On this day, the on-field action is arguably of secondary concern. That's because the MLB Draft kicked off Monday night. Want some draft-related content? We're here to help:
- Here's Mike Axisa's final mock draft before the real thing goes down.
- Here are 10 things to know heading into the draft.
- Here's how to watch the 2019 draft.
- Here's our complete first-round draft tracker.
- And here's what the draft means for the Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel markets.
As for the games themselves, it's a light Monday slate of just four games. The schedule included Albert Pujols and the Angels making a trip to Wrigley Field and the Phillies visiting the Padres. Let's jump in.
Select games can be streamed regionally via fuboTV (Try for free). For more on what channel each game is on, click here.
Who wins every MLB game? And what underdogs can give you a huge victory tonight? Visit SportsLine now to see the exact score of every MLB game, plus get full player stat projections, all from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times.
Baseball scores for Monday, June 3
- FINAL - Cubs 8, Angels 1 (box score)
- FINAL - Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 1 (box score)
- FINAL - Padres 8, Phillies 2 (box score)
- FINAL - Astros 4, Mariners 2 (box score)
Cubs awake from offensive hibernation
The Cubs came home Monday after a 1-5 road trip in which they lost their grip on first place in the NL Central and hit terribly in their last five games. Most of their offense throughout the week comprised of solo home runs and they left a small village on the bases most games. They just couldn't get any hits with runners in scoring position. They had lost eight of 10 overall.
Through three innings Monday, the Cubs went nine up, nine down. The worm started to turn a little with a run in the fourth, but things exploded with a six-run sixth inning. Perhaps the best news was Javier Baez and Willson Contreras swung the bats well.
Heading into the game, Baez was 8 for his last 46 (.174) with 21 strikeouts. His RBI double down the third-base line started the sixth-inning rally, making it 2-0 Cubs. Later, he looked like Good Javy with a vintage homer.
Contreras entered the game having gone 0 for his last 18 (seriously) with 11 strikeouts. Like Baez, he picked up a pair of hits, including a home run.
Here are both longballs.
The Cubs primarily rely on four stars in the offense. These two along with Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. It's no wonder the offense was struggling with Baez and Contreras hitting so poorly. Maybe this makeup game was what the duo needed to get back on track. If that's the case, the offense will follow suit.
Not to leave him lost in the shuffle, Jon Lester had a nice bounce-back outing as well. In his previous three starts, Lester allowed 16 earned runs (19 runs total) in 14 innings (10.29 ERA). In those three games, opposing hitters racked up a .391/.437/.719 line against him, which ... wow. Monday, Lester gave up just one run in seven innings. He looked like he might throw a shutout until the seventh inning when he ran out of gas. He actually needed a great defensive play to help him out of that pickle.
Cutch exits in first inning
The Phillies already had a void to fill in the outfield with the pending status of Odubel Herrera after his domestic violence arrest. It's why they acquired Jay Bruce via trade from the Mariners. Now, Andrew McCutchen might have to miss time due to a knee injury. He was forced to exit Monday's game after a non-contact injury to his left knee. Here's the awkward play:
Yes, it's good to see McCutchen walking off, but that doesn't mean he escaped a major injury. You can walk straight forward fine -- albeit with pain -- even on a torn ACL. And non-contact knee injuries are hardly ever nothing. This is certainly worrisome, but we won't know the prognosis until Tuesday at the earliest. For now, it's a scare for the Phillies and their fans.
What's left in the outfield in this game for the Phillies is Bruce in left, Sean Rodriguez in center and Bryce Harper in right.
Highlight of the day: Cargo saves it
Carlos Gonzalez made his Cubs debut on Monday. He picked up a hit and a walk while scoring a run, but he made one of the most important plays of the game. With Lester on the ropes in the seventh -- bases loaded, one out -- Jonathan Lucroy sent a shot to deep right. Take it away, Cargo:
Quite a way to endear himself to his new teammates.
Coincidentally, the Rockies visit the Cubs to start a three-game series on Tuesday.
Quick hits
- Matt Snyder's latest MLB Power Rankings have dropped.
- The Twins reportedly have interest in signing both Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel.
- Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers has been named AL Player of the Month for May. Pirates 1B Josh Bell took NL honors.
- White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito has been named AL Pitcher of the Month for May. Dodgers LHP Hyun-jin Ryu wins in the NL.
- The Twins have reinstated DH Nelson Cruz from the IL.
- The Cubs have added veteran OF Carlos Gonzalez to the active roster. To make room, they've designated OF/1B Jim Adduci for assignment.
- LHP Zac Rosscup has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate.
- MLB has extended the administrative leave of Phillies OF Odubel Herrera to June 17. Herrera was recently arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
- The Brewers have optioned 2B Keston Hiura back to Triple-A. More on that move here.