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Best MLB action of the week: May 28 to 31 See all the best shots from this week's MLB games. /mlb/gallery/mlb-best-action-photos-week-may-28-to-31-053112 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/29/052912-Tampa-Bay-Rays-SW-PI_20120529230923946_136_102.JPG
Best MLB action of the weekend: May 25 to 27 See all the best shots from this weekend's MLB games. /mlb/gallery/mlb-best-action-photos-weekend-may-25-to-27-052512 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/28/052712-MLB-banner-day-EN-PI_2012052800510327_136_102.JPG
Best MLB action of the week: May 21 to 24 See all the best shots from this week's MLB games. /mlb/gallery/mlb-gallery-action-week-may-21-to-24-052112 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/24/052412-MLB-action-OB-PI_20120524212403792_136_102.JPG
Sports' most stunning streakers Sports' most stunning streakers /mlb/gallery/sports-streakers-gallery-052412 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/25/052412-MLB-cardinals-phillies-streaker-LN-PI_20120524235940834_136_102.JPG
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MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11105460 Defense wins championships Defense+wins+championships MLB In baseball, hitting, pitching and defense win championships, but these days teams cherish those who can pick it. For fans who enjoy crisp baseball and highlight-reel plays, that's a good thing. We have those teams who pleasingly embody these "fielding chic" days of baseball and those who traffic in errors and pratfalls. Let's have a look at the teams in 2010 that figure to work the extremes when it comes to wielding the leather.

— Dayn Perry
 J. Meric - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/05/beltre-400_20100405085230_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/05/beltre-400_20100405085230_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103997 Good: Seattle Mariners Good%3A+Seattle+Mariners MLB Last season, the M's were a legendary defensive club, and in 2010 they'll once again be the best fielding team in all of baseball. GM Jack Zduriencik places a premium on defense. Accordingly, Seattle's roster is larded with elite glove men like Ichiro (pictured), Franklin Gutierrez (actually, he's best classified as "super elite"), Jack Wilson and Casey Kotchman. They'll miss Adrian Beltre at third, but Jose Lopez should be a plus fielder at the position. As well, a full season of Wilson and the addition of Kotchman will also help. It's not hyperbole to say the 2009-10 Mariners are one of the greatest defensive teams of all time. If you're a fan, make a point to enjoy them.
 Lisa Blumenfeld - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Ichiro_20100404175618_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Ichiro_20100404175618_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103715 Good: Tampa Bay Rays Good%3A+Tampa+Bay+Rays MLB When you're as young and athletic as the Rays, you're probably going to be adept at turning batted balls into outs. And so they are. Evan Longoria (pictured) is a highly skilled defender at third, Jason Bartlett is in the top tier of defensive shortstops, and Carlos Pena and Ben Zobrist are also plus fielders. That, of course, is to say nothing of the outfield. It's already an accomplished unit, what with Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton manning left and center. However, once top prospect Desmond Jennings is called up, the outfield D will be peerless. The greatest baseball nickname ever — "Death to Flying Things" — may just need to be disinterred in honor of the Rays' outfield. What's the over-under on triples allowed all season by a Crawford-Upton-Jennings outfield? 1.5?
 Al Messerschmidt - http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Longoria_20100404175618_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Longoria_20100404175618_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103999 Good: St. Louis Cardinals Good%3A+St.+Louis+Cardinals MLB You've got Albert Pujols (pictured), who's perhaps the best defensive first baseman in baseball. You've got Yadier Molina, who's the best defensive catcher in the game. And you've also got youngsters Colby Rasmus and Brendan Ryan, who provide Gold Glove-caliber defense at center and short, respectively. As well, the Cards are capable at the outfield corners, and rookie David Freese has a nifty glove at third. Mostly, though, it's the excellence of Molina, Ramus and Ryan — who man the three most important defensive positions on the diamond — that pushes the Cardinals into elite territory.
