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MLB odds: Baseball lines from Las Vegas If the Dodgers were close to splitting the 11 games they’ve played against the Giants this season, Mattingly wouldn’t be on the hot seat. But having lost nine of the 11 games and on the verge of being swept by the Giants in two straight three-game series for the first time since 1954 is a big deal. Dropping out of first-place is also at stake for Mattingly, who has his Dodgers only a half-game in front in the NL West after Saturday’s loss....

MLB odds: Current baseball betting lines from Vegas Bauer has been nearly unhittable in his two starts, but he hasn’t exactly been throwing all strikes. He has struck out 19 batters in 12 innings and allowed only four hits, but he also has nine walks. He hasn’t been made to paid for the runner he’s let on base, because the two offenses he’s faced have yet to hit their stride....

For those following closely, there’s been a new level of anticipation for this season’s first official day of baseball. Not only is the March 29 start date the earliest MLB opener in history, all 30 teams will start on the exact same day for the first time since 1968 (minus the Reds and Nationals, whose Thursday game was postponed due to weather). MORE: Righteous dingers, epic moon shots on Opening Day...

Today’s biggest stars were all once kids, too, and they spent time watching and admiring the handiwork of the best players of their day. But even as they are in the midst of their own careers, they still take the time to learn from or just appreciate their counterparts. In other words, looking up to MLB players and finding little things to imitate is something that still happens once players reach the big leagues....

The series between these two teams, first and second in runs scored in the seconf half of the season, has all the markings of a shootout as a bevy of All-Stars take their hacks in the best-of-five series. MORE: Know your postseason graphics: Blue Jays edition | Get to know the Rangers The Rangers enter the ALDS as the No. 3 seed, clinching the AL West title with an improbable second half that saw the team go 46-28 after being four games under ....

MORE MLB PLAYOFFS: Sporting News’ Staff Brackets, World Series Picks | Full 2022 MLB playoff bracket As things currently stand, the Los Angeles Dodgers (+300) sit atop the World Series odds board after finishing the regular season with a 111-51 overall record. The reigning American League champion Houston Astros (+380) aren’t far behind as they’ve been just as dominant over a 162-game sample size. Outside of the favorites, there are several sleeper and long-shot candidates who figure to challenge the Astros and Dodgers....

“Don’t try to strike everybody out,” Davis says. “Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they’re fascist. Throw some ground balls. It’s more democratic.” What would he say now? That democracy is dead? MORE: Why Justin Turner always has a big stain on his jersey With the Rays and Dodgers contesting the 2020 World Series, the only part of that soliloquy that holds up 30-some years later is this: Strikeouts are boring....

Before you sarcastically guffaw and scoff at the idea, it’s a legitimate question to ask, especially after seeing the owners’ latest proposal to the MLBPA on Monday. MLB’s offer includes a 76-game schedule at 75 percent prorated salaries and a bigger playoff pool (that plays into the salaries), no compensation pinks given out for free agents this upcoming offseason and a playoff season that ends in October, per ESPN’s Karl Ravech....

Baseball is getting some good news off the field as well, and it includes some nice perks for fans. MLB is poised to announce signing Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) as the Official Hotel and Official Hotel Loyalty program, according to Noah Garden, MLB’s EVP of Business and Dave Marr, Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. MORE: Best photos from the NLCS | Simmons’ and Whitlock’s only guiding principle is getting paid...

Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Thursday a number of new wrinkles for next season, including an expanded slate of games on Sunday, April 3. TOP FREE AGENTS: 25 best | C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF Rather than just one Sunday night game as a lead-in to the regular Opening Day schedule Monday, MLB will present a Sunday tripleheader on ESPN capped by a World Series rematch....

Oakland on Wednesday acquired first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales and cash from the Blue Jays for minor league infielder Jesus Lopez and international bonus slot money. This trade is a clear stopgap move for the Athletics as they try to make up for the loss of Olson, who is out after suffering a right hand fracture during the team’s season-opening series last week in Japan. Olson is expected to miss up to two months after undergoing surgery....

The distilled version: We’ll listen, too, if the Rox come to us. And, Tulowitzki is one of the greatest athletes ever. MORE: Red Sox shopping Cespedes? | Jays deal Lind to Brewers for Estrada Paul Cohen, the shortsop’s agent, told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal that even though Tulowitzki loves playing in Colorado, the reality is that anyone can be traded. “It happened to Gretzky, to Shaquille O’Neal, to Joe Montana....

Or maybe not. In any case, if the Giants are interested, they could have competition for the 29-year right hander, whom the Cubs are willing to trade for the right package of prospects. The Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Angels are "in the picture" as well, Nightengale reports. Samardzija, who is eligible for free agency following the 2015 season, is likely to be the top starting pitcher available in this year's trade market, unless the Rays put David Price on the block....

One executive told MLB Network that Seattle is “trying to trade everyone.” That includes Dee Gordon, Ryon Healy, Edwin Encarnacion, Tim Beckham and Mike Leake. ESPN reported on Saturday, the Mariners have already been in discussions with the Phillies on a deal for outfielder Jay Bruce. So it appears the sell off is about to begin. After starting the season 13-2, Seattle finished the month of April 18-14 and May at 25-35....

Rumor: At least one of the superstar trio of Francisco Lindor, Mookie Betts and Kris Bryant will be traded this offseason. Source: MLB Network’s Jon Morosi Need to know: On one hand, each of those three superstars has been at least mentioned as a possible trade candidate, so in that way it’s not shocking. But on the other hand, this tweet is worded a bit more firmly than a speculative, “Oh, this guy might get traded for the right can’t-say-no deal at some point before his contract ends....

REPORTED BY: Jim Bowden, ESPN MORE: These NL teams wish they could redo these trades DETAILS: It seems like Kemp has been in the league forever, but at just 31 years old he should have a handful of prime years left. And if the Padres are willing to pay most of his $21.75 million salary in addition to the $3.5 being paid by the Dodgers, as Bowden reported, his power bat could be valuable in the middle of the order with Freddie Freeman....

His eyes perked up. “Just seeing his athleticism is special, puts him at that category of the catcher that’s a little bit more the newer catcher, athletic, can run, can pretty much do everything,” Mattingly said. “He’s an interesting guy back there. I think he’s a guy that baseball, in general, will get to know better over time. I think he definitely should have been in consideration (for the All-Star Game), but when you’ve got Posey and Molina …”...

The Dodgers struck a deal with the Rays for left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek, who doesn’t remind anyone of their top relief target, Pirates flamethrower Felipe Vazquez. And they got light-hitting utility infielder Jedd Gyorko from the Cardinals. That’s it. While many Dodgers fans were unhappy the team didn’t make a bigger acquisition, the Dodgers can make the case they’re already set for the postseason, thank you very much. They entered the day with MLB’s best record, and they added an exclamation point to that in their afternoon game against the Rockies....

The Rangers pitching staff was so effective, they handed New York its first shut out in 220 games to break the second-longest streak in MLB history. The Yankees’ streak was only shy of a 308-game stretch by the 1931-33 Yankees’ team. The last time this current team was shut out was June 30, 2018, by the Red Sox. Minor had the help of relievers Shawn Kelley and Emmanuel Clase and got an offensive boost from Elvis Andrus, who was 3 for 5 at the plate....

Toronto is back at BMO Field on Wednesday night to play host to the Columbus Crew after their 0-0 first leg draw in Ohio. TFC is feeling good about its chances, not only because of its league-best home record, but also because Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore are back from suspension. The Crew can make things tough, though, as Gregg Berhalter’s side looks to continue riding the momentum of an outstanding past two months....