Top News:
Newsday:
Mets consider calling up Pelfrey — Mike Pelfrey could make his major-league debut Friday night at Shea Stadium against the Marlins. According to a team official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Mets are seriously considering a call-up of their top pick from the 2005 amateur draft.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Randolph surprised by Feliciano — Manager says he'll have a talk after reliever questions decisions — NEW YORK — The strains of the last week never have been evident on the face of Willie Randolph. The Mets manager has preached no panic and lived it as well, maintaining the even temperament he demonstrated as a player.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Needing Arms, Mets Give Lima Another Try — José Lima appeared in the Mets' clubhouse yesterday without the dyed blond cornrows he modeled two months ago. The Mets do not care about the different hairstyle. They just hope he pitches better this time around.
Discussion:
NY Daily News
Yahoo! Sports:
Hitting a snag — Hitting a snag — You can take the temperature of the New York Mets just the same way you could the Boston Red Sox for a seven-year period: Use Pedro Martinez as your thermometer. When he is fit and happy and turning every fifth day into something as close …
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
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:
'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
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
If Trade Is Made, Torre Will Take Hitter Over Pitcher — CLEVELAND, July 4 — Joe Torre continues to insist that the Yankees' fortunes depend on starting pitching. But a team has to score runs to win, of course, and the Yankees have not done enough of that lately.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Break point — School may be out for Baker and many on his staff during All-Star recess — HOUSTON — Dusty Baker and some of his coaching staff may have a restless All-Star break after general manager Jim Hendry announced Tuesday he will use the four-day break to decide whether an overhaul is in order.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals walk off with July 4th victory — Zimmerman launches game-winning three-run shot — WASHINGTON — Ryan Zimmerman's home run in the bottom of the ninth inning catapulted the Nationals to a second victory over the Marlins, 6-4, in front of 23,118 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Discussion:
The Curly W
Michael F. Walsh / MLB.com:
Notes: Petit recalled to start Wednesday — Pitcher has thrown seven times in relief for the Fish this season — WASHINGTON — With a doubleheader against the Mets looming over the weekend and in need of another starter, Marlins manager Joe Girardi will hand the ball to Yusmeiro Petit on Wednesday against the Nationals.
Discussion:
Cardinals Diaspora
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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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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
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
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Wilson seeking escape from long plunge — NEW YORK — Just one month ago, Jack Wilson was enjoying exactly the offensive revitalization he had sought in bulking up 20 pounds this past offseason. — Now, he is looking to ... well, revitalize that revitalization.
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Brian O'Neill / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:Stats Geek: Pirates could top 1-run loss record
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
Bob Sikes / ...getting paid to watch:
There'll Never Be Another 4th Like This — Many learned observers recognize the July 4 game between the Mets and the Braves in 1985 to be one of the games most memorable. In my seven years with the club I vividly remember Game 6 at Houston in 1986 and the last few dizzying moments of Game 6 against the Red Sox of the same year.
Eric Mack / CBS SportsLine.com:
Power Rankings: Amazing stretch has Twins on prowl — For most teams, a nine-game deficit is no cause to celebrate. — The Minnesota Twins will take it. And the way they're playing, they might even be able to do something with it. — One of the pariahs of this space early in the first half …
