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The Fightin’ Phils have clinched their 5th consecutive division title for the NL East. The Phillies were also able to clinch home field advantage for the playoffs since the Brewers Monday night loss to the Cubs. Critics say it’s possible the Phillies could very well reach 100 wins in a season, only the third team to ever do it. In the NL West, the Arizona Diamondbacks have moved ahead of the defending champs, San Francisco Giants; thanks to Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy. It’s down to three games to decide if the Diamondbacks will clinch the NL West.  The Brewers and Cardinals are still contenders for the NL Central title. The Brewers lost Wednesday’s game against the Cubs 7-1, where the Cubs took 2 of 3 from Milwaukee. Three games still remain in order for Milwaukee to clinch Central.

With the MLB Trade deadline of July 31 coming up quickly, lots of rumors have been spreading throughout the league.  Today’s biggest rumor involves BJ Upton, the 26 year-old center fielder from Virginia. It is rumored that he is wanted by the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Currently, he is playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, but who will he end up with come Sunday?

Also in the public eye of the trade rumors is Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets.  Beltran, age 34, is a highly sought after center fielder, and several teams have been trying to get him.  Currently, rumors say that the Mets are making negotiations with the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants, but the Atlanta Braves are not out of the question.

Another rumor involving the Mets is that they shot down the option of trading their shortstop Jose Reyes for the Angels’ shortstop Erick Aybar.

This weekend, all of the rumors will be set straight, and MLB Fans will know who is going to what team.

New York Mets third baseman David Wright, was ordered to remain inactive for 3 more weeks after seeing spine specialist Dr. Patrick O’Leary at the hospital on June 4th. “I was going there hoping that at least soon I could start baseball stuff,” Wright said. “It doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case.” The Mets announced the bad news about Wright after a 6-3 loss to the Braves at Citi Field. Wright has been on the disabled list since May 16, and likely won’t be able to do anything until late June, at earliest. And like any injury, there is always that concern of future problems, but Wright remains hopeful that there won’t be. He added that he will be continuing the same core exercises he’s been doing of late. Wright said that he could not protest too much about being told to stay inactive. “The doctors are the doctors for a reason,” he said. “I’m sure they’re looking out for my best interest. You can only argue so much. When a back specialist, a spine specialist, tells you to do something, you can try to argue, try to make a point. but, at the end of the day, they’re the specialist in that field.”

Atlanta star and fan favorite Chipper Jones returned to the team in a 3-1 win against the Astros Tuesday after missing two games with a meniscus tear in his right knee.  Jones went 1-5 in his return, which could be considered an evaluation game by team manager Fredi Gonzalez. The concern for the 39 year old Jones is trying to avoid aggravating the injury which could potentially cost him to miss two weeks or more if he needs to have arthroscopic knee surgery.  For now he is hoping rest and cortisol shots will keep him on the field “That cortisone is a beautiful thing,” Jones said. “It doesn’t feel so good the first 10 or 12 hours, but it feels wonderful after 24 hours.”

Francisco Liriano, starting pitcher of the Minnesota Twins, throws the first no-hitter of the 2011 MLB season, on Tuesday, and defeats the Chicago White Sox 1-0.  This happens to be the first game Liriano has completed in his pro-career. Six batters walked and only 2 striked out. This is the first no-hitter game thrown to the White Sox in 20 years. This wasn’t your ordinary, rare no-hitter. Critics are calling it the “least impressive no-hitter in baseball history.” Sources say he threw way too many pitches and missed bats. It was not the greatest pitching performance of no-hitter history that’s for sure, but it was still impressive and quite an achievement.

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed left fielder Ryan Braun to a $105 million five-year extension. His new contract includes a mutual option for an additional year worth up to $20 million. It is the longest commitment in Brewers history. Since joining the Brewers in 2007, Braun has proven to be one of the most talented outfielders in the league. Awarded National League Rookie of the Year, Braun started in the last three All-Star games and won a Silver Slugger award three years in a row. So far this season, the 27-year old is batting .359 in a key position in the lineup.

Those who are fans of the Boston Red Sox may be interested to hear that the Red Sox have secured their first baseman. Adrian Gonzalez recently agreed to a seven-year deal worth $154 million. A three-time All-Star, Gonzalez has a career batting average of .282 with 911 hits and 169 home runs over the course of eight seasons in the major league. Fans will find a great selection of Adrian Gonzalez memorabilia including signed jerseys and Red Sox collectibles.

The defending American League champions are off to a strong start after advancing to the World Series for the first time last season. During their opening week at home, the Texas Rangers swept both the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners, giving them a 6-0 record for the first time in 15 years. Heading into Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, the Rangers hope to continue winning with solid pitching, strong hitting and a reliable defense.

Baseball fans were saddened to hear that Brooklyn Dodgers legend Duke Snider died on Sunday at the age of 84. Over the course of his career, the eight-time All-Star batted .295 with 407 home runs. Fans of Brooklyn Dodgers memorabilia may remember that Snider was often regarded as the third-best center fielder in New York behind Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. Fans will find an extensive collection of Duke Snider signed memorabilia including photographs and Duke Snider autographed baseball bats.

As MLB teams get settled into spring training, many begin to speculate what the upcoming season will be like. The Philadelphia Phillies proved to be big contenders last season with the likes of Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels in the bullpen. Ever since they acquired free agent Cliff Lee, the Phillies have been watched with high expectations. Despite coming from an offseason muscle strain, left-hander Lee appears recovered and ready for fulfill those expectations. Those who are interested will find a large collection of Philadelphia Phillies collectibles including Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee signed memorabilia and photographs.