Top News:
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
St. Louis Cardinals may consider Reds' Jim Riggleman as permanent manager — Jim Riggleman's effort in leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 40-38 record since he took over as manager of the team following Bryan Price's dismissal has earned praise, and many expect Riggleman to parlay what he's done …
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Associated Press:
LEADING OFF: Cards move on from Matheny, skidding Braves — A look at what's happening around the majors today: — ST. LOUIS STUNNER — The Cardinals will play their first game under interim manager Mike Shildt after firing Mike Matheny late Saturday night.
Steve Overbey / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Cardinals win in interim manager Shildt's debut — Dexter Fowler homered to give interim manager Mike Shildt a win in his first game as the St. Louis — Cincinnati Reds 6-4 on Sunday. — Shildt took over for Mike Matheny, who was fired late Saturday after six-plus seasons at the helm.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals fire manager Mike Matheny after another ugly loss — For an organization that prized continuity and rooted its recent success in more than a decade of leadership stability, the Cardinals sent a sudden, jarring message by firing manager Mike Matheny late Saturday night.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and baseballmusings.com
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
On firing Matheny, Cardinals chairman DeWitt says ‘it was time for a fresh voice’
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
With Mike Matheny fired, could Cardinals turn to Joe Girardi? Mark McGwire?
Guy Curtright / UPI:
Diamondbacks face Braves, aim to roll into break
Diamondbacks face Braves, aim to roll into break
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and Talking Chop
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Despite stellar first half, Yankees still have plenty of work to do to catch Red Sox — CLEVELAND - After clobbering the Red Sox on July 1, no one expected the Yankees to be 4.5 games back of their hated rivals in the AL East division standings. — But that's where they are right now …
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George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees unwilling to trade these youngsters for Manny Machado — CLEVELAND — According to a person with knowledge of the Manny Machado trade situation, the Yankees aren't willing to part with any of their top 10 prospects to pry the All-Star shortstop away from Baltimore.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley, Phillies Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yanks' manager Aaron Boone has noticed Red Sox winning
Yanks' manager Aaron Boone has noticed Red Sox winning
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Place Eduardo Rodriguez On DL
Red Sox Place Eduardo Rodriguez On DL
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Mike Shalin / UPI:
Red Sox hope to enter break with another win
Red Sox hope to enter break with another win
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants prospect Shaun Anderson promoted to Triple-A Sacramento — WASHINGTON — The decision was easy. Giants prospect Shaun Anderson would pitch in either the Eastern League All-Star Game in New Jersey or the Futures Game at Nationals Park. — “It was obvious to me,” said Anderson …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Futures Game managers and longtime friends Torii Hunter, David Ortiz frenemies between the lines — WASHINGTON, D.C. — They don't enjoy the style of today's game, and can't believe the plethora of strikeouts and lack of activity on the basepaths, but here they were Sunday, competing against one another one final time.
Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles erupt in third inning, hold on for heart-stopping 6-5 victory over Rangers — On a rainy afternoon when the offense mysteriously reappeared and Manny Machado mysteriously disappeared, the Orioles closed out the non-mathematical first half of the season with a 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers at Camden Yards.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
RELATED:
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
As pivotal All-Star break arrives, Orioles still weighing interest for top trade chips Machado, Britton, others — The Orioles enter the All-Star break preparing to navigate one of the club's most pivotal stretches in determining its future in the weeks leading up to the nonwaiver trade deadline …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Todd Karpovich / UPI:
Rangers, Orioles seek positive sign entering break
Rangers, Orioles seek positive sign entering break
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — HOUSTON — John Hicks has known Justin Verlander for quite some time. — Growing up in Goochland, Va., Hicks, 28, watched Verlander, 35, play throughout high school. The former Tigers ace was teammates with Hicks' older brother, Daniel, who counts as one of Verlander's best friends.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Crawfish Boxes, Bless You Boys and USA Today
RELATED:
Michael Wagaman / Associated Press:
A's rally on Canha's pinch-hit home run to beat Giants 4-3 — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Pinch-hitter Mark Canha hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning and the Oakland Athletics continued their late-game success, rallying to beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Saturday night.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers collide: Matt Manning K's Dawel Lugo in Futures Game — It's a glimpse at the future of game, and for a brief moment, the Detroit Tigers were at center stage. — To open fifth inning of the 2018 Futures Game in Washington, Tigers pitching prospect Matt Manning took the mound against Tigers infield prospect Dawel Lugo.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Jo Adell tearing up minor leagues - and looks destined to play alongside, not replace, Mike Trout — WASHINGTON - When the Los Angeles Angels drafted Jo Adell with the 10th overall pick in 2017, it seemed unlikely he'd ever share the outfield in Anaheim with the greatest player in the game.
Associated Press:
Gray's strong outing leads Rockies past Mariners, 4-1 — DENVER — Jon Gray went back to his power-pitching roots in a strong return to the majors. — Gray returned from a two-week minor league demotion to pitch into the eighth inning, Carlos Gonzalez homered and the Colorado Rockies extended …
RELATED:
Marly RiveraESPN / ESPN:
How Jose Ramirez went from too small to star to an artist at the plate — Heading into the All-Star break, there are four hitters in baseball with an OPS over 1.000. All four are in the American League, and all four will be starting in the All-Star Game. Mike Trout, you've heard of him.