Mets rookie Pete Alonso joins Judge and Stanton in The Big Apple's Big Hitters club  —  ATLANTA — We are now living in a dimension where Pete Alonso's name is uttered in the same category as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.  —  The Mets' rookie blasted a home run that was equal parts majestic …

See Red Sox, this is what happens when you pay attention to details  —  That moment one week before was perhaps the most pointed Alex Cora has been this season.  —  “I pay attention to details,” the manager said after his team's final game in Oakland.  “I love paying attention to details …

Quintana strikes out 11 in 7 innings, Cubs beat Pirates 2-0  —  The Cubs were in need of a strong outing by a starter, and Jose Quintana delivered.  —  The left-hander struck out 11 in seven innings of four-hit ball as Chicago blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Thursday night.

Yankees Place Gary Sanchez On Injured List  —  The Yankees announced Friday that they've placed catcher Gary Sanchez on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 11, due to a left calf strain.  Fellow backstop Kyle Higashioka has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in his place.

On Deck: Rays at Blue Jays  —  TAMPA BAY RAYS at TORONTO BLUE JAYS  —  STARTING PITCHERS  —  RHP Ryne Stanek (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. RHP Trent Thornton (0-0, 1.69 ERA)  —  Stanek is one of the Rays' “openers.”  He will pitch 1-2 strong innings, and likely rack up some Ks (10.5 K per 9 IP).

Column: Cold weather and cold arms are a not-so-hot combination for Cubs and White Sox fans  —  Baseball in Chicago sometimes means frigid temperatures with Cubs and White Sox players — and their fans — doing their best to stay warm.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The only thing colder …

Let's make MLB more fun!  —  Editor's note*: Letters addressed to “ESPN The Ragazine” recently began arriving from a P.O. Box in Pennsylvania, signed by “The Fixer,” whose radical manifestos aim to overhaul sports.  In this note, The Fixer revamps baseball. … Dear Shoulda-Bought-An-ESPN+-Subscription- Instead-Of-This-Rag,

How the amazing Mariners are playing like baseball's best team  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the simple telling of this beyond-real Seattle Mariners story, Daniel Vogelbach plays the large adult son.  He stands 6-foot, with the round face of a South Park character, the torso of a quarter-barrel keg …

Braves, 2B Albies agree to 7-year, $35M deal  —  ATLANTA — Ozzie Albies knows he could have earned a lot more money going year to year and waiting for even greater riches in salary arbitration and free agency.  The 22-year-old All-Star second baseman instead opted for financial security for his family in Curacao.