Kuzul

On Saturday, Detroit’s Justin Verlander became the 30^th player in MLB history to throw multiple no-hitters in a career.  He walked one and struck out four in a dominant performance over the Toronto Blue Jays that saw him touch 100 mph in the ninth inning.

Verlander’s first career no-hitter came against the Milwaukee Brewers.  In that game, he stuck out a whopping twelve batters.

If he wasn’t before today, Verlander is firmly solidified among the top ten pitchers in baseball.  However, where exactly does he sit among the best of the best?

Here now are the top ten pitchers in MLB.

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The Atlanta Braves have gotten off to a rough start in 2011, going 9-12 through their first 21 games.

Despite the losing record, the Braves haven’t played bad baseball.  Their pitching has performed well and their defense has been exceptional.  Their big issue is their hitting.

Things will get turned around and the Braves will still compete for a playoff spot, meaning that they will be buyers come July 31^st.

Here are 10 players the Braves could target before the trade deadline.

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With fantasy baseball season underway, you will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your team.

If you are worried about offense, you’re in luck.

There are several hitters top hitters you can acquire via trade.

The following list isn’t a list of the top overall hitters in fantasy baseball.  Guys like Pujols, Tulowitzki and Han Ram aren’t likely to be traded.

This is a list of the top hitters that you can acquire in a trade.  These are guys who are poised for a breakout season or guys who are young or underrated.

Here are the top ten hitters to acquire in 2011.

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With Opening Day just days away, many fantasy baseball leagues are conducting their drafts.  Draft day can either make or break your team’s chances this season.

A trendy approach to the draft is to recognize and draft “sleeper” players, but avoiding players who will be a bust is just as important.

Players like Grady Sizemore, A.J. Burnett and Nate McLouth killed fantasy owners in 2010, and it’s crucial to avoid drafting “bust” players in 2011.

Here is my 2011 All-Bust fantasy team.

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For every Jason Heyward that begins his rookie year right from Opening Day, there is a Buster Posey who is called up in the summer to delay his major league service clock.

These two rookies played an equally significant role for his respective team in 2010, though they reached the majors at different times.

Midsummer call-ups can alter a pennant race and a team’s fortune for that season, and 2011 won’t be different.

There are several talented rookies that will start 2011 in the minors, whether it’s to delay their service clock or tweak something minor in their game.  However, come June, many of them will start to be called up.

Here are five players who will be called up this summer who will have the biggest impact.

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One of the most exciting aspects of spring training is the positional battles that every team faces.

Last year, young players such as Jason Heyward claimed starting spots for their teams, while veterans such as Bengie Molina held off charges from rookies to hold onto their spots, even if it didn’t last long.

2011 is no different.  Every team has a positional battle ongoing.  Some of these battles are more important than others.

Here are the projected winners for 10 of the biggest positional battles this spring training.

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The Atlanta Braves have always prided themselves in having a great minor league system.

Unlike the Yankees and Red Sox, who just go out and buy other teams’ players, the Braves consistently develop their young talent through their minor league teams.

Braves such as Jason Heyward, Brian McCann and Tommy Hanson are all examples of the quality training that players receive in cities such as Lawrenceville and Rome.

The 2011 prospects for the Atlanta Braves, as usual, have plenty of potential. Some of the top prospects in the entire league are hoping to crack the Atlanta Opening Day roster.

Some of these prospects are fresh faces, while others have had short stints in the majors.

Here are the Atlanta Braves’ top 10 prospects heading into the 2011 season.

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The general consensus is that the Philadelphia Phillies have the best rotation in the National League.

Though that may be the case, their division rival also has a great rotation.

Coming off of the team’s first postseason berth since 2005, the Atlanta Braves look to challenge the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East crown behind one of the league’s best rotations.

Though teams like the Giants and Brewers have gotten more recognition this offseason, the Braves pitching staff as a whole is better.

Here are 10 reasons why the Braves rotation is one of the league’s best.

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In 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies held off the Atlanta Braves to capture the NL East crown for the fourth straight year.  With the addition of Cliff Lee, everyone has already proclaimed them 2011 NL East champs.

But in the words of Lee Corso: “Not so fast my friend.”

The 2011 Atlanta Braves are much improved as well, and should not be disregarded so fast.  The 2010 Wild Card showed the young Braves how to win, and 2011 should be another step forward to winning the division.

Though the Phillies are the favorite, here are 10 reasons why they should watch out for the Braves in 2011.

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When heading into your fantasy baseball draft, you are probably asking yourself whether you should draft Pujols or Han Ram, Holliday or Braun, Lincecum or King Felix.

Though these choices are essential to your team’s success, late-round draft picks are equally as important and can make or break your season. 

Late-round picks are perfect for finding hidden gems. For example, drafting Jose Bautista and his 54 home runs with one of your final picks paid huge dividends for your team last year.

Not only did it give your team a remarkable power source, but it also gave you flexibility for dealing away another power bat for a player who can help strengthen a different area of your team that may be lacking, such as speed or your rotation.

Other players such as Shaun Marcum, Neftali Feliz and Phil Hughes were all brilliant late-round choices too who helped your team achieve fantasy greatness. 

Likewise, drafting a dud in the waning rounds of your draft can create a black hole in your team’s lineup or rotation. Dexter Fowler, Alex Gordon and Cameron Maybin did absolutely nothing for your team last year.

Even if you have a stellar start to your draft, mismanaging the closing rounds can prove to be detrimental to the success of your team. Nothing drags down Joey Votto’s MVP campaign quite like Nate McLouth’s horrific season. I know, I was a part of the chorus of boos echoing across Turner Field whenever McLouth weakly grounded out to second. 

That being said, 2011 is a brand new year, and instead of being the laughingstock of your league, bragging about how Mark Prior is your sleeper pick for the fourth consecutive year, here are five players that are under most people’s radars who can contribute greatly to your 2011 team.

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