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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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Carlos Rodon solid again, helps White Sox top Tigers 6-5 — Photos from the White Sox-Tigers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — Matt Davidson and Jose Abreu each hit two-run homers Wednesday and the White Sox survived a ninth-inning rally to defeat the Tigers 6-5 at Comerica Park.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' John Hicks to undergo surgery, likely out for season
Detroit Tigers' John Hicks to undergo surgery, likely out for season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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
Associated Press:
Braves, Marlins brawl after Acuna hit by Urena's first pitch — ATLANTA - Ronald Acuna's chance to extend his three-game streak of leadoff homers was put on hold when the Marlins' Jose Urena hit him with his first pitch on Wednesday night, triggering a melee that led to benches and bullpens for Atlanta and Miami emptying twice.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Baseball News …
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Greg Moore / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — Let me guess: The Diamondbacks missed an opportunity to sweep through some last-place teams and get way up on the Dodgers and Rockies in the National League West divisional race. Archie Bradley all of the sudden can't get anybody out. And the bats keep falling asleep!
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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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.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — ARLINGTON, Texas - The Diamondbacks scored twice in the first inning on Monday night against Rangers starter Bartolo Colon, then added another run off him later in the game. It wasn't the kind of explosive night they wanted, but three runs in five innings against the opposing starter is far from disappointing.
Arizona Republic:
Keone Kela, RHP, Pirates — Since being traded from the Rangers to the Pirates, Kela has allowed just four baserunners and has not allowed a run in five outings with his new club. He is holding opponents to a .188 average and has six strikeouts to just one walk in five innings of work with Pittsburgh.
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
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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.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Walks haunt Robert Stephenson again in Cincinnati Reds loss to Cleveland Indians — When Reds manager Jim Riggleman came out to get Robert Stephenson, there was no dialogue between the two. But the message was loud and clear: — Throw strikes, kid, or this isn't going to work out.
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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.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds are making front-office changes with their scouting director and farm director — The Reds are implementing some changes to their front office. — Chris Buckley, the Reds' scouting director, was reassigned to a new position in the front office along with Jeff Graupe …
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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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 …
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
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 …
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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Baseball News …
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.