Major League Baseball Is Back!

Here are your highlights from Opening Night as the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies squared off against their division rival, the Atlanta Braves.

NBA highlights from April 5th

Here Are your NBA highlights from last night, April 5th. LeBron James and the Cavs were home against the Spurs. How would they do? Click on the video below to find out.


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


Check Out Your Top Play! Josh Howard Sinks it from 3/4 Court!

2009 MLB Preview: NL Central

In 2008, The NL Central saw the Chicago Cubs win the division for the second straight season. The remaining teams seemed to stockpile for players for the following season.

What is in store for 2009? Let's take a look.

Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs played well during the 2008 season. However,They ended up their worst baseball of the entire season in the playoffs against the Dodgers. So, what do the Cubs do? They realize that they have to become more left handed, so they end up trading Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians, opening up a roster spot for the Left handed Mike Fontenot. To "replace" De Rosa, the Cubs signed Aaron Miles, a guy who has also played all over the field. The Cubs also signed Milton Bradley, a Switch Hitter who has run into trouble in the past but can really make a difference in a lineup.

The Cubs roatation is still the best in the NL Central. Carlos Zambrano threw a no hitter last year, but despite that, he was a real "tale of two Zambranos" as there were moments when he was lights out, and other times when he couldn't get anybody out.

Ted Lilly won 17 games last season, but the key to how well the Cubs will do in 2009 depends on whethr or not Ryan Dempster can replicate his career season from last season.


Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are getting up there in age. Taht's putting it nicely. Lance Berkman and Miguel Tejada will be tested this season. Carlos Lee swung a hot bat last season. He will have to it again for Houston to hang around. Mike Hampton returns to the Astros, I don't see that working out to good. Everyone in the rotation outside of Roy Oswalt has questionmarks.


St Louis Cardinals
The St Louis Cardinals have a good ammount of young players, but their season will hinge on ALbert Pujols and Chris Carpenter. If Carpenter returns to the Carpenter of old, Yhe Cardinals could battle with the Cubs for the division title.

Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers still have J.J. Hardy, Prince Fielder, and Ryan Braun, but the Brewers do not have Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia in their rotation. Expect Milwaukee to take a step back this season.

CINCINNATTI REDS
The Reds could be Baseball's biggest surprise in 2009. Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Edinson Volquez, and Johnny Cueto make for an interesting season in 2009.

PIITSBURGH PIRATES
Not this year. Again.
My Division Projections:
1. CHICAGO CUBS
Expect Milton Bradley to help this Cubs lineup return to the playoffs. Their rotation will be key to how well they fare in the division.
2. CINCINATTI REDS
The Reds young talent could hang around.
3. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
The Cardinals still have baseball's best hitter, but their young players will have to step up for St. Louis to be cometitive.
4. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
It's more about the loss of Sheets and Sabathia that will do in this team.
5. Houston Astros
They had better be thankful for the Pirates.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
They are not going to compete again this season.

2009 MLB Preview: AL West

The 2008 AL West was simply: The Los Angeles versus everyone else. The Halos blew the rest of the AL West away, as nobody else even finished above .500.

What's in store for 2009? Let's take a look.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Los Angels Angels blew out the rest of the AL West in 2008, thanks to star players like Mark Teixiera, and Francisco Rodriguez, who ended up shattering the record for saves in a single season. Both players are now in New York. However, like every good team must do, the Angels have "replaced" those players. Offensively, the Angels signed Bobby Abreu to a one year contract, and Brian Fuentes is the Angels new closer, coming over from the Colorado Rockies.


TEXAS RANGERS
There is optimism for the Rangers this season.They snared pitching coach Mike Maddux from the Milwaukee Brewers. In the offseason, The Rangers asked Michael Young to move from Shortstop to Third base so the Rangers could bring Phenom shortstop Elvis Andrus to the Rangers. He obliged. The Rangers have Ian Kinsler at Second Base. Can he stay healthy for a full season? Chris Davis will play first base rhis season. Rangers fans are excited to see what he can do for a full season. Josh Hamilton will continue to Crush the ball this season. Perhaps the biggest surprise to come out of Rangers Camp was the news that Texas had released Frank Catallanatto, replacing him with Andruw Jones.

Perhaps this Rangers club is getting ready for 2010, as players like Derek Holland and Nefetali Feliz continue to impress scouts with their Radar gun readings, and Justin Smoak could really crush the ball. Expect him to come up Mid-season, depending on how the Rangers are faring in the division.


OAKLAND ATHLETICS
For the other AL West teams, Old is new again. Jason Giambi returnd to the Bay Area after a few years in The Bronx. Matt Holliday joins the Atletics after coming over from Colorado. Don't expect his numbers to increase now that he has left Coors Field. The brightest spot in the Athletics rotation is Sean Gallagher.

SEATTLE MARINERS
More proof that old is new again in Seattle. Ken Griffey Jr is back with the Mariners after spending time with the Reds and White Sox. The Mariners rotation is Aced by "King Felix" Felix Hernandez. Erik Bedard will look to bounce back after a mediocre last season.

My Division Projections
1. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Angels may have lost Texiera and K-Rod, but Abreu and Fuentes make the Angels this division's best team again.
2. Texas Rangers
Elvis Andrus will shine in his debut season. Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla will have to pitch well for Texas to hang around this season.
3.Oakland Athletics
Jason Giambi is back, but the Athletics still have too many questionmarks to be competitive.
4.Seattle Mariners
They are just hoping that Ken Griffey Jr will cause them to sell extra tickets.

In our next MLB Preview, we will look at the NL Central. Will Milton Bradley help the Cubs? Can St. Louis depend on someone other than Alber Pujols? Are the Astros too old to be competitve? Find out in the next MLB Preview.

