Top News:
Bucky Dent / UPI:
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 …
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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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Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Inside Baseball | Kapler to face toughest critics
Inside Baseball | Kapler to face toughest critics
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, CBS Philly and The Good Phight
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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Jerry McDonald / Mercury News:
A's claim Klay's brother Trayce Thompson off waivers
A's claim Klay's brother Trayce Thompson off waivers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Athletics Nation
Andrew Wagner / UPI:
Lester aims for better effort as Cubs face Brewers — MILWAUKEE — The major-league season is barely a week old, but it will almost certainly be a playoff-like atmosphere at Miller Park this weekend as the Milwaukee Brewers face the Chicago Cubs in a four-game series.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
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.
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: Reliever Jacob Barnes put rough spring behind him and has been a force for Brewers
Notes: Reliever Jacob Barnes put rough spring behind him and has been a force for Brewers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
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.”
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cold — but dry — for today's White Sox home opener
Cold — but dry — for today's White Sox home opener
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
Associated Press:
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.
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Donald Duench / Toronto Sun:
On Deck: Blue Jays at Rangers — TORONTO BLUE JAYS at TEXAS RANGERS — STARTING PITCHERS — RHP Marco Estrada (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. LHP Matt Moore (0-1, 9.00 ERA) — Last year with the Giants, Moore was 6-15, 5.52. The 15 losses were tied for the most in the NL, and his ERA was the highest among MLB qualified pitchers.
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays lose to Red Sox in 12 innings — BOSTON — Things seemed different for the Rays on Thursday. — They got the kind of strong start they'd been lacking, as rookie Yonny Chirinos, stepping in on their second planned bullpen day of the season, worked five strong, scoreless innings.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Evan Drellich / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Lost challenge sends Red Sox, Rays to extra innings
Lost challenge sends Red Sox, Rays to extra innings
Discussion:
Over the Monster, UPI and DRaysBay
Associated Press:
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.
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Andrew Wagner / UPI:
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 …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
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.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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:
Gaslamp Ball
Adam Baum / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitchers are working their way off the disabled list — After starting the season with a handful of pitchers on the disabled list, the Cincinnati Reds are slowly clawing their way back to a healthier ballclub. — Brandon Finnegan, who's been dealing with a left biceps strain …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
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 …
Courier-Journal:
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.