Mix master  —  ST. LOUIS - A buzz coursed through the new Busch Stadium, the kind that portends something special.  Yadier Molina, the catcher who had propelled the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series, waddled toward the plate Sunday night with the bases loaded in the first game of the 2007 season …

Nats Are Awfully Certain  —  By design, John Patterson rarely reads the sports page.  But last week, he was climbing into a whirlpool to loosen his muscles.  With little else to do, he grabbed a paper from New York that sat nearby.  He looked at a prediction for the team for which he pitches, the Washington Nationals.

Cubs, Zambrano closing in on five-year deal  —  The Cubs' chances of signing right-hander Carlos Zambrano to a new five-year contract look better than ever.  —  Zambrano has waived his Opening Day deadline for completing negotiations with the club, according to his agent, Barry Praver.

What is Zone Rating?  —  Zone rating has been around for 20 years now as a way to measure defensive players.  It's a simple concept; you just need to know two things: How many plays a fielder makes, and how many were hit into his zone.  You divide the first number by the second, and you have zone rating.

Four unexpected players make roster  —  Buck, Walker, DiNardo and Marshall in immediate plans  —  OAKLAND — Travis Buck has never played above Double-A ball.  Jay Marshall has never played above Class A. Todd Walker was released by the Padres earlier this week.  Lenny DiNardo was waived by the Red Sox in February.

Notes: Final roster spot undecided  —  Bourn, Condrey, Dobbs, Segovia make 25-man roster  —  PHILADELPHIA — On Sunday, the Phillies' roster stood at 24 players, with one undecided spot.  —  The team expects to rectify that and announce its 25-player assortment by Monday.

Talks with Eckstein appear stalled  —  As long ago as the Winter Warm-up, Cardinals officials expressed a hope to approach shortstop David Eckstein during spring training to discuss an extension to his current contract.  —  There were some talks but nothing substantial while the club was in Florida …

Ask the Rockies  —  The roster has its share of new faces, from promising prospects to wily veterans.  Baseball writer Tracy Ringolsby recently tried to get some of the players to reveal more about themselves:  —  Troy Tulowitzki  —  If I didn't play baseball . . . "I would be in law enforcement."

Rangers look for right fit  —  Washington wants to protect Cruz against Lackey in opener  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - So, will he or won't he?  —  The Rangers went through their final workout of the spring still uncertain if Sammy Sosa would start the season opener tonight …

Shortstop on way to stardom  —  It was an ordinary moment, made remarkable by his age.  Rookies just don't act this way.  —  While it becomes official today when he's introduced to a sellout crowd at Coors Field, Troy Tulowitzki became the Rockies' starting shortstop on March 4.

Padres sign Adrian Gonzalez to four-year deal  —  The Padres announced Sunday that they have agreed to terms with infielder Adrian Gonzalez on a four-year contract through the 2010 season with a club option for 2011.  —  "Adrian has established himself as one of the great young players …

Dodgers and Angels need speeding ticket  —  They may be out of step in a power-hitting era, but L.A. teams' emphasis on basestealing and manufacturing runs makes for more exciting baseball, and could make them World Series contenders.  —  We've spent so much time moaning about the inability …

Baseball 2007: Deep-sixed in first six?  —  Another poor start for Pirates portends another disaster  —  Peter Diana, Post-Gazette photo illustration  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Zach Duke gets it.  —  Even though he will pitch a Major League Baseball opener …

Baseball returns across America  —  Pregame ceremonies celebrate hopeful spirit of Opening Day  —  It's time for giant flags unfurled across the outfield, emotional first-pitch ceremonies, deafening fly-overs from local military bases, player introductions, moments of silence …

Giants send Ellison to Mariners for minor leaguer  —  SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners acquired outfielder Jason Ellison on Sunday from the San Francisco Giants for minor league pitcher Travis Blackley.  —  Ellison, who turns 29 on Wednesday, was added to the Mariners' 25-man roster …