Top News:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks playing like top National League contenders … PHILADELPHIA - With every passing day, more evidence seems to emerge suggesting the Diamondbacks are a cut above most teams in the National League. They often will roundly beat the opposition - either out-slugging them …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks Game Day: Phillies tie it in the sixth
Diamondbacks Game Day: Phillies tie it in the sixth
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jake Arrieta loses grip in fifth inning of Cubs' 4-3 loss to Pirates — Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta reacts after being pulled from Saturday's game against the Pirates with sweat issues on June 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Wes Crosby / UPI:
Andrew McCutchen's HR caps Pittsburgh Pirates' 4-3 win over Chicago Cubs — PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen looks like himself again. — The 2013 National League MVP continued his recent surge Saturday, when his 12th home run powered the Pirates to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
With Cubs' rotation shaky, Jake Arrieta aims to power through injury
Fox Sports:
Freeland pitches 6 solid innings, Rockies beat Giants 5-1 (Jun 17, 2017) — DENVER (AP) Kyle Freeland gave up hits and even got hit, but the rookie gave the surging Colorado Rockies the outing they needed. — Freeland pitched six solid innings and shook off a liner off his pitching arm …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Christina KahrlMLB / ESPN:
Rookies in the rotation key to Rockies' rise
Rookies in the rotation key to Rockies' rise
Discussion:
Purple Row and Rox Pile
Jeff Wallner / UPI:
Yasiel Puig keys power surge as Los Angeles Dodgers rout Cincinnati Reds — CINCINNATI — It didn't take long after Saturday's game for Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to find the word that best described his team's offense: — Relentless. — Yasiel Puig homered twice …
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Cincinnati.com:
Reds notes: Pensacola, Dayton clinch playoff spots — Friday night was a good night for two Reds affiliates, as the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos clinched their fourth consecutive division title and the low-Class A Dayton Dragons clinched their first playoff spot since 2011.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright is rocked as Orioles overwhelm Redbirds — • Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright already had reviewed video at least twice of every hitter he faced Saturday, got his usual postgame treatment, and spent time looking at himself in the mirror in the weight room.
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Jerry Beach / UPI:
Washington Nationals get key out on Yoenis Cespedes in 7-4 win — NEW YORK — If the Washington Nationals end up cruising to the National League East title while leaving the New York Mets flailing for a lifeline in the wild-card derby, both teams may look back on Friday and Saturday's victories …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Padres beat Brewers in another slugfest, 7-5 in 11 innings — MILWAUKEE (AP) — One home run in extra innings wasn't enough for the San Diego Padres, so they cranked out a couple more Saturday. — It's been that kind of weekend at Miller Park. — Cory Spangenberg and Chase d'Arnaud …
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
From Cy to sigh in the blink of an eye for Boston's Rick Porcello — HOUSTON — Imagine having the most rewarding year of your life, 12 months in which all of your hard work pays off with absolutely everything going in your favor. Now imagine working just as hard, not skipping any steps along …
Craig Davis / Orlando Sentinel:
Marlins' bullpen lets late lead slip as Braves rally to win in the 10th — Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses the late-inning collapse against the Braves, says there is plenty of blame to go around, — Sun Sentinel — An early deficit wasn't too much for the hot-hitting Marlins to overcome.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers reaction: Napoli leads homer barrage against Mariners — ARLINGTON — The gangs all here and it's getting fun again at Globe Life Park. — The Texas Rangers scored 10 runs for the second consecutive day as they beat up the Seattle Mariners 10-4 again Saturday afternoon.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Rob Biertempfel / Greensburg Tribune-Review:
Pirates notebook: Clint Hurdle looks for ways to shake Gregory Polanco's slump — Gregory Polanco's batting average, by lineup spot. — Position 2017 Career — First — .252 — Second — .236 — Third .140 .272 Fourth .263 .228 Fifth — .238 — Sixth — .228 — Seventh — .321
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Marc Narducci / Philly.com:
Diamondbacks rout Phillies, 5-1, after Eickhoff exits — While the sabermetrics community scoffs at wins for pitchers, it is still a measure to gauge success. — Nobody knows that more than Phillies righthander Jerad Eickhoff, whose win total this season isn't misleading. — It still stands at zero.
Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:
Michael Fulmer outdueled by Chris Archer as Tigers fall to Rays, 3-2 — In this week's episode June 16, 2017, Anthony Fenech on the struggles and mind-set of Francisco Rodriguez, then brings on Justin Upton to discuss playing for Kirk Gibson in Arizona. Later, George Sipple joins to discuss the Tigers' MLB draft haul.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays acquire Trevor Plouffe from A's, will add him to roster Monday — UPDATE, 2:59: Cash said the Rays got Plouffe primarily to improve their right-handed hitting, hoping a change of scenery will help him. They see him playing 1B and 3B, so they can get some rest for Longoria and Morrison …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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