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Milwaukee Brewers Open 2011 Season On 0-4 Skid, But What's the Biggest Issue With Bernie Brewer's Ballclub?

It wasn't supposed to be like this in Milwaukee this season. Things were supposed to finally be different. With a re-vamped pitching rotation, a potent-as-ever offense, and all the talent money (and prospects) could land them, the Brewers were supposed to contend for the NL Central title. 

But, instead, they've hit the ground in the 2011 Major League Baseball season by faceplanting, en route to an 0-4 start and a place firmly in the NL Central cellar. 

Sure, it's early, extremely early, with 158 games to play still. But could the Brewers' struggles be emblematic of something deeper, more troubling than just a case of early season jitters or a spring slump?

One of the biggest issues has been the bullpen. While the rotation has been lights out through four games, the bullpen has done everything they can to turn those lights back on, and make them blink, spin and change colors. 

The bullpen has blown two of four games so far, with relievers taking the loss in both outings. But while the 'pen has been bad, we knew it wouldn't be very good. Is there anything else that could be the issue here? 

One area that is giving this team issues that shouldn't be is the offense. Despite featuring big boppers Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Casey McGehee and Corey Hart, on top of the all-around bat of Rickie Weeks, the Brewers have scored 6 on Opening Day, 2 in their next game, three the day after that, and just one against the Atlanta Braves today.

In other words, with the exception of that big Opening Day (the blame for which falls solely on the bullpen), the Brew Crew has seen it's big bats go mysteriously silent. 

Here's the thing: as much as the Brewers revamped rotation will improve, if the team stops hitting, it won't matter. Even with Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, you're not going to win 1-0 games every time out. It just doesn't work that way. 

So, while Brewers fans cry into their pilsners, wailing and gnashing their teeth about their abysmal bullpen, let's not absolve the bats from guilt here, as well; they're just as guilty as the relief staff.

For more baseball, check out 2011 MLB Predictions: Each Team's Biggest Concern Heading into the Season. 

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Tiger Woods' Struggles Continue, But We Should Know Better Than to Count Him Out at Augusta National

Tiger Woods has not looked like the golfer who made the game's best shake in their boots when they saw him atop a leaderboard over the last 12 months. In fact, Woods has spent precious little time on top of a leaderboard since making his post-cheating debacle return at the 2010 Masters Tournament. 

But, with this year's annual trip to Augusta National, arguably one of the most beautiful courses on the face of the Earth, the field might want to watch their step. 

Sure, Woods has yet to win a tournament since coming back on tour last April. Sure, his game has been club snappingly inconsistent, and sure, his putter and driver are continuing to betray him. 

With Tiger though, you never want to bet against him here. At Augusta National. 

See, this is where it all began for young Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods. He won his first major title here in 1997, shaking the tree of the golfing establishment in the process. He's won four Masters total, tied with the PGA Tournament for the most of any of the majors in his career. 

Remember last year, when Woods' life was literally falling down around him? Where did he decide to come back? That would be Augusta National, where he finished an incredibly solid fourth. 

There's something about Tiger and this golf course; like they're inexorably linked until the day Woods hangs up the black hat and red polo for the last time. 

It's not like Tiger's been a complete lost cause, either; he's flashed the game that made him golf's most feared player this side of Palmer and Nicklaus for a round or two, he just hasn't put it together for a full tournament yet. 

There's a reason the oddsmakers have Tiger as the second favorite to win the thing: because they know that Tiger always ups his game for this tournament. 

Am I saying he's going to win it? Not necessarily; he's going to have to fight Phil Mickelson for that distinction this season, as well as Lee Westwood, last year's runner-up. 

But, do you really want to bet against him, at this course, with the azaleas blooming, the grass such a beautiful shade of emerald green, and the green jacket up for grabs? 

Neither would I.

For more golf, check out 2011 Masters Odds, Favorites and Predictions for This Year's Tournament. 

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Texas Rangers Bash 11 Home Runs In Three Games Against Red Sox, But They're Just Getting Started

The Texas Rangers have been all about the offense in recent seasons, bashing home runs out of their bandbox of a stadium with ruthless efficiency, while raking in runs scored and RBI, the nectar of any big league offense. 

