Preview/Prediction

It is impressive to me that Jose Bautista has the most home runs in the American League over the past three seasons all while missing nearly half of last season (70 games). Bautista is definitely the leader among the home run title hopefuls, especially in the American League—but there are some who could challenge Jose for this crown.

If you are a fan of the unpredictable, baseball in April has been a very, very fun month. With the Washington Nationals playing average baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates in first place and the Toronto Blue Jays making Vegas look quite foolish, little has gone as planned.

As the calender turns to May, we can take a snapshot of the best individual performances in April and how they may or may not impact the 2013 award races. MVPs and Cy Youngs are rarely won in April, but a hot start can be a precursor to a breakout season or award campaign.

Baseball fans have seen plenty of action through the first month of the 2013 MLB season, but the month of May is when the schedule really ramps up.

The weather gets warmer, the players get adjusted and the schedule gets more difficult, as May will pit plenty of divisional and crosstown rivals against each other.

Which series should you be paying attention to throughout May?

Take a look.

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Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols has five career home runs against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Aaron Harang, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks on Friday as the two teams meet at Safeco Field.

When Clayton Kershaw steps on the mound Tuesday night, he'll be after career win No. 64. If the Dodgers lefty, still just 25 years old, is ever going to have a chance to step on the mound to achieve his 300th win, when might that be and how will he get there?

The San Francisco Giants have lost all four of Matt Cain's starts this season, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Tuesday, as they continue a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey threw just 64 pitches in his last start, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Tuesday, as he prepares to face the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Sports bettors will find that the Blue Jays are -115 road favorites in the pro baseball odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the total sits at eight in the market.

Braves right fielder Jason Heyward underwent appendectomy surgery on Monday night, and as a result the Braves will need to find a short-term replacement in their lineup.

The Texas Rangers are about three weeks into the new season. They were just dealt a big blow with the news that lefty Matt Harrison will need back surgery.

Despite the bad news, there is reason for optimism—after all, it's only April.

Ron Washington and his players can still set their sights on the division crown. Here are a few reasons why.

Whether it is a young player taking the next step forward or a veteran putting it all together for the first time in his career, making the MLB All-Star team for the first time is a huge honor.

Every season, a number of players unexpectedly turn in big first-half performances and earn their place in the Midsummer Classic.

Here is a look at 15 players who are off to hot starts and could turn that into a first-time All-Star selection come July.