Breaking News

According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, the San Francisco Giants have decided to add Brandon Belt onto the 2011 Opening Day roster and start him at first base against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.

To be honest, this is a shock to everyone and anyone who has been involved in Giants baseball through the last several years.

Much to the surprise of the majority of knowledgeable San Francisco Giants fans, top prospect Brandon Belt has made the opening day roster for the defending champions.

In the past, Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean always took it slow with the young positional talent.

So, is this a change in philosophy or simply an exception to the rule?

Brewers starting catcher Jonathan Lucroy has been cleared to start playing.

After breaking his finger during a catching drill, Lucroy had pins inserted in the finger and was out for all of the spring training playing schedule.

Last week, the pins were removed and he resumed workouts, but wasn't ready to play in a game.

Now that he's cleared, he will first go to the Brewers' Class A affiliate—the Brevard County Manatees—where he will begin his rehab assignment.

The 2011 fantasy baseball season begins in less than 24 hours and now is the last chance to solidify your lineup.

While finding that unheralded utility man who ends up being Jose Bautista is always a thrill—a smart fantasy player is more concerned with avoiding guys that will severely disappoint them.

It's going to be hard to win your ERA and WHIP battle with a former stud that has been reduced to nothing more than a has-been that gets lit up on a regular basis.

Minor Cuts Mean Little To New York Yankees Pennant Hopes

The Yankees are starting to finalize their roster right now.

The catcher spot has been the most interesting. Along with outfielder Justin Maxwell and infielder Doug Bernier, they sent Jesus Montero down to triple A and sent Austin Romine to Double A.

But the more high-profile moves: cutting Ronnie Belliard and sending former Cubs phenom Mark Prior all the way down to single A.

By signing Cliff Lee last fall, the Philadelphia Phillies became the National League's favorite to win a third pennant in four seasons.

With their awesome staff, a stacked lineup and a great closer, they looked almost unbeatable. But the spring hasn't been kind to the Phils. The injury bug has caused some concern heading into the 2011 season.

Brad Lidge is out for at least three-to-six weeks with a rotator cuff sprain, while Chase Utley, Placido Polanco and Domonic Brown have been hampered by injuries, as well.

2011 MLB Predictions Have Braves Stunning Reds in Divisional Series of Playoffs

In the 2011 playoffs, I predict the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants will repeat as postseason contenders.

However, I have the Braves and Reds as the two and three seeds respectively this season, and the Phillies and Giants as the one and four seeds.

Thus, the Braves will meet up with the Reds in the divisional series of the 2011 playoffs.

It is here I see them shocking a solid team in the Reds.

Kyle Drabek Deserves a Close Look on Your 2011 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper List

One of the Jays top prospects is ready to burst out onto the scene and give your fantasy roster some much needed depth in the starting pitching department.

He made three career starts at the end of 2010 and gave up nine runs in 17 innings. Not exactly fantasy gold.

But his velocity has jumped up to the mid-90's and his devastating curveball is going to give hitters fits.

2011 MLB Predictions Have Braves and Cardinals Competing for Wild Card

The Atlanta Braves won 91 games last season, captured the National League Wild Card, and could have easily beaten the world champion San Francisco Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs if it weren't for injuries, some bad bounces and a guy by the name of Brooks Conrad (sorry Brooks, had to at least mention it).

They did all of this with an emerging star in Jason Heyward and two emerging starters in Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens.

The Mets made a great decision when they decided to offer low priced tickets in the 300-level in the area formally known as Mr. Mets Landing. The move was a nice gesture, as it would make games more affordable to families. The move seemed to be family friendly.