Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
There's no ducking the numbers: MLB has a bad baseball problem that's only getting worse — It's a shame Eddie Gaedel isn't with us anymore. This is his time to shine. — You remember, Gaedel? He was the 3-foot-7 slugger hired by St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck as a publicity stunt …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels … ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Desert Nail Spa in Scottsdale picked up a new client this year. A regular visitor since February, he fist bumps employees when he walks through the door, and once he sits down, his usual nail technician knows exactly what he wants done.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and AZ Snake Pit
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.
Larry Millson / UPI:
Atlanta Braves try to stay hot against Toronto Blue Jays
Atlanta Braves try to stay hot against Toronto Blue Jays
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Talking Chop
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.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jon Lester expects great plays from Cubs' exceptional defensive players
Toronto Sun:
Cubs, Dodgers go for series win after doubleheader split
Cubs, Dodgers go for series win after doubleheader split
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Matt Carlson / Associated Press:
Cubs beat Dodgers 2-1 in 10 innings for doubleheader split
Cubs beat Dodgers 2-1 in 10 innings for doubleheader split
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, True Blue LA, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Daily Dish
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians complete three-game sweep of Chicago White Sox with 12-0 win at Progressive Field — The Cleveland Indians completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 12-0 win at Progressive Field Wednesday. — CLEVELAND — Good things happen when the Cleveland Indians …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
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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Christian Red / Baltimore Sun:
Brett Gardner held out of Yankees' win, Gleyber Torres nixes Home Run Derby — Brett Gardner was wearing a compression brace on his right knee in the clubhouse Wednesday prior to the Yankees' game against the Mariners. He said he felt “good” enough to play, but manager Aaron Boone still kept …
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Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yankees launching a historic home run barrage
Yankees launching a historic home run barrage
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Deadspin, Lookout Landing, Pinstripe Alley and New York Post
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Free agency checkup: Which stars are adding and losing money? — Let's check in on some members of the so-called greatest free-agent class ever — although it's admittedly a little less great given the results and/or injuries of Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw and Josh Donaldson …
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Jason Mastrodonato / Boston Herald:
Dombrowski: Red Sox ‘love’ Rafael Devers, ‘not looking for a third baseman’ — MINNEAPOLIS — It sure doesn't sound like the Red Sox are ready to part ways with Rafael Devers. — “We love him,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told the Herald on Wednesday. “We're not looking for a third baseman.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Former Cubs pitching coach Billy Connors dead at 76 — Billy Connors (right) with former Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte during spring training in 2010. (Associated Press) Chicago Tribune — Former Cubs pitching coach Billy Connors died Monday at the age of 76.
RELATED:
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Yankees' pitching whisperer Billy Connors dead at 76
Yankees' pitching whisperer Billy Connors dead at 76
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Toronto Sun:
Giants, Marlins set for finale of heated series — SAN FRANCISCO — A beanball war between the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants has the potential to spill over into Wednesday's series finale, with neither manager saying the book was closed after there were three hit batsmen and two ejections Tuesday night.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or Not? Giants disgrace the game with latest beanballs
Associated Press:
PHILLIES 4, CARDINALS 3 — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Odubel Herrera hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning, Cesar Hernandez had a two-run shot and Philadelphia beat St. Louis. — Herrera ripped a 91 mph slider from Sam Tuivailala (1-3) off the scoreboard on the facing of the second deck …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Brandon Morrow not fretting over people mocking his back injury — 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 — Cubs closer Brandon Morrow deserves some credit for telling the truth about his back injury.
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Hyphenated battery helps Rangers sweep Royals — Rougned Odor homered, and Austin Bibens-Dirkx picked up his first win of the season as the visiting — Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the — Kansas City Royals with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night at Kaufmann Stadium.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
The true madness of Max Scherzer — Max Scherzer swears he's normal. The evidence points to the contrary. — The day before a recent start in Baltimore, the Washington Nationals' ace plopped himself in front of a laptop at the video table inside the visitors clubhouse.
Tess DeMeyer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Dustin Peterson searches for ‘rhythm’ he rode to the big leagues — Dustin Peterson's first major-league appearance lasted around 48 hours, but those two days with the Braves represent a fraction of the right fielder's aspirations. — “It was awesome,” he said before suiting …
Tampa Bay Times:
Marc Topkin's takeaways from Wednesday's Rays-Astros game — RHP Nathan Eovaldi said before his rough start Wednesday against the Astros that he was pitching better than his numbers showed. Well ... In four starts since his six no-hit innings debut, he's 0
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Bailey's back with the Cincinnati Reds, but plan remains unclear — Homer Bailey was back in the Reds clubhouse Wednesday. He did not add a whole lot of clarity to his situation. — As for an update? — “I don't have one,” he said. “Ask other people. They know better than I do.”