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Sparky Anderson once told me he didn't believe in anything he saw on the field until June 1. Only after two months of baseball could he have confidence a player or team's performance was legitimate. With June just around the corner, there are seve...

Blog | May 24, 2013

A comprehensive look at what every NL West team needs and wants heading into the 2013 MLB draft.

Story | Conversation | May 21, 2013

Rumors that Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly could be out of work soon make little sense, since he's not the one who built his flawed yet expensive team, rife with injuries, poor play and a lack of depth. On Monday night in Milwaukee, the Do...

Blog | May 21, 2013

I heard a great description of Matt Harvey's curveball the other day from a longtime evaluator, and it really would apply to Clayton Kershaw's curveball as well: Even when a hitter is looking for it, even when he plans to swing at it, even when he kn...

Blog | May 15, 2013

C.J. Nitkowski examines how major league teams have become better at scouting Asian pitchers. Rather than pitchers from the Far East improving, MLB clubs are better identifying traits that lead to successful transitions, like size and velocity.

Story | Conversation | May 15, 2013

While rehabbing Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke gets the headlines for the possibility he will come off the disabled list and pitch Wednesday, the relatively unknown shortstop prospect acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Los Ange...

Blog | May 14, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon got the call to replace injured Hanley Ramirez in the big leagues barely a week ago, and while it's a bit premature to call the lanky speedster a finished product or safe to keep his starting role the rest of ...

Blog | May 13, 2013

The look and tone that Angels manager Mike Scioscia aimed at the umpires in Houston on Thursday night reminded you of a third-grade teacher admonishing students over a paper airplane thrown across the room. Scioscia's language, however, was a litt...

Blog | May 10, 2013

Teddy Mitrosilis breaks down which non-aces could swing playoff races later this season. One example is Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin, who has a 1.80 ERA through 40 innings.

Story | Conversation | May 09, 2013

No, it isn't a very happy time in Southern California. SoCal fans just watched as the Lakers and Clippers got bounced out of the NBA playoffs in the first round, while the Dodgers and Angels have looked like they might not even make the playoffs. ...

Blog | May 08, 2013

With a month of the season in the books, rookies are making impacts on their teams across the majors. For some, their arrivals and performances were expected; others have been pleasant surprises. I'll be keeping track of this season's rookie class...

Blog | May 01, 2013

You can't win a playoff spot in April, but you can lose one. Dan Szymborski looks at the teams that have hurt their playoff odds the most through April.

Story | Conversation | April 30, 2013

It seems to me there has been quite a bit of inevitability with the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation this season. For example, it was inevitable that lefty Clayton Kershaw would pitch well and that right-hander Josh Beckett, I'm sorry to sa...

Blog | April 24, 2013

Eric Karabell discusses the fantasy value of Ted Lilly as well as other Dodgers starting pitchers.

Blog | Conversation | April 24, 2013

Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum caused a stir the other day by suggesting that first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Starlin Castro could be sent to the minors if they didn't ... well, I'm not sure what they are supposed to do, because ...

Blog | April 23, 2013

Keith Law looks at a few candidates for promotion and demotion to and from the minors, such as Anthony Rizzo and Nolan Arenado.

Blog | Conversation | April 23, 2013