SAN DIEGO -- Stephen Strasburg has been looking forward to heretofore unheard of freedom this season, and Thursday night here he got a good taste. For the first time in 54 career starts, Strasburg pitched in the eighth inning. History was made. ... ...more

What was Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel doing in the batting cage and meeting with Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper? Apparently, what Heisman Trophy winners and 20-something shooting stars do naturally: consummating a Twitter relationship. ...more

Back in the Nationals lineup three days after hitting the Dodger Stadium fence, Bryce Harper promises he won't reel in his game. And that's great news for the Nationals and for baseball. ...more

With their best chance to win in years, the Royals need a lot of things to happen -- including, and especially, a big summer from slugger Eric Hosmer. Is this the year the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 draft will reach his potential and lead the Royals to a crown? ...more

Without making it official, the Royals appear to be opening an opportunity for fleet outfielder Jarrod Dyson. While Jeff Francoeur slumps and was given Monday night off, Dyson was Kansas City's leadoff man for a second consecutive day. ...more

While you were at Mother's Day brunch, baseball seems to have made it through the weekend unbruised by any more umpires. Also in Weekend Buzz: Mariano Rivera returns to the scene of the crime, the Cardinals get more pitching, the Dodgers actually win and some great wisdom from Buck Showalter. ...more

As strikeouts soar in Major League Baseball, many of them are coming from areas that formerly were not known for offensive production: second base and shortstop. Three of the top four strikeout men in the National League last season played second. ...more

In which we straighten out this whole Cinderella thing as it applies to the Red Sox and Yanks (hint: see second letter) ... plus we cover a Pitcher's Tree in Missouri (allegedly), barbecue, the orange Marlins' jerseys, the Angels' wretched play, the Mariners and even Albert Einstein. ...more

The Red Sox scuffled to just 69 wins last year, and the Yankees endured more aches and pains this spring than an out-of-shape weekend warrior. So, guess who's atop the AL East? Somebody better call rewrite on all those Boston-New York obituaries. ... ...more

The Weekend Buzz would be remiss if we didn't jump on the red-hot Redbirds' bandwagon. Sure as summer rolls around, the Cardinals produce pitching. Also: The Orioles' amazing streak, a suggestion for a new Cubs home, the Whiff Machine in Anaheim and excellent barbecue analysis from Adam Wainwright. ...more