Quote: Joba Chamberlain Happy with Mechanical
Adjustment

post from Bronx Baseball Daily on 26 February 2011 11:47:14 PM. © Bronx Baseball Daily

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Rumors: Yankees Will Be Scouting Francisco
Liriano

post from Bronx Baseball Daily on 26 February 2011 11:15:36 PM. © Bronx Baseball Daily

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Wainwright Injury Cuts Cards October Chances by
14.5%

post from Beyond the Box Score on 26 February 2011 08:04:23 PM. © Beyond the Box Score

Wainwright Injury Cuts Cards October Chances by 14.5%So says Colin Wyers. With a full year of Wainwright, BPro's playoff odds tracker puts St. Louis at 58.3%, while a full year without the ace has them at 43.8%.But don't throw in the towel just yet,[...]

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World Champs Pick Right Up Where They Left Off

post from The Giants Baseball Blog- A San Francisco Giants Blog and Fan Website on 26 February 2011 08:02:25 PM. © The Giants Baseball Blog- A San Francisco Giants Blog and Fan Website

Finally, the shortest off-season the Giants have endured since their move out west has come to an end. The 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants are officially back at work and playing games again, albeit of the exhibition variety.

Things got off to a strange start in Friday's opener, as the Diamondbacks touched up Tim Lincecum pretty good, knocking him out before he could get through his scheduled 2 innings. He gave up 5 hits and 3 runs with just 1 strikeout. Lincecum had a very similar start to his Cactus League last season, so I don't really see anything to worry about here. He felt fine after the game, as the stiff neck was a non-issue. But even though Lincecum didn't due his part, the Giants still managed to battle back and take the Cactus League opener. Buster Posey, Cody Ross and Pat Burrell all came up with big RBI hits, though no Giant hitter left the yard. Posey, in-fact, led all Giants hitters, going 2-3 with a 2B and 2 RBI. Aaron Rowand and the slimmer Pablo Sandoval also drove in runs and Andres Torres scored 2, but the guy who's under the microscope the most, Brandon Belt, didn't do too much on day 1. Belt got just 1 at-bat filling in at first base after Travis Ishikawa finished up, as projected starter, Aubrey Huff, sat down for the afternoon. So even though the Giants got to Timmy early, the bullpen, mainly Madison Bumgarner, Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo and Henry Sosa all helped hold down the fort while the offense climbed back.

In game 2, which just now ended, it was much of the same from game one. The Dodgers got to Jonathan Sanchez a bit early, collecting 4 hits while drawing a walk in just 1 2/3 innings. He did manage to keep the Dodgers off the board, but that was more so help from his bullpen. Then the Giants offense did all the work and blew LA out before the 5th inning, meaning it wasn't a team full of 2nd and 3rd stringers they were doing it against. It seems like almost all key starters got into the action. Torres went 2-3 with 2 runs and an RBI, Aubrey Huff had an RBI single and Nate Schierholtz had a big 2-RBI triple. Once again though, the Giants young stud and top prospect Brandon Belt was left hit-less, though he didn't get an official at-bat today.

The two big showings in Saturday's game came from a couple of guys who we here at the Giants Baseball Blog had just got done talking about a few posts back here, and I couldn't help but think about that post as those guys tore it up. Those two players are the overlooked Mark DeRosa and the re-focused, re-conditioned Pablo Sandoval, and Bochy couldn't be any happier about that. The Panda went 2-3 with a homer and 3 RBI hitting out of the 4-hole. Keep in mind, Buster Posey, the likely 4-spot hitter sat out Saturday, but still, the fact that Boch has Panda that high in the order is showing confidence in the youngster. I'm glad I've gotten delayed in doing our version of the Giants hitter projections because Sandoval's new conditioning certainly looks like it's playing a role and will be a big factor in his 2011 season. I was thinking a mix between the '09-'10 numbers, but right now I'm expecting closer to the '09 version.

