Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Drew puts on dancing shoes — Right fielder proves nimble at avoiding inside pitches — LAKELAND, Fla. — Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew doesn't look anything like Vince Vaughn or Ben Stiller. But if there's ever a sequel to the slapstick comedy "Dodgeball," Drew could probably find himself a part.
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Verlander battles control in loss to Sox — Ordonez singles in two, leaves after being hit in head — RED SOX 7, TIGERS 6 — Red Sox at the plate: Eric Hinske's grand slam powered a five-run first inning before J.D. Drew doubled in Alex Cora in the second.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Notes: Starters have rough go of it — Tigers unhappy with Boston's Beckett after Ordonez hit — LAKELAND, Fla. — It was a rough Saturday for starting pitchers to keep their control at Joker Marchant Stadium. By the time Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett were both out, it was tough to keep the game under control.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Notes: Wright trying to fit in — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — After two turns through the rotation, Jaret Wright just wants to keep pace with the rest of his peers. Baltimore's rotation has been outstanding in its first nine spring games, and Wright credits a subtle form of peer pressure.
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Nats edged by Orioles — Speigner pitches 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief — ORIOLES 4, NATIONALS 3 — Nationals at the plate: Center fielder Darnell McDonald got hit by a pitch, moved to third on an error and scored Washington's first run on a groundout in the seventh inning.
Justice B. Hill / MLB.com:
Maholm struggles, Pirates fall to Yanks — Lefty starter allows three runs in spring debut — YANKEES 5, PIRATES 3 — Yankees at the plate: In the first inning, Robinson Cano's single knocked in the game's first run as the Yankees grabbed a 1-0 lead. With the bases loaded …
Joe Sheehan / New York Times:
A Blast From the Past or a Bust in the Future? — Projecting how a baseball player will perform is no magic science. — Take the player's most recent performance and the history of players like him, then figure out the next numbers in the sequence. Young or old, star or scrub, the methods are the same.
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Computer crashes White Sox — Statistical program predicts aging team will win only 72 games — TUCSON, Ariz. — After winning a World Series and more games the last two seasons than any team in baseball except the New York Yankees, the White Sox should have earned a little respect. — Right?
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros offer Holdzkom back to Cubs — Rule 5 Draft selection could opt for free agency — KISSIMMEE, Fla, — Following the Astros' game with the Phillies on Saturday, general manager Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner informed right-hander Lincoln Holdzkom that he cleared outright waivers …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Lilly solid, Prior roughed up in loss — Fox hits two-run homer in ninth as Cubs' rally falls short — ROYALS 6, CUBS 5 — Cubs at the plate: Ryan Theriot and Jake Fox accounted for four of Chicago's eight hits, with Theriot driving in a run with a groundout in the seventh and Fox belting a two-run home run in the ninth.
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
Dallas Morning News:
Fair or foul — Sharing (Foul): C Gerald Laird shared the blame for RHP Robinson Tejeda's wildness. Manager Ron Washington said he wants Laird to help pitchers make in-game adjustments. — Drawing cards (Fair): Saturday's crowd of 11,995 was a Scottsdale Stadium record.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Chris Needham / Capitol Punishment:
No Long-Term Extension...For Now — The Nats renewed Ryan Zimmerman's contract at $400K. Apparently, they've been unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal. Hopefully they'll keep plugging away. If they wait until after this year, the David Wright deal would be a perfect model …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Fox Sports:
New era dawning for Brew Crew? — The Milwaukee Brewers haven't managed a winning campaign since 1992, and they haven't made the playoffs since 1982. In the upcoming season, however, they have the chance to end both droughts. — Under GM Doug Melvin (who never, ever should've been fired in Texas) …
Associated Press:
Boston 11, Philadelphia 10 — CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — David Ortiz hit a long home run and the Boston Red Sox roughed up Cole Hamels in an 11-10 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. — Hamels gave up four runs in the first and lasted only two innings. He allowed three hits and walked four.
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
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