My AL Only team is struggling and I'm not very happy. But I'm still in first place and intend to stay there. There is nobody on the waiver wire to help me and nobody wants to deal. I'll play the cards I have.

It's a sad night for baseball. Very sad. Harmon Killebrew has written that he is in the final stages of his fight against esophageal cancer. He has entered hospice care. I remember Killebrew turning sideways after I asked him once if it was true that the MLB logo was based on his profile. There was no doubt about it. It was Harmon Killebrew. He lives in Scottsdale and he's been a champion of numerous charities in and around the Valley. Killebrew hit some of the longest and most majestic homers I have ever seen. Along with Frank Howard and others, the old Washington Senators were a great offensive team. But they didn't win very much. In his written words before entering the hospice, Harmon Killebrew sounded like a man very much at peace. That's of great comfort to his fans like me. One of the toughest parts of getting older is watching great players pass away. We are losing the legends of 50's and 60's baseball way too often. Guys I grew up with and rooted for.

How great is Justin Verlander pitching! With a fastball that touches 101 and lights out secondary pitches, he's going to dominate hitters. I've always liked the way he climbs the ladder against hitters and they are virtually helpless. With two strikes they have little choice but to swing. It's pretty tough to hit a high 90's fastball in your eyes. Another 5 2/3 no hit innings today.

I'm not sure I totally understand the MLB concern about Bartolo Colon's most recent operation and the procedures used. At any rate, whatever procedure he had certainly seems to be working. He's able to hit his spots with regularity. How long can he sustain? I really don't know but ride him while he's hot and while you have the chance.

My concern about Miguel Cabrera's bad back continues. He still doesn't look loose and free swinging at the plate. It's been a couple weeks now and the bat is not what it was. Having had back surgery myself, I know how difficult even the slightest pain in the back can be and how tough it is to have freedom of movement. I hope he finds relief soon.

I spoke with Chris and Jeff this week on XM about Seattle Mariners outfielders Mike Wilson and Carlos Peguero. They were both in the organization when I scouted for Seattle. Both are power hitters with big strikeouts in their future. They would be really great options in any park but Seattle. That place is a real graveyard for hitters. Especially right-handed hitters like Wilson. But on the road, they make great options. Peguero went deep tonight and that was the point I made on the radio Thursday. You may want to pick one or both up and match them to the park on the road. Just a thought.

Robbie Cano is really slow home to first. I always knew that but he just proved it to me. Does John Sterling say "Robbie Cano, aren't you slow!" I'm just askin.

Joaquin Benoit isn't in the "bust" category yet. He has some mechanical issues he has to work out. His arm is sound, just not repeating his delivery and making too many mistakes.

Anyone who wasn't on the Eric Hosmer bandwagon before this week should certainly climb aboard. He'll have some freshman and sophomore hiccups, but he's the real deal.

I would have gained some points this week in my AL Only league if Gio Gonzalez' horrible start wouldn't have been rained out. I still think he's going to be one of the best pitchers in the AL in the coming years. He just had a bad outing that got washed away. His pain would have been my gain. No such luck.

When I think of David Price and James Shields at the top of the rotation I am convinced that they are as solid a one- two punch as any tandem in baseball. Detroit's Verlander and Scherzer, and the Angels Weaver and Haren aren't too shabby either. Of course the Phillies guys are in there as well. I know I'm probably forgetting some. It just shows how great the pitching has been this season.

Am I the only one who doesn't care to see any more Brian Wilson commercials? I'm just askin.

The Blue Jays Mike McDade is having a fine start to his season at Class AA Manchester, New Hampshire.
He's a 22 year old 1B to keep an eye on. I'll be watching.

Remember Wily Mo Pena? I wrote about him during spring training. He's tearing the cover off the ball at AAA Reno, the Diamondbacks top farm club. He has something like 13 homers as of yesterday and he's hitting for average. General Manager Kevin Towers indicated that his club has enough right-handed hitters already but Pena is certainly on the watch list of major league clubs. Why wouldn't someone want to take a shot at a guy like that who finally, finally may have found his stroke and turned the corner. Yes, he's not much of a defender, but there are teams that can use his bat. I know one on the shores of Lake Erie that have no power whatsoever. He'd look very nice on the roster instead of say....Austin Kearns. Yikes!

Hope you'll give my profile of Paul Goldschmidt a read on my regular RotoWire column that's up now on the site. Talk about a guy tearing it up.

I'll be watching the Padres, Braves and Twins in the coming week at Chase Field. I'll check in on Twitter during the week and I'm sure I won't be able to keep myself from this format as well. Until then....follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff.

As always, I appreciate and welcome your comments and questions. You're the best!