Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / Arizona Republic:
MLB tanking: Nine teams that can wait 'til next year after a wretched first month — Much as baseball likes to tout its parity, a substantial number of teams entered the season with what seemed like virtually no shot at reaching the playoffs. — Now we have confirmation.
Discussion:
USA Today
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Skaggs shuts down Astros; Angels win 2-0 after call reversed — HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel was thrown out at third base by catcher Martin Maldonado to end the game after an original safe call was reversed on replay, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 2-0 win over Houston on Monday night that ended the Astros' six-game winning streak.
MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Ohtani gets fourth start as Angels take on Astros — HOUSTON — Instead of prolonging the anxiety that often accompanies that first call-up to the majors, the Los Angeles Angels wasted no time giving right-hander Justin Anderson his big-league debut. — Anderson, a native Houstonian …
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Can Shohei Ohtani close the gap between Angels, Astros? We're about to find out
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Skaggs dazzles, Angels beat Astros 2-0
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / Arizona Republic:
Patrick Corbin may be the next Yankees ace. For now, he dominates for the Diamondbacks.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, New York Post and NESN.com
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton star in Yanks' rout — NEW YORK — The Yankees' big bats had a breakout night Monday in the Bronx, headlined by a series of home runs from the likes of vets Giancarlo Stanton and Didi Gregorius and fresher faces such as Tyler Austin and Miguel Andujar.
RELATED:
Rotoworld.com:
Daily Dose: Miguel Mashing — Follow @Rotoworld_BB and @RyanPBoyer on Twitter. — Much of the attention with the Yankees the last couple days has understandably revolved around Gleyber Torres, but there's another youngster in pinstripes that's doing his best to get noticed.
Discussion:
myajc, Sportsnet.ca and MLB Trade Rumors
Chicago Tribune:
White Sox's Avisail Garcia goes on 10-day DL with a strained right hamstring — White Sox starter Carson Fulmer discusses the team's offensive outpouring and his outing against the Mariners on Monday, April 23, 2018. (Teddy Greenstein/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Tom Musick / UPI:
Abreu aims for big game as White Sox host Mariners — After only 19 games, Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu already is in midseason form. — Abreu will look to increase his hitting streak to eight games Tuesday evening when Chicago (5-14) hosts the Seattle Mariners (11-10) in the second game of a three-game set.
Associated Press:
White Sox start hot, beat Mariners in Chicago
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and sports.MyNorthwest.com
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox offense comes to life with 10-4 victory over Mariners
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Buster OlneyESPN Senior / ESPN:
Olney: Giants should consider a Bumgarner blockbuster — The San Francisco Giants played according to the script of their front office on Monday night. Chris Stratton, who is quickly establishing himself as a reliable force in the rotation, threw well against the Nationals, and there was some power …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Williamson 2-run homer highlights Giants' 4-2 win over Nats — SAN FRANCISCO — Mac Williamson remade his swing during the offseason to become a more consistent power hitter. He added a leg kick, lowered his hands, found better balance all in an effort to keep the bat in the zone longer and give himself more room for error.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pham to return after brief absence — Center fielder Tommy Pham, the Cardinals' best overall player so far, said he wasn't at 100 percent to play Sunday as he missed his second game in succession with a groin injury. “I'd rather wait until Tuesday,” said Pham, who expects to be in the lineup against the New York Mets.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Preview: Cardinals vs. Mets — • Before the first month is over, the Cardinals and New York Mets will be done with their head-to-heads for the season. The Cardinals lost two of three in New York in the first series of the year, and three games here between division leaders will finish them until 2019.
Bucky Dent / UPI:
Things get tougher for Cardinals, who are set to host Mets — The MLB welcome wagon, aka the Cincinnati Reds, has left town. — Now the St. Louis Cardinals have to validate their recent streak of wins against MLB's worst team by continuing to win games against better ones, like the New York Mets …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Beth Harris / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Buehler! Top prospect shines in Dodgers' 2-1 win over Miami — Miami Marlins center fielder Lewis Brinson runs into the wall as fans catch a ball hit for a solo home run by Los Angeles Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 23, 2018, in Los Angeles.
RELATED:
Jim Alexander / Whittier Daily News:
Alexander: Let's tap the brakes on Walker Buehler-mania for Dodgers
Discussion:
Daily News, Fish Stripes, True Blue LA and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians To Sign Melky Cabrera — TODAY: Cabrera can earn at a $1MM annual rate and achieve up to another million in incentives, on Heyman of Fan Rag tweets. There's an opt-out date as well, though full details remain unreported. — YESTERDAY: The Indians have reportedly agreed …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
John Smoltz, former Braves pitcher, believes Matt Harvey may not be done just yet despite demotion to the bullpen — ST LOUIS — That July night in 2001, John Smoltz had already started 356 games and won 157 of them. The four-time all-star was as nervous as a rookie when he got ready for his first appearance out of the bullpen.
Matt Calkins / Sacramento Bee:
What are the Mariners thinking? Keeping Ichiro is purely illogical — So ... are the Mariners going to bring Griffey back again? Maybe sign Randy Johnson to strengthen the rotation? Hell, if the price is right, they can probably lure Russell Wilson away from the Yankees.
Steve Habel / UPI:
A's hope to keep momentum going vs. Rangers — The Achilles' heel for the Texas Rangers through the first month of the 2018 season has been relief pitching. — That situation reared its ugly head again Monday when two relievers allowed six runs in the ninth inning to all but hand …
Jack Etkin / UPI:
Rockies face Padres, seek elusive home win — DENVER — In dire need of a win at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies hope starter Kyle Freeland on Tuesday can find a mound groove, heretofore elusive this season. — Eric Lauer will make his major league debut for the San Diego Padres …
