Top News:
ESPN:
All you need to know about Yankees' toughest stretch of 2018 — The final weekend in April and the beginning of May will feel a whole lot like October for the New York Yankees. — The Bronx Bombers kick off a 13-game stretch Friday night in Anaheim that will see them play the four teams …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
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Associated Press:
Xander Bogaerts returns to Red Sox from disabled list — BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts returned to the starting lineup after missing 15 games with a broken talus bone in his left ankle. — Bogaerts was activated from the 10-day disabled list Friday.
Mike Shalin / UPI:
Rays on roll entering series with Red Sox — BOSTON — When the Tampa Bay Rays left Boston April 8, they were 1-8 with eight straight losses. — A lot has changed for Kevin Cash's team as it returns to Fenway Park for a three-game series this weekend. — The Rays open the series …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and DRaysBay
Dan Arritt / UPI:
Yankees head west on hot streak to face Angels
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Halos Heaven
ESPN:
Boston's Brock Holt lands on DL but Red Sox get Xander Bogaerts back
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Fred Kerber / New York Post:
Twins ‘officially pissed off’ at this Yankee Stadium deja vu
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Neil Walker, filling in for Tyler Austin at first base, is getting one more shot to stay on Yankees roster — It may only be a short window of opportunity, but Neil Walker needs to take advantage of it - more so for himself than for the Yankees, who have managed just fine despite his struggles at the plate.
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees finally get first look at Shohei Ohtani, months after he turned them down — ANAHEIM - The Yankees finally got a first-hand look at who they missed out on Friday night, with two-way star Shohei Ohtani in the lineup and hitting fifth for the Angels, serving as the DH.
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox take on Royals while manager Rick Renteria attends mother's funeral — Photos of White Sox manager Rick Renteria. — Chicago Tribune — Rick Renteria's body is in Austin, Texas, for the funeral of his mother. The White Sox hope his mind is there, too.
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Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Ronald Acuna, baseball's latest sensation, hits Philly | Extra Innings — So the Phillies got hammered yesterday. But there is some good news: That was their last Facebook game for two weeks. The Phillies will welcome the Braves to South Philly tonight to start a three-game series …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and The Good Phight
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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
With the worst behind them, new manager Gabe Kapler and the Phillies are thinking big
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs expect Kris Bryant to return to lineup Saturday — Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Kris Bryant: “There's a tendency to be conservative right now. I think it's a good thing.” (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant was working on his chipping in the Cubs clubhouse …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kris Bryant out of the starting lineup for a 4th straight game
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Candelario back in lineup for Detroit Tigers after day off — BALTIMORE — Jeimer Candelario was due for a day off. — Entering Thursday's series finale against the Pirates, the young Detroit Tigers third baseman had played in every inning so far this season.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Leonys Martin providing hilarious soundtrack to season — BALTIMORE — To nobody's surprise, Leonys Martin is talking. — In one moment, he is playfully chastising a Detroit Tigers official who is standing in front of his locker. In the next, he is laughing at a reporter's question: Why do you talk so much.
Associated Press:
Rays' Kevin Cash unhappy with Chris Archer's sprint — BALTIMORE — Tampa Bay's Chris Archer was about to pitch to Baltimore's Chris Davis when the Rays pitcher noticed Jace Peterson attempting to steal third base, which was uncovered because of an infield shift.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Flaherty arrives for Saturday start; Cardinals continue bullpen shuffle — St. Louis Cardinals' Jack Flaherty pitches to the Milwaukee Brewers on April 3, when he allowed one run and struck out nine in five innings. (AP Photo) — PITTSBURGH • The Cardinals continued Friday …
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Larry Millson / UPI:
Blue Jays attempt to regroup vs. Rangers — TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have finished a seven-game stretch against two tough American League East rivals and now they take on a rival of two recent postseasons in the Texas Rangers on Friday night. — The Blue Jays finished 2-5 …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …, Bluebird Banter and Lone Star Ball
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Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
‘Pissed off’ Joey Bats is going to have big year with Braves: Pillar — Jose Bautista was “pissed off” that nobody signed him in the off-season and he' is going to show teams that passed on him, teams that could use some power from the right side, that they blew it.
Eric Barrow / New York Daily News:
EXCLUSIVE: Ed Burns to direct documentary on life of Hall of Fame Mets pitcher Tom Seaver — This certainly sounds Terrific. — The Daily News has learned lifelong Mets fan and Queens native Ed Burns will direct a documentary on the storied life of Hall of Fame Mets pitcher Tom Seaver.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Against the Pirates, Gibson's historic 1968 season first took sail — PITTSBURGH • Fifty years ago yesterday, Bob Gibson's season was three starts old, he had to win a game, and the lineup he was about to face had a former MVP who changed the game and three future Hall of Famers. No biggie.
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Answering your NY Mets questions on Matt Harvey, the bullpen, Michael Conforto — Noah Syndergaard discusses his outing against St. Louis Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — Following Thursday's 4-3 loss in 13 innings to the Cardinals, the Mets are 15-8 and still atop the NL East.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds needs longer outings from starters — Reds 3B back in lineup, with thumb healed/Tom Groeschen Tom Groeschen — MINNEAPOLIS - The Reds had two straight five inning outings from their starting pitchers entering Friday night. — That's is not a good thing for the bullpen.
