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5:45 PM ET, September 18, 2018

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 Top News: 
Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
The minor league affiliate shuffle sends the Nats' Triple-A team to . . . Fresno?  —  Minor league-major league affiliations are a tricky business.  —  With few exceptions, mostly at the lower levels, major league teams do not own the minor league affiliates.  They have agreements with them, which last a minimum of two years.
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals, Fresno Grizzlies Announce Triple-A Affiliate Agreement  —  The Nationals announced Tuesday that they've reached an agreement with the Fresno Grizzlies to serve as their new Triple-A affiliate.  The newly agreed upon player development contract (PDC) is a two-year arrangement.
Discussion: Federal Baseball
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers, San Antonio Missions Announce Triple-A Affiliate Agreement
Discussion: Al's Ramblings
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Brewers announce two-year development deal with new Class AAA franchise in San Antonio
Discussion: Gaslamp Ball
Associated Press:
DODGERS 8, ROCKIES 2  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joc Pederson hit two homers, Max Muncy added a three-run shot and Los Angeles moved back into first place in the NL West with a victory over Colorado.  —  It was a rough night all-around for the Rockies, who lost slugging shortstop Trevor Story in the fourth inning with an elbow injury.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Cardinals keep Braves at bay with four homers, regain slim lead in wild-card race
Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
How to fix baseball? Two ways MLB can improve its product without changing the game on the field
Discussion: Halos Heaven
Chris Smith / FOX2now.com:
Wong begins Cardinals' homer parade in 11-6 win over Braves
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs show off playoff formula in beating Diamondbacks  —  PHOENIX — The playoff formula finally came together for the Chicago Cubs.  Even if it was for just one game, during the busiest stretch of any team in baseball this season, the Cubs reminded the National League what they're capable of.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Kris Bryant and Kyle Hendricks are finding their grooves for the Cubs
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide  —  After an arduous road trip in which the …
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue and AZ Snake Pit
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Yankees' Judge, Chapman clear hurdles  —  Yankees slugger Aaron Judge had 11 at-bats in a simulated game and New York closer Aroldis Chapman threw 22 pitches, perhaps the last steps before both are cleared to return to full action.  —  The team said Judge faced righthanders …
RELATED:
Rotoworld.com:
Daily Dose: Recycling  —  Follow @Rotoworld_BB and @RyanPBoyer on Twitter.  —  The Reds are probably sick of seeing Christian Yelich at this point.  —  Yelich hit for the cycle against Cincinnati on Monday in Milwaukee, accomplishing the feat in just six innings before being lifted in the Brewers' 8-0 blowout win.
Discussion: Baseball Prospectus
Associated Press:
Crawford, Longoria homer to carry Giants over Padres 4-2  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants' rookies got the better of the San Diego Padres' youngsters in a matchup of NL West teams playing out the season.  —  While veterans Brandon Crawford and Evan Longoria homered off Bryan Mitchell …
RELATED:
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants' kids, led by Chris Shaw, outshine Padres in victory
Discussion: McCovey Chronicles
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
Boston's ‘Cora Four’ has the stuff dynasties are made of  —  BOSTON — The 1912 Red Sox won 105 regular-season games, more than any other team in Boston's history, but they did not accomplish it with the flair that the 2018 team has done it this season while also playing a youthful brand of Beantown baseball.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
A conversation with Ben Zobrist  —  He's vying for his first batting title and a third World Series championship in four years — and he's doing it when most guys are winding down their careers.  In a lengthy conversation with Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist …
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers' recent success has been built on sacrifice  —  LOS ANGELES — Joc Pederson, who accumulated 10 total bases in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 8-2 surge over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, has started only 51 percent of the time since the beginning of August.
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / The Charlotte Observer:   Ryu, Pederson lead way as Dodgers cruise past Rockies for division lead
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
After Triple-A title game, more Memphis players could be called up by Cards  —  ATLANTA  • In a rematch of last year's Triple-A championship, the Cardinals' Class AAA affiliate Memphis will turn to Kevin Herget, a righthander, to start Tuesday night against Durham at Columbus, Ohio (6:05 p.m., NBC Sports Network).
Discussion: Minor League Ball
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Once Norris' finger heals, Cardinals will use veteran on lefties
Yahoo Sports / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Orioles catcher has harsh words for his team: ‘We suck’  —  Let's start with the truth: the Baltimore Orioles have had a putrid year.  They're 60 games out of first place in the American League East, they have the worst record in baseball, they were the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention …
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Games of the Day  —  The Red Sox can clinch the AL East with a win in a rare Tuesday afternoon game in the Bronx against the Yankees.  Trade pickups Nathan Eovaldi and J.A. Happ square off.  Eovaldi owns a 4.17 ERA since joining the Red Sox.  He does not give up many walks nor home runs.
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and USA Today
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Vogelbach's slam in 8th powers Seattle over Houston 4-1  —  The loss cut Houston's lead in the AL West to four games over Oakland, which was off Monday night.  —  HOUSTON (AP) - Rookie pinch-hitter Daniel Vogelbach's first career grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning lifted …
Chelsea Janes / Houston Chronicle:
Nationals' young relievers get tough on-the-job training in loss to Marlins  —  MIAMI — The trick most veteran relievers know that less experienced ones do not is how to slow an inning when it begins to gain speed.  —  For younger relievers falling behind tends to escalate more quickly …
Discussion: Federal Baseball and Fish Stripes
RELATED:
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Dave Martinez seems secure to return as Nationals manager. At least for now.
Tim Keown / ESPN:
The Oakland A's are streaking towards October  —  BY THE TIME he neared second base, Oakland shortstop Marcus Semien sensed something was off.  The vibe in Minute Maid Park was weirdly uncomfortable.  It's not like he expected an ovation in Houston, but this was like jogging through a crypt.
Ryan Gorcey / The San Francisco Examiner:
Oakland Athletics pitcher Andrew Triggs to undergo thoracic outlet surgery  —  The Oakland athletics have announced that right-handed pitcher Andrew Triggs will undergo thoracic outlet surgery on Sept. 26.  —  Triggs, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list on July 13, will undergo the surgery …
Discussion: Athletics Nation
Associated Press:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Trevor Story “Facing Potential UCL Damage”  —  1:59pm: There's nothing official yet, and perhaps the details are still unknown even to team and player, but the initial indication is not terribly promising.  Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, via Twitter, Story is “facing potential UCL damage in [his] right elbow.”
 
