Kuzul

Have the Chicago Cubs taken over the title of “Most Cursed Organization” from the Boston Red Sox? 

Keep reading to find the answer to this and many more questions burning in your mind.

Starlin Castro and Alfonso Soriano started the season with a bang, but can they keep it up?

For now, riddle me this—which Major League Baseball franchise could have Kerry Hilson’s “Knock You Down” as a theme song?

Answer—the Cubs.

Other major league teams have loved knocking the Cubs down, but they keep getting back up. In fact, the “Lovable Losers” have been getting back up since 1908—the last time they won the World Series.

Boston won the World Series in 2004 to break the Curse of the Bambino. Its victory left the Cubs as the only cursed organization left in the big leagues.

The Cubs have a longer championship drought than any other American pro sports team, with their last win coming during heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson’s heyday.  

The curse was cast on the Cubs by a man who owned a goat—insert your own goat joke here. William Sianis brought his pet goat to Wrigley Field in 1945 to watch the fourth game of the World Series. As the legend goes, he was summarily dismissed from the stadium late in the game by Mr. P.K. Wrigley, owner of the venue and the team. This despite the fact Sianis owned two tickets, one for him and one for—you guessed it—the goat.

The alleged reason the goat was asked to leave was because it smelled. How dare the Cubs, you ask? So do I and the goat. 

While leaving Wrigley Field, Sianis was heard to say the Cubs would never win another World Series as long as the goat wasn’t allowed in the stadium.

The Cubs lost the 1945 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, and the rest is history.

Since then, pro baseball has been mostly forgettable on the North Side. Formerly known as the Chicago White Stockings, the Cubs have been the smelly goats of the NL, finishing at or near the bottom almost annually.

The real life smelly goat died a long time ago, but its curse lives on under assumed names such as Ernie “He Needed More Batters to Help Him” Banks, “Ron Santo and the black cat in 1969 against the Mets” and “Steve Bartman in 2003.”  

That 1945 season was the last year the Cubs even appeared in a World Series.

The last time they won the NL Central title was during the back-to-backs in 2007-08, and they also won it in 2003. Winning three division titles from 2000-2010 isn’t bad, but it’s only teased Cubs fans who are shaped from early ages into cheering for the “Lovable Losers.”

The National League Central is shaping up to be one of the hardest divisions in the league too.

The North Siders started the season at .500 through the first 10 games. Batting close to .200 after the first 14 games for “Chicago’s Team,” first baseman Carlos Peña has been disappointing with his typical start. I figured though Peña would start off slow in a new league and a cold April climate. 

Peña batted under the Mendoza line (.200) for much of 2010 with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2011, it’s been the Rays all over again for the homer-less slugger.   

Tampa Bay actually looks like it’s out of contention early for the American League pennant. The Cubs, on the other hand, behind Castro and Chicago’s big hitters, are looking better than they have in a few seasons.

Ryan Dempster is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game; he was one of a handful of pitchers to have more than 200 last season. He joined names like Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum and Jared Weaver in the “closing out batters by getting them to fan” category.

The rivalry with the Redbirds—the St. Louis Cardinals—should be intense. The Cubs are trying to come up, while the Cardinals are trying to hold onto their dominance of the division over the years.

The Cardinals started off slowly, but their lineup is much improved over last season.  They should be there—when it’s all said and done—along with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati started off 7-3, but its schedule has been light during the first month. Every baseball insider knows the Reds can hit the ball, but their starting pitching is suspect. 

It can be said without provoking much of an argument that the Reds have perhaps the most suspect pitching staff among contenders. Cincy reminds me of the Yankees right there. I’m not sure which staff is worse though—probably the damned Yankees.

Speaking of “damned,” the so-called cursed Cubs have taken a baby step closer to an NL pennant, but so have a lot of other teams. Health will be of major importance in the division, but I don’t see the Cubs walking away with the title in 2011. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

How does Major League Baseball grade for diversity in 2011—64 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color line? 

Take a walk with me along the river of my thoughts and grading scale, and you’ll probably be able to pick my brain for the answer by this column’s end.

No longer just a buzzword in college business classes, diversity is a must in almost every walk of global corporate life. 

Those who believe in trickle down philosophies will agree diversity in practice has leaked from the board room to bored people in rooms across America’s heartland.

Americans who are mired in the mud of self-hatred and bigotry are being forced to get over it.  Largely relegated to inner circles and family free-for-all discussions, racism is on the way out and diversity is here to stay. 

The dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is alive and kicking in certain parts of the nation, yet it’s severely lacking, still, in others. 

I was afforded the opportunity of reciting his I Have a Dream” speech in fourth grade at an assembly, and I’ve monitored the words taking shape in society for many years now.

Major League Baseball was once a secret society—a segregated society with secrets.  Prior to 1947—as has been well documented—African-Americans were excluded from being members. 

Robinson helped advance the international African-American spirit, which had been burning across the land—especially after WWI and throughout the 1920s.

After he came along and did what he did, the independence movement in Africa and the Civil Rights Movement in America took hold.  Perhaps it was more than coincidence.  America has become one of the most diverse places on earth.

Diversity means respecting many backgrounds, cultures and ways of thinking.  Recognizing differences in so-called “race,” gender, sexual orientation and ability is what’s up. 

As English is known as the “language of success,” diversity is now the perspective of success.  To be successful in America these days, one almost has to be down with O.P.P—that stands for “other people’s perspectives.” 

Diverse experiences and outlooks must be respected.   It’s essential in the global marketplace and in society.  Hearing every voice and singing of inclusion—indeed lifting every voice and promoting positive environments is a valuable skill. 

The way the diversity movement is going, promoting diversity and positive vibes could become indispensable skills sooner than we all think. 

Treating others with respect regardless of color, religion, national origin, age, sex, citizenship, military or veteran status are all protected by federal, state or local laws.  MLB had better be in compliance or else.

New York City, for example, prohibits discrimination based on creed.  The New York Yankees have to respect the creed of inclusion from Reggie Jackson to Robinson Cano, Hedeki Matusi and the remarkable captain Derek Jeter.

Remarks, comments, jokes or gestures ridiculing, threatening or demeaning people is against the law—period.  And this goes a long way in promoting positive vibes in the realm of diversity. 

My grade for MLB is based on the following criteria: 1. Encouraging all opinions and ideas.  2. Viewing differences as assets.  3. Accommodating various strengths.  4. Working together in mixed teams to design and implement creative solutions.  5. Serving broad markets effectively and sensitively. 

MLB has players from almost every nation on the earth, except native Africans it seems.  Africa isn’t represented in the World Championships of Baseball.  This is one place where the league could improve its diversity.

How does baseball do in the area of equal employment opportunities?  Well, Dusty Baker and Ron Washington are the only African-American managers in the majors.  There aren’t any female owners or general managers.  You tell me.

Compensation—salary and benefits—can be said to be based more on negotiating skills than discriminatory factors. 

A-Rod, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols rank among the highest paid players in the world.  Baseball—like most professional sports organizations—gets an A for employees’ salary and benefits.

A season or two ago, there was a perhaps beneficial declaration by Torii Hunter, who stated Dominicans are manipulated—signed young, paid less and treated poorly.  Hunter wasn’t the first one to speak up about this issue. 

Dominicans, however, largely ignored the controversy—along with the rest of baseball because Hunter’s beliefs weren’t viewed as necessarily being true.  Hunter’s comment controversy helped people get past the longstanding issue after taking yet another look.

In terms of fairness in disciplinary actions, MLB’s image has improved over the years. 

It wasn’t too long ago when Gary Sheffield complained Jason Giambi gets away with yelling at teammates.  Giambi was considered a leader, while Sheffield was considered a poor teammate when he does it—the argument went.

Now there is a culture in professional baseball where it is viewed as being equally wrong for any player to berate a teammate.  Ask the highly, um, motivated Carlos brothers of the Cubs—Silva and Zambrano.

If Barry Bonds’ trial is perceived as only racially motivated, then people are missing the facts.  Most of the steroid era players have been exposed, Bonds is the only one to go to trial.  People forget, thought, Roger Clemens is also going on trial. 

It’s only Mark McGwire—the biggest cheater of them all, according to whistle blower Jose Canseco—who has gotten away untarnished. 

In terms of untarnished recruiting, hiring, placements, upgrades, promotions and lateral movement, baseball deserves a D-minus—or worse. 

Social and recreational programs need to be expanded in more places where poor people are prevalent such as Detroit and Jackson, Mississippi.  All so-called “races” could benefit.

In terms of terminations of employment and recalls, “Last hired, first fired” appears to be the norm for minority baseball managers and front office employees.

Working conditions are outstanding considering what they once were during the Jackie Robinson days.  No black cats have been spotted on the field and racial epithets aren’t tolerated.  Overall, I give MLB’s diversity a grade of C.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This time of year, America is buzzing over both March Madness and the fantasy baseball information superhighway. 

