Top News:
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — The Detroit Tigers, losers of five straight, are slumping, and manager Ron Gardenhire says there's only one solution. — “We just need to come up with a way to get some hits and score some runs,” Gardenhire said at Comerica Park before Detroit's game against the Oakland Athletics on Monday …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Sign Casey Mize — The Tigers announced today that they've signed No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize. He'll be introduced today at a press conference. Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that the former Auburn ace received a $7.5MM signing bonus — a new record bonus for the current draft structure.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
George Stoia / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers Franklin Perez makes first start since injury — Detroit Tigers prospect Franklin Perez made his first appearance since injuring a lat muscle in his back last March. — The right handed pitcher threw two innings for Tigers East in the Gulf Coast League Monday afternoon.
Detroit Free Press:
Zero — Victor Martinez hasn't hit a home run since May 19 against the Seattle Mariners.
Steve Rosenbloom / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs need to make a trade for a reliever, maybe two, maybe three, maybe . . . Chicago Tribune — Ladies and gentlemen, please return your tray table to its locked and upright position and buckle your seat belt as we experience a sentence as turbulent as your basic Cubs relief appearance:
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Hard to get a handle on these bipolar Cubs — “You've got to keep big picture in mind,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said about the team's hot and cold season, “and there are a lot more at-bats to come. It's a day-to-day grind.” (John Minchillo / AP) — Chicago Tribune
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs swept by last-place Reds in 4 games for first time since 1983
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Baseball News …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Watch: All seven Cincinnati Reds' grand slams since May 22 — Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani discusses his third-inning grand slam in an 11-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. It was the first grand slam by a Reds pitcher since 1959. The Enquirer/Bobby Nightengale — CONNECT
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MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Justin Verlander faces Happ when Astros, Blue Jays tangle — HOUSTON — For a third consecutive start on Sunday, Houston Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole encountered a stretch where he wrestled with his control, a span of innings that called for his battery mate to help steer him through the rough patch and into smoother waters.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Bluebird Banter
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Dan Arritt / UPI:
Angels start road trip with stop in Kansas City for makeup game
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
After tough stretch, New York Mets schedule lightens up over next two weeks — Greg Tartaglia, Staff Writer, @NJTags13 — The Mets have had better weeks. — They went 1-6 this past week and have now lost six straight after being swept by the Dodgers this past weekend at Citi Field.
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UPI:
June's worst NL teams meet when Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets clash — NEW YORK — New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway has been using some variation of the term “sync up” so often lately, he sounds like an early 1990s music critic discussing Milli Vanilli.
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ESPN:
Power Rankings: Which AL power is No. 1 this week? — It's more of the same at the top of the rankings, with the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs hanging on to the top three spots. Houston picked up four first-place votes, with Boston picking up the other one.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
Who's indispensable to his team's postseason chances? — As we head toward the second half and the trade deadline, the teams with the most incentive to make a splash are those living on the margins, with their playoff fates in doubt. Manny Machado is a no-doubt-about-it superstar …
Discussion:
Arizona Sports
Alden GonzalezESPN / ESPN:
Angels face unique challenge in trying to get Shohei Ohtani right — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani's situation isn't just complex, it's unprecedented. — One hundred years had passed since a major league player simultaneously handled pitching and hitting the way Ohtani did during his first 10 weeks with the Los Angeles Angels.
Mike Dowling / Forbes:
So How Good Are The Red Sox, Really? — Contributor I will share with you my unique perspective on the Boston Red Sox Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. … While it was just three out of 162 games, this was a very big weekend series for the Red Sox.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and NESN.com
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Dana Gauruder / UPI:
Oakland A's turn to well-traveled Edwin Jackson to start against Detroit Tigers — Edwin Jackson has pitched for a lot of teams. The Oakland A's have burned through many starting pitchers this season. — In a case of harmonic convergence, Jackson will join the A's on Monday and immediately jump into the rotation.
Discussion:
South Side Sox and Athletics Nation
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Adam Engel calls himself ‘Man of Steal,’ but in center field, ‘Super Fly’ might be catchier — Adam Engel scores on a double by Yoan Moncada as Athletics catcher Jonathan Lucroy, right, looks to the field during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 24, 2018, at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Baltimore Sun:
Nationals' Bryce Harper could add star power to Home Run Derby in D.C. — Photos from the 2017 All-Star game Home Run Derby at Marlins Park in Miami. — The Home Run Derby held during All-Star Week usually relies on star power to be successful. Last year it had plenty …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Vince Marotta / Arizona Sports:
D-backs Farm Rumblings: Ray, Delgado getting closer to MLB returns — Here's a quick look at what went on in the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league system last week. — Team League Week/Overall Standing — Reno Aces — Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) — 1-5 / 34-42
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays vs. Nationals, with Snell looking to things rolling — UPDATE, 2:50: RHP Chris Archer threw about 40 pitches in his second bullpen session and seemed in good spirits, fist-bumping the staff on the field with him, and then going to the mound to take a bri
