LOOKS LIKE BARGNANI

He said red means run, son / numbers add up to nothin'.

• Scott Carefoot figures Raptors fans should get ready to brush up on their Italian pronunciation, writing, "The first overall pick is already locked up by Andrea Bargnani." It doesn't look like Bryan Colangelo will be able to gull someone into trading up, so now apparently the Raptors have to sell Chris Bosh on Bargnani. Three weeks ago, when the Raptors won the lottery, I ruled out their drafting Adam Morrison No. 1, and yesterday, figured that Dirk Nowitzki's dominant post-season would make it easier to sell the public on Bargnani, a player who the fans know much less about than Morrison, LaMarcus Aldridge or Tyrus Thomas. Bargnani's put up decent numbers as a 20-year-old playing major minutes in the Italian League, so that bodes well for his future.
  
  Also of note: Toronto native Denham Brown, who might be available when the Raptors pick 35th, has been invited back for a second workout in front of Raptors coaches, reports the Toronto Sun.
• Well, Jays fans, keep your fingers crossed that Theodore Lilly can soak up 7 or 8 innings today against the Orioles. The bullpen had to pick up Scott Downs (who's really a reliever) last night. The Star's Geoff Baker points out that contrary to the impression some fans have formed, statistically, the Jays bullpen is one of the most efficient in the American League. Trouble is, the relievers have worked more innings than any other team that has a winning record. By the way, the Jays are seven wins away from franchise victory No. 2,300. (Hat tip to Batter's Box.)
• Ex-Jays pitcher Esteban Loaiza, who's now with the A's, was arrested for impaired driving after being stopped doing 120 mph on the highway. And here we thought Loaiza would never crack 90 on the radar gun.
• A week after the Br-rrrr-i-an Wil-li-ams debacle, CBC Sports has just suffered another public depantsing. The public broadcaster has been completely cut out of the Canadian Curling Association's new six-year TV deal, which gives exclusive rights to TSN beginning in 2008. (Presumably the semis and final will be carried on CTV.) Considering that a Brier final typically pulls in a million viewers, yeah, CBC should be a little concerned.

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.