End on a high note

Braves Update:
The Braves look to end their road trip on a high note when they roll into DC to take on the Washington Nationals this weekend. Sad fact, the Nationals actually have a better record than the Braves since mid-May. Part of that has to do with their inablitly to capitalize on close games, which culminated in a 4-3 loss to the Mets on Wednesday and John Smoltz's evaluation of the team. "You can fall into that category of thinking, 'What now? How are we going to lose today?' I don't think that's been the case this year, but for whatever reason, we're always just one click away." With three weeks left and a very slim shot at a spot in the playoffs, the Braves must play for pride and if not that, than a desire to stay above .500. Watch the Braves take on the Nats at 7:05 PM/est on SS.

Games behind NY Mets in NL East: 9.5
Games above .500: 2
NL Wild Card Leader: San Diego Padres

Braves Notes: It's been a very hard year for Mike Hampton as he spent another season watching from the bench...Read this Q&A with Buddy Carlyle.

NASCAR Notes:
The Nextel Cup Series opens up its first week of the Chase for the Nextel Cup in New Hampshire. A solid week here can add some precious mojo into the final push for the championship but watch out, many a chase driver has been caught up in someone else's wreck. Have no fear, as Jimmie Johnson has taught us time and time again, it's not over until it's over. A great run of top fives and wins can bring any competitor who was thought to be out of it right back into the thick of things. We'll see how the additional two drivers factor in as the Chase rolls along. Watch the Sylvania 300 at 1 PM/est on ABC.

USA Today gives us 10 things to watch for in the Chase here.

Mark your calendars, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is expected to announce his new sponsor and car number on Wednesday.

Not to be out done, Gillett Evernham Motorsports is expected to announce Anheuser-Bucsh as the new sponsor for the #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne on Tuesday.

Popo in my crib news:
Former Texas Longhorn QB Peter Gardere was arrested on Thursday after running a red light in downtown Austin. Seems Mr. Gardere may have had a little too much to drink. "Peter the Great" was released from a Travis County Jail on personal recognizance. Watch out Pete, becuase the popo are on your tail!

News & Notes: You think Bill Belichick's $500,000 fine and the Patriots $250,000 fine and possible loss of a first round draft pick for spying was bad, then you obiviously didn't hear about the $100 million fine levied against McLaren in F1 for their own spying scandal. They'll also lose all of their points in the constructor's standings but drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will not be penalized because they tattled in exchange for imunity...Number one draft pick Greg Oden will have to wait until 2008-2009 to play in his rookie season after undergoing knee surgery on Thursday...The Minnesota Twins announced long time GM Terry Ryan will step down at the end of the month. He will remain as a senior advisor and will be replaced by assistant GM Bill Smith...Balitmore Orioles manager Dave Trembly was suspended for three games following his ejection during the Orioles lastest diaster, a 18-6 loss to Angels on Wednesday while Daniel Cabrera was suspended six games for throwing a ball at Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedoria's head. Please it gave Pedoria street cred, kind of like an arrest for assault in the NFL...With their 6-2 win over the Houston Astros, the Chicago Cubs are back in first in the NL Central...Buffalo Sabers defensemean Teppo Numminen will undergo his third heart surgery. The Sabres had suspended Numminen for "failing to report to camp in adequate physical condition" in a move to protect "the team's financial investment." I'm hoping this was done so they could collect insurance on him...The Dallas Cowboys are officially the Yankees of football after Forbes named them the most valuable franchise in the NFL taking top honors away from division rivals the Washington Redskins...Don't miss the Giants take on the Packers at 1 PM/est on Fox. Derrick Ward will start in place of injured running back Brandon Jacobs. It is, however, still unknown whether Chubs McNubs (aka Jared Lorenzen) will start in place of the injured Eli Manning. To see when your teams playing this weekend click here.

Check this out: The Emmy's are on Sunday with a preshow rivaled only by the Superbowl on E! The actual show doesn't start until 8 PM/est on Fox. To see all of the nominees click here.

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate