MLB

The 162-game grind of a Major League Baseball season is an arduous, slow and methodical process to eventually lead baseball to their 10 best teams playing and competing for a World Series in October.

Much like a marathon, we can view the mile-by-mile splits to better understand which teams are leading and why, how fast their trajectory is racing and if the pace is sustainable.

Here's a look back at the week that was in MLB action with the four biggest takeaways:

New information has emerged in the South Florida performance-enhancing-drug scandal that has implicated MLB stars Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and Nelson Cruz.

How would Jeff Samardzija have panned out in the National Football League, you ask?

The Philadelphia Phillies lineup saw minimal changes through the first 15 games of the regular season, with both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the batting order together in April for the first time since 2010.

Of course, all the Phillies had to show for these returns was a 6-9 record after April 17 and a 6.5 game deficit behind the Atlanta Braves in first place.

MLB stat lines distort in bizarre directions while the season is young. Due to small sample sizes, slugger Rick Ankiel and several other prominent players have posted fascinating numbers in 2013 that you wouldn't believe.

Is it possible, for example, that a starting infielder literally never walks? And can a veteran pitcher ride his unsightly walk total to an All-Star selection?

Inevitably, these outliers will normalize, thus making our experience a bit less enjoyable.

There are several ways for a pitcher to be deemed "successful" in his career.

Closers, for instance, are judged mainly on their save conversion percentage and total saves, among other statistical measurements. Middle relievers can look at holds and inherited runners as a standard. Starting pitchers have myriad stats to determine their level of success.

To garner this success, hurlers typically use a combination of speed, control and a good mix of pitches through a given outing on the mound. Of course, not all of the three are required.

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols has five career home runs against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Aaron Harang, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks on Friday as the two teams meet at Safeco Field.

With each passing day in the MLB, trade talk becomes a bit more pronounced.

Oftentimes, performance dictates how a team proceeds as it approaches the trade deadline in late July. In some cases, injuries will determine a team's actions as well.

Inevitably, each team will have players on its roster that it may try to unload but will find no suitors. Bloated long-term contracts could be a factor. So, too, could current performance and historical trends.

Whatever the case, each MLB team has at least one member of its roster that would be considered worthless trade bait.

If you ever get a job covering the Washington Nationals as a sideline reporter, bring a poncho.

The Nats Enquirer happened upon the initial throes of Julie Alexandria covering the team from the field.

New York Yankees third baseman Kevin Youkilis has been out since last Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays (in Toronto) with a sore lower back. There were no initial plans to place him on the 15-day disabled list, though that could now become an option.