Top News:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB early overreactions: Astros, Nationals unstoppable, Boone and Kapler questionable — Spring training produces unbridled hope, and Opening Day blooms with pageantry, but there's nothing pretty about what we'll call Major League Baseball's extrapolation season.
Discussion:
New York Post and Deadspin
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Yuli Gurriel: MLB suspension for slurring Yu Darvish was ‘worth learning from’ — The moment happened in a flash, yet it will long live in infamy. — Yuli Gurriel had put the Astros ahead in Game 3 of the World Series with a leadoff homer in the second inning off the Dodgers' Yu Darvish, and he could hardly contain his excitement.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Tyler Chatwood makes Cubs debut today vs. Reds — Chicago Tribune — Game time temperatures are expected to hover in the high 40s Monday — elements that Tyler Chatwood coped with during his tenure with the Rockies. — After witnessing his first four games with the Cubs …
Alex Butler / UPI:
Bryce Harper hits homer after fan yells ‘overrated’
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Bleacher Report and Washington Post
Dan Arritt / UPI:
Los Angeles Angels hope to end 11-game skid vs. Cleveland Indians — The Los Angeles Angels are 3-1 to start the season for the first time in 10 years and they'll try to snap an 11-game losing streak against the Cleveland Indians when they open a three-game series Monday night at Angel Stadium.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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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.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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
Discussion:
Daily News and MLB Baseball News …
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 …
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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)
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 …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
4 takeaways after Detroit Tigers swept on opening weekend — Detroit Tigers bench coach Steve Liddle talks about overturned call in the 10th inning on Opening Day against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They lost in the 13th, 13-10. George Sipple, Detroit Free Press — CONNECT
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Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers podcast: Talkin' Tigers opens 2018 season ... eventually — Are you subscribed to our “Talkin' Tigers” podcast? If not, you should be: Subscribe via iTunes or Google Play now. — Welcome to the 2018 season premier of the Talkin' Tigers podcast.
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — Tried as they might, the Detroit Tigers could not thaw out on Sunday night.
Dave Hogg / Associated Press:
Williams pitches 6 no-hit innings, Pirates edge Tigers 1-0
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Brett Bodner / New York Daily News:
SEE IT: Aaron Judge promises more home runs in first commercial for Pepsi — Aaron Judge will have to wait for the Yankees home opener, but he's getting his first taste of the Bronx this season in a new Pepsi commercial. — The ad shows Judge sitting in a New York pizza place chowing …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Larry Fleisher / UPI:
New York Yankees' Aaron Boone to make home managerial debut vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Waino goes through his paces in bid for home opener — MILWAUKE • Veteran Cardinals righhander Adam Wainwright, residing on the 10-day disabled list against his wishes, went through a plethora of drills Monday morning before the start of the Cardinals' game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Preview: Cardinals at Milwaukee
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Brew Crew Ball
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rookie Hicks speeds toward prominent role in Cards' retooled bullpen
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Before getting their rings, Astros relive World Series memories — The Houston Astros will raise their 2017 championship banner when they begin their home schedule Monday against the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park. The following night, owner Jim Crane has arranged for the team …
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MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Orioles don't get break facing Astros' No. 5 starter
Discussion:
Camden Chat and MLB Baseball News …
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
First series vs. Washington, Matt Harvey's debut on tap for Mets — The Mets started the season on a positive note by taking a series from the Cardinals. The duo of Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom earned victories in the first two games before the Cardinals bested Steven Matz in the finale on Sunday.
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Jerry Beach / UPI:
New York Mets hoping for Matt Harvey of old vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Jack Magruder / UPI:
Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks open three-game series — PHOENIX — Because of late spring training injuries, Arizona and the Dodgers are working through lineup challenges. — It has been a bit easier on the Diamondbacks than the five-time NL West champion Dodgers …
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Rob Tornoe / Philly.com:
WIP's Angelo Cataldi missed Larry Andersen on the Phillies broadcast this weekend — If you hadn't heard, Gabe Kapler's tenure in Philadelphia is off to a rough start. — In his first three games with the Phillies, the eccentric new manager has caused fans to lose confidence less than a week …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com and New York Times
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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