Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Phillies' Gabe Kapler: Jorge Alfaro and Pudge Rodriguez are ‘neck-and-neck, at worst’ — PHILADELPHIA — Even at this early stage of the season, a series for first place in the National League East elicits extra excitement from already-pumped up Phillies manager Gabe Kapler — and more than a touch of hyperbole.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Good Phight and Indianapolis Star
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Associated Press:
Soto, 19, homers in first start for Nationals — Juan Soto, the youngest player in the majors at 19, hit a three-run homer in his first career start as the Washington Nationals defeated the San Diego Padres 10-2 on Monday. — Mark Reynolds had two solo home runs for the Nationals, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Federal Baseball
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Kids bop: At 19, Nationals rookie Juan Soto has star company in home run club — SportsPulse: MLB insider Bob Nightengale looks at the historic season Shohei Ohtani is putting together and if he truly can become the ‘next Babe Ruth.’ USA TODAY Sports — Juan Soto, the teenage phenom …
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Cubs-Indians: Five stark differences since their 2016 World Series showdown — SportsPulse: MLB insider Bob Nightengale looks at the historic season Shohei Ohtani is putting together and if he truly can become the ‘next Babe Ruth.’ USA TODAY Sports — It hasn't yet been two years since Kris Bryant …
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs slugger Kris Bryant isn't satisfied with simply making more contact
Cubs slugger Kris Bryant isn't satisfied with simply making more contact
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Tom Musick / UPI:
Chicago Cubs host Cleveland Indians with 3rd straight win in sights
Chicago Cubs host Cleveland Indians with 3rd straight win in sights
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Joe Totoraitis / Associated Press:
Brewers hit 3 HRs off Greinke, beat Diamondbacks 4-2 — MILWAUKEE (AP) — Travis Shaw, Domingo Santana and Lorenzo Cain each hit home runs off Zack Greinke, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 on Monday night. — Arizona has lost five in a row and 11 of 12, scoring just 24 runs in that span.
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Paul Goldschmidt's season-long slump should be cause for concern
Paul Goldschmidt's season-long slump should be cause for concern
Discussion:
Arizona Sports and Federal Baseball
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
ESPN:
Rangers GM Jon Daniels not blaming coaching staff for struggles — As the Texas Rangers continue to fall off the pace in the American League West, president and general manager Jon Daniels isn't looking for scapegoats on his coaching staff. — “When we took the approach we took this offseason …
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Steve Habel / UPI:
Struggling Rangers look to pick up pieces vs. Yankees
Steve Rosenbloom / Baltimore Sun:
Do the White Sox really think Manny Machado would want to play for a team like theirs? — Orioles slugger Manny Machado fields questions about being the focus of trade rumors on Monday, May 21, 2018. (David Haugh/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — You know what's worse than the White Sox not getting any better?
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Manny Machado, the ideal Cub, handles hoopla over arrival like superstar he is
Column: Manny Machado, the ideal Cub, handles hoopla over arrival like superstar he is
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun and Camden Chat
ESPN:
Cards' Alex Reyes to start, could return next week — Cardinals pitching prospect Alex Reyes will return to the majors as a starter and could rejoin St. Louis' rotation as early as next week. — Reyes, 23, has been dominant in three minor league starts this month and is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list next Monday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Ex-Royals lefty Tim Collins pitches in majors for first time since 2014 World Series — Obviously, there is never a good time for an injury in baseball. — But for left-hander Tim Collins, Tommy John surgery in spring training of 2015 meant he had to watch his teammates win the World Series that fall.
Discussion:
Washington Post and Federal Baseball
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Bucky Dent / UPI:
Cardinals' O'Neill carries HR streak into game vs. Royals — Tyler O'Neill is muscling his way into the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup, one homer after another. — The outfielder figures to be back in there Tuesday night for the middle game of a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium …
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ESPN:
Mariners put Dee Gordon on DL with fractured toe — Seattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a fractured toe, marking the latest setback at the position for Seattle. — The Mariners have not announced a timeline for how long Gordon will be sidelined …
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Dave Del Grande / UPI:
West rivals Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics clash
West rivals Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics clash
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers developing a theme for this season. It's frustrating. — Albert Pujols picked up his 3,000th hit on May 4. Which active player will be the next one to reach the milestone? Video by Ryan Ford/DFP Wochit — CONNECT — MINNEAPOLIS - Ron Gardenhire's phone rang …
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Dave Campbell / Toronto Sun:
Twins overtake Tigers 4-2 behind strong start from Berrios
ESPN:
The Shohei Ohtani experiment isn't just working — it's been perfect — I just got a calendar reminder that I set a little more than a year ago, to make fun of my friend Daniel. “There's no way a major league team will let Shohei Ohtani hit,” he swore to me last spring. “Zero chance. Way too risky.”
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Ralph D. Russo / Associated Press:
MLB, USA Baseball modify youth game to pick up pace — NEW YORK (AP) — MLB and USA Baseball are promoting a modified version of youth baseball with fewer innings, batters and pitches to pick up the pace. — Hit and Run Baseball is part of the MLB's Play Ball initiative announced Tuesday.
Associated Press:
Scavuzzo's single leads Okla. City over Memphis in 10 innings — MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jacob Scavuzzo hit an RBI single in the top of the 10th inning to help lead the Oklahoma City Dodgers to a 10-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday. — Henry Ramos scored the go-ahead run on the single …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Boston columnist condemns MLB hypocrisy with Pete, gambling — MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Pete Rose and the Cincinnati Reds Wochit — Some on Twitter and elsewhere who point out the hypocrisy of Major League Baseball embracing gambling while refusing reinstatement of Hit King …
Greg Auman / UPI:
Tampa Bay Rays will try to slow down Boston Red Sox's power — The Tampa Bay Rays get back to having a traditional starting pitcher on the mound, but they'll do so Tuesday night against the best hitting lineup in the majors as the Boston Red Sox come to town.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, DRaysBay and Minor League Ball
Associated Press:
Assad, Amaya lift South Bend over Lansing 9-1 — SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Miguel Amaya had three hits and three RBI, and Javier Assad allowed just three hits over 5 2/3 innings as the South Bend Cubs topped the Lansing Lugnuts 9-1 on Tuesday. The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Cubs.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ian Happ and Jason Heyward sit vs. Indians starter Trevor Bauer — Cubs' Javier Baez on snapping out of a slump: ‘All about adjustments.’ (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Despite a productive weekend, Ian Happ won't start Tuesday night when the Cubs face the Indians and Trevor Bauer at Wrigley Field.