MLB

The New York Mets need a change. So does Oliver Perez.

After busting out of the gate with four horrible starts in five appearances, Perez has an ERA close to 10.00. The Mets will likely skip his next start, and their $36 million investment looks like it needs a bailout.

Who do the Mets have that might be able to step in for Perez for a start next week against Philadelphia? 

Brian Stokes

After a cold, rainy and just plain dreary and disappointing month of April, the Cubs begin the month of May 2-0. The story of the game was Ted Lilly, on the mound and at the plate.

On the mound Lilly was great, striking out 10, and walking none. He gave up five hits, one of which was a solo home-run by Cody Ross. At the plate Lilly came through with a 2 run double of the right field wall with two outs in the third inning.

This offseason, Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd knew that he would need to add depth in the starting pitching department.

Being a huge Cubs fan, the division I see the most of is the NL Central, so I thought it would be fitting to pick my All-NL Cental roster.

I considered the player from each position to be the opening day starter, i.e. Ryan Doumit at catcher for the Pirates even though he is injured and so on.

It may have been a mistake to come out and say I was a Cubs fan there, as that will just give Cardinals fans a reason to call me biased. But we all know Cardinals fans can't read so I have nothing to worry about. I'm kidding of course, so without further ado here is my roster.

I'm going to level here, I really don't like ranking all the teams. It just seems overdone and hack. Also, one mistake can ruin it for the team, so right now I am going to start with the top ten pitchers for the past week.

1) Zack Greinke: Duh. How can this guy not be at the top of the list? Everyone was expecting big things from him and he has delivered. First, in his first four starts he doesn't allow one run and wins all the decisions (4-0).

OK, so obviously, baseball fans by now have heard that Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees has done steroids. He said that he did them during his time with the Texas Rangers, when he won an MVP award. Oh wait....

With New York Yankees third Basemen Alex Rodriquez exposed a couple months ago for his past steroid use, the issue of steroids has arisen again. As with any major breaking news, ESPN has thrown this story on repeat. They even went so far as playing the same A-Rod interview four times simultaneously. For those players whose steroid use has somehow not brought to light, I have decided to offer a simple guide of how to handle getting caught.

The Minnesota Twins held their own and kept themselves near the top of the American League Central with an 11-11 record in the first month of the season.

To say the least, they did a good job; they had no Joe Mauer, and in recent history, April has not been a month of strength for the team.

Last season, the Twins never once reached the .500 mark in April. In 2006, the year in which the magical run took place, the Twins faltered in April and struggled mightily until the month was over.

Twenty-three games into the season, and the name we've wanted to see at the top of the order has finally gotten his shot.

Better mark this down in the history books: On May 2, 2009, Jordan Schafer first batted lead-off for the Atlanta Braves.

Many congratulations to the 22-year-old, as he has truly earned this opportunity. In the entire St. Louis series and the first game against Houston, the Braves' center fielder has drawn six walks while striking out only twice.

With one swing, the hope everywhere in Minnesota arose.

On Friday, Joe Mauer dug in the batter's box for the first time this season. He then proceeded to hit a home run in only his third pitch seen in the big leagues this year.

Mauer, who started the season on the disabled list, was activated prior to Friday's game and hit his first circuit clout of the season in a 7-5 win against the Royals.

The moment seemed so incredible, and many were in awe. The crowd gave him the biggest ovation I have heard since Torii Hunter's return to Minnesota in the 2008 opener.