Top News:
Associated Press:
Verlander throws 5-hit shutout, Astros blank Angels 2-0 — Houston took two of three in the series and holds a two-game lead in the AL West over the Angels. — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Justin Verlander pitched a five-hitter for his first shutout in three years and Evan Gattis hit a two-run homer …
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Astros wear orange but have a better blueprint than Dodgers — Three weeks after the Houston Astros won the World Series, Carlos Correa was back in a training facility less than 20 miles from his team's home stadium. — “The World Series didn't make us comfortable,” Correa said.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? J.D. Martinez giving Red Sox power bat they needed — J.D. Martinez waited and waited and waited. The Boston Red Sox waited and waited and waited. Finally, in what always felt like a preordained outcome, the two sides agreed to a contract in late February.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Fixing Matt Harvey: Reds and erstwhile Dark Knight still believe it can happen — SAN FRANCISCO - Matt Harvey's first two outings with the Reds have provided occasional glimpses of the pitcher who earned a starting nod in the 2013 All-Star Game, such as his stretch of striking out five …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Josh Hader: Brewers lefty, the ‘coolest guy out there,’ brings heat as MLB's ultimate weapon — PHOENIX - Josh Hader has the look of a Southern California surfer, with the dirty-blonde, shoulder-length hair, and ink-stained arms, but he's from a small village in Maryland.
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood fixes flaw in delivery to limit walks — Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood discusses getting pulled in the sixth inning against the Braves on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Tyler Chatwood isn't sure where he developed a bad habit …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
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Ken Powtak / Associated Press:
Red Sox avoid sweep with 6-4 win over A's — Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts, right, is congratulated by J.D. Martinez as he crosses home plate after his three-run home run off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Dull during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, May 16, 2018.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Mets place Cespedes on the disabled list — Yoenis Cespedes spent about a week trying to play through his latest lower body injury. Now, he and the New York Mets are opting to play it safe. — The team placed Cespedes, an outfielder, on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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ESPN:
Dodgers GM gives manager Dave Roberts vote of confidence — The Los Angeles Dodgers are making history with their poor start, but manager Dave Roberts' job appears to be safe. — General manager Farhan Zaidi said Thursday that the team's front office has “confidence” in Roberts' performance this season.
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ESPN:
Giants' Brandon Belt says plate umpire cheated him to ‘get the game over with’ — A series-ending loss to the National League-worst Reds wasn't the only thing that left Giants slugger Brandon Belt raw on Wednesday. — It was how that 6-3 defeat ended that rubbed the left fielder the wrong way.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Messages received: Carpenter, Fowler stir to send Cards to win vs. Twins — MINNEAPOLIS • It's become customary for Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to let his position players know who is in the lineup and where before the game, often with a message he sends to their phones the night before.
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Brian Hall / Associated Press:
Fowler, Carpenter get going in Cardinals' 7-5 win over Twins
Fowler, Carpenter get going in Cardinals' 7-5 win over Twins
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies finally have tough decisions with starting rotation | Extra Innings — What will Gabe Kapler do today? Kapler has certainly kept it interesting so far, and Wednesday's 4-1 win over Baltimore was no different. He called on Hector Neris to record just the final out of the ninth inning …
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Jeff Sanders / The Charlotte Observer:
With mom by his side, Franmil Reyes looking to stick with Padres — SAN DIEGO — A mother emerged from the tunnel leading out to the field at Petco Park and searched for her boy. At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Franmil Reyes is one of the most imposing figures to ever pull a Padres jersey …
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies minor leagues: Lakewood starting rotation dominating opponents — LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Marty Malloy did not know what to expect from his starting rotation as he prepared for his second season as manager of the Phillies' low-A Lakewood affiliate. — He had been blessed in his first season.
Associated Press:
Nelson leads Tampa to 6-2 win over Dunedin — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nick Nelson allowed just three hits over six innings, leading the Tampa Tarpons over the Dunedin Blue Jays in a 6-2 win on Thursday. — Nelson (1-1) picked up the win after he struck out six and walked one while allowing one run.
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Keith Law's 2018 Mock Draft 2.0 — Just as he did during my first mock draft, Auburn's Casey Mize appears at the No. 1 spot in our current edition. But as we near the two-week mark from draft day, buzz around how the rest of the first round will play out is starting to pick up. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Talking Chop and Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Nationals catcher Wieters has surgery on left hamstring — WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals say catcher Matt Wieters had an operation on his left hamstring. — The team announced Thursday that Wieters had the surgery on Wednesday. — The Nationals indicated more information …
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers prospect mailbag: Is Derek Hill considered a bust? — Welcome to the weekly Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag, which is now open to any of your questions. Submit questions on Twitter @GeorgeSipple or by email at gsipple@freepress.com. … Don't write him off yet, Philip.