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:
Beyond the Box Score, Bleed Cubbie Blue and ESPN
RELATED:
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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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 …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks still like their chances despite Manny Machado trade
Diamondbacks still like their chances despite Manny Machado trade
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and AZ Snake Pit
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
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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
MLB: Indians deal for reliever Hand
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and Let's Go Tribe
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:
USA Today and New York Post
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:
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Five big questions facing the Phillies entering the second half
Five big questions facing the Phillies entering the second half
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and MLB Baseball News …
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:
Batter's Box Interactive … and Bluebird Banter
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.
Discussion:
New York Post and Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
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 …
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.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
MLB fighting an unwinnable battle with Mike Trout
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
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.
Tim Bannon / Associated Press:
8 things to know about new Cubs pitcher Jesse Chavez — The Cubs Thursday got right-hander Jesse Chavez from the Rangers. — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs Thursday obtained right-hander Jesse Chavez from the Rangers, giving up lefty Tyler Thomas, who was 3-5 with a 2.88 ERA at low Class A South Bend.
Discussion:
Orlando Sentinel
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Acquire Jesse Chavez
Cubs Acquire Jesse Chavez
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, MLB Daily Dish, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Baseball News …, Lone Star Ball and Al's Ramblings
Greg Auman / UPI:
Marlins, Rays go back to work in Florida matchup — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida's two baseball teams open the second half against each other, with three games at Tropicana Field to set the trajectory for the rest of their season. — The Tampa Bay Rays (49-47) went 14-4 in 18 games …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays should trade Chris Archer
Rays should trade Chris Archer
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Red Reporter and MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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 …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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 …