Ballbug: Mets Slugger Cespedes Hit in Hand by Pitch, Fingers Bruised (Associated Press)

Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Piscotty could return to field this weekend — PITTSBURGH • The first person to see Stephen Piscotty lying unconscious, blood trickling from his mouth, in left-center field Monday night at PNC Park after a vicious collision was also one of the last to see him a few hours later at the hospital.

Discussion: Bucs Dugout

Pirates Top Cardinals 8-2 in Doubleheader Opener — PITTSBURGH — Francisco Cervelli hit his second career grand slam, Gerrit Cole pitched seven solid innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-2 in a doubleheader opener to put St. Louis' NL Central title hopes on hold.

Discussion: Yahoo Sports

Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright makes the ‘almost’ happen; cleared to relieve Wednesday

Discussion: CBSSports.com

Associated Press:

Indians OF Michael Brantley out vs. Twins with shoulder injury — CLEVELAND — Indians outfielder Michael Brantley has toughed it out, playing through aches and pains all season long. — Now a right shoulder injury could sideline him for Cleveland's final week.

Discussion: Let's Go Tribe, Twinkie Town and Yahoo Sports

Twins Win Fourth Straight, 7-1 Over Indians — CLEVELAND — Kyle Gibson pitched six shutout innings and Torii Hunter had a three-run double as the Minnesota Twins gained ground in the AL wild-card race, winning their fourth straight with a 7-1 victory over the fading Cleveland Indians in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday.

Discussion: Yahoo Sports

Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:

What limits? Terry Collins ready to turn Matt Harvey loose in playoffs — PHILADELPHIA — After weeks of consternation about Matt Harvey's availability and willingness to pitch past 180 innings and into the playoffs, Terry Collins said Tuesday that the right-hander will not be limited …

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue

Associated Press:

Mets Slugger Cespedes Hit in Hand by Pitch, Fingers Bruised — PHILADELPHIA — New York Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes has been bruised on two fingers of his left hand after being hit by a pitch. — X-rays were negative after Cespedes left the game Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

Discussion: Yahoo Sports and Amazin' Avenue

Tim Reilly / Metsblog:

Game 158: Mets at Phillies, 7:05 p.m. ET — The Mets (89-68) continue their three-game series against the Phillies (60-97) on Wednesday in Philadelphia at 7:05 p.m. ET on SNY. — RHP Logan Verrett (1-2, 3.40 ERA) gets the start for the Mets. He'll be opposed by RHP Alec Asher (0-5, 7.52 ERA) for Philadelphia.

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and The Good Phight

Discussion: Phillies Nation, Amazin' Avenue, The Good Phight and Yahoo Sports

Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:

Baseball's culture clash: Vast majority of brawls involve differing ethnicities — A scene from the Texas Rangers' clubhouse at Oakland's Coliseum last week neatly captured the blending of cultures that's so prevalent in baseball. — As Shin-Soo Choo highlights flashed on a TV screen …

Discussion: Bleacher Nation, CBSSports.com and Lone Star Ball

John Lott / National Post:

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki encouraged daily by teammates during recovery — BALTIMORE - He is still new to his team, and for the past couple of weeks, he hasn't even been able to play. But thanks to his teammates, Troy Tulowitzki does not feel at all like a stranger.

Discussion: Yahoo Sports, Toronto Star, Camden Chat, Batter's Box Interactive … and Bluebird Banter

Associated Press:

New MLB Commissioner Envisions More Speed-Up Experiments — NEW YORK — Rob Manfred envisions more experiments with speed-up rules, such as limiting pitching changes and trips to the mound, or requiring each pitcher to face multiple batters. — Speaking at the Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium …

Discussion: CBSSports.com

Associated Press:

Dodgers Finally Secure Third Straight NL West Crown — SAN FRANCISCO — Andrew Friedman arrived at Chavez Ravine last October and built the big-spending Dodgers' $285 million roster to win championships, not merely division titles. — And, lately at least, that means trying to get through …

Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:

In Jonathan Papelbon, Nationals got their closer — and their kiss of death … As July neared its close, and the Washington Nationals tried to cling to their spot atop the National League East, General Manager Mike Rizzo manned his iPhone at all hours. The Nationals were in Miami for an off day before three games against the Marlins.

Discussion: Nats Insider and The Big Lead