Yesterday I realized I say "dude" way too much. I fear that my mind has never left the 1980s. And I liked the '80s as much as a porn star enjoys an AIDS test.

Unless I am yelling at my kids, wife, cat, or an ant on the floor, I'm an easy going guy. Seriously, it's been over a year since I smashed a remote control over a sporting event. However, my personality is nearly the polar opposite of the stereotypical surfer, environmentalist, vegan, and peacemaker. I'm the last barbecue disc jockey to play the Grateful Dead, Phish, and Jack Johnson.

Yet I can't stop using the laid back expression, "Dude,...":

"Dude, stop hitting your sister," I say to my son.
"Dude, what do you want for breakfast?" I ask my daughter.
"No, dude, Chuck isn't here. He died last month," I tell the person who called the wrong number.

Maybe in a future life I live in California, surf, and sell weed.

Dude, here are my (2 unit) MLB plays for Wednesday night:

Tigers -120

Rockies +118

Pirates Run Line +155

Being an ex-Cub fan, it was hilarious to witness the Cubs falter in the closing frame last night. Detroit does have a suspect bullpen, but tonight's starter Rick Porcello (3-0 interleague, 1.48 NL ERA) should fair well against a lame Cubs battery (.234 vs RHP).

The Angels line has jumped from -124 to -140 on most online sportsbooks, but I still love Jason Marquis and the Rockies. One loss and the Colorado streak is over? The Rockies are hitting .339 against left handed pitching.

Dude, I am walking the Pirates plank large tonight! I predict that Pavano's troubles continue, especially facing an offense hitting .282 vs right handed pitching.

Best of luck, dudes and dudettes!