But, after seeing what this team is capable of in a three-game demolition of the Red Sox, it's clear that this Rangers team is something special. 

They clubbed 11 homers off of the top of the Red Sox's rotation in a three game series, guys who were aces at one point, are aces now, or are on the verge of becoming aces. 

There's literally no one in the lineup who cannot hit. The outfield is littered with the likes of reigning MVP Josh Hamilton (who didn't get in on the homer fest), Nelson Cruz, David Murphy and the speedy Julio Bourbon (who can't really hit, but is plenty fast enough to get away with his soft bat). The infield is just as stacked, led by speedy shortstop Elvis Andrus and balanced hitter Ian Kinsler. After them comes even more power, in the form of utility man/DH Michael Young, third baseman Adrian Beltre, catchers Yorvit Torrealba and Mike Napoli, and first baseman Mitch Moreland. 

Even the bench players can hit, as David Murphy can attest. There aren't many holes in this lineup, and with a ballpark that strongly favors hitters (and has since it was built), there's a good chance this could wind up being one of the most potent offenses baseball has ever seen. 

Of course, nothing's ever that easy. Both Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz have a nasty habit of getting hurt, Bourbon's hitting is still a big issue, Kinsler is almost as bad as Hamilton and Cruz about staying healthy, and Moreland is unproven as a power hitter. 

But, the potential for greatness is there, and if this weekend's games were any indicator, the Rangers are ready to achieve it. 

For more baseball, check out 2011 MLB Predictions: Each Team's Biggest Concern Heading into the Season. 

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NCAA Championship Game Time Just Hours Away, But What Can We Expect From Butler, UConn? 

The grand finale of the maddest month in all of sports gets underway tonight at 9:23 P.M. EST, when the Butler Bulldogs face the UConn Huskies for the honor of being called national champions. 

The Bulldogs are making a return trip to the Big Dance's final tango, while the Huskies have their dancing shoes shined up for a shot at their first title since 2004 (if that doesn't seem like a long time, remember that it's 49 years in dog years). 

But, now that the dust is beginning to settle from a wild March of upsets, Cinderellas and Gus Johnson, what can we expect from tonight's clash? 

The Huskies enter as 3.5 point favorites, according to oddsmakers, and much of that confidence is due to superstar junior Kemba Walker. Walker is the heart and soul of the Huskies' attack; he has to score if they hope to hang with the Bulldogs in this one. 

But, he's not the only piece to UConn's puzzle; fellow guards Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier are also going to need to step up in a big way, while forward Alex Oriakih needs to give the Huskies a reliable presence in the paint. If those three step up, UConn's got a good chance of returning to Storrs with a title in hand. 

However, Jim Calhoun's team started to show the wear from a lengthy season of basketball, including a brutal run through the Big East tournament, as well as the Madness magic, against Kentucky in the Final Four. They looked fatigued, tired, and near the end, they struggled to knock down jumpers. 

The Bulldogs enter the finals as the champion of the Cinderella half of the bracket, but they're legit, having beaten both of their region's top two seeds to advance to the Final Four. Their defense is capable of closing down on UConn's outside shooters, thanks to the likes of Shawn Vanzant and Ronald Nored, as well as superstar guard Shelvin Mack. 

Offensively, Brad Stevens' team is keyed by Mack, the best shooter on the squad, and forward Matt Howard, but they get solid contributions from just about everyone in the rotation. They take care of the basketball, and are athletic enough not to be run out of the gym by even the fastest paced teams. 

Look for this to be a high-intensity affair, as the Bulldogs have no plans on going down quietly to one of college basketball's elites, while the Huskies seem bound and determined not to lose before they hoist one more trophy. 

In the end, I think Butler's depth and experience will be key, as will their fresher legs, which will be of great assistance down the stretch.

Prediction: Butler 70, UConn 64. .

For more March Madness news, check out NBA Draft 2011: Which March Madness Stars Will Declare for the Draft? 

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NCAA Championship Game Time Tips at 9:23 P.M. EST, Leaves Fans Baffled By Late Start

Tonight, on CBS, the Butler Bulldogs will take on the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Tournament finals, but odds are good, most of the teams' younger fans won't be up long enough to see Charles Barkley call someone stupid at halftime. 

