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Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd will shake off arm soreness and throw whatever pitch the catcher calls for Monday on "SportsNation" TV.

Take a look at the medical literature, discuss the hot topics, vote on the biggest stories of the day and chat during the show on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET.

Will we see Plaxico Burress on an NFL field again?
The Manhattan DA is calling for jail time in the former Giant's gun case. The wide receiver reportedly agreed to a one-year deal, but prosecutors want more.

Is New England the best fit for Michael Vick?
Imagine the Wildcat potential. Imagine the non-responses to criticism and protest from the media-free bunker inhabited by the team's brain trust.

What should Bud Selig do about Pete Rose's lifetime ban?
Hank Aaron is on the Hit King's side. So are the fans. Now the wheels might be turning in the commissioner's office.

Would you teach your son to throw a curveball?
New research contradicts the conventional wisdom that throwing curves destroys young arms. Dr. James Andrews strongly disagrees with the findings.

Which better describes Clinton Portis' personality, "regular awesome" or "super awesome"?
The Redskins running back, despite consistently excellent seasons, doesn't take himself too seriously. What's not to love about costumed news conferences?

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

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

SportsNation is clear on two things when it comes to tonight's All-Star Game in St. Louis. First, the American League is going to win. And second, a good chunk of the 'Nation isn't happy about it.

Just like political elections (only with much younger combatants, except in the cases of Jamie Moyer and Tim Wakefield), the All-Star Game brings out the regional divisisions in all of us. From sea to shining sea, there are distinct bands of support for the American League and National League. And just like the elections, there are some familiar swing states.

Florida: With both the Marlins and Rays, the state is up for grabs. But barring a recount, the AL holds a 53-47 edge, perhaps thanks to AL East retirees.

California: The A's and Angels never stood a chance against the longstanding order of the Dodgers, Giants and Padres (sound familiar in the Golden State?). The National League holds a commanding 65-35 lead for the hearts and minds of Californians.

Ohio: What should be a battlegrouind between the Reds in the south and the Indians in the north is surprisingly one-sided, 62-38, in favor the American League.

Wisconsin: It hasn't taken Wisconsin long to adapt to life in the National League. In fact, at 82 percent support, it's the NL's biggest stronghold in the country.

Next week in chat: James Carville and Mary Matalin on the wild-card races! (not really).

• Have you switched league alleigances in your life? Vote on All-Star Game issues.
• Voters don't think the All-Star Game should decide home-field advantage.
• 'Nation agrees with Roy Halladay over Zack Greinke for American League.
• Chat: Ask Joe Morgan about the National League's golden years at 1 p.m. ET.

“

Thanks Bud Selig for making baseball to make no sense whatsover compared to other sports. If you win 105 games in the regular season , then your team should be rewarded for having home field advantage in the World Series. What a Joke!!!! You did a good job in dividing up the leagues and having a wild card, but you can change this crap.

” -- bondsbay

“

I'm glad that Maddon decided against Greinke, considering Greinke has about as good of a chance at mattering in the postseason as I do. Halladay is going to win Home Field for the American League, then get traded to the Phils . . .clutch

” -- nslynch713

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

• Rank all 30 teams at midseason.

As the saying goes, the more things change, the more the Cubs struggle to find .500. At least, that's how we learned it. And by "we," we mean anyone born since 1909.

With the baseball season pausing for its official midpoint at the All-Star Game and its less official one in the firing of the Nationals manager, consider how SportsNation sized up the field after the first week of the season.

1. Florida Marlins
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Toronto Blue Jays

At least the Nationals were properly slotted at No. 30. Congrats on getting that gig, Jim Riggleman. Now the Cubs, Marlins and Braves are fighting for wild-card relevancy, hoping a division leader stumbles, and the Blue Jays are listening to offers for Roy Halladay.

• A Mariners fan, blogger Dawgman0387 gets a little excited about the team's winning record at the break and starts throwing out terms like "World Series run." But hey, with a top three like Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn, maybe he's on to something.
• Things aren't quite as rosy for the Reds. SportsNation blogger xubugg pleads for more "patients" at the plate. We're guessing that's supposed to be "patience," but when it comes to Dusty Baker's lineup experiments, you never know.
• We're all a little worse off having an All-Star Game without "Kung Fu Panda," but a Giants blogger upset that the so-nicknamed Pablo Sandoval won't be in St. Louis takes out his frutrations on the frauds that he feels are the Philadelphia Phillies.

“

Love the Mariners, Wakamatsu, Fedex, Ichiro, Branyan, Griffey Jr., Aardsma, Branyan, "Gutierez", and everyone who has helped turn this year's team into an entertaining winning club.

” -- J.Bertelli

“

[Jim Tracy] took the Rockies from double-digit games under .500 to Wild Card contenders. Not to mention the fact that the Rockies have the best record in baseball over the span that Tracy has been manager. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, expected the Rockies to be in the position they are now. Thus, Tracy definitely deserves to be National League Manager Of The Year, so far, and it's not really that close.

” -- JTRMS45

• Vote on the biggest snub and other All-Star topics of the hot variety

When it comes to All-Star selections, Keith Law thinks fans failed like a 24-year-old in Rookie Ball with poor plate discipline (too early on a Monday for sabermetric humor?). Then again, SportsNation's occasionally cantankerous guru thinks managers and players didn't fare much better in picking the reserves and pitchers. But until Law is established as baseball's supreme overlord, we're stuck with the current system.

There are 23 first-time All-Stars this year, including Yadier Molina, the first of the Molina brothers to make an appearance (leaving them just 18 Grand Slam titles and two Super Bowl titles shy of the Williams sisters and Manning brothers). The rookies also run the gamut, from 42-year-old Tim Wakefield to 21-year-old Justin Upton, who was born the year before Wakefield was drafted by the Pirates.

And if that doesn't make you feel old, consider that Tim Wakefield debuted for the Pirates in 1992 on a team that also included pitcher Dennis Lamp, who was born six years before Kevin Bacon.

• SportsNation can't pick if it should be allowed to pick the All-Star starters
• No surprise that AL is the overwhelming early All-Star Game favorite

“

pedroia is a great player but based on how he has played this season, he doesn't deserve to start in the all-star game. aaron hill should be starting and kinsler should be the reserve. josh hamilton shouldn't be up there either. adam lind has played phenomenal this season and should at least be a reserve in the outfield. i also think that jered weaver should be there over wakefield. i mean wake is up there in wins, but only because he the sox give him great run support. just look at his numbers, he's pitched mediocre this season.

” -- bkzwhitestrican

“

It's an All-Star game, not a best first half stats game. The fans want to see Jeter becase he's the most famous shortstop and a sure Hall of Famer. Fine. They want to see Pedroia because he's the MVP, you silly people. What's wrong with that? They voted for Hamilton because he was THE story of last year's game. Makes sense. The game is for the fans, and they want to see who they want to see. You Fantasy guys just go play your imaginary All-Star game with your make-believe players...

” -- Captaincompliance

We get that it's nice for fans of the Nationals and Pirates to see their team's jersey at the All-Star Game. But instead of actually using a roster spot on someone from one of those teams, even with the addition of yet another roster spot, we have a simple suggestion

Let fans vote to see which actual All Star who would otherwise have been snubbed should wear that team's jersey during the game. Everyone wins. The best players make the game, and for at least one night every year, Pirates fans get to see what it's like to cheer for a real star in the second half of the season.

Not buying it? We're just ahead of our time. In the meantime, Freddy Sanchez or Zach Duke will probably represent the Pirates in St. Louis, but we're asking you to size up which players most deserve to start.

• Vote for your American League team | Vote for your National League team
• SportsNation claims it values first-half performance over star power

“

Are they going to expand the mascot and bat-boy/girl rosters, too? What about the All-Star Grounds Crew roster? hahaa...this is pointless.

” -- an225

“

the flip side of this is a 9 inning affair where half the players don't get into the game. what does that do for the sport?

” -- lpstudio2

There will be time to talk some more about Sammy Sosa. And there will be time to talk about NFL players making the wrong kind of offseason news.

Maybe we'll even talk about USC showing new Los Angeles resident Conan O'Brien how comedy is done in California, by reportedly looking for a new men's basketball coach with professional experience (it worked out so well with the last guy).

But on what's frankly a dreary morning to be a sports fan, how about we start with something a little more fun? Who flashed the best leather in interleague play?

Tuesday was a busy night. You had the Magic and the Lakers in the NBA Finals and the Penguins and Red Wings dueling for the Cup. There was MLB action like the Red Sox and Yankees and Mets and Phillies. And Spencer Michels was talking green energy grid on Jim Lehrer. There's only so much one DVR can hold.

So if you happened to miss SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays, we're there for you.