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Lyle Spencer has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2005, covering the Padres and Angels. He has covered Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist since 1971.
 | The Angels and White Sox, two of the sport's heaviest disappointments through the first quarter of the season, are sharing Angel Stadium through Sunday, and both have reasons to believe there's light at the end of the tunnel.
More» Pujols cranks a two-run shot in the fourth |
 | Wednesday's successful return from the disabled list of Zack Greinke may have been the final push the Dodgers needed to begin their climb up the standings after a disappointing start to the season.
More» Greinke on his return from the DL |
 | The high-profile, high-payroll Dodgers are down, and their fans are out of sorts, if not hope. Perhaps they can take heart in history. There is this fascinating quarter-century anniversary matter that mystics, numerologists and eternal optimistics in the crowd should find illuminating.
More» Dodgers sweep Yankees in '63 Series |
 | Mark Trumbo learned to adapt at an early age, and it has paid off handsomely in the years that have followed. He's used that skill to carve out an important niche in the Angels' lineup.
More» Trumbo chases down fly ball in right field |
 | Under the firm hand of manager Buck Showalter, the Orioles are using the same formula that shocked all the critics last season: timely hitting, power, defense, adequate starting pitching and tremendous relief work. There's also that great intangible that simply defies quantification: chemistry.
More» McLouth hits two-run shot with Trout's help |
 | There are Major League outfields that command more attention and significantly more income, but it would be hard to find a trio as productive as the Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer over the opening month of the 2013 season.
More» Fowler brings back Gonzalez's home run |
 | You don't win it all in late October, or contend, without a quality defender -- several quality defenders in most cases -- behind home plate. That applies for 162 games and whatever it takes to decide the World Series. But for one day in mid July, your priority is a man who can drive a ball out of the yard or off a wall serving as your catcher.
More» Posey knots the contest with a two-run homer |
 | Spencer: Speed chills. It causes as much anxiety on a baseball field as rush-hour traffic or sirens. The game changes the instant a guy who can fly gets on base -- and even before that.
More» Jackson sets table to lead Tigers past Yanks |
| Some were concerned how the exits of Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli would affect the Rangers, but second baseman Ian Kinsler thinks the chemistry in the clubhouse is as strong as ever.
More»Kinsler plays Rangers Most Likely |
 | Though the Angels boast plenty of star power, actual power has been in short supply this season, so they've needed lesser-known sources to emerge, like Howie Kendrick, who hit two homers Tuesday and drove in seven runs in two days against the AL West-rival Rangers.
More» Angels walk off in 11th on Kendrick's homer |
 | Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera, arguably the two best players in the game, launching missiles in the same Angels lineup? Believe it or not, it could have happened.
More» Miggy drills RBI single to trim deficit |
 | Torii Hunter's move from Anaheim to Detroit had a rough start, but the veteran outfielder is thriving with a Tigers club that is ecstatic to have him, and his impact in the Angels clubhouse is still cherished by former teammates.
More» Hunter receives ovation in return to Anaheim |
 | Fifty years ago this October, Tommy Davis put a hurt on the Yankees in a four-game World Series sweep by the Dodgers. Sandy Koufax drew most of the acclaim, but much of the damage was done by Davis, who planned to sign with the Yankees before receiving a phone call from Jackie Robinson.
More»Matt Kemp talks about dreams on Jackie Robinson Day |
 | For Latin American players, Roberto Clemente's No. 21 always has held special meaning. The magical number in Giants history is Willie Mays' 24. Reigning NL MVP Buster Posey is making No. 28 immensely popular in the AT&T Park stands.
More» No. 24, Willie Mays |
 | Four years ago to this day, a golden future was taken from a wonderful young man and two of his friends, leaving one severely injured survivor. The impact of a vehicle driven by a man charged and convicted with driving under the influence destroyed a thousand dreams when it crashed into a sedan carrying four young people at an intersection in Fullerton, Calif.
More» Weaver recognizes Adenhart's birthday |
 | Six months later, megadeals and bold headlines and declarations aside, not much has changed. The Giants rolled into L.A. and took two of three games, leaving the Dodgers and their fan base deflated and perhaps more than a little agitated.
More» Romo gets Cruz swinging to secure the save |
 | Welcome to the National League West, where pitching continues to rule. The Dodgers and Giants appear determined to take the game back to the 1960s when Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Juan Marichal routinely made offenses disappear.
More» Kershaw goes the distance on Opening Day |
 | Clayton Kershaw parlayed superb stuff and exceptional command on Opening Day into his sixth career shutout. He yielded four hits without a walk while striking out seven Giants and capped his day with a game-turning home run.
More» Kershaw goes the distance on Opening Day |
 | Hyun-Jin Ryu will reintroduce himself to the Angels on Thursday night at Angel Stadium in his Southern California debut. If manager Mike Scioscia's hitters have trouble recognizing him, it's because he's a new Ryu, getting closer to the real Ryu -- the one Chan Ho Park, his former teammate in Korea, knows very well.
More» Ryu strikes out five over seven innings |
 | Earvin "Magic" Johnson showed up in the Dodgers' camp on Friday and addressed the team not as one of its owners, but from the heart, athlete to athletes, as one of the greatest competitors in sports history.
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