Francona releases Red Sox lineup  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  HOUSTON — The source of much conversation and expectation, the Red Sox [team stats] Opening Day lineup was unveiled this morning by manager Terry Francona.  Only two real discussion points …

Rays sign Wade Davis to extension  —  The Tampa Bay Rays signed starting pitcher Wade Davis to a four-year extension Thursday.  —  The contract, which contains three club option years (2015-17), guarantees Davis $12.6 million.  If the Rays exercise the three option years, the 25-year-old Davis will make approximately $35.1 million.

Hamels learned value of between-starts preparation  —  It came in the stifling St. Louis heat, everything Cole Hamels had worked for.  —  Players and coaches still talk about that game on July 22, 2010, and not just because it was the turning point for the Phillies, a chaotic day that ended …

Ankiel, Riggleman note Cox's absence  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Jim Riggleman and outfielder Rick Ankiel said that it will be weird not seeing former Braves manager Bobby Cox in the opposing dugout.  —  Cox retired after the 2010 season.  He guided the Braves to five pennants and one World Series title.

Pirates Sign Tim Wood  —  The Pirates signed recently-released right-hander Tim Wood, MLBTR has learned.  It didn't take long for Wood to find a job after the Nationals released him and two others.  —  Wood logged 27 2/3 innings for the Marlins last year, posting a 5.53 ERA with more walks (15) than strikeouts (10).

Value Picks in the Bullpen  —  Just hours after this article goes live, the first pitch of the 2011 season will be thrown by either by CC Sabathia or Livan Hernandez.  It's Opening Day!  Or, as I like to think of it, “the equivalent of Christmas plus your birthday multiplied by ten Super Bowls"-not to overstate it, of course.

Derek Jeter, equipped with new contract from Yankees & swing from Kevin Long, out to defy history  —  Sometime this summer, the collective gaze of the baseball world will descend on Derek Jeter as he becomes the first Yankee in history to record 3,000 hits.  —  Those same eyes are likely …

Twins up to date on stats, but not loud about it  —  2011 BASEBALL PREVIEW The Twins pride themselves on scouting but say they also are in line with trends about statistics.  —  The Twins haven't been ignoring baseball's statistical revolution.  They're just not out front talking about it all the time.

Pre-Season Predictions  —  Staff Picks for 2011  —  Today we reveal the Baseball Prospectus staff predictions for the division standings and the major player awards (MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year) in the American and National Leagues.  Each staff member's division standings predictions may be found later in the article.

Almonte could see early action  —  CINCINNATI — The last man to win a spot on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster might not have to wait long to make his first Brewers start.  Infielder/outfielder Erick Almonte might just be manager Ron Roenicke's choice to start in early-season games against left-handed pitchers.

Family to catch Broderick's Nats debut  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals right-hander Brain Broderick said his parents and brother will attend his first Major League Opening Day after all.  That will occur Thursday afternoon against Braves.  —  The news comes two days after Broderick said his parents …