Stroman on slugger’s plate prowess: ‘He can rake’

Stroman on slugger’s plate prowess: ‘He can rake’
KANSAS CITY — All spring long, Royals manager Mike Matheny emphasized the need for first-pitch strikes, getting ahead in the count and not letting one or two runs balloon on a pitcher like the Royals saw far too many times last season. The first two games of the regular season showed what happens when that […]
MINNEAPOLIS — The floodgates opened rapidly on Marco Gonzales and the Mariners on Sunday, and before they could catch their breath, the matinee in Minnesota was already out of reach. Gonzales surrendered a leadoff homer to the red-hot Byron Buxton in the first inning before finding himself in a bases-loaded matchup set up by an […]
WASHINGTON — As the Mets broke camp and plotted their course for the first week of the regular season, they felt confident in their ability to compete with anyone in the National League. They also understood the nature of baseball; best-laid plans often turn sideways, as they experienced themselves when injuries struck Jacob deGrom and […]
TORONTO — When the Rangers kicked off their series finale against the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, things looked frighteningly similar to the previous two games: lots of loud homers from Toronto opposite struggling Texas pitching. Nick Solak’s solo homer was the lone Rangers run for three innings. Then the dam broke wide open. Texas […]
3 key takeaways as Detroit eyes defending AL Central champs
PHILADELPHIA — One thing Mark Kotsay has quickly made clear in his short time as manager of the A’s is the importance he places on timeliness, whether it relates to himself or his players. That’s why he was apologetic when he arrived a few minutes later than usual for his postgame session with the media […]
Infielder returns to Wrigley Field, slugs go-ahead pinch-hit home run in 7th
Orioles eager to move on after dropping 15th straight to Rays since last season
WASHINGTON — Smokey Robinson’s melodic classic “Cruisin’” filled the skies above Nationals Park on Sunday afternoon. On the field, Nelson Cruz had belted his 450th career home run — and first as a member of the Nats — off Mets starter Carlos Carrasco in the opening inning to further his ascent on the Major League […]