Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
The most important storylines in the loaded NL East race — The Bryce Harper era in Philadelphia is off to a rousing start with Harper raking, getting on base almost half the time and the Phillies winning despite some shaky performances from the rotation and bullpen.
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets give Robinson Cano his first day off of the season — ATLANTA - Saturday is Robinson Cano's first day off of the season - and he hates it. If it was up to the veteran second baseman, he would play all 162 games for the Mets. — “I don't like days off but sometimes you have to go with it,” Cano said.
Daily Record:
NY Mets, Atlanta Braves lineups announced for Saturday — The Mets enter Saturday's game in Atlanta on a hot streak, having won three straight. And Brandon Nimmo was a big part of keeping that going Friday with his 3-for-4 night at the plate, including a homer in a 6-2 victory over the Braves at SunTrust Park.
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Baseball News …
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets pull struggling Vargas early and fall to Braves — ATLANTA - If the Mets want to present themselves as the first-place team in the National League East, they should behave like it. — Lobbing Jason Vargas on the mound every fifth day and hoping for the best, while a quality pitcher sits idly …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Daily Record:
Jason Vargas fails to get out of 1st inning as NY Mets fall to Atlanta Braves — ATLANTA — Jason Vargas couldn't get out of the first inning, throwing 36 pitches before even recording a second out in what became a four-run frame. — It was another bad outing from the Mets' fifth starter …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Today's Cubs game vs. the Angels postponed with snow, cold and high winds in the forecast — Chicago Tribune — High winds, snow, rain and temperatures in the 30s postponed Sunday's Cubs-Angels series finale at Wrigley Field. — A makeup date has not been announced.
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Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Maddon: Take check swing calls away from umps — CHICAGO — The check-swing call in baseball has always been one of the most difficult for umpires to make. After a late Chicago Cubs rally was thwarted on a strike-three, check-swing call on Kyle Schwarber, Chicago manager Joe Maddon suggested …
Jay Cohen / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Cozart, La Stella lead Angels past Cubs 6-5
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Todd Zola / ESPN:
Fantasy baseball daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Sunday — A quartet of division matchups highlight the streaming pitchers, giving head-to-head one last chance to make up ground. With several aces on the card, choosing the right arm to keep up with your opponent is even more important.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Carlos Gonzalez expected to join Cleveland Indians on Sunday
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Baseball roundup: Sabathia is solid in return to Yankees — CC Sabathia began his 19th and final big league season with five stellar innings, pinch-hitter Luke Voit (Lafayette High) came through with a broken-bat RBI single in the seventh and the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 4-0 Saturday to end a four-game slide.
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Michael Wagaman / scores.nbcsportsbayarea.com:
MLB Headlines — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Erik Kratz wasn't tired after catching 18 innings. The 38-year-old San Francisco Giants backup had done it once before in his career, in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. — San Francisco's bullpen was just as sturdy on a night when manager Bruce Bochy used every reliever.
Discussion:
SFist, MLB Baseball News … and NBCSports.com
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants reserve Tyler Austin headed for MRI on elbow, possible trip to injured list
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Giants win longest game in Oracle Park history with 18th-inning walk-off
Discussion:
Chico Enterprise-Record
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks rookie Yoan Lopez hasn't allowed a run since disastrous MLB debut last September — On Sept. 9, 2018, Yoan Lopez allowed two home runs and a triple without recording an out in his major-league debut. — He hasn't allowed a run since. — Cheekily clinging to superstition …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and MLB Baseball News …
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Associated Press:
Tatis sets HR record as Padres beat D-Backs 5-4 — PHOENIX (AP) — Padres rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. is already has a place in baseball history. — Tatis Jr. became the youngest shortstop to hit four home runs in his first 16 games when he hit one Saturday night, and Franmil Reyes added …
J.P. Hoornstra / Daily Breeze:
Dodgers fall to Milwaukee Brewers for sixth straight loss — LOS ANGELES - The last time the Dodgers lost six consecutive games before Saturday, they had stumbled into a quagmire. — It was the middle of last May. The Dodgers were 10 games under .500 with the worst record of any team …
Joon Lee / ESPN:
Orioles' Davis ends 0-for-54 streak, asks for ball — BOSTON — Baltimore's Chris Davis ended an MLB-record 0-for-54 skid with his first hit of the season Saturday, dropping in a two-run single in the first inning off Red Sox starter Rick Porcello. — Davis clapped his hands and called …
Discussion:
Bangor Daily News
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Buck Farmer took control of his career by finding control on the mound — Buck Farmer can't lie: Making the Detroit Tigers' Opening Day roster wasn't completely out of his thoughts. — Late in spring training, as the open roster spots began to dwindle, the right-hander was in no man's land …
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Associated Press:
Mets analyst Darling: Surgery set for ‘large mass’ in chest — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — ATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets announcer Ron Darling says he will have surgery next week to remove a “large mass in my chest” and hopes to return to the broadcast booth in May.
Randy Miller / New Jersey Online:
Why Dellin Betances just found out about bone spur and Yankees knew since 2006 — NEW YORK — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances started his Saturday morning by getting a painful cortisone shot with a long needle. — “It hurt,” the four-time All-Star righty said. “I didn't look.”
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
RedsXtra: Wave of contract extensions could be the future for young stars — MONTERREY, Mexico - It's too early to judge whether it's a trend or a one-year blip, but 27 Major League players have signed lucrative contract extensions since mid-February. Fourteen extensions were signed by players younger than 26.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals are expanding their brand — MONTERREY, MEXICO • When Mike Shildt first joined the Cardinals in 2004 and began coaching and managing in the minors soon after, he quickly learned the geography the team's fan base — it was not bound by state lines, time zone, or level.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Athletics-Rangers game postponed after long day of rain — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Oakland slugger Khris Davis had to wait another day for the chance to homer again against the Texas Rangers, who were rained out at home for the first time in three years. — After a long rainy day in North Texas …
