Top News:
Rotoworld.com:
Dose: Lester's Lat — The Cubs don't really play baseball games anymore. They're more like life experiences. — If you've ever seen Reservoir Dogs, you'll know that at the end of the movie only Steve Buscemi survives (I don't feel bad about spoiling the plot because it came out 25 years ago).
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Demetrius Bell / Baseball Prospectus:
What You Need to Know — Engel in the Outfield — The Thursday Takeaway — There were 38,675 fans in attendance at Wrigley Field for the final game of a four-game series between the Reds and Cubs, and I'd imagine that two or three times that many people would've claimed …
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times, Purple Row and Camden Chat
Associated Press:
Ervin, Votto lead Reds past Cubs despite Chicago's 6 homers
Ervin, Votto lead Reds past Cubs despite Chicago's 6 homers
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Jack McCarthy / UPI:
Cincinnati outslug Chicago Cubs behind Phillip Ervin
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
After roller-coaster win over Cubs, Reds exhale
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Jose Abreu steps in after White Sox rookie Reynaldo Lopez tries to pitch through soreness — White Sox manager Rick Renteria on removing Reynaldo Lopez from Thursday's game against the Rangers with right side soreness on Aug. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Associated Press:
Zimmerman's homer lifts Nationals to 2-1 win vs Padres — SAN DIEGO (AP) — With 33-year-old Edwin Jackson mostly frustrating the San Diego Padres for seven innings, Ryan Zimmerman and the rest of the Washington Nationals figured out a way to win on just four hits.
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Dennis Lin / The Charlotte Observer:
Ryan Zimmerman's homer, missed opportunities sink Padres in series opener — Jhoulys Chacin brought the majors' second-lowest home ERA into his start Thursday against the Washington Nationals. On the surface, what ensued did little to affect his reputation as a force in downtown San Diego.
Jorge Castillo / Washington Post:
Ryan Zimmerman's eighth-inning home run lifts Nats past Padres, 2-1
Ryan Zimmerman's eighth-inning home run lifts Nats past Padres, 2-1
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Gaslamp Ball and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:
Steven Matz knocked out early, Luis Severino dominates as Yankees win 7-5 to sweep Mets — The Yankees finished off a Subway sweep of the Mets on Thursday night in this four-game, two-borough series thanks to the Kraken. — Gary Sanchez powered the Bronx Bombers to the club's second-ever …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, New York Post and New York Times
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Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:
Yankees series in Boston is one of last chances to catch Red Sox in standings — The Yankees vanquished their cross-town foes this week, and now they have their second chance in as many weekends to strike a blow against their hated division rivals. — After finishing off a four-game Subway Series sweep …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Steven Matz's current slump has Mets lowering their expectations of him
Steven Matz's current slump has Mets lowering their expectations of him
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez ‘not going to sit there and complain’ about playing time — With the Los Angeles Dodgers in the midst of a historic season, it's easy to forget that the team's opening day first baseman has barely played this year. — Adrian Gonzalez hasn't played since June 11 due …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
John Henry says Red Sox will lead effort to change name of Yawkey Way — The Red Sox have had enough. — At a moment when racial tensions have escalated rapidly and the removal of Confederate statues acts as a flashpoint for violent and racially divisive protests, the Red Sox are ready …
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Associated Press:
Red Sox owner John Henry wants to rename Yawkey Way for David Ortiz — Retired Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is honored with the renaming of a portion of Yawkey Way to David Ortiz Drive outside Fenway Park in Boston on June 22. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Brian Hall / UPI:
Minnesota Twins pick up split with Cleveland Indians behind Max Kepler homer — MINNEAPOLIS — Max Kepler hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning after his slip led to an Indians run in the top of the inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat Cleveland 4-2 to split a day-night doubleheader Thursday at Target Field.
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Larry Millson / UPI:
Toronto Blue Jays escape Tampa Bay Rays — TORONTO — Justin Smoak hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning, Josh Donaldson hit two solo homers and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Thursday. — Smoak hit his 33rd homer of the season with one out against Tommy Hunter (2-4) after Donaldson walked.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Ian Harrison / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Smoak hits tiebreaking homer in 8th, Jays beat Rays 5-3
Smoak hits tiebreaking homer in 8th, Jays beat Rays 5-3
Discussion:
Associated Press, DRaysBay and baseballmusings.com
MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Arizona Diamondbacks ride Patrick Corbin for split with Houston Astros — HOUSTON — Patrick Corbin came within an out of his first complete game in nearly four years, scattering four hits in 8 2/3 innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a split of their four-game, home-and-home interleague series …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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CSN Philly:
Tonight's lineup: Odubel Herrera sits again; struggling Tommy Joseph slides — The Phillies will be without their best hitter for a third straight game. — Because of a nagging left hamstring, Odubel Herrera is not in the lineup Thursday night when the Phillies kick off a four-game series against the Giants at AT&T Park.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Cardinals lose closer to injury and it could impact the NL Central playoff race — Trevor Rosenthal hits the disabled list with posterior elbow irritation — We already discussed the wild Wednesday that transpired when it came to the tight NL Central and there's more to unpack there.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Beantown meltdown: Cardinals furious after Fenway fiasco
Beantown meltdown: Cardinals furious after Fenway fiasco
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Paul Gackle / The Charlotte Observer:
Giants bats cool off baseball's hottest pitcher — No one is going to mistake the San Francisco Giants for the 1927 New York Yankees these days. Well, no one other than baseball's hottest pitcher, that is. — Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola should be excused if he left …
miamiherald:
New Marlins owners to replace Samson, source says — David Samson, the loquacious and occasionally polarizing president of the Marlins for the past 15 years, will be looking for a new job when new owners take over the franchise. — A source said prospective owners Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, NBCSports.com, Forbes and FanRag Sports