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2:10 PM ET, July 20, 2018

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 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
RELATED:
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.
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:   Willson Contreras and Javier Baez back in Cubs lineup as Jon Lester takes on Cardinals
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.
RELATED:
Jack Magruder / UPI:   Rockies, D-Backs meet in significant NL West series
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks still like their chances despite Manny Machado trade
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
Here's why Nolan Arenado could become baseball's new walking trade rumor following the Machado trade
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
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 …
RELATED:
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
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Detroit Tigers midseason grades: Mostly bad, some good, in first half
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
MLB: Indians deal for reliever Hand
Discussion: Let's Go Tribe
Charlotte Carroll / Sports Illustrated:
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?
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Trout homers, Stripling takes loss as AL wins homerfest in 10 innings, but All-Star talk centers on Machado
Discussion: DodgerBlue.com
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 …
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
Greg Auman / UPI:   Marlins, Rays go back to work in Florida matchup
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:   Rays journal: Catcher needed with Wilson Ramos on DL
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 …
RELATED:
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
The show must go on in another forgettable Blue Jays season
Discussion: Bluebird Banter
Donald Duench / Toronto Sun:
On Deck: Orioles at Blue Jays
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.
RELATED:
Tim Bannon / Associated Press:
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 …
 
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 More News: 
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Extend Scott Servais
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Rhys Hoskins' intense focus sets him apart
Alan Eskew / UPI:
Royals' Duffy hopes to improve at home vs. Twins
Dave Del Grande / UPI:
Giants hope for healthier Posey vs. A's
Discussion: McCovey Chronicles
Alan Robinson / UPI:
Surging Pirates meet improving Reds
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: In spite of all their woes, the Cardinals don't believe in sell-offs
 Earlier Picks: 
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs closer Brandon Morrow on MRI results: 'Nothing that can't clear up with rest'
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Five big questions facing the Phillies entering the second half
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Activate Gary Sanchez
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kyle Schwarber says Home Run Derby 'wasn't rigged'
Chelsea Janes / Chicago Tribune:
Nationals players express concerns about Dave Martinez's handling of the pitching staff
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Ryan Gajewski / The Hollywood Reporter:
Melissa Barrera on Getting Fired From ‘Scream’ and the Controversy That Followed

New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

 
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