Top News:
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Keith Law's 2018 Mock Draft 4.0 — It is draft day, the most wonderful time of the year, so here is my final — ahem, “final” — projected first-round selections, but one I present with the caveat that multiple GMs told me Sunday that nothing would really be final until at least Monday afternoon …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, Lone Star Ball and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Ready to go jersey shopping? Your guide to the 2018 MLB draft — We take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to remind you the MLB draft kicks off Monday. Be sure to check out Keith Law's big board of the top 100 prospects and his mock draft heading into the first round.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Which player will the Cincinnati Reds select with the No. 5 pick in the MLB Draft? — Reds No. 2 pick Hunter Greene is in Goodyear, Arizona, for his first experience at spring training The Enquirer/Adam Baum — Drafting in the Top 5 for the third straight season, the Reds have another opportunity …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, Let's Go Tribe and Talking Chop
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Casey Mize is the clear No. 1 prize in the MLB draft — Auburn pitcher Casey Mize, the projected top pick in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft, is considered close to big-league-ready by many of the scouts who have watched him dominate Southeastern Conference hitters the past two years.
Chris Thomas / Detroit Free Press:
Joey Bart emerging as Detroit Tigers' possible No. 1 MLB draft pick
Joey Bart emerging as Detroit Tigers' possible No. 1 MLB draft pick
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News … and Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Moreland, Benintendi homer in Boston 9-3 win over Astros — HOUSTON (AP) — Rick Porcello pitched well into the seventh, Mitch Moreland and Andrew Benintendi each homered and the Boston Red Sox beat the Houston Astros 9-3 Sunday night. — Boston slugger J.D. Martinez was pinch hit …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Buster OlneyESPN Senior / ESPN:
Olney: The time is right for dynasty-minded Astros to be all-in
Olney: The time is right for dynasty-minded Astros to be all-in
Discussion:
Royals Review, The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Trade Rumors
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Moreland, Benintendi homer in Boston 9-3 win over Astros
Moreland, Benintendi homer in Boston 9-3 win over Astros
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Nick Cafardo / BostonGlobe.com:
Blake Swihart has caught the scouts' attention
Blake Swihart has caught the scouts' attention
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Balls & Strikes: Weary Astros get much-needed day off
Balls & Strikes: Weary Astros get much-needed day off
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Lauren Campbell / NESN.com:
Red Sox Notes: Brock Holt Stays Hot In Houston; J.D. Martinez Injury Update
Red Sox Notes: Brock Holt Stays Hot In Houston; J.D. Martinez Injury Update
Discussion:
The Athletic and Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Cardinals' Michael Wacha loses no-hit bid to first Pirates batter in ninth inning … Michael Wacha lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning when pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off with a single, leaving to a huge ovation and pitching the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 Sunday.
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Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pena to stay, Kelly to Memphis when Molina returns to Cardinals
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
One-hit wonder: Wacha dominates in another near-miss no-hitter
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wong likes to visualize success
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
No-no near miss highlights Michael Wacha's comeback season
No-no near miss highlights Michael Wacha's comeback season
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Johnny Almaraz defends scouting record with Phillies, hopes to find more gems this year — Frank Wren still remembers the phone call — and the enthusiasm in the voice on the other end. — “Wait till you see this kid!” — Johnny Almaraz didn't have to say anything more.
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Once-dismal Dodgers continue climb toward top — They're not yet a .500 team, far from a prohibitive choice to win their division and still have damaged or misfiring parts. — Yet, the Los Angeles Dodgers are very much alive, a status that amazingly seemed in doubt just one month ago.
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ESPN:
Power Rankings: Make way for new contenders in NL shakeup — Another week into the season, the same three American League power houses rule the roost — and in the same order for the time being — but things are getting interesting in the Senior Circuit as the National League's top teams sort out their own pecking order.
Associated Press:
Lester, Cubs blank Mets 2-0 for 4-game sweep — NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester dominated for seven innings and Javier Baez stole home to break a scoreless tie as the Chicago Cubs blanked the New York Mets 2-0 Sunday, completing a four-game sweep and winning for the seventh time in eight games.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
RELATED:
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner, needs to step in and fix Yankees vs. ESPN debacle — We are about to find out if baseball is running baseball or ESPN is running baseball. — In what has turned out to be a major dispute involving the game's integrity, ESPN announced it was picking up the Yankees …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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George A. King III / New York Post:
Aaron Boone is going all-in on fight against MLB/ESPN
Aaron Boone is going all-in on fight against MLB/ESPN
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
Yankees' ire about Sunday Night Baseball just one example of MLB's ‘ridiculous’ schedule — DETROIT - Aaron Boone said it was “ridiculous” that the Yankees are forced to play a night game July 8 at Toronto, with a doubleheader at Baltimore the next day. — And he's right.
RELATED:
Dana Gauruder / UPI:
New York Yankees, dominating AL Central, visit Detroit Tigers
New York Yankees, dominating AL Central, visit Detroit Tigers
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins … PREGAME READING — Monday's game — Diamondbacks at Giants — Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco. — Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (5-4, 4.38) vs. Giants LHP Derek Holland (3-6, 4.94). — TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? Mariners crashing Astros' party in AL West — This is what you might call a tough run of games. The Houston Astros just finished a stretch of four games at Cleveland, three games in the Bronx against the Yankees, and four games at home against the Red Sox.
Discussion:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Talking Chop
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Charlie Culberson is Atlanta's man of the moment — again — ATLANTA — There is a fine line between a good homestand and a great one. — Did the Atlanta Braves end up on the right side of it this weekend? We'll let you decide the answer to that on the basis of the following statement.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Baseball notes: ‘Furious’ Arrieta blasts Phillies — Jake Arrieta is demanding the Philadelphia Phillies shift their strategy. Do it right now, too. The team's ace pitcher criticized his team following a 6-1 loss Sunday that completed a sweep by San Francisco of a three-game series.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch