Top News:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
No reason for Yankees to panic after Bomber bats get baffled by Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees are on-pace for 111 wins — 41-14 after a 9-9 start. — So there's no reason to overreact to their 2-1 loss to the Rays on Friday night at Tropicana Field — even on a day when the Red Sox …
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' late rally falls short as winning streak is snapped by Rays with 2-1 loss
Yankees' late rally falls short as winning streak is snapped by Rays with 2-1 loss
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Masahiro Tanaka could pitch in Yankees' simulated game by late next week
Masahiro Tanaka could pitch in Yankees' simulated game by late next week
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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 …
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Andy McCullough / Baltimore Sun:
Cody Bellinger's grand slam is big blow in Dodgers' win at New York — The ballpark shuddered upon impact. A visceral groan rippled through Citi Field as Cody Bellinger's sixth-inning grand slam took flight. Mets right fielder Jose Bautista stood in place and stared upward.
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Yoenis Cespedes' return to Mets lineup uncertain, updates on Jay Bruce and Noah Syndergaard
Yoenis Cespedes' return to Mets lineup uncertain, updates on Jay Bruce and Noah Syndergaard
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
Associated Press:
Bellinger slams sinking Mets; Dodgers win 5-2 behind Wood
Bellinger slams sinking Mets; Dodgers win 5-2 behind Wood
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Longtime Cubs-Dodgers rivalry gets intense reboot
Longtime Cubs-Dodgers rivalry gets intense reboot
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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 …
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:
Fish Stripes and MLB Baseball News …
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Dennis Georgatos / Associated Press:
Gray strikes out 12 in Rockies' 11-3 win over Marlins — DENVER (AP) No sooner did Jon Gray get into trouble in the first inning than he got out of it. It was a pattern he would emulate throughout the night. — Combining power pitching with sleight of hand, Gray struck out 12 in seven dominant innings …
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Party-crashing Phillies aren't going anywhere — WASHINGTON — There was a DJ in the Washington Nationals pregame clubhouse. — Not clubhouse DJ Gio Gonzalez, but like, a real DJ. With a turntable and speakers and lights and everything. Because that's how Davey Martinez rolls.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and The Good Phight
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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 …
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.
Paul Sullivan / Baltimore Sun:
Cubs offense sputters and Jose Quintana ineffective in 6-3 loss to Reds — Photos from the Cubs-Reds game from the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, June 22, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — As ballparks go, Great American Ball Park doesn't really live up to its name.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward back in 1-2 spots for Cubs
Steve Schuster / Toronto Sun:
Pitching staff on target for Goldeyes — When it comes to throwing strikes, the Winnipeg Goldeyes' pitching staff has been stellar this season. — Heading into Friday's game at St. Paul, the Goldeyes' staff had walked just 84 batters in 282.2 innings. Only the Gary SouthShore RailCats have walked fewer.
Joe Totoraitis / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Aguilar connects in 9th for 2nd HR, Brewers beat Cards 2-1 — Jesus Aguilar homered to break up rookie — Jack Flaherty's no-hit bid in the seventh inning, then homered again in the ninth to lift the — St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 on Friday night. — Both teams got just three hits.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Brew Crew Ball
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Lucas Giolito's win, James Shields' loss like night and day for White Sox in doubleheader — After a recent rough patch, White Sox starter Lucas Giolito said he felt “in sync” and worked well with catcher Omar Narvaez. (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates … PITTSBURGH - Baseball people always say there's no commodity more valuable than young starting pitching, and the Diamondbacks appear to have let a starter get away for nothing in the offseason. — The Kansas City Royals plucked right-hander Brad Keller away …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Rookie Shane Bieber tames Detroit Tigers in 10-0 win by Cleveland Indians — The Indians now lead second-place Detroit by six games in the AL Central. — CLEVELAND (AP) - Rookie Shane Bieber struck out nine in a career-high seven innings, Yonder Alonso hit a grand slam and the Cleveland Indians beat …
Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Royals longtime shortstop Alcides Escobar ‘hits good as a center fielder’ — HOUSTON — He waved his arms to call for a flyball. He stopped on the first few jogs out of the dugout to explain what he was up to when asked by a curious Astros player or umpire.
Rotoworld.com:
Praise Jesus! — Jesus Aguilar was a longshot to make the Brewers' Opening Day roster this spring. With a strong showing in Arizona though, he managed to crack the crowded 25-man roster, at the expense of Keon Broxton. With Eric Thames and Ryan Braun expected to platoon at first base …