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• Vote: Are Cubs fans too hard to Milton Bradley and what will Jay Cutler hear in Denver?

We assure you that starting the day on sports hatred has nothing to do with waking up to another round of Brett Favre stories. Purely coincidental. We swear. But a couple of stories out of one of the Great Schism's rival cities, Chicago, have us thinking hate.

First, Jay Cutler is apparently prepping for a weekend visit to Denver by making nice with the fans gearing up to greet him. Cutler was all praise when it came to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and his time in Denver, a far cry from how things seemed for much of this year.

Across town, Milton Bradley, in the time he didn't spend hitting a home run against the Nationals, was talking about how difficult it is to do his job with fans hating him. And here we thought it was because of how much right-handed pitchers hated him this season.

But whether it's a free-agent bust weighing down the season or a former star returning in another uniform, how close to pure hatred do you come as a fan?

• Most fans think Cutler's reception in Denver will be better than Favre's in Green Bay.
• Surprisingly, a charging Milton Bradley is not SN's idea of a pitcher's worst nightmare.

“

This dude needs to quit whining. They could pay me $10 Mil a year just to strike out and get booed all season long. I'll even take a few beers over the head. Hell I'd do it for $50,000 a year. You get paid MILLIONS just to play baseball man.

” -- meltdeez

“

Don't worry Milt, it's not just Chicago that hates you.

” -- packman66

“

Jay Cutler you have got to be joking. Now that Jay is going to have to be at the same place as McDaniels hes going to get scared and now praise the guy that he said betrayed him. Jay Cutler is the biggest baby in the NFL. Im going to go as far as say that this guy is worse then Jim "Chris" Everette.

” -- ajp_

Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle plan to duck any objects thrown at them during "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics, vote on the biggest stories and chat during the show on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of afternoon ET.

Would you turn in a fellow fan?
The Cubs and Shane Victorino are going after the fan who tossed beer on the outfielder while he was trying to make a catch.

Did Azteca Stadium contribute to Mexico's win?
The raucous crowd sure enjoyed the 2-1 win. The U.S. has never won there. At this point, it's no longer a talent gap. Maybe it's the fans.

Do you love having a fast QB on your team?
Terrelle Pryor and other mobile quarterbacks provide an advantage that teams such as West Virginia and Texas have used quite well in recent years.

Who's more likely to catch the Madden Curse?
Is Troy Polamalu or Larry Fitzgerald destined to spend part of the season on the sidelines, or is all this curse talk a bunch of nonsense?

Which is the better comeback this season?
Will video-game Michael Vick or (as yet unsigned) real-life Michael Vick be more explosive and exciting on the field this season?

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

Pedro Martinez might not have been in the Cy Young form that helped him dominate the game a decade ago, but he was good enough to get the win in his first start for the Phillies on Wednesday. It was the fan harkening back to famous moments in beverage tossing circa 2004 that had us shaking our heads at how far we haven't come as a species.

As Shane Victorino settled under a long fly ball in the fifth inning, a beer lobbed from the bleachers arrived to complicate matters. He made the catch (the ball, not the beer), and despite his memorable sprint from center field after being ejected for arguing balls and strikes from afar earlier this week, he refrained from reacting to this dousing in the manner Ron Artest made famous in 2004.

A fan was ejected, albeit apparently not the right one, but should Cubs fans in the bleachers have turned on (or turned in) one of their own? Say what you want about the excesses of Red Sox Nation, but at least they throw their concessions at each other.

• Vote: How do you rate Pedro Martinez in his debut and the NL race with him in it?
• Groups: Chicago Cubs | This is the Year!! | Chicago Cubs haters

“

Anyone who thinks that the Cubs fan who threw the beer is a "cool dude" and that Philly players "deserve trouble because you hate Philly fans" is making a big mistake. Bad fan behavior that impacts other fans or players is wrong and the LOSERS who do it should face maximum jail time and whatever else can happen including a lifetime ban from the stadium. Some of you just don't get it- bad fan behavior is not just a "Philly" problem- it's a problem EVERYWHERE.

” -- wylies99

“

Pedro was okay. Honestly, about what I expected. I thought he'd go six and give up three runs, so I wasn't too far off. What I was impressed with most was his control, his breaking ball and the fact that the gun popped out a couple 93's in his last inning.

