The aces redeemed themselves on Sunday. Roger Clemens got victory number 281 in his Hall of Fame career, Pedro Martinez threw six innings of three hit ball, Brad Radke went six at SkyDome without too much trouble, and Kevin Brown took LA deep into the game.With the first week of the 2002 season history, the Giants and Yankees have team ERA’s well below anything resembling normal numbers. I know it’s only one week, but I like the team the Giants put on the field. They will win around 55 games at home. Merely getting near .500 on the road will mean in excess of 92 victories.

New York has Clemens, Pettitte, Mussina, Wells, and El Duque. If, and it’s a big if, these pitchers stay healthy, Boston will be chasing the Yanks all season. One week doesn’t tell much, but in NY’s case El Duque and Wells answered a lot of questions with their performances.

Minnesota has twelve homers through their first six (5-1) games. Luis Rivas and Brian Buchanan have minor hurts and will come off the DL on April 19th.

The Twins won five games with only Eric Milton throwing well amongst the starters. Eddie Guardado has now converted 12 consecutive save opportunities. Maybe they knew something when they made him the closer.

Milton faces Ryan Drese Monday in the Tribe’s home opener. The only Indian with any noticeable career numbers against the lefty is Ellis Burks, so count on the Twins to spoil the lidlifter in Jacobs Field.

Minnesota better show they can handle Cleveland this year. Last year the Tribe knocked the Twins out of the AL Central race singlehandedly.

Steve Sparks throws in Detroit against Dan Wright. The Tigers best hope is for Sparks to pitch his usual complete game and somehow Detroit has to get into the ChiSox bull pen. After six straight losses to open the season, I don’t anticipate either happening for the Tigers.

Houston salvaged one game against the Cards. How come Jason Isringhausen didn’t close with a three run lead in the ninth for St. Louis?The Astros Roy Oswalt opens in Coors Field against Denny Neagle who actually pitched well in Coors last year for the Rockies and likes pitching there.

Going into Sunday’s game the Rockies were hitting .179 as a team. That number will change dramatically this week at home.

Maybe the Diamondbacks should scratch Brian Anderson and throw Miguel Batista against the Padres in their opener, since the Pads got their only win of 2002 against Anderson last week in Arizona. San Diego has too many outfielders with Ryan Klesko now back from his suspension. Bubba Trammell, 30 years old and a heckuva hitter, is coveted by many scouts. The Padres will be patient before trading Trammell or anyone else worth something because serious pitching help is not far off in the minors. However, a veteran starter would be helpful for this young soft tossing staff.

Seattle and Oakland had a great weekend series in Seattle with the A’s winning two of three. Dave Justice is locked in, just look at his eyes when he is batting, total concentration.

I like the fact that Carlos Pena doesn’t miss his pitch when he gets it, and then knocks it out of the park. Four homers in six games, cannot be ignored.

The A’s formula against Jamie Moyer is stay close and Chavy will get him. Chavez hit a monster blast to put the A’s up 3-1 following Pena’s big two run homer which gave the A’s the lead.

With the A’s pen, it is major when the starting pitcher can go at least six and two thirds innings. The seventh inning guys are very shaky. Jim Mecir probably can handle the eighth inning himself, but when you have to go five deep to get five outs in the seventh (Tam, Bradford, Holtz, Venafro, and Magnante) and eighth, this just begs for trouble.

Is it my imagination, but Billy Koch doesn’t seem to have any command of any pitch he throws.

Todd Ritchie lost his first eight decisions last year as a member of the Pirates before finishing strong. He is now 0-1 for the White Sox. Are they worried? Probably not, his two starts weren’t that bad.

Jimmy Rollins, Philly shortstop who stole over 30 bases in a row last year has already been caught twice attempting to steal this season.

Sophomore jinx.

Randy Johnson (20) and Curt Schilling (26) lead the NL in K’s thanks to each facing the Brewers this weekend. Johnson struck out 12 Brewers and Schilling 17.

Texas called up Kevin Mench over the weekend. Doug Davis, Ranger lefty told me Mench is the real deal as a power hitter. Just what the Rangers need more hitting. Does GM John Hart watch these games?

If Anaheim has a good series against the Mariners this week, I’ll start to take them more seriously. Tim Salmon may be nearing the end of the line, unfortunately for the Halos.