Top News:
csnphilly.com:
Ryan Howard sits; future with team a major question — Slumping Ryan Howard was not in the Phillies' starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher for the second time in six post-all-star break games on Thursday night, and his future with the team is in serious question.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and The Good Phight
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csnphilly.com:
Bastardo draws trade interest, Sandberg praise — Ryne Sandberg has managed the Phillies for almost a year, so by now we know he is not one to blabber on and on about a particular topic. — So it was kind of interesting to hear Sandberg talk so expansively when Antonio Bastardo's name came up before Tuesday night's game.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Bluebird Banter, HardballTalk, MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks must ask: Is bad pitching luck really about luck? — In his second start with his new team on Saturday, New York Yankees right-hander Brandon McCarthy fired six innings of one-run ball against the Cincinnati Reds. As it pertains to the Diamondbacks …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Acquire Joakim Soria — 10:25pm: The Tigers have announced the deal, making it official. — 9:23pm: The Tigers have agreed to acquire reliever Joakim Soria from the Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel, Kyle Bogenschutz of Scout.com was first to report on Twitter.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, SBNation.com, Lone Star Ball and Deadspin
Katy Clarke / WFAA-TV:
Rangers washed away with 2-1 loss to Yankees — After five and a third innings, the Texas Rangers were handed a 2-1 loss by the New York Yankees and their grounds crew. — As torrential downpours hit New York City, the Yankees' grounds crew struggled to get a tarp on the infield.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Associated Press:
Rays' win streak reaches 7 behind Alex Cobb — ST. LOUIS — Alex Cobb struck out 10 and drove in a run with his first major league hit, leading Tampa Bay to a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night, the Rays' seventh straight win. — Cobb (6-6) blanked the Cardinals on five hits over seven innings.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
AVOIDING AN UNTENABLE LOGJAM IN LOS ANGELES — How motivated are the Dodgers to trade Matt Kemp? How motivated should they be? — Depends whom you ask. — Some rival executives say the Dodgers want to move Kemp. The team certainly is open to trade offers.
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Canadian Press:
Freeman's three-run HR helps Braves beat Marlins — ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer, Ervin Santana won his second straight start and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Wednesday night. — The victory pulled Atlanta within one game of first-place Washington in the NL East.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Fish Stripes
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
2015 Competitive Balance Lottery Results — The Competitive Balance Lottery for the 2015 MLB Draft took place this afternoon. Twelve competitive balance picks are awarded, with the first six taking place after the first round's conclusion and the next six taking place following conclusion of the second round.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Camden Chat, Brew Crew Ball, Bucs Dugout and Let's Go Tribe
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
David Ortiz reaches 1,500 RBIs — TORONTO — With his fourth home run in three games here Wednesday night, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz became the 53rd player in major-league history to drive in 1,500 or more runs in his career. — Ortiz lined a knuckleball from Toronto's R …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Associated Press
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Maybin Suspended 25 Games For Amphetamine Use — 2:19pm: Maybin has issued the following statement through the Major League Baseball Players Association: … 2:09pm: Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin has been suspended 25 games, without pay, after testing positive for amphetamine usage, the league announced.
Canadian Press:
Royals edge White Sox with rally in ninth inning — CHICAGO — Mike Moustakas scored the tiebreaking run in the top of the ninth inning when White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers could handle a throw home and the Kansas City Royals beat Chicago 2-1 Wednesday in the rubber game of a three-game series.
Discussion:
South Side Sox