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
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
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
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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
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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.
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Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Struggling Adam Morgan ignores boos, gets first career save — When Gabe Kapler is in the room, the elephant sitting next to him is almost always the Phillies' bullpen. It has become the beast that will not go away, the subject of almost every postgame interview with the manager.
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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
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) …
RELATED:
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 …
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 …
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 …
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich rewarding Brewers for bold offseason splash — Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns put the stamp on the signature day of his young tenure in late January, when he acquired Christian Yelich in a trade with the Miami Marlins and signed Lorenzo Cain to a five-year …