Top News:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Jose Altuve is a magician whose brilliance should be treasured — Jose Altuve is the reigning American League MVP, he leads the majors with a .343 batting average, the Houston Astros are having a terrific season ... and yet we've hardly talked about him and that seems a little weird.
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Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Giancarlo Stanton walk-off homer gives Yankees 23rd comeback win — NEW YORK — It took nearly half the season to do it, but Giancarlo Stanton finally had his first iconic moment at Yankee Stadium. — With two outs and a runner on in the bottom of a tied ninth inning Wednesday night …
USA Today:
Giancarlo Stanton walk-off home run caps Yankees' comeback victory — NEW YORK — The New York Yankees came back from a five-run deficit in the most Yankee way possible: by hitting home runs. — The team, which leads the league in homers by a large margin, hit two of them to walk off …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Pinstripe Alley and The Comeback
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Cubs put closer Morrow on DL — The Chicago Cubs will have to get by without closer Brandon Morrow for at least a little while. — The Cubs placed the righthander on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of lower back tightness, leaving a short-handed bullpen without its most important piece.
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Christian Red / Baltimore Sun:
Brett Gardner held out of Yankees' win, Gleyber Torres nixes Home Run Derby
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Gleyber Torres takes Derby decision out of MLB's hands
Gleyber Torres takes Derby decision out of MLB's hands
Discussion:
Sporting News and ABC News
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Former Cubs pitching coach Billy Connors dead at 76
Tom Musick / UPI:
A's face White Sox, aim for fifth straight win — The Oakland Athletics will go for their season-high fifth win in a row when they open a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. — Oakland (38-36) has achieved a four-game winning streak …
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians complete three-game sweep of Chicago White Sox with 12-0 win at Progressive Field
Cleveland Indians complete three-game sweep of Chicago White Sox with 12-0 win at Progressive Field
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and MLB Baseball News …
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
After ejection, White Sox's Rick Renteria offers some support, criticism for Yoan Moncada
After ejection, White Sox's Rick Renteria offers some support, criticism for Yoan Moncada
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies pitching prospect Cole Irvin is a former major-league groundskeeper — ALLENTOWN — Cole Irvin can still hear the roar of the crowd from his major-league debut as he stepped in front of a full stadium for the first time. — He was nervous, the Phillies pitching prospect conceded …
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Dan Arritt / UPI:
Jays' Aaron Sanchez returns home to take on Angels — Aaron Sanchez will likely have friends and family in the stands when the Toronto Blue Jays open a four-game series at the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night. — Sanchez will also have plenty of motivation to keep the Blue Jays rolling.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and Bluebird Banter
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
There's no ducking the numbers: MLB has a bad baseball problem that's only getting worse
There's no ducking the numbers: MLB has a bad baseball problem that's only getting worse
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and Halos Heaven
UPI:
Twins look to complete sweep of Red Sox — After earning a victory for the first time in 12 starts in his last outing, Minnesota Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson will try to make it two in a row Thursday afternoon as the Twins look to finish off a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox at Target Field in Minneapolis.
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Jason Mastrodonato / Boston Herald:
Dombrowski: Red Sox ‘love’ Rafael Devers, ‘not looking for a third baseman’
Dombrowski: Red Sox ‘love’ Rafael Devers, ‘not looking for a third baseman’
Discussion:
Over the Monster, NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
The Mets starter the Yankees might actually be able to acquire
The Mets starter the Yankees might actually be able to acquire
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Toronto Sun:
Freeland faces Matz in Rockies-Mets finale — DENVER — Two left-handers who have been very successful lately will square off Thursday when Kyle Freeland starts for the Colorado Rockies against Steven Matz of the New York Mets. — The Rockies will be looking to win the four-game series …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Loss of Noah Syndergaard felt in 10-8 loss as Seth Lugo and thin bullpen falter
Yahoo Sports / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Rockies spent over $100M to have the worst bullpen in MLB
Rockies spent over $100M to have the worst bullpen in MLB
Discussion:
Denver Post and Purple Row
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies' Jake Arrieta has no problem with boos | Extra Innings — Yes, it's a bit early to say Odubel Herrera is the next Vladimir Guerrero. It's also a bit early to start looking at playoff standings. But it's not too early to say the Phillies are in a much better spot than they were last season.
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Struggling Adam Morgan ignores boos, gets first career save
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Cubs show Dodgers — and everyone else — they're team to beat in NL — CHICAGO — Teams don't establish themselves as “the team to beat” on the basis of a regular-season series in baseball, especially one that unfolds over two chilly weekdays in the middle of June.
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Associated Press:
Back to back to back: 3 straight HRs propel Astros to win — It was a welcome display of power for a team which managed just five singles in a 2-1 loss to the Rays on Tuesday night that snapped Houston's 12-game winning streak. Wednesday night's win made the Astros the first team to reach 50 victories this season.
Discussion:
Pueblo Chiefton
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Brandon Morrow injured himself taking off his pants, the latest in a long line of strange Cubs mishaps — Cubs closer Brandon Morrow expects to be back in a week from back spasms that landed him on the disabled list. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Shelly Anderson / UPI:
D-backs open 4-game series in Pittsburgh — The Arizona Diamondbacks open a four-game series Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and by the time they move on to Miami, their rotation could look different. As in, more intact. — Right-hander Zack Godley (7-5, 4.77 ERA) …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Baltimore Sun:
Success of Shohei Ohtani is inspiring more players to seek two-way roles — Inland Empire first baseman Jared Walsh is all smiles after hitting a home run against the Lancaster JetHawks at the Hanger on May 8. (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times) — What Shohei Ohtani did for the Angels …
Associated Press:
This Date In Baseball — 1925 — The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 24-6 with Kiki Cuyler and Pie Traynor each hitting a grand slam and Max Carey getting two hits in the first and eighth innings. — 1930 — Lou Gehrig hit three home runs to lead the New York Yankees …
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — CINCINNATI — The Detroit Tigers arrived in the Queen City just one game below the .500 mark, riding high on a five-game winning streak with their two best pitchers scheduled to start against an otherwise lowly Reds team. — They leave three games under, hurt by the long ball …