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1:15 PM ET, September 21, 2017

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Fox Sports:
Cardinals send out Martinez to face Reds (Sep 21, 2017)  —  CINCINNATI — St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez will celebrate his 26th birthday on Thursday.  —  Manager Mike Matheny believes there is still plenty of untapped potential in Martinez's arm.
RELATED:
Jeff Wallner / UPI:   Luke Weaver extends streak; St. Louis Cardinals use long ball to beat Cincinnati Reds
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:   Despite losing velocity in his first start back, Rookie Davis says he's not concerned
ESPN:
Raul Mondesi sentenced on corruption charges in Dominican Republic  —  A court in the Dominican Republic has sentenced former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Raul Mondesi to eight years in jail on corruption and mishandling of public funds while serving as mayor of his hometown of San Cristobal.
Discussion: NESN.com
RELATED:
Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Father of Royals' Raul Mondesi sentenced to prison for corruption in Dominican Republic  —  Former major-leaguer Raul Mondesi, father of Royals infielder Raul A. Mondesi, was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined 60 million pesos (approximately $1.25 million) for corruption …
Discussion: Royals Review and Baseball America
Fox Sports:
Dodgers try to avoid sweep at Philadelphia (Sep 21, 2017)  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Los Angeles Dodgers will not be leaving Philadelphia with their fifth straight National League West title.  —  They don't want to take a fifth straight loss with them, either.
Fox Sports:
Rockies continue wild trip with series vs. Padres (Sep 21, 2017)  —  SAN DIEGO — The Colorado Rockies roll into San Diego for a four-game series with the Padres starting Thursday, their second soft spot in a six-game trip.  —  The first turnout in Colorado's West Coast excursion was a disaster, though.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Padres sign lefty Clayton Richard to two-year contract extension  —  SAN DIEGO — The rebuilding San Diego Padres have extended the contract of left-hander Clayton Richard through the 2019 season.  —  Richard, 34, is the oldest player on the team, which doesn't envision being competitive until 2019 or 2020.
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Fox Sports:
Still in thick of wild-card race, Rockies lose third in row (Sep 20, 2017)
Discussion: South Side Sox
Pedro Moura / The Charlotte Observer:
Angels again fall short against red-hot Indians  —  ANAHEIM, CALIF.  —  The Los Angeles Angels have proved they can hang with the American League's best teams.  What's still unclear is whether they have enough assembled talent to beat them.  —  They played another tight …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Lindor, Indians hold off Angels 6-5 for 26th win in 27 games  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Francisco Lindor snapped a seventh-inning tie with a two-run homer and the remarkable Cleveland Indians held off the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Wednesday night for their 26th victory in 27 games.
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
USA Today:
Cleveland Indians' surge bodes well for playoffs
Fox Sports:
Zimmermann ready to go as Tigers host Twins (Sep 21, 2017)  —  DETROIT — Jordan Zimmermann got rid of the pain in his neck, at least on a temporary basis.  He will now try to finish an otherwise unpleasant season on an upbeat note.  —  The Detroit Tigers right-hander will make his first …
RELATED:
USA Today:
MLB playoff picture: Red Sox clinch berth; Brewers face Cubs in must-win series  —  The final day of the Major League Baseball season unfolds Oct. 1, with all 30 teams in action.  —  Until then, there are 168 regular season games to be played.  —  With all but two division titles yet …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers Reaction: 11 games left and, unbelievably, 2 1/2 games out  —  SEATTLE  —  The commish was at Safeco Field on Wednesday, and it's always a treat to listen to someone who can speak eloquently about the game and with so much information backing up what he says.
George Henry / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Nationals rally for 6 runs in 8th to beat Braves … ATLANTA (AP) — Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino issued three bases-loaded walks in the six-run eighth, Gio Gonzalez pitched seven strong innings and the  —  Washington Nationals beat Atlanta 7-3 on Wednesday night.
Discussion: Talking Chop
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Nats' Roark looks to continue strong finish vs. Braves (Sep 21, 2017)  —  ATLANTA — The final starts of the season carry significance for Tanner Roark of the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves' R.A. Dickey, pitchers on different trajectories who face each other Thursday night.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:   Ender Inciarte's bid for 200-hit season imperiled by thumb
