Monday's first pitch

Leading Off

Even if the Giants don't make the playoffs this year, they have to feel fantastic about the strides they made.
They were not expected to be contenders and brought their fans hope in the final weekend.
Heading into 2010, they have a fantastic chance of becoming a dominant team.
They have two aces in TIm Lincecum and Matt Cain. They've got some decent young players (Ryan Garko)and some good accessories (An innings eater in Barry Zito, a defensive stalwart at catcher in Bengie Molina).
But that's not all.
They've swung the National League's balance of power to the West, where the Dodgers and Rockies should be competitive for several years.
But if the Giants make the right personnel moves, this season could prove to be the foundation for a perennial contender.

Regional Roundup

• Bill Conlin's sobering column brings back the ghosts of Phillies past. The bullpen worked for once. It shouldn't go unnoticed that Joe Blanton gave up too many runs. Jimmy Watch: 3-for-5, walk, run scored, RBI, double, home run.


• The Orioles' second half has been a joke. Now they are 35 games below .500. Gone is the excitement from Matt Weiters' callup and Adam Jones breakout campaign.


• When you're as bad as the Pirates an unexpected win like this feel so very good.


• Even when the Nationals play well they can't pull out the 'W.'

• Chris Carpenter thinks Adam Wainwright deserves the Cy Young award.


• The Giants must be crazy if they think they should give up Aaron Rowand for Milton Bradley.


• The Red Sox and Yankees did not have a dramatic September. What will happen in October.


• The Rockies are in the driver's seat.


• Zack Greinke probably just knocked the Twins out of the playoff picture.

• Cito Gaston has something funny to say about Chris Ray.

Today in history 1920 -- A grand jury indicted eight members of the Chicago White Sox on charges of fixing the 1919 World Series in the "Black Sox Scandal."

1938 -- Gabby Hartnett hit his famous "Homer in the Gloamin'" in the ninth inning against Mace Brown to give the Chicago Cubs a 6-5 victory, their ninth straight, at Wrigley Field. It was a key triumph en route to the Cubs' NL pennant.

1941 -- Ted Williams went 6-for-8 in a doubleheader against the Philadelphia A's to finish the season with a .406 average. No player has batted .400 since.

The Closer

The Atlanta Braves are hot on the tails of the Phillies and Rockies.
It's doubtful the Braves will make the playoffs because time is running out. However, this team has been playing spectacularly in September, going 16-8 and giving up just 3.65 runs per game.
Atlanta's leading power hitter is Brian McCann, who has just 21 home runs.
So the Braves are doing this the old fashioned way, with pitching.
They've got two pitchers (Javier Vazquez and Derek Lowe) with 15 wins. Jair Jurjenns might make it three.
This team is going to be really tough next year when they have Tommy Hanson (11-4, 2.98) and Tim Hudson (2-1 3.56) for a full season.
So even if the Phillies beat out the Braves this season, Hotlanta could have a beat on next year's division crown.