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April 12, 2010   JunkyardJake.Com Mike Leake , Cincinnati Reds, SP   Hey, wait a minute, did we just waste the last few weeks anticipating the future exploits of Aroldis ‘The Cuban Missile’ Chapman? Was this not the left-hander who could tame wild beasts, alter the weather, and defeat third world illiteracy with the magnificence of his 100 mph fastball? Then, abruptly, just after most of us all learned how to spell ...

The two-time defending National League champions have gotten off to another fast start, going 6-1 in their first seven games. Of course, it helps that they have started their season off against the Washington Nationals twice and the Houston Astros. They could be the two worst teams in the National League. Regardless, the Phillies don’t make the schedule, and the way they are hitting, they probably would have beaten anyone. Let’s see what ...

The Los Angeles Angels have gotten off to an uncharacteristically bad start. "Regression to the mean" suggests that they will do better. But it won't be enough better to allow them to contend, or even necessarily to take them to .500. The reason is structural and dates back to the ALCS last fall. Only ONE of the Angels' starters, Jered Weaver, is pitching reliably. The others are not. Conspicuous by his absence ...

The season is barely a week old and some teams have already dug themselves a deep hole, while others have leaped out of the gate. The new faces are still adjusting to their teams. The rookies are still in need of a pinch to remind them they have arrived. There have been plenty of defeat's, distraction's and doubt's. But remember...there is still 155 games to go!Begin Slideshow

Here’s a look at some unheralded players who played well yesterday.   David DeJesus, Kansas City Royals DeJesus went 3-for-6 with two runs and an RBI to bring his average to .321.   Scott Podsednik, Kansas City Royals Pods went 4-for-5 with two runs, three RBI, and a SB. He’s hitting .444 on the year.   Marlon Byrd, Chicago Cubs Byrd went 3-for-5 with a run, a RBI, and a SB. He’s hitting just .208 on the year.   Xavier Nady, Chicago ...

It seems that San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young can never stay healthy. Over the last four years, Young’s starts have gone down every year. He made 31 starts in 2006, 30 starts in 2007, 18 starts in 2008, and just 14 starts in 2009. Now after one start in 2010, the 6′10″ Young is hurt again. The Padres placed Young on the 15-day DL because of right shoulder tightness. The move ...

After years of hoping and waiting and anticipation, the Minnesota Twins finally have their new ballpark-Target Field. The Twins, who played under the roof of The Metrodome for 27 years, now have a beautiful open-air ballpark for their fans and for the team itself. The Twins kicked off the franchise's new era in a nationally televised 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Baseball fans across the country got ...

Pedro Martinez whet his appetite with one pitch to kick off the 2010 Major League Baseball season and hopes to throw many more before the campaign concludes. Donning a Red Sox uniform, Pedro tossed the ceremonial first pitch in Bean Town a week ago Sunday. Afterward, the future Hall of Famer made it known that he still desires a real gig this season. Similar to last season, Martinez is looking for ...

Before Hideki Matsui signed a one year, $6.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, he had never known a major league team other than the New York Yankees. The reasons that Matsui left New York; injury concerns, payroll, age, meant nothing to the bleacher creatures who worshipped him at the height of his outfield playing days in the Bronx. Matsui was and will always be a true Yankee, even ...

Milton Bradley is a hot head. He has some anger management issues that are well documented. Bradley is more likely to explode within his own head than have the ball explode off his bat, but he has the talent and potential to really contribute to a team’s offensive success.   Problem is that Milton seems to forget that he’s in the lineup to produce, not to play devil’s advocate. He’s not supposed ...