Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage, and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s okay, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning, and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.
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The baseball world was shaken on Tuesday when the New York Times reported that the Cardinals were being investigated for “hacking” into the Astros’ main database “Ground Control.” It’s one of the strangest stories in recent sports history, and there are a lot of moving parts to keep straight. We’re not even entirely clear why the employees who were involved would do something so incredibly stupid.
Unsurprisingly, we learned a little more information yesterday, and we should expect to hear more about this almost every day in the coming weeks. On Wednesday, it was reported that the “hack” had been traced back to a house in Jupiter, Fla., where the Cardinals play their spring training games. Reportedly, the feds are looking into four or five team employees who may have stayed at the house. Additionally, the Cardinals released a statement, and John Mozeliak vehemently denied having any knowledge of the incident.
There is a lot more to learn in this story, and it’s not close to being wrapped up. With that being said, it’s not too early to look to the end of the scandal when the league has to decide on the a punishment. There’s many ways commissioner Rob Manfred can go with this, and whatever he decides will be his first big moment running the league. Does he make an example, regardless of how far up this conspiracy goes? It’s a tough call to be sure. The only things that are certain are the entertainment factor, and the fact that this story isn’t going away any time soon.
- Bryce Harper is (deservedly) catching all the headlines, but Todd Frazier is having one hell of a year, too, including a special night on Wednesday.
- There’s also that Giancarlo Stanton guy, who happens to be a decent hitter as well.
- Stephen Strasburg has started his rehab, and the Nationals are hoping he’s looking more like his old self.
- Have you seen the All-Star Game hats? If you haven’t, I’m jealous of your ignorant bliss.
- Jeff Francoeur pitched an inning for the Phillies, and while it was delightful at first, it quickly became uncomfortable, and the team owes him an apology.
- Matt Harvey is one of the premier pitchers in the game, and he has every right to be annoyed by your dumb questions.
- The good news for all the sad White Sox fans: you’re not alone.
- It didn’t take long for the Padres to find an interim manager, and their selection was far from a surprise.
- The Twins are surprise contenders in the AL Central, and it’s putting them in a strange position with the trade deadline rapidly approaching.
- Seattle fans may want to look away from their offense for a little while, as it’s in the midst of arguably the worst stretch in franchise history.
