Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in Baseball Brunch.
The most remarkable thing about this season as we hit the not-halfway halfway point of the All-Star break isn't Albert Pujols' RBI total. Or Zack Greinke's ERA. Or the PED suspension of one of the game's biggest stars.
It's the standings. And they not only reflect the season so far, they give us a clue as to the weeks head leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline.
The Phillies and Dodgers are the only first-place team with a lead of more than 2 1/2 games. And 21 of the 30 teams are within 7 1/2 games of a playoff spot: nine of 14 in the AL and 12 of 16 in the NL.
In 2008 the Seattle Mariners, projected by many to contend with the Angels for the AL West title, suffered through a miserable season, finishing the year 61-101. Because of that disappointment -- they ended the season 39 games behind first place L.A. -- people were generally down on their prospects in '09. So when they started hot out of the gate, 9-6 and 2 1/2 games clear of the rest of the division, it took many by surprise.
For a variety of reasons, though, it's really not all that shocking. First and foremost, it's only 15 games; I mean, come on, even the Pirates are 9-6. But there were also a number of reasons to think that Seattle would be significantly improved entering the season.
MLB Power Rankings:Where we care what you've done for us lately when we break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world each week.
It's been a while since a week of baseball was this sad -- we saw the tragic passings of Nick Adenhart, Harry Kalas and Mark Fidrych. And without waxing too sentimentally, it's the loss of these men that remind us exactly just how little sports matter in the grand scheme of things. RIP, gentlemen. Power rankings (that feel just a tad inconsequential, to be honest) after the jump.
Week two (April 13th - April 19th) of the fantasy baseball season features 38 pitchers who are making two starts. There isn't a clear cut lock for easiest schedule amongst them, but Jon Lester looks like a very good start this week against Braden in Oakland and Uehara and the Orioles at home.
Daniel Cabrera doesn't look to have a fun week in store as he has to face Jamie Moyer and the Phillies and then Josh Johnson and the Marlins. At least he gets to pitch at home both times.
LOS ANGELES -- It's easy to mock the World Baseball Classic, to deride it as nothing but a money-making machine for MLB, a global monstrosity that has little to do with forwarding the game and everything to do with padding a few select wallets.
And then you plop down in section 106 Saturday night in Dodger Stadium and in one tremendous burst of an inning, all the negativity dissipates. Korea's Yong-Kyu Lee opens the WBC semifinal game with a walk off Venezuela pitcher Carlos Silva, a pitcher described in the Korean media as "a mighty, ferocious giant," and just like that, tremors start rocking the ballpark on the hill.
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through every major player on each team. Fantasy FanHouse is here to help with a quick once-over.
Meet the... Team who someone predicted would win the World Series last year. Seriously. When you stop laughing, you can check out the link (he's the top one listed -- though when you see his other atrocious picks you won't be surprised). Was I any better? Glad you asked. I actually took Mr. Downey to task before Opening Day. You can check the rest of my stuff if you wish, as there were some misses in there.
Anyway, it's safe to say expectations are a slight bit lower heading into '08.
As Eamonn was so kind to point out to all of us on Monday, baseball teams throughout Major League Baseball are somewhat worried about attendance this season. With the economy currently in full blown suck mode, a lot of people aren't going to be able to spend money on frivolous expenses such as baseball tickets, and will instead just stay home and watch on television.
One team that has to be very worried about this is the Seattle Mariners. They had a huge drop in attendance last season that was a result of the team being in suck mode, not the economy. With those two forces combining in 2009, it may end up making the $4.5 million the team lost last year look like chump change.
It's been over a week since FanHouse last updated you on the newest "Derek Lowe is going to ..." rumor, and since we don't like to see you all going into convulsions over the withdrawal, we feel it's necessary to give you the latest updates on the situation. After initially being insulted by the Mets' offer of "Carlos Silva money" it seems that Derek has finally found a team that appreciates him.
MLB.com is reporting that the Braves have signed Lowe to a four-year deal worth $60 million, and that Derek is likely going to sign the deal shortly. Apparently the terms of the deal have been agreed upon -- with the deciding factor most likely being the fourth year -- and the whole thing will be finalized once Lowe passes a physical.
The Mets' pursuit of Derek Lowe has recently hit a snag, and -- according to this source -- that would be the fact that he's a much better pitcher than Carlos Silva. You see, Silva signed a four year-$48 million contract with the Mariners before last season. Now, Lowe's being offered three years and $36 million. Apparently Lowe finds his "distasteful" because he feels he is "far superior" to Silva.
You can't really blame him, on the surface. Even before the disastrous 2008 season -- in which Silva was one of the worst pitchers in the league -- Lowe was the far superior pitcher. The Mariners, frankly, made an awful signing. Silva was coming off a season in which he was barely above average in ERA and sported a 1.31 WHIP. He doesn't strike guys out, and he gives up tons of hits (1,335 hits in under 1,100 career innings).
Lowe, on the other hand, has only had one below average season in his entire career, and he's coming off a stellar second half. You have to assume as he ages he won't deteriorate quite as quickly as others might, because he's a pitch-to-contact ground ball hurler. He can suvive on guile, a la Jamie Moyer.
Week two (April 13th - April 19th) of the fantasy baseball season features 38 pitchers who are making two starts. There isn't a clear cut lock for easiest schedule amongst them, but Jon Lester looks like a very good start this week against Braden in Oakland and Uehara and the Orioles at home.
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through 
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It's been over a week since FanHouse last updated you on the newest "
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