Wainwright gets nod as Cardinals face Diamondbacks  —  A new season starts with old traditions in St. Louis on Thursday night.  —  The Clydesdales making their usual jaunt around Busch Stadium.  The parade of Cardinals players in pickup trucks.  The team's Hall of Famers all dressed in red jackets …

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 …

Ian Happ, Ben Zobrist at top of Cubs' order against Brewers as Kris Bryant drops to third for first time  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs will try to continue their success at Miller Park with a unique lineup Thursday night against the National League Central rival Brewers.

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.

Hawk Harrelson and A.J. Pierzynski take their act to Sox Park  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The beginning of the end for Hawk Harrelson starts today as the longtime White Sox announcer enters his final year of broadcasting.  —  “I've been lucky,” Harrelson said.  “I've been in the right place at the right time in a lot of places.”

Mets activate Conforto; outfielder to lead off vs Strasburg  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Mets All-Star outfielder Michael Conforto has been activated off the disabled list and will make his season debut against Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals.

Nationals give GM Mike Rizzo 2-year contract extension  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with general manager Mike Rizzo.  —  The team announced the deal on Thursday, hours before its home opener against the New York Mets.

Rangers lacking two key elements of the ‘pitch-to-contact’ philosophy  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Critical elements of having a pitching staff with a “pitch-to-contact” mentality:  —  Throw strikes to force contact.  —  After contact, make plays.  —  The Rangers are struggling with the concepts.

Blue Jays feel Grichuk will get a handle on his hitting soon  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — I asked Sam the retired taxi driver on Thursday for his thoughts on the off-season trade that brought Randal Grichuk to the Blue Jays from St. Louis.  —  “Give him time,” the longtime Cardinals fanatic said as we drove to Toronto's Pearson airport.

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 …

Snow may await Mariners in Minnesota  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Right-hander Kyle Gibson takes the mound Thursday afternoon as the Minnesota Twins return to Target Field to face the Seattle Mariners in their 2018 home opener.  —  Gibson had a huge second half in 2017, going 7-3 with 3.76 ERA …

Detroit Tigers' Daniel Norris likely sent down when Mike Fiers returns  —  CHICAGO — When Daniel Norris ran out of the Detroit Tigers' dugout on Thursday morning, he wore a wool beanie, a hooded sweatshirt and his trademark high socks.  —  He ran out to right field, where he shagged fly balls …

Senzel hopes to meet expectations for the Louisville Bats on his way to the major leagues  —  Confidence is high in Nick Senzel throughout the Cincinnati Reds organization.  —  “You always have expectations,” Senzel said.  “But you have your own expectations and that's more important.

Munoz scores first big-league start as Carpenter moves to second for home opener  —  ST. LOUIS  • When the Cardinals set the pitching rotation midway through spring training, they set aside the home opener for Adam Wainwright.  So his appearance in the lineup, even by way of the disabled list, isn't a surprise.

Miguel Cabrera falls, leaves Tigers game  —  Chicago - Miguel Cabrera was removed from the game in the second inning with what the team called left hip flexor tightness.  —  Cabrera rapped a base hit in the first inning and slipped rounding first base.  He was going to try for second base …