So who is the most unheralded power hitter in the game today?

Try Richie Sexson. Saw him hit two bombs at Pac Bell Saturday, pitches crushed into Barry Bonds territory. He is no Dave Kingman, big slugger from the 70’s and 80’s who struck out all the time as well as hit long homers. Sexson can play first base, run, and is languishing in obscurity in Milwaukee.

Some enterprising GM will make the Brewers a legit offer and get this guy, he can be an MVP.

Ken Macha told me in December that he wanted to bat Erubiel Durazo in the second spot in the batting order. Wonder why it took 140 games to make the move? No matter, Durazo looks like a force in the low pressure two hole. After seeing Jose Guillen play three or four games, I suggested he would look better in the five spot, glad Macha made that move too.

With all these moves, the key to Oakland is still pitching. Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Ted Lilly and three relievers Bradford, Rincon, and Foulke are making this run happen, notwithstanding the hitting which is coming around at the right time.

Jermaine Dye hit two rockets last night, what a week he is having.

Click below for more!Freddy Garcia threw the Mariners fourth good game in a row. I expected more out of the Angels and the Rangers during September. Anaheim doesn’t hit much and Texas can’t pitch very well, two ingredients for a long month. No spoilers here.

Forget RA Dickey as a starter for Texas, just doesn’t have the command of any out pitch. Thought Tim Hudson was off his game too last night. I think that 127 pitch effort last Monday effected him Saturday.

Randy Winn is getting hot at the right time. Is it too late? Not at all, Seattle can knock Boston out if the Mariners just split with the A’s because Boston still has alot of annoying Baltimore on its schedule.

Bartolo Colon threw another power game for the ChiSox last night against the Boston nine. With Mark Buehrle up today against John Burkett, the baseball will be flying around the Fens.

I never understood Boston’s reluctance to trade for Colon, refusing to give Casey Fossum and Shea Hillenbrand for the righty. If that deal had been made Boston beats the Yankees, a proposition that is now no longer possible as the Yanks are five up in the loss column with 15 to play.

Mike Mussina, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Jose Contreras, and David Wells, please check their years of birth before penciling the Yankees in to make the series.

The Yankees are gamers for sure, but pitching still wins in October. I’m not convinced they have the bullpen to get the ball to Mariano Rivera, a lot of four to five out saves coming up for Rivera and that formula can’t last too long in the playoffs.

Eric Milton out all season for Minnesota pitches today against the Indians and a good young lefty Cliff Lee. Talk about a big start, Milton is an ace who can make a difference for the Twins, but what shape can he really be in, after only two short rehab starts?

Jamey Wright pitched a shut out over the Tigers Saturday. Keep in mind KC has six left with the White Sox beginning with a three game set next Friday.

While the Royals and White Sox square off six times, the Twins get Detroit seven times. Think Minnesota is rooting for the Royals?

Absolutely, the Twins can steal this thing if KC knocks Chicago around four or five times.

The Marlins face the Phillies six times over the final two weeks. What turmoil in Philly with the manager. I don’t know how they can bring him back next season, new park or not, local hero or not.

Woody Williams sealed the Cards fate as he is officially tired. After Williams got blasted once again in his last start, the Cards are now on the brink of disappearing in the Central. Rumors are flying that Tony LaRussa will be moving on after this season as well. I can’t say, that even with 2000 wins in his career as a major league manager, I have ever seen him happy or relaxed for very long. He is an intense man who rides his club very hard, sometimes too hard. A change would be good for all concerned.

Cubs better hope Matt Clement’s groin holds up. Dusty Baker took him out with a no hitter going the other day, so you know it is serious.

Looks like Mike Remlinger and Kyle Farnsworth (100 MPH) are putting it together at the right time for the Cubs in the pen. Joe Borowski doesn’t have much on the ball, but what nerve he has, goes along way.

Edgar Martinez is another one to admire. With all the BS coming out of Boston between Manny and Pedro, Martinez plays with a broken toe and still is in the lineup after fouling a ball off his foot Friday night.

Doug Waechter brings his power arm into Yankee Stadium today for the Devil Rays who are in need of a win. I hope he has a big game.

Mike Maroth is one of those pitchers who could turn around and win fifteen games after losing twenty. Just needs some new players around him because he can pitch.

Esteban Loiaza won’t face the Yankees, but will see Minnesota and Kansas City twice in his last three starts.

Jason Schmidt is my choice for NL Cy Young.

Wade Miller and Roy Oswalt are making the Cubs very nervous. The Astros get the Giants for three, St. Louis for four, at Colorado for three, and then end the season with the Brewers for four at home. With Oswalt and Miller leading the way and a bullpen that is the best in the league, Houston and the Cubs will fight it out to the last day.

The Twins passed on Mark Prior in the June draft a couple of years ago instead taking local high school catcher Joe Mauer. The local kid was named the minor league player of the year by Baseball America.

Ah, the Braves. What to make of this team? The bullpen is a mess without John Smoltz, whose elbow is still not right. Even with Smoltz they have difficulty getting past the eighth inning. Former Indian Jaret Wright is the latest experiment.

Mike Hampton seems to be the real deal, Greg Maddux is clutch, if not what he used to be on the mound, and Russ Ortiz can bring it. So why are they nervous? The Marlins and Phillies are beating them this month, their hitting has slowed down, and that bullepn is a disaster much too often for Bobby Cox.

How will they do in October? Just fine if the hitters show up because they have enough pitching, they just need Smoltzie to be healthy and on his game. I still think they are a world series team with Smoltz.

Jim Thome, Gary Sheffield, Albert Pujols, and Barry Bonds get all the MVP votes in the NL.

The Phillies miss Placido Polanco, out indefinitely with a thigh bruise.

Best September hitter no one has ever heard of. Houston’s Richard Hidalgo .382 lifetime in September 120-314, plus this year he is hitting .450 for the month. He has 21 assists this season to boot.

Big starts today:

Jimmy Gobble KC versus Detroit
Ryan Franklin Seattle versus Anaheim
Justin Duchscherer versus Tony Mounce for Texas, who has given the A’s a rough time for six innings twice this season. Can the A’s sweep the Rangers at home?
Josh Beckett for Miami versus the Braves
Carlos Zambrano Cubs versus the Reds
Tim Redding versus last gasp St. Louis in Houston
Hideo Nomo is his arm healthy? Dodgers still there in the wild card race, face the Padres at home in Chavez Ravine.

I say this is the best season since 1967 when the AL had five teams in contention with two weeks to go in a ten team league.

The Red Sox won on the final day.

Perhaps as Yogi once said “deja vu all over again” for the Sox, just which Sox, White or Red?

Sit back and watch the scoreboard, it’s now OK to watch how your pursuers are doing.