I think I would feel confident with the following lineup after seeing the lineup for 5 series:

1.  Ian Kinsler
2.  Elvis Andrus
3.  Michael Young
4.  Josh Hamilton
5.  Nelson Cruz
6.  Hank Blalock
7.  Marlon Byrd
8.  Chris Davis
9.  Jason Saltalamacchia

I feel like Nelson Cruz is hitting right and left handed pitchers pretty well and Hank Blalock doesn't deserve to hit above him...plus he would give Hamilton more protection than Blalock.  Also with this lineup, it would give other teams a difficult time with late inning left-lefty matchups. 

I just want to hear some feedback...I have watched more than 75% of the games through MLB.TV so I just get sick to my stomach lately when we get to the bottom of the lineup and Andrus is hitting OK...plus if Kinsler gets on then you could sacrafice with Andrus and don't have to waste Young's At-Bats....at this point the best hitters on the team are as follows:  1) Kinsler, 2) Young, and 3) Cruz.

I think the Rams should call the Broncos and see what they think about the Rams 1st (#2 overall) and 3rd round picks for the Broncos 2 1st (12 and 18th) round picks.

Broncos could draft Matthew Stafford (50-75% chance)

Rams could draft possibly Jeremy Maclin with the 12th pick and Andre Smith at 18th pick....

I just think the Rams have more than 1 big whole and should consider trading with the Broncos for the 2 1st round picks.  Or another team to ponder would be the Eagles:  they have the 21st and 28th pick.....the Rams #2 pick overall for the 21st and 28th pick...saves the team some money and they can fill to major holes.  Just posted this to stimulate some conversation.

On the www.psu.edu websit it has that game as a TBA.  Just curious who the first game is against this year.

Also predictions for the 2009 season:

I think that the Nittany Lions will make it 2 straight Big Ten titles.  Iowa loses Greene and they play at Happy Valley so cross them off consideration.  Michigan will be a bit better but I think they still have a way to go.  Ohio State come to Happy Valley so I think that gives State The edge.  If Maybin, Odrick, and Evans come back then the defense will be better.  The defense plays a similar cover 2 (and 3) that Tampa Bay plays in the NFL.  When they have alot of pressure the defense looks great and the Defensive coordinator looks like a genius.  When that pressure isn't there then you have what happened in the 2nd quarter of the Rose Bowl.  I do think mixing up the defense more will help but having defensive liabilities like Scrotum, Rubin, Hull, Sales, etc... doesn't help this defense. 

I'm very excited to have Lee back next year though.  Now lets work on getting Brown, Jenkins, and 1 or 2 sleepers in the next month.  Go to Facebook, Myspace, or whatever to plant that little bug in their ears how great PSU is.

WE ARE....

I haven't heard much on the recruiting front....I mean the Evans, Koroma news has overshadowed everything going on with this team.  Anyway with Illini coming to town, wondering if anybody has heard anything about recruits on the verge of signing, etc....

word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, wrod, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, word, WE ARE....

Does anybody know why Nelson Cruz is not in the lineup tonight for Oklahoma?  Hopefully he's headed toward Arlington tonight....or is he injuried?  Maybe somebody knows something or has link? 

What a game last night.  The Rangers pitching still stinks but maybe firing the pitching coaches with that but with an Offense that is ranked in the top 2-3 in the league for most categories they were able to pull another one out...it's fun to watch them do that night after night even if they don't win them all. 

Anyway links....

What are the current trade rumors that Ranger fans are hearing...links?

What are some prospects that Daniels should target to improve the Rangers?

I like this time of the year and was wondering what was being heard at their in the blogs and rumor mills.

I liked the idea of Every Day Eddie for Jess Todd...would like to see Daryl Jones thrown in their also....

I think it's funny to hear the different rumors...

Thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelson Cruz's night again Memphis...3 hr and 5 rbi...we need to get him up here for the last 2 months at least to see if he is for real...really never had consistent at bats for more than 1 month in a row...30 hr and 80 rbi in AAA.  Give him 1 more chance Nolan and JD...i think you won't regret it this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE....PLEASE....PLEASE....PLEASE....PLEASE

Who is excited about this season?

Tell the Black Shoe Diaries why you are excited about the 2008 season.  Say something that excites you about the upcoming season.

I am excited to see lots of sacks from our stud D-Line....I am excited to see an Offense that opens up alittle with the mobile Q-back like those MRob days....Just so excited about the season....6 weeks until we get us some PSU football.

Excitement...Excitement...Excitement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Starting Pitchers---Vincent Padilla, Derek Lowe, Eric Hurley, Brandon McCarthy, and 1 of the Following:  Scott Feldman, Matt Harrison, Doug Mathis, Luis Mendoza, A. J. Murray

Bullpen---C. J. Wilson, Frank Francisco, Warner Madrigal, Josh Rupe, Jamey Wright, Damaso Marte, Rafael Soriano, Kason Gabbard

Catcher--Jason Saltalamacchia, Max Ramirez

Infielders--Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Chris Davis, Mark Grudzielanek (for 3rd...cheap but OPS good), German Duran, Ian Gold/Travis Metcalf

Outfielders---Josh Hamilton, David Murphy, John Mayberry Jr., Brandon Boggs

DH--Milton Bradley

Just a rough draft...Thought it would be fun to do something different than post another FanPost about the Trade Deadline...What do you guys think...list your predictions...it's kind of fun...go crazy

Should the Rangers be buyers or sellers....

I think they should be sellers...alot of good players that would bring prospects back to help increase the stock in the system.  I do think people over value our potential tradees but I still if we get rid of the players that are excess baggage then we could see if guys are for real or pretenders in the system (Nate Gold, Nelson Cruz, etc...for example).  What do you guys think?