 Marc Serota - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Pujols_20100404175618_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Pujols_20100404175618_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103877 Good: Boston Red Sox Good%3A+Boston+Red+Sox MLB With J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury and now Mike Cameron (pictured) in the fold, the Sox boast what may be the best defensive outfield in baseball (at least until the Rays call up Desmond Jennings). That's especially the case now that the defensively challenged Jason Bay is no longer in Boston. Elsewhere, the Sox now have, in Adrian Beltre, the best of all gloves at the hot corner and shortstop Marco Scutaro also constitutes a notable upgrade for Boston. That's to say nothing of skilled incumbents like Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia. On the whole, no team has improved their defense as much as Boston has.
J. Meric - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Cameron_20100404175618_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Cameron_20100404175618_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103998 Bad: Kansas City Royals Bad%3A+Kansas+City+Royals MLB Every now and then, there's such a consensus of opinion that reduces contrarians to silence. Such is the case with the Royals and their defensive ineptitude in 2009. In fact, Ultimate Zone Rating, Defensive Efficiency, and the Plus-Minus System all say the Royals were the worst fielding team in all of baseball last season. Things won't be much better in 2010. Rick Ankiel (pictured) is a capable right fielder, but in center he takes poor routes and mis-plays more than his share of routine fly balls. Scott Podsednik is grossly overrated with the glove, and Yuniesky Betancourt is a veritable Superfund site at short. And then there's Billy Butler and his attempts to play defense ... Zack Greinke deserves better.
Lisa Blumenfeld - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Ankiel_20100404175619_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Ankiel_20100404175619_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103716 Bad: Toronto Blue Jays Bad%3A+Toronto+Blue+Jays MLB The defensive excellence of Aaron Hill notwithstanding, this team can't field. Edwin Encarnacion (pictured) is a liability at third, and so is Travis Snider in right. These days, Vernon Wells is also not much with the glove. Mostly, though, it's the sum of the parts that's the problem. As is the case with the Royals, the advanced defensive systems were in near unanimity in thinking very little of the Toronto defense last season. There's nothing to make you think that's going to change in 2010.
 Elsa - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Encarnacion_20100404175619_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Encarnacion_20100404175619_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103717 Bad: Chicago White Sox Bad%3A+Chicago+White+Sox MLB Chicago will have a great rotation, but the defense will too often undermine it. In particular, the infield defense figures to be a problem. Gordon Beckham is the only infielder who rates at least average with the glove. Alexei Ramirez (pictured) showed inadequate range as a second baseman, and at short he's even more of a problem. At first base, Paul Konerko shows little range, and third baseman Mark Teahen is also a below-average defender. For those counting, that's three of four infield positions that will be problematic. Fortunately for that strong Chicago rotation, they're not especially ground-ball inclined.
Elsa - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Alexei-Ramirez_20100404175632_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Alexei-Ramirez_20100404175632_70_70.JPG
MLB 49 8 Best and worst MLB defenses 11103718 Bad: Florida Marlins Bad%3A+Florida+Marlins MLB The Marlins do many things well, but playing sound defense is not one of them. They graded out poorly last season, and that's no surprise considering that second baseman Dan Uggla (pictured) and third baseman Jorge Cantu are among the worst defenders in baseball at their positions. MVP candidate Hanley Ramirez has made good strides at short, but he's still a notch or two below average. As well, the early defensive returns on Chris Coghlan are not promising. In other words, the only thing about the Marlins worse than the defense is the owner.
