Top News:
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)
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Ian Harrison / Baltimore Sun:
Smoak's 2 HR, go-ahead slam in 8th rally Jays past Yankees 7-4 — After fouling off a pair of curveballs, Justin Smoak figured he'd get a fastball from David Robertson . — Smoak was right. — The switch-hitter smacked a two-run homer in the seventh inning and a go-ahead grand slam …
Rotoworld.com:
Daily Dose: Getting his Wings — Getting his Wings — To say that Shohei Ohtani had a tumultuous spring training would be a massive understatement. The 23-year-old came over from Japan with a tremendous amount of fanfare and sky-high expectations. Prior to the start of spring training …
Ian Harrison / Associated Press:
Smoak's 2 HR, go-ahead slam in 8th rally Jays past Yanks 7-4
Smoak's 2 HR, go-ahead slam in 8th rally Jays past Yanks 7-4
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com and Pinstripe Alley
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
5 things to watch for in the Yankees home opener today
5 things to watch for in the Yankees home opener today
Discussion:
USA Today
Larry Fleisher / UPI:
New York Yankees' Aaron Boone to make home managerial debut vs. Tampa Bay Rays
New York Yankees' Aaron Boone to make home managerial debut vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Peter Botte / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Second-guessing of Aaron Boone begins following questionable decision to load the bases for Justin Smoak
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Cold, possibly snowy Yankees home opener on tap
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 …
Jerry McDonald The Mercury / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ohtani shines in debut as Angels top A's — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A's had more to deal with than Shohei Ohtani Sunday. — Getting out of their own way proved to be an issue for the second straight day in a 7-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels at the Coliseum.
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:
Daily News and MLB Baseball News …
Alex Butler / UPI:
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.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Bleacher Report and Washington Post
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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:
Talking Chop, Federal Baseball, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Baseball News …
Alan Robinson / UPI:
Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds dealing with early-season pitching woes
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 …
Discussion:
True Blue LA, MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
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Bill Shaikin / Baltimore Sun:
Clayton Kershaw, who can opt out after the season, says his focus is on ‘trying to get people out’
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
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
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Associated Press:
Marlins split opening series with Cubs after 6-0 win
Marlins split opening series with Cubs after 6-0 win
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Baltimore Sun:
Cubs get shut out, allow young Marlins to split series
Cubs get shut out, allow young Marlins to split series
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Sean Farrell / NorthJersey.com:
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 …
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WKYC-TV:
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.
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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.
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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
Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Twins unhappy Orioles' Chance Sisco bunted for a hit — Twins starter Jose Berrios was working on a one-hit shutout in the ninth inning against the Orioles on Sunday afternoon. After getting Pedro Alvarez to pop out, Chance Sisco came to the plate and dropped down a bunt to the left side for a single.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
Fastball fails Orioles' Kevin Gausman in his 2018 debut, a 7-0 loss to the Twins
Fastball fails Orioles' Kevin Gausman in his 2018 debut, a 7-0 loss to the Twins
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' Chance Sisco draws ire of Twins for ninth-inning bunt against shift
Orioles' Chance Sisco draws ire of Twins for ninth-inning bunt against shift
Discussion:
Camden Chat and The Comeback
MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
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.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and MLB Baseball News …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
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.
Shannon O'Connor / Daily News:
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.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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 …