Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
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 …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Ben DuBose / MLB.com:
Red Sox cruise behind five-run first, Beckett — Righty limits Astros to one hit in five innings in spring finale — HOUSTON — The Red Sox scored five first-inning runs off Astros starter Nelson Figueroa while Josh Beckett silenced Houston hitters, leading to a 10- exhibition victory …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Surviving Grady
Richard Dean / MLB.com:
Crawford leaves 70 tickets in return home — HOUSTON — Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford, a native of Houston, left about 70 tickets for family and friends for Wednesday's exhibition game at Minute Maid Park. — Crawford has played in his hometown before — in exhibition games as a member …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Red Sox Monster, Over the Monster and Sox #1 Fan dot com
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Beckett is zeroed in during final tuneup — HOUSTON — After absorbing the loss in each of his three previous outings, Josh Beckett made his sixth and last appearance of the spring count. — With the Red Sox set to begin the regular season tomorrow against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Strasburg, Harper get to visit Nationals Park — Young stars among non-active players in clubhouse at NatsFest — WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper, Cole Kimball, Derek Norris, Stephen Strasburg and Chien-Ming Wang were seen in the Nationals' locker room before attending NatsFest on Wednesday afternoon.
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Federal Baseball
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Family to catch Broderick's Nats debut
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Gorzelanny's first start remains uncertain
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
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 …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
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).
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and Pirates Prospects
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
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.
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Mike Petriello / Baseball Prospectus:
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.
Discussion:
Philliesflow.com
Peter Gammons / MLB.com:
What do we know? Not much — yet — Here are some predictions, but many variables sure to be at play — There was a day this spring when we were watching a game with a group of very smart baseball people and the discussion point was whether the Reds were the biggest favorite in any of the divisions.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Joe Christensen / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
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.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
BREAKING NEWS: Brandon Belt wins spot on Giants' roster, will make big league debut on opening day (33) — Giants Manager Bruce Bochy went to the mat to keep Brandon Belt and the skipper got his wish. — Alex Pavlovic just reported via Twitter that Belt was informed he'll be on the team.
Discussion:
Raising Matt Cain, Bay City Ball, McCovey Chronicles, El Lefty Malo, HardballTalk and Paapfly.com
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
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 …
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Bats
Baseball Prospectus:
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.
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ESPN and Ducksnorts