Top News:
USA Today:
Facebook Watch, MLB hope to build off Phillies-Mets broadcast — Luckily baseball didn't add the designated hitter in the age of Facebook, which debuted its exclusive MLB broadcast package on Wednesday. — The rain-delayed Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets game brought the first round of gripes …
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Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Happy Home Opener: How will you greet Gabe Kapler? | Extra Innings — Happy Home Opener! I honestly cannot wait to see how the sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park welcomes Gabe Kapler to Philadelphia today during the pregame introductions. A loud ovation would be a pleasant surprise.
Brian Marron / Daily Record:
Mets Facebook debut vs. Phillies draws mixed reaction
Discussion:
New York Daily News, Sporting News and Sports Illustrated
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo agrees to extension through 2020 season … After an offseason of uncertainty, President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo will lead the Nationals beyond this year. In a move that showed nearly unprecedented awareness of optics, and turned a spring of internal unrest …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and baseballmusings.com
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Tom Schad / USA Today:
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo receives long-awaited contract extension — The Washington Nationals announced Thursday that they have agreed to a two-year contract extension with general manager Mike Rizzo, who was in the final year of his previous deal despite the team's string of recent success.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
The Mets are off to a nice start, but now the real test awaits vs. the Nationals — The Mets are off to exactly the type of start they needed to reboot their collective psyche after the nightmare of 2017, most importantly their pitchers, who as a staff have given up the fewest runs in the National League so far.
Harvey Valentine / UPI:
Mets out to make statement vs. Nationals — The New York Mets have an early opportunity to show the Washington Nationals that the National League East is going to be more competitive in 2018. — New York, off to a 4-1 start, will be Washington's guest for a weekend series …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Corbin strikes out 12 as Diamondbacks sweep Dodgers — PHOENIX — Patrick Corbin finally found a way to end his long losing streak against the Los Angeles Dodgers. — And he did it emphatically. — Corbin shut out the Dodgers on one hit over 7 1/3 innings, striking out a career-high 12 in the Diamondbacks' 3-0 win on Wednesday.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Preview: Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks — The Diamondbacks, who have won their first two series of the season against 2017 playoff clubs Colorado and Los Angeles, including sweeping the Dodgers, will play on the road for the first time but without 30-homer hitter Jake Lamb.
Dan Bickley / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers … Momentum is impossible to quantify. It can't be bottled and shelved for the following season. It's been an elusive commodity at Chase Field for 15 years, where the Diamondbacks have been incapable of parlaying playoff teams into a winning tradition.
Discussion:
Arizona Sports and USA Today
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Matheny: Decision to start Waino ‘not about sentimental reasons’ — MILWAUKEE • It was a good day for Adam Wainwright although not so much for Jack Flaherty, or even Michael Wacha. — After undergoing two days of intensive running and movement drills and a final review …
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Next Slide — St. Louis right-hander Carlos Martinez took …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright will pitch home opener; Cards send Flaherty to Memphis
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez looks for a better handle on things against Brewers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Gray, Rockies shut down Villanueva and Padres in 5-2 win … SAN DIEGO — Jon Gray pitched seven scoreless innings, Trevor Story and Ian Desmond each drove in two runs and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Wednesday night. — Gray (1-1) shut down the Padres a night …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Gaslamp Ball
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Mike Shalin / UPI:
Red Sox, Rays heading in opposite direction since Opening Day — Last week on Opening Day, the Tampa Bay Rays scored six runs in the eighth inning against the Boston bullpen and stunned the Red Sox 6-4 in St. Petersburg, Fla. — Since that fateful eighth inning that spoiled the managerial debut …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Luis Severino's ace performance, Ronald Torreyes' clutch play boost Yankees
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Camden Chat and MLB Baseball News …
Michael Wagaman / Associated Press:
Manaea goes 8 innings, pitches A's to 6-2 win over Rangers — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Even as Sean Manaea eased through a 1-2-3 eighth inning and retired his 10th consecutive batter, Oakland manager Bob Melvin had no intention on sending the young lefty back out for the ninth. — Not yet anyway.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers Reaction: One play that wasn't made was one too many for this offense to overcome — At 2-5, fans of the Texas Rangers might be looking for some silver linings. The Rangers Reaction is here help. — Try these: — The Rangers have not been shut out this season.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Winning homer on a 3-0 count? White Sox's Jose Abreu ‘was ready’ — Chicago Tribune — White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu isn't exactly fond of taking a big swing on a 3-0 count, as he did Wednesday night in the team's 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays. — “Because I miss a lot,” Abreu said through an interpreter.
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Associated Press:
Ohtani homers again, Cozart lifts Angels past Indians in 13 — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his second homer in two games at Angel Stadium in the fifth inning, and Zack Cozart had walk-off homer in the 13th inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
What Bronson Arroyo and Shohei Ohtani have in common — After a rough spring, Shohei Ohtnai impressed in his first pitching start of the year against the Oakland A's. Was it enough to silence his doubters? Time — CONNECT — One of Shohei Ohtani's rarest feats in his first week …
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Associated Press:
Astros sweep away Orioles with 3-2 victory — Josh Reddick had three hits and Alex Bregman's tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning lifted the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. — HOUSTON (AP) - Josh Reddick had three hits and Alex Bregman's tiebreaking RBI single …
