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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Associated Press:
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)
Larry Fleisher / UPI:
New York Yankees' Aaron Boone to make home managerial debut vs. Tampa Bay Rays — NEW YORK — For only the fourth time in the last 26 years, the New York Yankees will introduce a new manager to fans attending their home opener. — From 1976 to 1991, there were nine different managers on Opening Day …
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 …
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 Press:
Just 14,848 tickets sold for Tigers vs. Pirates, fewest since 2006
Just 14,848 tickets sold for Tigers vs. Pirates, fewest since 2006
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Bucs Dugout
George Sipple Detroit Free / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tigers' offense frozen by Pirates in 1-0 loss at Comerica Park
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.
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Dylan Hernandez / Baltimore Sun:
Angels' Shohei Ohtani has his flaws, but he also has the look of a future superstar — Watch how easily Shohei Ohtani touched 99 mph with his fastball Sunday and you will understand why he's always smiling. See how Ohtani responded to giving up a three-run home run and you will comprehend …
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Shohei Ohtani picks up victory for Angels in his mound debut
Shohei Ohtani picks up victory for Angels in his mound debut
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Shohei Ohtani to make MLB history with pitching debut
Shohei Ohtani to make MLB history with pitching debut
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Daily News, baseballmusings.com and Halos Heaven
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 …
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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 …
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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 …
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 …
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Jerry Beach / UPI:
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 …
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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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Daimon Eklund / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gordon, Haniger homer in Mariners' 5-4 win over Indians — SEATTLE (AP) — Dee Gordon isn't known for hitting home runs, and before this year he'd never played the outfield. But on Sunday, his power and his glove in center
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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
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.