Expert: Back to drawing board for Red Sox, Angels

The New York Yankees after their latest Teix-mas spree: $423.5 million spent, the four biggest contracts in the game (but still a lower payroll than last season), a significantly improved roster, and still no guarantee of winning the American League East.

0

1

Expert: All eyes on Sabathia, Peavy, Ramirez

Better late than never, the winter’s top story lines have developed as we head into the winter meetings. Let’s take a look at some of the big questions out there:

0

0

Papelbon's Forte Is Closing, Not Dancing

Shine those dancing shoes, Pap. You may need them while spraying champagne on a field named for a beer company. A far better closer than choreographer, Jonathan Papelbon did an impromptu Irish step dance on the Fenway Park diamond to celebrate two Red Sox accomplishments — clinching the AL East and winning the AL championship series.

0

0

Trachsel Awful and Injured in Mets Loss

First, Steve Trachsel was awful. Then, he got hurt. Now it's up to Oliver Perez — yes, Oliver Perez — to keep the New York Mets in the NL championship series.

1

1

There was a Christmas tree on the mound at the old Yankee Stadium on Thursday, a fitting metaphor for what took place at the condemned baseball shrine.

2

19

Nine-year-old Jericho Scott is a good baseball player— too good, it turns out.

1

0

Tony LaRussa-You Could Be The One

I love baseball even though the game has changed over time. Take pitching. When I was growing up the starting pitcher was supposed to throw a complete game. The more complete games the better. Now a pitcher rarely finishes a game and no one seems to care.

0

0

Tom Glavine earns his 300th win last night.

1

0

If you've watched any Felix Hernandez starts prior to today, you probably noticed a pattern. He tries to establish his fastball early on, throwing the pitch constantly. His heater is a fine pitch and plenty fast, but he leaves it up in the zone sometimes.

3

0

Without a doubt baseball has had more serious study behind it than any other major sport.

4

2

Insane And Arguably Pointless Pitching Splits

Pitching splits are, quite possibly, even more ridiculous than batting splits. That might just make them more fun to mess with, though. Here, then, are some utterly absurd things to consider about pitchers one month into the 2007 MLB season.

0

0

Some Damn Fine National League Pitching In 2007

Not since Bill Harris' four-game run with the 1931 Pittsburgh Pirates has a National League pitcher started three-plus games and kept his ERA under 1.00. This year, three hurlers in the senior circuit are off to that kind of start: Rich Hill, Tim Hudson and Brad Penny.

2

0

As his teammates whipped the ball around the infield, Venditte smoothly, unthinkingly, removed his custom glove from his left hand and slipped it on his right. Moments later he leaned back, threw a strike left-handed to the next batter, and finished the side in order.

1

0

Hernandez pitched as well as any Mariners pitcher since Randy Johnson. Pitched well enough to make you want to study the Mariners' schedule and circle every fifth day, knowing those are the can't-miss days that Hernandez is pitching.

3

0

Most major-league pitchers throw a fastball, a curveball, a slider and a change-up. Some mix in a sinker. The experimental ones use a knuckleball. Not one of them throws a gyroball, at least not on purpose.

1

0

Forget about those steroid injectin', money stealin', lollygagers called Major League Baseball, let's watch some softball.

0

0

SI.com's Jon Heyman talked to a bullpen coach about Kenny Rogers, foreign substances and what likely went on Sunday night in Rogers' 3-1 Game 2 World Series victory.

6

4

You can cross another star off the list of the historically star-crossed Mets' diminishing list of playoff participants.

2

0

Carlos Zambrano allowed two runs and struck out five over six innings to record his National League-best 12th victory. The Cubs scored five runs in the first two innings and held on to complete their first four-game sweep of the Cardinals since 1972.

2

0

In this week's installment of Cook's Corner, noted author and radio personality Ben Cook weighs in on his take of the hottest issues in Major League Baseball. This week's topic: the Atlanta Braves pitching situation.

1

0

Pitching is fun, believe it or not. You want to get to know the people you pitch to and they want to get to know you. Broadcasters need product. Development executives require a slate of projects to be in development to keep their department heads happy.

2

0

Tom Verducci writes an excellent article noting the best way to improve a baseball team.

0

0