Top News:
Joe Posnanski / Kansas City Star:
Blame Guillen, not Redman — This is going to sound derogatory toward Royals pitcher Mark Redman, and I don't mean it that way. This is not his fault. Redman has had a trying year with his father's serious health issues. And Lord knows he's the first Royals pitcher to win five starts in a row since …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Dye will treat Derby like BP — Despite another rough outing, Guillen stands behind Politte — CHICAGO — When Jermaine Dye originally was asked if he would participate in the CENTURY 21 Home Derby on ESPN, as part of the All-Star festivities next Monday night in Pittsburgh …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
'Punch A.J.' campaign under way — Fans have until 5 p.m. CT on Thursday to cast Final Vote — CHICAGO — Ozzie Guillen doesn't claim to be an expert in matters relating to public relations, although his three-year managerial tenure certainly has thrust the White Sox prominently into the national spotlight on a weekly basis.
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Stars refused to line up: Schilling deserves honor — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Now that a day passed, it's abundantly clear that Curt Schilling got screwed. — There's no excuse for leaving Schilling off the American League All-Star squad given his stature, his remarkable comeback …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
NY Daily News:
It's Lima time, again — Lima Time apparently is back. — The Daily News has learned that Jose Lima is expected to rejoin the Mets from Triple-A Norfolk, capping a flurry of moves involving the pitching staff. Yesterday began with the Mets demoting Alay Soler to Norfolk …
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Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — Panicking? No no no no nooooo — The sewage was rising in the Mets' clubhouse last night, an apt metaphor for a season that might just be going down the tubes. — The mess was only ankle-deep in the moments after their unsightly 11-1 loss to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates …
Associated Press:
Padres-Phillies Preview — When the Phillies recalled highly touted pitching prospect Cole Hamels on May 12, he was expected to strengthen the rotation and help them contend for a division title. — Instead, Hamels will try to avoid his fifth straight loss and Philadelphia (37-44) …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Chris Haft / Mercury News:
Players look forward to a regular schedule — DENVER - With five consecutive night games beginning Monday, the Giants just might be able to establish a regular schedule for themselves this week. If that doesn't sound like much, remember how grumpy you feel when you're thrown off your routine.
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rheinecker's the real deal — ARLINGTON - At this time last season, John Rheinecker was aggravated — physically and mentally. — A tendon had been torn in his middle left finger May 13, and he would miss the rest of the season at Sacramento, the Athletics' Triple A affiliate.
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Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:Doc says Rangers' Millwood improved
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Petit to get first major-league start Wednesday — Rookie right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit never received a chance to do what he does best — start — when he spent two months with the Marlins earlier this season. — But that will change Wednesday. — Petit, who made seven relief appearances …
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Strikeout frustrates Willingham — WASHINGTON — Left fielder Josh Willingham was clearly upset with himself Monday after striking out in his last at-bat in Florida's 9-1 loss to the Washington Nationals. — Willingham is 8-for-38 (.210) since coming off the disabled list …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
At times, a maddening shift — TAMPA — As David Ortiz stepped into the batter's box to face lefthander Scott Kazmir with two away and the bases empty in the first inning of last night's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, this is what he saw. — Third baseman Aubrey Huff was playing your basic left field.
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
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Damian Cristodero / St. Petersburg Times:All-Star injury won't benefit Crawford
Discussion:
Ben Maller
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Guillen got help from brother — Outfielder received a DVD showing his hitting in the past — WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen received a DVD on Friday from his brother, Eddie, that showed his batting stance when he was with the Reds and Angels.
Discussion:
Just A Nats Fan
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rookie's Seasoned Repertory, and Strike Zone, Bewilder the Yankee Batters — CLEVELAND, July 3 — The Cleveland Indians played a road game Sunday, but they made it home in time to watch the Yankees on TV at night. Jeremy Sowers would be facing the Yankees on Monday, seeking his first major league victory.
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Brian O'Neill / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Stats Geek: Pirates could top 1-run loss record — The Pirates' annual hunt for dead October is particularly frustrating this year. Not because there was ever legitimate hope for a winning season, but because there is so much dashed hope in so many winnable games. — Maybe it's time to change our strategy as fans.
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Looking Ahead, Yankees Sign 16-Year-Old Catcher — CLEVELAND, July 3 — It may be years before the Yankees find out if they spent wisely Sunday, when they agreed to pay $2 million to a 16-year-old catcher from Venezuela. But for now, the Yankees are excited to have Jesús Montero …
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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Marc Normandin / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Hit List — Week of July 3 — Rk — Team — Overall W-L — Week W-L — Hit List Factor — Trend — Even after a fundamentally atrocious Saturday, the Tigers remain atop the Hit List. The search is on for a left-handed power bat, possibly capable of playing …
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards notebook: Dream weaving — Dream weaving — The Cardinals are having internal discussions about Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jeff Weaver, who was designated for assignment Friday and must either be traded or released by the All-Star break. — Weaver apparently …
Chris Duncan / sports.yahoo.com:
Houston 7, Chi Cubs 2 — Houston 7, Chi Cubs 2 — HOUSTON (AP) — Roger Clemens finally got some run support and won for the first time in his latest comeback. — "All in all, it was a good game," Clemens said. "The guys hit the ball, and that was a lot of fun to see."
