2011 was quite a season for Justin Verlander (RHP, DET) - Cy Young award, Most Valuable Player, found the cure for cancer. OK, the last part didn’t happen, but after a year like that, what could he possibly do for an encore?
Matt Kemp and Juan Uribe land on the DL in LA, as rumors put Dee Gordon's job in question. A fractured fibula shelves Jeff Niemann, Stauffer returns to SD, more ...
When Tim Lincecum (RHP, SF) started the 2012 season by surrendering 16 ER in his first 13.2 IP, everyone chalked it up to small sample size. And since then, he has had some better outings. But after seven GS, the numbers have not yet recovered.
Yet another closer has been deposed, this time in Oakland, where the team is also dealing with an injury to its starting center fielder. Meanwhile, over in the National League, the Mets may be mulling a similar change, while a catcher has suffered a season-ending knee injury.
For the past three seasons, Robinson Cano (2B, NYY) has been one of the steadiest producers in baseball. His owners pay a premium for this consistency so Cano's slow start in 2012 has led to some understandable frustration. Is there something more happening here than just an early season slump?
Rick Porcello (RHP, DET) added more velocity to his fastball from April 2011 to April 2012 than any other starting pitcher. Some other velocity changes might surprise you too.
This NL Midweek Series Matchups column will cover a pair of two-game series for each team this week. There are no off days in the NL this week, as each series will start on Monday and Wednesday.
2011 was quite a season for Justin Verlander (RHP, DET) - Cy Young award, Most Valuable Player, found the cure for cancer. OK, the last part didn’t happen, but after a year like that, what could he possibly do for an encore?
Matt Kemp and Juan Uribe land on the DL in LA, as rumors put Dee Gordon's job in question. A fractured fibula shelves Jeff Niemann, Stauffer returns to SD, more ...
When Tim Lincecum (RHP, SF) started the 2012 season by surrendering 16 ER in his first 13.2 IP, everyone chalked it up to small sample size. And since then, he has had some better outings. But after seven GS, the numbers have not yet recovered.
Yet another closer has been deposed, this time in Oakland, where the team is also dealing with an injury to its starting center fielder. Meanwhile, over in the National League, the Mets may be mulling a similar change, while a catcher has suffered a season-ending knee injury.
For the past three seasons, Robinson Cano (2B, NYY) has been one of the steadiest producers in baseball. His owners pay a premium for this consistency so Cano's slow start in 2012 has led to some understandable frustration. Is there something more happening here than just an early season slump?
Rick Porcello (RHP, DET) added more velocity to his fastball from April 2011 to April 2012 than any other starting pitcher. Some other velocity changes might surprise you too.
This NL Midweek Series Matchups column will cover a pair of two-game series for each team this week. There are no off days in the NL this week, as each series will start on Monday and Wednesday.