Baseball

The San Francisco Giants are one of baseball's toss-up teams this season. They could either have sustained success due to the depth of their starting pitching rotation, or miss the playoffs once again based on their offensive deficiencies. These five factors could make the difference between a long playoff run and an early end to to the season.

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In 2009, the Mets had an injury ridden season. Day by day guys were getting hurt, and the Mets would have to dig deeper and deeper into their farm system for replacements.

This season shouldn't be like that.

The Mets pitching staff hasn't been stellar the last few years. Oliver Perez hasn't been what the Mets thought he'd be, and there hasn't been massive talent to come up from the farm system. This year should be different.

If nothing, this was a sign of trust in Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman.

Because what the Tigers did on Tuesday—dealing left-hander Nate Robertson to the Florida Marlins for left-hander Jay Voss—was nothing short of a release.

Did anyone really think otherwise?

The Tigers are paying $9.6 million of his $10-million salary this year and are virtually giving the payroll-sensitive Marlins the left-handed starter that they desperately needed.  

Every spring, there are a handful of questions that each team faces and must resolve before the start of the regular season.

Often these questions revolve around how to set the lineup and many times start with who will be the team's leadoff hitter.

For the teams that had the 10 guys that follow on this list, that was never an issue, as you could pencil them in atop the lineup and count on them to be a catalyst for your team.

I have chosen who i feel are the top 10 leadoff hitters in baseball history.

Five out of the last six seasons the Los Angeles Angels have stood alone atop the American League West.

In 2009, the Angels finished 10 games ahead of Texas and 12 ahead of Seattle. The Mariners seem to be the trendy choice to win the division this season.

After seeing several sportswriters actually pick the Angels to come in dead last, it is time for a reality check.

Here is a breakdown of why the rumors of the Angels' demise have been greatly exaggerated.

With the start of the baseball season less than one week away (yes, a week , with Red Sox vs. Yankees on Sunday Night Baseball), it means only thing: It is time to dust off the magic eight-balls, look into the future, and predict where the 30 teams will end up at the end of the season.

With the start of the 2010 MLB season fast approaching, questions remain regarding the possibility of success for the Boston Red Sox. After some major off-season acquisitions and departures, the Red Sox front office is hoping for solid contributions from their new arrivals and continued success from some of their younger members.

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With the Orioles fifth and final rotation spot being filled by David Hernandez, Baltimore announced today that Felix Pie will be in left field for the Birds’ on opening day. The news is not too surprising after Nolan Reimold’s inability to show consistency this spring.

I know I mentioned it yesterday, but it's really worth repeating: We're less than a week away from Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season. Wow!

But with first pitch just days away, there is still a lot of preparation to be done, and I'm not talking about your favorite team deciding on their fifth starter. Nope, I'm talking about you making the final tweaks to your fantasy team.

Just five days before Opening Night against the NY Yankees, ESPN.com reporter Buster Olney reports that contract negotiations between the Red Sox and RHP Josh Beckett have progressed to the point that there is optimism a deal will be finalized in the next week or two.