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The Stats Geek returns from a layoff of a couple weeks to tackle the "I'm not OK, you're not OK, but that's OK" nature of the NL Central. The Geek's point is pretty simple, that, as I've pointed out, being out-scored by 30 runs since the All-Star break and barely managing a winning record in that time span is a "thin reed on which to hang one's hopes," and that the things that would need to be done to make the Pirates a .500 team in 2007 aren't really that difficult. This goes back to things like this, and it's essentially the same assertion that Rowdy makes all the time, finishing .500 should not be difficult, and beyond that, it might be all it would take to contend. Still, this paragraph summarizes pretty much everything:

Alas, the Pirates have given fans no confidence they know how to invest. So even as general manager Dave Littlefield correctly assesses the pressing needs, a veteran starting pitcher and a left-handed power hitter, there's fear this only heralds the second coming of Mark Redman and Jeromy Burnitz.

It's not that hard, but it seems impossible.

Meanwhile in the notebook, Dejan answers the question that I know I've had since Sunday, relating Jack Wilson's appendectomy to Big Ben's. Apparently Wilson's appendix burst as he sat in the emergency room for hours without being looked at by doctors, which complicates things more than just a little bit. Things were so bad that he's taken legal action against the hospital. Big Ben didn't have any of that happen, so his recovery should be much, much faster.

Meanwhile, Charlie takes some time at the Bucs Dugout to break down Paul Maholm's performance this year and wonder if he'll ever be more than a left handed Josh Fogg. It's a very valid concern as no matter what the Pirates will have you believe, Maholm has not improved that much since April. This is obviously a problem because the Pirates have built this team around pitching and if all Maholm and Duke turn out to be are left-handed Foggs, well, we won't really have much to work with.