Preview/Prediction

Zack Greinke has registered a 3-0 record and 1.72 ERA in five starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Friday, as the two teams face off at Dodger Stadium.

The San Francisco Giants are 16-5 this season when facing opponents that have a .500 or better record, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Tuesday, as they prepare to take on the Atlanta Braves at AT&T Park.

The Washington Nationals are 20-9 in Stephen Strasburg's last 29 starts as a road favorite, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Tuesday, as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Sports bettors will find that the Nationals are 10/13 favorites in the pro baseball odds, with the betting total sitting at eight in the market.

The Dodgers made a splash when they signed Cuban middle infielder Alexander Guerrero this past offseason to play second base, but in the early stages of the 2014 season, it’s been another middle infielder that has emerged as a sensational second baseman.

After years of hacking at the threshold, Dee Gordon has finally materialized into the player that he was hyped up to be when he made his major league debut for the Dodgers in 2011.

It's no secret how an MLB team lands a playoff spot.

It all starts with the starters. Last year, eight of the October-bound squads ranked in the top 10 in terms of starter's ERA. Meanwhile, the final two, the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians, finished No. 11 and No. 14, respectively.

Of course, there are other factors that go into the equation. Most notably, a prolific lineup and a lockdown bullpen are key components. Plus, the strength or weakness of a given team's division is an important consideration.

The saying in baseball goes, "It, the season, is a marathon, not a sprint."

It's nearly impossible to predict what will happen over the course of a major league season. Teams slump, players get injured, and the improbable and impossible are always right around the corner.

With that said, it's fun to look into the future, especially when it's the future of a team with as much potential as the New York Yankees. So, with that said, here are three bold predictions for the remainder of the Bronx Bombers' season. 

The trade market does not generally get going until the summer months, but that does not mean early-season trades don't occur from time to time.

In fact, the Pittsburgh Pirates already pulled off a deal in the first month of the season, landing first baseman Ike Davis in a trade with the New York Mets.

Baseball's rumor mill is just beginning to spin as we enter the second month of the 2014 season, and with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline only a blip on the horizon at the moment, more rumors will sprout up with each passing day.

Over the next 12 weeks, injuries to key contributors, prospects bursting onto the scene and teams near the bottom of the standings all but throwing in the towel will dictate which squads truly are buyers and sellers—but it's never too early to take a look at which role each team projects to occupy.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz heads into Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds with a chance to take sole possession of fourth place on Boston's all-time

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