK METS (51-40) AT SAN DIEGO PADRES (50-40), 10:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Jorge Sosa (7-3, 3.92) San Diego - David Wells (4-5, 4.31)

The National League East-leading New York Mets shoot for their third straight win tonight when they begin a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

New York has won two straight and five of its last eight, including Sunday’s 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a four-game series. Starter Oliver Perez tossed six solid innings in his return from the disabled list and gave up just two runs and six hits, walked three and fanned six in his first start since June 26th.

The lefty was suffering from stiffness in his lower back following that outing, then was placed on the DL on July 3. Jose Reyes belted a two-run homer and finished with two hits and a scored a run for the Mets, who are 1 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East. Philadelphia is five games behind.

Toeing the rubber for the Mets this evening will be Jorge Sosa, who is 7-3 with a 3.92 ERA in 11 starts this season. Sosa is expected to be activated off the disabled lost today after injuring his left hamstring the last time out on June 30 against the Phillies. Sosa allowed three runs in five innings for the win that day, as the Mets recorded an 8-3 triumph.

In five career games (one start) against San Diego, Sosa is 2-1 with a 3.09 earned run average.

The Padres, meanwhile, will try to stay on the winning track this evening against New York. They ended a three-game slide with Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Arizona in the finale of a three-game set at Chase Field, as Milton Bradley finished 2-for-5 with two RBI and Brian Giles was 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Mike Cameron drove in a run for the Padres, who are just one game behind the rival Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West division. Starter Justin Germano pitched 6 1/3 innings of four-hit shutout ball for the win. Germano struck out four and walked three to halt a personal three-game losing streak. He also helped his own cause with an RBI single.

David Wells gets the nod for the Padres tonight and he is 4-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 17 starts this season. Wells, who is 1-2 over the past six trips to the mound, did not factor in the outcome of his previous outing on July 7 against Atlanta after permitting three runs in three innings of an 8-5 win. He was ejected in the fourth inning by home plate umpire Ed Hickox for questioning balls and strikes.

The portly lefty has good career stats against the Mets, going 4-1 with a 2.73 earned run average over seven starts.

New York and San Diego are meeting for the first time since the Mets won five of seven games last season, including a 2-2 record at Petco Park. New York is 9-4 over the last 13 matchups with the Padres.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (46-45) AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS (52-40), 10:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Philadelphia - Jamie Moyer (7-7, 4.43) Los Angeles - Brad Penny (10-1, 2.39)

Los Angeles ace Brad Penny will try to stay hot in the second half of the season when he leads the Dodgers this evening in the first of three games versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Chavez Ravine.

Penny enjoyed an outstanding first half of the 2007 season, going 10-1 with a 2.39 ERA through 18 starts. He was bothered by a blister on his right index finger the last time out on July 5 against Atlanta, earning a no decision after allowing six runs in just four innings of an 8-6 setback to the Braves.

The right-hander, who is 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 starts at home this year, hasn’t lost since a May 18 performance against the LA Angels of Anaheim.

In 18 career starts against Philadelphia, Penny owns a 7-4 record with a 3.47 earned run average.

Los Angeles has won four in a row and just swept the NL West-rival San Francisco Giants in three games over the weekend. On Sunday, Rafael Furcal tripled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and scored on Juan Pierre’s bunt to lift Los Angeles to a 5-3 victory.

Matt Kemp had three hits, an RBI and scored twice for the division-leading Dodgers, who are just one game ahead of the San Diego Padres in the standings. Starter Brett Tomko allowed four hits and three runs — one earned — over five innings to post his first win since May 9.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have lost 10,000 games in their existence following Sunday’s 10-2 bashing by the St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The loss ended a three-game winning streak and pushed the Phillies five games off the lead in the National League East division.

After pounding out a season-high 23 hits in a 13-3 rout of the defending world champions on Friday, the Phillies racked up 14 hits and three home runs en route to a 10-4 triumph Saturday afternoon. Sunday was another story, however.

Michael Bourn homered last night and starter Adam Eaton allowed six runs on 10 hits in just four-plus innings of work for Philadelphia, which became the first professional sports franchise to lose 10,000 games.

Taking the ball for Philly in Monday’s series opener in LA will be veteran Jamie Moyer, who is 7-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 18 starts this season. Moyer has dropped two straight starts and is winless in his last three. In a July 7 start against Colorado, Moyer was handed the loss after giving up five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 frames.

