Three observations ... • If Francisco Liriano likes it here, why can't the Twins trade him now, then re-sign him as a free agent during the offseason? It's happened before (see Rick Aguilera in 1995).

• The truth about baseball: Pitchers get injured regardless of workload. As long as he is comfortable with it, the Nationals should keep Stephen Strasburg in the rotation.

• The best story of the year so far: the rise of the Pirates.

... and two predictions • Texas will trade Nelson Cruz and a prospect for starting pitching help.

• I'm going with Carlos Beltran to win the Home Run Derby.