The Cardinals won’t be easily intimidated, however, as they get set to play in their fifth straight postseason. St. Louis has experience on its side, but a number of its experienced players are dinged up. MORE: Spector’s postseason predictions | Fagan’s picks | MLB postseason schedule This series will likely go down to the wire as youth takes on experience in a clash of rivals who have never before met in the postseason....
That was never more true than Tuesday afternoon before the Cubs hosted the Cardinals in Game 4 of the NLDS, when I bumped into Jamie Keeton. MORE: Joe Maddon: playoff closer? | Mets on the verge of a Big Apple takeover He was wearing a jar of peanuts. And a full water bottle. And a couple empty cans, and a couple tiny red solo cups. And, yes, I do mean “wearing” these items....
Don’t get too excited about things that go well, and don’t panic about the things that are less than ideal. So with our first power rankings of the 2018 season, we’ll point out a couple of things that have happened so far, but mostly these rankings are based on what we already thought coming into the season. Sound good? Cool. Let’s dive in. MORE: Five opening weekend overreactions MLB Power Rankings Astros Fun fact: Through five games, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa — the 3/4 hitters in the lineup — have 17 combined hits and a ....
While not everyone agrees that baseball games take too long, there is consensus that time is wasted, and rule changes announced recently address that problem without altering the game’s framework. It’s all positive, with no catch. In the most noticeable change, batters will be required to keep one foot in the box between pitches (except after swings), already a rule in the minor leagues and something that should not bother anyone, given that Nomar Garciaparra no longer is an active player with his endless equipment adjustment routine....
RUMOR: The Cardinals are interested in signing free agent first baseman Chris Davis. REPORTED BY: Fox Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi THE DETAILS: St. Louis has recently held discussions with Davis’ agent, Scott Boras. The Cardinals are intrigued by Davis because of his ability to play multiple positions in the field — though his main position remains first base — and provide some offensive pop for a team that ranked 24th in offense last season with 647 runs scored....
Way back in 1904, the New York Giants of the National League refused to play the AL champion Boston Americans because, well, the mighty Giants didn’t want to give the AL team — considered the weaker junior circuit — the satisfaction of competing on the big stage. From 1905 to 1968, though, the format remained constant. The AL and NL teams battled all summer for league supremacy, then the two league champs squared off in the World Series....
Opening Day was scheduled for March 26, but the novel coronavirus pandemic forced the MLB to postpone it indefinitely. While the league and the players’ association agreed in March that players would be payed on a prorated basis once the season eventually gets underway, the MLB’s latest proposal has gone down like a lead balloon with baseball’s highest-paid players. In a statement posted on Twitter on Wednesday night, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer made clear the players would not entertain the prospect of further salary cuts....
MLB spokesman Mike Teevan told Perform Media on Wednesday night that fines for violating the rules would begin May 1, but players would have a “grace period” during the first month of games. MORE: TV, almighty dollar will nullify changes “We’re working with the players on this and want to use April to educate them,” Teevan said. The Associated Press reported that at least 10 letters have been sent, but Teevan would not confirm that number when reached Wednesday night....
Ortiz made the comments Tuesday during the All-Star festivities in San Diego when discussing Boston’s future after he retires at the end of the season. MORE: MLB manager rankings: Who tops SN’s list? “The Red Sox know that they need to reinforce the middle of the lineup,” Ortiz told reporters. “And sorry Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that?” MLB rules state that “there shall be no negotiations or dealings respecting employment, either present or prospective, between any player, coach or manager … unless the Club or baseball employer with which the person is connected shall have, in writing, expressly authorized such negotiations or dealings prior to their commencement....
That rise made Toronto a buyer before Monday’s trade deadline. The club wasn’t the splashiest in the pitcher-heavy market — San Diego gets that honor — but it nonetheless took an active approach to improving its roster without cutting into its future prospects. The Blue Jays added left-hander Robbie Ray, right-handers Taijuan Walker and Ross Stripling, infielder Jonathan Villar and designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach. They seem primed for a postseason appearance this year....
