Who are the best teams during 2009 spring training? Here are the top five:

1. Los Angeles Angels
Last year, the Angels finished with the best record in baseball at 100-62. During 2009 spring training, Los Angeles is 24-7. They have outscored their opponents 247-158. All in all, it appears like it will be another very good year for the Angels.

2. New York Yankees
Like the Angels, this is no surprised. The Yankees spent millions upon millions of dollars during the offseason to better their roster. Even this early in the process, these Yankees look like World Series contenders. If their pitchers can remain healthy, they’ll be scary.

3. Milwaukee Brewers
After the Brewers lost CC Sabathia, many thought their chances of doing much in 2009 had vanished. But their bats look strong in spring training and the pitching has shown signs of potential. The Brewers are definitely a sleeper at this point.

4. Atlanta Braves
For many years, the Braves were a favorite in the National League. Currently, most experts don’t consider the Braves a true contender. Despite the doubters, the Braves are 20-11 in spring training and their pitching has been very impressive.

5. Texas Rangers
The Rangers are utilizing their typical formula. They’ve scored 226 runs so far in spring training but they’ve also given up 206 runs. The Rangers will score runs but their record will depend on whether or not Texas can have a halfway decent pitching staff.

Here is a video of Michael Young of the Rangers talking to Jim Rome:

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Top Five Baseball Teams in Spring Training

After throwing seven no-hit innings, Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez both pitched one inning to finish off the no-hitter and wrap up a 2-0 victory. In his seven innings, Nolasco only had one walk while striking out eight batters.

At the plate, the Marlins scored their two runs courtesy of a Brett Carroll RBI in the sixth inning and a John Raynor solo shot in the seventh. With the win, Florida improved their spring training record to 9-11. Detroit fell to 8-12 with the loss.

Last season, the 26-year-old Nolasco had a breakout season for the Marlins. In 32 starts, he had a record of 15-8 with an ERA of 3.52. Heading into the 2009 campaign, Florida needs a stellar season out of Nolasco if they want to make noise in the National League.

Ricky Nolasco No-Hitter (Image: Newscom)

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Nolasco Tosses Spring Training No-Hitter

It feels good to finally be drawing near the season. Everyone in camp is starting to get to know each other, and the team even though it’s not set is having a lot of fun together. To me, it’s important to have a team that gets along in the clubhouse because your around each other so long and I honestly believe it effects the play on the field. Things change when the season starts, and we still dont know who all exactly is going to be on the team, so there’s a lot of questions as far as that’s concerned.

The talent on this team is tremendous and my expectations are high when the bell rings for the season to start.

As far as myself, I’ll be honest to say that my swing is just now starting to feel proper again. I haven’t felt like my normal self in the batters box and in batting practice early this spring. But I am getting a good feel now. Despite not feeling great, I have still managed to get hits. So that’s a good sign.
Now that I feel good I’m going to be able to have more of an approach at the plate and get myself properly prepared to go by the time the season starts.

Off the field, I regret to tell everyone that I lost a bet with Reggie Abercrombie. Because Duke lost to North Carolina in college basketball, Reggie will be suiting me up in some Hip-Hop gear on one of the upcoming road trips.

Had Duke won, you better believe Reggie was going to be wearing some Wrangler’s with a HUGE belt buckle, a cowboy hat and some nice cowboy boots. I figure it was worth a shot to see him in that gear!

We’ll see if I can post a picture, I’m not sure what he has in mind for me, but hopefully it’s appropriate. =)

-Hunter

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Hip Hop Hunter Pence

Ben Francisco was the offensive star for the Indians. The 26-year-old outfielder went 4-4 with two runs and two RBIs. C.C. Sabathia started the game for Cleveland and pitched three perfect innings while striking out three batters.

After falling into a 6-0 hole, the Astros rallied back in the fourth inning. Hunter Pence had a two-run single that helped Houston close the gap to 6-4 after the fourth. However, Beau Mills of the Indians hit a two-run homerun in the sixth to spark the Indians as they cruised to victory.