In nine career starts against Los Angeles, the left-handed Moyer is 3-3 with a 3.62 earned run average.

Philadelphia activated closer Tom Gordon after Sunday’s loss and sent reliever Brian Sanches to Triple-A Ottawa to make room on the roster. Gordon had been shelved since May 2 with shoulder problems and is 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA and five saves (three blown) in nine games this season.

The Dodgers and Phillies are meeting for the time since Los Angeles won four of seven games in 2006.

Retires after loss to Gomez; Malignaggi calls out the victor

By Matt Richardson

“All fighters are pig-headed some way or another: some part of them always thinks they know better than you about something. Truth is: even if they’re wrong, even if that one thing is going to be the ruin of them, if you can beat that last bit out of them… they ain’t fighters at all.” - Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris, “Million Dollar Baby” (2004)

In the end, all Arturo Gatti had left was that “last bit” in him.

The “last bit” to keep punching.

To keep swinging.

To keep trying.

But it wasn’t enough; not even close. There would be no dramatic turnaround tonight. No big left hooks or crushing body blows or last minute rallies.

All that was left of Arturo Gatti on Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey was that “last bit.” But it was no match for the younger, fresher Alfonso Gomez and so Gatti was soundly beaten for what he now says is the final fight of his career.

“His legend will live on forever. It was a hell of a run,” stated Kathy Duva of Main Events, Gatti’s long-time promoter, at the post-fight press conference. “I think we all wish it would have never ended but obviously all good things have to.”

As is customary for the majority of Gatti’s post fight press conferences, the now 40-9, 31 KO’s welterweight could not attend as he was promptly shipped off to the local hospital. Before heading to the ER however “Thunder” did announce his retirement on HBO.

“From 140 to 147 it’s just a different me,” Gatti said. “I wish I could make 140 but it’s impossible so I don’t see myself continuing at 147. I’m going to retire. I don’t think I can take this abuse anymore….that means ‘hasta la vista, baby.’”

Gomez, 17-3-2, 8 KO’s meanwhile may still have a way to go before he gets the credit he deserves. The majority of the media did not even attend the post-fight press conference, instead electing to watch the Paul Williams – Antonio Margarito encounter in the press room.

For Gomez, it is a slow but steady track to earn credibility.

“Ever since I was on ‘The Contender,’ the way I got in there was because I showed the producers that all I wanted was the opportunity to show everyone that I belonged…somewhere in the greats of names whether it be in boxing, TV, whatever it is,” he said.

“When I was a kid I knew I was going to become something of myself,” Gomez continued. “They gave me the opportunity and I took full advantage of it. I’m very grateful that HBO gave me the opportunity. I seized the moment and now I’m standing here.”

“I hope Gatti was here so I could hug him and tell him that I admire him. His whole career I was a fan of his.”

“He fought a controlled, tactical, tremendous fight,” Duva said. “He seized the opportunity in the best tradition of Arturo Gatti, I guess,” said Duva.

In the end it was fitting that Gatti went out against an opponent similar to himself; a fierce, gutsy warrior willing to take two to land one.

Gatti may only have that “last bit” in him. But Gomez certainly appears to have a lot more left in the tank. There wasn’t an actual passing of the torch inside the ropes, but there might as well have been.

JABZ

Lost in the midst of Paul Williams’ win over Antonio Margarito and Gatti retiring was the tremendous win by IBF Welterweight title-holder Kermit Cintron. Cintron, 28-1, 26 KO’s blew out Walter Mathysse inside two frames. “Walter Mathysse was supposed to be a tough fight,” Cintron said. “(But) it showed tonight that the fight against Antonio Margarito wasn’t the real Kermit Cintron. It was a fluke. You’ll see more of me in Atlantic City.” Duva, for her part, was eager to see her charge take on the best fighters at welterweight and above. “Bring on Shane Mosley, bring on the winner of (Vernon) Forrest – (Carlos) Baldomir, bring on Alfonso Gomez. Bring them all on!”

IBF junior welterweight title-holder Paulie Malignaggi took a seat in the first row at the post-fight press conference and promptly and cordially called out Gomez. “I’m very willing to fight Alfonso Gomez in the future,” said Malignaggi. “When you have world champions calling you out; that’s a great feeling,” Gomez responded. “That means I’m moving up there in fame.”

Post-fight punch statistics confirmed Gomez’ dominance. He landed over double the rate of punches Gatti did; 216 out of 471 for Gomez compared to a dismal 74 out of 358 for Gatti. Gomez landed an incredible 52 percent of his power punches; 40 out of 52 in the final round.