He could if he wanted to, of course. The 13-year, $325 million extension he signed in November 2014 gave him that security — no-trade protection is a wonderful thing — but 13 years is a very long time with one team. Stanton has an opt-out after the 2020 season, and he would certainly be willing to waive that no-trade protection if it meant being traded to a contender of his choice....
It looked like we might avoid Stanton speculation this season, given the surprisingly strong play of the Marlins through the first few months. But a recent slump has Miami looking like anything but a contender, so yes … teams are calling about the 24-year-old All-Star right fielder. “I think teams thought that by losing a few games we were out of it and we were selling off,” Marlins GM Dan Jennings tells the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo....
Though the report does not name the other team involved, it does mention the Braves, with whom McCann spent nine seasons before joining the Yankees, as a possible suitor. A reunion between Atlanta and McCann reportedly was discussed last summer. The News also speculated the Astros could be a fit; McCann’s left-handed power bat would help balance Houston’s heavily right-handed lineup. MORE: Worst free-agent signings ever The Daily News reported Yankees general manager and senior VP Brian Cashman has spoken with McCann’s agent, B....
San Francisco ace and postseason whiz Madison Bumgarner is the best available starting pitcher on the trade market at this moment. And the Giants are indeed willing to move him. However, according to The Athletic, they will not settle on a deal for the lefty. They are going to go for what they believe to be his proper value on the trade market. And that value apparently is more than the Yankees are willing to pay....
Epic is quite well known for its collaboration policies, and gamers are often rewarded with exclusive in-game items and cosmetics. The all-new “March Through Time” is also a collaboration effort, and there is massive anticipation regarding the inclusion of an in-game Martin Luther King skin. Even though there’s been no official announcement from Epic, the probability of Fortnite introducing the Martin Luther King skin is next to none. Fortnite: Martin Luther King’s legacy is greater than the game Following the release of the “March Through Time” mode, gamers have expressed their desire and disappointment regarding the possibility of having the Martin Luther King skin in Fortnite....
MLS announced Monday the Beckham-led Miami club will enter the league as its 25th team with a start date set for 2020. The ceremony was attended by MLS commissioner Don Garber, Beckham and his ownership group, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “They say that great things come to those who wait,” Garber said as he thanked supporters for their patience during the long process the franchise has gone through to get off the ground....
Sounders FC, Toronto FC hold final press conference, training before Sunday’s MLS Cup Seattle Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer and Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney conducted a joint press conference from CenturyField on Saturday in the final preparation heading into Sunday’s MLS Cup. The two coaches, who have led their clubs to a third MLS Cup over the past four years, previewed the upcoming match that will tout more than 69,000 fans....
Torrent, who took over from Patrick Vieira earlier this month after the Frenchman’s move to Nice, led his side to a hard-fought win at Yankee Stadium. After David Villa came off injured for City approaching the half-hour mark, Victor Vazquez opened the scoring for Toronto. Vazquez got on the end of a long pass from Auro before lobbing onrushing goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Berget equalised six minutes after half-time with a neat back flick, before the Norwegian scored the winner....
David Villa opened the scoring for City, but his effort was cancelled out by a tremendous Carlos Carmona strike at Yankee Stadium. However, goals from Rodney Wallace and Maximiliano Moralez on the hour-mark secured a second straight win for Patrick Vieira’s men. Villa struck in the 17th minute with a fine finish off the post to complete a flowing team move and give City a 1-0 lead. But a stunning volley from Carmona had the visitors level six minutes before halftime, only for City to grab control on the hour-mark....
Major League Soccer’s Week 11 features several good showcase opportunities for players on the fringes of the U.S. player pool, including a battle in Florida that Bruce Arena himself will be taking in. Sporting Kansas City’s visit to Orlando City Stadium will not only be a chance to impress Arena in person, but also a chance for both teams to erase the bad taste of recent disappointing results after outstanding starts to the season....