Doug Benc - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Uggla_20100404175632_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/04/04/Uggla_20100404175632_70_70.JPG
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http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/29/052912-Tampa-Bay-Rays-SW-PI_20120529230923946_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the week: May 28 to 31 See all the best shots from this week's MLB... See all the best shots from this week's MLB games. Matsui's big return with Rays highlights Tuesday's action. See the best shots from around MLB. May 29, 2012 11:10 PM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-best-action-photos-week-may-28-to-31-053112
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/28/052712-MLB-banner-day-EN-PI_2012052800510327_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the weekend: May 25 to 27 See all the best shots from this weekend's ML... See all the best shots from this weekend's MLB games. You know it's Memorial Day weekend when Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty are here. Check out all the best shots. May 28, 2012 12:54 AM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-best-action-photos-weekend-may-25-to-27-052512
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/24/052412-MLB-action-OB-PI_20120524212403792_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the week: May 21 to 24 See all the best shots from this week's MLB... See all the best shots from this week's MLB games. From a streaker on the basepath to a streaker on the field, it's been a wild week. May 25, 2012 1:45 PM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-gallery-action-week-may-21-to-24-052112
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/25/052412-MLB-cardinals-phillies-streaker-LN-PI_20120524235940834_136_102.JPG Sports' most stunning streakers Sports' most stunning streakers Sports' most stunning streakers A fan in St. Louis shed his clothes and stole the show Thursday. See more of sports' stunning streakers. May 25, 2012 4:53 AM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/sports-streakers-gallery-052412
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/20/052012-MLB-Miami-Marlins-PI_20120520164800830_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the weekend: May 18 to 20 See all the best shots from this weekend's ML... See all the best shots from this weekend's MLB games. The Marlins opened their interleague series with a victory. Check out all the best shots from around MLB. May 20, 2012 6:38 PM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-action-gallery-weekend-may-18-to-20-051812
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/17/051712-MLB-Gallery-SW-PI_20120517172341566_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the week: May 14 to 17 See all the best shots from this week's MLB... See all the best shots from this week's MLB games. Check out all the hair-raising action around baseball before interleague play begins. May 18, 2012 12:56 AM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-action-gallery-week-may-14-to-17-051412
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/13/051312-MLB-THINK-PINK-OB-PI_20120513170220113_136_102.JPG Baseball celebrates Mother's Day Baseball celebrates Mother's Day Baseball celebrates Mother's Day Baseball's best show appreciation to the women in their lives. May 13, 2012 9:09 PM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mothers-day-baseball-celebration-action-051312
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/11/730_2012051123252485_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the weekend: May 11 to 13 See all the best shots from this weekend's ML... See all the best shots from this weekend's MLB games. Cards retire Tony La Russa's No. 10 in a St. Louis ceremony. Check out more sights from the majors. May 13, 2012 1:32 AM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-action-weekend-may-11-to-13-051112
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/11/051012-MLB-Washington-Nationals-Stephen-Strasburg-PI-AA_20120511011340316_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the week: May 7 to 10 See all the best shots from this week's MLB... See all the best shots from this week's MLB games. Stephen Strasburg had 13 Ks in the Nats' win over the Pirates. Check out more sights from the majors. May 11, 2012 1:16 AM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-action-week-may-7-to-10-043012
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/07/050612-MLB-Werth-PI-AM_20120507012118341_136_102.JPG Best MLB action of the weekend: May 4 to 6 See all the best shots from this weekend's ML... See all the best shots from this weekend's MLB games. Jayson Werth wasn't able to make it through Sunday's action. See what he missed. May 7, 2012 5:04 AM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/mlb-action-weekend-may-4-to-6-050412
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/01/26/012612-MLB-Young-Prince-Fielder-PI_20120126151845293_136_102.JPG Prince Fielder childhood photos Prince Fielder grew up around Tigers baseball... Prince Fielder grew up around Tigers baseball. See his childhood photos. Prince Fielder grew up around Tigers baseball. See his childhood album. May 5, 2012 3:47 PM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/prince-fielder-childhood-pictures-as-a-kid-012612
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/04/050412-MLB-St-Louis-Cardinals-PI_20120504175942207_136_102.JPG Stan Musial's Cardinals career Take a look back at Stan Musial's amazing car... Take a look back at Stan Musial's amazing career with the St. Louis Cardinals Stan Musial's career with the St. Louis Cardinals was legendary. May 4, 2012 6:31 PM ET 1 14 /mlb/gallery/stan-musial-st-louis-cardinals-legend-career-in-pictures-050412
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