Top News:
Manny Randhawa / MLB.com:
Italy slugs early, stuns Mexico late with 5-run 9th — For the second time in as many World Baseball Classic contests against Mexico, Italy mounted a stunning ninth-inning comeback to win the opener of Pool D play in Jalisco, 10-9. — With Mexico nursing a comfortable four-run advantage heading …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, FanGraphs Baseball, Amazin' Avenue, True Blue LA and Talking Chop
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Wayne Graczyk / Baseball America:
Cuba Beats Australia To Adavance - 2017 World Baseball Classic — TOKYO—Cuba slugger Alfredo Despaigne put his team into the second round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic by hitting a grand slam to defeat Australia on Friday. Playing at Tokyo Dome, Cuba won 4-3 to advance, along with Japan, as the survivors of Pool B.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Yahoo Sports
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
USA avoids upset with walkoff win over Colombia in World Baseball Classic — MIAMI - Breaking down Friday's Pool C game of the World Baseball Classic between Colombia and the U.S. — Team USA 3, Colombia 2, 10 innings: — The game: Adam Jones' RBI single in the 10th inning drove …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Tampa Bay Times:
Rays' Kevin Cash will cringe through Chris Archer's WBC work. Should you? — PORT CHARLOTTE — Chris Archer knows, or thinks he knows, a lot of things. And he's typically not bashful about sharing. — There he was again Tuesday, suggesting during a Team USA media event in Fort Myers …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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Nick Groke / Denver Post:
Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis needs chemotherapy after cancer spreads — Bettis: “I am committed to beating this cancer” — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Chad Bettis beamed with relief last month when doctors showed him some promising cancer test results. But the Rockies right-hander …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and FanRag Sports
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers take it on the chin from familiar faces and Team Venezuela — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — If there's a silver lining, a couple of the opponents hitters had good days and that's good for the Rangers in the long run. Rougned Odor and Robinson Chirinos each had singles in Team Venezuela's 6-4 win …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers shut down Cashner after setback
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, MLB Trade Rumors and Yahoo Sports
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Andrew McCutchen's vow after Pirates dangle him: 'I'm going to have monster year' — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Andrew McCutchen tries to pretend it's really no big deal, but it is. — He tries to act as if it doesn't bother him, but it attacks his pride. — McCutchen, playing Thursday …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Why Max Scherzer is a true rarity among baseball's best pitchers — WEST PALM BEACH, Fl. — Uh, wasn't Max Scherzer supposed to break down, like, 10 years ago? — Oh, I know Scherzer currently is dealing with a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger, which might delay the start of his season.
Washington Post:
Redskins fire GM Scot McCloughan after two seasons — After weeks of speculation, the Washington Redskins fired General Manager Scot McCloughan on Thursday, a little more than two years into a four-year contract. — The decision was announced by team President Bruce Allen …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Niners Wire, NESN.com, CBS DC, The Big Lead and FanRag Sports
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Cubs' Kris Bryant makes history with 2017 salary — A source close to the situation has informed FanRag Sports that Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant has signed a $1.05 million contract for the upcoming 2017 season, a record for a second-year player. — Bryant has now surpassed …
Tim Gannon / Suffolk Times:
Orient resident, MLB 20-game winner Bill Hands dies at 76 — Longtime Orient resident and former Major League 20-game winner William Hands Jr. died Thursday in Florida. — The former Chicago Cubs pitcher and longtime owner of the Orient Service Station on Main Road was 76 years old.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
KTVU-TV:
Oakland Raiders player Aldon Smith detained in San Francisco — SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) — Suspended Oakland Raiders player Aldon Smith was detained Thursday morning in San Francisco after a vehicle he was a passenger in collided with a San Francisco police car near police headquarters, authorities said.
Discussion:
Niners Wire, FanRag Sports and East Bay Times
