- The Minnesota Twins are 69-0 this season when ahead after eight innings.
- For the first time in more than three decades, there were seven shutouts in Tuesday’s schedule. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the most shutouts on one day since there were a record eight on June 4, 1972, when 16 games were played.
- Since the All-Star break, Brad Penny has a 6.46 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP over 62 2/3 innings.
- Over his last five starts, Matt Cain is 4-0 and has yielded one run over 34 innings for a 0.26 ERA.
- 0: The number of NFC West teams that have repeated as champions since the division was realigned in 2002.
- 5: The current number of consecutive Super Bowl losers (Seahawks, Eagles, Panthers, Raiders, Rams) that have failed to reach .500 the following season.
- A couple start/sit suggestions before kick off…
Start – Chris Henry – If TJ Houshmandzadeh doesn’t suit up, Henry makes for a fine WR3 and even WR2 option against a weak Kansas City secondary.
DeShaun Foster – While most Foster owners probably plan on using him every week while healthy, his matchup against Atlanta week 1 is especially enticing. In two games against them last year, Foster gained 345 total yards and three TDs, with a 7.05 yards per carry clip.
Nate Burleson – With Darrell Jackson reportedly only set to play 25 snaps, Burleson looks like Seattle’s No. 1 WR option this week. He’ll exploit Detroit’s secondary and be worth inserting into your lineup.
Sit – Muhsin Muhammad – While the matchup against Green Bay looks good on the surface, realize the one thing the Packers do have going for them is Al Harris, one of the best cover corners in the game. Not only that, Harris typically stays with the opposing team’s No. 1 wideout throughout the game, so expect Muhammad to be blanketed Sunday.
Ahman Green – Green says he’s ready for the full load, but remember he’s barely played a snap since last October. Factor in Chicago’s stingy D, and Green is someone to avoid this week.
Steve Smith – It’s looking more and more like he’s going to be a no-go Sunday. Even if he does dress, he’ll be playing on not one but two bad hamstrings. The Panthers would be better off resting Smith and looking toward the rest of the season.
Balt/TB – Save for Caddy Williams, I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting any offensive player in this game.
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