Preview/Prediction

Shaun Marcum broke through in 2010. He finally suprassed 30 starts, albeit after missing 2009 entirely, and was a top 15 AL pitcher. With a nearly 4/1 K/BB ratio, a 1.15 WHIP, and less hits than innings pitched (in the AL East no less), Marcum showed he is ready for prime time.

Now, a year later, with the Jays in salary cutting mode after unloading Vernon Wells, Marcum finds himself a key member as a top three starter for the early season NL Central favorite Milwaukee.

Sunday February 27th marks the first "real" game of spring training for the Oakland athletics. The pitcher, at least for an inning or so, is likely to be Trevor Cahill. He is also likely to be on the mound against the Mariners on April 1st. Anderson, Braden, and Gonzalez are surely to follow in some order.

Spring training is upon us. The Red Sox have been busy this offseason. The Yankees, on the other hand, were uncharacteristically quiet. How could the New York Yankees make noise this offseason with a payroll of over 200 million dollars? Yes, even the "Evil Empire of New York" has limitations on how much they can spend.

This article will break down the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry as it stands today and forecast what the 2011 season may hold for each team and/or their players.

When the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees square off in the Grapefruit League opener tomorrow afternoon, and again on Sunday afternoon, we'll see a bunch of familiar, big league names.

Cole Hamels, who has been ticketed as one of the Phillies' "four aces," will get the start on Saturday, while Joe Blanton will lead the charge on Sunday. Also scheduled to appear this weekend are a couple of bullpen staples in JC Romero, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge.

If you're a Yankees fan, then you know who Ivan Nova is.

If you're not a Yankees fan, then here's a little background information on the man who will likely assume the No. 5 spot in the rotation for the 2011 season.

Nova, 24, is listed at 6'4" and 210 pounds. The big right-hander was born on January 12, 1987 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

For Ron Gardenhire and the Minnesota Twins, winning the AL Central six of the nine years Gardenhire has been manager doesn’t mean a whole lot without a single World Series victory under their belts.

But for fantasy baseball fans, the Minnesota Twins offer more selection than most teams in the league. Whether you’re looking for a quality second- or third-round pick, or undeniable value in the back end of your draft, the Twins are sort of a one-stop fantasy baseball shopping mall.

The past few seasons, the Mets and Yankees have been on opposite ends of the baseball spectrum. 

The Yankees have continued their winning ways, culminating in a World Series Championship in 2009.  Meanwhile, over the past few years the Mets have spiraled into obscurity and—even worse—became the butt of all jokes around the league. 

Milwaukee's lack of pitching proved to be too much for them to overcome in 2010.

Milwaukee ended the season third in the NL Central at 77-85. With the additions of Shaun Marcum and Zach Greinke this offseason, Milwaukee heads into this season with a ton of optimism.

Usually, If a player is exploring the fringe, they roll through sunny San Diego sooner or later. It's the preferred destination of guys looking for one more shot, returning from a long injury, or one last decent paycheck.

This season looks no different for the Padres, who have invited several familiar names to camp this year. I have penciled in 23 players so far, that leaves two player's jobs that are up for grabs.

The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off of a rather disappointing 2010 campaign that included giving up the lead in the NL Central over the final month of the season to miss the postseason.