Column: Dodgers' big move puts ball in Theo Epstein's court to shore up Cubs pitching  —  Photos from the Cubs-Cardinals game at Wrigley Field on Friday, July 20, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  It has been a very strange season for the Cubs, who may claim the National League Central by default the way things are falling into place.

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?

Texas heat: Hottest home game for Rangers in 25 seasons  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mother Nature is bringing the heat at the home ballpark of the Texas Rangers.  —  The temperature was 107 degrees for the first pitch just after 7 p.m. Friday, when the Rangers played the Cleveland Indians in their first game after the All-Star break.

Arizona Diamondbacks' 20th anniversary team … CONNECT  —  When a fan asked about the state of starting pitcher's roles in the modern game during the announcement of the 20th anniversary team, Diamondbacks great Randy Johnson did not hold back.  —  He was adamant that pitchers today …

Rain delays loom as Cincinnati Reds begin weekend series  —  With the Reds back from the All-Star break, there's a chance for rain throughout the weekend at Great American Ball Park.  —  The Reds dealt with two postponements because of rain earlier this season, including Opening Day.

Severino Finds Stardom Thanks to Yanks Enemy Turned Ace Whisperer Pedro Martinez  —  WASHINGTON — It started quietly two winters ago.  Then, slowly, word seeped out: Two Red Sox legends had decided to help a young Yankee.  —  Now, those whispers are about to lead to a lot of squirming and shouting.

Manny Machado finally joins Dodgers following months of trade speculation  —  It's a whole new beginning for Manny Machado after months of uncertainty.  Perfect time for a new number, too.  —  One with an LA story and a Baltimore past.  —  Machado joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday …

Gibbons pulling for Tulo's return this season  —  Don't include Blue Jays manager John Gibbons as a guy who doesn't care if 33-year-old shortstop TroyTulowitzki makes it back to the team this season.  —  Tulowitzki has missed the entire season because of bone spurs in his right heel …

Column: Instead of fixing what's wrong with baseball, it's time to appreciate what's right  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Appearing before a Senate subcommittee on antitrust and monopoly on July 9, 1958, Yankees manager Casey Stengel gave a couple of long-winded and convoluted answers to the questions of Sen. Estes Kefauver.

Boston's Holt injured at end of wild play in Detroit  —  DETROIT (AP) — Boston Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt left Friday night's game at Detroit in the fourth inning with what appeared to be a right knee injury.  —  Holt stayed on the ground for a while at the end of a wild play.

For starters: Rays open second half at home vs. Marlins  —  Greetings from Tropicana Field, where the Rays come out of the All-Star break with a three-game series against the Marlins.  Here's the lineup for Tampa Bay, which dropped two of three to the Marlins

Jacob deGrom's teammates have his back amid ace's demands to Mets front office: ‘He has every right to say that’  —  Jacob deGrom's demands at the All-Star Game completely blindsided the Mets' front office, but in the clubhouse, it did not surprise anyone who had been paying attention.

Nationals hope Strasburg's return a difference vs. Braves  —  WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals starting rotation gets a much-needed boost Friday night with the return of Stephen Strasburg.  —  The right-hander, out since exiting his start on June 8 with right shoulder inflammation …

Josh Hader faces long journey to redemption, forgiveness after apologizing to teammates  —  MILWAUKEE — We are supposed to forgive and forget, believing they were stupid, irresponsible mistakes made by Milwaukee Brewers All-Star reliever Josh Hader as a teenager.  —  But we can't.  —  Not yet.

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.

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 …