Under new manager Bo Porter and under the direction of the most data-driven front office in the game, the Houston Astros use more drastic defensive shifts than any other team. But some Astros pitchers have resisted the shifts. ...more

The last time that John Farrell took his Boston Red Sox to Toronto, Blue Jays fans booed him non-stop. The Jays and their fans have other things to worry about now, with the team off to a 9-17 start. The Blue Jays aren't buried yet, but as 3 to Watch points out, they could be soon. ...more

In the three weeks that John Lackey has missed with a biceps injury, the Boston Red Sox have gone 12-5 and have shown signs of being a serious contender to win the American League East. But while Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz have been brilliant, the rest of the rotation hasn't. 3 to Watch says Lackey's return on Sunday could make a difference. ...more

On the first two stops of a challenging road trip, the Kansas City Royals ended the Atlanta Braves' 10-game winning streak, and then ended the Boston Red Sox's seven-game winning streak. Next up is Detroit, and while the Tigers don't have a winning streak, 3 to Watch points out that they are the team the Royals must prove themselves against in the American League Central. ...more

Until the Phillies are able to prove otherwise, the Braves and the Nationals are the two best teams in the National League East. They meet this weekend for the first time this season, and they lead off this edition of 3 to Watch. ...more

There were 10 blown saves in the major leagues on Wednesday. Through the first three full days of the season, saves are being converted at just a 58-percent rate (70 percent is more normal). Is there something going on here? Indians closer Chris Perez thinks there might be. ...more

It's not hard to find baseball people who say the Yankees could be bad this year, but two of their American League East rivals disagree. ...more

The World Baseball Classic desperately needs a Team USA that is desperate to win it. Finally, this time, we may have one. The American team that assembled Monday in Arizona was notable for how committed to the tournament (and to winning) these players are. ...more

Royals general manager Dayton Moore's big winter trade may have drawn criticism elsewhere, but it was a big hit in his own clubhouse. Now it's up to those players to prove that Moore was right when he decided this was the time for the Royals to go for it. ...more

B.J. Upton led the Rays last year with 28 home runs. Now he's gone, and the only player on the roster who has ever hit 28 homers in a big-league season is Evan Longoria. Will the Rays have enough power? They think so, and Upton says "they'll be fine." ...more