So, what are we watching today? I’ll be out at the Padres/Astros game this afternoon, but here are Thursday’s top matchups:

Royals at Tigers, 10:05 a.m. PT — First off, Kansas City has taken the first two games of this series, which I’m sure nobody expect. Second, two talented yet enigmatic pitchers square off in this one. Zack Greinke appeared to get his career back on track in 2007 and looks to continue progressing this year, while Jeremy Bonderman tries to solve his first-inning woes and become the front-line pitcher folks have been anticipating.
Blue Jays at Yankees, 4:05 p.m. PT — …read more

Ah, Opening Day. I hope you had as much fun as we did (full report at Ducksnorts). Beyond the thrill of a packed house at Petco Park watching Jake Peavy spin a shutout, here are a few items from Monday that caught my eye:

The Mets beat the Marlins, 7-2. The planet’s best pitcher against a Triple-A squad — who could’ve have anticipated such a result? Uh, everyone.
The Pittsburgh/Atlanta game was insane. The Pirates took a 9-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but the Braves tied. Then the Bucs jumped ahead in the 12th, 12-9, before allowing two runs …read more

Right-hander Don Cardwell, who pitched for the Phillies, Cubs, Pirates, Mets, and Braves from 1957 to 1970, died Monday at age 72. Cardwell owned a 102-138 career record and is perhaps best known for his role on the 1969 “Miracle” Mets. Another member of that team, Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, had kind words for Cardwell:
He was a tremendous mentor to the young guys on our staff. When he said something, you listened. He was the ultimate professional on and off the field. Just a tremendous, tremendous guy — and a big part of everything we accomplished that year.
Cardwell also …read more

That seems to the be the message in Pittsburgh. Apparently the Pirates have decided that, on the heels of their 15th consecutive season with 86 or more losses (thank goodness for the ‘94 players’ strike!), they’re pretty much where they want to be.
Lessee, the Bucs went out and signed Chris Gomez. That should be enough to keep them right around the 95-loss mark, don’t you think? Honestly, just start wearing mom jeans already.

The lead from this article is classic:
Even after signing Jose Castillo on Christmas Eve, the Marlins may not be done giving themselves third base options.
Only in Miami, where the Marlins’ owner has trained his team’s “fans” to expect nothing and like it, could this even be in doubt. Castillo hit .244/.270/.335 for the Pirates in 2007. Huh, so he might not be the answer at third?
Other players being considered include Jorge Cantu and Dallas McPherson. Cantu hit .252/.331/.357 last season for the Devil Rays and the Reds. McPherson didn’t play in 2007 due to injury, but hit .261/.298/.478 the previous …read more

While we’re waiting for Kosuke Fukudome to decide what he wants to do with his life, we may as well catch up on some recent transactions, haiku style:
Nats and Yankees trade –
Clippard, Albaladejo,
anonymous arms
Cincy trades Buck Coats
to Blue Jays for Justin James –
who are these people?
Cards drop Taguchi –
they are So over that guy,
you wouldn’t believe
Padres sell Terrmel
to Japan’s Pacific League,
where he will fight ham
(Yes, I know, but don’t ruin the joke.)
Brewers sign Riske
to a big three-year contract –
seems kind of risky
(Ugh, they’re getting worse.)
Cincy waives Cantu –
I sure can understand why
they did that, can’t you?
(Seriously, this is terrible.)
Nationals sign …read more

Former big-league catcher Mackey Sasser, who played with the Giants, Pirates, Mets, and Mariners from 1987 to 1995, has finally conquered the throwing problems that plagued him during his big-league career. The problems apparently resulted from trauma incurred in a collision with Jim Presley at home plate in 1990.
I can’t imagine being unable to perform such a routine activity (and one so vital to my job) for 17 years. It’s great to hear that Sasser, who now is a community college coach (whose duties include throwing batting practice), is good to go again.

Still catching up on old stuff…

Rob at Cub Reporter hooks us up with footage from a 1981 game between the Cubs and Reds.
Dan at Get Up, Baby laments the continued decline of Scott Rolen.
Pat at FanHouse muses on the Pirates motives behind hiring John Russell as their new skipper.
Lisa at Astros Dugout discusses the (relatively) recent trade with Philadelphia that netted Michael Bourn.

I don’t even know what that headline means. Anyway, here are some of the more interesting games for Friday:
American League

Mariners at Tigers, 4:05 p.m. PT — Both teams are three games back of the Yankees in the AL wild card race. Miguel “Don’t Let the Career-High 13 Wins Fool You” Batista faces Justin Verlander. Whatever happened to Brandon Inge, anyway? That guy was good for, like, 5 minutes.
Indians at Angels, 7:05 p.m. PT — First off, we should rename these teams “Europeans” and “Animal Spirits.” Second, why did Cleveland sign Jake Westbrook to a huge contract extension in April? The …read more

What are we watching? Whatever FOX wants us to watch, of course.
Unfortunately, two of the three games they’re offering on Saturday (12:30 p.m. PT) are complete dogs. Dodgers at Cardinals? Eh, mild playoff implications there. Pirates at Giants. Ooh, the battle for — what’s the opposite of supremacy? — in the NL Central and West, respectively. With luck, you’ll get the Red Sox at Orioles. This still isn’t the best game on tap (that would be Dan Haren and the A’s at Detroit, which counters with Justin Verlander), but at least Josh Beckett is pitching.
My recommendation? The Tigers …read more