Ohtani wins MLB pitching debut as Angels beat A's 7-4  —  New York Yankees starting pitcher Sonny Gray throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Toronto on Sunday April 1, 2018.  (Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press via AP)

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.

Bryce Harper hits homer after fan yells ‘overrated’ … Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper hit an ironic home run against the Cincinnati Reds after a fan yelled “overrated.”  —  The long ball came Sunday in the Nationals' 6-5 win against the Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Clayton Kershaw, who can opt out after the season, says his focus is on ‘trying to get people out’  —  The Clayton Kershaw Road Show is about to start.  —  The Dodgers play their first road game of the season Monday.  Wherever the team goes, Kershaw could face questions from reporters asking …

What we learned: Early growing pains — 41 strikeouts vs. Marlins — for Cubs batters  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Despite facing an inexperienced Marlins team, the Cubs could manage only a split of their four-game series at Marlins Park.  Here are some observations:  —  The batters are still experiencing growing pains

Seventh-inning struggles doom Cleveland Indians in series finale against Seattle Mariners  —  The Cleveland Indians fell to the Seattle Mariners in their series finale at Safeco Field in Seattle Sunday.  —  Author: Matthew Florjancic  —  One bad inning can spoil an otherwise good day at the ballpark.

Mets fall short of series sweep in loss to Cardinals  —  NEW YORK - Mickey Callaway made it sound easy enough.  —  Throw strikes and get outs.  —  The new Mets' manager wants an aggressive attitude from his rotation and has the talent to back it up.  But after Noah Syndergaard …

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.

Orioles don't get break facing Astros' No. 5 starter  —  The offseason acquisition of right-hander Gerrit Cole was orchestrated to fortify an already stout Astros rotation, one that when fully armed, had the option of utilizing versatile right-hander Brad Peacock in a complementary role en route to the 2017 World Series title.

Watch Olympic Gold Medalist Chloe Kim throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Dodgers Game  —  Olympic Gold Medal?  Check.  Epic Twitter Feed?  Check.  Throwing out the first pitch at a Dodgers Game?  After today, check.  —  Snowboarder Chloe Kim can cross another milestone off her list.

5 thoughts from baseball's opening weekend: Home runs, ties and box scores  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Five thoughts from the opening weekend of the baseball season:  —  1. Box scores are back  —  Oh sure, they were around in spring training, hiding in plain sight on an agate page near you.

Rookie Hicks speeds toward prominent role in Cards' retooled bullpen  —  NEW YORK  • With their first late-game lead of the season, the Cardinals offered a sneak peek Sunday of how they intend to hold a lead without a closer to call on for the ninth.  It included rookie Jordan Hicks manning …

New York Mets hoping for Matt Harvey of old vs. Philadelphia Phillies  —  NEW YORK — The New York Mets will search for signs Monday night that the old Matt Harvey is still somewhere inside their one-time ace right-hander.  —  The Philadelphia Phillies will embark upon an even more pivotal quest …