Plenty of storylines to fuel intriguing second half
Do the Rays have enough maturity to compete down the stretch? Is Mets manager Jerry Manuel a miracle worker? Which players are likely moving to contenders? There's lots of things to watch for, Scott Miller says in his Second Half Look.

Extra-inning loss just another example of NL's failures
This is starting to get downright ugly for the NL. The Senior Circuit fails to snap a 12-game winless streak to the AL, but a 4-3, 15-inning loss just leaves the National Leaguers looking uphill, Scott Miller says.

Ruth's House going out as American monument
Twenty six titles. The pine tar controversy. The 2-2 pitch to Tino. The Jeffery Maier game. Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle. Yes, Yankee Stadium has seen it all as its historic career winds down, Scott Miller says.

Weekend Buzz: Wood top story of first half; Hamilton, Berkman MVPs
A blister will keep Kerry Wood from pitching in the All-Star Game, but no matter. In his Weekend Buzz, Scott Miller says Wood's ascension from the abyss to a new role to rare company is one of the major highlights in the first half.

Anti All-Stars: The antidote to all that's right with the world
Egomaniacs. Onetime studs stinking it up (one so bad, he just got released). Sulkers and posers. The latest edition of the Scott Miller Anti All-Star team has it all. Even an announcer still in love with the image of himself in uniform.

Healthy (?) Harden gives Cubs hammer in escalated NL Central race
Feel those NL Central aftershocks? The first-place Cubs acquire righty Rich Harden in a six-player deal with the A's. It should make for a great pennant race, Scott Miller says, if Harden can stay off the DL.

Sabathia trade proves Brewers serious about contending
When thinking about the Brewers' blockbuster trade for CC Sabathia, three words come to mind: Go for it. That's exactly what Milwaukee is doing. Say goodbye to the basement, it's time to move up in the world, Scott Miller says.