Top News:
John Harper / New York Daily News:
A real shame if stars don't align for Mets' Jacob deGrom to pitch in mid-summer classic — The way the Mets' season is going, pitching in the All-Star game could be one of the highlights of Jacob deGrom's year, but the way the schedule lines up, he could wind up pitching on Sunday, July 15th …
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Associated Press:
Clayton Kershaw will return for Dodgers on Saturday vs. Mets — NEW YORK — Clayton Kershaw is set to make a surprise return from the disabled list Saturday night, starting for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a marquee matchup against New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom. — Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Toronto Sun:
Kershaw to return for Dodgers, face Mets' deGrom — NEW YORK — Omaha's loss Saturday night will be a big win for anyone who likes watching two of the best pitchers in baseball face off against one another. — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to make a surprising return …
Andy McCullough / Baltimore Sun:
Cody Bellinger's grand slam is big blow in Dodgers' win at New York
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Reds Xtra: Looking at who might stay or go at the trade deadline — He wouldn't go into specifics, of course, but Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams says the general plan for the Reds is different going into this trade deadline. — Basically, they'll be shopping for players who can help at the big league level now.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation and Red Reporter
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notebook: Lefty reliever Kyle Crockett passes his 1st test in bullpen — When Kyle Crockett was promoted to the Major Leagues on Thursday, he was told his role in the bullpen would be mostly matching up against left-handed hitters and some spot innings.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant, Javier Baez get the day off as Cubs try to end 2-game skid against Reds
Paul Sullivan / Baltimore Sun:
Cubs offense sputters and Jose Quintana ineffective in 6-3 loss to Reds
Cubs offense sputters and Jose Quintana ineffective in 6-3 loss to Reds
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Red Reporter
Charles Odum / Toronto Sun:
Machado hits 2-run HR in 15th as Orioles beat Braves 10-7 — ATLANTA (AP) For Braves manager Brian Snitker, playing the matchups meant pitching to Manny Machado with first base open and a marathon game on the line. — The Orioles slugger made that strategy look foolish.
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Toronto Sun:
Orioles target two wins in a row over Braves — After sitting out eight games in attempt to rediscover his swing, the Baltimore Orioles are hoping first baseman Chris Davis is ready to resume his role as a provider of power. — Davis homered Friday night for the first time since May 9 …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer working to ‘trust’ his changeup again — CLEVELAND — Michael Fulmer's fastball is fine. It's faster than ever. — On Wednesday afternoon against the Reds, it was his fastball that was most noticeable, sitting in the upper-90 mph range …
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Jill Painter Lopez / Associated Press:
Solid outing by Heaney leads Angels past Blue Jays 2-1 — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Andrew Heaney feels awfully comfortable on the mound in Anaheim - and the results reflect that. — Heaney pitched seven solid innings in another quality start, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.
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Greg Auman / UPI:
Rays relievers try to author another win over Yankees — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay's continued experimentation with relievers as starters has had mixed results, but it helped the Rays beat the best team in baseball on Friday night, and they'll hope for the same formula as the series continues Saturday at Tropicana Field.
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
No reason for Yankees to panic after Bomber bats get baffled by Rays
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Yankees' offense is quiet as they lose to the Rays
Yankees' offense is quiet as they lose to the Rays
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
With errors piling up, White Sox's Yoan Moncada defends his defense — Photos of White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada. — Chicago Tribune — Yoan Moncada has had a rash of errors in June. The White Sox second baseman has six this month — all since June 9 — including four in the last four games …
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Dennis Georgatos / Associated Press:
Colorado pitcher strikes out 12 in rout of Marlins — DENVER — Jon Gray struck out 12 in seven dominant innings, Nolan Arenado homered in Colorado's six-run fourth, and the Rockies won their fourth in a row by beating the Miami Marlins 11-3 on Friday night.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Fish Stripes
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Dennis Georgatos / Associated Press:
Gray strikes out 12 in Rockies' 11-3 win over Marlins
Associated Press:
Herrera robs HR, triples in run as Royals beat Astros 1-0 — Herrera helped the Royals end a nine-game skid by bringing back Alex Bregman's would-be homer. The right fielder reached over the short outfield wall to snag the first out in the eighth. — HOUSTON (AP) - Royals rookie Rosell Herrera kept …
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Michael Wagaman / Associated Press:
Richard sets down 18 of 21 in Padres' 6-2 win over Giants — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Eric Hosmer's first single barely stayed fair and never made it past third base. His second was a little crisper and gave the Padres a little cushion in the ninth inning. — It also assured Clayton Richard's career-best winning streak stayed intact.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Eight under-the-radar relievers who deserves All-Star consideration — As the All-Star Game approaches and potential rosters begin to take shape, one question predominates: How is baseball going to find room for all those worthy pitching candidates? It's hard enough to choose when almost 30 starters …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka will throw a bullpen session Sunday as he looks to take next step back — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka said he's “moving in the right direction” as far as his injured hamstrings are concerned. — The 29-year-old righty, who has been out since June 8 …
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants swap outfielders — Williamson out, Slater up — Mac Williamson post-concussion simply did not hit the way he did pre-concussion. With the Giants again getting little offense from left field, they made a move Saturday. — They optioned Williamson to Triple-A Sacramento and recalled Austin Slater …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
It's too soon to be worried about Greg Bird's lack of production for Yankees — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Greg Bird isn't worried. He figures he'll hit again, and it's not like there's anyone breathing down his neck, waiting in the wings to take his job at first base.
Frank Fitzpatrick / Philly.com:
The undertaker who brought Jim Konstanty to life | Frank's Place — Andy Skinner must have felt strangely helpless when, on June 11, 1976, the body of Jim Konstanty arrived at his Worcester, N.Y., funeral home. — In the past, this small-town undertaker had always been there for his bespectacled friend.