Published on: 23rd June, 2010
In their first 12 seasons, the Rays owned the majors' best record for just more than a month. Total. Those losing ways are history, of course. Tampa Bay has been one of the majors' top teams for going on three seasons. Wade Davis hasn't won a game in June. This season, in ...Published on: 17th June, 2010
With four-plus months until the World Series, the list of contenders remains lengthy. So many clubs have a legitimate chance that this weekend's interleague schedule includes at least three potential Fall Classic matchups -- each of which features one of the past three world champions. Each comes with a story line ...Published on: 16th June, 2010
Baseball's trade season is upon us. That means weeks of speculation (six-plus weeks to be exact), a ton of rumors (some that even make sense) and a bunch of deals that won't make a difference in the standings (see: Conor Jackson for Sam Demel). Well, here are five trades to root ...Published on: 13th June, 2010
Perhaps Jason Bay will find his power facing AL teams. Maybe the interleague interruption will help Matt Holliday recover his home run swing. They need some sort of lift. So do Chone Figgins and John Lackey. So far the free agents who signed the largest contracts last offseason are not performing ...Published on: 10th June, 2010
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball: STRIKE 1: Strasburg's success will continue Not that they are necessary, but here are two more reasons to believe Stephen Strasburg really is different: There are two good reasons to believe Stephen Strasburg will live up to the hype. • Just three years ago, ...Published on: 9th June, 2010
Free agent bargains are about as difficult to find these days as instant replay opponents. Just look at the league leaders. The top 10s are stocked with players making top salaries. Based on the first one-third of the season, however, a case can be made that several bargain signings from this ...Published on: 6th June, 2010
The draft and a long-anticipated debut will put baseball's spotlight on the nation's capital this week, at least until the return of interleague play on Friday. The week ahead: After thriving in junior college, Bryce Harper is likely to be the No. 1 pick. Monday: Nationals pick first For the second consecutive year, ...Published on: 3rd June, 2010
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball: Strike 1: Just say no to instant replay As soon as the first replay aired to confirm that Jim Joyce's bad call had cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game Wednesday, baseball's cyberspace was screaming: "Replay! Replay! Replay!" No, no, no. Please. Three reasons ...Published on: 2nd June, 2010
On this date a year ago, the Rockies were 14 1/2 games out of first place and 11 games below .500. "And we made the playoffs," general manager Dan O'Dowd says. Translation: It still is too early for losing teams to give up and start peddling players. If they surrender now, ...Published on: 19th May, 2010
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball: Strike 1: The calm before the Strasburg The Nationals have been one of baseball's feel-good stories so far. Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his major-league debut next month. Their 38-year-old catcher, Pudge Rodriguez, is hitting .333 and earning accolades for his positive influence. ...