Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Wakefield to make Fenway debut — Seattle (5-6) at Boston (7-3), 1:20 p.m. ET — The Red Sox will try to break out their bats on Saturday afternoon when they meet the Mariners in the second game of a three-game series. Though Boston did win Friday's opener, it was by the slimmest of margins (2-1).
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Pineiro aims for second victory — Seattle (5-6) at Boston (7-3), 10:20 a.m. PT — After Joel Pineiro's last start, an up-and-down effort against the Oakland A's, the Mariners right-hander's going to be looking to put two halves together and make one solid whole Saturday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:A Sure Schilling — He's 3-0; Fifth Save For Papelbon
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Associated Press:
Casey out 6-8 weeks with back injury — PITTSBURGH (AP) — First baseman Sean Casey will be out of the Pittsburgh Pirates' lineup for six to eight weeks with two fractures in his left lower back. — Casey was injured during Friday night's game against the Cubs while he was stretching for a throw.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Pirates struggle on mound against Cubs — Bucs batting unable to fill the gap, Casey exits with injury — PITTSBURGH — Jim Tracy's starting pitching nightmare has been running on a loop for about two weeks now. — During Tracy's 12-game tenure as manager of the Pirates …
Jason Williams / TwinCities.com:
Damon would move for Hunter — Yankee willing to play right field if New York acquired Twins star — Just because the New York Yankees signed Johnny Damon to play center field doesn't mean there isn't room for Torii Hunter. — Damon told the Pioneer Press he would be willing to move …
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Sam Borden / NY Daily News:Back to square 1 — Yanks .500 as bats go dead again
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Brazelton sent to bullpen; Hensley starter — MIAMI - Manager Bruce Bochy made it official yesterday, demoting Dewon Brazelton into a long-relief job and filling the No. 4 starting spot with Clay Hensley for Tuesday's game in Denver. — "Hopefully it'll be the best for both pitchers," Bochy said.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Notes: Hensley inserted into rotation — Continuing to recover, Cameron takes swings off tee — ATLANTA — Clay Hensley had a fascinating reaction to Friday's news that he would be taking Dewon Brazelton's place in the Padres' starting rotation on Tuesday night against the Rockies, with Brazelton going to the bullpen.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Associated Press:
Padres-Braves Preview — John Smoltz is familiar with starting a season slowly. — The hard-throwing right-hander looks to rebound from two difficult outings when the Atlanta Braves host the San Diego Padres on Saturday in the second game of a three-game series.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Olsen makes first start of 2006 — Washington (2-9) at Florida (3-6), 6:05 p.m. ET — Gaining some positive momentum is crucial for a young team like the Marlins. — Now that they've won back-to-back games for the first time this season, the squad with 11 rookies is looking to keep the momentum going.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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blackathlete.net:
GRAVE AGAIN — MLB'S ONCE A YEAR CHARADE — WHY ARE THE TOP 20 EXECUTIVES — IN BASEBALL ALL WHITE BUD — Glorifying Jackie Robinson on April 15th — Baseball is also secretly very secretly celebrating its Great Relief that the likes of Jackie Robinson are dead and buried.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Lefty just what pen needed — Wilson comes off DL to add some flexibility; Feldman sent down — OAKLAND, Calif. - Rangers manager Buck Showalter felt a little more comfortable Friday afternoon. — He had a second left-hander he could trust in the bullpen.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Sanchez cleans up Heilman's mess — It was pretty clear who would be starting the games. And with the addition of Billy Wagner, there was absolute certainty about who would be finishing them. The relief pitchers who would bridge the gap between a formidable rotation and a brilliant closer probably …
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ESPN:
2006 Power Rankings: Looking Amazin' so far — On paper the New York Mets entered the season looking like the National League's most loaded team. And only two weeks in, they're backing it up on the field. In fact, they're playing like the best team in the majors.
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Maddux's success driven by his impeccable control … When Greg Maddux made his major league debut in 1986, he was 20 years old, then the youngest pitcher in baseball. — "I've always thought it would be cool,'' he said a few years ago, "to leave as the oldest.'' — Someday, he might get his wish.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Robert Falkoff / MLB.com:
Williams to lead the way for Reds — Cincinnati (7-3) at St. Louis (5-5), 2:15 p.m. ET — The Reds hope to get another dividend from the Dave Williams investment when they take on the Cardinals on Saturday in the middle game of a three-game series. — Williams, who came to Cincinnati …
