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 …

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.

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.

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!

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 …

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

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.

Column: The Cubs are ESPN's answer to ‘Game of Thrones’ and other observations from Sunday night's telecast  —  Photos from the Cubs' 13-5 win over the Cardinals on May 5, 2019, at Wrigley Field.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  ESPN “Sunday Night Baseball” play-by-play man Matt Vasgersian sang …

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.

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)

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 …

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 …

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.

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)

Derek Jeter's right-hand man is tearing up a franchise and creating enemies along the way  —  He wanted the dogs out of the clubhouse.  No, it was worse than that.  Gary Denbo, the Marlins' vice president of player development and scouting, could not tolerate the dogs …

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 …

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.

Cabrera keeps hitting at home, mixes in double play from his pockets in Rangers' win  —  That was a perfect day for baseball at Globe Life Park.  —  It wasn't too hot or too windy.  There weren't too many clouds in the sky or too many hairy dudes going shirtless.