I can’t think of a time when closer situations have been uglier, but I’m sure that they have been. Two contenders - the Cardinals and Brewers - are working through some bullpen woes in their pursuit of a National League Central crown. Two other contenders await - the Braves and Indians - await the return of their full-time closers from the disabled list.

There will be more upheaval as the season wears on, but here’s a closer look at five turbulent bullpen situations and what we think will unfold in the coming weeks. Read more »

The Chicago Cubs and those of us who own Alfonso Soriano in fantasy leagues are on Cloud 9 right now, and for good reason. He’s 20-for-36 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs over his last nine games, and the Cubs have gone 7-2 over that stretch. Rejoice, if you will, but we should all consider this atonement for a year and a half of injury and underachievement.

Not that Soriano’s struggles have been entirely his fault. He has battled through quad and calf injuries in each of the last two seasons, strains that have prevented him from stringing together consistent at-bats and reaching his full potential. Last year, when he finally got healthy, he was just as hot in September as he is right now with 14 home runs, 11 doubles and 27 RBIs in 29 games. Read more »