Top News:
Associated Press:
Heyward helps Cubs beat Cardinals 9-6 in return from break — CHICAGO — The All-Star break is over. It's right about now when the Chicago Cubs usually take off. — Jason Heyward had three hits and two RBI, Ian Happ belted a two-run homer and the Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-6 …
Discussion:
ESPN and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Jeff Arnold / UPI:
Cardinals starting fresh against Cubs — CHICAGO — When the St. Louis Cardinals fired manager Mike Matheny just before the All-Star break, beginning the second half of the season strong was a pivotal first step for a team attempting to move on from the disappointment of the past few months.
Mark Faller / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB All-Star Game … The Diamondbacks and Rockies resume play after the All-Star break Friday at Chase Field, and I'll be there. It's just one game out of 162 this season, but for me it means much more. Friday is the 50th anniversary of the first major-league game I attended.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks still like their chances despite Manny Machado trade
Diamondbacks still like their chances despite Manny Machado trade
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Dana Gauruder / UPI:
Red Sox slugger Martinez pays visit to Tigers — The Detroit Tigers cannot escape reminders of what they used to be. — They faced their former ace, Justin Verlander, in the last game before the All-Star break on Sunday. Upon returning from a four-day hiatus, they run …
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
J.D. Martinez returns to face Detroit Tigers, ‘my home team’ — If it was up to J.D. Martinez, the Detroit Tigers would have won. Maybe then, he wouldn't have been traded. — “It wasn't up to me,” Martinez said during All-Star Game festivities this past week. “It wasn't my fault.”
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Rotoworld.com:
Dose: A Helping Hand — Think the Indians are tired of hearing about the Red Sox, Astros and Yankees? Funny how quickly we forget—no team in the American League won more games than Cleveland (102) a year ago. And though the Tribe hasn't played its best ball yet this year …
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Charlotte Carroll / Sports Illustrated:
MLB Trade Rumors: Syndergaard, deGrom Likely Not Going Anywhere While Mets Could Deal Wheeler
MLB Trade Rumors: Syndergaard, deGrom Likely Not Going Anywhere While Mets Could Deal Wheeler
Discussion:
New York Post and Amazin' Avenue
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
265 or bust! Yankees eye home run history in second half — NEW YORK — Aaron Boone appeared annoyed by the question, one he'd fielded several times already during the opening half of his first season as a big league manager. — Can this team really thrive relying so heavily on home runs?
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Sarah Langs / ESPN:
What it means to be in first place coming out of the All-Star break
What it means to be in first place coming out of the All-Star break
Discussion:
Over the Monster, MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
Associated Press:
Josh Hader to rejoin Brewers for first time since insensitive tweets surfaced — MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager David Stearns wants reliever Josh Hader to “re-earn the trust” of his teammates when he rejoins the team Friday. — Milwaukee is set to resume its season following the All-Star break …
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Todd Rosiak / USA Today:
Milwaukee Brewers players shocked by Josh Hader's tweets, but willing to hear him out — What would normally have been a low-key, voluntary workout for the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Thursday took on a decidedly different tone in the wake of the Josh Hader controversy.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays should trade Chris Archer — ST. PETERSBURG — Chris Archer wants the Rays to get going. — Trade more veterans. Bring back Willy Adames and bring up the next group of kids. Get on with getting better, and get back to reaching the postseason, as they did four times over six years that seems a long time ago.
Discussion:
Red Reporter, DRaysBay and MLB Trade Rumors
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Larry Millson / UPI:
Orioles move on after Machado deal to face Blue Jays — TORONTO — The Baltimore Orioles begin life without star shortstop Manny Machado on Friday night when they open a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. — The Orioles traded Machado, who can be a free agent at the end of the season …
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Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
The show must go on in another forgettable Blue Jays season
The show must go on in another forgettable Blue Jays season
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Donald Duench / Toronto Sun:
On Deck: Orioles at Blue Jays
On Deck: Orioles at Blue Jays
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bluebird Banter and Camden Chat
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Acquire Jesse Chavez — The Cubs have acquired right-hander Jesse Chavez from the Rangers, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported (via Twitter). Lefty Tyler Thomas is heading to the Rangers in return. — Chavez, 34, is owed $1.5MM on the season under his one-year deal.
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Baseball News …, Lone Star Ball and Al's Ramblings
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Tim Bannon / Associated Press:
8 things to know about new Cubs pitcher Jesse Chavez
8 things to know about new Cubs pitcher Jesse Chavez
Discussion:
Orlando Sentinel
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
The most common trade deadline mistake and MLB's next big thing — Do not fight the regression monster. That, my friends, is the rule to live by when thinking about the upcoming trade deadline. — You hate to begin a baseball column with a statistical precept like that, even when it's a simple concept such as regression.
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Ranking each division race entering the second half — After several days of Manny Machado-related intrigue, spirited dialogue about Mike Trout's role as a baseball brand ambassador and debate over whether Bryce Harper's Home Run Derby victory is a sign that he is or isn't “back,” …
Alden GonzalezESPN / ESPN:
Eight starters? For Dodgers, too much pitching is a good problem — LOS ANGELES — It is a good problem, Dave Roberts will admit, but it torments him nonetheless. His Los Angeles Dodgers will begin the season's second half with what appears to be an excess of quality starting pitchers …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
MLB fighting an unwinnable battle with Mike Trout — Chicago Tribune — During a meeting Tuesday with the Baseball Writers' Association of America, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was questioned for more than 45 minutes about the problems confronting the national pastime.
Steve Habel / UPI:
Indians want to pick up pace, starting with Rangers — Cleveland has enjoyed a successful first half of the 2018 season, leading the American League Central by 7 1/2 games as it continues play after the All-Star break. — But the Indians expect to be even better during the final 2 1/2 months …