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1:50 AM ET, June 21, 2018

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 Top News: 
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
There's no ducking the numbers: MLB has a bad baseball problem that's only getting worse  —  It's a shame Eddie Gaedel isn't with us anymore.  This is his time to shine.  —  You remember, Gaedel?  He was the 3-foot-7 slugger hired by St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck as a publicity stunt …
Discussion: Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels … ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Desert Nail Spa in Scottsdale picked up a new client this year.  A regular visitor since February, he fist bumps employees when he walks through the door, and once he sits down, his usual nail technician knows exactly what he wants done.
Dan Arritt / UPI:
Jays' Aaron Sanchez returns home to take on Angels  —  Aaron Sanchez will likely have friends and family in the stands when the Toronto Blue Jays open a four-game series at the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.  —  Sanchez will also have plenty of motivation to keep the Blue Jays rolling.
Larry Millson / UPI:
Atlanta Braves try to stay hot against Toronto Blue Jays
Discussion: Bluebird Banter and Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Trout stays hot, Angels hold on for 5-4 win over Arizona
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Cubs show Dodgers — and everyone else — they're team to beat in NL  —  CHICAGO — Teams don't establish themselves as “the team to beat” on the basis of a regular-season series in baseball, especially one that unfolds over two chilly weekdays in the middle of June.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Jon Lester expects great plays from Cubs' exceptional defensive players
Toronto Sun:
Cubs, Dodgers go for series win after doubleheader split
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians complete three-game sweep of Chicago White Sox with 12-0 win at Progressive Field  —  The Cleveland Indians completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 12-0 win at Progressive Field Wednesday.  —  CLEVELAND — Good things happen when the Cleveland Indians …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:   After ejection, White Sox's Rick Renteria offers some support, criticism for Yoan Moncada
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Kluber first to 11 wins as Indians hammer White Sox
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:   White Sox manager Rick Renteria ejected in lopsided game against Indians
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yankees mourn death of Billy Connors  —  NEW YORK — Billy Connors, a longtime Yankees executive and pitching coach, died on Saturday.  He was 76.  —  Connors was a fixture around the Yankees for many years, first joining the club at the end of the 1988 season.  The next year, he began three stints as Yankees pitching coach.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Former Cubs pitching coach Billy Connors dead at 76
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Yankees' pitching whisperer Billy Connors dead at 76
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Jose Altuve is a magician whose brilliance should be treasured  —  Jose Altuve is the reigning American League MVP, he leads the majors with a .343 batting average, the Houston Astros are having a terrific season ... and yet we've hardly talked about him and that seems a little weird.
RELATED:
USA Today:
Giancarlo Stanton walk-off home run caps Yankees' comeback victory  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees came back from a five-run deficit in the most Yankee way possible: by hitting home runs.  —  The team, which leads the league in homers by a large margin, hit two of them to walk off …
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and The Comeback
Christian Red / Baltimore Sun:
Brett Gardner held out of Yankees' win, Gleyber Torres nixes Home Run Derby  —  Brett Gardner was wearing a compression brace on his right knee in the clubhouse Wednesday prior to the Yankees' game against the Mariners.  He said he felt “good” enough to play, but manager Aaron Boone still kept …
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Gleyber Torres takes Derby decision out of MLB's hands  —  Gleyber Torres says he'll pass on competing in the Home Run Derby next month, and that goes down as a loss for baseball, even if everyone outside New York might not necessarily agree.  —  “I'm not a home-run hitter,” …
Discussion: Sporting News and ABC News
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Game Day: Diamondbacks travel to Pittsburgh to face Pirates  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks stay on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in a four-game weekend series.  Stay with this page for pitching matchups, scoring updates and notes.  —  PREGAME READING:  —  Thursday's game
RELATED:
Shelly Anderson / UPI:   D-backs open 4-game series in Pittsburgh
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Free agency checkup: Which stars are adding and losing money?  —  Let's check in on some members of the so-called greatest free-agent class ever — although it's admittedly a little less great given the results and/or injuries of Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw and Josh Donaldson …
RELATED:
Chelsea Janes / Chicago Tribune:   Nationals GM says Bryce Harper has handled struggles with ‘class and dignity’
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Brandon Morrow not fretting over people mocking his back injury  —  Cubs closer Brandon Morrow expects to be back in a week from back spasms that landed him on the disabled list (Mark Gonzales)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs closer Brandon Morrow deserves some credit for telling the truth about his back injury.
Vincent DeBlasio / Philly.com:
Phillies minor league report: Walk-off homer sinks IronPigs after late rally  —  Lehigh Valley's last effort at the plate was dashed and Reading busted out with 12 runs on 13 hits, while single-A clubs Clearwater and Williamsport had contrasting nights.  —  Here's a rundown of the Phillies' farm system for Wednesday...
Associated Press:
PHILLIES 4, CARDINALS 3  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Odubel Herrera hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning, Cesar Hernandez had a two-run shot and Philadelphia beat St. Louis.  —  Herrera ripped a 91 mph slider from Sam Tuivailala (1-3) off the scoreboard on the facing of the second deck …
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Hyphenated battery helps Rangers sweep Royals  —  Rougned Odor homered, and Austin Bibens-Dirkx picked up his first win of the season as the visiting  —  Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the  —  Kansas City Royals with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night at Kaufmann Stadium.
Discussion: Royals Review
Yahoo Sports / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Rockies spent over $100M to have the worst bullpen in MLB  —  Wise baseball people often say that MLB teams committing millions of dollars to their bullpen can be a recipe for disaster.  Unfortunately for the 2018 Colorado Rockies, they've provided enough evidence to support that theory that it may no longer be open for debate.
Discussion: Denver Post and Purple Row
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
The true madness of Max Scherzer  —  Max Scherzer swears he's normal.  The evidence points to the contrary.  —  The day before a recent start in Baltimore, the Washington Nationals' ace plopped himself in front of a laptop at the video table inside the visitors clubhouse.
 
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 More News: 
Tampa Bay Times:
Marc Topkin's takeaways from Wednesday's Rays-Astros game
Jason Mastrodonato / Boston Herald:
Dombrowski: Red Sox ‘love’ Rafael Devers, ‘not looking for a third baseman’
ESPN:
Ranking all 30 MLB rotations, who's in the elite?
Tess DeMeyer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Dustin Peterson searches for ‘rhythm’ he rode to the big leagues
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Young starters Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisigo have more than pitched in for needy Yankee rotation
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
With the damaged nerve in his right thumb flaring up, Ryan Braun goes for more cryotherapy
Mike DiGiovanna / Baltimore Sun:
Success of Shohei Ohtani is inspiring more players to seek two-way roles
Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays at Astros, with a different look
 Earlier Picks: 
Kirk Meyer / New York Daily News:
Cubs closer Brandon Morrow lands on disabled list due to back spasms while taking pants off
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs sign first-round pick Nico Hoerner
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
5 Iowa Cubs who should be considered for the Triple-A All-Star Game
Eric Olson / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
AP sources: Tigers-Royals to play in Omaha before 2019 CWS
Discussion: Detroit News and Royals Review
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves' other Freeman needed this one
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Bailey's back with the Cincinnati Reds, but plan remains unclear
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
After tossing ‘positive’ simulated game, Cubs starter Yu Darvish could begin rehab stint Monday
Toronto Sun:
Giants, Marlins set for finale of heated series
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

 
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