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:
Bless You Boys, Talking Chop and Lone Star Ball
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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.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mock drafts bet that Cardinals return to their comfort spot, select big men on campus — ST. LOUIS • More than six years ago, as Cardinals scouts descended on a classic college ballpark for opening night of the college baseball season, there weren't many seats and the weather was even less accommodating.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Viva El Birdos
Associated Press:
Tigers have top selection in Monday's MLB draft
Tigers have top selection in Monday's MLB draft
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Talking Chop
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Casey Mize is the clear No. 1 prize in the MLB draft
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
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.
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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.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish and decision time: Inside the Cubs' take-it-or-leave it offer — SAN FRANCISCO — Philadelphia Phillies ace Jake Arrieta's cell phone buzzed Saturday. He looked down and laughed. It was his old teammate in Chicago. — “There's no way you're ducking the Cubbies this series …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated
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
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Nick Cafardo / BostonGlobe.com:
Blake Swihart has caught the scouts' attention
Blake Swihart has caught the scouts' attention
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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
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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USA Today:
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 …
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Purple Row
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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:
Talking Chop, Pinstripe Alley, Lookout Landing and Let's Go Tribe
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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Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:
Lifeless offense dooms Mets again as they suffer four-game sweep to Cubs with 2-0 loss — There's seemingly no such thing as rock bottom when it comes to the Mets, who continue to find new and creative ways to lose. — On Sunday afternoon, just hours removed from a 14-inning loss …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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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.
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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 …
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 … and Deadspin
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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
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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.
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).
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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
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
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 …
Associated Press:
White Sox reinstate Davidson from DL, option Gonzalez, Skole — CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have reinstated utility player Matt Davidson from the 10-day disabled list and optioned catcher Alfredo Gonzalez and infielder Matt Skole to Triple-A Charlotte.
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
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