Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Reds crush Cubs 11-2 for third straight win in series — Photos from the Cubs-Reds game Saturday afternoon, June 23, 2018 at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. — Chicago Tribune — Joe Maddon was in his hotel room watching an episode of “The Office” on his iPad Friday night after the Cubs loss to the Reds.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Willson Contreras says his lack of a ‘thank-you’ to ump led to bench coach's ejection — The Cubs' Willson Contreras celebrates his solo home run against the Reds in the second inning Saturday, June 23, 2018, in Cincinnati. (John Minchillo/AP) — Chicago Tribune
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
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notebook: Lefty reliever Kyle Crockett passes his 1st test in bullpen
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
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:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
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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Brent W. / Associated Press:
Grand slam drops Rockies … Miami Marlins' Derek Dietrich follows the flight of his solo home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray in the third inning of a baseball game Friday, June 22, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) — DAVID ZALUBOWSKI
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Dennis Georgatos / Associated Press:
Colorado pitcher strikes out 12 in rout of Marlins
Colorado pitcher strikes out 12 in rout of Marlins
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Fish Stripes
Dennis Georgatos / Associated Press:
Gray strikes out 12 in Rockies' 11-3 win over Marlins
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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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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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Make Adrian Beltre, Keone Kela, Jake Diekman Available — With the Rangers sitting at 34-44 and well out of playoff contention, they've made third baseman Adrian Beltre, closer Keone Kela and reliever Jake Diekman available on the trade market, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's to call up Edwin Jackson; he'll join record 13th major-league team — CHICAGO — The A's already needed an additional starter in the coming days, thanks to Friday's doubleheader. Then Daniel Mengden left his outing against the White Sox after two innings because of a foot injury.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and Athletics Nation
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 …
Alan Saunders / Star Tribune:
Greinke pitches Diamondbacks past Pirates 7-2 — PITTSBURGH — Arizona manager Torey Lovullo had quite the dilemma when the game was stopped by rain for the second time in the middle of the fourth inning. — When the showers subsided, Lovullo gave the ball back to Zack Greinke, and the ace right-hander delivered.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Vahe Gregorian / Kansas City Star:
The Royals are considering trying to sign Luke Heimlich. Here's why they shouldn't — Amid a distressing makeover by the Royals, the franchise faces numerous complicated decisions. But one looming consideration has more perilous and broad implications than about any other.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Royals Review
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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