In this show, I’ll provide you with the broadband information you’ll need to win a championship and get your coins in.

Join me as I get it in and let you know the under the radar players to roster.

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The first month of the fantasy season is perhaps the most crucial. 

Getting off to a good start is very important for postseason seeding.  A manager with the top fantasy seed in Yahoo! formats, for example, normally need to win only one game to make it to the finals. 

I’ll show you how to make the finals and get in the money by getting your team cracking early.  The fantasy picks in this slideshow, though, could hinder your start.

Let’s stop the hindrance.  Start the show…

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The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most storied franchises in American sports history. They’ve won 10 World Series—second only to the Yankees. Their uniforms are perhaps the best-looking in all of sports.

But hungry fans want more. They want the Cardinals to compete harder against the Yankees’ (Jankees’) legacy. By spending the cheddar, the Cards can stay competitive.

But is this my only suggestion for improving the Redbirds? No, my pen has too much of a motor to stop there. Read my suggestions in this slideshow and voice your opinions. Let’s start the show. Next slide. 

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Founded in 1892 and named the St. Louis Browns, the team first appeared at Sportsman’s Park. In 1900, the franchise was renamed “Cardinals” and the world famous uniforms were born.

The team lived a meager existence until the mid-1920s. In 2011, however, they’re second to the Yankees for the most World Series championships with 10. 

The Cardinals are the only National League team to have won more World Series head-to-head against the damned Yankees (3-2). 

Join me as I count down the top teams the Cardinals have ever put on the field.

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What do Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford have in common? 

Their prior teams couldn’t afford to keep them. 

Boston’s general manager, Theo Epstein, stepped in with gold-lined pockets and pocketed them all.

Everything Epstein touches, however, does not turn to gold.  Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez were traded by Epstein for Beckett and Lowell in 2005.  Ramirez has MVP talent at shortstop.  With the exception of 2004, the Sox have struggled at shortstop forever it seems. 

Epstein helped the Sox to sign Crawford on Dec. 8 for forever (seven years) and $142 million.  It was the ninth largest contract in baseball history. 

A talented young man still on the major leagues upswing, Crawford is 29-years-old.  At 6’2,” 215 pounds, he’s in his prime.  Last season, he won his first Gold Glove, stole 47 bases, slugged 19 home runs and batted .307.

He could bat leadoff, and give the Red Sox the second coming of Ricky Henderson.  I believe Crawford is capable of winning an MVP in 2011.  He’s just now entering his prime.

“One thing I believe about Carl is he’s not yet fully developed.  There is still room for improvement,” his former Tampa Bay Rays coach, Joe Maddon, said. 

Other teams know it.  The Angles reportedly offered Crawford $108 million.  Recruiting Crawford for his team, Torii Hunter must’ve been listening to Soulja Boy songs upon hearing the news. 

“I’m sitting here in a daze right now, like, what the heck just happened? I’m crushed, man.  I could have sworn he was coming here,” Hunter said.  Here, would be the Los Angeles Angels.  What  happened was who but Epstein?

He is the executive vice president and general manager of the Red Sox. 

Hired in November 2002 at 28-years-old, he was the youngest general manager in MLB history.  He won the first World Series in 86 years by the Red Sox in 2004.

He resigned in October 2005, but was rehired in January 2006 and won a second World Series in 2007.  In 2008, Epstein traded Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers for Jason Bay, who became an American League All-Star in 2009.

His management style is to provide the club’s manager with certainty at almost every position for several years.  He wants to give the Sox the best chance to consistently make the playoffs.   

In his shot-calling duties, he considers as many alternatives and opinions as possible.  More so to consider the ramifications of every single deal rather than trying to win now, he’s rarely hasty. 

Epstein showed steely confidence by allowing Orlando Cabrera, Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe to become free agents.  He wanted to stock the farm system with draft picks. 

In MLB, organizations get draft picks as compensation for losing their free agents.  Boston lost free agent Victor Martinez to the Detroit Tigers.  Declining salary arbitration, Adrian Beltre and Felipe Lopez became free agents on Nov. 30. 

Boston could still sign Beltre and Lopez.  Through compensation, however, the Red Sox stand to own five of the first 50 draft picks in 2011.

Born in New York City—once the writing and publishing Mecca—Epstein is now 36-years-old.  He grew up, just a few miles from Fenway Park, wanting to be a Red Sox executive.  His family consists of several famous writers.   

His screenwriting grandfather and great uncle won Academy Awards for a certain screenplay called “Casablanca.”  His father, Leslie Epstein, heads the Creative Writing Program at Boston University and has for over 20 years. 

