Top News:
Jesse Yomtov / Cincinnati.com:
MLB power rankings: Led by George Springer, red-hot Astros take back the No. 1 spot — Having won eight of their last nine games, the Houston Astros are firing on all cylinders and are primed to run away with the American League West again. — The Astros will be without Jose Altuve …
Discussion:
USA Today
RELATED:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Real or not? George Springer could be going from star to superstar — So George Springer had a pretty good Mother's Day as the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 15-5: — First inning: home run to left-center. — Second inning: line drive single to left field. — Fourth inning: line single to left field.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
The Rays are still in first place, but here's five things to be concerned about
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
KHOU-TV:
Springer 5 hits, 2 homers as Astros romp 15-5, sweep Rangers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Astros complete series sweep of Rangers with Mother's Day massacre
Discussion:
Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News, Lone Star Ball and Rangers News
Charlotte Knights / The Charlotte Observer:
Dieter Kurtenbach: Derek Holland's ripping of the Giants' front office rings hollow — Giants pitcher Derek Holland is disgruntled and he needed everyone to hear about it. — But instead of achieving his goal of embarrassing the Giants' front office and perhaps forcing a move …
Discussion:
Chico Enterprise-Record, Mercury News and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Running in place, Giants need to start tearing down — If the San Francisco Giants had slogged along to the All-Star break with a record around .500, not really in contention but not really out of it, then Farhan Zaidi, the team's new head of baseball operations, would have faced difficult decisions.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Why Cincinnati Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig dyed his Mohawk blond
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Cubs catcher Victor Caratini recovers quickly from injury — Right after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured left hamate bone, Chicago Cubs catcher/first baseman Victor Caratini made a bold prediction. — “I told (the trainer) I'd be back quickly,” Caratini said. — He was right.
RELATED:
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Winner, winner: The Iowa Cubs are in first place — A look at the Iowa Cubs' 2019 season — During his first spring training with the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Cubs outfielder Johnny Field listened closely whenever veterans like Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo would talk.
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Cubs pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay expected to join Iowa Cubs this week — One of the top pitching prospects in the Chicago Cubs' organization is headed back to Iowa. — Soon. — Right-handed pitcher Adbert Alzolay is expected to join the Iowa Cubs this week.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Hurler Martinez could return next weekend — The Cardinals intend to push former starting pitcher Carlos Martinez into longer relief appearances in the coming days and that could mean seeing him sooner than advertised. — Martinez struck out three and walked …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Daniel Norris, with mom on his mind, breaks through in win over Twins — Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down Tigers series split with Twins, who have baseball's best winning percentage. Filmed May 12, 2019. — CONNECT — MINNEAPOLIS — The first thing Daniel Norris did Sunday morning was call his mother.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Twinkie Town
RELATED:
John Marshall / Associated Press:
Fried returns to lead Braves to 5-3 win over Diamondbacks — PHOENIX (AP) — The Atlanta Braves wriggled out of one jam after the next with a series of spectacular plays. — Nick Markakis had the best of the bunch in the game's biggest moment. — Markakis made a diving catch …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Former Braves pitcher Edwin Jackson on verge of history — How does someone pitch for 14 different teams before his 36th birthday? — Edwin Jackson is on the verge of accomplishing exactly that after the right-hander was traded from Oakland to Toronto. He is expected to start for the Blue Jays …
Associated Press:
Brewers bring up Barnes to give pen a fresh arm — CHICAGO — The Milwaukee Brewers have recalled right-hander Jacob Barnes from Triple-A San Antonio and optioned reliever Burch Smith to their top farm club. — The addition of Barnes gives Milwaukee a fresh arm in the bullpen one day after its 15-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Sam Miller / ESPN:
Casey Mize, Vlad Jr. and the craziest minor league stats ever — The earned run Casey Mize allowed to the Clearwater Threshers on April 9 was a bit of a cheapie. Mize got the first two outs of the second inning, then clipped the Threshers' No. 6 hitter on a two-strike cutter.
Associated Press:
Blackmon homers twice, Rockies beat Padres 10-7 — DENVER — The sun broke through, and Charlie Blackmon came out swinging. — Blackmon homered twice, Antonio Senzatela pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the Colorado Rockies hung on to beat the San Diego Padres 10-7 on Sunday.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper Jones joins Braves broadcast this week — Three former Braves players will serve as guest analysts on Fox Sports Southeast before and after five game broadcasts, starting Tuesday. — Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones — along with former slugger Ryan Klesko and pitcher Kris Medlen …
Tim Baines / Toronto Sun:
Gatineau's Aumont will be Opening Day starter for Ottawa Champions — Former Major Leaguer Phillippe Aumont, who is from Gatineau, will be the Ottawa Champions' Opening Day starting pitcher. — Aumont, 30, last played for the Champions during the 2017 season when he went 5-8 with a 4.51 ERA and 103 strikeouts.
