Chachi's Monday Ramblings

• The Tigers are looking good and they have their pitching to thank. Through Sunday the Tigers were leading the majors with a 3.26 ERA, 8 shutouts and a .235 batting average against. Their starters are leading the majors with 25 wins and a 3.27 ERA while the bullpen is tops in saves (19) and second in ERA (3.23), batting average against (.214) and hits per nine (6.93). Perhaps the Tigers are for real.
• Bravo to the NBA for scheduling the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans. It's is nice to see more and more of the sports community trying to do their part to help the beleaguered city.
• On another NBA note, LeBron James took another step towards proving he is the next great player in the NBA. Although he and his team looked tired in the second half of game 7, he still managed to push what many consider the best team in the NBA to the brink of elimination. Not bad for a 21 year old. And to think, after 3 years out of high school Jordan was just finishing up playing at UNC.
• A play at the plate is one of the most exciting plays in baseball. A collisoion can make it even more exciting and tense. A good right cross after the collision, well that's just priceless. I'm thinking Barrett gets suspended 10 games, maybe 20. Also, check out this photo gallery on SI. com of the best baseball brawls. Click here.
  
• According to the Bradenton Herald the Devil Rays are looking at changing their team name and possibly the team colors. Note to Tampa ownership: The name doesn't suck, it's the team that does.
• If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend Patrick Hruby's Page 2 article on ESPN.com about how many home runs Barry Bonds would have hit without steroids. Personally I think he did a great job and the final number he came up with is totally realistic.
• 2 game 7's in the NBA tonight and Yankees vs. Red Sox. It's a good day to be a sports fan.