As far as DeRosa is concerned, he's certainly eligible for the Comeback Player of the Year award, and even though were in the 2nd game of spring, this guy actually looks 100%. A lot of times you here players say that then they come out and you can tell they're not right, but DeRosa is right at this moment, and when he swings like he's swinging now, you need to find him 20 ab's per week. He just admitted he's more comfortable in the infield, which kind of mixes things up because I though his best chance for at-bats was in left-field. I also wonder if Bochy may do a little competition with DeRosa and Freddy Sanchez at 2nd base. I mean, the salary's are a wash and their both in their final year of their contracts. Sanchez, though he came up with some big hits in October last year, didn't have a great regular season in 2010. If your giving me an option between a healthy, '08 first-1/2 '09 version of DeRosa ( 220 games, .280 avg.,150 runs, 34 hr, 137 RBI, .842 OPS) with pretty solid defense and sure hands. When looking at Sanchez's 2010 line of .292/7/47/.739, and you see the difference in the offensive abilities between the two players. Now, Sanchez is a better defender, a much better contact/average hitter with more bat control (won batting tittle in '06), so DeRosa will have to go all Cody Ross early on if I's going to unseat Sanchez.

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Rockies 8, D-Backs 7: Charlie Blackmon's
10th-Inning Blast Propels Rox to Victory

post from Purple Row on 26 February 2011 08:02:25 PM. © Purple Row

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez drives in a run with a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick near Scottsdale, Ariz. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The Rockies and Diamondbacks certainly made the inaugural game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick an entertaining one. It was probably more entertaining than Adam Jorgenson wanted it to be, but it was fun nonetheless.

The Rockies, who at one point held a 7-1 lead, used 16 hits - one of which was a go-ahead homerun off the bat of Charlie Blackmon - to defeat Arizona in ten innings. They entered the ninth inning with a five-run cushion, but Jorgenson proceeded to give all of those runs back on two walks and three hits - the biggest of which was a three-run homer that came from Paul Goldschmidt.

Goldschmidt's longball was Arizona's second of the day, as Kelly Johnson got them on the board in third with a solo shot off of Greg Reynolds, who otherwise fared well in two innings of work. He struck out two batters and didn't walk anybody while allowing just two hits. Billy Buckner gave up Arizona's second run in the seventh inning, in which he allowed three hits but struck out two and didn't issue a free pass. Claudio Vargas, Bruce Billings, and Alan Johnston (who picked up the win) also worked in relief and each of them escaped without allowing a run.

Ubaldo Jimenez started the game for the Rox, and pitched two innings of scoreless ball. He worked with low velocity (89-91, but hit 95 on a couple of occasions) as he continues to get stretched out for the upcoming season. Note: I would like to formally emphasize that the velocity should NOT be of ANY concern. Jimenez issued a walk and two hits and didn't strike out anybody, but he was also lobbing the ball to the plate.

Cole Garner led the Rockies offensively with a couple of hits including a double, while Jonathan Herrera reached in all four of his plate appearances (3 singles and a walk) and scored a run. In addition, Mike Jacobs and Ryan Spilborghs each provided two-run doubles. The Rockies did most of their damage against Juan Gutierrez (who will be in Arizona's bullpen this season) and Micah Owings (who is not a real pitcher).

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The Rockies will face the D-Backs again on Monday at 1:10 MT, with Jhoulys Chacin getting the start opposite Armando Galarraga. Esmil Rogers, Eric Stults, Huston Street, and Matt Belisle are scheduled to see action, as well. I'm sure we'll have another Game Thread up, so join us again for some baseball discussion/friendly banter.

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Atlanta Braves Spring Training - Five Burning
Questions

post from Talking Chop on 26 February 2011 08:02:23 PM. © Talking Chop

Excuse me Chipper, but where are your high socks?

With the Grapefruit league officially underway, here is a list of the top-5 questions for the Atlanta Braves in Spring Training. Keep in mind that these are strictly related to on-field performance, which means we won't really be looking at Fredi Gonzalez, Frank Wren, or anyone similar.

