Top News:
Noah Trister / Boston Globe:
How the Tampa Bay Rays are leading the AL East midway through April — Now, this is an impressive opening for the Tampa Bay Rays. — Last year, the Rays pioneered the idea of an “opener” — a pitcher who would work an inning or two at the beginning of the game, facing some of the toughest hitters instead …
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Neil Greenberg / Chicago Tribune:
Chris Sale lost his fastball. Now the Red Sox could lose the AL East. — The Washington Post — The Boston Red Sox were supposed to contend with the New York Yankees for the American League East title. Instead, they are 6-10 and limping into a series against the Yankees beginning Tuesday evening.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
James Paxton, Yankees have to mentally prepare for heightened pressure to defeat Red Sox
New York / Boston Globe:
Yankees starter James Paxton working with sports psychologist to throw off mechanical troubles
Nick Friar / WEEI:
Sandy Leon explains how he calls a game
Sandy Leon explains how he calls a game
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Union-News, MLB Baseball News … and Boston Sports Journal
Tim Bannon / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox in the minors: Top prospects Dylan Cease (2-0) and Luis Robert (.475) lead the way — Chicago Tribune — As the rebuilding White Sox come off an impressive series win over the Yankees, let's check with the team's prospects in the minors. — Dylan Cease, Triple-A Charlotte
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Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Can the White Sox parlay their series win over the Yankees into something bigger? — Chicago Tribune — Even if the surreal wintry spring weather suggested Chicago's April calendar was nothing but a cosmic joke, there was in fact no time warp Sunday.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
LEADING OFF: MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day — A look at what's happening around the majors Monday: — JACKIE ROBINSON DAY — Major League Baseball observes Jackie Robinson Day at ballparks all over the country. Robinson broke baseball's color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, MLB Baseball News …, True Blue LA, Lone Star Ball and Bluebird Banter
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Richard Lapchick / ESPN:
The MLB Racial and Gender Report Card — There is nothing that better signals the end of a bitter winter and the beginning of spring like the start of another Major League Baseball season. Baseball has a special place on the mantel of American history. It gained its lore in the Roaring '20s …
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Is this the best team the Rays have ever had? — There's usually a legitimate reason to write off the Tampa Bay Rays. — This season feels different. — As hard as it is to believe, it's been 11 years since that Tampa reached the World Series and made the transformation …
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Associated Press:
Baseball roundup: Marquez, Rockies end 8-loss skid — German Marquez pitched a one-hitter, nicked only by Evan Longoria's single with one out in the eighth, and the Colorado Rockies ended an eight-game losing streak by beating the hosting San Francisco Giants 4-0 Sunday.
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Daimon Eklund / Associated Press:
Cole strikes out 11, Diaz homers, Astros win 3-2 at Seattle — Hector Rondon, Ryan Pressly and Roberto Osuna each pitched a perfect inning in relief for Houston, with Osuna working the ninth for his seventh save. — SEATTLE — Gerrit Cole struck out 11 in six innings …
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David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Real or not? Astros are headed for another 100-win season
Real or not? Astros are headed for another 100-win season
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, MLB Baseball News … and Lookout Landing
Kevin Acee / Miami Herald:
Padres made winning choice bringing up Fernando Tatis Jr. at start of season — Can you imagine? — “I know,” Fernando Tatis Jr. said with a smile. “We would have missed a couple things already.” — The Padres decided against manipulating Tatis' service time, promoting …
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Teheran shows up deGrom, Braves split with Mets — The idea of matching Julio Teheran against Jacob deGrom didn't quiver excitement within the Braves' fan base. Cue the adage, “That's why they play the games.” — Teheran pitched his best game of the season — six innings, allowing one run …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom scuffles in second straight outing raising cause for concern
Jacob deGrom scuffles in second straight outing raising cause for concern
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, Newsday, New York Post, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant starts in left field as Cubs play the Marlins — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs have the comfort of playing in warm conditions Monday night, and they hope Kris Bryant's bat can provide the same soothing effect when they play the Marlins at Marlins Park.
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Meet the most productive hitter in the Cubs' organization — Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982. Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time. — CONNECT
ESPN:
Power Rankings: Big tests coming for April's hot starters — Just one more week into the season, we're starting to see some stronger teams emerge. But we're also ready to crown a new No. 1, as the Astros rode their nine-game win streak to the top of rankings, earning three first-place votes to replace the Dodgers at the top slot.
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Ronald Acuna named NL Player of the Week — It didn't take long for MLB to acknowledge Ronald Acuna's hot streak. — The 21-year-old was named National League player of the week Monday after hitting .545 and helping the Braves to a 4-2 record against the Rockies and Mets.
ESPN:
Phillies send RHP Robertson to IL for sore elbow — The Philadelphia Phillies have placed reliever David Robertson on the 10-day injured list with soreness in his pitching elbow. — Robertson, 34, has a 5.40 ERA in seven appearances this season, his first with the Phillies.
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Why evolution of changeup could make or break Clayton Kershaw's season — LOS ANGELES — It was 10 years, three teams and one career ago, but Brad Ausmus remembers the game — May 17, 2010, on the road against the Florida Marlins. Clayton Kershaw carried a no-hitter through seven innings that night …