Top News:
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Anthony Swarzak to undergo MRI on sore left oblique on Monday, Paul DeJong seems poised to become next ‘Met killer’ — Reliever Anthony Swarzak, who became the first regular-season victim of the Mets' injury curse this weekend, will undergo an MRI Monday to determine the severity of his sore left oblique.
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John Harper / New York Daily News:
What can the Mets truly expect out of Steven Matz following disappointing start against Cardinals? — The way he finished spring training, again looking like the can't-miss kid from that memorable summer of 2015, Steven Matz had convinced the Mets he was over the hump, on track again to reclaim …
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Michael Conforto nearing return, ‘possible’ he can make season debut on Thursday — Mets fans could realistically see Michael Conforto back on the field as soon as Thursday. — Conforto - who started the season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery in September to repair …
Tim Healey / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mickey Callaway, Mets lose first as Steven Matz labors against Cardinals — NEW YORK — Mickey Callaway's growing list of personal managerial milestones gained another Sunday: first loss. — The Mets dropped their series finale with the Cardinals, 5-1, at Citi Field.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
As double switch showed, Mickey Callaway is managing Mets fine
As double switch showed, Mickey Callaway is managing Mets fine
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Mark Gonzales / Baltimore Sun:
Cubs get shut out, allow young Marlins to split series — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs set up their rotation partly to have the most favorable matchups for next weekend's series against the rival Brewers in Milwaukee. — In the meantime, they need to handle their business against second-division teams.
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Associated Press:
Marlins split opening series with Cubs after 6-0 win — Peters controls Cubbies — MIAMI - Dillon Peters threw six scoreless innings, Brian Anderson hit a three-run double to highlight a five-run fifth and the Miami Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Sunday to split their opening four-game series.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' bullpen getting plenty of work in early going
Column: Cubs' bullpen getting plenty of work in early going
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Christopher Stock / Associated Press:
Bryant's three-run double in the 10th helps lead Cubs
Bryant's three-run double in the 10th helps lead Cubs
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ian Harrison / Associated Press:
Smoak's 2 HR, go-ahead slam in 8th rally Jays past Yanks 7-4 — TORONTO (AP) - Justin Smoak hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth to rally the Toronto Blue Jays past the New York Yankees 7-4 on Sunday. — After connecting off reliever Tommy Kahnle …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Cold, possibly snowy Yankees home opener on tap — TORONTO - Yankees lefty Jordan Montgomery has pitched in a hailstorm before, during his South Carolina high school days. — So, he'd much prefer to pitch while it's snowing, if that is indeed the prevailing conditions …
Dave Hogg / Associated Press:
Williams pitches 6 no-hit innings, Pirates edge Tigers 1-0 — DETROIT — On a chilly afternoon, Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams put the Detroit bats in a deep freeze. — Williams was pulled with a no-hitter in progress after six innings, and Pittsburgh hung on to beat the Tigers 1- Sunday …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
RELATED:
George Sipple Detroit Free / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tigers' offense frozen by Pirates in 1-0 loss at Comerica Park — DETROIT — Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams was effectively wild, pitching six hitless innings against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. It was the first hitless appearance of his major league career.
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies … After taking the first two games of a three-game, season-opening series against the Rockies, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo couldn't have been in a much better mood. — “If I were any better I'd need a twin brother to help me enjoy it,” he deadpanned.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
Doug Padilla / UPI:
Los Angeles Dodgers' Rich Hill begins new role vs. San Francisco Giants — LOS ANGELES - Rich Hill was the No. 2 starter to Clayton Kershaw's No. 1 as recently as last postseason, and now he finds himself in a new role with the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Hill will make his 2018 debut Sunday …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals deal Valera to Dodgers for minor-league outfielder — NEW YORK • The Cardinals completed the trimming of their 40-man roster Sunday morning by dealing infielder Breyvic Valera to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a Class A outfielder. — Valera, 26, came to spring training as a possible addition to the major-league bench.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Associated Press
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals deploy Gyorko vs. lefty Matz in search for first victory
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals have big trouble at the plate
Cardinals have big trouble at the plate
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Joe Knowles / Chicago Tribune:
Snow, cold in Kansas City stall hot start for White Sox — Chicago Tribune — With temperatures not expected to rise much above freezing and snow in the forecast, Sunday's White Sox-Royals game was postponed. The tentative make-up date is April 28 as part of a day-night doubleheader.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
RELATED:
ESPN:
Gabe Kapler calls for reliever who hasn't thrown — Philadelphia Phillies new manager Gabe Kapler called on a reliever who hadn't thrown a pitch to warm up on Saturday against Atlanta. — Kapler came to the mound to replace starter Vince Velasquez in the third inning and the Phillies down 5-2.
Discussion:
Deadspin and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Adam Baum / Cincinnati.com:
Winless Cincinnati Reds have yet to lead in a game; they've struck out 33 times — After the first series of the season, the Cincinnati Reds are winless, and they've yet to hold a lead, which makes sense considering that through three games they've struck out a combined 33 times.
RELATED:
Adam Baum / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds activate closer Raisel Iglesias from paternity leave
Cincinnati Reds activate closer Raisel Iglesias from paternity leave
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
Bob Baum / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Blackmon homers twice, Rockies beat Diamondbacks 2-1 — Charlie Blackmon homered twice and the — Colorado Rockies salvaged the final game of their season-opening series in Arizona with a 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Saturday night. — Blackmon, whose three hits in the series were all homers …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Cole fans 11 in Houston debut as Astros beat Rangers 8-2 — Gerrit Cole struck out 11 over seven innings in his Houston debut, and the defending champion Astros finished a solid opening weekend with an 8-2 victory over the — Texas Rangers on Sunday. — The hard-throwing right-hander …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Roger Mooney / Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays looking to get ‘O’ started in finale against Red Sox — The Rays wrap up this four-game series against the Red Sox with a 1:10 p.m. start at the Trop. — RHP Jake Faria (5-4, 3.43 in 2017) makes his season debut against RHP Hector Velazquez (3-1, 2.92 last year).
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Top Cubs pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay not ready for start of minor-league season — Chicago Tribune — Cubs fans need not panic if they don't see top pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay throw when the minor-league season starts this week. — Alzolay, who was one of the Cubs' first cuts …