That's because of a 9:23 P.M. EST scheduled tipoff time, meaning that the game will end close to midnight on the east coast and in parts of the midwest. 

Now, this wouldn't be an issue if the game were between, say Kansas and UCLA; in fact, it would work out brilliantly for the network. But, both Butler and UConn happen to be located in the Eastern Time Zone, meaning that these schools younger (and, probably many of their older) fans won't be awake to see who triumphs. 

This isn't the first time the NCAA has scheduled the finale of the Big Dance at an unreasonably late hour, despite there being a pair of Eastern teams in the championship game. They pulled a similar stunt last season, starting the Butler-Duke clash at nearly the same time, despite both teams playing in the Eastern Time Zone and the game taking place in Indianapolis. 

What this means is that CBS is hurting it's ratings in the east, where both teams' fan bases are located, while enhancing their ratings out west, where fans are less likely to care quite as much without one of their teams in the final. 

I'm not saying ratings will be bad; in fact, they'll probably be quite good. But, imagine how much better they'd be if they moved the tip time up a single hour, how many more families with small kids would watch the game.

How do you fix this? Simple; schedule your title tipoff time based on the teams playing. If they're from anywhere east of Indiana, tip off at 8:30. If one is from out west, move the start time back 15 minutes, to 8:45. If both teams are from the western half of the country, tip-off at 9. 

See? Was that so hard? Of course, this makes too much sense, which means it'll never happen. 

For more college basketball news, check out Final Four 2011: Picks, Predictions and Players To Watch in Houston. 

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Derek Jeter Ties Al Simmons On Career Hits List, But How Much Higher Can He Climb?

New York Yankees captain/shortstop/face of the franchise Derek continued his quest for 3,000 hits on Saturday, going 2-for-4 in the Yanks' win over the Detroit Tigers. 

But, those two hits also moved the sweet-swinging shortstop up the all-time hits list, tying him for 35th with Al Simmons, with 2,928 hits in his career. While Jeter is undoubtedly one of the greatest hitters baseball has ever seen, where will he rank when the dust settles, and he hangs up his cleats for the last time? 

He's 36, and just signed a three-year deal with the Yankees. He's been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball in his career, averaging 172 hits per season in his career, one of the better marks in history.

Let's assume for a moment that Jeter retires at the end of his current contract. If we project his average number of hits in a season over the next three (including this one), Jeter will finish with 3,444 hits for his career, good enough for sixth all-time, behind only Pete Rose, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial and Triss Speaker. 

But, Jeter has been getting more than his career average in hits in recent seasons, posting 179 or more in every campaign since 2003. With less than 100 hits between where we're projecting Jeter now, and fifth place hitter Speaker, Jeter could finish his career in the top five of all hitters in baseball history. 

Odds are good that Derek isn't going to catch Rose, Cobb or Aaron atop the hits list, and he probably won't be able to catch Stan Musial, either. But, who's really going to complain about the company he keeps when he finishes his career with more hits than all but four or five players in baseball history. 

In short, get ready to see Jeter passing some pretty hefty names in the next few months, as he's sure to shoot up the charts. 

For more baseball news, check out MLB Power Rankings: The 50 Strangest Batting Stances and Pitching Motions Ever. 

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Shaka Smart Made the Right Call Spurning North Carolina State's Advances, Remaining at VCU

According to multiple media reports today, Virginia Commonwealth head coach Shaka Smart, fresh off leading the Rams to the first Final Four appearance in school history, has decided to stay at VCU, spurning the advances of North Carolina State in the process. 

According to VCU athletic director Norwood Teague, Smart and the school agreed to terms of a new contract Monday, after sources reported that the Wolfpack had made Smart an offer. 

The Rams were seeded 11th in the Southwest Region, and faced a play-in game before things got started. In the end, though, they wound up making a stunning run to the national semifinals, shooting past two of the region's top four teams, Kansas and Purdue in the process. 

VCU ultimately fell to fellow Cinderella Butler, but not before Smart's name became one of the hottest in the coaching field, and many saw N.C. State as the most likely suitor.

But, in the end, Smart sticking with the Rams was undoubtedly the right call for him. Why? In part because of his age, which makes it less likely he'd find immediate success in a much more pressure-packed atmosphere in the ACC. 

