Short Hops: Indians' pitching might tip balance in AL Central
Balanced or simply mediocre, the AL Central race looks as if it will be wide open for most of the season. But in his Short Hops, Scott Miller says Cleveland's pitching might be the difference maker. 

Torborg's cooler head helped save passionate Guillen's career
Ozzie Guillen's passion and loyalty can help or hurt him. In 2003, those traits could have ruined his chances to become a manager in the bigs. Guillen and Scott Miller recall that pivotal weekend in Florida. 

Weekend Buzz: Yankees keep getting Mo greatness from closer
There's a Yankee hiding out of the spotlight. Yeah, that's possible. Quietly, Mariano Rivera has yet to allow a run this season. As he keeps showing season after season, there's no closer quite like him, Scott Miller says. 

Yanks have pitching problems, but enough to go to the Wells?
It takes three outs to get out of an inning, but for the Yankees, that's a real problem. Scott Miller says despite New York's battery issues, there's no reason for concern ... yet. Oh, and no need to dig up David Wells. 

Short Hops: Big Papi's Big Pain has Red Sox in a predicament
How important is David Ortiz to the Red Sox? The slugger's right knee is killing him and they don't want to rest him. If they do, it could hurt the champs in the long run, Scott Miller says. 

Stuff guy Verlander hard-luck stuff guy right now
Justin Verlander sports a 1-5 record along with a 6.28 ERA for the season. While the stats dictate the Tigers ace is struggling out of the gates, there's plenty of evidence that shows he's not nearly as bad as he appears, Scott Miller says. 

Boston phenom Ellsbury too good not to be an everyday player
Jacoby Ellsbury is supposed to be the next big thing at Fenway, yet he's not in the lineup Tuesday. Scott Miller says for now, the phenom will have to share playing time in Boston's talent-rich outfield. 

Sheff stirs up changes for Tigers with request to play left
What's this? Gary Sheffield in left field? That's only part of a major lineup shakeup for Detroit on Monday. Scott Miller says the Tinkering Tigers are at it again as they try to snap out of their first-month funk. 

Weekend Buzz: At long last, Orioles taking flight
The Orioles have been awful for a long time, but if April is any indication, good times are ahead. Andy McPhail and manager Dave Trembley are breathing new life into the once moribund O's, Scott Miller says in his Weekend Buzz. 

Short Hops: Beane's juggling act has A's contending in AL West
Oakland GM Billy Beane must be a magician. After dealing away future All-Star Dan Haren for Dana Eveland and Greg Smith, the A's have no business rubbing shoulders with the Angels for the AL West, Scott Miller says. 

Insider: These pitchers have earned the right to bear arms
Pitchers can't hit, right? Wrong. Micah Owings leads a stable of young arms across the National League who are giving new meaning to the term 'power pitcher,' Scott Miller says in his MLB Insider. 

Big Hurt back in Oakland? He's all about 'production'
Frank Thomas got booted from Toronto with a .167 batting average, leading to a reunion with the Athletics. Forget his monster '06 season and HOF credentials; a poor batting average may hurt Big Hurt's chances in Oakland, Scott Miller says. 

Weekend Buzz: D-Backs tossing out notion '07 was aberration
Talk about impressive. The NL West-leading D-Backs not only boast the top ERA in the majors, they're outscoring opponents 148-93 so far this season. Arizona's division title in '07 is looking less and less like a fluke, Scott Miller says. 

Short Hops: Things don't look pitcher perfect in Texas
It's pitching stinks. Its recent trade history is a mess. And there's a new president in Arlington. If things don't get better soon, Nolan Ryan may start messin' with some personnel in Texas, Scott Miller says. 

Dumping Krivsky just latest proof Reds don't have a clue
Reds owner Bob Castellini once told Scott Miller the key to building an organization was continuity. In the wake of the firing of GM Wayne Krivsky on Wednesday, Miller says they've achieved it: continuous ineptitude. 

Mariners waiting for Sexson's slumbering lumber to wake up
Seattle is paying Richie Sexson like a premier slugger. For two seasons, he was. Then came the pit of '07, when his annual slow start lasted for an entire season. The M's have to wonder if his soft April this year will do the same, Scott Miller says. 

Weekend Buzz: Yanks focused more on curses than proud tradition
The Yankees of old were a proud bunch with one mission in life: to be the best. Not anymore. These days, the organization is more concerned about removing 'curses' from new stadiums rather than focusing on winning, Scott Miller says in his Weekend Buzz. 

Short Hops: What's with the Royals? Say 'preparation' three times
Seal it and start carving Brian Bannister's bust, because he's headed to Cooperstown. OK, that's an exaggeration. But Scott Miller says the crafty righty -- who doesn't have an overpowering stuff -- joins Zack Greinke as surprises for a Royals staff that leads the AL in ERA. 

Insider: Separating freaky from reality in wacky start
A punchless Papi? Prince's meaty mystery? A bullpen in flames? The 'Team of Century' in trouble? Five expected also-rans in first place? Scott Miller steps hip deep into a season that's opening all askew. 

Weekend Buzz: Mets hope Figueroa provides emotional lift in rotation
Spotty pitching and injuries have derailed the Mets' rotation, prompting the signing of Nelson Figueroa, who earned his first big league win since '03 in his New York debut. Figueroa doesn't need to pitch lights out, he just needs to be a stabilizing force, Scott Miller says. 

