Top News:
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — It's the cloud that lingers every time Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound, even on a day as clear and sunny as Wednesday afternoon was at Comerica Park. — At best, the five-year, $110 million contract the Detroit Tigers handed to Zimmermann three winters ago can be called a mild failure.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' John Hicks to undergo surgery, likely out for season
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Palka-dancing? Daniel Palka turns his base-running gaffe into a bonus for the White Sox
Palka-dancing? Daniel Palka turns his base-running gaffe into a bonus for the White Sox
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Tim Liotta / Associated Press:
Upton homers, drives in 3 to lift Angels past Padres 7-3 — SAN DIEGO (AP) Taylor Ward acted like it was his first day in the majors everywhere but in the batter's box. — Ward went with a pitch and hit an opposite-field RBI double in his first major league at-bat, and had two hits …
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Arizona Republic:
Game Day: Arizona Diamondbacks travel to face San Diego Padres — The Arizona Diamondbacks head to San Diego for a four-game set with the Padres. Stay with this page for pitching matchups, scoring updates and more. — Thursday's game — Diamondbacks at Padres — Where: Petco Park, San Diego.
Greg Moore / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — Let me guess: The Diamondbacks missed an opportunity …
Last Slide — Let me guess: The Diamondbacks missed an opportunity …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Low-maintenance bullpen may be the key to Cubs' stretch run — Photos from the Cubs-Brewers game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 15, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — If the Cubs are going to make an extended postseason run, the key is getting the bullpen in sync the rest of the way.
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Jeff Bidwell / WPSD Local 6WPSD Local 6:
Rizzo leads Cubs past Brewers 8-4 — CHICAGO (AP) - Anthony Rizzo homered, drove in three runs and stole two bases in his return to the cleanup spot, and the Chicago Cubs restored their three-game lead in the NL Central by topping the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Associated Press:
Brewers RHP Jimmy Nelson unlikely to return this season — CHICAGO (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are casting doubt on Jimmy Nelson's chances of returning this season. — Nelson had shoulder surgery in September after he got hurt diving back to first after rounding the base on a single.
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ESPN:
Are position players actually good pitchers? Yes — and definitely no — From 1992 through 2006, 58 position players pitched in major league games. This year, 54 have already done so. In that 15-year period, a fan who watched every game his or her favorite team played would have seen …
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Toronto Sun:
Puig takes swing at Hundley before Giants rally past Dodgers — LOS ANGELES (AP) Yasiel Puig took a swing at Giants catcher Nick Hundley during a benches-clearing scrap in the seventh inning, then Alen Hanson hit an RBI single in the ninth to lift San Francisco over the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and MLB Baseball News …
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Where would the Red Sox be without J.D. Martinez? — The Boston Red Sox were an excellent team in 2017, going 93-69 and winning the AL East before losing to the Astros in the Division Series. — The Red Sox made one major transaction in the offseason, signing J.D. Martinez as a free agent.
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Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Porcello supplies crisp stuff, basepaths mayhem and another win
Porcello supplies crisp stuff, basepaths mayhem and another win
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays at Yankees, with Jake Faria on the mound — The Rays will try again tonight to end their struggles at Yankee Stadium and will have RHP Jake Faria on the mound.With Tuesday's 4-1 defeat, the Rays have now lost 14 of their 17 games at Yankee Sta
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Daily Record:
Ronald Torreyes on report of wife's health after rejoining New York Yankees — Abbey Mastracco, Staff Writer, @AbbeyMastracco — NEW YORK — Ronald Torreyes was spending his summer in the minor leagues, waiting for a call to come from New York. The popular utility player had been hitting .323 …
Daily Record:
Mets GM interviews expected to include Blue Jays execs Tony LaCava and Ben Cherington — BALTIMORE — The Mets may look north to find their next general manager. — As the team is expected to hire an external candidate to replace Sandy Alderson, a pair of Blue Jays are generating a buzz, according to sources.
ESPN:
Umpire Joe West moves into second place in games worked — Umpire Joe West worked his 5,164th career game Wednesday, passing Bruce Froemming for second all time. — West, who worked third base in Minnesota as the Twins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4, trails only Bill Klem, who worked 5,375 games.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kyle Hendricks embraces challenge, delivers key victory against Brewers — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs' 2016 slogan of “Embrace the Target” still exists in pitcher Kyle Hendricks' mind. — The right-hander relishes the opportunity to pitch in meaningful games, such as Wednesday's series finale …
Associated Press:
Liner knocks Paxton out as A's edge Mariners — Felix Hernandez replaced Paxton — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Jed Lowrie hit his 100th career homer after his line drive knocked Mariners ace James Paxton out of the game, and the Oakland Athletics beat Seattle 3-2 on Tuesday night to move within …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Lookout Landing, Naples Herald, U.S.S. Mariner and Beyond the Box Score
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Acquire Terrance Gore — The Cubs have acquired outfielder Terrance Gore from the Royals, per an announcement from the Kansas City organization. Cash considerations will head back in return. — Gore, 27, will presumably reprise his role as a late-season/postseason threat on the bases.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds manager Jim Riggleman gives his team a little pick-me-up talk after recent blowouts — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer — Reds manager Jim Riggleman gave his team a little pick-me-up talk Tuesday night. — Those are necessary after you lose three straight and get outscored 27-6.