Bartender Banter: Surviving TB

Well that was a nice trip to St. Pete, wasn't it? Let us never speak of it again....

Ugh, that whole series was terrible. Well for us at least. I'll say it, the Rays are legit and I hope they can keep it going all season. Taking the division from Boston would give those fans a much-needed humble kick in the taint.

And now, the bullet points

• Oh Thunder Matt. Can we get at least one more home run before you're shipped off in a midseason trade? The 2008 case in the trophy room is covered in dust and cobwebs right now.

• I really have to credit the Rays fans. Whenever the large number of Cubs fans would try a "Let's Go Cubbies!" chant at Tropicana it was always drowned out by a series of boos, cowbells, and other noisemakers. Bravo to you guys for taking a stand and keeping your homefield yours.

• Derrek Lee's OPS in May was .681, and his June OPS is .719 thus far. Yeah a sweep will make you start looking at the cracks in the armor.

• Remember, the Bring the Funk to Chicago fundraiser is still going on.

• Our pal Jordi from The Serious Tip was at the Wednesday game and was kind enough to send us a couple nice shots of Thunder Matt at the plate in what he called "Starting Lineup"-like poses. Check out the photos below.

• I really need to bring the Left Field Link of the Week back, if only to expose you to creepy shit like this.

• Someone go listen to something on TMS Radio. I spend way too much time putting it together for just Brant and I to be using it.

• Speaking of music, some of the best albums I've heard in 2008 thus far include "Consolers of the Lonely" by The Raconteurs, "Attack and Release" by The Black Keys, "Walk it Off" by Tapes 'n Tapes, "Made in the Dark" by Hot Chip and "We Have You Surrounded" by The Dirtbombs. There are quite a few more I want to listen to a few more times before giving the official thumbs up.

• While the fad of RickRolling may have jumped the shark, getting Ast-Raped will never go out of style.

• Overrated: Willie Randolph's "shameful" firing. For further coverage I take you to an actual Mets fan that shares that sentiment. Read this and this.

• Ugh, I'm putting the odds of Sabathia being in Cubby blue at slim and none. The Yanks or Boston will easily offer something better.

• Prince Fielder hit an inside-the-park home run. I can only assume the Toronto outfielder had no limbs.

• Dear NBA Season. You go on too long. Sincerely, Nextel Cup season.

• You're allowed to punch me in the throat for using a lame Jim Rome Show gag just now.

• Most underrated Stones' song: Undercover of the Night.

That's it. I bring nothing to the table. Rockies in 6!

Thunder Matt did in fact get a hit in this series.

Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?