Top News:
Bob Nightengale / Lansing State Journal:
MLB trade targets: Top 20 players who could move by the deadline — Two shopping months remain before the non-waiver trading deadline, but with one-third of the teams already out of playoff contention, Major League Baseball is about to unleash its own Black Friday sale.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Des Moines Register and McCovey Chronicles
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Jorge L. Ortiz / Daily Record:
MLB playoff outlook: Astros, Red Sox are locks, but for 10 teams, it's wait 'til next year — On old baseball adage used to say the teams in first place on July 4 would win the pennant. Of course, that was well before the advent of five playoff entries in each league.
Discussion:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
ESPN:
Sizing up the standings at Memorial Day checkpoint — The old saying in baseball is that you shouldn't check the standings until Memorial Day. Well, with Memorial Day behind us, we figured it was time to assess how the divisions stack up and what stands out at the first unofficial checkpoint of the season.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Ken Powtak / Associated Press:
Benintendi, Martinez Carry Red Sox Past Blue Jays — Andrew Benintendi celebrates with his Red Sox teammates after his three-run home run in the fourth inning Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. — Andrew Benintendi has continued the hot hitting out of the leadoff spot for injured star Mookie Betts.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Over the Monster
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Imbalance between NL Central and AL Central could have impact on wild-card races — Cubs manager Joe Maddon says Anthony Rizzo's slide into Pirates catcher Elias Diaz to break up a double play as “a perfect play” on Monday, May 28, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Doug Padilla / UPI:
Phillies' Jake Arrieta aims for rare win in Dodger Stadium
Phillies' Jake Arrieta aims for rare win in Dodger Stadium
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Official review determines Cubs' Anthony Rizzo guilty of interference — Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo discusses his slide into Pirates catcher Elias Diaz on Monday, May 28, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — An official review of Anthony Rizzo's controversial …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards have yet to catch a base-stealer — MILWAUKEE • One of the skills the Cardinals have become so well-known for has led to some unusual history already this season, and when they had a rare wobble Monday, it proved costly. — In the seventh inning at Miller Park …
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PETER SCHMUCK The Baltimore Sun / Sacramento Bee:
No matter what the Orioles' Alex Cobb does, the outcome seems to be the same — Orioles starter Alex Cobb threw one damaging pitch during the seven innings he pitched in Monday's interleague matchup against the Washington Nationals at Camden Yards, but he lost anyway.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Caleb Smith mystifies Padres, gets run support as Marlins snap skid — Caleb Smith was brilliant in dominating a matchup of rookie left-handers, Yadiel Rivera's two-run single capped Miami's four-run first inning, and Cameron Maybin had three hits and two RBIs against his old team to lead …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and Fish Stripes
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Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Devin Mesoraco credits adjustment Mets hitting coach Roessler suggested for newfound power — NY Mets catcher Devin Mesoraco discusses the trade that sent him to the Mets Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — Devin Mesoraco has hit five home runs in his first 46 at-bats with the New York Mets since …
Discussion:
Newsday
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
How big-league reliever J.P. Howell wound up with independent San Rafael Pacifics — Here's a story of a big-leaguer returning to his roots. Not just the region where he played ball. But the reason why he played ball. — All kids who begin hitting, fielding and throwing do it for all the pure and principled reasons.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
George Henry / Associated Press:
Mets bounce back, beat Braves 8-5 to split rain-delayed DH — ATLANTA (AP) Mets manager Mickey Callaway had a reason to smile at 1:40 a.m. after his team showed enough fortitude to avoid getting swept. — “They came out with some energy, which was huge in this game, and you've got to give them credit,” he said.
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Cubs top prospect Adbert Alzolay injured in Tuesday's Iowa Cubs game — Chicago Cubs top prospect Adbert Alzolay joins Iowa Cubs — The Iowa Cubs are waiting to see if an injury that took pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay out of his start early on Tuesday will lead to a trip to the disabled list.
Will Graves / Associated Press:
101. 102. 103. 104. 105. Cardinals rookie Jordan Hicks is lighting up radar guns — Jordan Hicks can't explain where the gas comes from. If he's being honest, the St. Louis Cardinals rookie flamethrower doesn't really want to. Best not to overthink it.
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
First round MLB draft picks from Arizona … WHAT CHANGED?: MLB mock draft - first edition — 1. Tigers: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn — Explanation: Although it's not a foregone conclusion that he goes No. 1 overall, Mize still looks like the favorite. There isn't another starting pitcher …
Associated Press:
Herget leads Memphis to 3-2 win over Col. Springs — MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kevin Herget allowed just four hits over six innings, leading the Memphis Redbirds over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in a 3-2 win on Tuesday. — Herget (3-4) picked up the win after he struck out five and walked two while allowing two runs.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Minor league report: Oviedo gets back on track with solid start — Johan Oviedo has posted mediocre numbers for Class A Peoria in 2018, but he strung together five innings of one-run ball in the Chiefs' loss Monday. It lowered his ERA from 7.34 to 6.56. — At age 20, Oviedo checks …
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Noah Syndergaard heads to the disabled list with a strained finger ligament — The Mets have not been playing well lately and now their fortunes are taking an even worse turn: Noah Syndergaard has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained ligament in his finger.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Cincinnati.com:
Baseball fan stands in rain to hold umbrella over JROTC member on Memorial Day — As we celebrate Memorial Day, take a look at how and where we honor those who have given their lives to protect our country Wochit — The Atlanta Braves gave their fans plenty to discuss Monday after splitting …
Discussion:
FOX 61