Baseball

So a couple nights ago I'm dinking around on the computer, trying to figure out what my fantasy baseball team's pitching rotation is going to look like this year, when my buddy Paul texts me out of the blue to see if I want to go to the Tigers' home opener at Comerica Park.

"Oh, hells yes," I answer. I've never been to a Tigers game in my life before, and what better place to start than the '10 home opener?

For those who don't know, I live outside Philadelphia.

It's a big city, and it's pretty cool: the history, the activity, the cheese steaks.

But it's by no means the greatest place on Earth.

Because that's New York City.

In New York, there's an energy. There's more to it than people buzzing around and tall buildings.

It's got a feeling like no other city.

You coudn't be done with just Times Square in a day. There's everything to do, and then some.

What a day and what a game this afternoon as the Yankees opened the season at home in their usual classy fashion.

Minutes after an emotional ring ceremony, the Yankees took the field against the Angels. World Series MVP Hideki Matsui hopped out of the visitors dugout to receive his ring, prompting a sight some will never forget. This could have been a distraction, but the Yankees got right down to business.

Pettitte took the mound in the first inning, let up a lead-off single to Eric Aybar, but proceeded to sit the rest down in order.

That was more than enough for Pettitte.

In no way is this a knock against Brandon Phillips. He's the best all-around player on the Reds' roster.

People fortunate enough to watch him regularly know he should be shipped the Gold Glove Award before each of the next 11 seasons.

Phillips easily deserves more than the one he has received, but playing in a small market will do that.

He's got pop. He's got speed. He's got a million-dollar smile, and Cincinnati loves him.

Simply put, he is one of the best second basemen in the majors.

I know, having Yunel Escobar at the top of the lineup sounds crazy, but the numbers seem to show a different story.

.197/.270/.335 (263 Plate Appearances)

.179/.281/.232 (64 Plate Appearances)

.411/.427/.616 (75 Plate Appearances)

What are these stat lines? They are the typical BA/OBP/SLG line when a player is leading off a game.

But who are those players? In order, they are Nate McLouth, Melky Cabrera, and Yunel Escobar.

Anticipation grew as the players exited the tunnel Monday to enter Citizens Bank Park to mark the 2010 Philadelphia Phillies' home opener against the Washington Nationals.

Above, Jimmy Rollins, the longest-tenured player among the Phillies, enters among adoring fans.

Moments later, however, a hush grew among the gathered fans.

Juan Castro, not Jimmy Rollins, took the field at shortstop.

Not since Lenny Dysktra broke his wrist on Opening Day many years ago did such a key member of the team go down on Opening Day.

The Mets have played six games and have been far from inspiring. Home runs aside, the offense has lacked when it has mattered most, and that needs to change, desperately.

For the time being, the offensive struggles are taking a back seat (as they should) to the starting rotation and the instability of each pitcher, including Johan Santana.

Last weekend we heard that Beltran was not in pain but is not ready to run yet, with no timetable of the delay so when he will be ready is an unknown at this time.

Of course, mere hours after writing an article bashing the White Sox lineup, the team puts together a perfect mixture of baserunning, power, and scoring in an 8-7 win on the road over the Toronto Blue Jays.

The White Sox put together 14 hits, three of which were home runs, scored eight runs in 11 innings, and stole four bases with four different runners without getting caught.

The team also didn't put down one sacrifice bunt.

This is what the White Sox lineup can do, but whether it will do it on a daily basis or not is yet to be seen.

Summary of April 5 through April 12:

Overall Record: 6-2, First Place in the AL Central

Weekly Record: 6-2

Team Batting Stats: .259 BA, 11 HR, 12 2B, 1 3B, 71 hits, 37 runs, 36 RBI

Team Pitching Stats: 3.54 ERA, 4.35 starter ERA, 1.66 bullpen ERA, 5/5 saves, 40 K, 23 ER

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