Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Notes: Martinez rejoins Mets — Ace will continue rehab, could start by mid-September — NEW YORK — Pedro Martinez rejoined the Mets on Monday, and though there is still no immediate timetable for his return to the mound, the team is pleased with the ace's progress and expects him back later this month.
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
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Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — September means fall is in air, not a collapse — September is a beautiful month to spend in New York City. The weather is cooler, the humidity packs up and leaves town, the leaves start to turn yellow, orange and red before crumbling into in a brown heap in October.
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Mets See a Flicker of Life From a Fallen Champion — The Mets will almost certainly end Atlanta's run of division championships at 14. Leaving barely a doubt, they lead the Braves by 18½ games in the National League East. The subdued crowd of 42,428 at Shea Stadium last night reflected that reality.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Another top drawer battle at Fenway — Chicago (79-57) at Boston (73-64), 6:05 p.m. CT — On July 7, just three days before the All-Star break, the White Sox and Red Sox began an exciting three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field that appeared to many as a possible preview of the American League Championship Series.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Tavarez set to face White Sox — The Red Sox, in desperate need of a spark, have a direct chance to chip away at the 6 1/2-game deficit they are staring at in the Wild Card standings. The White Sox, who lead the Wild Card race, will be at Fenway for three games, starting with Monday's contest.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:Sox fail to extend wild-card lead
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Church to stay on bench — Logan to start in center field for Nationals for rest of season — WASHINGTON — Since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on July 22, Ryan Church is hitting .284 (25-for-88) with four home runs and 16 RBIs. It looked like he would be the everyday …
Discussion:
Roto Authority Fantasy …
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Dan Wetzel / Yahoo! Sports:
A question of mistrust — Is Ryan Howard juiced? — Don't blame me for wondering. It might not be fair, but it isn't my (or your) fault for asking before plunging headlong into another home run chase. — Blame baseball, blame society, blame a summer that has given us Floyd Landis …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Howard's just what MLB needs right now — PHILADELPHIA - Only the most feared hitters would be walked intentionally to lead off the ninth inning of a tie game between two teams scrambling for a wild card. — This is where Ryan Howard stands as he bears down on Major League Baseball's …
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
A's can't rebound from Zito's rough start — Lefty issues six walks, allows seven runs in 5 1/3 innings — OAKLAND — The various advertising agencies contracted by the A's over the past several years have, though a series of cleverly conceived TV commercials, given the team a reputation for having a great sense of humor.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils' bright future on display in victory — Utley belts walk-off homer; Howard, Hamels play key roles — PHILADELPHIA — Many of the 44,674 came to watch a future Hall of Famer. — As a bonus, they saw the Phillies' future perform wonders for the team's present.
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Zachary Levine / MLB.com:
Loss hurts Astros' Wild Card hopes — Rocket strains right groin; Jimerson, Huff homer in defeat — PHILADELPHIA — The Astros spent the entire afternoon Monday at the lost-and-found. — First, they lost starter Roger Clemens, who strained his right groin and had to leave after the fifth inning.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Joe DiGiovanni / MLB.com:
Notes: Billingsley not yet ready to start — Dodgers unsure of Friday night starter against Mets at Shea — MILWAUKEE — It's still not known who will start Friday when the Dodgers play the Mets at Shea Stadium on Friday night, but it won't be Chad Billingsley.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs can't overcome Big Z's early exit — Theriot hits three-run double in rally effort, but error looms large — CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano tried to be a hero on Monday. It wasn't a good move. — Zambrano, who has been the one constant in the Cubs rotation this year …
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Denver Post:
Speedy Matsui jets his way into Rockies' future plans — Los Angeles - Kaz Matsui continues to play a starring role in "The Fast and The Curious." He remains in the lineup because of his speed, quick bat and, just as important, contract talks that aren't running in circles.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Steelers sign St. Pierre as appendectomy sidelines Big Ben — Minimally invasive surgery expected to cause him to miss two games — By Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Steelers have signed one of their former quarterbacks, Brian St. Pierre …
Discussion:
The Fanhouse
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will Buck be back? — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions — Can we expect manager Buck Showalter to be back next year, or is there a good chance he will be released during the offseason for being unable to lead the Rangers to the playoffs?
