Ned Yost wouldn't let James Shields try for a 1-0 complete-game win. Terry Francona has already let Justin Masterson do it twice this year. ...more

Twice in two days, baseball has issued statements saying umpires got calls wrong. More explanations are needed, and more accountability. ...more

When Mark Ellis of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Howie Kendrick of the Los Angeles Angels each hit two home runs in a game Tuesday, it meant that major-league second basemen had more multi-homer games this season (five) than major-league first basemen (four). It's not a particularly meaningful stat, but as Ellis readily agreed, it sure is a fun one for the second basemen. ...more

Friday night at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox play their first home game since Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon. We go overboard sometimes with the thought that sports teams can heal communities, but Friday figures to be an emotional night at Fenway. 3 to Watch looks at that and two other key matchups. ...more

Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera turned 30 on Thursday. Where do his before-30 numbers stand compared to other stars? Not bad, as it turns out. Cabrera is ahead of Pete Rose's pace for hits and ahead of Derek Jeter's, too. ...more

The two leagues have been playing under different rules for four decades. They've played interleague games under different rules since 1997. But with interleague play expanding this year so that it's going on nearly every day, we have crazy sights like the White Sox being forced to bench their cleanup hitter in the seventh game of the season. ...more

Every team has an opening day starter. Not every team has a true No. 1 starter. So even though opening day is the one day when the pitching matchups should all be great, this year's list reminds you that isn't the case. 3 to Watch picks the best. ...more

Team Mexico third baseman Luis Cruz, who instigated Saturday's huge World Baseball Classic brawl, suggested in text messages to Dodgers manager Don Mattingly that plays earlier in the game upset the Mexican players. ...more

Jered Weaver was fine with pitching against Team Italy in an exhibition game Wednesday, and he looked good and felt great. So why couldn't he have faced Italy Saturday night for Team USA? Weaver was one of many big-name starters to turn down the tournament, and he had his reasons. ...more

Team Italy features a few native-born Italians, but the great majority of the players who will represent Italy in the World Baseball Classic are Americans with Italian heritage. ...more