Stuff

-The magic number is down to two for the Twins to clinch the AL Central. I've seen a lot of talk that the series this week between the Yankees and the Rays is a preview of the ALCS, but I wouldn't count on that. Last year the Yankees swept the Twins easily in the first round, but keep in mind that was after a grinding run to catch the Tigers and an emotional game 163. This year the Yankees and Rays are grinding it out and the Twins and Rangers are coasting into the playoffs. Home field advantage throughout is still in play and I expect the Twins to play for that, but not at the expense of a healthy and rested roster for the postseason.

-The inspiration for the name of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd has passed away. Leonard Skinner was 77.

-From the Dept. of Unintended Consequences: A number of health insurers have decided to stop writing child-only health insurance policies ahead of new regulations taking effect on Thursday. Democrats will blame the big meany insurance companies, but the reality is the Obama Administration has botched the regulations to the point where those companies are saying they don't want to play that game, at least for now. The botching and the excuse-making have just begun.

-Back to sports...many in the Twin Cities are wondering if the 0-2 start for the Vikings is a reason to panic. Let me say this as calmly and reassuringly as possible: YES! Sidney Rice's failure to take care of his hip problem on a timely basis has turned out to be a disaster. Officially Brett Favre had 3 interceptions, but one of those was Percy Harvin failing to secure the ball and another was due to Bernard Berrian's congenital inability to adjust once the ball is in the air. Hey, dumbass! If your quarterback under throws the ball a little you might, I don't know, slow down a bit and go back for the ball. Signing Vincent Jackson could be a big help down the road, but I think what would help immediately would be to adjust the play calls for the personnel they have this year. Berrian is no Sidney Rice who will protect the ball at all costs. Heck, even second year man Harvin is better at it. Get Camarillo more into the mix and realize what Berrian can and can't do. Is Brad Childress smart enough to recognize that? No, but I think Favre is.

-Speaking of football, my FFL team is off to an 0-2 start also. Week 1 I got two TDs and 100 yards from Chris Johnson, but just enough support from the rest of the guys to lose by one point. This week Johnson gave me nothing and I lost by eleven. I'll be checking the free agents tonight, but I'm not panicking yet. Close, but not yet.