MLB »  Rockies at Giants Sunday, MLB Extra Innings, 4:05 p.m. » Colorado ripped the guts out of San Francisco three times in four days at Coors Field last week, including a memorable 14-inning game that ended on a walk-off grand slam. Giants get to return the favor at home as teams battle for National League wild card.

MLB »  Red Sox at Tampa Bay Wednesday, ESPN, 7:00 p.m. » A critical series in the American League East and in the race for the AL wild-card berth. The Red Sox are 1-5 at Tropicana Field this season and RHP Junichi Tazawa was battered for nine runs in last start. Matt Garza goes for the Rays.

Bold Prediction

1. Favre, Vick experiments will end badly » NFC favorites Minnesota and Philadelphia will have their seasons undermined by their risky quarterback acquisitions. In Vikings’ camp, Brett Favre is already fending off questions about a rift in the locker room, which should be no surprise considering the parting shots teammates took at Favre when he left the Jets after his uneven 2008 season. Minnesota coach Brad Childress, formerly the offensive coordinator in Green Bay, is so heavily-invested in Favre that’s it’s hard to imagine him keeping the team together if Favre struggles. In Philadelphia, it took a standing ovation and just a few snaps for Michael Vick to unnerve incumbent quarterback Donovan McNabb, who quashed the Eagles’ plan to use Vick more in their preseason victory over the Jaguars. If McNabb struggles in Andy Reid’s stale system, the notorious Philly “faithful” will be quick to boo McNabb and call for Vick.

2. Mark Teixeira will win the AL MVP » Let’s make one thing absolutely clear: Joe Mauer should win this award and he has our vote. The Minnesota catcher is cruising toward another batting title and already has smashed his career best homer total. But … the Twins are stuck in neutral. They are light years back in the Wild Card race and it doesn’t feel like they have enough petrol left in the tank to catch the Tigers in the AL Central. Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox), Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) and Michael Young (Rangers) all are having MVP-caliber seasons for teams in the thick of the playoff race. And then there’s Teixeira. People will argue that he didn’t get hot until Alex Rodriguez came off the DL. They’ll say Derek Jeter is having a better statistical season. But the signing of Teixeira (and his subsequent production) is the reason the Red Sox are chasing the Yankees and not the other way around. In the junior circuit, that’s value with a capital “V”.

3. Navy will be competitive against Ohio State »  The Buckeyes host the Midshipmen on Sept. 5, at noon. Will Navy win? No, but they will keep it close. The Mids have gone to a bowl game the last six seasons and led the nation in rushing the last four. Last year’s victory over No. 16 Wake Forest was the team’s first over a ranked team since 1985. Programs with better athletes and top recruits have had problems figuring out Navy’s unique rushing attack. Defensively, the Mids have no answer for Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. But the athletic sophomore is still a raw talent that could make mistakes in the first game of the season. Never underestimate the discipline and desire of the midshipmen.

Player to watch

Hanley Ramirez Marlins • SS » Ramirez is trying his best to keep his club in the National League wild-card race. He has been a dominant force at the plate in August with 42 hits in 94 at-bats entering play this weekend. That .447 batting average over a month of games would look more at home in Little League than the majors. Pitchers just can’t find a way to get him out. Of course, the power hasn’t necessarily been there. Ramirez has eight doubles and just three homers in August. He has also walked only seven times. But with that many hits you’re going get on base every other at-bat – which he has with a .500 on-base percentage. Unfortunately for Ramirez, his teammates haven’t quite done their part. Florida was a decent 13-11 in August prior to its weekend series at home against the Padres, but still 4 1/2 games out of the wild card.

Five Up

Matt Barkley »  Freshman named starting quarterback for USC. Palmer, Leinart, Booty, Sanchez, Barkley? Let the NFL watch begin.

Michael Vick »  In Eagles debut, he looks like he can add something to an Eagles offense with a lot of playmakers.

David Wright »  One of the Mets stars is actually scheduled to return from the DL?

Joe Smith »  The 14-year veteran is still wanted in the NBA. Atlanta becomes his 10th NBA home.

Dinara Safina »  Seeded No. 1 at the U.S. Open despite never winning a major. She better hope to avoid the Williams sisters.

Five Down

Brandon Marshall »  Wide receiver is suspended by Broncos for the rest of the preseason. How’s that trade request going?

Cowboys Stadium »  NFL rules if ball hits the video board the down will be replayed and clock reset. This should be fun to watch.

St. Paul’s College »  Division II school in Virginia cancels season opener because it doesn’t have helmets or football pads.

Rafael Nadal »  Spanish star admits he’s not in best condition at the only major he hasn’t won.

Basketball in Kentucky »  More bad news in the blue grass state as former Wildcats coach Billy Gillispie arraigned on DUI charges.