M.L.B. Live!

I'll go through some news and preview tonight's games, with some analysis from Joe Morgan in between.

Arizona made an excellent move, resigning Eric Byrnes to a 3 year, 30 million dollar extension. Not only is he batting over .300 with 17 homers, he's an excellent fielder and a fan favorite. Good move all around.

With the milestones that occurred over the weekend with Bonds and A-Rod, I asked Joe Morgan where they would rank among the greatest sluggers of all time:
"Well, they're definitely up in the top." He said. "You've got Babe, Aaron, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson. It's difficult to group them, because the game is different now. The parks are smaller, the balls are livelier, the pitching's not as good. These two guys definitely rank in the top 10." Who's your greatest slugger of all time??

Did you ever eat at Angel Stadium? The food vendors have violated vermin citations over 100 times over the last 2 years. The cleaning crews will now work after the game ends, rather then the morning after. 9 were found at Dodger Stadium and Petco Park- combined over the same time span.

Boston signed Bobby Kielty today, likely marking the end of the road for Wily Mo Pena. The Padres and Pirates are interested according to the Providence Journal.

The Seattle Mariners mascot Mariner Moose will not be in trouble after accidentally hitting Coco Crisp with a vehicle on Sunday, but not injuring him. GM Bill Bavasi apologized to the Red Sox almost immediately afterwards.

Former Major League manager Wally Backman resigned today from the independent Georgia Peanuts after numerous run-ins with umpires, feuds with a radio announcer, and a forfeit after not wanting to come back on the field after a brawl.

On tap for today, Seattle opens up a big series in Baltimore with Jeff Weaver on the mound for the Mariners. Nate Robertson pitches for Detroit against Tampa Bay's Jason Hammel. The Yankees and Blue Jays continue their series up north with Roger Clemens facing Josh Towers. Minnesota looks to climb back into the AL Central race as they send Boof Bonser to the hill in KC against Brian Bannister. Jake Westbrook and John Danks are on the mound as the Indians look to keep their division lead against the White Sox. Gaudin and Gabbard go in Oakland, and Tim Wakefield faces Joe Saunders in a big series in LA.
In the NL, the Phillies look to keep alive in the NL East as Jaime Moyer faces the Marlins and Rick VandenHurk. The Dodgers need to stop their slide in the NL West, they send Mark Hendrickson to the mound against Bronson Arroyo. The Braves have won 6 of 9 against the Mets this season, the 3 New York won were all by Oliver Perez, he faces Buddy Carlyle at Shea. Sean Marshall looks to get the Cubs back on track against Woody Williams and Houston. The Padres wamt to avenge their loss in St Louis, they send ace Jake Peavy against Anthony Reyes. ESPN's Joe Morgan spoke to SprungOnSports about the Cards' chances this season:
"I don't really think they have that good of a chance this season." Morgan said. "But the game's not over until it's over. Their starting pitching is not too good. But that's why they play the games. The games still have to be played."
The Brewers and Rockies are both well in the race, Chris Capuano goes against Jason Hirsh. Micah Owings and Arizona looks to keep their NL West lead, they face Tom Gorzelanny and the Pirates. Barry Bonds looks for home run 756 at home tonight as Barry Zito faces Mike Bacsik. (10pm ESPN2)

That's your M.L.B. Live