MLB

The Houston Astros are just five years removed from their lone World Series berth.

From their inception in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45’s, the Astros have achieved little in terms of establishing an identity as a storied franchise. Whether to due with lack of superstar power or rare postseason success, the Astros have at times been a team on the cusp of success only to falter the following year.

Dontrelle Willis just can't seem to get on an even keel.

It's a problem that he's had since he arrived in Detroit two years ago.

There have been times that he has looked like the D-Train of old, back in his Florida Marlin days, when he was a fan favorite.

And more times than not, he appears as the secondary piece of the Miguel Cabrera deal.

Friday marked the sixth time Bleacher Report and I have been welcomed into the press box at the Oakland Coliseum. My five previous trips were all stellar experiences, but this one felt different the minute I crossed the parking lot's threshold.

Generally when I arrive around 3:30 pm, the lot is dotted with one hand's worth of early birds. Today, the number was closer to triple digits.

Barbecues were in full smoke, games of catch featuring both footballs and baseballs were breaking out, and there was a general air of festivity hanging over the scene.

The Colorado Rockies 2010 season was filled with promise.

At the end of last season, Atlanta Braves 3B Chipper Jones said he would retire from baseball if his play did not improve this season.

NEW YORK--The Mets couldn't get anything done against Yankees starter Javier Vazquez in the opener of the Subway Series.

They did get a great effort out of Hisanori Takahashi, who was filling in for the injured Jon Niese. Takahashi, in his first Major League outing, went six innings, allowing zero runs on only five hits, and he struck out five.

He got out of two major jams in the third and fourth innings, when the Yankees had runners at second and third with one out, each time.

I have to admit that I was shocked that Hisanori Takahashi had a great start, going 6 six innings. I never would have expected that out of him. He was really outstanding, especially considering that he got no run support.

Do the Giants really need pitching to overtake the pesky Padres?  

Really?  

It appears so, because I saw Lincecum struggle through his second start in a row, and the bullpen blow another lead that would have given him six wins.  

Sure, Lincecum struggled, but the entire staff needs improvement.  

My main point of emphasis is the wild pitches.  

The Giants let another game get away with another WP thrown to give the Dbacks the lead. It's happened too many times already this season, and not just a few are at fault.  

It usually isn't a surprise to see the left side of the Yankee infield in the All-Star game; Derek Jeter has 10 All-Star games under his belt and Alex Rodriguez has 12.

But this year's All-Star Game in Anaheim, California could see Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano accompanying A-Rod and Jeter.

Cano is probably having the best year of the lot, batting .338 with nine home runs and 28 RBI heading into tonight's game. So his numbers should speak for themselves, and I believe he will be a starter.

The New York Yankees are 25-16 and playing like the team they were at the end of last year.

But there is just one problem they can’t seem to stay healthy at all this year.

The Mets were the team plagued by injuries last year, but now it seems that the Yankees have taken that roll this season.