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 …
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.
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.
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
Kevin O'Connor / The Ringer:
Could We Be Entering the Dawn of the Mercenary LeBron Era? — With the Cavaliers up against the wall in the Eastern Conference finals, it's time to ponder the King's upcoming summer. He could very well change the way we think about free agency ... again. — LeBron James has fallen on hard times in this postseason.
Discussion:
Hoops Rumors, The Athletic and NESN.com
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 …