Top News:
Jesse Yomtov / Arizona Republic:
Is Trevor Bauer hinting that the Astros are doctoring baseballs? — Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer seemingly implied via Twitter on Tuesday that the world champion Houston Astros are using nefarious means to improve the performance of their pitching staff.
Discussion:
Associated Press, New York Times and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Houston Astros' strong pitching to challenge New York Yankees hitters — HOUSTON - With the first month of the season in the books and Astros starters having completed six trips through the rotation, one overlooked aspect of their utter dominance is the impressive efficiency they displayed in April.
Kristie Rieken / Toronto Sun:
Astros, Giles take one on chin as Sanchez lifts Yanks — HOUSTON (AP) Not long after Gary Sanchez delivered a knockout blow for the New York Yankees on Tuesday night with a three-run homer off Ken Giles in the ninth inning, the Houston closer landed a shot of his own.
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
The Yankees are who we thought they were — HOUSTON — So, about the hype surrounding this year's New York Yankees? — Time to buy in. — With a nod to the late Dennis Green, these Bombers are proving they are who we thought they were before the season began. — That is to say, they are good — real good.
Discussion:
ESPN and Pinstripe Alley
Alex Butler / UPI:
Astros pitcher punches himself in face after allowing homer
Astros pitcher punches himself in face after allowing homer
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, The Comeback and New York Times
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Gary Sanchez hits three-run home run in ninth to give Yankees 4-0 win over Astros
Gary Sanchez hits three-run home run in ninth to give Yankees 4-0 win over Astros
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and The Good Phight
Associated Press:
Astros, Giles take one on chin as Sanchez lifts Yanks
Astros, Giles take one on chin as Sanchez lifts Yanks
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jim Reineking / USA Today:
Houston Astros' Ken Giles punches himself in face during loss to New York Yankees
Houston Astros' Ken Giles punches himself in face during loss to New York Yankees
Discussion:
CBS Connecticut, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Mookie Betts returns to starting lineup for Red Sox — Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, who returned to action in the ninth inning Tuesday, is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. — Betts had not played since suffering right hamstring tightness …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
MLB: A's, Mariners to open in Japan in 2019 — The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners will play a 2019 season-opening two-game series in Tokyo on March 20 and 21, the fifth time Major League Baseball will start its season in Japan. — The A's and Mariners also faced each …
Joshua Schrock / NESN.com:
Red Sox Wrap: Boston's Rally Falls Short In 13-Inning Loss To Royals
Red Sox Wrap: Boston's Rally Falls Short In 13-Inning Loss To Royals
Discussion:
Royals Review, MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Tom Timmermann / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals bring same lineup, plus Carlos Martinez, for afternoon game with White Sox — Coming off their 3-2 walk-off win over the White Sox on Tuesday night, the Cardinals will trot out the same lineup for their Wednesday afternoon rematch. — The White Sox, meanwhile …
RELATED:
Tom Timmermann / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals wake up in ninth, beat White Sox 3-2
Cardinals wake up in ninth, beat White Sox 3-2
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and South Side Sox
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Daniel Palka returns to White Sox lineup vs. Cardinals
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Despite strong start, White Sox insist Michael Kopech not ready yet
Despite strong start, White Sox insist Michael Kopech not ready yet
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
Jim Ingraham / UPI:
Cleveland Indians, Corey Kluber try to turn homestand around vs. Texas Rangers — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians are letting their longest homestand of the season slip away without taking advantage of it. But reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Phillies' Jake Arrieta: ‘I bet on myself to get the job done’ — After an offseason of uncertainty, pitcher Jake Arrieta has a new home and a new outlook. — “There's not many like me. That's just how it is, man,” Arrieta told the Chicago Sun-Times. “I view myself as very different than most.
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun-Times:
Phils' Jake Arrieta ‘not playing around’ after betting on himself in slow winter
Phils' Jake Arrieta ‘not playing around’ after betting on himself in slow winter
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Cruz's homer leads Mariners to 6-3 win over Athletics — Nelson Cruz's loud and towering two-out, three-run homer on the first pitch he saw in the fifth inning broke a taut tie and propelled Seattle to a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. — The Mariners held …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Justin Upton's walk-off single puts Angels past Orioles, 3-2 — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Baltimore Orioles intentionally walked Mike Trout three times to get to Justin Upton. Each time, Upton couldn't make them pay. — When Trout drew his fourth walk to load the bases in the ninth inning …
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — At Comerica Park on Tuesday night. — What happened: The Detroit Tigers (12-16) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1. ... James McCann scored on an RBi single to right by Leonys Martin in the fifth to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. ... The Tigers took a 1- lead in the third …
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Moved to top of order, slumping Harper homers for Nationals — WASHINGTON (AP) — Slumping Bryce Harper was moved to the leadoff spot for the first time since 2013 and responded with a three-run homer that helped Max Scherzer win his fifth straight start as the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-4 Wednesday night.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Voit comes up, Mayers goes down — The Cardinals reduced their number of relievers from nine to eight Tuesday when Mike Mayers was sent back to Memphis and first baseman Luke Voit was recalled as an extra hitter. Greg Holland, signed to a one-year, $14 million contract when the season opened …
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / USA Today:
Mets GM isn't thrilled with reliever Matt Harvey partying in Los Angeles — NEW YORK — Matt Harvey can't stay out of the headlines. — The embattled starter-turned-reliever partied in Los Angeles on Thursday night, a day before the Mets faced the Padres in San Diego, as first reported by the New York Post.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles not yet willing to consider trading Machado; shortstop says he'd like to stay all year — Orioles beat writer Eduardo Encina on the season-ending injury to Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and the speculation that Orioles Manny Machado could be a potential fit. (Kevin Richardson / Baltimore Sun video)
Discussion:
Sporting News, Camden Chat, Bleacher Report and BaltimoreBaseball.com
RELATED:
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Alex Bregman, baseball's best sixth-best player — Alex Bregman had no other path. It was baseball or the imponderable. — The Astros' blossoming third baseman was born into the game, with ties that extend back to the Splendid Splinter himself. His grandfather, Stanley …
ESPN:
Radical Ideas Series: What if MLB players were paid on commission? — Welcome back to the Radical Ideas Series, in which we “fix” baseball not merely by limiting mound visits or even instituting pitch clocks but by revolutionizing the game's competitive structure with way-out-there — yet at least vaguely plausible — changes.
Dave Campbell / Toronto Sun:
Morales, Blue Jays speed past Twins 7-4 in 10th inning — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Twelve years into his major league career, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Kendrys Morales has the self-assurance to endure a weeklong slump. — The Minnesota Twins are starting to lose some of theirs, more than one month into this once-promising season.
ESPN:
Remember me? Five guys on the comeback trail — Especially in April and May, much of baseball fandom comes down to recognizing and appreciating what's shiny and new. We're forever on the hunt for the best new rookies, or the most improved young players.
Discussion:
Booth, Justice …