Top News:
UPI:
Jason Vargas makes his Mets debut vs. Padres — Left-hander Jason Vargas makes his long-awaited, 2018 season debut for the New York Mets Saturday night at Petco Park as he goes up against San Diego Padres left-handed rookie Joey Lucchesi. — Signed to a two-year contract by the Mets …
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Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Asdrubal Cabrera continues hot start with three-run homer in 5-1 win over Padres — SAN DIEGO — As veterans struggled to find quality deals this offseason, it seemed at the time that the Mets overpaid in exercising Asdrubal Cabrera's $8.5 million option. — Cabrera produced …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Amazin' Avenue
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets' Matt Harvey getting over the anger of bullpen demotion, now he needs to learn to get outs — SAN DIEGO - The first stage is over. Matt Harvey's phase of being pissed off about being demoted to the bullpen seems to be over. — After making his second appearance out of the bullpen Friday night …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom dominates over seven innings as Mets beat Padres, 5-1
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Matt Harvey trying to learn routine as a reliever, allows homer to Padres
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets' coaches stress to Steven Matz to slow things down after a bad play
Mets' coaches stress to Steven Matz to slow things down after a bad play
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and MLB Baseball News …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Didi Gregorius' home run in 10th carries Yankees over Angels for seventh straight win — ANAHEIM — Didi Gregorius got another curtain call on Friday night — only this one was 3,000 miles away from home. — Gregorius continued his torrid start to the season, blasting a go-ahead solo homer …
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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
Neil Walker, filling in for Tyler Austin at first base, is getting one more shot to stay on Yankees roster
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Umpire's controversial tagging ruling leaves Yankees confused
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Yankees ready for Shohei Ohtani show in person
Yankees ready for Shohei Ohtani show in person
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals … WASHINGTON - As A.J. Pollock raced toward the gap in left-center field, the game hung in the balance. It was the fifth inning. The Washington Nationals had loaded the bases again. And if Wilmer Difo's drive got down, it would have meant trouble for the Diamondbacks.
Discussion:
Byron Kerr, Washington Times and Federal Baseball
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals
Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and AZ Snake Pit
Bradley Doolittle / ESPN:
Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist return to lineup for Cubs — CHICAGO — The Cubs will welcome back a pair of regulars on Saturday, with Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist returning to the lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers. — Bryant has missed four games after being hit in the head by a pitch from the Rockies' German Marquez last Sunday.
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Alan Eskew / UPI:
Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins set for doubleheader after playing extras — The Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals played 11 innings on Friday night before the White Sox prevailed, 7-4. — The two teams are scheduled to play 18 more innings Saturday in a day-night doubleheader.
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Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Matt Davidson's 2 homers lift White Sox to 7-4 victory over Royals in 11 innings
Matt Davidson's 2 homers lift White Sox to 7-4 victory over Royals in 11 innings
Discussion:
South Side Sox, MLB Baseball News … and Royals Review
Associated Press:
Marte's 11th-inning single rallies Pirates over Cardinals — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Starling Marte's game-ending single in the 11th inning lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. — David Freese drew a one-out walk from rookie Jordan Hicks …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Bucs Dugout
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Steve Herrick / Associated Press:
Corey Kluber strikes out 10, Cleveland Indians top Seattle Mariners 6-5 with 5 homers — Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley and Edwin Encarnacion homered in the first, and Yonder Alonso and Yan Gomes hit consecutive drives in the sixth. — CLEVELAND (AP) - Corey Kluber struck out 10 …
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Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Mariners needed to be nearly perfect against Indians and Corey Kluber. They weren't
Mariners needed to be nearly perfect against Indians and Corey Kluber. They weren't
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Associated Press:
Brewers' Eric Thames out 6-8 weeks after thumb surgery — CHICAGO — Brewers first baseman Eric Thames had surgery on his left thumb, and Milwaukee said it expects him to return in six to eight weeks. — Dr. Donald Sheridan operated on Thames on Friday in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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Associated Press:
Manaea follows no-hitter with another win for A's — HOUSTON (AP) — Sean Manaea followed up his no-hitter with seven solid innings, three Athletics homered and Oakland beat the Houston Astros 8-1 on Friday night for its fifth win in six games. — Manaea (4-2) no-hit Boston last Saturday …
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Patrick Corbin keeps adding zeroes to his next payday — When Major League Baseball front offices began looking forward to the 2018-2019 free-agent mega-class in spring training, Patrick Corbin appeared to rank well down the list of potentially available left-handed starters.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds come back to beat Twins 15-9 — MINNEAPOLIS — It looked like the Reds were pretty well buried when starter Luis Castillo left without recording an out in the second inning. — But the Reds kept digging — and hitting and scoring. The result was a 15-9 comeback win …
Dave Del Grande / UPI:
West rivals Dodgers, Giants set to play two — The San Francisco Giants will take a bit of a worn-down bullpen into a rare double-header Saturday when they duel the Los Angeles Dodgers in the middle two games of a four-game series at AT&T Park. — Five Giants relievers combined …
Craig Davis / Orlando Sentinel:
Marlins get strong start from Urena but no offense in losing Prado's return — Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses Juse Urena holding the Rockies to one run in seven innings, but losing on a hit by the opposing pitcher. — Sun Sentinel — South Florida has curbed its enthusiasm for the Marlins.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays at Red Sox, looking to make it eight straight — The Rays are looking to extend their winning streak to eight straight when they take on the Red Sox this afternoon on a sunny and dry afternoon at Fenway Park.The current seven-game streak is the lon