Top News:
ESPN:
Phillies manager challenges radio personality to fight — As baseball season began, the Philadelphia Phillies were being eyed as a contender in the National League East. In fact, outspoken shortstop Jimmy Rollins said the Phillies were the team to beat. — But the Phillies have stumbled …
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, Phillies Nation, Archie Bunker's Army, Nationals Journal and Quo Vadimus
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Enrico / The700Level.com:
Charlie Manuel Challenges Howard Eskin To Fight — It can't get any worse. That's the only thing I could think while sitting in the first row in left field last night freezing my ass off. It was a completely disheartening game. The Mets showed why they are the real team to beat …
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Manuel confronts reporter after loss — Manager exchanges sharp words following defeat to the Mets — PHILADELPHIA — Manager Charlie Manuel hollered and laced into a profanity-laced tirade after Tuesday's 8-1 loss to the Mets, only his 10 minutes of invectives weren't directed at his players.
Marcus Hayes / philly.com:
Manuel explodes after ugly loss — IT WAS AS ugly as the weather. — In 40-degree temperatures with 25-mph wind gusts, the Phillies stayed ice cold and lost to the Mets, 8-1, last night, and fell to 3-9. — It got uglier later. — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was provoked …
Associated Press:
NY Mets 8, Philadelphia 1 — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Freddy Garcia's long-anticipated debut with the Phillies was a bust. — Moises Alou homered twice and drove in three runs, Tom Glavine got his 293rd win and the New York Mets beat Philadelphia 8-1 Tuesday night.
Marc Carig / Washington Post:
Nats Show Their Support — Team Wears Va. Tech Hats : Braves 6, Nationals 4 — The Washington Nationals fell behind against a pitcher bound for the Hall of Fame and predictably ended up losing to the Atlanta Braves last night, 6-4. But what otherwise would have gone down as a routine April defeat …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Lopez, Belliard getting job done — Nats' combination has filled in nicely with Guzman on DL — WASHINGTON — The Nationals' double-play combination of shortstop Felipe Lopez and second baseman Ronnie Belliard has been strong this season. Besides playing solid defense …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats miss chances to stretch win streak — Williams struggles while Atlanta holds Washington down — WASHINGTON — Last week, the Nationals were able to defeat Braves right-hander John Smoltz by scoring two runs at Turner Field. On Tuesday, they doubled their run total off Smoltz …
Nate Silver / Baseball Prospectus:
Jim Hendry on Line 2 — Felix Pie made his major league debut yesterday and chipped in an RBI double. Full disclosure: I'm a fan on a number of levels. Pie's a big-time PECOTA tout, as the system rates him as one of the best prospects in the game. He's on one of my fantasy teams, which could badly use his steals.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Bleed Cubbie Blue:
Past, Meet Future — Yes, the Cubs lost again, to the Padres 4-3 in 14 innings today, and yet another pitching meltdown from Will Ohman was the cause (and I won't blame Jacque Jones for letting the ball get by him, because the run was going to score anyway on the hit).
Toasty Joe / Yes Joe, It's Toasted.:
"To See Ramon?" — OK, I'll say it. — I love Ramon Castro. — Seriously, is there a better backup catcher in the game? The guy sits on the bench for three innings, he's ice-cold (literally), and Paulie Lo gets dinged and Ramon gets the call. So what does he do?
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Backman longs for his second chance — Two years after D-backs fiasco, he returns as manager in independent league — One month from today Wally Backman will officially be back in baseball. May 18 is Opening Day for the independent South Georgia Peanuts, and the former Met is their new manager.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Lo Duca hit by foul tip, X-rays negative — Mets catcher removed from Tuesday's game vs. Philadelphia — PHILADELPHIA — X-rays of the right index finger of Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca, taken on Tuesday night during the Mets game here, were negative, but additional tests may be run on Wednesday when the Mets are in Miami.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Ben Shpigel / Bats:
Billy Wagner Starring as Mr. Efficient — Even if Billy Wagner will be remembered for being a small guy with a huge fastball, he is doing his best to change his legacy. In Wagner's five appearances, he has struck out two batters (Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell) and that was in the same game, April 9 against the Phillies.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Danny Knobler / MLive.com blog:
Virginia Tech tragedy hits home — DETROIT — I have to admit, I didn't remember the name at first. — Brian Bluhm. — No, never met him. At least not in person. But I had spoken to him, in the same way that I've spoken to many of you, through the magic of the internet.
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
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