[Dan in Pasadena]

I'll take a stab at the baseball question.

Since you're from Philly I'll assume you have an interest in opinions on the Phillies. The Phillies are a good team and I think they have a good chance to make the playoffs. They can hit as well as San Diego and your respective bullpens are probably about a wash statistically. Naturally as a Dodgers fan I watch the Padres closely and frankly I think they've played over their heads. I do NOT think the same is true of the Snakes or the Rockies.

Right now, the Rockies are playing lights out baseball. They are doing EVERYTHING well and they have a murderers row in the heart of their batting order. I think they may be the surprise of the baseball season and I think they're for real. The only reason they might NOT do well is they are young and if they take their own good press too seriously, they may falter.

My call is Mets, but barely and gasping for breath.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Chicago Cubs
San Diego Padres