” -- andykovatch

• Vote: Is Pedro Martinez even the most interesting pitcher in Wednesday's game?

At least if Pedro Martinez struggles in his initial starts with the Phillies, he's playing for a fan base famous for its patience and empathy. Yes, this should end well.

There was a time when SportsNation would have taken Martinez over just about any pitcher who ever lived. Asked to pick a starter for an all-time AL All-Star team earlier this season, voters picked Martinez of 2000 vintage ahead of the best of Roger Clemens, Lefty Grove, Jim Palmer and Johan Santana. Of course, there was also a time when a majority of people thought Tracy McGrady was a better leader than Kobe Bryant.

As Martinez makes his Phillies debut against the Cubs Wednesday night, he can't even earn enough popular support to merit his spot in the rotation. And considering SportsNation already thinks he's a borderline, at best, first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate, the next few weeks could make those memories of his best years fade away.

• Breathing room? 78 percent of voters expect Marlins to miss the playoffs.
• Does Martinez have more left than Moyer? SportsNation is split.
• A Mets fan can't wait for Martinez to make his first start. No, not because it will help the rest of the NL East catch up. SportsNation blogger tcab2880 says Martinez was a breath of fresh air during the era of performance-enhancing drugs and deserves this chance.

“

Moyer's ERA and winning percentage are much better in the last month or so. In fact, during July, when the Phillies turned it around, Moyer was 4-1 with a 3.30 ERA. He also won 5 straight starts during June and July. I think any team would want that.

” -- UWhusky2

“

Nobody really knows whether Pedro will be effective. Smoltz and Glavine were both effective in their minor league outings but were unable to make it back in the bigs. Give Pedro a few starts and if he doesn't perform no harm done. Moyer has done nothing this year so there is little to be lost by replacing him in the rotation. If Pedro pitches well keep running him out there, if not Moyer is ready to step back in.

” -- Carol Vessey

“

Well [Moyer] has been an starting pitcher for the last 25 years, so of coarse he is gonna feel negative about being put in the pen, the guy deserves better respect after what he did for them last year. We still love you Jamie here in seattle and we hope you come back next year strong as before.

” -- nao888

Troy Tulowitzki is just the second player in baseball history to both turn an unassisted triple play and hit for the cycle in a career (and if you knew before last night that the first was John Valentin, we'd like to know if you're available for quiz night at our local pub). The Rockies shortstop added the hitting element Monday against the Cubs, but frankly, it came on a scoring decision that we imagine left ice-dancing judges blushing at its audacity.

Needing a triple, Tulowitzki arrived at third base only after the ball he hit down the line had been bobbled in left and misplayed on the relay. Watch the video and vote on how it should have been scored, thus satisfying your childhood desire to become an official scorer.

• Vote: How will the pennant race unfold in the NL West?

“

Man I gave up too early on Tulo in fantasy. I had him on every one of my teams but it looked like he was going to have a bad season...glad he turned it around. He'll be an all-star for years to come.

” -- stanfordcardinal22007

“

What a joke of a triple, possibly 2 errors, the bobble and the throw, yet the hometown scorekeepers just give it to him.

” -- pennstatesnut

• Vote: How do you see the baseball landscape?

There is, of course, baseball being played outside the Bronx this weekend. For instance, the Pawtucket Red Sox square off against the Norfolk Tides, and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees -- fresh off taking three of four from Pawtucket -- face the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. And people say there are no good nicknames anymore.

Sorry, we got a little caught up in the Sox-Yankees quagmire for a second. What we meant is that there are plenty of perfectly compelling MLB series taking place this weekend without the participation of either Terry Francona or Joe Girardi. Not surprisingly, exactly which of those series matters most depends on where you live, but the Rangers and Angels hold a slight edge on the rest of the field nationwide.

Almost a month ago, SportsNation tabbed the Rangers as the second-best bet to overtake a division leader, behind only those inescapable Yankees. And just this week, the team from Texas ranked No. 7 overall in SportsNation's MLB Power Rankings. But at 4.5 games behind the Angels in the AL West, a bad weekend in Anaheim would be costly.

