Top News:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Paxton (12Ks) dazzles vs. BoSox in rivalry debut — NEW YORK — Since he was in the minor leagues, James Paxton, whether he wins, loses or draws a no-decision, has done the exact same thing in the days after he makes a start. — He picks up the phone. — The left-handed pitcher's post …
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Red Sox ace Sale now 0-4: ‘I just flat-out stink’ — NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale says he's “as frustrated as I've ever been on a baseball field,” calling his performance this season “flat-out embarrassing” following an 8-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
Associated Press:
Yanks beat Red Sox 8-0 in matchup of struggling AL East foes — New York Yankees starting pitcher James Paxton waves to the crowd after pitching eight innings in the Yankees' 8-0 win over the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in New York.
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Chris Sale's Diminished Velocity Leaves Him Exposed
Chris Sale's Diminished Velocity Leaves Him Exposed
Discussion:
NESN.com
Associated Press:
Marlins no match for Quintana, fall 4-0 to Cubs — Marlins have lost 8 of last 9 … MIAMI - Jose Quintana gave up six hits in seven innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 4-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night. — Quintana (2-1) struck out seven and extended his scoreless innings streak to 14.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jose Quintana extends his scoreless streak to 14 innings as the Cubs beat the Marlins 4-0 — Photos from the Cubs' 4-0 win over the Marlins on April 16, 2019, in Miami. — Chicago Tribune — Jose Quintana stayed hot on the pitcher's mound, and Javier Baez did likewise …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish and Jose Quintana are displaying much-welcomed strikeout potential for the Cubs — Chicago Tribune — Relief may be on the way for the Cubs defense, and it has nothing to do with acquiring a Gold Glove-caliber player. — Yu Darvish displayed a glimpse of his long-awaited …
Stephen Hawkins / ABC News:
Minor's 3-hitter is 1st career shutout, Rangers top Angels — Minor throws three-hitter for first career shutout as Rangers beat Angels 5-0 — Mike Minor got to finish what he started, something the lefty never got a chance to do for the Texas Rangers last season in his return to a rotation.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
An overdue first career shutout for Mike Minor, but here's why it might not be the last — Here's an idea for MLB to consider as a way to increase the pace of play: — Make sure one starting pitcher is overmatching the hitters he's facing and that the home team is hitting two-run homers.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
No matter what happened to Odor's knee, Rangers keep winning with Santana filling in — For the life of him, and believe him when he says he has tried, Rougned Odor still can't figure out how he sprained his right knee Friday some 20 minutes before first pitch. — “It was like 6:40-something,” Odor said.
John Jackson / Associated Press:
Moncada, Garcia power White Sox past Royals 5-1 — Yoán Moncada is not looking back at his struggles in the past or forward to the promise of his future. — The 23-year-old switch-hitter said he is having too much fun in the present. — Moncada hit a pair of solo shots …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox teammates empathize with Daniel Palka's hitting woes — Chicago Tribune — White Sox outfielder Daniel Palka went 0-for-3 Tuesday to extend his hitless streak to 32 at-bats since opening day. — Palka is now -for-34 since last season, tied with Jim Landis for the fourth-longest hitless streak …
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
MLB investigating racist messages sent to Cubs' Carl Edwards — CHICAGO — Major League Baseball is investigating racist messages sent to Chicago Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. on Instagram this month. — Edwards was optioned to Triple-A Iowa after he had trouble with his motion and got off to a tough start this season.
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WKYC-TV:
WATCH | Cleveland Indians SS Francisco Lindor homers in first rehab assignment game for AAA Columbus — Not a bad way to get back into the swing of things! — Author: Dave “Dino” DeNatale, Matthew Florjancic — CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is apparently feeling better.
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Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Veteran Smoak a positive influence as young Blue Jays hitters manage another win — MINNEAPOLIS — If there was a voice of reason in the Blue Jays clubhouse when the bats were collectively as ice cold as the plentiful frozen lakes in these parts, his name is Justin Smoak.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Associated Press:
Ohtani set to face live pitching instead of rehab — ARLINGTON, Texas — Shohei Ohtani will not go on a rehab assignment before making his season debut with the Los Angeles Angels. — General manager Billy Eppler said Tuesday that Ohtani will instead face pitchers in simulated games.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers small decisions loom large in 5-3 loss to Pirates — The decisions were scattered about - early in the game, an inning later and then another shortly thereafter - and no matter how inconclusive they might have been, they all played a part in the Detroit Tigers' latest defeat.
Paul Newberry / ABC News:
Walker homers leading off 9th, D-Backs beat Braves 9-6 — Christian Walker homered leader off the ninth and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied against the shaky Atlanta bullpen for a 9-6 victory — Max Fried turned in another strong start for the Braves. — Then he turned it over to the bullpen — and it all fell apart for Atlanta.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, Talking Chop and DailyWorld.com
Jeff Williamson / WSLS-TV:
Salem Red Sox to become Salem Beer Mongers for select games this season — SALEM, Va. - The Salem Red Sox revealed their alternate appearance for the 2019 season. — Starting May 2, the team will take the field every Thursday as the Salem Beer Mongers in a nod to the growing craft beer industry.
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
The highs and lows of Yasiel Puig's time in L.A. — LOS ANGELES — He showed up late, then homered early. — How fitting. — Yasiel Puig spent more than half a decade tantalizing the Los Angeles Dodgers with his talent and tormenting them with his indiscretions.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Joc Pederson spoils Yasiel Puig's return with walk-off home run
Dodgers' Joc Pederson spoils Yasiel Puig's return with walk-off home run
Discussion:
Sporting News and ESPN
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Back in LA, late-arriving Puig homers off Kershaw
Back in LA, late-arriving Puig homers off Kershaw
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Deadspin, McCovey Chronicles and NESN.com
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Jeremy Jeffress is pumped. He'll come off the injured list Tuesday eager to pitch. — Jeremy Jeffress has walked into Miller Park countless times before. — But Monday's jaunt had a little different feel for the right-hander, who finally rejoined the Milwaukee Brewers after a four-game rehab stint at Class AAA San Antonio.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Todd Rosiak / USA Today:
Brewers 10, Cardinals 7: Thrice as nice for Christian Yelich
Brewers 10, Cardinals 7: Thrice as nice for Christian Yelich
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Luke Zahlmann / Mile High Sports:
Rockies make flurry of moves prior to series in San Diego — Much like shuffling a deck of cards, the Colorado Rockies made several moves on Monday, partially due to another injury. — Chris Iannetta, the team's veteran behind the plate, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right lat strain.
Discussion:
Purple Row and Gaslamp Ball
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