NFL Week 4 plus

Some quick hits before the NFL picks.

Daniel Cabrera of the Orioles came oh-so-close to throwing a no-hitter last night. Great stuff. That’s a bad team, whose fans have to be getting restless, and it would have been nice to give the fans a really high note right near the end of the season like that.

Since we’re talking Baltimore, let’s jump to D.C. where the Nationals seem prepared to cut manager Frank Robinson loose. Robinson is a very good manager that helped in the development of some of the Nats very good young talent. The perception of the 2006 version of the team is that they underachieved, especially with the presence of a talent like Alfonso Soriano on board. It’s a shame to see him go, and one can only hope his old-school style can catch on somewhere else.

Staying with the National League, do the Mets have a chance in the playoffs without Pedro Martinez? It says here that in the weak NL, the Mets still have a chance to win some games, and very possibly reach the World Series. Martinez had one of his worst seasons this year, statistically, and really doesn’t seem to intimidate the way he once did. Even without on of the greatest arms the game has ever seen, the Mets are still the only team in the NL to pass 89 wins (a number only the Padres can reach by winning all three of their remaining game), and can’t be overlooked in October.

And speaking of overlooked, maybe the Cardinals should go ahead and actually clinch the division title next season. Now, they’re in a pretty awful situation. Three games left, a half-game lead on the Central, they’ve lost eight of their last nine games and on the verge of one of the most epic collapses we’ve seen in the three-division era. They lost the first game of their four-game set with Milwaukee this weekend, and Houston is heating up at just the right time. The Astros are in Atlanta for three games this weekend to close out. I got my Elias on for this one. It’s the first time in the three-division era these two teams have played a series this late in the regular season. All-time, the Astros hold a 5-3 edge in their season-ending series with the Braves, outscoring the Braves 30-28 in those eight games.

No good segue here, just a statement. Joe Mauer’s home run last night carved his name into my tablet with the heading American League MVP. Bottom of the ninth, two out, down 1-0. A win gives you a tie for the division title with three games to go, and Mauer -- as he’s done all year -- came through. He hit a dinger to tie the game, and the Twins won in extra innings. Joe Mauer for MVP.

Now on to the picks. Gotta make up for last week’s 6-8. 29-17 overall, and as always, the bold is the pick.

Arizona @ Atlanta

Turns out I told my mom to pick Arizona in this game. That was a bad idea. Sorry mom, Arizona sucks.

Dallas @ Tennessee

Four weeks, four T.O. distractions. Says here that since I’m finally giving up on the Titans, they’ll probably pull one off.

Indianapolis @ New York Jets

Dear Peyton and co. I’m sorry I doubted you twice already this year. It won’t happen again.

Miami @ Houston

Even Miami has to be good enough to beat Houston.

Minnesota @ Buffalo

Dear J.P. and co. I’m done with you. I hate you all and I hope you lose every remaining game.

New Orleans @ Carolina

Monday night’s win was awesome, but I’m worried that high may have been too high. Carolina’s the pick.

San Diego @ Baltimore

Again, I very much gave my mom the wrong pick here. Sorry again mom. Gotta stop catching me on lunch breaks. I’m driving the Chargers bandwagon.

San Francisco @ Kansas City

Legitimately, I am picking the 49ers because I think they are the better team. Sure, I picked a team better than San Fran to lose in KC this year, but that was before I realized how bad the Chiefs are. They don’t have a QB, an O-line, nothing. Turn up the suck KC, turn up the suck.

Detroit @ St. Louis

This one’s going to haunt me all season and I know it.

Cleveland @ Oakland

The Browns were hanging with Baltimore last week, and Oakland is in a sad state of affairs so far this year.

Jacksonville @ Washington

Is it OK to drive two different AFC bandwagons?

New England @ Cincinnati

Well, there’s the strike out. Sorry mom, I’m pissed off at New England and don’t believe they can beat a pretty quality Cincinnati team. Which of course, is usually the point the Pats have turned it around the last few years. But still.

Seattle @ Chicago

First real test for the Bears and it says here they pass with flying colours.

Green Bay @ Philadelphia

You’re telling me this sad sack bunch of Packers can make prime time, but the 2005 first-overall pick can’t? I am no longer on speaking terms with the NFL.