Short Hops: Injuries bedeviling AL West favorite Angels
First it was staff ace John Lackey. Then it was Kelvim Escobar. Now closer Francisco Rodriguez has odd ankle problems that are starting to make this a painful April for the Angels, Scott Miller says. 

Gibson's 1.12 ERA one of baseball's greatest feats, mysteries
Bob Gibson made baseball history in '68 with an eye-popping 1.12 ERA and 28 complete games. Gibson not only single-handedly changed the game, his feats also represent the vast differences in pitching 40 years later, Scott Miller says. 

Weekend Buzz: Winless Tigers in dire need of wake-up call
It was debatable before the season whether Detroit's potent offense was going to put up 1,000 runs. So far? Just 15 through six winless games, including Sunday's 13-2 loss to the ChiSox. History shows the toothless Tigers are already facing heavy odds, Scott Miller says. 

Short Hops: After one start Zito's already curved San Fran enthusiasm
Is Barry Zito's disastrous opening day '07 continuation or '08 aberration? Scott Miller says one game is just one game, but there are some tell-tale signs it may be another long season by the bay for the Giants' lefty. 

Insider: 'Call me Jose' ... the name-dropping author
Jose Canseco releases a 'tell-all' book and we laugh. Turns out it has truth to it and Scott Miller gives him credit. Now we have Canseco's sequel, full of tales about Magglio Ordonez, A-Rod and needles. Is it truth or the blathering of a broken man? It might just be the latter.  

Everything comes up Torre in sunny Dodgers' debut
The Joe Torre era in L.A. begins with a ceremony commemorating the Dodgers' 50th year in California and concludes with a 5-0 win over the Giants. For one day at least, the baseball gods smile down at the former Yankee skipper, Scott Miller says.  

Insider '08 predictions: Cheers, an Old Style World Series awaits
Scott Miller has been to every camp and he's seen every team. All that scouting has him prepared to predict the MLB season, and he sees plenty of dancing in the streets for Motown. 

Yankees, Red Sox monopolizing young talent now, too
Being the two richest franchises in baseball is enough to cause despair for small market teams. Now the Yankees and Red Sox are intelligently mixing the veterans with the farmhands. Scott Miller says that's the ultimate horrow-show scenario for every club. 

Can Cubs fill a 'fan's request' as Curse turns 100?
It's 100 years in the making. The Cubs' World Series drought reaches the century mark this season -- a season full of talented players and hope. Scott Miller explores just what exactly The Curse has meant to Cubs Nation.  

To avoid another sorry season, ChiSox sluggers can't go missing
The White Sox have been on the decline since winning the World Series in '05. They made some fixes, but will they work? Not if Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome don't produce early, Scott Miller says. 

With no Barry by the Bay, Giants look to put 'fun' in fundamentals
It's another veteran-laden Giants team in Scottsdale. But one old bat is missing -- Barry Bonds'. And that means not just a relaxed atmosphere, but a new way of playing the game for a team full of creaky ol' joints, Scott Miller says. 

Chavez last standing from A's contending days -- but maybe not for long
His A's teammates have left for Japan, depriving Eric Chavez more days to actually get to know them. Scott Miller says Chavez is a rare holdover in the midst of a major rebuilding effort -- and when he's healthy, he's likely next to go. 

Brewers counting on vegetarian Fielder in meat of order
An MVP candidate a year ago, now Prince Fielder might be up for the PETA award after becoming a vegetarian. As long as he continues to produce in the meat of the order, the Brewers could care less what's on the slugger's plate, Scott Miller says. 

With this Rockies Whiz Kid, forget about sophomore jinx
Troy Tulowitzki enjoyed one of the best rookie seasons for a shortstop in history last season and helped spark Colorado's World Series run. So there's nowhere to go but down, right? Not so fast, Scott Miller says. 

D-Backs playing it safe with creaky, goal-oriented Unit
There's no questioning Randy Johnson's burning desire to continue playing. His brittle back is a different matter. The D-Backs know a healthy Big Unit adds to a strong rotation, which is why they're playing it cautious, Scott Miller says. 

Help from above? Angels' non-trade looking good right about now
John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar are aching, taking two of the Angels' top starters out of action. So if you thought the team was crazy to pass on Miguel Cabrera, it's time to rethink your position, Scott Miller says.  

M's pitching pretty, but don't ask new ace Bedard about it
Anchored by new ace Erik Bedard and phenom Felix Hernandez, the Mariners might have the best pitching staff in baseball. But Scott Miller says it's not something you're going to have a friendly chat with Bedard about. 

Now with Rangers, Hamilton finally showing his vast potential
In 1999, Josh Hamilton was the Next Big Thing. By 2005, he was long forgotten. After a promising '07, Texas acquired him and he's showing skills that Scott Miller says are making veteran scouts ... giggly?!? Story  

Good times, bad times, Hoffman can handle 'em
Trevor Hoffman has more saves than anyone in baseball history. He has endured some ugly moments, too, including last year's meltdown that cost the Padres the division title. But his ability to 'turn the page' is what impresses Scott Miller. 

National disaster area or land of second chances? You decide
What the Nationals lack in payroll, they sure make up for in personalities. No team took as many risks this spring as GM Jim Bowden's club did -- hello, Elijah Dukes -- but perhaps all those second chances can give Washington a second life, Scott Miller says.