Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants … Two of the top three vote-getters for the National League MVP award are off to rough starts to the 2018 season.  —  Both New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt entered play Tuesday …

Cubs postpone game due to snow while White Sox play  —  The Chicago Cubs caught some grief from Chicago White Sox fans for postponing Monday's home opener due to snow while their cross-town rivals played, but a South Side groundskeeper said that the North Side team made the right call.

LEADING OFF: Yankees-Red Sox ramp up, Ohtani could return  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors today:  —  BEST OF 19  —  Giancarlo Stanton and J.D. Martinez get their first swings in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry when aces Luis Severino and Chris Sale start at Fenway Park …

Report: Dodgers to host All-Star Game after 40-year break  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers have been awarded the 2020 All-Star Game, The Orange County Register reported Tuesday.  —  An official announcement from Major League Baseball is expected Wednesday, the newspaper said.

The evolution of Tucker Barnhart: Cincinnati Reds catcher is a rare breed  —  Reds manager Bryan Price on his team's 6-5 loss Monday, April 9, 2018, in the series opener at Citizens Bank Park The Enquirer/Adam Baum  —  PHILADELPHIA - A major league catcher's value is normally determined behind the plate - defense is the gold standard.

Verlander dominates over 7 innings, Astros beat Twins 2-0  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Facing Joe Mauer with runners at the corners and no outs, Justin Verlander reached back for a fastball that broke in to strike out the lefty-hitting Mauer.  —  Verlander said he yanked the four-seam fastball and was fortunate Mauer swung over it.

Baseball roundup: Scherzer steals base, throws 5th shutout  —  Scherzer steals base, throws 5th shutout  —  Max Scherzer stole the first base of his professional career and allowed only two singles in his fifth big league shutout, and the Nationals ended a five-game losing skid while getting …

Next Slide  —  CLEVELAND — Switch hitters Victor Reyes and Niko Goodrum got their opportunity to play on Tuesday night for the Detroit Tigers.  —  Manager Ron Gardenhire said before the start of a four-game series at Progressive Field he would give everyone a chance to play against the Indians.

Cardinals, Holland take aim at Brewers  —  As first impressions go, Greg Holland's debut with the St. Louis Cardinals Monday night wasn't the one for which he hoped.  —  The team's new closer made his debut in a tie game in the 10th inning against the Milwaukee Brewers and walked four …

SEE IT: Sister Jean throws out the first pitch at Cubs home opener  —  NICE ARM!  #SisterJean throws out a ceremonial #FirstPitch at #WrigleyField for @Cubs #OpeningDay.  @RamblersMBB pic.twitter.com/a0ZhVjFpZy  —  Sister Jean is looking to bring her Loyola-Chicago magic to the Cubs.

Reds' Votto trolls Phillies fans by denying souvenir  —  Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto is making a habit of trolling fans on the road with his antics in the field.  —  Monday was the latest example of Votto's exploits.  The Reds were in the bottom of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies …

Interest in Shohei Ohtani memorabilia on rise  —  The sports memorabilia world is buzzing over Angels pitcher and slugger Shohei Ohtani.  —  On Monday night, his autographed Topps rookie card sold for $6,725.  —  “It's a truly foreign market that is buying his memorabilia,” said Rick Probstein, whose company sold the card on eBay.

From here to the Hall: Predicting 40 active players who will wind up in Cooperstown  —  How many active major leaguers are future Hall of Famers?  —  This is not a trick question.  But it is a difficult question, one requiring thought and analysis, and maybe a crazy guess or two.

Sources: Mets promoting minor league pitcher of the year, Corey Oswalt  —  MIAMI — The Mets are set to promote their minor league pitcher of the year, righty Corey Oswalt, according to sources.  The corresponding move is not yet known.  —  Oswalt is the team's No. 16 prospect, according to MLB.com.

Blue Jays put Kendrys Morales on 10-day DL with hamstring injury  —  BALTIMORE — The Toronto Blue Jays have placed first baseman Kendrys Morales on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.  —  The injury occurred while Morales was running out a single in the second inning of Monday night's game against the Orioles.

Detroit Tigers podcast: Talkin' Tigers with catcher James McCann  —  Are you subscribed to our “Talkin' Tigers” podcast?  If not, you should be: Subscribe via iTunes or Google Play now.  —  It's time for the third episode of the 2018 season of the Talkin' Tigers podcast.