Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals lose ground as misplays, missed chances prove costly — Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward scores past St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina off Ian Happ's single during the Cubs' seven-run sixth inning Friday. (AP Photo) — Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey, right …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Alex Butler / UPI:
Chicago Cubs' John Lackey, Willson Contreras go nuts on umpire for calling ball — Pitcher John Lackey was fuming Friday when the he ran at the umpire after giving up a go-ahead run in the Chicago Cubs' 8-2 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. — The exchange began in the top of the fifth inning with the game tied at 1-1.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Viva El Birdos
ESPN:
Shades of 2011? How the Cardinals again are sneaking up on everyone — The St. Louis Cardinals missed the playoffs last season and haven't missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2007 and '08, so falling short again would qualify as tough times in Cardinals Nation.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Royals Review
USA Today:
Cubs' Willson Contreras suspended for two games after mask throw — Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was suspended for two games by Major League Baseball for “inappropriate actions” after he was ejected Friday for arguing balls and strikes with umpire Jodan Baker.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
David Haugh / The Charlotte Observer:
Cubs survive immature outburst from John Lackey - again — CHICAGO — Remorse never crossed John Lackey's mind Friday as he reflected on whether he contributed to his ejection in the fifth inning of an 8-2 victory over the Cardinals. — But then how do you acknowledge something you don't understand?
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs activate Addison Russell from DL before game vs. Cardinals
Cubs activate Addison Russell from DL before game vs. Cardinals
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Fielding mistake costs Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez — again
Fielding mistake costs Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez — again
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
San Francisco has (woeful) Giants problem — The San Francisco Giants don't have much to sell these days. The garlic fries still tantalize, but that's about it. On Tuesday, the Giants are trying $1 hot dogs. — The Giants could lose the most games in the history of the franchise, which opened for business in 1883.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Gideon Rubin / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Ray wins 5th straight as Diamondbacks top Giants 3-2 … Robbie Ray won his fifth straight start and A.J. Pollack hit a two-run double as the — San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Friday night. — Ray (14-5) struck out 10 and gave up two runs (one earned), six hits and no walks as the Diamondbacks won …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
How much could Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez land in free agency?
How much could Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez land in free agency?
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
ESPN:
Dodgers' Cody Bellinger ties NL record with 38 home runs — Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger hit his 38th home run of the season Saturday to match a National League rookie record. — His second-inning homer off Washington Nationals starter A.J. Cole on Saturday tied Wally Berger …
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Associated Press:
Rookie Sean Newcomb's 8 strikeouts help Braves edge Mets 3-2 … ATLANTA — Sean Newcomb kept striking out Mets batters even when he couldn't rely on his big curveball. — For Braves manager Brian Snitker, that was an encouraging sign about the rookie left-hander's future.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Faith and Fear in Flushing
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Rafael Montero cools off as Mets drop fifth straight game with loss to Braves
Rafael Montero cools off as Mets drop fifth straight game with loss to Braves
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Abbey Mastracco / New Jersey Online:
Are the Mets better off without this former prospect? — Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Gabriel Ynoa (49) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner | USA TODAY Sports) — NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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Pedro Moura / The Charlotte Observer:
Angels survive Ranger danger — ANAHEIM, Calif.-The baseball landed in between the men left standing in Angel Stadium's home bullpen, an appropriate resting spot for the most important hit in a game defined by relievers. C.J. Cron had anticipated the two-strike slider hurtling his way, and he timed it just right.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers reaction: Wild card slipping away as West officially lost
Rangers reaction: Wild card slipping away as West officially lost
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Didi Gregorius might be the best acquisition Brian Cashman has made as Yankees GM — The three-team deal in December 2014 that landed Didi Gregorius in the Bronx may turn out to be one of the best trades Brian Cashman has ever made as GM of the Yankees. — On a night when Paul O'Neill …
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John Harper / New York Daily News:
If Aaron Judge can push Yankees past Red Sox, MVP would be back in play — As recently as 10 days ago this seemed out of the question, but, yes, Aaron Judge can still win the American League MVP Award. — It will take a strong finish, perhaps even the Yankees overtaking the Red Sox …
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees have right to be upset at MLB over letting Red Sox off far too easy in iGate
Yankees have right to be upset at MLB over letting Red Sox off far too easy in iGate
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and Over the Monster
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' walk-off win a quick-fix remedy to otherwise agonizing season — Sanchez turns back the clock with 11 strikeouts over six innings, his first double-digit performance in 13 months — At this moment, they weren't rebuilding. They weren't more than 20 games below .500 …
Discussion:
ESPN
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Mahtook's walk-off single, Sanchez's pitching lift Tigers over White Sox
Mahtook's walk-off single, Sanchez's pitching lift Tigers over White Sox
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Jim Ingraham / UPI:
Cleveland Indians' record streak halted by Kansas City Royals — CLEVELAND — Lorenzo Cain had three hits and Alcides Escobar and Brandon Moss homered as the Kansas City Royals halted the Cleveland Indians' American League-record 22-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory Friday night at Progressive Field.
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Josh Land / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles on deck: What to watch Saturday at Yankees — The Orioles fell to the Yankees Friday night, 8-2. (Ulysses Muñoz / Baltimore Sun) — The Orioles lose to the Yankees, 13-5. (Denise Sanders, Baltimore Sun video) — Orioles (72-76) vs. Yankees (81-66) — Where: Yankee Stadium
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Rotoworld.com:
Week That Was: Going Streaking — It wasn't so long ago that things were looking a bit problematic for the Cleveland Indians. Just three weeks back in this space we discussed the troubles they were facing, with key players like Andrew Miller, Jason Kipnis and Danny Salazar all going down and making …
Todd ZolaFantasy / ESPN:
Daily fantasy baseball cheat sheet for Saturday — Wow, what an ugly pitching slate. There are some viable arms up top, but there's very little in the middle and lower ranges. Making matters worse is with eight early starts, the main slate consists of just seven games …