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Matthew Leach has worked for MLB.com since 2001 and was the site's Cardinals beat reporter from 2002-11.
 | The team with the second-best record and second-best run differential in the NL added an elite starting pitcher to its rotation on Monday. And though Johnny Cueto didn't look much like the man who was a Cy Young candidate a year ago, on this night it didn't matter. He did enough, and got enough help, for Cincinnati to rack up win No. 27 in 45 tries.
More» Cueto strikes out eight en route to the win |
 | Forty games do not provide a very big sample. All kinds of weird things can happen in six or seven weeks of baseball, so here is a look at a few eye-popping, early-season performances, good and bad, and their likelihood of continuing.
More»MLB.com crew breaks down first quarter of 2013 season |
 | The reigning American League East champions have been absolutely assaulted by injuries this year, starting over the winter and continuing into the regular season, and while much credit should go to the gentlemen who have filled in, much anticipation should surround the returns of the guys who are still on the way.
More»Teixeira hopes to be back with Yankees by end of May |
 | The closer you look, the more the 2013 Yankees look like a mirage. Until you look at their bullpen. The Yanks have MLB's second-best record despite the seventh-best run differential thanks to the fact they just don't lose leads.
More» Mo secures his 16th save by retiring Morse |
 | Clint Hurdle, not known as an analytically oriented manager, split from traditional, save-based bullpen management in his team's 3-2 loss to the Mets on Thursday. He brought in setup man Mark Melancon to face the heart of the Mets' order in a tied game in the eighth inning. Then he went to closer Jason Grilli for the ninth with the score still tied.
More» Pirates fall on Baxter's walk-off single |
 | More often than not, it seems that All-Star voting decisions are a matter of priorities, as much as performance. When fans click that button or punch that hole, they're making a statement as to what they value and what they want to see in the Midsummer Classic.
The decision at designated hitter on the American League ballot this year exemplifies this balance perfectly.
More»Take a look back at Big Papi's 27-game hit streak |
 | Mets right-hander Matt Harvey continues to baffle hitters and amaze teammates and fans with his ability to dominate at such a young age.
More» Harvey discusses outing vs. White Sox |
 | Derek Jeter is a 13-time All-Star who probably has one or two more trips to the Midsummer Classic left before he's done. But the Yankees captain is not an All-Star this year. There are presently better candidates.
More» Joe Girardi on Derek Jeter's injury |
 | It's a bit startling to hear Rick Ankiel admit that he's begun to think about what's next. He has never been known as one for introspection; it's another indication of the new, mellower Ankiel
More» Ankiel's throw keeps the game tied |
 | The weather may not agree, but we're speeding toward summer, and the Major League season is now officially a month old. That's nowhere near enough time to make any really big determinations, but it's at least enough to start forming some impressions.
More» Papi clears the bases, gives Sox the lead |
 | It's the rotation where things are going awry for the much-discussed Astros these days. Their offense hasn't been bad. Their bullpen, Tuesday notwithstanding, hasn't been great, but neither has it been disastrous. They could certainly catch the ball a little better, but the problem has been in the starting five.
More» Cosart hurls two perfect frames |
 | The Nationals broke out of their offensive funk on Thursday night, and that's nice. They also got their No. 2 starter back on track, and that's critical.
More» Gio one-hits Reds over eight strong innings |
 | It's just one of 162 and, if the Blue Jays don't win Thursday, it won't mean much. But for Wednesday, they needed a win real bad, and they got it.
More» Blue Jays go ahead on bases-loaded walk |
 | If All-Star balloting has arrived, it means that arguments about All-Star balloting will be starting, oh, any second now. That's half the fun of the All-Star Game, after all.
More» Cervelli ties the game with a solo home run |
 | Mojo, magic, manager. ... Call it whatever you want, it's back for another year in Baltimore.
More» Machado smacks a two-run single in second |
 | The Blue Jays aren't in last place in the American League East because of their glove work. But it's safe to say that their fielding hasn't helped matters.
More» Kawasaki's error keeps inning alive |
 | Lots of strange things happen in a baseball season, and many of them can't be foreseen. Derek Jeter having a significant setback, though? The Yankees should have seen that coming, and it seems they just didn't.
More»Looking at the details of Jeter's ankle injury |
 | Changing speeds and locations, working all over the strike zone, CC Sabathia bounced back from a rocky first inning to stifle a good D-backs offense in a 4-3 Yankees win on Wednesday night. Sabathia throwing 90 mph may be less intimidating than Sabathia at 93, but he's no less confounding.
More» CC strong over eight to earn his third win |
 | Yes, Robinson Cano is 30 and will be 31 at the start of his next contract. Yes, he plays second base, a position that seems to see more than its share of drastic declines. Anything else? Because if those are the counterarguments, they shouldn't be enough to keep the Yankees from retaining the star slugger.
More» Robinson homers in game honoring Jackie |
 | As acronyms have invaded baseball in recent years, one of the best ones never really took off. "TINSTAAPP," coined some years back by the smart folks at Baseball Prospectus, stands for "there is no such thing as a pitching prospect."
More» Wheeler has elite stuff, control issues |
