I'm sorry, what?

Let me make sure I understand this. It's not that he's not familiar enough with the Oakland Raiders offense or his new teammates- the only thing holding Palmer back is his inability to put the right amount of zip on his throws. Yet.

So, Carson, just when do you expect this zip to come back? Anytime before the 5 and 6 six seeds in the AFC get locked up?

I find it very hard to believe that any team, albeit the Raiders, would give up a first round draft choice if they weren't positive he could throw with the necessary velocity. But here we are.

If Palmer can't start against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that has allowed the most passing touchdowns this season (tied with the New Orleans Saints and, ironically, the Raiders) then who can he start against?

Southern California was almost evacuated after tremors were reportedly felt, however it turns out that it was only Al Davis spinning in his grave.

Not for nothing, if Palmer doesn't start I hope Kyle Boller goes out and throws for 400 yards, 4 TDs and a scramble that ends in an Elway-like-helicopter-body-spin and as he walks off the field he holds his middle finger high towards the owners box.

Of course, that'll cost him $10,000 but it would be worth it.

You can't really ask for anything more from the first two games of the World Series. Last night's game 2 display was what baseball fans drool over: balls hit hard, stellar defense, clutch hitting.

Now you're probably rolling your eyes at my "balls hit hard" comment because, after all, there was only three runs scored total. However I'm including all those hard hit balls that were fielded cleanly.

And let's not even talk about Elvis Andrus ri-goddam-diculous play.

Game 3 shifts to Texas tomorrow night. Rangers starter Matt Harrison intrigues me. For no other reason than his performance in night games vs day games has been, well, like day and night.

In 10 day games, his ERA was 1.98 and opposing hitters batted .226. In 21 night games (20 of those starts) he has a 4.13 ERA and opposing hitters batted .273. However Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse has a similar split (2.39, .228 in day games, 3.91, .259 in night). Harrison's difference is a bit more pronounced though.

The real story is whether or not Josh Hamilton is going to be able to regain his normal swing anytime soon. The dearth of runs is not just a credit to the Cardinals pitching. Hamilton hit 25 home runs this season, or one every 19.48 at-bats. He's gone 48 post-season at-bats and hasn't gone yard once.

He's either due or the Rangers are in trouble. Good thing for them Nelson Cruz has been hitting enough home runs for both teams.

If Hamilton can't get right, runs will be at a premium.

The NBA labor situation is so much uglier than what the NFL went through. What it's turned into is two long time friends who have a falling out, attempt to talk it out, then one person says something inappropriate and they both tell each other to "eff" off.

Sometimes the two friends get over it and move on. Sometimes they don't.

There will be NBA basketball one day. How long until that day comes is another story and the way Derek Fisher looked at the press conference the other day- it won't be anytime before February.

Oh, and not for nothing: baseball's CBA expires December 11, 2011.

Fun.