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THOUGHTS AFTER THE NO-HITTER: Let us know!
Read full article: THOUGHTS AFTER THE NO-HITTER: Let us know!After starting the year 0-4, the Houston Astros notched their first win Monday night in dominant fashion, beating Toronto 10-0. With two more games lined up against the Blue Jays, the Astros are looking to correct course ahead of a trip to Arlington. Can they do it, or was last night just a flash in the pan?
MLB draws 45.3M as fans return, down from 68.5M before COVID
Read full article: MLB draws 45.3M as fans return, down from 68.5M before COVIDMajor League Baseball drew 45.3 million fans this year as fans gradually were allowed to return, down from 68.5 million over 2019 in the last season before the coronavirus pandemic.
LEADING OFF: MLB eases protocols, Altuve on power tear
Read full article: LEADING OFF: MLB eases protocols, Altuve on power tearMajor League Baseball has taken another big step in relaxing coronavirus regulations, allowing fully vaccinated players and staff to stop wearing masks in dugouts, bullpens and clubhouses, according to a memo sent by the league and players’ association.
George Springer, Blue Jays agree to reported 6-year, $150 million deal
Read full article: George Springer, Blue Jays agree to reported 6-year, $150 million dealOutfielder George Springer, who spent the past seven seasons in Houston, will now take his talents north of the border and play for the Toronto Blue Jays. His mega-deal is reportedly for six years for $150 million after the Blue Jays remained aggressive in talks to land the All-Star outfielder. Springer, 31, was a big piece of the Astros playoff success beginning in 2015. In all, Springer has delivered big results in the playoffs belting 19 postseason home runs. In his career, Springer has hit .265 with 14 homers and 32 RBIs in the shortened 2020 season, earning a prorated $7,777,778 from a $21 million salary.
Canada reviewing NBA plan to play in Toronto amid pandemic
Read full article: Canada reviewing NBA plan to play in Toronto amid pandemicTORONTO, ONT – The Canadian government is reviewing a proposal from the NBA and the Raptors to play in Toronto amid the pandemic. This is not a next week type thing.”The Raptors and the NBA need an exemption to a requirement that anyone entering Canada for nonessential reasons must self-isolate for 14 days. We are reviewing a proposal from the NBA and the Toronto Raptors for the resumption of NBA basketball in Canada.”The NBA season is set to open Dec. 22, with training camps beginning in about two weeks. The Canadian government requites a comprehensive public health plan and written support from local health officials. The plan is being reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
LEADING OFF: Blue Jays-Yanks, Padres go for 9th straight
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Blue Jays-Yanks, Padres go for 9th straightSan Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar, right, reacts after scoring on a fielder's choice in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in San Diego. Prized rookie Deivi García (1-1, 3.06 ERA) pitches for the Yankees, who have won five straight following a 5-16 slide. New York expects to get third baseman Gio Urshela and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga back from the injured list. WILD WESTThe surging San Diego Padres go for their ninth straight victory and try to close within a half-game of the West-leading Dodgers when the NL's top two teams square off again at Petco Park. Lamb homered and doubled in his Athletics debut Monday, a 9-0 victory at Seattle that gave his new team a doubleheader split.
LEADING OFF: A's try for 10th win in row, wait for MLB word
Read full article: LEADING OFF: A's try for 10th win in row, wait for MLB wordLaureano charged toward Houston bench coach lex Cintrn after being hit by a pitch Sunday at the Coliseum. The skirmish came months after Houstons sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers. Less than two weeks ago, Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly was suspended by MLB for eight game after throwing two pitches near the heads of Houston hitter. NEW NESTVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays might take a look around their new home for the rest of the season -- thatll be Sahlen Field in Buffalo. There have been 27 games postponed by Major League Baseball because of the coronavirus, 13 of them involving the Cardinals.
Needville Blue Jays officially open football training camp
Read full article: Needville Blue Jays officially open football training campAt Needville High School, It was like Christmas Day for Needville head football coach Mike Giles. Needville, like several area schools, are trying to get ready for a season in the midst of a pandemic. "We thought we weren't gonna have our senior season. For now, the Fighting Blue Jays are preparing for a full seaosn, but know they have to be flexible. “We are going to continue to work towards our goals this season,” Giles said.
LEADING OFF: Yelich, Springer slumping, Blue Jays wandering
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Yelich, Springer slumping, Blue Jays wanderingYelich also has struck out 12 times going into the series opener at home against Jack Flaherty and the Cardinals. Former World Series MVP George Springer (.048), two-time batting champ Jose Altuve (.174) and former All-Star Game MVP Alex Bregman (.174) will look to break loose when the Astros visit the Angels. TORONTOS TRAVELSVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the wandering Blue Jays will figure out where to spend this weekend after a three-game series in Philadelphia was called off because two Phillies staffers tested positive for the virus. Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and the Jays will stay in DC and work out at Nationals Park. The Blue Jays eventually will play home games in Buffalo at the stadium of their Triple-A affiliate.
LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins off
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins offWere drinking out of a fire hose on all this stuff right now, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. The Marlins season has been suspended through Sunday after the club registered at least 15 players with positive coronavirus tests. NOT-QUITE-HOME OPENERThe Blue Jays play their first home game of the season in Washington after officially being the visitors in DC for games Monday and Tuesday. The truth is, theres no place like home, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. We feel comfortable playing at home, but thats not going to happen.Nationals ace Max Scherzer is set to face Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, making his major league debut.
LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins off
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Yanks-O's open patchwork series; Marlins offWere drinking out of a fire hose on all this stuff right now, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. The Marlins season has been suspended through Sunday after the club registered at least 15 players with positive coronavirus tests. NOT-QUITE-HOME OPENERThe Blue Jays play their first home game of the season in Washington after officially being the visitors in DC for games Monday and Tuesday. The truth is, theres no place like home, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. We feel comfortable playing at home, but thats not going to happen.Nationals ace Max Scherzer is set to face Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, making his major league debut.
LEADING OFF: Virus fears force changes in lineups, plans
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Virus fears force changes in lineups, plansMiami Marlins' Brian Anderson, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Francisco Cervelli, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)The Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds are waiting to see how COVID-19 affects them heading into the second series of the season. The Marlins planned to arrive in Miami hours before their home opener against Baltimore, unsure how many players might remain quarantined in Philadelphia. The Reds were without second baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Nick Senzel for a 3-2 loss to the Tigers in Cincinnati. Both felt sick a day after teammate Matt Davidson went on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Blue Jays OF says team may play in Pittsburgh or Baltimore
Read full article: Blue Jays OF says team may play in Pittsburgh or BaltimoreCanada denied the Blue Jays request to play at Rogers Centre because the regular-season schedule would require frequent travel back and forth from the United States, where COVID-19 cases are surging. The other 29 major league teams plan to play the pandemic-shortened, 60-game season in their home ballparks, without spectators. Pirates President Travis Williams confirmed the talks with the Blue Jays on Monday and sounded ready to welcome club if it could be done safely amid the pandemic. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said the team has more than five contingency plans and was in talks with other clubs. Atkins said if the Blue Jays cant find a major league park, their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo would be their most likely site for home games.
Blue Jays talking to MLB teams about playing at their parks
Read full article: Blue Jays talking to MLB teams about playing at their parks(Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)TORONTO, ONT The Blue Jays are talking to several teams about sharing a major league ballpark this season after Canadas government barred Toronto from playing in its home stadium amid the coronavirus pandemic, general manager Ross Atkins said Monday. We would much rather be in a major league facility, Atkins said. He declined to identify the teams but said the Blue Jays have more than five contingency plans. Players have told management they want to be in a major league park. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said Saturday that player health is a concern in Florida.
The Latest: Cases slow as Pakistan readies anti-polio drive
Read full article: The Latest: Cases slow as Pakistan readies anti-polio driveAn additional three cases were brought into the country from overseas, increasing Chinas total number of confirmed cases to 83,660 with 4,634 reported deaths. At least 23 of those asymptomatic cases were in Urumqi, although China does not include those in the numbers of confirmed cases. It is too busy.___JOHANNESBURG South Africa now ranks fifth in the world for confirmed coronavirus cases caseload as the African continent faces the pandemics first wave head-on. The addition brought the state total to 32,248 confirmed cases and exceeded Missouris previous one-day high of 936 on Tuesday. As of Saturday, the seven-day average of new cases reported by the state is 731, up from 560 a week ago.
Blue Jays pitcher says team is looking for major league park
Read full article: Blue Jays pitcher says team is looking for major league parkThe other 29 major league teams plan to play the pandemic-shortened, 60-game season in their home ballparks, without spectators. I just said, Look, we want to play in a major league ballpark. That was pretty much echoed throughout the clubhouse that we want to be in a major league ballpark, wherever that is. Outfielder Teoscar Hernndez also said he would prefer a major league park. I bet every team in this division hopes its a big league park, but if not, they have no choice, Montoyo said.
AP Source: Decision looming on Blue Jays games in Toronto
Read full article: AP Source: Decision looming on Blue Jays games in TorontoTORONTO, ONT The Blue Jays will find out Saturday whether the Canadian government allows them to play regular-season games in Toronto amid the coronavirus pandemic. The team had been given clearance by city and provincial governments to play regular-season games at Rogers Centre and awaited approval from Canadas federal government. Such a request is asking a lot because allowing games in Toronto means frequent back-and-forth travel to the U.S., where COVID-19 cases are surging. The Blue Jays are scheduled to start the season July 24 at Tampa Bay and play their home opener five days later against Washington. The Blue Jays received an exemption for training camp, during which the players agreed to isolate in the hotel attached to Rogers Centre and create a quarantine environment.
Dress rehearsal: MLB holds first COVID-era exhibitions
Read full article: Dress rehearsal: MLB holds first COVID-era exhibitionsFake cheers meant to encourage the hometown Nationals accidentally piped through the stadium as the Philadelphia Phillies shortstop rounded the bases. In some ways, this is very much a dress rehearsal for the new world were in, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before an exhibition at the crosstown Mets. At Nationals Park, two people watched from a building balcony far beyond the left field wall. The 30-year-old first-year Phillie is one of a handful of players who has said he'll wear a mask full-time this season. Reserve players watched from under large awnings build behind both dugouts.
Jays players headed to Florida, continue talks to play in TO
Read full article: Jays players headed to Florida, continue talks to play in TOTORONTO, ONT The Blue Jays are moving players to their spring training facility in Florida while they await word from the Canadian government about playing in Toronto amid the coronavirus pandemic. Ford said he was in talks with Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro all weekend. The Blue Jays are hopeful to stage training camp and play regular-season home games in Toronto and will continue to work through this possibility." Anna Maddison, a spokesman for the Public Health Agency of Canada, said the federal government continues to be in discussion with the Blue Jays. Maddison said Toronto Public Health and Ontario Ministry of Health are also actively engaged with the Blue Jays.