s today:RIVALRY RENEWEDMookie Betts tries to get going at the plate when the Red Sox (6-11) visit the Yankees (6-9) in the first meeting this season between the longtime rivals. Boston knocked New York out of the playoffs last year on the way to a World Series championship
Darryl Strawberry Jersey , but both clubs are off to surprisingly slow starts in 2019. Same is true of Betts, who is batting .222. “Basically, what I’m doing is unacceptable,” the AL MVP said. “I have to figure out a way to get something done and help the team.” Yankees left-hander James Paxton (1-2, 6.00 ERA) gets his first taste of the bitter rivalry when he faces struggling Boston ace Chris Sale (0-3, 9.00) in the opener of a two-game set. Paxton told reporters he thought he was tipping pitches in Houston last Wednesday during an 8-6 loss.LINDOR LIMBERS UPIndians shortstop Francisco Lindor is set to begin an injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. Lindor is working back from a left ankle injury, which occurred near the end of spring training while he was trying to come back from a right calf strain. Cleveland manager Terry Francona isn’t sure how long Lindor will be with Columbus before joining the big league club.TOP OF THE TABLETampa Bay (12-4) takes baseball’s best record into its series opener at home against Baltimore. On the mound for the Rays will be Tyler Glasnow, who is 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA. The big right-hander was acquired from Pittsburgh last year in a trade for Chris Archer. Tampa Bay has the lowest ERA in the majors at 2.44 — and the starters are even better at 1.47. In the other dugout, the Orioles hope Chris Davis is about to go on a long-awaited tear. Davis ended his record 0-for-54 slump with three hits and four RBIs on Saturday
http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey , then socked his first homer since August on Monday.MISSING PIECEThe Phillies will need to make do for a while without the biggest offseason addition to their bullpen. David Robertson was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday because of a sore right elbow. Right-hander Drew Anderson was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Robertson’s spot. Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said Robertson will have an MRI on Tuesday. The right-hander has a 5.40 ERA in seven appearances but hasn’t allowed a run in his last four. The Phillies signed him to a $23 million, two-year contact in the offseason. The primary weakness, understanding when to be quiet, Yu sinister, and other bullets"George Castle (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Niles West grad George Kontos gets to work after signing minor-league deal with Chicago Cubs.Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).Joe Maddon was mic’ed up [Video].Dan Szymborski (Fangraphs): 2019 ZIPS projections - Chicago Cubs. “The outfield remains the primary weakness of the team...”Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): How do you lead? ‘If you want to win鈥ou gotta say something,’ says former Cubs leader David Ross. “My saying to people all the time is that you gotta give some love,” Ross said. Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs’ millennial players are digging Joe Maddon’s message. “Very groovy
Nolan Ryan Jersey ,” Maddon said after Wednesday’s workout.Bradford Doolittle (ESPN+ {$}): MLB starting pitcher tiers: New wave of aces rises above game’s changes. “Cubs fans will no doubt note that they have four pitchers rated in Tier III. It seems fitting for where Chicago’s staff is at.”Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): What’s Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish got left? Almost 80 mph, that’s what. “During his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2015 Darvish threw left-handed a lot. He said at one point in that stretch a radar gun clocked his hardest lefty throw at 79.”Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): David Ross encouraging Willson Contreras to stay ‘Nice and Quiet’. “...understanding when to be quiet and when to get loud will go a long way toward helping him elevate his game.”Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): David Bote standing tall after fine rookie season. “When you’re hunched, things are going to be a problem,” Bote said.Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Where will Ian Happ get his at-bats next season? How about everywhere, including 2B. “The answer, then, is not necessarily to find one position Happ can play every day, but ensuring that he can play almost every position on any one given day.”Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Javier Baez is going to make sure the Cubs learned their lesson last fall. “Baez has a way of holding his teammates accountable without throwing anybody under the bus.”Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Baez expects more from self, Cubs’ lineup. “I’m trying to have a better year than last year
http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey ,” he said.Bruce Miles (Daily Herald {$}): Baez motivated to get back among league’s elite. ““It was nice to be one of the last three,” he said, referring to himself, Christian Yelich, and third-place finisher Nolan Arenado of the Rockies.”Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Jed Hoyer is ready to bet on Kris Bryant as the MVP. “I expect him to have another MVP season,” Hoyer told Tom Verducci without hesitation. “I’d bet on it right now [with] the way he looks so far in camp.” Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Bryant back to blasting ‘Effortless’ homers with old swing. “...I’d say we’re in for the best Kris Bryant we’ve seen yet.”food for thought:
