NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and its fans are on the same page — they want to see more of the kids.With millennial mashers Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich leading the way, this year's All-Star starting lineups have a chance to be the youngest ever, based on an Associated Press analysis of the latest ballot results released by the league this week.The AP studied the average age for starting All-Star position players since the first Midsummer Classic in 1933, and this year's group is almost certain to be historic, especially in the National League. The average age of the eight NL ballot leaders is just 25, a full year less than the previous youngest starting lineup, the 2017 American League roster.When combined with the AL, this year's projected starters average 26.6 years old — 0.2 older than the 2017 squads, which are the youngest ever. If 24-year-old Rays outfielder Austin Meadows edges 32-year-old Astros outfielder Michael Brantley, the average would fall to 26.3."For the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.ANGELS 11, BLUE JAYS 6TORONTO (AP) — Mike Trout hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and had a career-best seven RBIs as Los Angeles beat Toronto.Justin Upton also homered for the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.ANGELS 11, BLUE JAYS 6TORONTO (AP) — Mike Trout hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and had a career-best seven RBIs as Los Angeles beat Toronto.Justin Upton also homered for the... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Padres and Rockies set a modern-era record by combining for 92 runs in a four-game series, with San Diego pitcher Matt Strahm drawing a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to rally past Colorado 14-13 Sunday.It was just another wacky day at Coors Field, especially in this split series where the Rockies outscored the Padres 48-44 while the teams combined for 131 hits. Colorado's Charlie Blackmon became the first player since at least 1900 with 15 hits in a four-game series, according to STATS. Adding to the zaniness: the finale was delayed once to clean up a big puddle in foul territory despite sunny skies, and again later because of weather.Trailing 13-10 in the ninth, Wil Myers had an RBI single and Greg Garcia promptly tied it with a two-out, two-run triple off closer Wade Davis (1-2). The Rockies brought in starter Jon Gray, who intentionally walked two batters to face Strahm. Gray fell behind 3-1 before throwing a strike. Taking all the way, Strahm watched... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Padres and Rockies set a modern-era record by combining for 92 runs in a four-game series, with San Diego pitcher Matt Strahm drawing a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to rally past Colorado 14-13 Sunday.It was just another wacky day at Coors Field, especially in this split series where the Rockies outscored the Padres 48-44 while the teams combined for 131 hits. Colorado's Charlie Blackmon became the first player since at least 1900 with 15 hits in a four-game series, according to STATS. Adding to the zaniness: the finale was delayed once to clean up a big puddle in foul territory despite sunny skies, and again later because of weather.Trailing 13-10 in the ninth, Wil Myers had an RBI single and Greg Garcia promptly tied it with a two-out, two-run triple off closer Wade Davis (1-2). The Rockies brought in starter Jon Gray, who intentionally walked two batters to face Strahm. Gray fell behind 3-1 before throwing a strike. Taking all the way, Strahm watched... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins went into the weekend with the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted a run in six of his last eight outings, and now faces Kansas City at Target Field.MORTON MOMENTUMRays right-hander Charlie Morton (8-0, 2.10 ERA) pitches against the Angels at Tropicana Field, looking to extend his 21-start unbeaten streak that began last Aug. 17 when he played for Houston.The 35-year-old has made 14 starts this season in his first year with Tampa Bay. He's done well in his career vs. Angels stars Mike Trout (3 for 12, 1 HR) and Albert Pujols (7 for 30, no HRs).NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta as the teams compete atop the NL East. Nola has done well against the Braves, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SHO GOES ONShohei Ohtani returns to Tropicana Field a night after becoming the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle. Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the first inning — his sixth in 11 games — and completed the feat with a single in the seventh as the Angels beat the Rays 5-3. Ohtani is the eighth Angels player to hit for the cycle and first since Mike Trout on May 21, 2013. That wasn't the only good news Thursday for Ohtani — the two-way sensation might be on a mound in a rehab setting before the All-Star break as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last October. "I won't say it's probable, but it's possible," manager Brad Ausmus said. Ohtani still won't pitch in a major league game until 2020.ROLLINGWhite Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito looks to continue his breakout season when he faces CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees. Giolito is 7-0 with a sparkling 0.88 ERA in his last seven starts. He has 59 strikeouts and only 10 walks... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 Thursday night after a delay caused by a power outage.Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the first inning and completed the feat with a single in the seventh. He is the eighth Angels player to hit for the cycle and the first since Mike Trout on May 21, 2013.Albert Pujols also homered for the Angels, becoming the sixth player ever with 200 home runs in each league. He hit 445 in 11 seasons with St. Louis and has 200 in eight years with the Angels, including 12 this season.He led off the third with a double and tripled in the fifth before Pujols' home run. A two-out single in the seventh completed the cycle in just four plate appearances, and fans at Tropicana Field gave him a standing ovation.The game was held up 36 minutes by a power delay in the fourth with the Angels leading 3-0.Yarbrough (5-3) gave up five runs and five hits (all... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 Thursday night after a delay caused by a power outage.Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the first inning and completed the feat with a single in the seventh. He is the eighth Angels player to hit for the cycle and the first since Mike Trout on May 21, 2013.Albert Pujols also homered for the Angels, becoming the sixth player ever with 200 home runs in each league. He hit 445 in 11 seasons with St. Louis and has 200 in eight years with the Angels, including 12 this season.He led off the third with a double and tripled in the fifth before Pujols' home run. A two-out single in the seventh completed the cycle in just four plate appearances, and fans at Tropicana Field gave him a standing ovation.The game was held up 36 minutes by a power delay in the fourth with the Angels leading 3-0.Yarbrough (5-3) gave up five runs and five hits (all... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:SHO GOES ONShohei Ohtani returns to Tropicana Field a night after becoming the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle. Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the first inning — his sixth in 11 games — and completed the feat with a single in the seventh as the Angels beat the Rays 5-3. Ohtani is the eighth Angels player to hit for the cycle and first since Mike Trout on May 21, 2013. That wasn't the only good news Thursday for Ohtani — the two-way sensation might be on a mound in a rehab setting before the All-Star break as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last October. "I won't say it's probable, but it's possible," manager Brad Ausmus said. Ohtani still won't pitch in a major league game until 2020.ROLLINGWhite Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito looks to continue his breakout season when he faces CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees. Giolito is 7-0 with a sparkling 0.88 ERA in his last seven starts. He has 59 strikeouts and only 10 walks... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani has become the first Japanese player to hit for the cycle in the majors.Ohtani completed his cycle with a single in the seventh inning of a game Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. He is the first Angels player to accomplish the feat since Mike Trout on May 21, 2013 against the Seattle Mariners.It's the eighth cycle in team history.Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the first inning, doubled in the third and tripled during the fifth. He flared a 3-2 pitch into right-center field against right-hander Hunter Wood in the seventh and received a standing ovation from the fans at Tropicana Field.A two-way sensation as a rookie last season, Ohtani is staying off the mound this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.Ohtani's first three hits came off left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Max Kepler homered three times and José Berríos (8-2) locked up Cleveland's lineup into the seventh inning as the Minnesota Twins avoided a sweep — and their first three-game losing streak — by beating the Indians 5-4 on Thursday night.Kepler, who entered hitless in his previous 21 at-bats, connected in the first, third and seventh innings off Indians starter Trevor Bauer (4-6). Kepler also walked in the fifth.The 26-year-old outfielder came up in the ninth with a chance to become the 19th player in history to hit four homers in one game — a feat rarer than a perfect game. But left-hander Josh Smith kept the left-handed swinging Kepler in the park, getting him to hit a hard grounder to the right side that he beat out for a single.It was Kepler's second career three-homer game. The other one also came against the Indians on Aug. 1, 2016.The AL-Central leading Twins took the series finale and again moved 10½ games ahead of Cleveland, whose run of three straight division titles... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Charlie Morton allowed five hits in seven innings, extending his unbeaten streak to 20 starts and leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.Morton (7-0) hasn't lost since Aug. 11, and only Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, at 21 starts, has a longer active unbeaten streak. Morton struck out eight with no walks and needed just 83 pitches to complete seven innings.Austin Meadows tripled and scored on a throwing error in the third to open the scoring. Tampa Bay scored two more runs in the fifth and snapped its four-game losing streak.Spencer Turnbull (3-5) allowed three runs in five innings.METS 7, GIANTS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Vargas pitched his first shutout in two years, Amed Rosario hit a three-run homer and New York won despite losing Robinson Canó hours after his return from the injured list.Michael Conforto and Adeiny Hechavarría each had a solo homer for the Mets, who ended a three-game skid with their second win in seven games.Canó... [More]

