Fan News

Lets face it, no one ever gets the predictions for the season anywhere close to perfect. Every year new players blossom and new teams show up and act ready for the big show.

Some have been waiting for years for the right moments, others appear out of nowhere and even surprise themselves. Small money clubs are able to strive in a small division and sometimes even peak so fast that they are able to achieve the postseason status as underdog. I didn't predict the Cardinals by a longshot last year, and neither did many.

The San Francisco Giants competition for pitching roster positions is heading down to the wire as the 2010 season opener approaches. 

With Opening Day only six days away, I thought it would be appropriate to see what the record books have to say about the Cincinnati Reds on the first game of the year. At the present time, adequate records only take us back to 1952.

This game will be against the St. Louis Cardinals against whom the Reds are 8-7.

Since 1952 the Reds are 30-27-1 in their opening game. The lone tie was a 3-3 game against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2000.

A lot has been said about the Reds and their "young" talent.  While there are many prospects in the organization with untapped potential, there are also veterans with a wealth of knowledge and experience.  If the regulars can stay relatively healthy, the infield is one area that Dusty Baker should not have to worry about much this season.

Country singer Mindy McCready is back in the news. The 34-year-old country star starred in a sex tape that is about to hit the internet. But it isn't the sex tape itself that is truly making news, it is McCready's accusation of former All-Star pitcher Roger Clemens which is making waves.

McCready partner on the tape is an ex-boyfriend named "Peter", but along with the vivid action of the tape are random details about her relationship with The Rocket. If you remember, McCready's name originally popped up during the height of Clemens' steroid scandal.

All over the country, Opening Day is a time for hope, optimism, and making predictions.

Unfortunately, assigning auguries for an all-but-doomed team like the Cleveland Indians can be depressing.

The Indians essentially waved the white flag on 2010 with the trades of Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez last July. This a rebuilding year, which is code for "we're not even really going to try."

Luckily, we have more to worry about than just our numbers of wins and losses.

Yesterday, I looked at the “Key” player for each National League East team, so today I will cover the National League Central.

Here is the “Key” player for each National League Central team.

St. Louis Cardinals: Brad Penny

Normally this title is reserved for Chris Carpenter, but I feel good about Carpenter staying healthy this season. With Carpenter and Adam Wainwright at the top of the rotation, the Cardinals are set.

The American League West may have the fewest competitors of any MLB division, but the shortage of teams does not equate to a shortage of talent.

The Angels are a well-run, perennial playoff team, the Rangers are developing their pitching in addition to a notoriously dangerous lineup, the A's are an intriguing low-budget club, and the Mariners have pocket aces at the top of their rotation.

So how will this foursome fare in 2010?

4. Oakland Athletics

Today I am going to take a look at the updated starting rotations for each National League Central team.

Pitchers like Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, and Roy Oswalt call this division home. This division has quality pitchers throughout.

Here are the updated starting rotations for each National League Central team.

St. Louis Cardinals

1. Chris Carpenter, RHP

2. Adam Wainwright, RHP

3. Kyle Lohse, RHP

4. Brad Penny, RHP

5. Jaime Garcia, LHP

Next up in our updated Starting Nine series is the National League Central.

Outside of the St. Louis Cardinals re-signing Matt Holliday, there haven’t been any big-time offensive additions to this division. As a whole, this might be the weakest offensive division in baseball (yes, even passing the NL West).

Let’s take a look at the updated starting lineups for all six teams in this division.

St. Louis Cardinals

1. Skip Schumaker, 2B

2. Colby Rasmus, CF

3. Albert Pujols, 1B

4. Matt Holliday, LF