Three observations ... • Dan Uggla was batting .370 (47-for-147) during his 32-game hitting streak through Friday, but the Braves second baseman's season average was only .229. That shows how awful he was earlier in the year -- and how difficult it is for a player to dig out of a big early hole.
• It's not surprising the Cardinals are squawking about their hitters being pitched too tight inside or being hit with pitches. They have overreacted to anything thrown close to Albert Pujols for years.
• Like him or not, the HBO special on Derek Jeter's final steps to the 3,000-hit mark was well done and presented a side of the Yankees captain not normally seen.
... and two predictions • Justin Morneau will hit six homers before the end of the season and raise his batting average to .250, but it will be a lost season for a Twins slugger who has been through a lot the last couple of seasons.
• Jim Thome will hit home run No. 600 as a member of the Twins -- then eventually get traded to a contending team such as ... the Indians.