More importantly than that, though, is the fact that the Wolfpack are nowhere near a top program in the ACC, much less in the college basketball landscape as a whole. The last time they won the ACC regular season title came in 1988-89, under Jim Valvano. That was also the last time the Wolfpack lost fewer than 10 games in a season, and they haven't reached the NCAA Tournament since Herb Sendek was fired. 

N.C. State is a perennial underachiever, even under Sendek, and the program is slowly fading into obscurity near the bottom of the conference each year. 

Meanwhile, Smart has built a fun, exciting team in Richmond (home of VCU), one that loves their coach, loves the system and loves to play basketball. 

There's little pressure to perform (although that could change after this season), and Smart can recruit exactly who he wants to run his system. In short, the Rams are on an upswing, and if Shaka wants to live up to his surname, he made the right call here. He's got a great situation in Richmond, while the situation at N.C. State would be tenuous at best. 

This is one of those things that never made sense to me; why leave a mid-major school you're building into a powerhouse, where the students, fans and players love you, and expectations are reasonable, to go try and build a program at a school that happens to be in a major conference, but can never seem to get it together enough to be a consistent winner?

All you get is a major kick up in the pressure levels and expectations, and unless you manage to deliver bunches of titles, you'll never be venerated there.

It makes perfect sense for Smart to stay at VCU, and spurn N.C. State, and it's clear that the coach made the right call here. 

For more college basketball news, check out Final Four 2011: Picks, Predictions and Players To Watch in Houston. 

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Chuck Liddell Denies Drug Use Claims Made By Ex-Wife In Child Custody Battle

Former UFC heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell denied charges of drug use made by his ex-wife during the couple's contentious child custody hearing this week. 

According to Liddell's ex-wife, Lori Geyer, Liddell took the couple's son, Cade, from her Colorado home with the intention of bringing him home by March 27, only for the former MMA champ's lawyer to call and tell her that he was keeping Cade in California until a custody hearing. 

Geyer went on to say that drugs and alcohol fueled Liddell's actions, and cited a commercial he made for Reebok in which he and his current wife worked out in the nude as proof. She claims that Liddell has threatened and intimidated her over the years, most recently before the couple's last custody hearing. 

However, Geyer overlooked one crucial detail in her claims: as a fighter in the UFC, Liddell was subject to regular, random drug screenings, which his lawyer was quick to point out to the overseeing judge on Monday. 

Liddell's lawyer dismissed the claims of kidnapping by stating that Liddell took Cade to California until the hearing only after he learned that his son was allegedly being abused by Geyer and her husband. 

Things are getting nasty in Liddell's custody hearings, and they only figure to get worse for the former champ until the case is resolved. In the end, this would have a profound impact on Liddell's fight preparation, were he still in the UFC. 

For more MMA news, check out MMA Weekend News: Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping, Brock Lesnar, Schaub and More. 

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Madden NFL 12 Cover Battle Rages Into Third Round, Which Matchups Should You Watch?

The battle to be the cover star of Madden NFL 12 has shifted into high gear, as the contest moves into the third round. There were some surprising upsets on the left side of the bracket, and now, the difficulty level is kicked up a notch. 

After all, as the talent gets closer to equal, the matchups get tighter and tighter. But, fear not, as we proceed to break down each of the third-round clashes, and tell you who ought to move on to the next round. 

(1)Aaron Rodgers Vs. (4) Danny Woodhead: Much like Woodhead's shocking star turn during last season, his run to the Final Eight has been a slight surprise, despite his high seed. Even so, his run of success should end here. For all Woodhead did to electrify the Pats in 2010-11, Rodgers was easily the biggest star of the season in the NFL. For the first time since the dance began, Woodhead's easily outclassed. Pick: Aaron Rodgers.

(6) Jamaal Charles Vs. (10) Peyton Hillis: The shocker matchup of the third round, pitting a pair of guys who won their second-round matchups 51 percent to 49 percent over higher seeds. Now that they're here, though, it's clear that this is going to be another thriller, between two of the most explosive backs in the NFL. While Charles might have the higher upside, Hillis was one of the dominant storylines in the NFL this season, emerging from obscurity to become one of the best running backs in the league. Pick: Peyton Hillis, but not by much. 

