FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

Verlander Goes for 20 th Win on the FOX SATURDAY GAME OF THE WEEK at 4:00 PM ET Tigers/Twins – Braves/Mets – Pirates/Cardinals – Rockies/Dodgers

Can the Dodgers Produce an MVP and a Winner? Ringolsby Wonders

FOX SATURDAY GAME OF THE WEEK FOCUSES NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON VERLANDER – For the 2011 season, one has been a head and above the rest. The Tigers’ has amassed a 19-5 record while leading all of baseball in IP, K, wins and ranks third in ERA. The right-hander is scheduled to take the mound on Saturday, Aug. 27 (4:00 PM ET) as the Tigers take on the Twins. Three more enticing matchups round out FOX Sports’ Saturday slate as the NL Wild Card-leading Braves travel to New York to face the Mets. In St. Louis, , and the Cardinals look to close the gap on the Brewers in the NL Central as they meet the Pirates. Also, the Rockies take on the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

The MLB on FOX pregame show originates live from the Citi Field in Flushing, NY with host . Once game action begins, Rose joins , and as a field reporter.

For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX . Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports .

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST COV. at Kenny Albert, Mark Grace 43% & Ken Rosenthal Citi Field – Flushing, NY MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, , Phoenix, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, , San Francisco, Washington, West Palm Beach Probable : Jair Jurrjens, RHP (13-5, 2.71 ERA) vs. R.A. Dickey, RHP (5-11, 3.72 ERA)

Detroit Tigers at & 31% Target Field – Minneapolis, MN MARKETS INCLUDE: Austin, Baltimore, , Chicago, Cleveland, , Detroit, Fort Myers, , Minneapolis, Orlando, Portland, Providence, Richmond, San Antonio, Seattle, Tampa Probable Pitchers: Justin Verlander, RHP (19-5, 2.28 ERA) vs. , RHP (6-10, 4.54 ERA)

Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals Dan McLaughlin & 17% – St. Louis, MO MARKETS INCLUDE: Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, , Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tulsa Probable Pitchers: Jeff Karstens, RHP (9-7, 3.09 ERA) vs. , RHP (8-8, 3.57 ERA)

-more-

FOX Sports NQ&A – Page 2

Colorado Rockies at & 8% Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, , Los Angeles Probable Pitchers: Kevin Millwood, RHP (1-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Chad Billingsley, RHP (10-10, 4.07 ERA)

ROSENTHAL: SCENARIOS ABOUND IN RODRIGUEZ DEAL – One of the ongoing waiver trade deadline sagas has been that on Astros P Wandy Rodriguez . The have put in claim for the Astros lefthander and as MLB on FOX and FOXSports.com reporter Ken Rosenthal notes, anything can happen from here. “The Rockies, by claiming Wandy Rodriguez on waivers, obviously are prepared to swallow the rest of the left-hander’s contract – a potential of about $37 million for the rest of this season plus the next three,” Rosenthal writes. “The Astros might simply let Rodriguez go, if only to further pare down their future obligations. But if they intend to move him now, the most sensible outcome is a trade – a trade that would include an exchange of talent to the Astros and cash to the Rockies. The deadline for the teams to reach a decision is 1:00 PM ET on Thursday. One source estimates that the chance of Rodriguez going to the Rockies is less than 20 percent. Let’s see if either team blinks.”

To read Rosenthal’s full column, visit http://on-msn.com/o0BeJA

DOUBLE PLAY? STRUGGLING DODGERS MAY PRODUCE CY YOUNG AND MVP WINNERS – FOXSports.com writer Tracy Ringolsby points out that the Los Angeles Dodgers are a puzzle and the pieces don’t fit. “There is , enjoying an MVP-type season. He's among the leaders in virtually every significant offensive statistic, and he plays center field, a key defensive position. And there is left-hander . He has put together a season that even has to admire, showing dominance and durability. But then there is the Dodgers team. The once-proud franchise entered Tuesday in last place in the NL West,” writes Ringolsby. “Can the Dodgers become the first bad team with an MVP and a winner? The Dodgers' record shouldn't work to Kershaw's detriment. The past two Cy Young Awards went to pitchers from last-place teams. The MVP is a different animal. The word ‘Valuable’ is in the middle of the title, and the voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America generally put an emphasis on the value a player has in the success of his team. Not that winning a Cy Young or an MVP makes up for a team not winning games.”

For Ringolsby’s complete piece, click here http://tinyurl.com/3jntpze .

JENNIFER FLYOD ENGEL: IF NCAA WON'T POLICE SELF, NFL SHOULD – FOXSports.com writer Jennifer Floyd Engel says NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did the right thing by suspending Terrelle Pryor for the first five games of his Raiders career. “Roger Goodell did not play enforcer for the NCAA. Nor did he overstep his bounds or act as a capricious holy roller, as many have implied. In this increasingly ugly and infinitely cynical time in college football, he took a stand. Roger sent a clear message that the NFL will no longer be a safe harbor for college football terrorists,” writes Engel. “What else can you call the administrators, athletic directors, coaches and players who throw scandal bombs into the college football programs they profess to love and then bolt just ahead of whatever fallout ensues, leaving a bunch of incoming freshmen and bullied compliance officers to wade through the muck of others? The ugly world of college football has been created brick by brick, greed piled on desperation piled on stupidity until all of college football has been tainted by the actions of a few. Players and coaches must be responsible for cleaning up their messes. And that is why what Roger did is exactly the right thing.”

To read Engel’s full column, visit http://tinyurl.com/3mf84lq .

-more- FOX Sports NQ&A – Page 3

DAVID WELLS CHATS WITH JR -- Each Wednesday (1:00 PM ET), former MLB All- Star pitcher hosts The Cheap Seats on FOXSports.com an informative interview show where Wells talks to the current MLB players. This week, Wells chats with Dodgers’ LF Tony Gwynn, Jr . Wells and Gwynn explore the experience of growing up in the major leagues as the son of a Hall of Famer.

To watch the show click here: http://msn.foxsports.com/video/shows/cheapseats

MOST EXCITING MOTOCROSS SEASON EVER DOWN TO THREE RACES: CAN VILLOPOTO HOLD THE LEAD? – With three races left on the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship tour, FUEL TV airs the Rockstar Energy Southwick National from Southwick, MA Saturday, Aug. 27 (1:00 PM ET). This is the only sand track on the tour. Ryan Villopoto , (Poulsbo, WA), is currently in first place overall with 391 points, while 2010 Champ Ryan Dungey (Belle Plaine, MN) is only seven points behind. According to FUEL TV Commentator Jason Weigandt , the pressure is on Dungey to prove he can beat back Villopoto’s advances. “This is a pivotal race. This track is so different than most we have seen this year, it's hard to really gauge who will fare better. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Chad Reed (currently in third place in the rankings) finds something special here, as he usually does well in the sand. But if Villopoto wins again like last race, those boys are in trouble.”

-- FOX SPORTS --