Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Francona releases Red Sox lineup — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — HOUSTON — The source of much conversation and expectation, the Red Sox [team stats] Opening Day lineup was unveiled this morning by manager Terry Francona. Only two real discussion points …
Discussion:
Boston Globe and Over the Monster
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Ben DuBose / MLB.com:
Red Sox cruise behind five-run first, Beckett
Red Sox cruise behind five-run first, Beckett
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Viva El Birdos, The Crawfish Boxes and Surviving Grady
Richard Dean / MLB.com:
Crawford leaves 70 tickets in return home
Crawford leaves 70 tickets in return home
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Red Sox Monster, Over the Monster and Sox #1 Fan dot com
Associated Press:
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Brewers got off to a powerful start, and the defending NL Central champions had the big finish. — One game in, the Reds are at it again. — Ramon Hernandez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, rallying Cincinnati to a 7-6 victory …
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Weeks, Gomez hit back-to-back jacks — CINCINNATI — Sure, the Brewers were bummed about Zack Greinke's place on the Opening Day disabled list. But they showed Thursday how they'll try to get by in his absence. — Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez delivered back-to-back home runs in the Brewers …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Almonte could see early action
MLB:
Rays sign Wade Davis to extension — The Tampa Bay Rays signed starting pitcher Wade Davis to a four-year extension Thursday. — The contract, which contains three club option years (2015-17), guarantees Davis $12.6 million. If the Rays exercise the three option years, the 25-year-old Davis will make approximately $35.1 million.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Halos Heaven, baseballmusings.com, Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
Fox Sports:
Dye ‘at peace’ with decision to retire — In each of the past two offseasons, Jermaine Dye expressed frustration that no team would offer him a contract that he deemed suitable. — But Dye, upon informing FOXSports.com of his retirement Thursday, said he was “at peace” with his decision to end his career at age 37.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ankiel, Riggleman note Cox's absence — WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Jim Riggleman and outfielder Rick Ankiel said that it will be weird not seeing former Braves manager Bobby Cox in the opposing dugout. — Cox retired after the 2010 season. He guided the Braves to five pennants and one World Series title.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Maybin home run saves Padres; Pujols 0-for-5 — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cameron Maybin tied it with a two-out homer in the ninth inning and grounded a single that led to the go-ahead run in the 11th Thursday as the San Diego Padres opened with a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Hunter, Mathis Homer as Weaver, Angels Beat KC 4-2 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Torii Hunter and Jeff Mathis homered, helping Jered Weaver and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 Thursday in a chilly season opener. — Weaver allowed two harmless singles to Melky Cabrera …
Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
Nats play good defense, yet little hitting in loss — WASHINGTON—With Jayson Werth in right field and Adam LaRoche at first base, the Washington Nationals are sure they're going to be a much better defensive team this season. — And, indeed, they were absolutely fine in the field on a damp …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
D'Backs Sign Josh Wilson — The Diamondbacks signed infielder Josh Wilson to a minor league deal, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter links). Wilson, who was released by the Mariners earlier in the week, will report to Triple-A Reno.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Buehrle not worried about 2012 and beyond — CLEVELAND — Mark Buehrle's franchise-record ninth Opening Day start with the White Sox also could be his last one thrown for the South Siders. The talented southpaw is playing in the final season of a four-year, $56 million extension.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Hamels learned value of between-starts preparation — It came in the stifling St. Louis heat, everything Cole Hamels had worked for. — Players and coaches still talk about that game on July 22, 2010, and not just because it was the turning point for the Phillies, a chaotic day that ended …