Top News:
Bob Nightengale / Lansing State Journal:
MLB trade targets: Top 20 players who could move by the deadline — Two shopping months remain before the non-waiver trading deadline, but with one-third of the teams already out of playoff contention, Major League Baseball is about to unleash its own Black Friday sale.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Des Moines Register and McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / Daily Record:
MLB playoff outlook: Astros, Red Sox are locks, but for 10 teams, it's wait 'til next year — On old baseball adage used to say the teams in first place on July 4 would win the pennant. Of course, that was well before the advent of five playoff entries in each league.
Discussion:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
ESPN:
Sizing up the standings at Memorial Day checkpoint — The old saying in baseball is that you shouldn't check the standings until Memorial Day. Well, with Memorial Day behind us, we figured it was time to assess how the divisions stack up and what stands out at the first unofficial checkpoint of the season.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Ken Powtak / Associated Press:
Benintendi, Martinez Carry Red Sox Past Blue Jays — Andrew Benintendi celebrates with his Red Sox teammates after his three-run home run in the fourth inning Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. — Andrew Benintendi has continued the hot hitting out of the leadoff spot for injured star Mookie Betts.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Over the Monster
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Imbalance between NL Central and AL Central could have impact on wild-card races
Doug Padilla / UPI:
Phillies' Jake Arrieta aims for rare win in Dodger Stadium
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Good guy Anthony Rizzo made a winning play — but he clearly crossed the line — Cubs manager Joe Maddon says Anthony Rizzo's slide into Pirates catcher Elias Diaz to break up a double play as “a perfect play” on Monday, May 28, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
What's going wrong for Cubs pitching prospect Jen-Ho Tseng this season? — Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982. Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time.
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Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Cubs top prospect Adbert Alzolay injured in Tuesday's Iowa Cubs game — Chicago Cubs top prospect Adbert Alzolay joins Iowa Cubs — The Iowa Cubs are waiting to see if an injury that took pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay out of his start early on Tuesday will lead to a trip to the disabled list.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Lucas Giolito takes the mound to make ‘big start’ against Indians — White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the team's defensive mistakes against the Indians on Monday, May 28, 2018. (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Lucas Giolito takes a 7.53 earned-run average …
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PETER SCHMUCK The Baltimore Sun / Sacramento Bee:
No matter what the Orioles' Alex Cobb does, the outcome seems to be the same — Orioles starter Alex Cobb threw one damaging pitch during the seven innings he pitched in Monday's interleague matchup against the Washington Nationals at Camden Yards, but he lost anyway.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Caleb Smith mystifies Padres, gets run support as Marlins snap skid — Caleb Smith was brilliant in dominating a matchup of rookie left-handers, Yadiel Rivera's two-run single capped Miami's four-run first inning, and Cameron Maybin had three hits and two RBIs against his old team to lead …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and Fish Stripes
RELATED:
Will Graves / Associated Press:
101. 102. 103. 104. 105. Cardinals rookie Jordan Hicks is lighting up radar guns — Jordan Hicks can't explain where the gas comes from. If he's being honest, the St. Louis Cardinals rookie flamethrower doesn't really want to. Best not to overthink it.
ESPN:
Mookie Betts out of Boston lineup with pain in side for 3rd straight game — Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts will miss his third straight game Tuesday with tightness in his left side. — Betts is leading the league with a .359 average, with 17 home runs and 37 RBIs.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards have yet to catch a base-stealer — MILWAUKEE • One of the skills the Cardinals have become so well-known for has led to some unusual history already this season, and when they had a rare wobble Monday, it proved costly. — In the seventh inning at Miller Park …
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George Henry / Associated Press:
Mets bounce back, beat Braves 8-5 to split rain-delayed DH — ATLANTA (AP) Mets manager Mickey Callaway had a reason to smile at 1:40 a.m. after his team showed enough fortitude to avoid getting swept. — “They came out with some energy, which was huge in this game, and you've got to give them credit,” he said.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
How big-league reliever J.P. Howell wound up with independent San Rafael Pacifics — Here's a story of a big-leaguer returning to his roots. Not just the region where he played ball. But the reason why he played ball. — All kids who begin hitting, fielding and throwing do it for all the pure and principled reasons.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
First round MLB draft picks from Arizona … WHAT CHANGED?: MLB mock draft - first edition — 1. Tigers: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn — Explanation: Although it's not a foregone conclusion that he goes No. 1 overall, Mize still looks like the favorite. There isn't another starting pitcher …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Devin Mesoraco credits adjustment Mets hitting coach Roessler suggested for newfound power — NY Mets catcher Devin Mesoraco discusses the trade that sent him to the Mets Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — Devin Mesoraco has hit five home runs in his first 46 at-bats with the New York Mets since …
Discussion:
Newsday
Associated Press:
Andrew Miller visits specialist to have left knee examined — CLEVELAND — Indians pitcher Andrew Miller visited a specialist in New York on Tuesday to have his injured left knee examined. — Miller, a dominant presence in Cleveland's bullpen since being acquired in 2016 …
ESPN:
Astros' Brian McCann lands on DL — The Houston Astros have placed Brian McCann on the 10-day disabled list with right knee soreness. — EDITOR'S PICKS — With June almost here, it's time to get serious about how baseball's divisions stack up and who can make a run at the playoffs.
Associated Press:
Herget leads Memphis to 3-2 win over Col. Springs — MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kevin Herget allowed just four hits over six innings, leading the Memphis Redbirds over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in a 3-2 win on Tuesday. — Herget (3-4) picked up the win after he struck out five and walked two while allowing two runs.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
