Top News:
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
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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 and CBS Miami
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
Ryan Fagan / Sporting News:
MLB trade rumors: Sonny Gray could help these contenders if A's make a deal
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Joe Kay / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Zimmerman sets franchise HR record, Nationals beat Reds 6-1 … CINCINNATI (AP) — The NL East leaders opened the second half of the season with a franchise record, a series sweep and a significant upgrade — exactly how the Nationals wanted to keep their momentum going.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Athletics Nation and Federal Baseball
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Jeff Wallner / UPI:
Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper help Washington Nationals complete sweep of Cincinnati Reds
ESPN:
Nats' Ryan Zimmerman hits homer No. 235 to top franchise list
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and Forbes
Alex Butler / UPI:
Cincinnati Reds OF Billy Hamilton helps man propose to girlfriend
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Federal Baseball and Red Reporter
Fox Sports:
Cardinals grind out a 6-3 win over Mets — NEW YORK — Paul DeJong homered against the New York Mets for the fourth straight game and Adam Wainwright hit an RBI double while winning his fourth consecutive start, sending the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-3 victory Monday night.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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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.
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets should let a Jacob deGrom trade offer blow them away
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Mark SimonESPN / ESPN:
Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey look ‘free and easy’ as they begin throwing programs
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, FanRag Sports and Amazin' Avenue
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Gallo's return can't spark Rangers in 3-1 loss — BALTIMORE — Able to run at full speed, and with that trademark warehouse at Camden Yards in plain sight and certainly within reach, Joey Gallo returned to the starting lineup Monday. — That's right: The slugger who was so sure …
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' Diekman inching closer to first bullpen session
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Alex Tekip / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Athletics scout watched Yankees' minor league game? — A trade between the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics could be a potential possibility as the July 31 trade deadline nears. — Citing sources, Fox Sports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that a top scout of the Athletics …
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Michael Pineda will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Post Sports Desk / New York Post:
Another Greg Bird lost year is likely done
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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 …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
UPI:
Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez activated from DL in advance of start — The Boston Red Sox activated left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez from the 10-day disabled list ahead of his start Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. — Rodriguez, 24, returned from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Houston All-Star Carlos Correa leaves game with thumb injury — HOUSTON (AP) — All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa has left a game against the Seattle Mariners with a jammed left thumb. — Correa was pulled Monday after swinging and missing at a pitch in the fourth inning.
Ed Barkowitz / Philly.com:
Minor-League report: IronPigs rally, J.P. Crawford homers — Monday's Phillies Minor Leagues roundup: — INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE (AAA) — Lehigh Valley 8, Gwinnett 4: The Iron Pigs (58-37) put up a five-spot in the ninth to rally for another win. — 3B Pedro Florimon had a two-run single to highlight the ninth.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers win third in a row with 10-2 win in series opener in Kansas City — Zimmermann very good over 6 2/3 innings, backed up by Castellanos, Mahtook homers. — CONNECT — KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Don't tell the Detroit Tigers their season is over. — Though all signs point to the team trading …
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies fall to Marlins in 10 innings — MIAMI — The Phillies and Marlins are stuck in the realm of irrelevant baseball. Almost 20 percent of their remaining games will be played against one another. They are more than opponents; reportedly, they are the subjects of fantastical trade rumors …
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Brewers start long road trip on a rough note — PITTSBURGH - The Milwaukee Brewers' big 10-game road trip got off to a tough start on Monday night. — Not only did they drop a 4-2 decision to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, they also lost catcher Stephen Vogt after he was involved …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