Attendance for the card was not nearly as robust as it has been for past Gatti appearances, suggesting that even Gatti’s loyal fans knew it was the end for their hero.

Joliet, IL - Tony Stewart passed up new tires on the final pit stop and the strategy worked as he captured Sunday’s USG Sheetrock 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway. The No.20 Home Depot Chevrolet driver crossed the finish line 1.727 seconds ahead of Matt Kenseth.

The victory was Stewart’s first of the season and 30th of his Nextel Cup career.

“The Home Depot guys (pit crew) won us the race today,” said Stewart. “They got us the track position we needed…Being out front, being in clean air was everything.”

Pole winner Casey Mears brought the field to the green flag. Mears lasted until the end of the sixth lap when Martin Truex Jr. slid to the bottom of the track for the lead. Mears continued to drop as he complained of a tight car.

Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson took off after Truex Jr. who had built a lead of nearly one second. He caught Truex Jr. on lap 17 and passed him two laps later.

Johnson’s Chevrolet was working very well and by lap 28 his lead was 1.395 seconds and growing. He began to lap slower traffic and still his margin grew to two seconds. Johnson’s pace was such that after 48 green-flag laps, there were just 28 cars on the lead lap.

Through the first round of green-flag pit stops and Johnson was still the leader. The only casualty was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who missed pit road and had to make an extra lap. He came out 13th after running sixth.

A Jeff Green spin sent everyone down pit lane, but this time there were different strategies used. Johnson came in first and left in 10th place after he took four tires. In front of him were drivers who took zero tires or two right-side tires.

Kevin Harvick and Reed Sorenson didn’t come in at all and led the race. Newman came out first after his fuel only stop and was third on the track.

Harvick quickly built a four-second lead, but if there was another long green- flag run, he might be in some trouble. Johnson’s four new tires were working and by lap 75 he was back up to seventh place.

On lap 85 Stewart, in second place, began to cut into Harvick’s lead. Johnson was still on the move, now in fourth place. By lap 95 Stewart had cut the lead in half while Johnson, faster than both of them, was in third place and still flying. Stewart caught Harvick on lap 110 and when the No.29 pitted, the Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet took over the race lead.

The cars cycled through their pit stops and they returned to the track with Harvick leading Johnson and Stewart. But Johnson didn’t like following Harvick and on lap 120 he passed underneath him for the lead.

At the mid-point of the 267-lap race, Johnson held a 0.876 second lead over Stewart and 3.963 seconds over a fading Harvick. Harvick continued to drop as Kyle Busch passed him as well.

Johnson and Stewart continued to show the way, building the lead to six seconds over third place as the field reached the 150-lap mark. Then Jamie McMurray slapped the way on lap 155 and Johnson’s big lead disappeared in a split second.

Stewart beat Johnson off pit road to grab the lead as the race restarted on lap 160. With clean air Stewart began to pull away from Johnson until lap 165 when Robby Gordon spun into the outside wall.

Just like the last restart, Stewart and Johnson quickly separated themselves from the pack. By lap 185 they had built a gap of two seconds between themselves and third-place Kenseth.

On lap 187 Johnson went to the top of the track and drove around Stewart for the lead. Stewart didn’t stay in second for long, it’s not his style. A couple of laps later he zoomed back into first place and was still there after 200 laps were completed.

Dave Blaney brought out the caution flag when he blew a tire on lap 202 and slammed the wall. There were 63 laps remaining when cars pitted for what they hoped would be the final time. But with a maximum of 50-55 laps on a tank, teams would still need about eight more caution flag laps to reach the checkered flag.

The race went back to green on lap 207.

Stewart got off to a great restart and quickly built a half-second lead on Johnson. Meanwhile, both Earnhardt Jr. (power steering) and Truex Jr. (engine) had problems and were off the pace.

For the third time Stewart and Johnson built a big lead on the field. But trouble found Johnson on lap 223 as his right-rear tire exploded sending him into the turn three wall and ending his day.

Everyone took the opportunity to top off fuel and take it out of the equation. Stewart took about two seconds of fuel, barely stopping, before he was off. Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Harvick followed.

The green flag dropped with 37 laps to go. Stewart and Kenseth immediately jumped out front and Kenseth went to the bottom getting side-by-side with Stewart. But Stewart fought him off and Kenseth had to get back into line.

