Opinion

Here we are on May 9 and the Rockies have once again found themselves behind the 8-ball in the National League West race, doomed by a chronic case of projectile dysfunction. 

If these symptoms persist for longer than four more weeks, please consult your physician, as side effects may include irritability, violent mood swings, and an early onset of Broncos fever.

At 11-17, the Rox find themselves 8.5 games behind the first place—and now Manny-less—Dodgers. 

The Oakland Athletics entered the 2009 season with some serious bullpen questions. After 27 games and an 11-16 record, some of those questions remain unanswered while injuries have taken the focus off of some solid developments in the Oakland bullpen.  

Entering the season, Oakland manager Bob Geren had two legitimate options at closer. The submarining Brad Ziegler, who saved 11 games in 2008 after replacing Huston Street, held a tenuous hold on the position.

Don't expect any walk-off home runs from Aramis Ramirez anytime soon.  The Cubs' star third basemen will be out until at least mid June after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Friday night's 3-2 loss to the Brewers. 

The Cubs have suffered numerous injuries this season but this one really hurts.  Despite this latest injury the Cubs will have to move forward. 

Like a story fit for Hollywood, Alex Rodriguez launched the first pitch he saw in 2009 over the left field wall.

Time seemed to stop momentarily as his bat connected with the pitch, and the Yankees quickly opened up a 3-0 first inning lead.

If you think that this race is between the Phillies and the Mets, you are absolutely wrong. I look at this division as a very flawed division; every team has at least one major weakness.

I am going to break down the race as we are more than a month into the season. However, I will not focus on the Nationals because they are simply out of the race already.

<!--StartFragment-->

As May 1 is now in the rear-view mirror, it is time to do what all Yankees fans (not to mention temperamental owners and executives) are inclined to do—panic! 

And why not, really? It seemed that many people were willing to junk the new Stadium after the first home stretch. The balls were flying over the right field wall with alarming frequency. 

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

I have been one of the biggest critics of Barry Zito over the past two years, but I am very impressed with the 20009 Zito. It was a joy to watch him pitch last night against the Dodgers.His performance reminded me of his great days in Oakland where he was often very dominant.

Zito only gave up one run in six innings and struck out five batters. He got his first win of the year and is now 1-2 with a respectable 3.57 ERA.

It's not even because Manny Ramirez wears Los Angeles Dodger blue (OK, that's part of it).

In news I'm sure you'll hear from my fingers first, Ramirez has tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). 

Although his agent, that bastion of credibility and integrity Scott Boras, tried at first to spin it away with a story about a prescribed medication for a personal ailment, I'm beginning to think that might not be the case.

Right off the bat, hCG is a female fertility drug.