Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
All-Star Game: Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander take different paths to historic dominance — WASHINGTON - They have everything you'd possibly want in life. — They've got more than $400 million in guaranteed contracts, the kind of money that will take care of generations of their families long after they're gone.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Futures Game a showcase of potential Manny Machado trade chips — WASHINGTON — Touki Toussaint was about to settle down for his pregame nap when Atlanta Braves director of player development Dom Chiti called. — “When I saw his name pop up, I did kind of get nervous,” Toussaint said.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, Camden Chat and School of Roch
USA Today:
MLB at the All-Star break: Seven eye-opening numbers from the first half — A first half that never seemed to end has finally reached the All-Star break. — And several storylines have dominated Major League Baseball heading into its symbolic halfway point - many of them coming out of Boston.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Motivated Detroit Tigers, against all odds, crush Justin Verlander — Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press Columnist — HOUSTON — The Detroit Tigers needed this. — Not for the standings. Not to create second-half momentum. Not to convince the front office to keep players around past the trade deadline like in years past.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets ace Jacob deGrom on All-Star Game: ‘I want to start’ — WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jacob deGrom never stops competing. The Mets ace leads not only the National League in ERA, but all major-league starters. Making his second trip to the All-Star Game, he thinks that should mean he gets the start.
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Futures Game features power surge with Peter Alonso, Yusniel Diaz, Taylor Trammell — WASHINGTON - The top players in the minor leagues put on quite a display of power in batting practice before the 2018 All-Star Futures Game. Several of them chose to continue, even after the game started.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Despite stellar first half, Yankees still have plenty of work to do to catch Red Sox
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers collide: Matt Manning K's Dawel Lugo in Futures Game
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Jenny Dial Creech / Houston Chronicle:
Astros Balls & Strikes: A.J. Hinch sets rotation for after All-Star break
Yahoo Sports / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
MLB stars of tomorrow blast eight home runs in 2018 Futures Game
Discussion:
New York Post, Bluebird Banter and True Blue LA
Ryan Hannable / WEEI:
David Ortiz reflects on state of Red Sox, why shifts are bad for baseball
Discussion:
NESN.com
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants prospect Shaun Anderson promoted to Triple-A Sacramento
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Talking Chop, Lookout Landing and Lone Star Ball
Derrick Goold / Kansas City Star:
High-tech approach led Cardinals to sign Mikolas without seeing him in person — Almost all of what the Cardinals saw of Miles Mikolas' reinvention as a pitcher in Japan was the byte-sized view offered by video clips they played and replayed again on a laptop or tablet.
RELATED:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Potential candidates to manage Cards — As part of what he would call “due diligence,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has always kept a running, rough list of possible coaching and managing candidates. During the next 2 ½ months he'll order, update …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NBCSports.com
Steve Overbey / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Cardinals win in interim manager Shildt's debut
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, WPSD Local 6 and St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Cardinals pitcher enters radar as Yankees and more seek help
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Ed Barkowitz / Philly.com:
Phillies' Rhys Hoskins one of the favorites to win Monday's Home Run Derby | Sports betting — ATLANTIC CITY — Bryce Harper is favored to win the Home Run Derby, but Rhys Hoskins is getting some major respect from the oddsmakers. — The William Hill company, which operates the sportsbook …
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Who's ready to bash? Meet the eight Home Run Derby competitors — Youth is served in this year's Home Run Derby, as the average age of the eight participants is 26.39 years old, the youngest field ever. None of the eight players was born when the first Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game was held in 1985.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Muncy says he'll practice restraint at home run derby
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs surge to top of NL at All-Star break thanks to clubhouse culture — SAN DIEGO — All is right in Cubs Nation as the 2016 world champions used the final week before the All-Star break to take command of their division, and the National League, and now find themselves on top of both after a weekend sweep of the San Diego Padres.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Mike Trout's incredible start elevates him into the class of MLB's all-time elites — Chicago Tribune — Former Angels scouting director Eddie Bane cringed after soliciting help from one of his evaluators in 2009. — “Around the time of the draft, I asked our scouts to give some comps …
RELATED:
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
With MLB All-Star break underway, here are six observations from the first half of the 2018 season
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Gary Sanchez takes positive step in rehab; Yankees set rotation for Subway Series against Mets — CLEVELAND - Gary Sanchez's minor-league rehab stint got off to a great start. — Sanchez homered while also striking out twice in three at-bats for Triple-A Scranton on Sunday.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Happy, not satisfied: Yankees know they have to improve from big first half
Discussion:
NESN.com
Josh Newman / NorthJersey.com:
Mets: Corey Oswalt's effort wasted as Nationals salvage weekend split — Mickey Callaway after Mets' 6-1 loss to Nats Josh Newman, @Joshua_Newman — NEW YORK — Corey Oswalt deserved better on Sunday afternoon. — The 24-year-old rookie right-hander gave the Mets five good innings …
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers numbers you should know: When will V-Mart homer again? — The Detroit Tigers (41-57) have lost 20 of their last 25 games, but now get to enjoy the All-Star break. Here are five numbers you need to know before they resume play 7:10 p.m. Friday against the Boston Red Sox (68-30) at Comerica Park:
Dennis Georgatos / Associated Press:
Trevor Story's walk-off home run lifts Rockies past Mariners … DENVER — Trevor Story tuned up for the All-Star Game with one memorable swing. — Story led off the ninth inning with his 20th homer, and the Colorado Rockies completed a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners with a 4-3 victory on Sunday.
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Cole Hamels is focused on the Rangers, but a trade to Phillies would be a ‘blessing’ — BALTIMORE — Cole Hamels stays in touch with enough of his former teammates to know that the Phillies will honor the 2008 World Series champions before the Aug. 5 game at Citizens Bank Park.
