Top News:
Tom Verducci / SI.com:
Hurting Harper among Nationals' concerns, but Washington still a threat to Cubs — Even with last year's MVP not feeling or playing like he did last year, the Nationals have plenty of other reasons to think they could be ready for a deep run in October. — Can the Nationals to be trusted in October?
Discussion:
ESPN, Federal Baseball, CBS DC and Pirates Breakdown
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Associated Press:
Stanton, Fernandez Lead Marlins to 1-0 Win Over Nationals
Stanton, Fernandez Lead Marlins to 1-0 Win Over Nationals
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Fish Stripes and Yahoo Sports
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Dusty Baker, Mike Rizzo deny report Bryce Harper is playing through a shoulder injury
Dusty Baker, Mike Rizzo deny report Bryce Harper is playing through a shoulder injury
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and MLB Daily Dish
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
With a remarkable season, Orioles closer Zach Britton is in Cy Young contention — Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) is congratulated by catcher Matt Wieters after earning a save in the Orioles' 1-0 win in a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in Boston.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Camden Chat, School of Roch and ESPN
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Associated Press:
Orioles Closer Zach Britton Makes a Case for Cy Young Award — BALTIMORE — Zach Britton has been pretty near perfect this season for the Baltimore Orioles. — The left-handed closer has 45 saves in 45 tries, a minuscule 0.59 ERA and nearly four times as many strikeouts as walks.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Vince Lara-Cinisomo / Baseball America:
Baseball America Prospect Report (Sept. 21) — THE LINEUP — Newsmakers from Tuesday's action: — Gary Sanchez, c, Yankees. Sanchez's amazing rookie season continued Tuesday when he blasted his 17th homer, lifting the Yankees over the Rays 5-3. Sanchez tied Wally Berger …
Discussion:
Minor League Ball and MLB Trade Rumors
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Vince Lara-Cinisomo / Baseball America:
Padres Call Up Hunter Renfroe - What To Expect — As with Manuel Margot, the Padres are calling up preseason No. 3 prospect Hunter Renfroe to determine what they have in the outfield for 2017. — Renfroe, the No. 13 pick in the 2013 draft from Mississippi State, had by far his most consistent season …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and Minor League Ball
Associated Press:
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 21, 2016, 2:27 A.M. E.D.T. — A look at what's happening all around the majors today: — ___ — ON THE CUSP — Texas can clinch its second consecutive AL West title with a win over the last-place Angels and a Houston loss in Oakland.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
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Associated Press:
Giants Top Dodgers 2-0 Despite Injuries to Cueto, Crawford
Giants Top Dodgers 2-0 Despite Injuries to Cueto, Crawford
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Designate Bud Norris For Assignment
Dodgers Designate Bud Norris For Assignment
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Associated Press:
Teheran stops contending Mets again, Braves win 4th in row … NEW YORK — If the New York Mets wind up reaching the NL wild-card game, at least they won't have to face Julio Teheran. — They might actually prefer going up against All-Star ace Madison Bumgarner or Carlos Martinez — heck, even Juan Marichal or Bob Gibson.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, ESPN and Amazin' Avenue
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Jay Jaffe / Fox Sports:
Team Entropy update: AL, NL wild cards are best hope for massive ties — With 12 days to go in the regular season, the various division and wild-card races in both leagues have simplified at least somewhat. That's not great if you're rooting for Team Entropy, though several complicated scenarios are still in play.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and CBSSports.com
Michael Powell / New York Times:
Team Israel Knows What It Wants in Its Prospects — Every few weeks during the baseball season, I receive an irrationally optimistic email from my buddy, Peter Kurz, who is a lifelong and thoroughly demented Mets fan. Demented is the adjective that attaches like a lesion to those of us who belong to the Mets tribe.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Wainwright Drives in 4 as Cards Beat Rockies 10-5 — By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 21, 2016, 12:18 A.M. E.D.T. — DENVER — Adam Wainwright was shaky on the mound and shined at the plate with a career-high four RBIs as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 10-5 on Tuesday night to move into a tie for the top NL wild card.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, Purple Row and Yahoo Sports
Adam Ferrise / Plain Dealer:
Browns receiver Josh Gordon slapped with warrant in paternity case — A Cuyahoga County judge issued an arrest warrant for Josh Gordon in connection with a paternity suit in Cleveland. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com) — CLEVELAND, Ohio — A judge issued a warrant for the arrest …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Akron Beacon Journal and The Big Lead
Associated Press:
Rangers Closer to AL West After Testy 5-4 Win Over Angels — ARLINGTON, Texas — Rookie Nomar Mazara hit his 20th homer in another testy game with multiple ejections and the Texas Rangers moved closer to their second consecutive AL West title by beating the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Lone Star Ball and Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
Lester Wins 18th, Rizzo Drives in 104th as Cubs Top Reds 6-1 — CHICAGO — Jon Lester overcame an injury scare to throw seven strong innings, Anthony Rizzo drove in three runs and the Chicago Cubs moved closer to securing the NL's best record with a 6-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo Sports
Jeff Howe / Boston Herald:
Patriots want Jimmy Garoppolo to be available — FOXBORO — There is still little reason to believe quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be available to start Thursday night against the Texans due to a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. — However, the Patriots are putting pressure …
Discussion:
CBS Boston, Pats Pulpit, It Is What It Is, The Daily Dolphin and SI.com