Opinion

The first month of the season has never been easy for Giants starter Barry Zito. Even when he was at his best in Oakland, the stats he put up in April made it look the subsequent months would be a struggle.

However, for the first time as a Giant, Zito has found a groove in his first five starts of the season. His ERA is under four for the first time since June of 2007 and his dominance at home is something to note.

A few weeks back, I attended the Mets' opening practice at Citi Field with my fellow B/R writer, Lou Cappetta. 

The event was more of an opportunity to check out the intricacies of the new park and sneak a peek at all of our favorite players up close.

We decided to sit in center field to get a good view of the action and also get a chance to catch some long bombs. 

Red Sox manager Terry Francona continues his bumbling ways.

I mean, let's get Julio Lugo in the game, right? After all, his errors serve to deflect blame away from Francona's decision-making.

Assuredly, Francona is now happy that Lugo has returned to the Sox. Lugo, now playing shortstop with Boston, has an error-prone history.

He made 16 errors in 81 games last season, and has added two more in five games in 2009. And that doesn't count the ninth inning miscue. His mistakes allowed two runs in yesterday's game.

Today, the Cubs honored two all-time greats by retiring the No. 31 jersey, worn by both Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux. I am not old enough to have seen Jenkins pitch with the Cubs, nor am I able to remember Maddox's first stint with the Cubs, but I am nonetheless glad to see proper respect given.

Jenkins will be remembered as part of the infamous 1969 Chicago team and for winning 20 games six years in a row.

Maddux will be remembered by most as part of the great Atlanta Braves teams of the '90s and for saying in a TV spot, "chicks dig the long ball."

The NL Central was supposed to belong to the Chicago Cubs. They were the ones with the loaded lineup and enough pitching to carry them to another division crown.

A month into the season, there is a team with a loaded lineup and pitching to back it up, but instead of Cubbie Blue, this team wears Cardinal Red.

Currently at 17-8, the Cardinals have ridden the torrid start of reigning MVP Albert Pujols. With nine home runs, many believe Pujols is more focused than ever before.

Just when I thought Joe Girardi was the only New York manager who made his on field moves based upon what talk radio callers and pundits are calling for, Jerry Manuel does things that make me believe he, too, listens to talk radio.  

I don't listen to WFAN much, but I do want to hear both managers shows, which are on once a week to hear what they are thinking. I usually listen via the online podcast.

There is no questioning it, C.C Sabathia was unstoppable last year for the Brewers. Through 17 starts, he only gave up more than three runs once and threw seven complete games. He was by far the most dominating pitcher in baseball.

Mark Teixeira had a superb year last year. He was aggressive and highly productive for both the Braves and Angels, batting .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBI. He also boasted a superb on-base percentage of .410. He was right up there with the best offensive players in the league.

At some point during December's winter meetings in Las Vegas, Mets GM Omar Minaya stopped rolling up seven's at the free agent slot machine. After bringing in Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to fix what was a terrible bullpen in 2008, Minaya forgot to do one thing, one very BIG thing...fix the starting rotation.

The Oakland A's have a problem, and it's a good one, but the question that Billy Beane and manager Bob Geren are going to have to answer is what are they going to do with Mark Ellis once he gets off the 15-day disabled list?

Since, Gregorio Petit has filled in nicely for Ellis in his limited time in the big leagues. Last year Petit proved he belonged in the majors and in fact should have been one of the young players the A's kept on the big league roster instead of sending him down.