Top News:
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Joe Maddon's methods have helped the Cubs rebound into 1st place. Isn't it time to look at giving him an extension? — Photos of Joe Maddon, the 2015 NL Manager of the Year. — Chicago Tribune — Without even trying, Joe Maddon summed up the essence of what makes him most effective as Cubs manager.
RELATED:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
How the Cubs already took over first place in the NL Central — CHICAGO — If there is such a thing as a baseball Hollywood script in early May, then the Chicago Cubs have the plot line down: Get off to a bad start — inviting doubters from all over the game — then turn things around …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Daily Record:
Clint Frazier returns to New York Yankees, coming off injured list with ankle sprain — Clint Frazier is back with the Yankees. — The outfielder was reinstated from the injured list Monday as the Yankees begin a series against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Vets Hernandez, Sabathia battle as Yankees host Mariners — Felix Hernandez and CC Sabathia own a combined 416 victories, 5,498 strikeouts and 951 starts. — Besides accumulating numbers, the veteran pitchers are in various stages of revamping their pitching styles from being power pitchers to using craftiness to get outs.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Larry Stone / Miami Herald:
‘I still got it’: How Felix Hernandez reinvented himself and got his swagger back
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Here's why Detroit Tigers' Buck Farmer should fear Albert Pujols — Albert Pujols picked up his 3,000th hit on May 4. Which active player will be the next one to reach the milestone? Video by Ryan Ford/DFP — CONNECT — As the buzz over milestones grows for Miguel Cabrera — 3,000 hits!
RELATED:
Chris Nelsen / Detroit Free Press:
Brandon Dixon the hero, but don't overlook Spencer Turnbull's dominance
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Chris Nelsen / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers top Royals on Brandon Dixon's walk-off home run
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and MLive.com
Columbus Telegram:
Blue Jays open 3-game series at home against Minnesota — Minnesota Twins (20-12, first in the AL Central) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (15-19, fourth in the AL East) — PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Martin Perez (4-0, 3.41 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 30 strikeouts) Blue Jays: Marcus Stroman (4-4, 2.20 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 39 strikeouts)
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Hanford Sentinel and Elko Daily Free Press
RELATED:
Frank Zicarelli / Toronto Sun:
Rangers rout Jays, but catcher Maile steps in to bolster bullpen
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mike Tauchman is cool with the writing on the wall — Mike Tauchman knows what's coming, and he's happy about it. Until now, the 28-year-old has spent the majority of his career in the minors, give or take a few major-league shots with the Rockies. This extended run with the Yankees brought …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
As wounded Yankees work their way back, Luis Severino is still far off
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Pinstripe Alley
Jesse Yomtov / Greenville News:
MLB power rankings: Time to start believing in the Twins — SportsPulse: C.C. Sabathia has likely punched his ticket to Cooperstown after eclipsing 3,000 strikeouts. MLB Insider Bob Nightengale looks at the current players that are also locks to be future Hall of Famers. — CONNECT
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Place David Price On Injured List, Select Ryan Weber — The Red Sox announced Monday that they've placed lefty David Price on the 10-day injured list due to tendinitis in his left elbow. Right-hander Ryan Weber's contract has been selected from Triple-A Pawtucket …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Why this Michael Chavis thing is working so well
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish and Camden Chat
ESPN:
Cora to skip Red Sox's trip to White House
Discussion:
Politico, MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
Keith Law / ESPN:
Keith Law's 2019 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 — The MLB draft starts in just four weeks, which means we're close enough to at least start talking about who might be drafted where. The top 10 or so picks are at least becoming less opaque. I think these are mostly the right names up top …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
Another Miami Marlins outfielder prospect could be in the mix for a big-league call-up — The usual names continue to surface when talking about the Miami Marlins' outfield prospects who can make an impact at the major-league level either in the immediate or distant future.
RELATED:
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
106 or bust? How Jordan Hicks learned he could throw faster than anyone on Earth — Jordan Hicks has thrown the three fastest pitches in major league baseball this year. And the next three after that. And the next three after that. In fact, the St. Louis Cardinals' closer has unleashed every …
ESPN:
Power Rankings: NL powerhouses emerge in fight for No. 1 — The early-season shake-ups and surprises are starting to fade. Say goodbye to another fast Mets start, and the Mariners cracking the top five was fun while it lasted. But the deeper we get into the season, quality and depth are beginning to show through.
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Why are home runs flying in Triple-A? Turns out, all baseballs are not created equal — SportsPulse: C.C. Sabathia has likely punched his ticket to Cooperstown after eclipsing 3,000 strikeouts. MLB Insider Bob Nightengale looks at the current players that are also locks to be future Hall of Famers.
Maria Torres / Baltimore Sun:
Angels eager for Shohei Ohtani to return and bolster their hitting — Shohei Ohtani watches Angels pitchers throw during a spring training practice session on Feb. 15 in Tempe, Ariz. Ohtani is moving closer to returning to the Angels. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
RELATED:
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Is it time for the Cincinnati Reds to call free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel? — During the Reds' struggles to find a leadoff man a couple of years ago, a smart-aleck writer answered a Tweet with this: It's not like you call 1-800-LEADOFF. — Snarky, but true.
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
With the pressure on to deliver a quality start, Zach Davies did that and more against the Mets — Zach Davies knew exactly what needed to be done. — Then he went out and did it. — With the bullpen running on fumes following Saturday night's 18-inning affair, the right-hander set …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Steven Matz flies back to New York with nerve irritation, next start in question
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NBCSports.com
Walter Villa / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Kevin Gausman will start Monday after 28-pitch ejection Friday — Kevin Gausman, ejected on Friday after only 28 pitches, will start Monday for the Braves against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. — “I'm getting that ‘back in the day’ action — the three-man rotation,” Gausman joked. “It's a little weird.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Getting better with the glove keeps Martinez in lineup — CHICAGO — Having put first base farther behind him every time he runs out to right field, Jose Martinez has taken advantage of his extra time to work with outfield coach Willie McGee and quickly listed all the ways McGee has helped him improve.
Marc Narducci / Philly.com:
Rhys Hoskins' plate discipline on display in Phillies' 7-1 win over Nationals — Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins says it wasn't all patience that helped him draw two walks totaling 21 pitches against Washington starter Anibal Sanchez in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Nationals.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, Federal Baseball and Phillies Nation
