Jeff Francoeur

Last week's ranking in parentheses 1. Rangers (1): It's safe to say that Ron Washington's hitters enjoyed their weekend in Houston — 24 runs overall and three homers in every game. Their assault on Philip Humber Saturday was vicious. 2....

Statistics through Sunday (last week's ranking) 1. Rangers (1): There have many issues, including a lack of production since early in the season from Michael Young and the highly regarded lineup, but a soft schedule has kept those issues from showing...

Say this for the Phillies. They got a World Series title and five consecutive playoff seasons out of their payroll escalation. But are they about to suffer Cubs-like pain? That's the question that faces general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. as he faces a...

The Royals expect James Shields to be a difference maker. But were they close enough to being a playoff team before they added him? That's the question about the deal in which the Royals sent future All-Star Wil Myers to the Rays. It's too early to...

PHILADELPHIA — Whether he's won or lost, Joe Blanton is usually waiting in the center of the clubhouse after games where he'll eventually be surrounded by a mob of reporters. He knows what's coming: question after question. But Blanton doesn't shy...

No. 18 Royals: 13th in a series counting down to spring training. Next: Brewers. When talent comes in waves, good things happen to teams. The long-suffering Royals believe they have reached the point where their hard work and over-slot spending in the...

I've got three radio/TV/Web appearances coming up in the next two days. At 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, I'm jumping on WIP with Angelo Cataldi, Rhea Hughes and Co. Then at 5 p.m., I'll do a quick hit from the ball park......

No more wondering when the Gold Glove winners will be announced. ESPN2 will televise the first-ever Rawlings Gold Glove Awards show at 10 tonight. The one-hour telecast, hosted by Karl Ravech, John Kruk and Barry Larkin, will feature the announcement........

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the MLB All-Star Game rosters. Check back for more responses throughout the day and feel free to leave a comment of your own. Juan C. Rodriguez, South Florida Sun Sentinel Among the biggest......

Jered Weaver held Kansas City to two hits over 6 1/3 innings while Torii Hunter and Jeff Mathis both hit home runs, leading the Angels to a 4-2 win over the Royals in the season opener. Melky Cabrera had both......

With the Angels facing left-hander Jeff Francis on Friday, Manager Mike Scioscia made a few switches to his lineup, elevating switch-hitting shortstop Erick Aybar from sixth to first in the batting order, sitting switch-hitter Maicer Izturis and giving...

The Angels' season-opening series with the Royals calls for four games starting at four different times. So with Saturday's 12:10 p.m. CDT start -- the earliest first-pitch on the trip -- following Friday's 7:10 game -- the latest first pitch......