Real Deal Beatdown

• Seems that Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios was put on waivers and claimed, allegedly by the San Francisco Giants, according to Buster Olney at ESPN. Hell of a chance for the Jays to shed some payroll for a guy with $60 million left on his pact.
• A day after getting smoked by the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox designated John Smoltz for assignment. Surely he's done, no? Also released with a .193 average: Jason Giambi by the Oakland A's.
• Speaking of the Yanks and Sox, they went a mere 15 innings before the Yankees won 2-0 thanks to an A-Rod bomb his first in 73AB's. Is he a "true Yankee" now? AJ Burnett only gave up a single hit over 7 2/3 innings. That's more like the AJ the Bombers signed. The Sox managed four hits on the night. The Yanks are now 4.5 up on the BoSox.
  
• Toronto FC were on the wrong end of a 5-1 beatdown by Real Madrid at a flash bulb popping BMO Field. Despite the scoreline, TFC actually acquitted themselves quite well in not looking to just kill the game to keep it close. In related news, Cristiano Ronaldo's legs are insured for $162 million Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star blasts Ronaldo's detachment here. Hilites here. Love that the guy in the picture is rocking an Al Bundy "Polk High" shirt.
  
• New Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler was asked which fans were better: those of Da Bears or those of his previous team, the Denver Broncos. Guess who he picked? Yep, Da Bears. What a stunner!
• the Toronto Argos were shutout last night. Yes, a CFL game in which a team was shutout. 25-0 at the hands of the Montreal Al's. Well, at least you can say there is a lot of "o's" in "Toronto Argos".
• Bukkake's selections for tonight notwithstanding, looking forward to tonight's UFC 101 card. Some of the main fights, with my picks in included: BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian (Penn is a killer at 155, and won't lose two straight); Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin (Forrest brings Anderson's best out of him, and gets beat as a result); Amir Sadollah vs Johnny Hendricks (Sadollah, only on personal preference as the UFC needs a guy with Amir's character), and loads more coming from Philly tonight.

Have a great Saturday!