Top News:
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
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Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Bob Castellini's .500 prediction could send Paul Daugherty to Flying Wallendas in Germany — Joey Votto talks about the Reds' seven-game winning streak following their 8-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The Reds completed a 6-0 homestand. Bobby Nightengale/The Enquirer — CONNECT
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
Steve Rosenbloom / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs need to make a trade for a reliever, maybe two, maybe three, maybe . . .
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs, Dodgers enter four-game series moving in opposite directions
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' rough weekend in Cincinnati should be viewed as a blip, not a red flag
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs swept by last-place Reds in 4 games for first time since 1983
Cubs swept by last-place Reds in 4 games for first time since 1983
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Paul Sullivan / Baltimore Sun:
Hard to hide doom and gloom as Cubs collapse in Cincy, get swept in 4-game series
Hard to hide doom and gloom as Cubs collapse in Cincy, get swept in 4-game series
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Nick Senzel: Season-ending injury 'couldn't have come at a worse time'
Cincinnati Reds' Nick Senzel: Season-ending injury 'couldn't have come at a worse time'
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Detroit Free Press:
Zero — Victor Martinez hasn't hit a home run since May 19 against the Seattle Mariners. Since then, the 39-year-old designated hitter has hit .255 with zero home runs and six RBIs in 29 games and 102 at-bats. — 57 years later, Tigers signee will throw out first pitch
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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.
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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BostonGlobe.com:
Hanley Ramirez not under federal investigation; friend dropped his name hoping to avoid arrest — A friend of former Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez dropped his name in an effort to avoid arrest while transporting fentanyl from New York to Massachusetts in April, then immediately admitted …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, 98.5 The Sports Hub, NESN.com, CBS Boston, Over the Monster and MLB Baseball News …
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Mike Dowling / Forbes:
So How Good Are The Red Sox, Really? — Contributor I will share …
So How Good Are The Red Sox, Really? — Contributor I will share …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and NESN.com
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Chris Sale shows he deserves to be part of AL Cy Young discussion
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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Adry Torres / Associated Press:
Dodgers hit 7 HRs, beat Mets 8-7 on Turner's shot in 11th
Dodgers hit 7 HRs, beat Mets 8-7 on Turner's shot in 11th
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, MLB Baseball News … and Faith and Fear in Flushing
Doug Padilla / UPI:
Dodgers, Cubs meet in LA for four-game series
Michael Kelly / Associated Press:
Rockies can't weather the storm at home … DENVER — Derek Dietrich was hoping for a chance at history but settled for a win in a torrid month for the Miami outfielder. — He homered for the third consecutive game, leading Miami over the Colorado Rockies 8-5 on Sunday.
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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
Alex Butler / UPI:
Padres use double-decker bus to get to game vs. Giants — The San Diego Padres needed a little help from a double-decker tour bus in order to get to AT&T Park for a game against the San Francisco Giants. — The team jumped on the tourist transportation option prior to Sunday's 3-2 loss in San Francisco.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
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Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Hunter Pence authors game-winning hit in emotional walkoff win for Giants
Hunter Pence authors game-winning hit in emotional walkoff win for Giants
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Baseball News … and East Bay Times
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 …
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.
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — CLEVELAND — The Detroit Tigers' most likely trade departure returned on Saturday afternoon and, overall, Francisco Liriano was fine. — Yes, he had a rough bottom of the first inning against the Indians, allowing three runs on four hits while throwing 40 pitches …
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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 …
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.