“We just didn’t quite have the car,” said Kenseth. “I got a run on him and we ran side-by-side, but just getting down into (turn) three I thought I was going to lose control and take out both of us.”

Caution flags, for a J.J. Yeley crash and a Joe Nemechek spin, set up a 12-lap shootout for the win.

Stewart, Kenseth, Harvick and Carl Edwards easily cleared the lapped traffic and set up a four-man race to the checkered flag. Edwards got around Harvick, but was still more than one-and-a-half seconds behind the two leaders.

Stewart built his lead over Kenseth to 1.428 seconds with six laps to go and he was never challenged over the final half dozen laps.

Edwards, Harvick and Mears completed the top-five.

After a week off, the Nextel Cup Series will return on Sunday, July 29th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Maracaibo , Venezuela - Brazil surprised most observers on Sunday as they captured the Copa America title with a comfortable 3-0 win against Argentina.

Playing without star players Ronaldinho, Kaka and Ronaldo, the Brazilians did not appear to have enough firepower to match the high-flying Argentine’s, who brought a full squad to the championship of South American soccer.

However, Brazil stunned their opponents from the start as Julio Baptista put Brazil on top five minutes into the match. An own goal from Argentina’s Roberto Ayala in the 40th minute put Brazil up two goals at the half, and Daniel Alves put the contest out of reach in the 69th minute with a goal of his own.

The high-powered Argentina attack was snuffed out time and again by a stubborn Brazil defense, and after a few early chances in the first half, Argentina did not have enough to crack the scoreboard and suffered another tough loss to their South American rivals.

The game started quickly with Brazil grabbing the opener after just five minutes. A long ball from the back by Elano allowed Baptista to charge into the box and gain possession of the ball. He took a touch and then curled a brilliant shot around the defender and into the far corner of the net, leaving Argentina keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri with no chance.

Argentina nearly responded just four minute later as Leo Messi carried the ball up the left flank and crossed for Juan Sebastian Veron at the center of the area. The midfielder nodded the ball down into the path of Juan Riquelme, and he fired a half-volley on net. The shot easily beat keeper Doni but it came crashing back off the post.

Argentina continued to pressure and spent much of the next 15 minutes inside the Brazil end. In the 35th minute Carlos Tevez got the ball at edge of the area but the Brazil defense quickly collapsed on him and knocked the ball away. However, it ended up on the foot of Riquelme and he aimed a shot at the right corner, forcing Doni to come up with a diving stop.

Five minutes later, Brazil doubled its lead with a bit of help from Ayala. Alves came on as a substitute for the injured Elano, and he brought the ball up the right wing and crossed into the area for Vagner Love. The ball was on its way to the Brazilian striker but Ayala slid in and tried to knock the ball away. Unfortunately for the Argentine defender, he ended up knocking the ball into his own net to put his team behind 2-0 at halftime.

Brazil’s defense continued to hold firm in the second half with Argentina sending a number of crosses into the area but the Brazil back line capably dealing with every one.

In the 69th minute Argentina tried to take advantage of a free-kick chance but after Riquelme’s cross was cleared, Brazil immediately went on the attack and gave themselves a three-goal cushion.

Love picked up the ball at midfield and dribbled at the Argentina defense. He then slid a pass between two defenders that put Alves in on goal, and Alves struck the ball first-time with his right foot into the far corner taking the air out of the Argentina side.

Newport, RI - Frenchman Fabrice Santoro defeated compatriot Nicolas Mahut on Sunday in the first-ever all-French final of the $416,000 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.

Santoro, the fourth seed, defeated the fifth-seeded Mahut 6-4, 6-4. It was the first time the two had faced each other.

“I know I can play well on grass, and I played well for the last couple weeks,” Santoro said. “But when you get older, the week seems longer. My style is pretty different than what you see today. Nothing is very big in my game. I have to put the ball where the opponent is not.”

Mahut was playing in his second title match of the year while Santoro appeared in his first final of the year. Mahut lost to Andy Roddick at the Artois Championship in June.

“I served really badly today,” Mahut said. “It was so windy: that was my main problem. I just wanted to put the ball in the center of the court. My serve is my best weapon, and I didn’t serve well. It was very difficult to play aggressively today in these conditions.”

Santoro collected $65,850 for the win while Mahut got $35,500 for finishing second.

Prior to the semifinals on Saturday, fourteen-time Grand Slam singles champion Pete Sampras and four-time major singles titlist Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario were inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.