Top News:
Kevin Santo / USA Today:
The Dodgers' historic hot streak: How their 29-4 run came together — Los Angeles has a lot to smile about. The Dodgers are not just the hottest team in baseball but on a breakneck pace that could put the 2017 club among the greatest in their rich franchise history.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Bob Nightengale / Tallahassee Democrat:
MLB trade deadline: Likely destinations for all the top stars on the block — With the all-star break in the rearview mirror, it's time for second half of the MLB season to get underway. Here are the story lines that will shape the rest of the season. USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT
Discussion:
SBNation.com
Associated Press:
A 125-win pace? Dodgers believe surge is sustainable — MIAMI (AP) — Clayton Kershaw's notion that the past five extraordinary weeks are the new norm for the Los Angeles Dodgers seems to be taking hold. — Going into the All-Star break, Kershaw suggested the Dodgers' surge might not be a surge at all, but a sustainable pace.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Miguel Gonzalez eager to return to White Sox rotation after injury — White Sox starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez is looking forward to returning to the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Chicago Tribune — Miguel Gonzalez almost ruined the surprise.
Adam Kilgore / Chicago Tribune:
The Los Angeles Dodgers have become baseball's version of the Golden State Warriors
Ryan Fagan / Sporting News:
MLB trade rumors: Sonny Gray could help these contenders if A's make a deal
MLB trade rumors: Sonny Gray could help these contenders if A's make a deal
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Jeff Wallner / UPI:
Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper help Washington Nationals complete sweep of Cincinnati Reds — CINCINNATI — Stephen Strasburg traditionally hasn't fared well in hot weather, so much so that trainers have developed a hydration process for the Washington Nationals right-hander.
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Alex Butler / UPI:
Cincinnati Reds OF Billy Hamilton helps man propose to girlfriend
Cincinnati Reds OF Billy Hamilton helps man propose to girlfriend
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Federal Baseball and Red Reporter
ESPN:
Nats' Ryan Zimmerman hits homer No. 235 to top franchise list
Nats' Ryan Zimmerman hits homer No. 235 to top franchise list
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and Forbes
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Nationals' Ryan Raburn: I was surprised Reds released me
Joe Kay / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Zimmerman sets franchise HR record, Nationals beat Reds 6-1
Zimmerman sets franchise HR record, Nationals beat Reds 6-1
Discussion:
Washington Post, Athletics Nation and Federal Baseball
Fox Sports:
Red Sox manager Farrell says protest denied on play vs Yanks — BOSTON (AP) Red Sox manager John Farrell says Major League Baseball has denied Boston's protest over a bizarre play on the bases last weekend involving Matt Holliday of the New York Yankees. — Farrell said he wasn't surprised …
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Several names emerge in Red Sox' quest for third baseman
Several names emerge in Red Sox' quest for third baseman
Discussion:
Sporting News, Amazin' Avenue, Metro, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Rodriguez's return restores Red Sox rotation to full strength
Rodriguez's return restores Red Sox rotation to full strength
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Post Sports Desk / New York Post:
Another Greg Bird lost year is likely done … Greg Bird is joining teammate Michael Pineda under the knife. — The Yankees first baseman will have surgery Tuesday to repair the right ankle that has kept him sidelined since May 1. Bird is expected to be out a minimum of six weeks while recovering.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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ESPN:
Yankees' Greg Bird to have foot surgery; season likely over — MINNEAPOLIS — New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird's season is likely over because he will need surgery to remove a bone in his foot. — After missing all of 2016 following shoulder surgery, Bird has played in only 19 games this season, batting only .100.
Detroit News:
Mensching: Tigers must keep Fulmer, try to deal JV — So, what's one MVP award, one Cy Young Award, and two Cy Young runner-up finishes get you these days? A pat on the back, old man. A pat on the back. — In a vacuum Justin Verlander seems like he should be one of the hottest commodities …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Bless You Boys, MLive.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets should let a Jacob deGrom trade offer blow them away — MORE FROM: … You own a house. You love the house. It is the keeper, the one you bought with the plan to raise a family there. — But you also paid attention in Economics 101 the day the professor mentioned that when supply is low and demand is high, prices soar.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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Mark SimonESPN / ESPN:
Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey look ‘free and easy’ as they begin throwing programs
Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey look ‘free and easy’ as they begin throwing programs
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Amazin' Avenue and FanRag Sports
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Cesar Hernandez returns to Phillies with something to prove — MIAMI — For 37 days, the Phillies patched Cesar Hernandez's spot with a veteran outfielder and two utility men. The fervor for another second baseman, Scott Kingery, intensified. It's not that Hernandez is a forgotten man …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Discussing Justin Wilson, Tony Watson — 11:44am: Rosenthal tweets that Tampa Bay is also discussing Pirates lefty Tony Watson. The 32-year-old Watson is earning a bit more than twice Wilson's salary ($5.6MM) and is a free agent at season's end. He's also having a down year …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Bucs Dugout and Pirates Breakdown
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Why lefty closer Justin Wilson is Detroit Tigers' biggest trade bait
Why lefty closer Justin Wilson is Detroit Tigers' biggest trade bait
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Braves activate Sean Rodriguez, Danny Santana from DL — ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have activated utility players Sean Rodriguez and Danny Santana from the disabled list. — Right-hander Jason Hursh and infielder Jace Peterson were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
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ESPN:
Olney: Players who will be traded before the deadline — Justin Verlander has been mentioned in trade talks, and it's possible that market moons and stars will align and the future Hall of Famer switches teams. But any Verlander deal would be incredibly complicated for the Tigers to pull off …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs insist minor-league cupboard isn't bare after Jose Quintana trade — With prospects like pitcher Adbert Alzolay still in their farm system, the Cubs believe they still have plenty of talent after the deal to acquire Jose Quintana. — Chicago Tribune
Josh Tolentino / Kansas City Star:
Travis Wood, who hasn't pitched since July 2, will start for Royals on Tuesday — Royals pitcher Travis Wood hopes he isn't limited by a pitch count when he makes his second start of the season on Tuesday against Detroit. — He even said he could go all nine innings, if needed.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Sierra goes for 10 straight against Mets — NEW YORK • Magneuris Sierra, whose record nine-game hitting streak at the start of his Cardinals career has lasted since early May, is back in the lineup Monday night as the Cardinals play the first of four games here against the Mets.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Clint Frazier batting second for Yankees in opener vs. Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — Clint Frazier looked at the bottom of Monday's Yankees-Twins lineup to see if he was in it. — His name wasn't there. — It was higher. — Second. — “I texted my parents and my agent,” Frazier said.
Doug Mittler / ESPN:
Rumor Central: A's not looking to deal Blake Treinen? — The Oakland Athletics are not looking to flip Blake Treinen after acquiring the veteran reliever in Sunday's deal with the Washington Nationals. — A's executive vice president Billy Beane told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, San Francisco Chronicle, FanRag Sports and Fish Stripes
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Royals demote Jorge Soler to Omaha, recall Billy Burns to fill roster spot — Jorge Soler's turbulent first season with the Royals has continued with another demotion to the minor leagues. — The Royals sent Soler, a 25-year-old outfielder, back to Class AAA Omaha on Monday afternoon …
Discussion:
Royals Review