Bottom of the 1st

Pudge at the top of the order? This won't happen often. But I ain't complaining - the guy's a future Hall-of-Famer, perhaps the best all-around catcher of his era. Any chance you can get to see him take a few cuts or rifle a throw down to second, you take.

I don't think it's coincidence that he's been a part of two of the more surprising pennant winners in recent history - the 2003 Florida Marlins and the '06 Tigers - especially since both had young pitching staffs in need of some leadership.

Rodriguez, however, goes down looking against Pirate starter Phil Dumatrait. Similar to his counterpart, Dumatrait cruises - he too throws nine pitches, seven of which are strikes - and we are scoreless after one.