• Tigers still lead Central but SportsNation picking White Sox to win in the end.
• 67 percent say a healthy Jake Peavy would give White Sox pitching edge on Tigers.
• Another shoe to drop? Half of SportsNation expects a major August waiver deal.
• Beyond the Nation: Detroit Free Press' Michael Rosenberg on the AL Central race.
• Groups: Texas Rangers | Tiger Den | THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS GROUP

“

No one else I'd rather have start off the series than old Feldy. Going to be a lot of frustration coming from the Angels' bats tonight as about half of them will end up in two pieces on the field.

” -- ohcomeon21

“

I'm not one to predict wins and such, but I have an eerily good feeling about this series for the Angels. Though it could just be my homer-ness talking.

” -- slyintine

“

The Twins and White Sox didn't help their cause yesterday, while we ripped off a win. Hopefully we can keep this roll going against Minny this weekend, the top of the pitching order rolls over again tomorrow too. Nice!

” -- KaneBowman

• Rankings: How do your MLB Power Rankings look after the deadline?

The dog days of August are in their infancy, but it's shaping up as a big week on the baseball diamond for reasons other than tests taken in 2003.

As you may hear a word or two about between now and then, the Yankees and Red Sox renew acquaintances later this week in the Bronx. But that's hardly the only act worth watching. Before even getting to the Big Apple, the Red Sox have to visit the Rays. Most of SportsNation already feels it's a two-team race in the AL East, but the defending AL champions ranked No. 7 in SN's Power Rankings last week and aren't out of things.

Over in the National League, has anyone actually noticed that the NL West seems to control the wild-card race? The Giants just took three out of four from the Phillies, and SportsNation's disdain for the Rockies should either intensify or wither after a week that sees them square off against the Phillies in Philadelphia (now with more Cliff Lee!) and Cubs in Denver.

• At the All-Star break, voters liked the Giants much more than the Rockies.
• Two months ago, voters weren't buying the Rockies' turnaround under Jim Tracy.
• Chat: Buster Olney answers your MLB questions at 1 p.m. ET
• Groups: THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS GROUP | ROCKIES ROCK!! | Fans of the Rays

“

good luck to the Philly fans. Murder the Rox for us please!! no hard feelings, I realize its tough to lose. I usually deal with it by locking myself in my room and crying with my head under the pillow. we all handle losses differently!

” -- comeoutandplaaay

“

great homestand and great series for the giants, the only reason pittsburgh, i mean philadelphia beat us friday is because they got lee and he was pitching against our triple a pitcher, if not a sweep would have been. great job ZITO, VELEZ AND ROWAND AND WINN HAD A NICE GAMe. go giants now lets winn on the road.

” -- Adam Heavens

If the American public had the kind of faith in the auto industry's brands that SportsNation has in the St. Louis Cardinals, well, maybe Hyundai wouldn't be reporting record profits. Come hell, high water or Miguel Tejada, voters refuse to doubt the power of Pujols.

A little more than a week ago, the Cardinals were 49-42, held a 2½-game lead on their closest competition in the NL Central and were the pick of 60 percent of SportsNation to win the division. Fast-forward to the present, and they've gone just 2-4 in the interim, including a sweep at the hands of Tejada and the Astros, and watched three teams close to within two games of the lead. And now 65 percent of voters are picking them to win. If they get swept again, this thing might be unanimous.

Looking at each of the four top contenders, SportsNation blogger pacersfanatic33 admits he's among those who underestimated the Cardinals' pitching entering the season and suggests acquiring shortstop Julio Lugo from the Red Sox isn't necessarily a minor trade.

If only the Pirates were so lucky. The Bucs actually won Wednesday -- in dramatic fashion, no less -- but the bigger news of the day came when the team traded yet another regular player, Adam LaRoche, for seemingly marginal return. Next up? Probably Jack Wilson and even Freddy Sanchez. It's not exactly a crushing condemnation, but SportsNation isn't buying that the team has a plan. The verdict is that the franchise is bad for baseball.

• Will the Cardinals lose the lead for even a day? Vote on the NL Central.
• Thursday's chat: Steve Phillips at 3:30 p.m. ET
• Groups: St. Louis Cardinals Nation. | Redbirds Nest | Houston Astros Baseball

“

Wow...what a game [between the Cardinals and Astros], and what a division. This is going to be really fun down the stretch.

” -- TyHoward24

“

Wow, the Astros are only a game back in the NL Central... Oh, what a division!

” -- pride4jc1222

“

[Ryan] Franklin has had an outstanding year. This one game doesn't change that. I blame our offense for this sweep.

” -- Cards Fan90

We're poised on the precipice of the second half, caught between the cold reality of the first half of the season and the limitless potential of the second half. We're ... bored. Seriously, the Triple-A All-Star Game is all we get today? Couldn't the Nationals and Pirates play at least? It's not like their rosters are exactly swamped with All-Star Game obligations.

A practice round from the British Open? A midweek NASCAR race? Give us something.

It's the slowest day in sports, but that does give us the chance to look back and look ahead. We've been surveying SportsNation for the best each team had to offer before the break. Some of these votes are closer than the Minnesota Senate race, but the leaders as of Wednesday morning are as follows:

National League Team MVP
Dodgers: Andre Ethier
Phillies: Raul Ibanez
Giants: Tim Lincecum
Cardinals: Yadier Molina (non-Pujols)
Rockies: Brad Hawpe
Brewers: Prince Fielder
Marlins: Hanley Ramirez
Astros: Miguel Tejada
Cubs: Derrek Lee
Braves: Brian McCann
Reds: Brandon Phillips
Mets: David Wright
Pirates: Freddy Sanchez
Diamondbacks: Dan Haren
Padres: Adrian Gonzalez
Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman

• Who will lead the NL in home runs, batting average, wins, steals and RBIs?
• 83 percent: Dodgers will win the NL West.
• 61 percent: Cardinals will win the NL Central.
• 71 percent: Phillies will win the NL East.
• Midseason reviews: NL West | NL Central | NL East | NL Cy Young

Fix some instant coffee and toss a Toaster Strudel in the pop-up toaster (don't worry if you cut yourself slicing open the packet; there's penicillin for that). Feel ecologically guilty for spraying aerosol deodorizer to cover the smell when you burn the breakfast and remember to get some change to feed the parking meter.

Just another morning of things you wouldn't have been able to do the last time the Cubs and the guy to the right, Mordecai Brown, won a World Series in 1908.

As suggested earlier, SportsNation was pretty optimistic about the Cubs back in early April. In addition to a top-five ranking after the first week of play, voters said they had the National League's best starting rotation, headlined by Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden and Ted Lilly.

By the end of May, the bandwagon was moving like rush-hour traffic on Michigan Ave., but at least 47 percent still thought the Cubs were playoff material. A month later, with Milton Bradley melting down again, things hadn't improved.

• Doom and gloom aside, some optimism for Cubs and Brewers.
• SportsNation's advice to Pirates fans: Abandon all hope.
• Who is the Cardinals' second-most valuable player? Vote on the NL Central.
• More midseason reviews: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL West | NL East
• Groups: Cincinnati Reds Fans | ASTROS FOREVER | Chicago Cubs haters

“

i am getting really sick of this management, it's time to be bold. we always save all that money up for when it's time to make a push, and that time is now. with bruce out, we need an outfielder. and i want matt holliday. we need that bat in the order. we also need scott rolen, and we need to dump some salary to make room. i like hanigan over ramon, and hairston over a-gon, so i suggest we trade them. we could also dump a big salary like arroyo because bailey is beginning to dominate.

” -- cincy115

“

Only problem I have about Cubs fans, is them saying the season is over if they lose 2 games in a row and then when they win all of a sudden they are the best again. But that's just passion.

” -- cards fan90

“

lets hope this brings in some momentum and the bees make a second half run like they always do. seems like the pitching is coming around. just need the bats to be more consistent.

” -- yodawar0505

“

Gallardo has fought bouts of wildness this year. Overall his numbers are still pretty good and he's still a very good pitcher. Keep in mind he's only in his second full year in the Majors. He kinda has the weight of the world on his shoulders with expectations this year after losing Sheets and Sabbathia. Not to mention he plays for a team who never scores him any runs for him so he's probably trying to be too perfect because he has such little room for error with the lineup hitting behind him.

” -- brewerfan54

“

I would walk pujols everytime unless we were up by 2 with no one on base cause there lineup is not good at all. Every now and then ludwick will have a good game. Its a real credit to larussa the position there in considering there lineup.

” -- Jaronj86