On Friday, the Astros go against the New York Yankees. Former Astro Andy Pettitte is schedule to start for the Yankees.

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Astros Drop Game Against Indians

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Video: Houston Astros Season Preview

On Tuesday, the Astros won a slugfest against the Detroit Tigers. JR Towles, who some project to be the Astros’ opening day starting catcher, had a big day as Houston won 11-10. Towles went 3- 3 with three runs, four RBIs, two doubles and a homerun.

Today, Houston won 8-4 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Jose Cruz, Jr. was the offensive hero for the Astros. The playing DH, Cruz went 3-5 with one run and two RBIs.

Hunter Pence didn’t play against the Tigers as he had a day off. Against the Rays, Pence went 0-3 but he did have an RBI on a sacrifice.

The Astros play the Indians on Thursday.

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Houston Astros Win Two Straight

Michael Bourn, who is slated to play centerfield and bat first in the lineup, also played well. He got a hit, stole a base and scored a run for the Astros.

“Michael looked like the guy we’re going to need at the top of the lineup,” said manager Cecil Cooper to the media. “He took a lot of pitches today. That’s what he’s got to do. He had some deep counts and then he got a base hit and stole a base.”

Our own Hunter Pence finished 0-2 on the day. However, despite going hitless, it was good to see him on the field after his recent accident.

The Astros play again on Friday, where Miguel Tejada will debut for Houston.

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Houston Astros Lose in Spring Opener

Hunter is eager to field questions from Astros fans.

So if you have a question for Hunter, leave it here in the comments of this post and Hunter will do his best to answer it soon.

Do you want to know about his training regimen? His teammates? What it’s like to be a big leaguer? What he eats for dinner?

Do you want to improve your own hitting? Know about Hunter as a kid?

Whatever you want to know about Hunter or the Houston Astros, just ask Hunter here and he’ll do his best to answer your questions. He hopes to make this a very interactive community of Astros fans as the season gets underway.

People have been emailing about how often Hunter writes here on Inside the Ballpark …

He writes weekly (normally on Fridays). Then throughout the week, I fill in the blog with Astros news and other information.

Oh and remember … Hunter is looking for nickname suggestions for Erstad!

Thanks,

Kori Ellis

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Q & A: Ask Hunter

Berkman, the star outfielder for the Houston Astros, suffered a strained oblique muscle while batting during a workout. Although Berkman won’t be available for at least the first few spring training games, he isn’t worried.

“You don’t want to do anything to really hurt yourself,” Berkman told MLB.com. “Who cares about playing the first two weeks of spring training? It’s one of those deals, I want to try to be ready for the opener. I don’t care about being ready for the spring training opener.”

Backe suffered his injury after being hit by a liner off the bat of Carlos Lee. The pitcher was hit on the foot and has been diagnosed with a bone bruise. X-rays on the foot were negative.

“This is just a freak, innocent injury,” said Backe. “Thank gosh it’s not as bad as it feels. No fracture, no break. It just hurts.”

Although Backe was sporting crutches after being hurt, he doesn’t believe he will miss much time.

Said Backe: “I’m not going to miss much. It’s one of these things that happens.”

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Berkman, Backe Suffer Minor Injuries

The top two catchers for the Astros in 2008 are expected to be J.R. Towles and Brad Ausmus. Towles joined the Astros at the end of the 2007 campaign and hit .375 in 14 games for Houston. The 38-year-old Ausmus is entering his tenth season as a member of the Astros.

Roy Oswalt headlines the pitchers this season for the Astros. Oswalt has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since he entered the big leagues in 2001. Wandy Rodriguez, Woody Williams and Brandon Backe are expected to join Oswalt in the starting rotation.

The bullpen is led by the newly-acquired Jose Valverde. Valverde, who led all of baseball in saves last season while with the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be the closer in 2008.

The Astros are holding their spring training in Kissimmee, Florida and will play their first spring training games on Feb. 28 against the Cleveland Indians.

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Houston Astros Spring Training Begins Thursday