Opinion

On his way out of Chicago, Milton Bradley burned a number of bridges.

When asked about his lackluster season with the Chicago Cubs, Bradley didn’t refrain from playing the blame game. He blamed the coaching staff, the media and the fans for an unprecedented level of expectations and pressure.

The Toronto Blue Jays began their 2010 season on a high note, starting 5-1 before coming back to the Rogers Centre for their home opener against the White Sox.

Baseball is one really weird game.

One second you're feeling like an unstoppable freight train. Everything clicks: Pitching, hitting, defense.

It just works.

Then you blink, and BAM! Everything's upside down, and images of Manny Ramirez rounding the bases or David Eckstein singlehandedly defeating the Giants cause fans to toss and turn.

One can only really describe this as "a series of unfortunate events."

Insurance claims agents stand by. Baltimore, Boston, and Chicago are in need of disaster relief.

A tornado known as the Tampa Bay Rays has just laid waste to three stadiums in three different cities. Like a huge wrecking ball, the Rays have been demolishing anything in their path.

It doesn't look like it's going to stop any time soon.

Dear Mr. Braden,

Congratulations on beating the Yankees Thursday afternoon and ending their winning streak at six games.

Now shut up.

You sound like a fool.

Grade A

David Aardsma, Mariners

Aardsma should be considered in the same class as the elite closers. With this being said, we need to see how he reacts after he gives up some runs and blows a save. Aardsma had two saves during the week and still has yet to give up a run. He deserves the top spot.

Matt Lindstrom, Astros

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

Randy Wolf, Milwaukee Brewers

Wolf threw six scoreless innings as the Brewers pounded the Pirates. He improved to 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA.

We all love Kurt Suzuki and Andrew Bailey, but Dallas Braden is the next player the A's need to lock up long-term.

All the starting pitching hype coming into the season was centered on former All-Stars Justin Duchscherer and Ben Sheets coming back from a 2009 season lost to injuries, and the expected growth of young Brett Anderson looking to follow up his brilliant rookie campaign.

Oh, and there was that big spring training battle for the fifth rotation spot between Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden was on the hill to take on the 2009 World Series champions the New York Yankees on Thursday.

In the top of the sixth inning Alex Rodriguez jogged across the mound after a foul ball. Braden yelled at Rodriguez for trespassing immediately at the conclusion of the inning. Rodriguez brushes Braden off like a child.

Extra baseball every once in a while is okay, but right about now the Round Rock Express are likely pretty sick of having to stick it out for extra innings.

Since Monday’s first pitch, Round Rock (the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate) has battled through three straight extended games...as they aim for an extra innings-free contest (and a victory) this evening when the Express host the Omaha Royals.

By the time I decided to post this piece, Round Rock had thankfully held on to beat Omaha 5-2 in a normal nine inning matchup, with Wesley Wright picking up the win and Yorman Bazard