Milwaukee Brewers 2012 Preview

Brewers still have the talent to contend

Milwaukee Brewers

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Houston Astros 2012 Preview

Astros still digging out of huge hole

Houston Astros

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Chicago Cubs 2012 Preview

Cubs begin new era, but contending will have to wait

Chicago Cubs

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Baseball's Pitching Changes: The NL Arms Race

Offseason changes add to senior circuit’s pitching depth, teams’ expectations

—by Mark Ross

Similar to the American League, this offseason has seen plenty of changes when it comes to the pitching staffs in the National League. Trades and free agent signings have not only impacted rosters, but have been made in hopes of shaking up the standings in Major League Baseball's Senior Circuit.

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Yadier Molina suspended for 5 games

Poor judgement costs both the All-Star catcher and his team.

Watching the tension-filled Cardinals-Brewers game Tuesday, I was prepared for some kind of fireworks. What I didn’t see coming was St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina going ballistic. The All-Star catcher has been hitting well this season, and has been as stellar behind the plate as usual. He’s been a steady producer in a lineup of big hitters and has been a steadying influence for the pitching staff.

So why did Molina fly off the handle Tuesday night? There didn’t seem to be anything brewing between Yadi and home plate umpire Rob Drake. In fact, Drake seemed tardy in warning both benches when Cardinals reliever Jason Motte’s first attempt to hit Ryan Braun failed.

And the pitch that Drake called Molina out on just wasn’t that bad. In fact, it could have been argued by the Brewers had it been called a ball. Evidently, Molina felt the Cardinals’ pitchers weren’t getting the same breaks their opponents were from Drake. But isn’t there a better, more diplomatic way to handle that?

I’m not sure what, but I believe it was more than just one missed pitch that lit Molina’s fuse. He exploded as I’ve never seen before. And his actions will hurt his team. If Molina doesn’t appeal the suspension, which all players do, he’ll miss some or all of the Milwaukee series in St. Louis next week. If he accepts the punishment beginning tonight at Florida, he’ll miss the first game Tuesday night against the Brew Crew — if none of the four scheduled games in Florida are hurricaned out. At any rate, this is not a time for the Cardinals to lose their catcher.

Molina has been one of my favorite players to watch. He battles at the plate, is a defensive force behind it and has a cannon. But this time, his poor judgment could cost his team. And why? No sound reason at all.

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Rockies Entertaining More Offers for Ubaldo Jimenez

The Colorado starter may or may not be dealt by Sunday's MLB trade deadline

Sources indicate that the Colorado Rockies are switching into selling mode as the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches, particularly with starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez.

Sources tell Fox's Ken Rosenthal that several teams are lining up as suitors, including the Tigers, Yankees, Reds, Red Sox, and Indians. Still, the Rockies are not considered desperate to move Jimenez, and are negotiating hard for the right price.

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