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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Willson Contreras and Javier Baez back in Cubs lineup as Jon Lester takes on Cardinals
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kyle Schwarber says Home Run Derby 'wasn't rigged'
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
No Javier Baez or Willson Contreras as Cubs open 5-game series against Cardinals at Wrigley
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
What would it take for the Cubs to pull off a deGrom blockbuster?
What would it take for the Cubs to pull off a deGrom blockbuster?
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Baseball News … and NBCSports.com
Jack Magruder / UPI:
Rockies, D-Backs meet in significant NL West series — PHOENIX — Arizona and Colorado met in the NL wild card game when the West was the dominant division a season ago, and each enters the post-break scheduled poised for another postseason run. — Arizona, Colorado and the division-leading …
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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.
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
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
Dave Del Grande / UPI:
Giants hope for healthier Posey vs. A's
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:
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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Donald Duench / Toronto Sun:
On Deck: Orioles at Blue Jays
On Deck: Orioles at Blue Jays
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Camden Chat and Bluebird Banter
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, Lone Star Ball, MLB Baseball News … 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
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs closer Brandon Morrow on MRI results: 'Nothing that can't clear up with rest' — Chicago Tribune — Brandon Morrow had shoulder issues in 2015. His back acted up last month. And now his right biceps is giving him enough trouble to land him on the 10-day disabled list.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Place Brandon Morrow On 10-Day DL
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,” …
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.
Alan Eskew / UPI:
Royals' Duffy hopes to improve at home vs. Twins — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Danny Duffy has been pitching outstanding recently for the Kansas City Royals. — He threw seven scoreless innings, struck out eight and gave up four hits in a 5-0 victory at the Chicago White Sox last Saturday in his final start before the All-Star break.
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Rhys Hoskins' intense focus sets him apart — A few weeks before he leaves home each year for spring training, Rhys Hoskins retreats to a Northern California batting cage and silences his music to make the room as quiet as possible. The only noise he hears is that sweet sound of contact.
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