Theo’s sister is a successful writer for television.  He’s a talented writer in his own right.  He was the sports editor for the “Yale Daily News.” 

He was named Major League Executive of the Year by “Baseball America” in 2008.  “Sporting News” named him their Executive of the Decade.  “Sports Illustrated” placed him No. 3 on its list of top GMs/Executives of the Decade (in all sports).

Boston should be at or near the top of the standings until at least 2015, but one never knows.  Most of Boston’s key players are signed through at least the 2014 season. 

Jarrod Saltamacchia could prove to be a worthy replacement for Victor Martinez.  At $418, 580, he’ll be a bargain if he turns out to be.  The Red Sox pitching staff is still superb.  Gonzalez could become the best slugging first baseman the Red Sox have ever had. 

Although he went from sports editor to general manager, Epstein is not the best general manager ever, in my view.  Hanley Ramirez would’ve possibly set all kinds of records for shortstops with the Red Sox.

Respectful challenges to opinions and assumptions via vigorous debate are known to be constant for many professional sports operations staffs.  Under Epstein, the Boston Red Sox are no exception to the corporate American rule.

He could have to make some more exceptional moves for the 2011 season, but he’s not a freewheeling fool.  He’s made few glaring mistakes, but he’s strengthened weaknesses on the Red Sox roster as a rule. 

Former Los Angeles Lakers general manager, Jerry West, and R.C. Buford of the San Antonio Spurs own more championships than Epstein.  Mitch Kupchak of the Lakers and Joe Dumars of the Detroit Pistons are tied with him.

Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees has won four World Series.  Epstein has at least two more World Series to win before he can claim to be better than Cashman.  He appears to be well on his way in building a team to help him catch Brian. 

I’d give Epstein a solid B+ for helping to build a perennial championship contender in Boston.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Life for the last two World Series MVPs has been overrated.  Winning the trophy has been like a mini-Madden jinx for these players.    

MVP Edgar Renteria helped the San Francisco Giants earn their first World Series title since 1958.

Without his tiebreaking homer in the last game, the Giants may not have won.  It was the second World Series-winning hit of his career.

To thank him, the Giants let him go.

The Cardinals should go try to entice him back to St. Louis before the Cincinnati Reds sign him.  The Reds own a patent on scooping up ex-Cardinals.

A two-time World Series champion, Edgar Renteria had his 2011 contract option rejected by the Giants on Nov. 4.  For the Barranquilla, Colombia, native, the option was worth a reported $9.5-10.5 million.

San Francisco bought the veteran major leaguer out for $500,000, according to reports.

No longer a million dollar baby, Renteria turns 36 years old next Aug. 7.  He’s no spring chicken, but he is still a million dollar ballplayer—ask Cliff Lee. 

Renteria has been missed in St. Louis since 2004.  The Redbirds got horrific production and youth-type mistakes from their shortstops most of last season.

He is a clubhouse leader who is batting .287 for his career and is still more clutch than many younger players.  In fact, he’s probably forgotten more of his clutch hits than the current Cardinals shortstops have made.  In 1997, he hit a walk-off single in the seventh game of the World Series—in extra innings in his sophomore season—with two outs.

A 15-year veteran this season, he was on the disabled list for much of 2010.  He played in the fewest games he ever has.  The Giants almost left him off the playoff roster, but they’re glad they didn’t.

Now he has a big decision to ponder.  The temptation to walk away on top of his game —like many pro athletes wish to—may be too much to allow any team to sign him.     

“It’s always hard to think about retiring,” he said after the Giants’ World Series victory parade.

Not many teams are in the market for aging ballplayers.  Derek Jeter is 35 years old, and his contract negotiations with the Yankees could get messy, according to Hal Steinbrenner.

Hideki Matsui was let go by the Yankees after he won the 2009 World Series MVP.  He was 35 years old.  Matsui signed with the Angels, and they didn’t make the playoffs. 

It wasn’t his fault; in 2010, he batted .274 with 21 home runs and 84 RBI.

Q: Will what happened to the Yankees befall the Giants in 2011? 

A: Most likely.  The Yankees let Johnny Damon walk, too.  Now the Giants are looking at the same scenario: losing a World Series MVP and another important cog in the offense.  

Both organizations put the squeeze play on the money for their World Series MVPs.  That’s a big reason why no one should be expecting the Giants to repeat.

While they may have strong pitching, they could be losing two of their best bats.