Tim Keown / ESPN:
You Win Some, You Lose Some … Sunday morning, Dodger Stadium, Dave Roberts' office, about 90 minutes before game time.  You can feel the Sunday morning pregame sag emanating from the clubhouse, but Roberts is having none of it.  He is upbeat in the relentless but unforced way of a teacher …
RELATED:
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers relievers falter in 7-5 loss to Phillies
Discussion: True Blue LA and The Good Phight
Fox Sports:
Aaron Altherr leads Phillies past slumping Dodgers 7-5 (Sep 20, 2017)
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
The shame of MLB's morally repugnant anti-netting excuses  —  Every day that goes by with even one major league stadium lacking protective netting past each dugout, if not farther down both lines, baseball teams are inviting a child to get hit in the face by a projectile traveling 100 mph.
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Rafael Montero allows five runs as Mets are swept by Marlins  —  MIAMI — Rafael Montero struggled for the second straight start Wednesday when he allowed five runs in four innings in the 9-2 loss to the Marlins at Marlins Park.  —  Montero (5-11) allowed all five runs with two outs.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mets bullpen on wrong side of history as they aim not to repeat it heading into 2018
Mike Puma / New York Post:
This is the Rafael Montero the Mets didn't want to resurface
Discussion: NBCSports.com
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
As homers spike, MLB pitchers have their fingers on a reason  —  SEATTLE  —  More home runs have been hit this season than in any other in MLB history, and everyone is wondering what has gotten into the hitters who have made going deep a habit.  —  Alex Gordon, arguably the worst hitter …
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
MLB commissioner expects teams to play nice in pursuing Ohtani
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
MLB: Marco Estrada signs to stay with Blue Jays  —  Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada throws against the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 16.  (Associated Press File Photo)  —  Right-hander Marco Estrada called his decision to return to the Toronto Blue Jays “a step in the right direction.”
RELATED:
UPI:   Toronto Blue Jays sign pitcher Marco Estrada to one-year, $13M extension
Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Mike Moustakas topped Balboni, but can he break the KC professional home-run record?  —  Mike Moustakas officially holds the all-time single-season home-run record for the Royals, as he hit No. 37 on Wednesday night.  —  Now, Moustakas just needs to catch Bob Cerv.
Arizona Republic:
D-Backs briefly considered juggling rotation  —  Before the Diamondbacks faced the Rockies last week at Chase Field, they briefly considered the idea of steering right-hander Zack Greinke away from the series, a way of shielding him from the team he might face in the wild-card game next month.
RELATED:
Jeremy Cluff / Arizona Republic:
Rockies' Pat Neshek blasts Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke over autographs
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
Abreu reaching select company with historic production  —  Sign-Up for our Sports Newsletter … HOUSTON — Jose Abreu is closing in on 100 RBI, never a small feat and yet an annual occurrence for the White Sox first baseman.  The significance of it doesn't seem to be lost on him.
ESPN:
56 and counting!  Giancarlo Stanton's breakthrough season through the eyes of those witnessing it  —  Giancarlo Stanton has hit 56 home runs off 48 pitchers in 13 major league parks this season.  Those homers have traveled a combined distance of 4.42 miles at an average exit velocity of 108.9 mph …
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Chris Sale becomes 1st AL pitcher in 18 years to reach the 300 strikeout mark  —  Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws to the Orioles on Sept. 20, 2017.  —  Chris Sale was at his very best — right down to his momentous last pitch — in another meaningful victory for the Boston Red Sox.
Discussion: Baltimore Sun
 
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 More News: 
Rob Mains / Baseball Prospectus:
The Vanishing ERA Qualifier
Greg Auman / UPI:
Tampa Bay Rays halt Chicago Cubs' seven-game win streak
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Pirates 6, Brewers 4: Getting the air knocked out of them
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Flowers could be back in lineup Thursday
 Earlier Picks: 
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Here is why Royals reliever Peter Moylan would like to return to Royals in 2018
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres Extend Clayton Richard
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish and Gaslamp Ball
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

 
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