JUST 7 SPORTS: Dodger Drama and Blackouts and Swine Flu in Ohio

HEADLINER

Hang on to your hats: we have a series. After a pitiful showing in the 2008 NLCS, the Dodgers are looking as ready as ever to throw a wrench in Philadelphia's plans for a repeat title. Featuring one of the best bullpens in the majors, L.A. showed its ability to grind out postseason wins, manufacturing two runs in the bottom of the eighth and sending flamethrower Jonathan Broxton out to seal the victory. Not that we should forget Chase Utley's Matt Holliday moment, sending Juan Pierre home for the tying run on an inexplicable throwing error, but let's just note that the great pitching in this series is adding extra pressure to every at-bat. The Phillies have to be happy earning a split in Chavez Ravine, but for one day, Jimmy Rollins is feeling a little less cocky - and that is a relief for all non-Phanatics across the country.


DELICIOUS DIGIT

1,200. That's how many tickets Motorola bought in partnership with Chad Ochocinco for this week's game in order to avoid a local television blackout in Cincinnati. The Bengals keep winning, but those Ohio fans just can't get themselves to shell out to watch Carson, Chad, and the crew live in the stadium. Leading the AFC North and with Houston coming to town on Sunday, Cincinnati is just a step away from 5-1, a far cry from the 0-8 start to the 2008 season. If the Striped Surprise can deliver against the Texans and hold its own against Jay Cutler and the Bears next week, it could come out of its bye week poised to make some waves against the Ravens and the Steelers and legitimize its first-place standing. Buy some tickets, people - this is a good football team.


THE 7

1. It's a Heisman weekend to watch. Florida QB Tim Tebow is still a strong favorite, but Jimmy Clausen - the southern Californian who didn't go to USC - is looking to establish his candidacy against the mighty Trojans in South Bend. Each team has a painful loss to its credit, and while USC has to be a heavy favorite coming into the game, the Irish will certainly be fighting at home. But before you tune into that game at 3:30 ET, make sure you catch Oklahoma-Texas in Dallas - Sam Bradford may still be recovering from injury, but Colt McCoy is sure to be firing on all cylinders to keep the Longhorns in the BCS title hunt.

2. The Angels and the Yankees are back in the ALCS, and this one promises to be a doozy. Joe Girardi announced that he might try a three-man rotation to keep Joba Chamberlain in the 'pen and give C.C. Sabathia a chance to pitch Games 1, 4, and 7. But in reality, this is likely gamesmanship by the pinstriped manager, as he knows weather is likely to disrupt the game schedule and allow him to move around his pitchers. He certainly has a wealth of arms to choose from, and if Alex Rodriguez can keep delivering in the clutch, this may be the year that the Yankees break the Curse of the Halo - and do it just a week after Anaheim broke a postseason losing streak of its own. (Yes, Anaheim. The Angels are from Los Angeles as much as the Giants and Jets are from New York.)

3. Speaking of the NFC East, the Cowboys' Wade Phillips job is safe for the rest of the season, Dallas owner Jerry Jones announced this week, giving his head coach some security despite a lackluster start to the year. Elsewhere in the NFC East, Redskins players are voicing support for Jim Zorn, knowing that owner Dan Snyder is crazy and will probably bring in some psycho to replace him. No wonder the Jersey Giants keep winning games - half of the NFC East can't get its act together.

4. Rush Limbaugh is back in the news - and it has nothing to do with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. The fiery talking head was part of a group bidding for the St. Louis Rams but was dropped abruptly after backlash from the owners despite, he claims, original assurances that his participation had been cleared with the powers that be. One man's loss is another man's gain: former Rams running back Marshall Faulk is said to be the replacement. Can you blame anyone for that choice? Who would you rather have owning the Cardinals someday, Albert Pujols, or Jose Canseco?

5. THE KING HAS SWINE FLU. So that wasn't really the headline. And no one is sure if LeBron actually had the novel H1N1 virus. But the Cavs were suddenly awash in doctors and medicines, with Cleveland players, coaches, and fans thanking themselves that all this was happening in the preseason. Which begs the question: by getting sick now, are the Cavs at a competitive advantage vs. the rest of the NBA? You know Mark Cuban is thinking about it.

6. In other news, the NBA announced that players can now take two steps after coming to a stop, explaining that referees have been instructed to enforce traveling rule in that manner for years anyhow. So, in other words, no news at all. Sorry for wasting your time.

7. Nothing is better for winning than knowing how to win, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are proving that axiom true, getting off to a torrid 6-1 start, tied for best in the league along with the Rangers. Crosby and Co. have scored in droves and toughed out some close wins as well, demonstrating their tenacity and, importantly for a young team, their unwillingness to rest on their laurels. With Western Conference contenders like the Red Wings and the Blackhawks marred with injuries to major stars, the East is looking to reestablish itself as the coast to watch in the NHL. A matchup not to be missed: the Sharks and Rangers face off Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Potential Stanley Cup preview? Maybe. But there's still 75 more regular-season games to go.


HORIZON

Quebec City is building a new arena, wanting to bring hockey back to the town and maybe setting up good old Oh Canada for an Olympics in the future. For those who won't be making it to Rio in 2016, how about a trip to a chillier climate in 2018? Or you could still try and snap up tickets to Vancouver. But hurry - February isn't very far away.


THE Q

Major League Baseball appears own the web rights to all postseason baseball radio content, with local stations forced to kill or replace their online broadcasts even when they are airing the game as part of their regular programming. MLB.com, of course, offers this as part of its $19.95 Gameday Premium package. As a fan, do you find this acceptable? Leave your comments below.


Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.