Giants shortstop Juan Uribe will turn 32 in January—allegedly.  He has a $3.25 million contract, but free agency is pending. 

The Cardinals need a big-time bat to replace Ryan Ludwick’s. 

Uribe is probably more of a slugger than any middle infielder the Cardinals ever had.  Listed at 6’0″ and a generous 230 pounds, he is built like a running back.  He hit .248 with career highs of 24 home runs and 85 RBI in 2010. 

He lost his starting job with the White Sox to Alexei Ramirez in 2008.  Nobody else wanted to sign him until the Giants gave him a minor-league deal. 

He earned his current contract after batting .289 with 15 home runs in 122 games for the Giants.   

Albert Pujols’s contract is the team’s first priority, and it should be.  Pujols is possibly the best player baseball has seen in the last 15 years.  He wants to win, but he needs help.

The Cardinals opening day starting infield, other than Pujols, hit a grand total of 11 home runs last season.  11.

Pujols re-upping with the Cardinals could hinge on who else the Redbirds sign. 

I hope Tony LaRussa finally learns (1) to feature Brendan Ryan in a reserve utility role, and (2) that Skip Schumaker isn’t a championship-caliber leadoff man.

Under hitting instructor Mark McGwire, last season, Schumaker batted .265 with five home runs and five stolen bases.  He fanned more than he walked. 

Ryan batted .221—a big drop from the .295 he hit in 2009.

Uribe could possibly play third, shortstop or second base, and Colby Rasmus could be groomed for leading off.  If the Cardinals were to sign Renteria and Uribe, they would be adding much needed offensive punch.

By signing Renteria, who hit .330 in 2003 for the Redbirds, the Cardinals would add clutch hitting off the bench.  His veteran leadership skills and winning ways would bring the Cardinals’ quiet swagger back.

Besides swag, both Uribe and Renteria would add solid defense at third—something the Redbirds sorely lacked nearly all of last season.

I want to hear what you all—my seasoned readers—want to comment about.  What do you think about Renteria/Uribe wearing the birds on a bat in 2011?

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Quick.  When was the last time a Texas team won the World Series?

If almost never was your answer, then you are wrong, baseball breath. Since the World Series started in 1902, teams from Texas have won zip, zero, or zilch.

One WS appearance in 107 years by the state of Texas is listed. Phil Garner’s Astros lost to Ozzie Guillen’s South Siders in 2005. 

Think fast.  When was the last time an African-American manager won the World Series?

Ron Washington hopes to join both lists, and he has a monster of a hitting team to help. 

Back in July, I predicted the Rangers would upset the Yankees.  My Yankees friends laughed.

They ain’t laughing now.  I told them Texas had too much hitting.

The pitching ain’t too bad, either. Cliff Lee’s cut fastball speaks for itself in three different languages: Strikes one, two, and three.

The Giants get home field advantage because the NL All-Stars won the game this year, the first time since Arizona had it in 2001.

Thank manager Joe Girardi for keeping A-Rod on the bench in the All-Star Game. 

Will the first African-American manager in Rangers history deliver their first World Series title?

He will have to go through chilly California to do it.

Christened for the 2000 season, AT&T Park sits on San Francisco Bay at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. China Basin, aka McCovey Cove, is part of the Bay just beyond right field. The ballpark was once one of the largest 802.11b wireless hotspots in the world.

Playing there over the years, Texas is colder than a Frisco Fourth of July; they have yet to win a game in nine tries. They are 0-11 anywhere in Frisco going back to Candlestick Park.

The pitcher-friendly ballpark on the waterfront is prime Frisco real estate, and home runs may be minimalized.

The general description of this matchup is that Texas has plenty pop, while Frisco has plenty pitching.

Which team closes the deal before foreclosure kicks in?

Seven Rangers batted over .300 in the ALCS against the Yankees. That is more than the legendary Gas House Gang, the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals, who had five hitters batting at least .300 for the regular season.

Baseball stingers Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero and Nelson Cruz have their eyes on the ball.

The Giants had four batters over .300 in the NLCS against Philly, including pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, who was one-for-three.

San Francisco’s starters posted a 2.92 earned-run average against the vaunted Phillies. Texas’ starters were at 5.36 against the Yankees.

What about team defense, you ask?

Vlad the Baseball Impaler started 16 regular season outfield games.  Right fielder for Game 1, Guerrero once owned baseball’s most feared field gun. Now is he a liability next to one of the best center fielders in the game?

Defensive insurance was Wash’s forté as Oakland’s third base and infield coach.

