Weekend Roundup

-A couple of ole-timers threw pretty well last night as Pedro Martinez beat his former employers, the Mets, and John Smoltz struck out 9 Padres in 5 innings of scoreless baseball..including a stretch where he k'd 7 straight hitters. Smoltz even looked good scoring on a base-hit, hook sliding into home plate. Looks like Smoltz can put that professional golf career on hold, for now at least.

-Giants got rocked by the Chicago Bears Saturday night. Cutler really looked improved. Shhh...quietly no one seems to realize how good the Bears are. That is criminal really. A team with a consistently great defense, that suffered some injuries last year is healthy again. They bring in Orlando Pace, who might only start 8 games but has to be considered an upgrade. Jay Cutler is about 10000 times better than Kyle Orton, and since he's a loud-mouthed jerk no one seems to want to realize this. They need Alex Brown, Mark Anderson, Adawale Ogunleye and Tommy Harris to stay healthy and be productive. I think they will...and given their division I'd say they should be considered the favorite to win the NFC this year.

-In a very boring series, by taking 2/3 the Yanks have now pretty much officially buried the Red Sox in the AL East and Boston now has the Rays breathing down its neck. Disappointing for the Yanks was Burnett again getting crushed..but CC came up with a nice performance last night.

-Would the Broncos just got ahead and trade the Giants Brandon Marshall already?

-Pewch Revolution dedicated reader Curtis, failed in his attempt to repeat as New York State Frolf Champion this weekend in Syracuse. A grueling four rounds in two days had him disappointed in fourth place. For those unaware frolf is frisbee golf.
A hybrid golf and frisbee, the person throws a "disc" (don't call it a frisbee) and attempts to get it in a basket in as few shots as possible. Curtis said he was very disappointed to have missed the podium but looks to rebound in the next big tournament, Labor Day Luau.

-Jamarcus Russell will start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders. As much as I've liked Jeff Garcia's game over the years, is it a good thing that the face of the franchise took this long to essentially beat out a 39-year old version of the Millman for the starting job?

-Headed up to the Spa yesterday after the weather forecast for Saturday looked brutal. Did nail the Alabama Stakes winner Saturday, Careless Jewel, at the OTB. Only 3:1 but she won by 11 lengths in perhaps the most impressive non-Rachel Alexandra run of the year. And there is an argument to be had that Careless Jewel could run with Rachel Alexandra in what would be a clash of the best 3-year old phillies in the world. Ended up having a successful day capping yesterday, great week of betting the ponies for me and today's card looks pretty appealing...