Crystal ball: Projecting first 30 picks  —  It's close, but still no clear-cut choice at the top of the Draft  —  We're just two days from the Draft and things are getting interesting.  —  There's still no clear-cut choice at the top of the first round, which makes figuring out the rest of it all the more challenging.

Time to take series seriously  —  Rays' standing has a new look  —  J.D. Drew has a rather flip response to one of his two strikeouts on the night.  Orioles pitchers struck out eight overall.  (Associated Press)  —  BALTIMORE - For now, it ranks more as novelty than high drama …

Latest loss new Lowe point for Rockies  —  Winless trip continues at hands of L.A. pitcher  —  Battered in Philadelphia, frustrated in Chicago, the Rockies arrived at Dodger Stadium on Monday afternoon with hope a new series in a new city would provide relief from the struggles they have endured.

Ramirez shows signs of breakout  —  ATLANTA - Hanley Ramirez is trying to get used to the star treatment.  —  Not only did he receive a contract that compensates him like one of the game's best players for his age, opposing pitchers are adjusting their approach to him.

Padres can't stop Zambrano, Cubs  —  Chicago pitcher overshadows Gonzalez's great game  —  SAN DIEGO — The hottest team in baseball just so happens to have the hottest offense in the Major Leagues, so hot that the Cubs' most proficient hitter Monday was hitting ninth in their lineup.

Dos and don'ts of Joba's transition … It's not as if Joba Chamberlain doesn't know what the first inning feels like.  —  It's not as if the Yankees have asked him to hit cleanup, right?  It's not as if they're trying to convert him to a catcher or something.

So is Chase Utley chasing Davey Johnson's 42 or 43 HRs?  —  Ladies and gentlemen, please meet the issue that has lately been creating some confusion.  —  Just how many homers does Chase Utley have to hit to own the record for most in a season by a second baseman?

Bartman on hook again?  Alou says he had '03 ball  —  Moises Alou wants to set the record straight — again.  —  Months after being quoted as saying he would not have caught the foul ball that Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman reached for in the eighth inning of the National League Championship Series …

What is Edwin Swinging At?  —  Last week, I basked in my hate of Brandon Phillips and examined his area of weakness at the plate.  This week, I've decided to take a look at player of whom I tend to be a fan: Edwin Encarnacion.  —  Encarnacion has had a down-then-up-then-down season at the plate this year.

Giants 10, Mets 2  —  SAN FRANCISCO - As soon as Oliver Perez waved the white flag with a seven-pitch walk to Emmanuel Burriss, the Giants' No. 8 hitter, manager Willie Randolph had seen enough.  —  And it was only the first inning.  —  Just by the brisk pace of his stride …

Nats' Zimmerman on DL with shoulder tear  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals placed third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15-day disabled list on Monday because of a a small tear in his left, non-throwing shoulder.  —  Zimmerman has missed the last seven games because of soreness in the shoulder …

Predictions?  —  Now that Pedro II is upon us, will tonight's sequel against the Giants be better than his April 1 debut in Miami?  It better be.  Given all this Super Tuesday hype — that other one-name pitcher, Joba, goes tonight for the Yanks — it would be a serious letdown if Martinez bows out after five innings or less.

You Could Look It Up  —  The Dual-Ball Era  —  Two weeks ago, Joe Sheehan noted the offensive disparity between the two leagues this season: … While it was possible that the early gap would prove to be an aberration, we haven't seen much convergence in the ensuing weeks.