2009 MLB Preview: AL Central

The Cleveland Indians have some new faces. Will that help them win the AL Central?

The AL Central in 2008 was home to one of the greatest divisional races in recent memory. The White Sox and Twins ended up playing 163 regular season games to decide who would win the AL Central, which the White Sox won 1-0 on a Jim Thome monster homerun.

What is in store for 2009? Let's have a look.

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians have Baseball's best Centerfielder, Grady Sizemore, and Travis Hafner can still hit the ball a mile. The Indians acquired two great players via a trade and I think these two will make a huge difference right away. The first huge addition: Kerry Wood. He comes over from the Chicago Cubs, and I think he instantly upgrades Cleveland's bullpen. He will come in and get saves right away for this team. The second player is Mark DeRosa. He also comes over from the Cubs. When he was in Chicago, he played all over the field. In Cleveland, it looks like he will be set to play third base. The Indians rotation is anchored by last season's AL Cy Young award winner, Cliff Lee. Everyone that follows him in the rotation is a questionmark, however. If the 2 thru 5 guys can pitch like they're capable of, the Indians rotation will be a pleasant surprise this season.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are the defending division champions. The White Sox rotation is anchored by Mark Buehrle, who is still one of the American league's best pitchers. John Danks and Gavin Floyd are capable, young starters. Jose Contreras will work to beat a lineup the slowest way possible, and Bartolo Colon begins this season with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after getting released from the Angels.

Offensively, the White Sox should not strugle in that department. The White Sox will finally get to see a whole full season of Josh Fields, after they released Joe Crede, Alexi Ramirez will continue to impress, as his stroke is almost exactly like Alfonso Soriano's. Chris Getz will be the new second baseman, and Dewayne Wise will play Center Field. Carlos Quentin should be back in full swing this season, and let's not forget about Jermaine Dye in right field. Paul Konerko will play First base, and Jim Thome will launch some homeruns from the Designated Hitter spot.
Detroit Tigers

Times are tough for all things Detroit right now, and that includes the Tigers. The Tigers suprisingly released Gary Sheffield after he wasn't cutting it, and if they fall out of contention early, more may be next. The Tigers are still waiting for Joel Zumaya to get healthy, and for Dontrelle Willis to get back to The D-Train of old.

The Bright spots for Detroit: Curtis Granderson is still one of baseball's best leadoff men. Major League scouts are raving over pitcher Rick Porcello, and Miguel Cabrera is forecasted to have a big season this year.

Expect The Tigers to fight to make it above .500 this season, which sounds a whole lot like what they did last season.

Minnesota Twins


This is the final season that the Minnesota Twins will play inside the Metrodome. The Twins move into the outdoors when they play in Target Field. Francisco Liriano appears to have his good stuff this Spring. He'll be the ace. Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins are capable, and Nick Blackburn could really pitch fantasticly this season. Who will be Minnesota's Fifth Starter?

Offensively, the Twins will get a lot of offense from Justin Morneau. Joe Crede willplay Third base, as he comes over from the Chicago White Sox. Denard Span could have a breakout season this year.

Expect the White Sox and Twins to slug it out for the AL Central title.
Kansas City Royals

This is The Kansas City Royals 40th anniversary. Their rotation is anchored by Gil Meche, followed by Zach Greinke, Kyle Davies was a surprise this season. Was Sidney Ponson just a World Baseball Classic Wonder? The Royals will find that out as he made a slot in the rotation. Horacio Ramirez rounds out the rotation.

The Royals are hoping that Alex Gordon has a much better season this year. Mike Jacobs becomes Kansas City's new first baseman, Mike Avilles will play short, and Alberto Callaspo will play second base.

Don't expect a surpise team out of Kansas City this season.

My Division Prjections:
1. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
They have the pitching, offense, and defense to repeat as division champions.
2. Minnesota Twins
Justin Morneau will be good, as usual, and their pitching looks good this season.
3.Cleveland Indians
Their offense will be there, but their pitching (outside of Cliff Lee) has questionmarks.
4. Detroit Tigers
Miguel Cabrera will have a good season, but the rest of the team will struggle.
5. Kansas City Royals.
They won't compete this year.

In our next MLB Preview. We will look at the AL West. Will Los Angeles repeat as Division Champions? Will Texas Surpise? Will Seattle be competitive? Find out in the next MLB Preview.

Watched The Debuts Of New York's New Ballparks On MLB.TV

I saw the debut of Citi Field and the New Yankee Stadium on MLB.TV yesterday. Both home teams won their openers at the new ballparks, as they should have.
In Citi Field, Francisco Rodriguez got the save in a nailbiter of an exhibition game as the Mets defeated the Red Sox 4-3.




















Robinson Cano hit the first homerun out of New Yankee Stadium,followed by Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom hitting homeruns off of each foul pole, as the Yankees defeated The Cubs 7-4.

Jay Cutler Dealt To Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler finally got his wish: to go elsewhere.

Chicago Bears Fans finally got their wish: A Franchise Pro Bowl Quarterback not seen since the days of that "Punky QB" known as McMahon.

Jay Cutler, the 25 yaer old Pro Bowl Quarterback, grew up a Bears fan, and he will now Quarterback the Chicago Bears next season.

The Bears gave up three first round picks for Cutler, as well as Quarterback Kyle Orton.

ESPN's John Clayton breaks down the deal.


Former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka talks about the trade for Cutler.


Who got the better deal in the Jay Cutler trade? Mark Schlereth and Trent Dilfer talk it out.


I don't care how you look at this deal, Chicago gets the better deal. A 25 year old Pro Bowl Quarterback who is in his prime. If the Bears get some receivers then look out!

Ed Werder interviews Jay Cutler.