Eric Cole

4 days ago | rumbunter.com | Eric Cole

When the Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton, they looked like an absolutely defeated team. This was a roster that was put together using the change from Bob Nutting's couch, but it wasn't like Shelton had helped the cause much. In deciding to give Don Kelly a shot at the job, the Pirates were hoping that he would bring some much needed energy. Well, Kelly did win his first game as manager against the Braves, so maybe this was the change Pittsburgh needed.

4 days ago | rayscoloredglasses.com | Eric Cole

The last couple of weeks haven't treated the Tampa Bay Rays very well. They have lost seven of their last 10 games and hope that they would be able to keep pace in the formidable AL East this season has begun to dwindle. One hopes that they can get back on track with this series against the highly motivated Brewers, but some crummy weather in the area has it's own plans.

6 days ago | rumbunter.com | Eric Cole

The news that the Pittsburgh Pirates were firing Derek Shelton caught Pirates fans by storm on Thursday. It wasn't necessarily that no one thought it wasn't warranted, as the Pirates have been awful and Shelton has clearly not helped this team whatsoever. Still, it was jarring to see the team act so decisively this early in the season. Focus is quickly turning to Shelton's replacement, Don Kelly, and what Pirates fans can expect to see change under his leadership.

1 week ago | blogredmachine.com | Eric Cole

The Cincinnati Reds have a few players that are pretty indispensable, but the list of guys they could afford to lose less than Hunter Greene is very small. After battling control issues and injuries early in his career, the Reds' flamethrower has morphed into one of the best young pitchers in baseball and an anchor for Cincinnati's rotation. Unfortunately, Reds fans were hit with the reality on Wednesday that Greene may be out for a while.

1 week ago | friarsonbase.com | Eric Cole

Thanks to a late inning surge, the San Diego Padres handled business on Friday to beat the Pirates and dodged a bullet after Fernando Tatis Jr. got hit by a pitch. Saturday's match-up also seems favorable as starter Randy Vasquez takes on Bailey Falter, but the weather once again seems to have other plans. After experiencing a short rain delay Friday night, the weather really across the country is markedly worse on Saturday.