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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DRaysBay
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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
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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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 …
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
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Paul Sporer / ESPN:
Fantasy baseball daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Tuesday — It's a weird pitching slate on Tuesday with a handful of unexpected early season stars, some should-be stars who have been mega-duds, and some of the flat-out worst pitchers in the league through two-plus weeks.
ESPN:
Kipnis activated; Lindor set for rehab assignment — The Cleveland Indians activated two-time All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis off the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Seattle Mariners. — Kipnis hasn't played this season because of a low-grade right calf strain.
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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:
Red Reporter, Bluebird Banter, Twinkie Town, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Baseball News …, Lone Star Ball and True Blue LA
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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 …
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
After another rough outing, what's next for the Marlins' Wei-Yin Chen? — Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly waited as long as he could before he made the move. — But as Saturday's four-and-a-half hour marathon against the Philadelphia Phillies turned to the 14th inning and the rest …
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Tim Reynolds / Baltimore Sun:
Segura's homer helps Phillies outlast Marlins in 14 innings
Segura's homer helps Phillies outlast Marlins in 14 innings
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Phillies Nation and Amazin' Avenue
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals option Gallegos, recall Robinson — MILWAUKEE • The Cardinalas have reverted to 12 pitchers from 13 Monday with the optioning of Giovanny Gallegos, who got to pitch in his native Mexico Sunday, and the recall of utilityman Drew Robinson from Class AAA Memphis.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Gallegos ‘super happy’ to get to play for hometown crowd
Cardinals notebook: Gallegos ‘super happy’ to get to play for hometown crowd
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and MLB Trade Rumors
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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Ian Shantz / Toronto Sun:
Another fielding error by Blue Jays' Gurriel creates a momentum-changer for Tampa Bay
Another fielding error by Blue Jays' Gurriel creates a momentum-changer for Tampa Bay
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Ian Harrison / seattlepi.com:
Heredia homers as Rays top Jays 8-4, win 5th straight series
Heredia homers as Rays top Jays 8-4, win 5th straight series
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, Bluebird Banter, ABC News and MLB Baseball News …
Kent Somers / Arizona Republic:
Can the Arizona Diamondbacks get more than five innings out of Robbie Ray? — (Photo: Joe Camporeale, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports) — In five innings of work last week, pitcher Robbie Ray displayed all the reasons he has excited, tantalized and, at times, tormented the Diamondbacks and their fans the last four-plus seasons.
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 …
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.
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.
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom scuffles in second straight outing raising cause for concern — ATLANTA - A scrappy five-inning outing for a typical top starter would be unfortunate, but it wouldn't raise any eyebrows. Yet, when a Mets ace coming off a historic season is out of whack, it's certainly cause for concern.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, NorthJersey.com, Newsday, New York Post and MLB Baseball News …
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Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Teheran shows up deGrom, Braves split with Mets
Teheran shows up deGrom, Braves split with Mets
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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