Young was a shortstop who made way for Elvis Andrus—a Wash favorite.  Rangers broadcasters questioned Andrus’ ability last season.  No more.  He catalyzes high-scoring Texas on offense and defense.

One could say he eats bases, and base-hits, like Lassie being fed at first.

Wash came to dinner in the ALCS and left with a doggy bag of gourmet wins.

A pennant and an American League championship trophy later, Sidney Poitier should throw out the first WS pitch. Poitier started in the classic Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? with Katharine Hepburn. Google it.

The Giants defense is suspect, especially behind the plate.  The Rangers should be able to run at will on Lincecum/Posey. But they have to get on base, first, second and last.

Cito Gaston was the last African-American manager to the win the World Series, in 1993.  Ron Washington knows that because I told him in a previous article.

This will be the Bay Area’s first World Series article since Barry Bonds’ squad lost to Anaheim in 2002. San Francisco has gone from a hitting team to a pitching team since he retired.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy starts quirky ace Tim Lincecum tonight in Game 1. Few Ranger have faced Lincecum, whose stuff is filthy.  If someone thinks there is a better fantasy baseball pitcher over the last two seasons, then I say he is delusional.

Lincecum may be the best in real baseball, too.  Fireballer Matt Cain will ably toe the rubber on Thursday night.

Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner are set to start in Arlington.  I would have started Sanchez in Game 2. He pitched a no-hitter at AT&T Park in July 2009. 

Texas owns the road this postseason, and they also shined at home after the first game of the ALCS.

Lee, CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis are the probable starters for the Rangers.

Will Lee humiliate Giants hitters?

I have been a hit with my bold predictions, and this one is no different.

Prediction: Hamilton will help Wash attain managerial glory by hammering Frisco’s right field wall.  Arlington, near Dallas, experienced flooding this year.  McCovey Cove will flood with baseballs fired off the Rangers bats.  Texas wins 4-2.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It was unclear which starter would go in game three for the Yankees after the ace they courted in a trade earlier this year jilted them again with yet another magnificent playoff performance.

The worst shut out home loss in Yankee history came during a start for their left hander who is the most prolific winners in MLB playoff history: Andy Pettitte.

The opposing lefty laced them with cut fastballs and knuckle curves while taking a two-run lead into the top of the ninth.

His curve broke out of the strike zone and nibbled just off the plate all night.

The dieting-on-hits New Yorkers tried to snack on his cut fastball, but it was the Rangers’ lefty who ate their gosh darned snack.

Throwing several change ups for easy outs, it was very hard to diagnose his delivery, and his change up was dissecting the corners.

No reason for him to risk injury in the bottom of the ninth with the game in hand.

The Rangers scored six runs in the top of the inning.

Yankee Stadium all but emptied after the fourth run scored.  The bleeding finally stopped after the normally rock-steady New York bull pen had fully collapsed in the Bronx.

Dave Robertson who has dealt with back problems had trouble dealing his pitches, and he could not get any out. 

Neftali Feliz closed the ninth inning without a whimper from the Yankees, and the Rangers took the lead in the three game series.

In the fourth game tomorrow night, Tommy Hunter will start for Texas. He started the season on the disabled list and pitched well for the Rangers this season.

He won 13 games and lost only four and had a 3.73 ERA.

The Yankees batted .300 against him in one five-inning start this season.  He struck out eight, but left the game with no decision.

Speculation is that AJ Burnett will start, but he may end up riding the bench in favor of CC Sabathia who only pitched four innings in the first game of the series.

Burnett has struggled almost all year, and notably more so after the All-Star Break.  It was like he was a totally transformed pitcher than the one who helped win the 2009 World Series.

Texas slugged a team batting average of only .233 against Burnett this year.  He finished 10-15 with a 5.7 earned run average for the season.

Sabathia has had some outstanding playoff performances on three day’s rest.  He has a 2.40 earned run average in seven post season starts off three day’s rest.

He is accustomed to being the ace down the stretch carrying the team to glory.  He did it with Cleveland, Milwaukee, and with the Yankees.

During the press conference after the game, manager Joe Girardi looked confident in saying his team’s chances were good to bring home a playoff victory behind Burnett.

There is no hiding in baseball, and AJ is too big to stuff in a club house closet.  What difference does it make if he gets beat in the fourth game or in the fifth game?

Start him against the mighty Rangers.

Cliff Lee gave up two hits, and he had 13 strike outs and one walk in eight innings.

A total of 34 strike outs and one walk in three post season starts for Lee this year.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com