(9) Adrian Peterson Vs. (4) Drew Brees: Did anyone really expect either Sanchez or Rivers to stand much chance against these two? Talk about woefully underseeded. Peterson deserved a higher seed, but finally runs into some serious competition from Brees, who orchestrated another great season in New Orleans. However, the fact that Brees was on the cover last season hurts him here, as it's unprecedented to have the same guy on the cover two years running. Pick: Adrian Peterson, by virtue of Brees' recent turn as Madden cover boy. 

(3) Michael Vick Vs. (7) Patrick Willis: Did anyone have an easier road to the third round that Niners' linebacker Patrick Willis? He got Seattle's 12th man in the first round (a complete mismatch), then got the blatantly overseeded Hines Ward in round two, beating them both with relative ease. Now, though, Willis runs into some real competition in Vick, whose gaudy stats and comeback make him one of the favorites to win the whole enchilada. While Willis' stats were nice, he's just outgunned here, as Vick wins with ease. Pick: Michael Vick

For more NFL news, check out Oakland Raiders, Joe Flacco, Tom Brady, and Monday's Top NFL News. 

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Butler Basketball Powered by Head Coach Brad Stevens, and the Bulldogs Can Expect to Keep Him for a While

Should Butler Bulldogs head coach Brad Stevens complete this year's Cinderella story, after coming up just short a year ago, he would be the second youngest national champion coach in NCAA history, behind Indiana's Branch McCracken, who was 31 in 1941. 

But, Stevens has already made history in leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national title tilts, regardless of the outcome Monday night. He's turned the mid-major school from the heart of Indianapolis into a giant-killer, and is now stealing some top talent from the big boys of Indiana high school recruiting. 

As with any hot mid-major coach, Stevens has been subject to speculation surrounding the possibility of his leaving Hinkle Fieldhouse to coach a bigger school, in a bigger conference. 

But, as Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel points out, Stevens may not be leaving for at least a few years. 

"The issue is simple; there are very few places that could even be discussed as “better” situations for Brad Stevens at the present time than Butler University."

"And even if no one else acknowledges it, he most certainly does."

“I think people always look at their job and you hear people say this all the time, that the grass is greener somewhere else,” Stevens said Sunday. “Well, I think we [his family] recognize the grass is very green at Butler. Butler’s been terrific to us. Butler’s gone in a lot of ways out of their way for us. We recognize that."

Stevens is in some rarified air, having turned Butler into a powerhouse. The only schools who could hope to pry him from the Bulldogs are the college basketball blue-bloods: the Kentuckys, Dukes, and North Carolinas of the world. 

According to Wetzel, Stevens is firmly attached to the Bulldogs, and has no plans to leave, nor has his phone rung. But, even if it should, Wetzel gives Butler fans hope that their coach will be sticking around. 

"His comfort level at Butler is significant. He grew up just 20 minutes outside Indianapolis. He expresses great loyalty to the school for offering him an opportunity as a young coach. He has extreme trust in athletic director Barry Collier."

"He loves the school’s beautiful campus, tight-knit community and historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, which is undergoing a $25 million facelift. For years he’s said the coolest part of his job is having a key to the old barn. He’s said players that love Hinkle tend to be his kind of guys. Ones that wonder where some bells-and-whistles practice facility is, may not be."

While this is all true, it's forgetting one key point that could keep Stevens at Hinkle for the forseeable future, even beyond the scope Wetzel's speaking of: Butler's not the little engine that could anymore, particularly in Indiana.

Their recruiting classes have been stellar for many major programs, much less a mid-major like Butler. His team has made deeper runs into the tournament the last two years than every blue-blood in basketball not named Duke, and Stevens and the Bulldogs just outlasted them this season.

It's not just that Stevens doesn't want to leave Butler, it's that he's been so good as their coach, and loves the program so much, that there's really no reason to even consider jumping off. He's in the midst of building something truly special in the heart of Indianapolis, a small-school team that can hang with, and beat, anyone. 

Why would you ever leave a school when you can do that? 

For more college basketball news, check out Final Four 2011: Picks, Predictions and Players To Watch in Houston. 

