MLB

Closer by committee? Who needs it? Certainly not Kyle Lohse. 

The young right-hander dominated the Houston Astros with a complete game gem on his way to help the Cardinals win 3-0 on Easter Sunday, completing the series sweep. 

Like many baseball fans believe, sometimes the first pitch of a game can reveal just how the rest of the game could turn out.

Lohse's first pitch of the contest equated to a single from Kaz Matsui.

This article was originally published at TheDailyCub.com, your place for all things Chicago Cubs.  The Daily Cub also boasts B/R writers Bob Warja and Pat De Marco.

It’s Easter, and the Cubs will be playing today in the rubber match against the Brew Crew.

Fresh off of a Blackhawks shutout over the Detroit Red Wings (I had to watch hockey today with my family), the Cubs will try to add another win for Chicago tonight.

"It's outta here."

Las Vegas lists 50 players odds to be the 2009 Home Run King. While I'm waiting to post Part 2 of the Mets/Phillies debate, I thought you would like to see those players 20/1 and less. If you don't see your favorite here, leave a comment and I'll let you know. No real surprises of those listed but at least to me a lot of suprises forr those who are over 20/1.

The New York Yankees lost to the Kansas City Royals by a score of 6-4. Joba Chamberlain started and got a no decision. Phil Coke got the loss and blown save.

Joba Chamberlain struggled with his command and got the ball up in the zone. He got a little out of whack mechanically in a few innings. He was throwing 93-94 mph with his fast ball and topped out at 96. He only gave up 1 earned run.

The Yankees were essentially one out away from a huge come-from-behind victory in the eighth inning, but it just wasn’t meant to be. The Yankees three-game winning streak was snapped by the Royals on Sunday in an exciting back-and-forth game.

Quick ‘Cap

The Yankees got on the board early behind the wheels of Brett Gardner, as he singled, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch.

Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty felt good about his team's season-opening roster. 

The Reds were going into the season with a pretty solid pitching staff and a faster and younger team. It was expected that they shouldn't have problems manufacturing runs. You had to trust his opinion since he had a successful track record with St. Louis.

Does anyone remember Mark "Hard Hittin'" Whiten?

I do and very well, also. You probably thought that in my "Does Anyone Remember..." series that I only use football players. Well I use other players, too. I also will do MLB, NBA, PGA, and probably boxing in my series.

So now I'm with Mark Whiten. Now I have a reason to use every player for my series. I usually get it from my player cards. And that is how I found Mark Whiten with that.

For the past two years, the anxiety over the position of closing pitcher for the Detroit Tigers has been enormous.  A big reason for that is Fernando Rodney, who has been with the team since his rookie year in 2002. He has been noted for his remarkable inconsistency ever since helping the team to a World Series appearance in 2006.