MLB

Laser show.

Turns out Dustin Pedroia was right. He was one of the last remaining riders on the David Ortiz Bandwagon just a few weeks ago when he promised a mob of local reporters that Ortiz would be fine, referring to his own tumultuous start as a rookie three years ago.

His slump was followed by a campaign that earned him Rookie of the Year honors and prompted him to term his propensity for whistling line drives a "laser show."

Remember when we thought that Glen Perkins could be a large part of a trade for San Diego closer Heath Bell?

Now, not so much.

Thanks to the emergence of Francisco Liriano, Perkins was forced to begin the season in Triple-A Rochester where the 27-year-old would hopefully build up his trade value. Through his first seven starts in the Twins’ minor league system, Perkins is 0-5 with a 10.08 ERA and a 1.988 WHIP.

This article was originally published at The Daily Cub.  Visit TheDailyCub.com for game recaps and opinions about the Chicago Cubs

Relief pitching is the most overlooked position in the history of Major League Baseball.

It’s amazing because about 30 percent of the team bus consists of relief pitchers today.

It makes it all the more amazing that most historians have never made a thorough relief pitching all time list.

This season there are multiple players who are just a season's worth of homers away from some of the largest slugging milestones.  Last season we saw Gary Sheffield join the illustrious five hundred home run club; and this year two players have a good chance of joining the even more prestigious 600 home-run club and another has a shot at the 400 club.

The New York Yankees have the second best record in baseball as of today. The only team with a better one is the Tampa Bay Rays.

The two American League East teams start a big two-game series tonight at Yankee Stadium.

How can a two-game series be such a big deal? Well, maybe not so much for the Rays, but it is a big series for the Yankees. Entering the series tonight, the Yankees sit three games behind the Rays in the division.

So, does anyone right now trust the Yankees' bullpen?

If you're like me, you are shaking your head saying no. And right now, you have every reason to.

Now, I know the Yankees are 25-13 and just three games behind the Rays for first place in the American League East, and most fans of other teams will tell the Yankees to stop complaining because they could be worse.

Yes, the Yankees could be the Pirates and be completely doomed. But, they're not.

Melky Cabrera was a homegrown, high spirited player, with knack for big hits late in games so it is only natural that fans be upset when he left. Many fans even held it against Javier Vazquez during the offseason and into the season swearing that the Yankees would regret the deal.

Trevor Hoffman has now blown more saves than he did all of last year, but yesterday was the worst of the worst.

Coming in to protect a three-run lead, Hoffman could not even record an out. He looked like he was throwing batting practice to the Cincinnati Reds in the 5-4 loss.

Hoffman is having his worst season yet and a change has to be made.

With veteran LaTroy Hawkins on the DL, one has to wonder to whom manager Ken Macha will turn now that Hoffman is out of the picture.

The Milwaukee Brewers' eighth straight loss—a 5-4 heart-breaker to the division-leading Cincinnati Reds—has many fans calling for manager Ken Macha's head.

The embattled Brewers skipper is being criticized for his understated (read: boring) demeanor and methodical, analytical approach to leading the team.