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Baltimore Orioles Sit Atop AL East Standings, But Don't Expect Them to Slip Too Far Down in 2011

While we're only three games into this young baseball season, the Baltimore Orioles have established themselves as one of the possible surprise teams in baseball in 2011. They're currently 3-0, fresh off a sweep of the vaunted Tampa Bay Rays, and leading the AL East by a full game over the second-place Yankees. 

While many around the baseball world are sure that the Orioles will eventually cave to the superior talent (and bankroll) of the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays, a closer look at this team tells us not to be so sure about that. 

The lineup has the potential to score plenty of runs, thanks to the bats of second baseman Brian Roberts, outfielders Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Luke Scott, catcher Matt Weiters, third baseman Mark Reynolds and designated hitter Jake Fox. Roberts, Jones and Markakis are all multi-tool players, as is Weiters, while Scott, Reynolds and Fox bring some serious pop to the Oreos' lineup. 

But, scoring runs has never been the issue at Camden Yards; instead, it's the pitching that has proven to be Baltimore's undoing. 

But, this year's rotation is potential-laden, thanks to youngsters like Brian Matsuz (who's out with an injury at the moment), Chris Tillman, Zach Britton and Jake Arretia. Those four all have the potential to breakout this season, with enough promise to make this roster great. 

Will the Orioles win the division? No; their bullpen is still suspect, and their defense could be better. But, with the talent at Camden Yards, don't expect another cellar-dwelling finish for Baltimore in 2011. 

For more baseball news, check out 2011 MLB Predictions: Each Team's Biggest Concern Heading into the Season. 

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Masters 2011 Sees Lee Westwood Among Tournament Favorites, But Can he Grab His First Major Win?

When Englishman Lee Westwood overtook Tiger Woods atop the PGA Tour world rankings in October of last year, he made history. 

Not because of what he had accomplished; rather, it was what Westwood hadn't done that made him so notable, namely: winning a Major title. 

Westwood eventually lost the number one distinction earlier this year, but his winless streak in Major tournaments remains intact heading into the 2011 Masters Tournament. 

The majors have long been a source of head and heartache for the 37-year-old Westwood, as he's come tantalizingly close to winning each of the four tournaments over the years. 

Prior to last season, Westwood's best finishes in the majors were sixth at Augusta and third at the U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship. Last year, though, he came even closer, finishing second at The Masters and the Open Championship. 

Now, he enters this year's first major as one of the favorites to win, but can he actually pull it off? 

Westy hasn't played poorly through the first three months of 2011, but he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, either. His decidedly mediocre play is a concern, although it could be chalked up to early season doldrums. 

Plus, he showed us he could compete at Augusta last year, playing exceptionally well down the stretch and battling eventual champ Phil Mickelson shot-for-shot. 

In the end, Westwood figures to be in contention come Sunday, and as long as he keeps things close, the 37-year-old has a fantastic chance to bring home his first ever major title, making him the first English Masters champion since Nick Faldo in 1996. 

For more golf news, check out 2011 Masters Odds, Favorites and Predictions for This Year's Tournament. 

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MLB Standings After Opening Week See Some Surprises Topping Several Divisions

With four days of baseball in the books, Major League Baseball's Opening Week draws to a close. With it comes the first look at baseball's divisional standings. 

Some clubs have lived up to their early season hype in 2011, as the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox are all at or near the top of their divisions, thanks to strong play during Opening Week. 

But, some teams have been a tremendous disappointment thus far, as teams like the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers find themselves in a bit of a slump to begin the year. Most shocking amongst these stragglers are the Boston Red Sox, the consensus pick to win the AL East, and possibly the World Series. 

The Sox are 0-3, and sit at the bottom of the AL East, but the good news is, it's still early.

However, there are some teams whose strong play has stunned pundits across the board. The undefeated Baltimore Orioles top the AL East, while the 3-1 Kansas City Royals top the AL Central. As if that weren't enough, the Pittsburgh Pirates currently sit second in the NL Central, while the hapless Mets are 2-1, tied for second in the NL East. 

What is the cause of these surprising runs of play? Anyone who saw the Orioles play near the end of last season had to know this would be a much better team in 2011, although few could have predicted that they would be leading the AL East after a week. 

But, what to make of the Royals, Mets and Pirates? After all, they were all picked to be among the worst teams in baseball this season, yet after three or four games, here they are. 

