All the games mean a lot this time of year

You can't beat watching baseball in August and September because each game seems to take on added intensity. Teams in the run for the division titles or the wild card can't afford to lose many games. One bad stretch of games or one bad call could make all the difference. It is also the time of year to see which players are going to heat up and carry their teams for a while.

I watched the Red Sox play the Rays last night and it was like a playoff game. The pitching was not dominant though it was good. The defense was smooth for the most part, but the bat of the best young third basemen in baseball was the reason the Rays pulled out a much deserved win.

Evan Longoria , last years AL Rookie of the Year is just 23 years old, and is already a clutch performer. He is also a great defensive third baseman with a fielding % of .964. He has great range, has a strong arm and can really pick it on the hot corner. On top of all that he can hit.

His numbers are very impressive. In just 224 games, Evan has now hit 50 HR. He has 166 RBI in those 224 games and is a consistent .275 hitter. His biggest asset is that he is a clutch performer. When the game is on the line you want this young guy at the dish. If you remember the playoffs last year, Longoria had 6 HR in just 16 games.

It was no surprise last night that Longoria was clutch again. With his squad trailing the Red Sox last night late in the game, Evan hit a HR to tie it and then in the bottom of the 13th he took Hideki Okajima over the fence for a walk off HR. What that means is the Rays are just 4 games behind the Sox and not 6 games. Every AB is so important this time of year.

Albert Pujols heated up last night and got out of his slump a little bit. Mark Reynolds had closed within 2 HR of the Cardinals slugger, but like Longoria, Albert had a two HR night, #'s 35,36 on the season. His career #'s are 355, now he needs just 345 more for the 700 HR club. As I have said before he will make it, and do it clean.

Speaking of doing it clean, I wish MLB would just publish the names of all those caught with PED's in their system so that it all comes out at once. I think by not doing it they bring doubt on everyone which is unfair. Will it be an embarrassment on some players, of course but I do think it will clear up things for others. What do you think?