MLB History

The Houston Astros will take the field for their first game of the 2010 season on Monday, April 5 against the San Francisco Giants at 6:05 p.m.

The Astros dropped their final spring training game 13-6 to the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, completing spring training with a 13-15 record.

Let's look at the opening day starting lineup and how they performed in spring training.

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The MLB regular season gets started tomorrow night with the Boston Red Sox hosting the New York Yankees. You have seen them all over the web, but the expert panel of Double G Sports is giving you their predictions for the 2010 season.

To see all the predictions from division standings to MVP's and CY Young's, visit Double G Sports .

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Now that the decade of the 2000s has just ended, I thought it would be a good time to make a list of the best relief pitchers from this decade.

Now keep in mind, this list is a list of the best careers, so far. It is not a list of the best right now. This needs to be kept in mind while reading this list; I’m talking about the best careers, not the best 2009 seasons.

Some argue that the position of relief pitcher is an unimportant position. I disagree.

In his first spring training ever—and with last year's Arizona Fall League listed as the only professional fodder on his Major League résumé—Mike Leake snagged the role of fifth starter for the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

The move makes Leake only the 13th pitcher to completely skip the minor leagues since the amateur draft was introduced in the mid '60s. 

It's been 16 years since the last one, Ariel Prieto. He went 15-24 during a six-year career—a possible indicator as to why it has been so long.

The Mets can win 90 games this season.

Omar Minaya wasn't lying when he said that on a recent radio interview.

Many people would wonder how I could think that.  Well, here we go.

1. Starting Pitching

The 2000s were a hell of a decade for baseball.

We saw home run power, the walk become en vogue, the Red Sox win as many World Series as the Yankees, and the statistical revolution take over almost all MLB front offices.

When trying to craft an all-decade team, a number of considerations come up:

There is a sad story in the recent Orlando Sentinel about the deteriorating health of former Baltimore Orioles ace Mike Cuellar.

The story by Sentinel columnist, George Diaz, illustrates recent health issues for Cuellar that now have him in a hospital in the Orlando area living out his final days in pain.

A number of local businessmen and organizations are trying to assist Cuellar and his family with his expenses, including paying for his funeral.

With only three days until the first pitch, the 135th Opening Day in Major League Baseball history is almost here. It's only fitting to examine what is so special about this annual American rite of passage.

Just say the words "Opening Day," and all American sports fans know exactly what you are talking about. No need to even mention the sport.

Baseball's Opening Day stands alone.

It seems as though something unique happens every season on that day.

When I get home from my dorm room during school breaks, I often like to see my little brother, spend some quality time with my mom, and talk sports with Dad—a fellow pinstripes fan.

The only thing I enjoy more than these things—yes I said more—is seeing my autographed Joba Chamberlain jersey that hangs above my bed.

He has been my favorite player on the Yankees since he was called up. And that won't change anytime soon.

Scott and Jerry Hairston have always shared the same last name.  Now they share the same major league uniform.

Countless childhood memories in the backyard are shared by brothers, emulating and envisioning one day playing together in the big leagues.  The San Diego Padres have made that dream a reality several times—only in a much bigger backyard.