The answer is simple: it's been an extremely small sample size. Any team can get hot for three or four or six games and vault unexpectedly up the standings (the Royals have made a habit out of doing this to their fan base for several seasons now. Eventually, they'll cool off, the popular power picks will heat up, and the order of the universe will be restored. 

In other words, there's no cause for celebration or panic just yet. There are still between 158 and 159 games left to play this baseball season, and odds are good, things will catch up to the perennial doormats sooner rather than later.

For more baseball news, check out 2011 MLB Predictions: Each Team's Biggest Concern Heading into the Season. 

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Frank Haith Named as Missouri Basketball's New Head Coach, but the Tigers Made a Mistake Hiring Miami Coach

The University of Missouri has tabbed their new head coach, according to a report in the Columbia Daily Tribune earlier today. 

The Tigers grabbed Miami Hurricanes head coach Frank Haith, in a move that is both surprising and somewhat unexpected. Why? Because it's not every day that a school will take on an inferior head coach than the one who just left. 

Mizzou's been in the hunt for a new head coach since Mike Anderson jumped to Arkansas, where he spent 13 years as an assistant under Nolan Richardson, earlier this month. They nearly grabbed Purdue coach Matt Painter, only for the Boilermaker boss to announce he was staying put. 

But Haith? Really? Sure, he's been a solid coach in Miami, leading the Hurricanes to an NCAA tournament berth in 2007-08, where they lost in the second round. His teams have never gone better than 23-11, and he's landed in the NIT in four of his seven years with the 'Canes. 

Now, I realize that Mizzou's pedigree is better than Miami's when it comes to college hoops, so Haith is making a slight jump up in prestige. But if Haith couldn't recruit the kind of talent necessary to win with South Beach right around the corner, what hope does he have of enticing top talent to come to Columbia, Missouri? 

The move is made even more baffling when you consider some of the mid-major names who could be available. Guys like VCU's Shaka Smart, who is fresh off leading the Rams somewhere the Tigers have never been, the Final Four. Or Richmond's Chris Mooney, who has turned the Spiders into a force in the Atlantic 10. 

But Haith? He just doesn't make much sense for a school looking to remain on the rise in the coming years and hang with Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor in the Big 12. 

Haith couldn't win enough in the ACC, and something tells me that's a trend that will continue in Columbia. But, unlike his time with the Hurricanes, for whom basketball seems to be more of a way to tide you over until football season, Haith won't have a very long leash in Columbia. 

For more college basketball, check out 2011 NCAA Final Four: Schedule, Predictions and Players to Watch. 

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The Masters Begin This Week, but Can Phil Ride Strong Lead-In to Second Straight Green Jacket?

The Masters tournament begins at Augusta National this Thursday, as thousands of golf fans flock to of of the sport's great courses to witness one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports. 

With the azaleas in full bloom, and the grass just a little greener than anywhere else (still not sure how they do that), this year's tournament promises to be as good as any in recent memory. 

With a wide-open field, this year figures to be anyone's game at Augusta, but one of the heavy favorites has to be Phil Mickelson. 

Lefty netted himself a green jacket last season, but promptly went on a winless drought that extended past the start of this season. Many wondered if his years were starting to catch up to him and if he could ever be the force he's been in years past. 

Those questions were largely put to rest last weekend, as Lefty took home a Masters tune-up win in Houston, thanks to his sharp game. With the streak snapped, and Mickelson playing extremely well, can he take home a second straight title from Augusta National?

For the first time in over a year, Lefty doesn't have any real personal problems to worry about heading into this week's tournament. His family is healthy, his arthritis is being treated, and Phil is wholly focused on golf, which should scare some of the other favorites this week.

Sure, Phil's game has always been tough to project, because of his high-risk, high-reward style and his risky shot-taking habits. But he enters this year's Masters with some serious confidence, thanks to that win in Houston.

He's got his shots falling, and if he keeps it up at Augusta, we could easily see Lefty slipping into a second straight green jacket.  

Look for Mickelson to come out gunning for that green jacket, and to stick amongst the leaders all week. In other words, look for the Masters to be much like years past, with both Tiger and Phil in contention for a win. 

For more golf, check out 2011 Masters Odds, Favorites and Predictions for This Year's Tournament.