Top News:
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
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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.
Associated Press:
Dixon hits 3-run HR in 10th, Tigers beat Royals 5-2 — After being humiliated by the Kansas City Royals a day earlier, the Detroit Tigers were focused on redemption Sunday. — It came via one of the lesser-known members of the roster. — Journeyman Brandon Dixon, only in the majors due …
Discussion:
Royals Review
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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
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.
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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
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 …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
As wounded Yankees work their way back, Luis Severino is still far off
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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
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Frank Zicarelli / Toronto Sun:
Rangers rout Jays, but catcher Maile steps in to bolster bullpen
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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.
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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
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.
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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
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)
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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.
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.
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
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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
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.
