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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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets' powerful outfield trio comes through as they win important first battle with Nationals — WASHINGTON — Yoenis Cespedes compared it to a boxing match. The way the Mets' slugger sees it, they came out and delivered the first big hit of the bout with a 8-2 win over the Nationals Thursday …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets' Jacob deGrom finds way through difficult sixth inning: ‘He grinds it out when you need him to’ — WASHINGTON — Jacob deGrom had to figure it out. The Mets right-hander had a two-run lead, the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth inning Thursday when pitching coach Dave Eiland trotted out to the mound to state the obvious.
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:
NorthJersey.com
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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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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Dave Del Grande / UPI:
Rangers' Perez makes 2018 debut against A's
Rangers' Perez makes 2018 debut against A's
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
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:
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
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
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
RELATED:
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 …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cold — but dry — for today's White Sox home opener — Chicago Tribune — It's cold but dry on the South Side Thursday morning as the White Sox get ready to meet the Tigers in the home opener. — Parking lots will open at noon, with the gates to the park open at 1:10 p.m.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
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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.
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Steve Popper / Daily Record:
Aaron Boone searching for innings from Yankees starters — NEW YORK - When Masahiro Tanaka took the mound Thursday evening Yankees manager Aaron Boone of course wanted outs and excellence. But what he really wanted was innings. — Tanaka went six innings in his first start of the season in Toronto …
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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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:
MLB Baseball News …, The Good Phight and CBS Philly
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Want to be entertained? The most exciting teams, players and themes of the 2018 season
Want to be entertained? The most exciting teams, players and themes of the 2018 season
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Happy Home Opener: How will you greet Gabe Kapler? | Extra Innings
Happy Home Opener: How will you greet Gabe Kapler? | Extra Innings
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
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:
baseballmusings.com, Over the Monster, DRaysBay and UPI
RELATED:
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 …
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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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 …, Purple Row and Gaslamp Ball
Alex Butler / UPI:
David Ortiz surprises Aly Raisman with ‘Girl Power’ shirt … Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz flashed a “Girl Power” shirt when he met Aly Raisman Thursday at Fenway Park. — “Big Papi” stood on the mound as Raisman was walking out for pregame festivities.
Discussion:
NESN.com, Boston Globe and USA Today
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
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 …