Top News:
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.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rodriguez, Rivas lead DSL Blue Jays to 10-4 win over DSL Reds — , (AP) — Alberto Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the second inning, and Jose Rivas had two hits and scored two runs as the DSL Blue Jays topped the DSL Reds 10-4 on Monday. — The home run by Rodriguez scored Rainer Nunez to give the DSL Blue Jays a 2-1 lead.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mock drafts bet that Cardinals return to their comfort spot, select big men on campus
Mock drafts bet that Cardinals return to their comfort spot, select big men on campus
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, DRaysBay, Talking Chop and Royals Review
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Keith Law's 2018 Mock Draft 4.1 — It is draft day, the most wonderful time of the year, so here is my final — ahem, “final” — projection of first-round selections, but one I present with the caveat that multiple general managers told me Sunday that nothing would really be final until …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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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:
Chicago Sun-Times, Viva El Birdos and Bless You Boys
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:
MLB Trade Rumors and Talking Chop
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, Purple Row, MLB Baseball News … and Bless You Boys
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Casey Mize is the clear No. 1 prize in the MLB draft
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
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 …
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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.
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Yankees echo Joe Maddon's ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ schedule gripe, weigh ESPN boycott — Cubs' Joe Maddon on short rest, and on Mike Montgomery batting 8th. (Mark Gonales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — It was one thing when Cubs manager Joe Maddon complained about traveling …
Andrew Marchand / New York Post:
Yankees threaten to boycott ESPN personnel in schedule war
Yankees threaten to boycott ESPN personnel in schedule war
Discussion:
NESN.com, Sacramento Bee, Awful Announcing, Deadspin, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — Drew VerHagen pitched well for three innings for the Detroit Tigers. But he wasn't in a relief role on Monday and didn't make it out of the fourth inning in his first Major League start of the season. — The Tigers gave VerHagen a tough task, facing in the New York Yankees in the first game of a split doubleheader.
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Gleyber Torres could play first career game at shortstop in Game 2 of Yankees' doubleheader vs. Tigers
Gleyber Torres could play first career game at shortstop in Game 2 of Yankees' doubleheader vs. Tigers
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Sandy Baez can't hide excitement after call up from Detroit Tigers
Sandy Baez can't hide excitement after call up from Detroit Tigers
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and MLB Baseball News …
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies insist ‘everything is fine’ as they limp into big test against Cubs — The Phillies lineup has been in a five-week slump, their starting pitching is starting to show some cracks as they work with such little room for error, and Jake Arrieta is furious. Nothing to see here.
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? Mariners crashing Astros' party in AL West
Real or not? Mariners crashing Astros' party in AL West
Discussion:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Talking Chop
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Jake Arrieta, returning to Wrigley Field with Phillies, transformed Cubs into a team to be feared
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish and decision time: Inside the Cubs' take-it-or-leave it offer
Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish and decision time: Inside the Cubs' take-it-or-leave it offer
Discussion:
San Francisco Chronicle and Sports Illustrated
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.
George Stoia / Detroit Free Press:
2018 MLB draft: Michigan high school, college players to watch — The 2018 MLB draft runs Monday through Wednesday and multiple Michigan high school and collegiate players could be taken over the course of the following three days. — Here are five high school players to watch for:
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Which player will the Cincinnati Reds select with the No. 5 pick in the MLB Draft?
Which player will the Cincinnati Reds select with the No. 5 pick in the MLB Draft?
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, Lookout Landing, Pinstripe Alley, Talking Chop and Let's Go Tribe
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees option Tommy Kahnle to Triple-A, activate Adam Warren from 10-day DL — DETROIT — The Yankees have optioned Tommy Kahnle back to Triple-A Scranton in a surprising move that clears the way for Adam Warrren's reinstatement from the disabled list. Warren had been out with a back injury.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Pinstripe Alley
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
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 …
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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
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets pen has struggled as Jerry Blevins, AJ Ramos and Anthony Swarzak have provided little — NY Mets manager Mickey Callaway on Cubs' steal of home, shallow sacrifice fly Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — NEW YORK — Like the rest of MLB, the Mets embraced the emphasis that is being placed on bullpens.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Associated Press:
Veteran pitcher Oliver Perez's deal with Indians is for $1.75 million — CLEVELAND — Pitcher Oliver Perez has a $1.75 million salary while in the major leagues under his deal with the Cleveland Indians. — The 36-year-old left-hander signed with the Indians on Saturday and pitched …
ESPN:
Should you believe in Clay Buchholz's fantasy value? — Clay Buchholz has allowed one earned run per start in his first three outings with the Arizona Diamondbacks, walking only two batters while striking out 14. However, his career has been defined by frustrating inconsistency with moments of brilliance.