Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Still riding the 105-mph high, Hicks downshifts to find strikeouts — As he readied for his first appearance since unleashing a 105 mph sinker into history this past week, Cardinals rookie reliever Jordan Hicks realized there would be expectation, even anticipation, that he could throw harder, that he could chase 106 mph.
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Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Jose Martinez engages fans with pregame cannon — Hoping for a shot at redemption, 19-year-old Ben Klee bought a ticket for section 339. He arrived to Busch Stadium in time for pregame warmups. He waited, holding a black and tan glove. — Over the past month, first baseman Jose Martinez has developed a pregame tradition.
Jose de Jesus Ortiz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Under-the-radar deals pay off for Cardinals
Under-the-radar deals pay off for Cardinals
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Phil Thompson / Baltimore Sun:
Welington Castillo's reported PED suspension overshadows White Sox's 11-1 victory over Orioles — White Sox starter Dylan Covey discusses how he leaned on his fastball to secure his first-career win on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Dylan Covey gets another chance to prove himself as White Sox take on Orioles — White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses how pitcher Dylan Covey has improved command of the strike zone on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Camden Chat and MLB Daily Dish
Joe Totoraitis / Associated Press:
Diamondbacks lose 13th time in 14 games, 9-2 to Brewers — MILWAUKEE (AP) — The tables did not turn for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Milwaukee. — Travis Shaw hit a three-run homer and Jesus Aguilar had a go-ahead, two-run single during a seven-run fourth inning to help …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
‘Future is now’ for Braves thanks to historic young duo of Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr. — 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
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Detroit Free Press and MLB Baseball News …
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge: ‘No need’ to defend Home Run Derby title — Aaron Judge has already decided to pass on defending his 2017 Home Run Derby title. — The New York Yankees slugger said he will skip the event this July at Washington's Nationals Park.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Post, NBCSports.com and ESPN
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Five sensible proposals for a Manny Machado trade … Set to become a free agent this winter and with his team already 18 games back in the AL East Division, it seems likely that Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado could be available ahead of July's trade deadline.
Associated Press:
Verlander improves to 6-2 as Astros beat Giants 4-1 — Verlander (6-2) struck out nine and walked one in six innings, allowing one run and three hits as his major league-leading ERA rose slightly to 1.08. He had given up just three runs over 29 innings during his previous four starts …
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MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Jose Altuve standing tall again as Astros host Giants
Jose Altuve standing tall again as Astros host Giants
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Samardzija's command off the mark, Giants swept in two games by Astros
Samardzija's command off the mark, Giants swept in two games by Astros
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds getting to work early under Jim Riggleman — It's been a daily ritual before home games since Jim Riggleman took over as Reds interim manager. — A handful of players are out on the field at 3 p.m. or so for early work. It's usually the basics: Bunting, base-running, fielding.
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds place closer Raisel Iglesias on the disabled list with biceps injury
Cincinnati Reds place closer Raisel Iglesias on the disabled list with biceps injury
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and USA Today
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Life isn't easy for Cubs at top of baseball's food chain — Photos from the Cubs-Indians game at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — Adam Plutko wasn't exactly a name that rolled off the tongue of Cubs players before Wednesday night's game against the Indians at Wrigley Field.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber batting 1-2 for Cubs vs. Indians
Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber batting 1-2 for Cubs vs. Indians
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Tom Musick / UPI:
Chicago Cubs take crack at Cleveland Indians rookie Adam Plutko
Chicago Cubs take crack at Cleveland Indians rookie Adam Plutko
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Let's Go Tribe and Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez balk at Home Run Derby — Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts leads the major leagues with 16 home runs, and teammate J.D. Martinez is right behind with 15, but both said they don't want any part of the Home Run Derby. — “Hell no,” Betts told the Boston Globe.
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Neil Paine / FiveThirtyEight:
J.D. Martinez Doesn't Need The Green Monster
J.D. Martinez Doesn't Need The Green Monster
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Over the Monster
Tom Timmermann / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Another stellar Wacha start is wasted — There was no rain in the forecast on Wednesday afternoon, so the other most likely thing to happen in a Michael Wacha start came to pass: The Cardinals went to extra innings. — “I've been known to start those long games, that's for sure,” he said.
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Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
BenFred: Ozuna snoozed through end of his honeymoon in St. Louis
BenFred: Ozuna snoozed through end of his honeymoon in St. Louis
Discussion:
Sporting News
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Brandon Nimmo's continued propensity to reach base will leave Mets with tough outfield decisions — Mickey Callaway admitted the obvious before the Mets' 2-1 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday night at Citi Field: With Yoenis Cespedes nearing a return, the skipper will have some tough decisions to make …
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Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier will be with Mets on eight-game road trip
Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier will be with Mets on eight-game road trip
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Welington Castillo To Receive 80-Game PED Suspension — White Sox catcher Welington Castillo has been slapped with an 80-game suspension following a failed PED test, per Dominican journalist Americo Celado. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets the same, and it seems that an announcement from the league could come tomorrow.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Mike Cook / Associated Press:
Fulmer, Goodum help Tigers top Twins 4-1, stop 5-game skid — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Fulmer is a bit confused. — Fulmer felt good going into his previous outing yet allowed three runs in a no-decision during a loss at Seattle. — “I come here today just not feeling well.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds rally but fall to the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 in 12 — Josh Harrison's RBI triple in the 12th lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-4 victory over the Reds in 11 innings before the diehards from a crowd of 18,659 at Great American Ball Park. — Austin Meadows led off the 12th …
Chris Daniels / KING-TV:
Mariners strike deal for another 25 years at Safeco Field — The Mariners are staying at Safeco Field for the next 25 years. — The Seattle Mariners will spend another 25 years at the ballpark known as Safeco Field, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced in a brief press release Wednesday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, From the Corner … and Lookout Landing