1. How is Chipper's Left Knee?

Chipper Jones is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, but all reports from Florida indicate he's doing well. He recently had fluid buildup, but he doesn't believe he'll need to have any procedures done to drain the fluid out. Chipper has been crushing the ball in Spring Training (hey, who isn't this time of year?), and while he's nowhere near the fielder he once was, the old man can still pick it at the hot corner. He's yet to do any strenuous running or sliding, but that should come within a week or so. There was a report saying he could be the DH for the Braves' home opener on Sunday, and all eyes will be on the Hall of Fame third baseman and his surgically repaired knee.

2. How does Freddie Freeman Handle First Base?

Freddie Freeman has basically been named the Braves' starting first baseman for 2011 since mid-2010, and all eyes will be on the 21-year old rookie. Last year was the Jason Heyward show; The kid could go 0-for-3 with a strikeout and everyone would still drool over him for one reason or another. Freeman doesn't have nearly the amount of hype J-Hey had, but he'll (unfairly) get his fair share of comparisons. As fans, we can only do whatever we can to keep the pressure off of Freddie, and if he hits a rough patch, let's not all jump off a bridge. The kid is a very talented baseball player. He'll figure it out.

Questions 3, 4, and 5 after the jump...

3. Who Becomes the Fifth Starting Pitcher?

Mike Minor, Brandon Beachy, Rodrigo Lopez, and Kenshin Kawakami are the four candidates for the fifth and final spot in the Braves' starting rotation, but just about anyone will tell you the battle is between Minor and Beachy. Lopez is an innings eater who would only pitch in Atlanta in case of an emergency, and Kawakami is 2,000 miles away in Japan as he tries to clear up issues with his visa. There's about a 2% chance either of these men are awarded the fifth and final spot. As far as Minor and Beachy go, Minor (probably) has the slight lead because he's left-handed, but Beachy could easily win the spot with a strong Spring Training performance. My money is on Mike Minor, but it'll be very interesting to see how this plays out.

4. Can Nate McLouth Rebound?

2010 was miserable for Nate McLouth, and his career could be in jeopardy if he puts up another stinker in Spring Training. McLouth will feel the pressure from former-top-prospect Jordan Schafer, who's reportedly had a great Spring so far. If McLouth can rebound, the Braves' offense looks even better than it does now. If he doesn't, well, the team might opt for other options. Still though, he'll be given every opportunity to succeed, and all eyes will be on Nate as he tries to put a stronghold on the center field position.

5. How does Martin Prado Handle Left Field?

After being the Braves' offensive MVP for 2010, Martin Prado, for the benefit of the team, moved to left field to accommodate Dan Uggla's arrival in Atlanta. Prado showed up to Spring Training in phenomenal shape and has worked hard to adjust to left field, and it'll be very interesting to see how he looks in the field. In addition, while he's reported no signs of lingering effects, fans should also keep an eye on his right hip. A hip flexor kept him out for the final month of the season, and we can only hope that it doesn't come back to bother Martin.

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/2/26/2016427/atlanta-braves-spring-training-five-
burning-questions

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Baseball Returns

post from Capitol Avenue Club on 26 February 2011 08:01:32 PM. © Capitol Avenue Club

The Gwinnett Braves played their first game of the exhibition season against the Buffalo Bisons today. Some items of current or future interest: Jordan Schafer DH’ed and went 1/4 with a double and a strikeout. Freddie Freeman went 3/3 with three doubles. Two of them were legitimate, one was an opposite-field pop-up into no-man’s land [...]

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Giants spoil Mattinglys Dodgers debut (AP)

The new, lighter Pablo Sandoval, the refurbished Mark DeRosa and the same old Aubrey Huff were in the groove for the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. The three combined for six of 11 hits and five RBIs as the World Series champion Giants spoiled the spring managerial debut of Don Mattingly with an 8-3 victory [...]

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Giants spoil Dodgers debut of Mattingly (AP)

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Rockies open new spring home with win (AP)

Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez threw two scoreless if slightly shaky innings and the Rockies inaugurated the fancy new spring training facility they share with Arizona by beating the Diamondbacks 8-7 in 10 innings Saturday. Ryan Spilborghs and Craig Reynolds each doubled in two runs off Arizona relievers in front of a capacity crowd of about [...]

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