How bad are the Astros? They are so bad the rest of the AL West is licking its chops. So bad the Oakland A's are in first place because of them. So bad I couldn't even write a full column about them. So keep reading beyond the first item and we'll get to Mother Nature, Terry Francona's seniority in Cleveland, Felix Hernandez and, yes, more Dodgers-Padres brawl fallout. ...more

Jackie Robinson Day in Dodger Stadium is a moving experience highlighted by the presence of Rachel Robinson, 90, and, of course, all of those 42s wearing a Dodgers uniform. And make sure to read below for Matt Kemp's take on how to entice more African-American kids into playing baseball. Hint: Cool baseball-themed shoe commercials. ... ...more

The Weekend Buzz while you and Don Draper were becoming reacquainted as the excellent Mad Men fires up for another season. ... ...more

Padres backup catcher John Baker wants it known after the Dodgers insinuated he mocked Zack Greinke: "I assisted Zack Greinke just as much as any of the Dodgers." ... ...more

There absolutely is history between Carlos Quentin and Zack Greinke, four years' worth of simmering rage on Quentin's part and who-knows-what going on inside of Greinke's head. And when it spilled over Thursday night in an ugly Dodgers-Padres game, it changed the NL West early. ...more

Kyle Lohse will begin tuning up for the Brewers immediately and, even signing at this late date, is expected to be pitching in Milwaukee by the second week of the season. His days of throwing this spring to the Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes are now a footnote in history. ... ...more

Post-Prince Fielder, Mat Gamel was set to become the Brewers' first baseman. Then he banged into a wall in San Diego while fielding a foul pop last May 1 and wrecked his knee. And things changed. ...more

Close your eyes, and you can still see Josh Hamilton muff that easy fly ball in Oakland's bright afternoon sun during the lost last week of last season. ...more

What I like, and dislike, about the Padres. ...more

From the cutting room floor, the Sandy Koufax stuff that didn't fit into the column. ...more