Using the search engine at Baseball-Reference.com, The Associated Press evaluated each team's draft performance from 1996 through 2018, adding up wins above replacement (WAR) figures for drafted players.For each pick, the player's career WAR was added to the appropriate total for the team, depending on whether or not the player signed with the team after being drafted. Some players had their WAR totals included multiple times, if they were drafted more than once.Stats are through May 25. Compensation picks were considered part of the first round where applicable.___ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKSTotal WAR for all drafted players: 581.8 (MLB rank: 4th)Total WAR for drafted players who signed: 440.1 (rank: 5th)Total WAR for drafted players who did not sign: 141.7Impact players (10 WAR or more) drafted: 17 (rank: tie-9th)Impact players drafted and signed: 13 (rank: 12th)Most recent impact player drafted and signed: Trevor Bauer, 2011, first round, pick No. 3 (15.2 WAR)Lowest pick for impact player drafted... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:EVEN MORE FREEAll-Star starter Dallas Keuchel and imposing closer Craig Kimbrel, the last two top free agents on the market, can sign without their new teams having to forfeit amateur draft picks as compensation. Both turned down $17.9 million qualifying offers in November, Keuchel from Houston and Kimbrel from the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Under baseball's labor contract, compensation is eliminated for free agents who sign starting on the day the amateur draft begins.Before Monday, a new team signing either player would have lost at least one draft pick and possibly two, and some teams would have lost international signing bonus allocation.PICK 'EMThe Baltimore Orioles make the first selection when the Major League Baseball draft begins at MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.The top prospects include Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman, Texas high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. — son of the former big league pitcher... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:EVEN MORE FREEAll-Star starter Dallas Keuchel and imposing closer Craig Kimbrel, the last two top free agents on the market, can sign without their new teams having to forfeit amateur draft picks as compensation. Both turned down $17.9 million qualifying offers in November, Keuchel from Houston and Kimbrel from the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Under baseball's labor contract, compensation is eliminated for free agents who sign starting on the day the amateur draft begins.Before Monday, a new team signing either player would have lost at least one draft pick and possibly two, and some teams would have lost international signing bonus allocation.PICK 'EMThe Baltimore Orioles make the first selection when the Major League Baseball draft begins at MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.The top prospects include Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman, Texas high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. — son of the former big league pitcher... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PAIR OF ACESIt's a marquee matchup on Memorial Day at Dodger Stadium when NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom (3-5, 3.72 ERA) pitches for the New York Mets against three-time winner Clayton Kershaw (4-0, 3.33).Kershaw is 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA in six regular-season home starts against the Mets, although deGrom beat him 3-1 in Game 1 of the 2015 NL Division Series and also won the decisive Game 5 in Los Angeles. New York is coming off a 6-1 homestand, while the NL-leading Dodgers have won nine of 11 overall and are 19-6 at home.CHICAGO CRASHCubs slugger Kris Bryant was cleared to travel with the team to Houston after leaving Sunday's game against Cincinnati following an outfield collision with teammate Jason Heyward. Chicago manager Joe Maddon said he was told Bryant was hit in the head/neck area. "He's doing OK," Maddon said. "We're trying to talk with the docs and find out exactly where we're at." The loss of Bryant for any extended period... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers homered off Justin Verlander, and the Boston Red Sox took advantage of two errors by the Houston Astros to avoid a series sweep with a 4-1 victory Sunday.Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3) held Houston to one run and four hits in six innings, improving to 5-1 in his last eight starts.The Astros lost for just the fifth time in 22 games and finished the regular season 4-2 against the Red Sox, who beat them 4-1 in the ALCS last season on the way to a World Series championship.Devers' solo shot in the fourth gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. It was Devers' seventh homer of the season and fourth in six games.Marcus Walden earned his second major league save and first this season.Verlander (8-2) permitted three runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out six.ATHLETICS 7, MARINERS 1OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Chapman homered for the second consecutive day, Josh Phegley also went deep and had three RBIs, and the streaking Oakland Athletics won their ninth straight, beating Seattle... [More]