MLB

Yesterday we took a look at the Top 15 Catchers for 2011 (click here to view) for those of you who are already looking to build your team for next season.

Today, let’s take a look at the Top 15 First Basemen:

Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday.

Freddy Sanchez, San Francisco Giants

Battle of the Blogs Fantasy Baseball reached its midway point last week. The league has become very competitive, while remaining a friendly competition among bloggers from all over the country.

Some teams are off to fantastic starts, while others will be playing catch-up the rest of the season or preparing for next year. It's just like live baseball.

We all know the Phillies' recent struggles—the inconsistent bats and the flat-out lack of offensive production.

Philadelphians have been in a shroud of disbelief over the team's current struggles, what with the Flyers' recent success clouding their thoughts, and have ignored the team and brushed off the much-needed panic.

Some call it a slump, some call it midseason woes, but if they Phillies don't right the ship quickly, we can all call it missing out on the playoffs.

The argument against Major League Baseball incorporating replay is inherently flawed.

On the radio this morning, I heard Albert Pujols speak out against MLB expanding its use of replay to validate or overturn calls made by the umpires. Because I was driving, I couldn't jot down the exact quote.

But the crux of his argument is that umpires can make mistakes, just like baseball players can make mistakes, and that they're trying just as hard as anyone else.

The big problem with that line of thinking is that people don't go to sporting events to see umpires.

A quick look at last week's Fantasy Baseball top performing and least owned players on the waiver wire. Jonathan Niese and Ted Lilly throw a 1 hitter. Aubrey Huff and Gaby Sanchez's hit 2 bingers each. Can they really keep it up for another week? Check out who's a Must or a Bust.

BATTERS

The Yanks are in first place in the American League East for the first time this season.

After winning six out of their last seven games, including a sweep of the Astros over the weekend, they are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the top spot of the division.

However, questions still loom about big-name players who were key for the Yankees winning it all last season.

The Yanks have plenty of overachievers that are keeping them atop, or near the top of the East.

Still, New York will be in serious trouble if their big fish don't step it up.

These athletes may be dominating their respective sports, but if they were actors they likely couldn't get a call-back for Freddie got Fingered.

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In the collective trash heap that thus far is the 2010 Cincinnati Reds bullpen, one man stands tall and proud.

Seeing big number 53 jog in from the bullpen, the rare bird in Major League Baseball who was born in the 1960s and is still playing, is a comforting sign for Reds fans.  

Some men bust out of that bullpen gate and get to the pitchers mound like their pants are on fire. Rhodes has a slow, methodical gait, and with his age, one might think he is blazing the trail of a tired man, perhaps too worn out to do the job.