Play Ball

• Random Pop Culture:
• Had some time on Saturday and wanted to shut my brain off, so I went to see Fast and Furious. I liked the first movie alright and I didn't see the other two, so I wasn't entirely burnt on it. The dialogue is awful, but that's just as well because the actors deliver it poorly. The stunts and special effects are great though, and that's really all you need. It's action porn -- you wish you could fast-forward through anything that drives the plot so you can get to the next car chase. If you're looking for something really stupid (and every so often, we all are), this movie is for you.
• Great piece by John Feinstein in the Post this morning about what Michigan State means to Detroit. I watched the game back in the beginning of the year when Carolina destroyed the Spartans and, while I know that won't happen again in quite so horrific a fashion, it's hard to see the Tarheels not winning. But how can we know what to expect? Michigan State is on a magical run and I wouldn't be totally surprised at anything, to some extent. That extent being that nobody has been able to hang with Ty Lawson in this entire tournament. Carolina hasn't really been challenged yet. So it could happen, but I just don't see it.
• Random Hatred and/or Love:
• Went up to Antietam to tour the battlefield. American history, beautiful surroundings, seventy degrees outside and sunny, breakfast at Waffle House, lunch at Cracker Barrel, and there was baseball on the radio on the way home. It doesn't get any better.
• Random Baseball Preview:
• Fearless predictions:
• Division Winners: Boston, Cleveland, LA Angels, Philadelphia, Chicago Cubs, LA Dodgers.
• Wild Cards: Tampa, Arizona
• Surprise Team: Kansas City
• MVPs: Grady Sizemore, Manny Ramirez
• Pennant Winners: Tampa, LA Dodgers
• World Series Champs: Tampa