Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
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.
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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:
MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score, Bleed Cubbie Blue and ESPN
Associated Press:
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.
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Scott Miller / Bleacher Report:
Severino Finds Stardom Thanks to Yanks Enemy Turned Ace Whisperer Pedro Martinez
Severino Finds Stardom Thanks to Yanks Enemy Turned Ace Whisperer Pedro Martinez
Discussion:
Boston Globe and NESN.com
Dana Gauruder / UPI:
Red Sox slugger Martinez pays visit to Tigers
Red Sox slugger Martinez pays visit to Tigers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
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?
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Associated Press:
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.
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Reuters:
Diaz's fourth hit sends Jays past O's in 10th — Aledmys Diaz had four hits, including the game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Baltimore Orioles 8-7 on Friday night. — After the Orioles tied the game with a three-run ninth …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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Larry Millson / UPI:
Orioles move on after Machado deal to face Blue Jays
Orioles move on after Machado deal to face Blue Jays
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Camden Chat
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
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.
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Arizona Republic:
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 …
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Greg Auman / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Replacement catcher Adam Moore ready to play — ST. PETERSBURG — The newest Rays player is also nearly the oldest. — With All-Star C Wilson Ramos on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, Tampa Bay turned to veteran Adam Moore, 34, as the new backup catcher behind Jesus Sucre.
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Associated Press:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
Alden GonzalezESPN / ESPN:
Mike Scioscia: Shohei Ohtani expected to pitch again this year — ANAHEIM, Calif. — At around 5 p.m. PT on Friday, while most of his teammates were taking part in pregame batting practice, Shohei Ohtani stood about 60 feet away from the left-field line, acted out his pitching motion and repeatedly tossed baseballs overhand.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
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.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
MLB fighting an unwinnable battle with Mike Trout
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
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.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets, Athletics Attempting To Finalize Deal Involving Jeurys Familia — 10:36pm: The A's are indeed the team trying to wrap up an agreement, Martino tweets. “Barring [a] snag,” Familia will head to Oakland, he says. Olney hears similarly. (Twitter link.)
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, San Francisco Chronicle and MLB Daily Dish
Harvey Valentine / UPI:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com and Federal Baseball
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 …