Rankings/List

1. Boston Red Sox (13-6): The Red Sox have won 11 straight games and finally look like the team many expected, including a sweep of the Yankees.

2. St. Louis Cardinals (14-6): The Cardinals continue to play solid baseball and lead the division by two and a half games over the Pirates. They've definitely owned the Cubs so far this season.

"Flamethrowers" is our Monday topic at thesportspa.blogspot.com during the MLB season. In these articles, we attempt to showcase the hot pitchers, as well as the not-so-hot pitchers.

These pitchers, in no particular order, are Hot/Not in my eyes.

HOT:

1) Zack Greinke- Royals

Greinke, the story of the year so far in 2009, stayed hot by throwing his second complete game in a row. He gave up an unearned run in the fifth inning, which snapped his 38-inning scoreless streak that went back to last season.

1. Zach Greinke, Royals Pitcher

Greinke is 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA. That's four starts and no earned runs given up yet.  Greinke is the most dominant pitcher in the majors right now but he plays for the Royals so not a lot of fans know about him or how good he is.

2. Chad Billingsley, Dodgers Pitcher

Here, I give you my MLB power rankings through week 3 of the 2009 season.

1. Boston Red Sox (11-6)

I honestly think the Red Sox forgot how to lose a baseball game. A nine-game winning streak will get you an automatic top five spot no matter what in my opinion. Their offense is coming together. Strong rotation, good bullpen. Life is good in Boston.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-5)

One of the most unappreciated positions in baseball is the Catcher. I know, I am guilty of the sin myself.

Catchers are very knowledgeable about the game, actually driving the machine, so to speak. I haven’t done the research on it, but I believe the best managers are former catchers.

Yeah, Pitchers get all of the glory, all of the accolades.

The Catcher is there to get bowled over by a base runner, taking a risk on ending his career (apologies to Ray Fosse).

Team (Current Record|Last Week's Ranking)

1. Toronto Blue Jays (13-6|4)—The Blue Jays sit atop the hardest division in baseball. They lead the MLB in hits (200), runs (118), and RBI (111). They also lead the American League in batting average (.298) and on-base percentage (.372). The pitching staff leads the MLB in strikeouts (147) and leads the American League in batting average against (.230).

Baseball's best and most classic rivalries. These are the best of the best. However there are few that receive honorable mention.

Cubs - Brewers Has been shaping up to be a nice rivalry ever since Milwaukee joined the National League Central.
Astros - Rangers is another nice inter state match up. Battle for the Silver Boot, Yeehaw !
Reds - Indians Th battle for the Buckeye State always provides a nice showdown between the two clubs from Ohio.
Orioles - Nationals While this is fairly new, nothing like a little friend competition in our Nations capital.

What do Vanilla Ice, Icky Woods, and Pete Schourek have in common?

They are considered "one-hit wonders" in their respective profession. Vanilla Ice made a living rapping his hit song "Ice Ice Baby" and Icky Woods' Shuffle was the thing to do in 1988 after scoring a touchdown. As for Schourek, he would have a career year in 1995 helping the Reds win the NL Central division.

President Barack Obama can't do it all by himself, nor could any other leader of any organization or country.

That is why there is a Presidential Cabinet to assist the Commander-in-Chief. The Cabinet carries out particular functions to allow the government to run smoother.

I decided to have a little fun and come up with the Presidential Cabinet of the MLB.

Who said Bleacher Report was just about sports? Now B/R members can learn about the United States government while reading about sports.

President

Many think a stereotypical shortstop, is smallish, very swift, has a rifle for an arm, can barely bat his weight, and has little to no power.

That profile may have been a general resume for most in times past, but in today’s game things have changed remarkably.

The shortstops today have flexed their muscles. Hanley Ramirez and Jimmy Rollins are good for 30 homers each, and can still rob hits from deep in the hole.

Lists and rankings have been made plenteous. Who was the best shortstop ever, Honus Wagner?