May 31, 2019 College baseball is more popular than ever, with more games on TV and big attendance figures, especially in the SEC — heck, LSU averaged more fans per home game in 2018 than the Miami Marlins. The rich history of the College World Series includes dynasties, future major league All-Stars and heroes like
MLB
8:00 AM ET Among this weekend’s most intriguing matchups are Cubs-Cardinals and Red Sox-Rays, series with some strong feelings attached to them, even in early June. Plus, will the Astros rake the Orioles’ homer-happy pitching? Who will come out on top in a showdown between phenoms past and present? Here’s what we’re most excited to
1:47 AM ET So the Atlanta Braves have some spare change after all. The bean counters at Liberty Media — the team’s owners who have run the franchise more like real estate company than a baseball team in recent seasons — agreed to find $13 million to convince free agent Dallas Keuchel to pitch the
11:22 PM ET ANAHEIM, Calif. — The highly anticipated showdown between Yusei Kikuchi and Shohei Ohtani is expected to finally take place Saturday, in the middle of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani was still on his way back from Tommy John surgery when Kikuchi first faced the Angels
10:13 PM ET Associated Press CLEVELAND — Max Kepler has homered three times against the Cleveland Indians. Kepler, who entered Thursday night’s game in an 0-for-21 slump, connected in the first, third and seventh innings against Indians starter Trevor Bauer. Kepler walked in the fifth. Only 18 players in major league history have homered four
10:06 PM ET Associated Press ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics canceled batting practice at Angel Stadium after a pesky swarm of bees took the field. The A’s could have hit despite the bees Thursday, but manager Bob Melvin decided to skip it, saying he didn’t want anybody to get stung before the series finale.
9:35 PM ET The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a deal with free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Atlanta is 33-29 this season and entered Thursday night two games back of the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Atlanta also had interest in signing All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel but wasn’t willing
7:55 AM ET You probably saw this, but earlier this week a New York Yankees prospect broke up a no-hitter in the minor leagues with a ninth-inning bunt. Would-be sports ethicists came out of the woodwork to debate the social acceptability of this maneuver. It’s an old debate, and your opinion on it says a
7:50 PM ET Associated Press CHICAGO — Cubs manager Joe Maddon is projecting how to use Craig Kimbrel, even before Chicago announces a deal with the free-agent closer. Maddon said Thursday he thought the 31-year-old right-hander might be ready to pitch in about three weeks. “I would imagine in the position that’s he’s been in,
4:24 PM ET Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez left Thursday’s game against the Kansas City Royals because of back spasms. Martinez, serving as Boston’s designated hitter, was scheduled to bat in the top of the fifth inning but was replaced by Sam Travis. Martinez struggled with back spasms last month, missing four consecutive games.