Albert Pujols Looks Hot in a Cubbies Uniform

Last year, we attempted to heat up the hot stove with this amazing video of Grady Sizemore, Joe Mauer, Ryan Howard, David Wright, and Evan Longoria doing a sexy dance for you. Obviously, that was a huge hit.

At long last, JibJab has teamed up with Major League Baseball to give you the ability to put yourself, your friends, your family, or whoever you wish in a big league uniform. The possibilities are literally endless.

Matt Garza to Save the Chicago Cubs

Matt Garza helped the Tampa Bay Rays go from worst to first, why wouldn't he be able to bring the Chicago Cubs their first World Championship since 1908? Clearly, it's a matter of science.

The 27-year-old right-hander was traded to the Cubs this weekend in an eight-player deal that brings outfielder Fernando Perez and lefty Zachary Rosscup along with him. Meanwhile, the Rays get promising righty Chris Archer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, catcher Robinson Chirinos, as well as outfielders Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer.

Chicago Cubs Reach Deal with Carlos Pena

It looks like the Chicago Cubs have found a new first baseman.

The Cubs continued negotiations with Carlos Pena's superagent Scott Boras late into the night on Tuesday, with the expectations of finalizing a deal Wednesday morning. The contract is said to be worth $10 million over one year.

Whatever the price, they're definitely in the market after trading Derrek Lee to the Atlanta Braves back in August.

You Suck, Brandon Inge

Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge just hit zero bombs in the Home Run Derby.

Good job, buddy.

First round action: Nelson Cruz and Prince Fielder are tied with 11 longballs a piece. Ryan Howard has seven, Carlos Peña, Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer are all knotted up at five a piece, and Adrian Gonazalez managed two tater tots.

Tater Tot Hot Dish: American League

The American League has chosen its participants for tonight's Home Run Derby. Finally.

With Dustin Pedroia opting out of this year's All-Star game to hang out with his pregnant wife, he will be replaced by Carlos Peña. The Tampa Bay Rays first baseman will join Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge, Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Man, that was ugly.

With the infield covered in puddles, the wind whipping like the trash bags wrapped around Phillies fans' red hoodies, and the torrential downpour making J-Roll look like a rookie, officials (a.k.a. The Almighty Selig) decided to call it a night in the sixth inning.

Chutley, Phils Take Game One

Game One was chock-full of Chutliness. And Hamelness.

Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels tossed seven fantastic innings, giving up just five hits (three of which were hammered by Akinori Iwamura) and just one run, coming in the form of a solo shot by Carl Crawford. This, before two lights-out innings by Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge, who earned his 47th save in 47 chances this season to silence the cowbells for a day.

The Phillies' three runs? You can thank Chase Utley, who kicked off the World Series with a bomb in the first to give his team a 2-0 lead before Carlos Ruiz had an RBI ground out in the fourth.

As for the trio of Tampa Bay stars? B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria and Carlos Peña combined to go 0-for-12, striking out five times and hitting into two double plays between them. Time to step it up, buddies! This is your house!

Join the Rayvolution

You know you want to. We all have it in us: the desperate, yearning instinct to root for the underdog.

But are the Tampa Bay Rays really the underdog anymore? Sure, they've gone from worst to first in wins, errors, and respect. Then again, they haven't disappointed us all season long.

Not So Bizarro Anymore

We've come to expect nothing but the best from the Tampa Bay Rays this season.

During Monday's 9-1 victory, righty Matt Garza held the Boston Red Sox scoreless through six innings, walking three and fanning five, to help put the defending champs in their first postseason deficit since returning from a 3-1 hole in last year's ALCS against the Cleveland Indians.

You'll Poke Your Eye Out Carlos Peña!

Carlos Peña was nixed from Friday's lineup card by a concerned Joe Maddon just before the game due to a scratched cornea. The Tampa Bay Rays were fine without the slugging first baseman -- who is still experiencing slightly blurred vision in his left eye -- pulling out a 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox behind Akinori Iwamura and future Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria.

My niece scratched my eyeball once right before I was supposed to leave for a G Love and the Special Sauce show. I ended up not going because it hurt really bad and was watering like crazy. When I asked my girl how the show was the next day, she was reluctant to tell me she totally made out with the drummer.

Carlos Peña, I hope Willy Aybar doesn't make out with your drummer and kill your dreams. Get well soon.
[AP] | [Outs Per Swing] | [The Fanhouse]

Ten Reasons to Root for Tampa Bay

Today, the Tampa Bay Rays will take on the Chicago White Sox in game one of the ALDS at Tropicana Field. I thought it might be fun to find some new reasons to love the TB Rays, other than my intense dislike for the CWS team, their terrible network announcers, and their annoying fans.

So, in the spirit of creativity, here is a list of 10 new fun reasons why we should all jump on the crowded Tampa Bay bandwagon.

10.) This marks the first time in more than a decade that a team other than the Yankees or the Red Sox have won this division.

Carlos Peña Ready to Roll in 2008

Carlos Peña has passed his physical, finalizing a three-year deal worth $24.125 million with the Tampa Bay Rays. The AL comeback player of the year agreed last week to a $6 million, one-year deal to avoid salary arbitration, contingent on his health.

Peña had 46 home runs and 121 RBIs -- both career highs -- in 2007, setting a season franchise record for homers and finishing with the fourth-highest total in the big leagues behind Alex Rodriguez (54), Prince Fielder (50) and Ryan Howard (47).

The 29-year-old first baseman also batted a career-best .282, scored a club-high 99 runs and became the first player in history to bounce back and hit 40-plus bombs the season after being released by another team. In short, Peña was the Rays only hope in 2007 and plans to dominate in '08.

[MLB]

Thursday's Babelicious Scoreboard

Bartolo Colon, a rather husky gentleman, struck out 11 behind a five-run first inning, leading the Los Angeles Angels (12-10) to an 11-3 whoopin' of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (9-13) on Thursday.

Colon (2-0, 1.93 ERA) allowed only four hits over seven innings, including a two-run homer by Carlos Peña in the fourth. The 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner showed his stamina as he struck out the side in the seventh, topping 94 mph with his 103rd and final pitch.

Jae Seo (1-2, 9.51 ERA) lasted 1.1 innings - retiring only three of the 12 batters he faced - charged with six runs and seven hits. Seo threw 42 pitches in the first inning, including a first-pitch fastball to Vladimir Guerrero that cleared the fence in left-center after a walk to Orlando Cabrera.

Gary Matthews Jr. and Shea Hillenbrand led a 13-hit attack with three hits each while everyone in the Angels' starting lineup had at least one hit, one run scored and one RBI except #9 hitter Brandon Wood, who made his big league debut at third base and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Poor Brandon Wood.

[MLB]