Top News:
Associated Press:
Michael Conforto comes off disabled list to star for Mets — WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Conforto came off the disabled list to hit a tiebreaking, two-rum homer off Stephen Strasburg, Yoenis Cespedes also went deep against the ace, and Jay Bruce Racked on an injurance glad slam …
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Associated Press:
Ray, D-backs spoil Cardinals' home opener with 2-hitter — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Robbie Ray worked around five walks over six innings and the bullpen closed out a two-hitter, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks spoil the St. Louis Cardinals' home opener 3-1 on Thursday night.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals … ST. LOUIS - If there were no radar gun, there would have been no way to know. Robbie Ray had stretches of dominance. He had bouts of wildness. These are normal occurrences in his outings. — He also finished his evening with a line …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Bucky Dent / UPI:
Wainwright gets nod as Cardinals face Diamondbacks
Wainwright gets nod as Cardinals face Diamondbacks
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, AZ Snake Pit and MLB Baseball News …
Larry Fleisher / UPI:
Baltimore Orioles try to make it two straight vs. New York Yankees — NEW YORK — Manny Machado stood at his locker and saw the crowd of reporters from New York awaiting him Thursday afternoon. — He knew members of the New York media were waiting to ask him about his pending free agency …
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John Healy / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge looks to continue 2017 success vs. Orioles, but Yankees slugger isn't focused on home runs — Here comes the Judge. — Aaron Judge slugged his first home run of the season in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Rays and more could be on the way with the Orioles in town on Thursday for a four-game series.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Jones, Orioles rally past Yanks 5-2, end 5-game skid — NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Jones hit a go-ahead home run, Andrew Cashner pitched six strong innings and the Baltimore Orioles snapped a five-game losing streak, beating the New York Yankees 5-2 on Thursday night.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
John Healy / New York Daily News:
Masahiro Tanaka's rough seventh inning is first blemish of season for Yankees rotation — When Aaron Judge blasted a solo home run in the sixth inning, it felt like that was all Masahiro Tanaka needed to give the Yankees their third straight victory. — Instead he became the first pitcher …
Steve Popper / Daily Record:
Aaron Boone searching for innings from Yankees starters
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Jacob deGrom bests Stephen Strasburg to help Mets to win in series opener — WASHINGTON — Though Jacob deGrom struggled to grip the ball in the sixth inning Thursday, he didn't let the game slip away from the Mets. — The ace worked his way out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam to help …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Associated Press:
Baseball roundup: Conforto leaves DL to star in Mets' win — Conforto leaves DL to star in Mets' win — Michael Conforto came off the disabled list to hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Stephen Strasburg, Yoenis Cespedes also went deep, and Jay Bruce tacked on an insurance grand slam …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets' powerful outfield trio comes through as they win important first battle with Nationals
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers again show fight in late innings, get win vs. White Sox — CHICAGO — There were fist pumps and high fives. A hoot and a holler. The Detroit Tigers did it again. They came back in the ninth inning, in cold weather and flurries, with the wind whipping, and this time, they were rewarded with a win.
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David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Matt Davidson's knack for long ball qualifies him as keeper for White Sox — Chicago Tribune — Before White Sox slugger Matt Davidson was making team history with four home runs in his first five games, he nearly made a drastic decision. — This was 2015, just after Davidson …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Cabrera is better, expects to be in lineup Saturday
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Inside Baseball | Kapler to face toughest critics — NEW YORK — Philly isn't an easy town. Heck, they've booed Santa Claus there. — So what's going to be the reaction when a new manager hits town for the home opener — a 3:00pm ET start at Citizens Bank Park vs. the Marlins …
Discussion:
Business Insider, CBSSports.com, USA Today, NBCSports.com, The Good Phight and CBS Philly
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Stephen Gross / Baltimore Sun:
Phillies win home opener for first time in seven seasons, top Marlins — Of The Morning Call — Final: Philadelphia Phillies 5, Miami Marlins 0 — Summary: For the first time in seven tries the Phillies won their home opener, improving their record in openers at Citizens Bank Park to just 4-11.
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Nick Williams on Phillies, Gabe Kapler's lineups: ‘I guess the computers are making it’
Nick Williams on Phillies, Gabe Kapler's lineups: ‘I guess the computers are making it’
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and Sporting News
Associated Press:
Polanco's two-run homer lifts Pirates over Reds, 5-2 — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Gregory Polanco hit a two-run home run during a four-run fifth inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 on Thursday night. — Polanco broke a 1-1 tie when he drove a ball into the shrubbery in center field off Homer Bailey (0-2).
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and MLB Baseball News …
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Adam Baum / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds offense stalls in loss to Pittsburgh Pirates — PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The wheels of what looked like another solid start from Cincinnati Reds right-hander Homer Bailey fell off in the fifth inning Thursday night of a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first of a four-game series.
Adam Baum / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitchers are working their way off the disabled list
Cincinnati Reds pitchers are working their way off the disabled list
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
JSOnline:
Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich out of lineup and ‘day to day’ with oblique tightness — It didn't take long for the Brewers' surplus of outfielders to become a plus. — As expected Thursday night, Christian Yelichwas out of the lineup for the series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park with right oblique tightness.
Discussion:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Associated Press:
Power fuels Twins 4-2 comeback vs. Mariners in cold opener — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mitch Garver hit the go-ahead home run in the seventh for Minnesota, one inning after Miguel Sano tied the game with a two-run shot as the Twins powered their way past the Seattle Mariners for a 4-2 victory …
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Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Rockies top Padres, take 3 of 4 in opening series … San Diego Padres shortstop Freddy Galvis tags out Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon on an attempted steal on the pitcher during the first inning of a baseball game in San Diego, Thursday, April 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) — ALEX GALLARDO
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Evan Drellich / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Lost challenge sends Red Sox, Rays to extra innings — BOSTON — The Red Sox nearly walked off on a replay Thursday afternoon. Instead, umpires sent the Red Sox and Rays — as well as a sellout Fenway Park crowd for the home opener — to extra innings. — Quiet at the plate all day …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, baseballmusings.com, DRaysBay and UPI
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notes: Yairo Munoz steps in at third base — For Yairo Munoz, a rookie making his first major-league start amidst the pageantry of the Cardinals' home opener, Jose Martinez kept his suggestions to a minimum. — “Don't close your eyes,” Martinez recalled saying. “I don't want to tell him anything else.
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Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Let's play two! The story behind the unique Opening Day of the Iowa Cubs — Iowa Cubs president/general manager Sam Bernabe has seen and done a lot as he enters his 35th season of minor league baseball this year. — But when the weather wouldn't cooperate this weekend …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
John Kekis / Associated Press:
Tim Tebow makes Double-A debut with Binghamton Rumble Ponies, homers on first pitch he sees — Far from the warmth of Florida where he became a household name and a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Tim Tebow made his Double-A debut on Thursday night with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and ProFootballTalk
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals: Celebrating a long, rich history — Cardinals Dexter Fowler hugs Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith on Thursday, April 5, 2018, during the pre-game ceremonies on opening day at Busch Stadium. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com — The Budweiser Clydesdales go around …