Top News:
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 …, baseballmusings.com and Pinstripe Alley
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Peter Botte / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Second-guessing of Aaron Boone begins following questionable decision to load the bases for Justin Smoak — TORONTO — And Boone goes the dynamite, for the first time as manager of the Yankees. — The second-guessing of Joe Girardi's replacement holding the pinstriped binder started immediately on Sunday …
ESPN:
Devin Smeltzer, Dodgers prospect who battled cancer, reunites with Chase Utley — Every baseball player has a story of what made them fall in love with the game, a player that was their favorite as a kid and the struggle it took to reach the professional level.
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Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies … MORE: D-Backs lose, but Zack Greinke sharp against Rockies — Up next — Los Angeles Dodgers — After winning their first series of the season, 2-1, against the Colorado Rockies, the Arizona Diamondbacks welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers …
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 …
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
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:
MLB Baseball News … and Bucs Dugout
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Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — Tried as they might, the Detroit Tigers could not thaw out on Sunday night. — Frozen at the plate during the first game of an unusual, early-season split doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates, they were unable to get much going in the nightcap, either.
George Sipple Detroit Free / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tigers' offense frozen by Pirates in 1-0 loss at Comerica Park
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 …
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Alan Robinson / UPI:
Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds dealing with early-season pitching woes — The Chicago Cubs won the last two National League Central titles, and they should offer the Cincinnati Reds a thank you for being a big reason for that success. — Don't think that won't be on the minds of both teams Monday …
Associated Press:
Harper, Eaton lead Nationals over Reds 6-5 for opening sweep — CINCINNATI — Bryce Harper finally hit a homer — two, no less. Leadoff man Adam Eaton had another big game. And the starting pitching was exquisite for the third time in a row. — It's early, but new manager Dave Martinez feels …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
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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Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Shohei Ohtani picks up victory for Angels in his mound debut — OAKLAND — Just like Shohei Ohtani and the Angels had been saying all along, spring training means nothing. — A rough spring had prompted plenty of questions about the Japanese superstar's readiness for the majors …
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Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Shohei Ohtani wins pitching debut, leads Angels over A's 7-4 — Shohei Ohtani could exhale, at last having made it through a whirlwind week and not one, but two separate debuts in the big leagues. — He got his first career hit, then three days later earned a win on the mound.
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Shohei Ohtani to make MLB history with pitching debut
Shohei Ohtani to make MLB history with pitching debut
Discussion:
Daily News, MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com and Halos Heaven
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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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 …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Not enough quality hurts Jose Quintana in Cubs' 6-0 loss
Adam Baum / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds activate closer Raisel Iglesias from paternity leave — After a three-day paternity leave, the Cincinnati Reds activated closer Raisel Iglesias Sunday and optioned right-hander Jackson Stephens to AAA Louisville. — Iglesias, a 28-year-old right-hander who received …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
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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
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Joe Knowles / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox-Royals game postponed due to cold weather
White Sox-Royals game postponed due to cold weather
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Reuters:
Haniger, Gordon homer in Mariners' win over Indians — Seattle outfielder Mitch Haniger hit his second home run of the season and Dee Gordon homered in a tie-breaking seventh inning in support of right-hander Mike Leake in the Mariners' 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field on Sunday.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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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
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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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Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Releases 2018-19 International Bonus Pools — All 30 teams have received notification about the size of their bonus pools for the 2018-19 international signing period, Baseball America's Ben Badler reports. This is the second year that the current international signing system will be in place …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout