A current Yahoo poll has approximately 70 percent of respondents believing there will indeed be a walkout, with nearly half predicting that it will be next spring (at least) until this is sorted out. Complicating matters further is that this the weekend CDM participants are to make roster expansion selections. My thoughts are there will be less interest for that than usual � unless in serious contention, what�s the use of spending five dollars a shot to add two players to your disposal for possibly as little as 3-4 games or just one start.

On the other hand, that�s exactly why teams in contention should make use of roster expansion. Unlike 1994, real-life MLB teams have made significant trades this summer � and even within the past week (although the small-market teams want the strike so they can lose less money). So some MLB brass have planned for an entire season. Many contending CDM teams have also hedged their bets, with typically 1-2 player purchases still in the bank. Those who have gone that route should reap the benefits if a settlement is reached.

And then there is what happens once August 30 arrives. Yes the players could walk and not come back. Another scenario would have the walkout being postponed while both sides talk through Labor Day weekend, that would ensure the completion of Week 22. Or the owners could break ranks and call for Bud Selig�s resignation (don�t be surprised to see Pres. Bush even call for that). Who knows what happens in that case. One thing is for certain though, just the threat of a strike hurts the game � just as much as the strike itself�

So who are the best candidates for roster expansion. With the labor situation as is we look to the following�

Sammy Sosa/Barry Bonds � The Giants have a four-gamer in Colorado from 8/26-8/29, enough said there � although there is a good chance the gimpy Bonds could be sat for at least one of those games. Jeff Kent could also be considered a possibility here. Meanwhile the Cubs are in Milwaukee for four games, making Sammy very attractive.

Oakland/Anaheim/Seattle � If you believe that 8/29 is the end of the regular season, then there is only one real playoff race left, with these three AL West monsters vying for two playoff spots. With everything potentially on the line the likes of Eric Chavez, Miguel Tejada, Ichiro, Jarrod Washburn, and just about anyone who toes the slab for Oakland become huge plays for the week.

Pitchers going once (and maybe twice) � Avoid pitchers who go this coming Sunday, which means that they are not due to go until 8/30 at the earliest. And then there are the pitchers with the potential to pitch twice should the entire week be played, at the head of that list is Mark Prior (Tuesday @ MIL) and Curt Schilling. One pitcher who may not go twice is Toronto�s Roy Halladay, who is getting an extra day of rest after being cuffed around by KC this week.

If especially desperate for wins, and if you believe the walkout will indeed occur on Friday, you may want to consider a sixth starting pitcher in place of Eric Gagne, since the Dodgers a three-gamer at home v. AZ. Schilling pitches in that series, Randy Johnson does not. The last time those two met in LA for a four-gamer after the All-Star break, Gagne was idle until saving the fourth game of that series.

Now for other players making news in the final days of �baseball as we know it�, whatever the hell that means�

Austin Kearns � The only Red hitting right now, and I mean the only Red. Since July 23 he is 40-96 (.417) with 19 RBI. Austin has also picked up his power game in the last week with three bombs, one off some guy named Randy Johnson.

Adam Dunn � 0 for 21, ouch. That brings his BA down to .269 for the year. But Dunn is not alone as he, Aaron Boone, Russell Branyan, Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin, Jason LaRue, Kelly Stinnett and Todd Walker are 28 for their last 204 (.137). Before giving up on Griffey for good however, be advised that the Reds new ballpark comes complete with a Pac Bell-like short porch in right, obvious constructed with Junior in mind. Of course it could be the Little League park in Williamsport for all we care � it doesn�t matter when someone�s on the shelf half the year.

A.J Burnett � Two complete games for the week allowing only one earned run, garnering NL player of the week honors. AJ was shut down right after that with an �acute bone bruise� in his elbow. And we know Jeff Torborg is going to take no chances 'with his future'. Actually I�ll translate into the Marlins point of view: �WE GOT TO SHUT HIM DOWN NOW BEFORE HE ASKS FOR A REDICULOUS ARBITRATION NUMBER!!!!!� I�m beginning to wonder, is it Jeffrey Loria or the bitch who owned the Indians in �Major League� who�s running that team.

Carlos Beltran � Reached 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases this week. Be aware he turns the magical age of 26 next year, so he should be a monster.

Aaron Sele � In a huge blow for the Halos (and giving them an excuse to �choke� this time around), Sele was shut down with �a partially torn muscle� in his pitching shoulder. Translated: ROTATOR CUFF. Steer clear from Sele in �03.

Mariano Rivera � In another huge injury development, Mariano was DL�d with a bum elbow for a third time and is now paying a visit to Dr. Andrews in Birmingham. Should Rivera go under the knife, someone�s stock (Stanton?? Karsay??) goes through the roof for the rest of this year as well as �03.

Kris Benson � Has been hot and cold in recent starts but provided some serious hope by holding STL to one hit over seven innings this week. Pirates would probably be wise to shut him down now and have him fill tilt in �03, where Tommy John Surgery graduates get all their power back.

Cory Lidle � Pitched his second one-hitter of the month, this time holding Cleveland to one hit while whiffing eight. Poor Aaron Harang, he may never see the light of day. In an unrelated matter, Lidle revealed this week that he was �bullied� into being a replacement player with the Brewers back in 1995. Still, all his applications to join MLBPA have been rejected (wonder why???). Cory says he�s behind the Union 100 percent this time, but should still save the work of writing his applications each year, as he�s a dead man as far as Donald Fehr�s concerned. And now that all his teammates are aware he�s a one-time scab, he might be dead with them as well. If you don�t believe MLBPA doesn�t take this likely, read his profile. No picture, no bio (as is featured with most other veteran players), and I imagine his existence is acknowledged only grudgingly. Union BS is beautiful.

Mike Lieberthal � You mean he didn�t play out his contract to join the Cardinals??? Liebs re-upped with the Phillies to the tune of four years, $29+ million dollars this week. It will be interesting what happens now with prospect Johnny Estrada, hitting .293/11/67 in AAA.

Jeff Weaver � Forget anything I ever said about Weaver. Let�s just say that I wouldn�t be surprised if there are �off-field issues� with him (see the Detroit Tiger team flight attendant allegations) and leave it at that.

THIS WEEKS SCHEDULE

The following teams play four before 8/30: TX, NYY, ANA, TOR, CIN, STL, CHC, MIL, STL, COL. Everyone else plays three. Those same teams are scheduled for seven for the entire week, except the Cubs and Cards get eight. Everyone else is scheduled for six. Curt Schilling, Mark Prior, Cory Lidle and Mark Buehrle are the best two-start bets. The list of those pitching this Sunday, thus in risk of not pitching at all in Week 22, include Freddy Garcia, Andy Pettitte, Derek Lowe, Randy Johnson and Brett Myers. The early week schedule includes TOR @ CWS, DET @ CLE, NYY @ BOS, BAL @ TX, OAK @ KC, SEA @ MN, TB @ ANH, ATL @ PIT, STL @ CIN, CHC @ MIL, SF @ COL, SD @ HOU, AZ @ LA, MON @PHL, NYM @ FLA. The weekend schedule consists of BOS @ CLE, CWS @ DET, NYY @ TOR, TB @ TX, BAL, @ ANH, KC @ SEA, MN @ OAK, STL @ CHC, ATL @ MON, PIT @ FLA, MIL @ CIN, PHL @ NYM, LA @ HOU, COL @ SD, SF @ AZ. Looking ahead to Week 23, be aware of a make-up game between Houston and Texas, and add that to your schedule.