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 | This year's All-Star Game ballot is, in part, a tribute to the men and women who run the Atlanta Braves. That's because the Braves' Minor League system produced 14 of the players on this year's ballot, more than any other Major League franchise.
More»Braves' strong start has Atlanta fans optimistic |
 | After a 17-10 start, the Royals' lack of hitting has dropped them below .500, but they are still third in the AL in team ERA. If the offense performs at just an adequate level, this will be a winning team by season's end.
More» Kottaras drives in Lough with single to right |
 | With an overall game that often translates into one becoming a fan favorite, rookie David Adams is filling in nicely for the injury-depleted Yankees.
More» Adams belts his first Major League home run |
 | Justin Verlander has struggled in recent starts, but he will end up where he should -- maybe not in line for another American League Cy Young Award, but probably not far off.
More» Verlander reflects on rough start |
 | Jerry Reinsdorf received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Sports Business Awards on Wednesday, but he knows it was mostly a night for reflection and larger lessons. The White Sox owner said that 32 years in professional sports have shown him again and again how they can make a substantive and positive impact on communities and in the lives of men and women.
More»A look back at the legacy of Jerry Reinsdorf |
 | If this was the bad Matt Harvey, the Mets' seemingly fully formed young ace is going to have an awfully good career.
More» Collins on Davis' miscues, Harvey's start |
 | When Mike Trout got off to a relatively slow start this year, there was a widespread feeling around the game that it was bound to happen, that he couldn't possibly live up to what he achieved in a 2012 rookie season for the ages.
More» Trout makes history, hits for cycle |
 | The Orioles are hoping to find the same magic they found last season. Here's your chance, Kevin Gausman. After just 13 Minor League starts, he'll get the ball Thursday in Toronto. With the organization's other prized prospect, Dylan Bundy, injured, he's the club's best prospect.
More» Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles |
 | In today's game, be it because of deep bullpens or more sophisticated advance scouting or any of the oft-cited elements that have created a culture of run-suppression, it's in your best interest to score early. Or else.
More» Baker discusses Leake's start and offense |
 | The Giants have a glitzy rotation, an All-Star catcher and a lot of good players who play better as a team than if they are broken down individually.
More» Bochy talks about winning in extras |
 | Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer's baseball history is a fascinating story of outstanding pitching highlights, unconventional training techniques, personal conviction, endless commentary and differing opinions.
More» Bauer pitches 6 1/3 solid innings vs. Yanks |
 | Josh Donaldson isn't just playing third base for the A's. At the moment, he's among the best in the game, his name dotted across the leaderboard with Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre, Evan Longoria, Manny Machado and others.
More» Donaldson snares grounder, throws out Trumbo |
 | You'd have to assume there isn't a discerning fan alive who would, at this moment, not vote Cabrera to be the starting third baseman on the AL All-Star team. It's a no-doubt-about-it no-brainer. I mean, it's not like there's some kid in his age-20 season who is deemed by the advance metrics to actually be having a season comparable to that of Cabrera, right?
More» Miggy belts three homers vs. Rangers |
 | The team with the second-best record and second-best run differential in the NL added an elite starting pitcher to its rotation on Monday. And though Johnny Cueto didn't look much like the man who was a Cy Young candidate a year ago, on this night it didn't matter. He did enough, and got enough help, for Cincinnati to rack up win No. 27 in 45 tries.
More» Cueto strikes out eight en route to the win |
 | The Rangers didn't merely lay claim to the best record in baseball by winning nine of their last 11 games. They spent last week making a couple of major statements thanks to an offense that scored an American League-best 42 runs in the seven games.
More» Washington on exciting win against Tigers |
 | Winners of 18 of their last 22 games, the Cleveland Indians are starting to look like real contenders in a tough AL Central. Their current run may be enough to make anyone a believer.
More» Indians walk off three times vs. Mariners |
 | If you drew up the perfect baseball player -- that is, if you gave someone size and strength and quickness, if you also gave him a dedication to his craft and a commitment to being the best teammate he can be -- you would have Miguel Cabrera.
More» Cabrera hits three homers, drives in five |
 | While the Mariners have struggled, their crop of young players give them reason to be optimistic. If hitters like Jesus Montero and Dustin Ackley get on track, they can help support a young group of pitchers waiting to come up from the Minors.
More» Montero launches go-ahead homer in seventh |
 | The defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants are sitting atop the National League West standings. But there is a warning sign that can't be ignored.
More» Bumgarner fans 11 over seven dominant frames |
 | The Dodgers left Atlanta Sunday night after three disappointing, debilitating and ultimately, depressing defeats. Their bullpen lost late leads in all three games. Much is expected of the Dodgers, but so far this season they have delivered only a 17-25 record.
More» Mattingly on Greinke's return from the DL |
 | D-backs outfielder Gerardo Parra went deep off Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler on the first pitch of Arizona's 1-0 victory on Saturday. The last time a game was essentially decided by a first-pitch home run? You have to go all the way back to Sept. 2, 1963.
More» Parra's solo jack puts D-backs on the board |
 | Reid Ryan represents a connection to the Astros' past while offering an enthusiastic vision for its future. He's Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan's oldest son, and that means plenty around these parts.
More»Biggio, Nolan Ryan on Astros' new executive hire |
 | If you're filling out your American League All-Star ballot, you should take a good, long look at Jed Lowrie for starting shortstop.
More» Lowrie belts run-scoring double in fifth |
 | The Atlanta Braves have been known for their admirable pitching depth, not only at the Major League level, but throughout their organization. They're going to require a show of that depth, now, and for some time to come.
More» Kimbrel shuts the door on the Dodgers |
 | Looking ahead, Jedd Gyorko should provide the Padres an offensive quality they will continue to welcome. He can flat-out hit. He has always hit. And that should continue.
More» Gyorko hits his first career home run |
 | It's been 40 years since the American League began using the designated hitter, and my teeth still are clenched.
More» Ortiz cranks a three-run homer to right |
 | The Braves have played 63.4 percent of their games on the road. And they have played considerable stretches of the early season without some of their most important personnel. It's not hard to see that even in first place, their overall direction should be upward.
More» Heyward makes a nice sliding catch |
 | Perhaps the most infamous trade in Phillies history occurred on Jan. 27, 1982. Dallas Green had just stepped down as Phils manager and taken over as general manager of the Cubs. In one of his first major moves, he traded second baseman Ivan DeJesus to the Phillies for incumbent shortstop Larry Bowa. The other guy in the trade was a little-known Triple-A infielder in the Phillies' organization named Ryne Sandberg.
More» |
 | Forty games do not provide a very big sample. All kinds of weird things can happen in six or seven weeks of baseball, so here is a look at a few eye-popping, early-season performances, good and bad, and their likelihood of continuing.
More»MLB.com crew breaks down first quarter of 2013 season |
 | Reid Ryan's hiring as team president is a stroke of genius by Astros owner Jim Crane. It makes sense on so many levels that it's difficult to know where to start.
More»Ryan named Astros' president of business operations |
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