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 More News: 
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon's Respect 90 Foundation helps fund children's hospital renovations
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs honor Jared Young and Matt Swarmer with minor-league honors
Rotoworld.com:
MLB Power Rankings: Week 25
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Javier Baez strong contender for Silver Slugger Award
Chris Vivlamore / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Riley, Toussaint named Braves' minor leaguers of the year
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Mike Montgomery wants to pitch deeper into games: ‘I feel as good as I have all year’
Daily Record:
Justin Dunn, Mets' 2016 first-rounder, enjoys strong 2018 campaign
 Earlier Picks: 
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Select Justus Sheffield, Move Clint Frazier To 60-Day DL
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Athletics have plenty to play for against Angels
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Jeff Francoeur is a dad again
Gary Phillips / Forbes:
Wild Card Starter No Easy Choice For Yankees As Decision Looms
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and Lone Star Ball
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Asdrubal Cabrera injured in Phils' loss to Mets | Extra Innings
Schuyler Dixon / Associated Press:
Tyler Glasnow hurls gem to earn first win as Rays blank Rangers 3-0
Associated Press:
MLB: Christian Yelich completes second cycle of season — both against Reds
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Miranda Siwak / Us Weekly:
50 Cent Is ‘Going for Sole Custody’ of His Son With Daphne Joy After She Was Named in Diddy Lawsuit (Exclusive)

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

Heidi Parker / Daily Mail:
Jennifer Aniston, 55, and Sandra Bullock, 59, are seen leaving a plastic surgery office in Connecticut that is known for facelifts and rhinoplasty

 
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