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

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.

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias upset with use in non-save situations  —  Josh VanMeter discusses his breakout start to his Triple-A season.  He was called up to the Majors on Sunday.  —  CONNECT  —  Reds closer Raisel Iglesias doesn't want to make excuses for his early-season struggles …

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 …

Jose Martinez trying to get family out of Venezuela  —  Jose Martinez may not seem distracted on the field these days, but the Cardinals outfielder frequently is thinking about his family in Venezuela, where political turmoil has led to violence in the streets.  —  Martinez wants badly to get his relatives out of the country.

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.

Red Sox pitcher David Price signal-boosts tweet about ‘white Sox’ visiting Trump's White House  —  The Boston Red Sox are set to be honored at the White House on Thursday, but a number of players and coaches have announced they would not be attending the ceremony with President Donald Trump.

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!

‘Jeopardy!’ champ James Holzhauer, off the show until May 20, will visit MLB Network's ‘MLB Now’ on Tuesday  —  Chicago Tribune  —  While “Jeopardy!” sensation James Holzhauer's string of victories is on hold as the quiz show presents its two-week teachers tournament, the Naperville-raised …

'If our offense resembles Shin-Soo Choo, we're going to be the best offense in baseball'  —  Shin-Soo Choo has been this good previously in his career.  He's actually been better.  —  Many forget that in his first season with the Texas Rangers in 2014, a season that registers as one of the worst …

Dodgers News: Travis d'Arnaud Signed To Add Right-Handed Bat, Versatility To Roster  —  Prior to Sunday's loss against the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced a couple of roster moves.  The club signed former New York Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud to a one-year contract and optioned Matt Beaty to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

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)

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.