Brownie Points: Webb, Haren, NL Worst make D-Backs' job easier

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin had Brandon Webb and Dan Haren going back-to-back at home against the Washington Nationals. What better time to draw a line in the quicksand and scream, "OK boys, let's have a team meeting and start over!"

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So what happens? Two wins. Two shutouts.

Webb's blanking took, what, 20 minutes?

Haren wasn't quite as overpowering, but hey, the final result was two more games of distance between the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers. Los Angeles is the only team within shouting distance in the NL West - even after Arizona's 11-17 May - and the team that took absolutely no advantage of Arizona's swoon (gaining just a half-game).

Yes, the Diamondbacks aren't as good as they were in April (20-8), and their offense has too many guys who can't put the ball in play (strikeouts). But they aren't as bad as they were in May, and if they can navigate their way to a .500 June, they should be well on their way to winning the worst division in baseball.

Anyone worried about the Giants? How about the Padres? And after blowing a 9-1 lead in Wrigley Field on their way to being swept by the Cubs, the Rockies are now 12 full games back.

Arizona doesn't have to finish with a better record that the Cubs or the Marlins or the Cardinals or whoever. They just have to keep the rest of the NL Worst in their rearview mirror, get to the playoffs, have a team meeting and throw Webb and Haren out there.

IT'S NOT EASY, BEIN' GREEN

Off a stellar Stanley Cup prediction (Penguins in six?), I'm making my NBA Finals pick with some trepidation.

After a slow start in the playoffs, the Celtics have picked up steam. And winning twice in Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals leads me to believe they can win at least one of the three games in Los Angeles - a team they swept in the regular season. They have one more superstar and a better defensive work ethic than the Lakers. And they have also had an entire season to jell as a unit.

This one could go the distance, which will have all the alphabets (NBA, ABC, etc.) smiling. I see the Celtics winning their third Game 7 of the playoffs at home.

QUICK HITTERS

After going undrafted by the NFL, Slingin' Sammy Keller's long and winding football road has led him to the Arena Football League. He signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers Monday, which makes sense. Todd Marinovich used to be their quarterback, so they know how to do deal with dads over there.

I have to admit to enjoying some of Ozzie Guillen's meltdowns during his tenure with the White Sox. But when your general manager (Kenny Williams), who has had your back through each and every explosion, tells reporters his manager "threw him under the bus" in his latest tirade over the weekend, the countdown to a firing has begun.

How does it feel, mixed martial arts fans? You finally got a shot on network television, the ratings were pretty good and what all those potential new fans see is an embarrassing, minor league, half-baked version of the sport that has you hiding your face in shame.

The only people who weren't disappointed were glad they didn't have to pay to see it.