Community Picks: Tampa Bay Rays 0% vs Detroit Tigers 0%

Alex Avila was the best player available on the Detroit Tigers' board when it was their turn to select a player in the fifth round of the 2008 amateur draft. His dad suggested the Tigers pick someone else. "I didn't want people to think it was a favor," Tigers general manager Al Avila recalled. "I thought he would have a better opportunity if someone else drafted him so he wouldn't have to deal with the scrutiny of being my son." David Chadd, who is now the team's assistant general manager and was its scouting director back then under general manager Dave Dombrowski, told Avila it would mark the first time the organization passed on the top player on the board that early in a draft. "I said, Continue to Article

June 17, 2017 2:54:am EST

A first-time All-Star may unseat an 11-time All-Star at first base in the American League. Oakland Athletics first baseman Yonder Alonso has overtaken Detroit Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera in the latest AL All-Star voting update. While Alonso’s rise is shocking, it’s not undeserved. Continue to Article

June 13, 2017 1:21:pm EST

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Dodgers have not ventured to Cleveland in 14 years, so Clayton Kershaw won't be the only one making his Progressive Field debut when he takes the hill on Tuesday night. The Indians played at Dodger Stadium in 2008 and in 2014, but the quirky interleague schedule hasn't required Los Angeles to visit Northeast Ohio since June 13-15, 2003. At that time, Milton Bradley and Brandon Phillips still played for the Tribe. Jolbert Cabrera played for the Dodgers. Eric Wedge was in his first year as Cleveland's skipper. Dave Roberts, now the Dodgers' manager, was their center fielder. Adrian Beltre was a wee 24-year-old third baseman. Now, he's a seasoned 38-year-old third baseman Continue to Article

June 13, 2017 1:00:am EST

Sam Houston State’s Matt Deggs had an inspiring message after his team’s loss in the Super Regionals. Sam Houston State was swept out the NCAA Super Regionals by Florida State this weekend, leaving them one step away from the College World Series. While that would normally make for a moment of disappointment, Sam Houston’s head baseball coach Matt Deggs turned it into a moment of inspiration. Continue to Article

June 12, 2017 3:43:pm EST

DETROIT -- Buck Farmer outlasted Alex Meyer in an unexpected pitchers' duel, and Justin Upton hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-0 on Wednesday night. Farmer (2-0) allowed three hits in 6 2/3 innings, and Detroit pushed across an unearned run in the third. Upton gave the Tigers some insurance with a drive to left off reliever Yusmeiro Petit. Detroit has won five of six. Meyer (2-3) permitted three hits in six innings. He walked four and struck out nine, but his wildness proved costly in the third. A hit batter, a walk and an error loaded the bases with nobody out, and the game's first run came home when Victor Martinez bounced into Continue to Article

June 08, 2017 4:00:am EST