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ALT + TAB:
Balancing usual work hours with two daytime playoff games, it's the key computer command to tab between that dummy spreadsheet and ESPN.com Game Cast.
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
PITCHERS'. DUEL.
With the six aces throwing on Division
Series Day 1, the only sure bet is taking the under on
"game clock."
Otherwise, a good rule of thumb for a five-game
series was reflected in a key "Moneyball" insight
-- teams are built to merely make the playoffs;
from there, it's a combination of luck and more
luck.
That's why ...
* Title-or-bust expectations from the Yankees' fans
(and its owner) are out of whack with reality.
* First-round apathy from Braves fans is so
obnoxious.
* It's easy to root for the D.S. underdogs.
Tomorrow there will be concrete results to
analyze: Today is for appreciating the
mere possibilities.
MNF: Bears Stink
Silver linings found within the dark cloud
that is Soldier Field:
(1) Spotting signs of Cubs Fever in the crowd.
(2) MNF halftime musical battle between Marcellus
Wiley (rapping) and winner Joey Harrington (piano).
(3) The Paris Hilton sighting (wearing boyfriend
Brian Urlacher's jersey, no less).
No, wait: That last one is even more depressing
than the Bears' performance. Why do we care? She's a
national punchline.
Managers Dumped
As the Orioles ponder Mike Hargrove's
replacement (Eddie Murray!), it's clear that
Hargrove was the 1990s Art Howe -- an overrated
manager whose flaws were masked by a smart GM.
Top 5 "It's the Team, Stupid" Overrated Winning
Coaches (Current):
(5) Bobby Cox
(4) Mike Holmgren
(3) Phil Jackson
(2) Joe Torre
(1) Pat Riley
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DAY PLAYOFFS? GOOD TIME TO LEAVE WORK EARLY |
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| THE SET-UP: PREVIEWING TUESDAY'S GAMES |
1 1 p.m.: Twins at Yankees. Biggest mismatch. Or is it?
2 4 p.m.: Marlins at Giants. Don't. Pitch. To Barry.
3 8 p.m.: Cubs at Braves: Javy Lopez about to eat words |
| THE SIT-DOWN: DROP THESE FROM YOUR HOT LIST |
1 Unemployed Jim Harrick: Nuggets give him a scout job
2 Prolonged Clarett drama: Parties to meet w/ judge today
3 Kobe accuser's privacy: Judge opens 911 records to D
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Meanwhile: If the White Sox fired Jerry Manuel
for blowing it in early September, then what should
the Astros do about manager Jimy Williams' late
choke?
Terrell Omens
T.O. also stands for "Teflon
Outbursts": Sunday, Terrell Owens ripped a coach
on the sidelines and his teammates in the locker room,
yet Tuesday morning, all the heat is on 49ers coach
Dennis Erickson for letting T.O.'s tirade go
unpunished.
Owens can (and will) say what he wants: For
inept management on-field -- and now off it -- Erickson
confirmed as the worst coaching hire of the past offseason.
Brenda Warner Watch
Too bad they don't have "Queer Eye for the
QB's Wife": No one needs a "make-better" like Her
Hairness, Brenda Warner. Plus, no athlete's wife does
more public yapping on their spouse's behalf.
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"We're open for anything" (read: trade), she
said Monday. Maybe she should be open to the idea her
husband was the dot-com stock of NFL history -- wild
fun while it lasted, but useless today.
NBA: Camp LeBron
With today's start of NBA training camp,
"The LeBron Show" is now in previews: Vets don't arrive yet (let's be honest: the Lakers), so all
attention will be focused on LeBron's first day of
Cavs camp, usually reserved for such camp activities
as:
* Pool: "Guess Ricky Davis' Problem Today"
* Woodworking: "D-Miles' Acting vs. His
Jumpshot"
* Evening Activity: "DeSagana Diop Box-Score
Bingo"
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Braves fans:
Has this unappreciative group even sold out the stadium yet? Maybe Javy Lopez can sell leftovers to his fan club in Chicago.
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Today on ESPN.com
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| P2: TMQ |
| CFB: Power 16 |
| MLB: Surprises of '03 |
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| Ranking Tuesday's Game 1 starters: |  Kerry Wood
| Biggest game of his career
|  Johan Santana
| NY has not seen him in '03
|  Jason Schmidt
| NL ERA leader should handcuff
|  Mike Mussina
| Most experience of any of 'em
|  Russ Ortiz
| | And that's what you call 'depth' |
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MLB Forecast ...
D.S.: Cubs win!
Yankees d. Twins (4)
MVP: Jorge Posada
Red Sox d. A's (4)
MVP: Pedro Martinez
Giants d. Marlins (3)
MVP: Jason Schmidt
Cubs d. Braves (5)
MVP: Kerry Wood
L.C.S.: Heartbreak!
Yankees d. Red Sox (7)
MVP: Mariano Rivera
Giants d. Cubs (6)
MVP: Edgardo Alfonzo
W.S.: Bonds!
Giants d. Yankees (6)
MVP: Barry Bonds
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