MLB

With 396 home runs under his belt, Oakland’s Jason Giambi sits four home runs away from 400 for his career. Sure, it doesn’t carry with it the same mystique that Gary Sheffield’s recent accomplishment does, but still…it’s impressive.

Did Cubs manager Lou Piniella order common sense for his in-flight meal on the way to St. Louis?

Here is tonight's batting order for the first game of the series at the Cardinals:

1.      Ryan Theriot, SS

After 14 games, the Colorado Rockies' record sits at 5-9, and they're last in the NL West. The mark doesn't really surprise me, all things considered (I predicted them at 6-8 after their opening stretch), but how they have gotten there does.

Starting pitchers Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez, counted on to anchor the rotation, have ERAs of 10.22 and 6.00, respectively, through three starts apiece. Cook has lasted just 12.1 innings and allowed 22 hits and five homeruns; Jimenez has 16 strikeouts in his 15 innings, but also 13 walks.

Tampa Bay Rays (6-10) at Oakland Athletics (5-9)

BetUS MLB betting odds: Rays -135, Athletics +115, Total 8

Left-hander Scott Kazmir will take the mound for Tampa Bay, while righty-hander Trevor Cahill does the honors for Oakland.

Here are some of the MLB Baseball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
(Numbers go back to last season)

I was exhausted as I looked out the window on the train ride home. As a die-hard baseball fan, I had just been through an absolute whirlwind. The day of my baseball-loving life.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 was a very special day for me. I was privileged enough to make my first trip with my friends and family to the new Yankee Stadium.

I'm dreading the feedback from this article.

So before you get so angry that you'll feel compelled to call me an idiot, let me have my say.

Then, id you still think I'm an idiot, you are more than welcome to send your scornful comments my way,

Are we good? Alright, here comes the bombshell.

I believe Fenway Park is on borrowed time.

From a personal standpoint, I love Fenway. It is the most prestigious and beloved ballpark in all of baseball.

The race is on, as the number of regular players who have yet to draw a walk in 2009 is down to three:

Yuniesky Betancourt (53 PA)
Bengie Molina (54 PA)
Ichiro Suzuki (33 PA)

According to reports, the Texas Rangers have traded left-handed starting pitcher Kason Gabbard, 27, to the Red Sox for cash considerations. This isn't the first time Gabbard has been with the Red Sox; he made 14 appearances for the Red Sox between 2006 and 2007.

Then, at the 2007 trade deadline, Gabbard was traded to Texas, along with outfielder David Murphy and outfielder Engel Beltre to land relief pitcher Eric Gagne, who at the time had a 2.16 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 29-12 K-BB ratio.

The Major League Baseball season started this month, bringing hope to fans of all 30 professional baseball teams that this might be their year. 

AL East

The Yankees were a big disappointment last season as they missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. They have tried to end this issue by spending a lot of money in the offseason by improving their starting rotation in signing CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett to long term contracts.  They also should see some increased power production as they  picked up Mark Teixeira.

Through three innings, Cole Hamels looked like his old self again. He struck out six of the first nine batters he faced. Then in the fourth he gave up a two run homer to Ryan Braun, and then was struck on the shoulder with a batted ball by big ole' Prince Fielder. Fantasy owners around the country have been holding their breath but, thankfully, tonight I am reading that it is just a bruise, and Hamels says he will be out there for his next start.