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 …

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.

Romero, De La Cruz spur DSL Nationals to 8-0 win over DSL Phillies Red  —  , (AP) — Christopher De La Cruz tripled and singled, and Carlos Romero allowed just one hit over five innings as the DSL Nationals defeated the DSL Phillies Red 8-0 on Monday.  The DSL Nationals swept the short two-game series with the win.

Yankees threaten to boycott ESPN as team, MLB, union negotiate schedule solution  —  Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association are in negotiations with ESPN to reschedule a New York Yankees game that would require them to start three games within 24 hours in two different cities …

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.

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 …

MLB draft: Order, schedule, start times, TV  —  The Detroit Tigers have No. 1 overall pick for second time in franchise history, and the first since taking Rice pitcher Matt Anderson in 1997.  —  The Major League Baseball draft starts Monday and continues for 40 rounds over three days …

Sandy Baez can't hide excitement after call up from Detroit Tigers  —  Right-handed pitcher Sandy Baez was so excited about being called up by the Detroit Tigers that he broke the news on his own Instagram account on Sunday.  Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said Monday one of the best parts …

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.

Young White Sox will be challenged by stretch of 21 games in 20 days  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Here comes the deep water for the White Sox.  —  They are on pace to lose 100 games, have a roster loaded with rookies and job-seekers and now must navigate a stretch of schedule that will test …

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.

Rays journal: Wilson Ramos has reasons to be excited about return to Washington  —  WASHINGTON — C Wilson Ramos is eager to return to the scene of his prime.  —  Ramos played parts of seven seasons with the Nationals, picking up the Buffalo nickname and sing-song Phish walk-up tune …