Top News:
Jeff Arnold / UPI:
Darvish faces Brewers in quest for first win — CHICAGO — When Yu Darvish signed a $126 million contract to join the Cubs in the offseason, he was viewed as a free agent prize. — But as Darvish prepares to make his fifth start of the season Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, the 31-year-old right-hander has yet to deliver.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kris Bryant out of the starting lineup for a 4th straight game — Joe Maddon on the Cubs' 1-0 win over the Brewers Thursday night. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is out of the starting lineup Friday against the Brewers for the fourth straight game.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Next Slide — CHICAGO - One swing was all it took to bring …
Next Slide — CHICAGO - One swing was all it took to bring …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Brew Crew Ball and MLB Baseball News …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs aren't fretting over Yu Darvish's early struggles
Column: Cubs aren't fretting over Yu Darvish's early struggles
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Chicago Tribune
Associated Press:
Davidson homers twice, White Sox beat Royals 6-3 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Matt Davidson is disproving the notion power hitters don't like Kauffman Stadium. — Davidson hit two of Chicago's five home runs, leading the White Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.
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ESPN:
White Sox's Danny Farquhar walking, ‘moving in positive direction’ — Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar has been able to go on light walks and remains in stable condition in intensive care after suffering a brain aneurysm last weekend, manager Rick Renteria said.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Mike Shalin / UPI:
Rays on roll entering series with Red Sox — BOSTON — When the Tampa Bay Rays left Boston April 8, they were 1-8 with eight straight losses. — A lot has changed for Kevin Cash's team as it returns to Fenway Park for a three-game series this weekend. — The Rays open the series …
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Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Orioles 3B Tim Beckham out at least 6 weeks after surgery
Orioles 3B Tim Beckham out at least 6 weeks after surgery
Discussion:
Associated Press, Camden Chat, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Dylan Bundy falters as Orioles lose, 9-5, are off to their worst 25-game start since 1988
Dylan Bundy falters as Orioles lose, 9-5, are off to their worst 25-game start since 1988
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Camden Depot
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
After 9-5 win, Rays head back to Boston a different team: Here's why
After 9-5 win, Rays head back to Boston a different team: Here's why
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Dan Arritt / UPI:
Yankees head west on hot streak to face Angels — The New York Yankees have won six in a row heading into a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium. — Gary Sanchez kept the winning streak alive with a three-run, walk-off homer on Thursday afternoon …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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Fred Kerber / New York Post:
Twins ‘officially pissed off’ at this Yankee Stadium deja vu
Twins ‘officially pissed off’ at this Yankee Stadium deja vu
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Dan Caesar / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Media Views: Matt Holliday, dabbling in broadcasting, hasn't given up on playing again — Matt Holliday has played in nearly 1,900 big-league baseball games. He'd like to be in some more. — Holliday is working out in Jupiter, Fla., where he lives with his family and is hoping for a call back to the majors.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Series preview: Cardinals at Pittsburgh — • PNC Park is the stadium where the Cardinals have their worst record in the Mike Matheny era, dating to 2012. The Cardinals are only 22-31 there (not counting the game last year in Williamsport, Pa.) with just one winning season (5-4 in 2016).
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Rob Biertempfel / The Athletic:
Absent for more than a year, Jung Ho Kang finally gets a visa and aims to rejoin Pirates
Absent for more than a year, Jung Ho Kang finally gets a visa and aims to rejoin Pirates
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Ronald Acuna, baseball's latest sensation, hits Philly | Extra Innings — So the Phillies got hammered yesterday. But there is some good news: That was their last Facebook game for two weeks. The Phillies will welcome the Braves to South Philly tonight to start a three-game series …
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Brad Hunter / Toronto Sun:
FOUL BALLS: Blue Jays who got home in trouble with cops — The Toronto Blue Jays have had some hard times on — and off — the field. — And one of their rivals is the cops. — With Jays' legend Kelly Gruber's recent bust for drunk driving in Texas, we decided to take a look …
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Larry Millson / UPI:
Blue Jays attempt to regroup vs. Rangers
Associated Press:
Digest: Boston to change name of Yawkey Way due to claims of racism — Boston will change name of Yawkey Way due to alleged racism by former owner — Boston officials Thursday approved changing the name of Yawkey Way, the street outside Fenway Park, because of allegations former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey …
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
In erasing Yawkey Way from Fenway Park, Red Sox, Boston seize opportunity from shame
In erasing Yawkey Way from Fenway Park, Red Sox, Boston seize opportunity from shame
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Gerry Fraley / The Charlotte Observer:
The sad part of Rangers history pitcher Matt Bush is in danger of joining — Matt Bush is in danger of joining the Rangers' sad history of effective relievers who went south after trying to transform into starters. — The Rangers on Wednesday used Bush's final option to send him to Triple-A Round Rock.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Tank me out to the ballgame: MLB teams get early start in Race to the Bottom — Royals pitcher Jason Hammel rolls over after being hit by a ball off the bat of the Brewers' Lorenzo Cain during a game at Kauffman Stadium on April 25, 2018 in Kansas City. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
How many strikeouts is too many, and MLB's next big thing — Every year, baseball's strikeout rate increases. That much we know. What we haven't thought as much about is the victim of the strikeout pandemic: balls in play. Without balls in play, we can't have hits.
Daily Record:
Yankees rumors: Patrick Corbin interest mutual, report says — With CC Sabathia in in his twilight years and with the long-term futures of Sonny Gray and Jordan Montgomery in pinstripes uncertain, the Yankees could certainly use another quality starter. Enter Patrick Corbin.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
A's send opening day starter Kendall Graveman to minors — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have optioned opening day starter Kendall Graveman and fellow right-hander Chris Bassitt to Triple-A Nashville. — The A's also announced Thursday that right-hander Wilmer Font …
Stu Durando / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals' Pham excels despite konk to the head — St. Louis Cardinals' Tommy Pham reaches safely on an infield single as New York Mets first baseman Adrian Gonzalez tries to receive the throw in the 10th inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets on Thursday …