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Playing behind Clayton Kershaw can get a little dull when the Dodgers' ace is mowing down the opposition, something he does a lot lately. Kershaw improved to 4-0 in May, Joc Pederson hit two solo homers and the Dodgers beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 in the Freeway Series on Tuesday night. ''It was kind of all average,'' Kershaw said. Continue to Article

May 18, 2016 1:35:am EST

The first showdown of the season between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was dominated by the starting pitchers. A similar result could be in store Wednesday night with a pair of hurlers who have excelled at Citi Field set to take the mound. The Mets try to clinch this three-game series between NL East contenders and move atop the division when they send Bartolo Colon to the mound to oppose Gio Gonzalez. Continue to Article

May 18, 2016 12:31:am EST

TORONTO – After being tossed in consecutive games and starting a three-game suspension Tuesday night Blue Jays manager John Gibbons had every reason to be wound up. Instead, he feels a strange sense of familiarity. Tension and turmoil for Gibbons in Toronto is nothing new. Gibbons was disciplined for coming onto the field during Sunday’s brawl in Texas . He had been ejected earlier in the game and was therefore already barred from the dugout and by extension the field of play. “I thought it was a little bit excessive, but what are you going to do,” said Gibbons, who received a one-game suspension for the same transgression last season. “I've got enough issues to worry about.” The Blue Jays dropped to 19-22 following a 12-2 lossto the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre, as the team continues to spin its wheels in the mud . There have been a few bullpen blowups, a handful of defensive miscues, and the offence doesn’t look anything like the one that was the best in baseball in 2015. Gibbons has been notably hamstrung by the struggles of Drew Storen (14 IP, 8.36 ERA) and Brett Cecil (10 1/3 IP, 5.23 ERA), who were supposed to be the primary late-inning relievers alongside closer Roberto Osuna. “Really, it’s a typical season since I’ve been here. We’re so-so early on; it wasn’t different than it was last year until we hit the end of July. I’ve been through this before,” said Gibbons. “It’s a frustrating business, even when things are going good. One thing you learn over time, truthfully, is that you don’t get caught up in that. You come out everyday and do the best job you can.” The mediocre start, coupled with the now high-profile punishment, has put an increased focus on Gibbons. Last year’s run to the American League Championship Series finally brought him into the good graces of a fan base that wasn’t always so welcoming since he returned as manager for the 2013 season. But how much last year’s success buys him with new president Mark Shapiro and new general manager Ross Atkins remains to be seen. Gibbons’ greatest ally in the organization, former GM Alex Anthopoulos, is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers . When Shapiro took over in the offseason, there were rumblings that Gibbons wouldn’t be long for the job. The chatter intensified when former Indians manager Eric Wedge was added to the front office.  The season is still just a quarter of the way done, but we've begun to see movement on the managerial front. The Atlanta Braves lowered the boom on Fredi Gonzalez earlier on Tuesday and rumour has it they’re interested in former Padres skipper Bud Black. Rumour also has it that Black is well-liked by the Blue Jays front office. For the next two games, anyway, bench coach DeMarlo Hale will be in the lead chair for Toronto. After that? It should be Gibbons, right?  “If he goes 3-0 we’ll switch jobs,” Gibbons cracked. “Maybe even 2-1.” It’s that self-deprecating nature that’s allowed Gibbons to survive this long. How much longer will it serve him? If the bullpen doesn't stabilize and the bats don't come around soon, it might not much matter.  More MLB coverage from Yahoo Canada Sports: - - - - - - - Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports . Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr Continue to Article

May 17, 2016 10:20:pm EST