First off, I’d like to offer the fine folks of Boston and all those directly affected by the tragic events of yesterday’s horrific bombing at the Boston Marathon my sincerest thoughts and prayers. It’s times like yesterday that human beings must bond together and overcome these now all too common, senseless acts of violence and destruction. Always remember that the good more than outweighs the bad and for visual evidence look no further than those first responders yesterday on Boylston Street who tore down fencing and ran into the fire to offer whatever assistance they could to those seriously injured by the blast. Out of heartbreak comes great strength so while we weep for those families and friends coping with a tragic loss this morning our spirits are buoyed by overwhelming acts of kindness and bravery that surround us everyday. Humans are a resilient species and just as the Boston Marathon remains the ultimate test of endurance we will persevere with kindness, tolerance and love.

Round Tripping

1B: The Atlanta Braves are off to the fastest start in MLB thanks in part to the exploits of rookie catcher, and modern day Dean Moriarty, Evan Gattis. Do yourself a favor and read David O’Brien’s piece from the AJC on the Kerouacian journey of the Braves slugger who experienced several years alone on the road before making it to the bigs. Gattis is only part of the reason for Atlanta’s early season success with offseason acquisition Justin Upton providing some much needed firepower during their recent streak which includes a three game sweep of preseason NL East darlings the Washington Nationals.

2B: Weather, or should I say scheduling, has been a factor during during this very young baseball season. The New York Mets in particular have been affected by two snow storms, one in Minnesota and one in Denver, and will be forced to make up these games at the end of the next ice age. Why MLB schedules an April interleague series in the snowy Twin Cities defies logic especially when the Mets weren’t scheduled to return to the frozen tundra this season. The only good news for the team is that perhaps all these postponements will lead to more Matt Harvey, who dare I say has become the most exciting pitcher in baseball.

3B: What’s up with the Anaheim Los Angeles Angels? Is this simply a case of cast of stars learning how to coexists or a distressing lack of pitching depth exacerbated by the loss of staff ace Jered Weaver? Ken Rosenthal does a nice job exploring the depths of owner Arte Moreno’s patience while his ball club wallows in the AL West basement, percentage points behind the light hitting Houston Astros.

HR: MLB is honoring Jackie Robinson’s legacy this week and it is an important time once again to remember the impact he had on not just baseball but race relations in this country. When I was a young baseball I looked up to Robinson not just for his courage and grace but for the way he played the game. I use to love watching those old highlights of him stealing home during the Brooklyn Dodgers World Series triumph over the New York Yankees in 1955. (just look at how pissed Yogi gets!!!) I’m hoping to catch 42 this weekend as Robinson remains an inspiration and source of great national pride to us all.

view from snowy Coors Field courtesy of @Jay_HorowitzPR

With all these aces like Stephen Strausburg and Matt Cain getting knocked around Sunday afternoon the question is who has the April advantage: pitchers or hitters? Yesterday aside, I would still take the hitters because most starting pitchers have yet to build up enough arm strength to either max out on the radar gun or throw their entire repertoire pitches. Plus, pitch counts are kept intentionally low so as to maximize productivity over the course of a 162 game season. Hitters can get their timing back during the lengthy spring training and the only real adversity they’ll need to deal with up north is the colder weather, which, if you’ve ever closed a window on you’re finger than you know exactly how it feels to get jammed with a wooden bat in 45 degree temps. It’s the kinda dull, numbing pain that comes back again and again like when you’re trying to take the top off a tub of vanilla ice cream. Regardless, by May the playing field should be even and David Price will go back to being David Prive and R.A. Dickey..well, we will see.

Round Tripping

1B) R.A. Dickey won the NL Cy Young last season and was really the only reason to visit Citi Field during the dog days. The Mets traded him to Toronto for prospects and he was supposed to anchor a Blue Jays rotation that was amongst the leagues best. But after getting knocked around in his first two starts is Canada starting to get a little worried about how many knuckleballs the 38 year old has left in that Star Wars loving right arm of his? Will Middlebrooks isn’t complaining after belting 3 home runs off the Blue Jays ace(?) on Sunday.

2B) Don’t expect Josh Hamilton and his family to be vacationing in central Texas any time soon after Rangers fans were supposedly serenading his wife with a few poorly conceived profanities. (Stay classy Arlington.) Although, the more I think about it, why was Hamilton’s family there in the first place? Didn’t they have to know they were going to face a certain amount of verbal abuse from Rangers fans still stinging after Hamilton took the money and ran to Orange County? I’m actually surprised to hear that so many Texas fans know what Josh Hamilton’s wife looks like. Was she wearing a “Hamilton 32” replica Angels jersey?

3B) The Marlins, yes the Marlins, may have found a future ace in 20 year old Jose Fernandez who took the no decision yesterday after tossing 5 innings of 1 run ball, striking out 8. The Mets came back to win on a Marlon Byrd single and Marlins rookie manager has egg on his face after bringing his infield in up one with runners on 2nd and 3rd. (Ron Gardenhire does not approve.) Look for Miami owner Jeffrey Loria to get as much out of Fernandez this year before packaging he and Giancarlo Stanton together in a package to the New York Yankees in return for 10 AA prospects.

HR) Chris Davis has now gone two games without a home run  which shouldn’t minimize his historic start to the season but if the Orioles pitching continues to struggle like it did Opening Week then the Hulk will need to keep up his torrid pace.

view from Wrigley Field courtesy of @PWSullivan