Top News:
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.
RELATED:
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.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals fall 5-2 to Royals in 10 innings — Pitcher Bud Norris was flawless in ninth inning. He set down the Royals in order and struck out two. — The tenth couldn't have been more different. Norris loaded the bases, then allowed a two-run single to catcher Drew Butera, who is hitting .176 on the year.
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
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 …
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? Justin Verlander off to one of best starts in past decade — Sometimes you just have to sit back, enjoy the performance and admire the gift that is Justin Verlander's right arm. He's 35 years old, on the wrong end of the timeline for most professional baseball players …
RELATED:
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 …
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
MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Jose Altuve standing tall again as Astros host Giants
Jose Altuve standing tall again as Astros host Giants
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Matt Carlson / Associated Press:
Covey earns 1st win, White Sox hit 3 homers in rout of O's — Chicago White Sox's Yoan Moncada and Baltimore Orioles catcher Chance Sisco watch Moncada's three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Chicago. Tim Anderson and Adam Engel also scored on the play.
RELATED:
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
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 …
RELATED:
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.
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge: ‘No need’ to defend Home Run Derby title
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge: ‘No need’ to defend Home Run Derby title
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com, New York Post and ESPN
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.
RELATED:
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 … and MLB Daily Dish
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.
RELATED:
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
Neil Paine / FiveThirtyEight:
J.D. Martinez Doesn't Need The Green Monster — When the Boston Red Sox signed free agent slugger J.D. Martinez this past offseason, it looked like a match made in baseball heaven. As a right-handed power hitter who'd recently embraced MLB's fly-ball revolution — to great effect …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and DRaysBay
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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 … and The Comeback
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.
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:
From the Corner …, Lookout Landing, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …