Three observations ... • The league should strip Melky Cabrera of the NL batting title if he finishes first. He cheated and it would be a tainted crown.

• If the Padres (28th market) can be sold for $800 million, what would the Twins (15th) fetch?

• Two of my worst predictions this year were calling the White Sox a .500 team and saying the Orioles would fall out of the playoff race in July.

... and two predictions • With Evan Longoria back, the pitching-rich Rays will figure out a way to make the postseason.

• Francisco Liriano, who won his first game with the White Sox last week, will go 2-3 the rest the of the season.